Sasha Grutzeck

About Sasha Grutzeck

Sasha Grutzeck is a Senior Instructional Designer at Johns Hopkins University. She’s a member of the Learning Solutions department, where she writes and designs e-courses (and other training materials) for Johns Hopkins University faculty and staff. She enjoys learning new things, collaborating with her coworkers, watching movies, taking ridiculously long walks, and eating the leftover baked goods that always seem to miraculously appear in the Learning Solutions kitchen.

Posts by Sasha Grutzeck:

Habits That Might Be Making You Less Productive

By in Living Well 1 Comment Tags: , , ,

Man_Checking_Phone

There are certain things that a lot of us do every day (sometimes without even really thinking about it) that may be making us less productive at work. According to author Monica Torres, these habits are really common. They’re things that a lot of us are used to doing, not realizing that they could be distracting us from our work and having a damaging effect on our ability to get things done.

So what are the habits that cause productivity to drop? Torres lists the following:

  • Checking your phone whenever you take a short break – After getting a task done, it makes sense to take a short break. But instead of checking your phone during this time, it would be much better if you stood up, stretched, took a short walk, or interacted with your coworkers. Your phone can be a huge distraction. Even though you may intend to only look at it for five or ten minutes, it can quickly stretch to half an hour or more without you even realizing it.
  • Multitasking – Multitasking is not especially efficient or effective. When you multitask, you’re not actually working on multiple things at the same time. You’re just switching back and forth between tasks, instead of focusing on one thing at a time. And this may cause you to be less productive.
  • Constantly checking team chat rooms for messages (and feeling like you have to be the first one to respond to every question) – It’s great that you want to interact with your coworkers and answer their questions. But this can take a lot of time and energy, and it can distract you from your own work. It’s important to check team chat rooms periodically, but you shouldn’t feel like you need to do it twenty times a day. And it’s not your responsibility to immediately answer every question. If you give the rest of your team members the chance to respond, it will take a lot of the burden off of you.
  • Having a lot of tabs open on your browser window – Every tab that you have open on your browser window is one more thing that could potentially distract you from your work. Try to limit the number of tabs you have open in order to focus your attention on what’s really important.
  • Scheduling a lot of meetings – There’s nothing that wastes more time than numerous meetings. Do yourself (and your coworkers) a favor, and only schedule meetings if they are truly important and necessary.

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Torres, M. (2021, October 26). 7 mindless habits that are making you unproductive at work. HuffPost. Retrieved from: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mindless-work-habits-productivity_l_6176df26e4b066de4f65eed0

Forget New Year’s Resolutions – Here Are Five Beneficial Things That You’ll Actually Want to Do in 2022

By in Learning, Living Well 1 Comment Tags: , , ,

Happy_With_Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions are often hard to keep. The majority of the time, people aren’t able to stick to the resolutions they make – maybe because they aren’t sure what they need to do to achieve them, or because they set their expectations too high. It can be difficult and stressful.

2021 was a hard year for a lot of people. So maybe we should cut ourselves some slack, and avoid making tough, demanding New Year’s resolutions this year. Instead, why not resolve to do things that are both fun and beneficial to our careers? Author Lea McLeod has a few suggestions:

  • Learn about something you’ve always been interested in that has nothing to do with your work – Have you always been interested in learning more about something random, like puppetry, interior design, classic car restoration, or hydroponic gardening? Well if so, you should go for it! Not only will it be fun and personally rewarding, it will also benefit you at work by making you more curious and creative. Plus, who knows how you might be able to apply those new skills? They might just come in handy on your next work project!
  • Ask to take on a task at work that seems enjoyable (even if it’s not in your area) – Is there something that you would like to try doing at work, even though it’s not in your area of expertise? Ask your manager if you could try it out. Even if it doesn’t end up being a good fit for you, you’ll still learn something new and hopefully enjoy the experience. In addition, your manager will admire you for wanting to try new things.
  • Get technical – Try to learn a new technical skill. And make sure it’s something that you’ve always been interested in learning, so that it’s an enjoyable process! Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn more about Photoshop. Or maybe there’s a new app for your phone that you’ve been dying to try. It doesn’t need to be directly related to your work. Getting more technologically-savvy is always beneficial, no matter what type of technical skill you’re learning.
  • Read a few books – Try to read a few books this year that will inspire you and make you think. Choose books that really interest you, so you’ll stick with them (even if you’re not a big reader). The intellectual stimulation that comes from reading a good book will help you to be a more effective employee.
  • Unplug for a weekend – For one weekend, try to unplug from all of your devices. Don’t look at your work email. Don’t look at social media. Just take a break, and spend your time doing offline activities that you really enjoy. Enjoying a weekend away from work and other responsibilities will help to prevent burnout, and will make you a more productive, engaged employee.

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McLeod, L. (n.d.). 5 career-boosting New Year’s resolutions you’ll actually want to keep. The Muse. Retrieved from: https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-careerboosting-new-years-resolutions-youll-actually-want-to-keep

How to Build a Cohesive Team

By in Communication, Leadership 1 Comment Tags: , , ,

Happy_Cohesive_Team

Cohesive teams are groups of people who are willing to work together towards a common goal. They combine their talents, so they’re more skilled, competent, and effective than they would be alone. They trust each other, they’re committed to supporting the group effort, and they resolve conflicts quickly. And the members of cohesive teams tend to feel good about their jobs and their work.

So what can managers do to help build productive and effective cohesive teams? Here are a few suggestions:

  • Provide team members with clear goals – Make sure that you have clear goals for the team and for each member of the team, and make sure that team members are aware of these goals. The goals should be easy to understand and free of jargon. There should be no question about what team members are expected to do in order to meet (or exceed) these goals.
  • Provide team members with training opportunities – Provide your team members with the opportunity to get training in order to sharpen their existing skills or develop new ones. Make sure they know that asking for training doesn’t mean that they’re deficient in some way. Rather, it’s something that’s encouraged, because skillful, educated employees are more likely to be able to contribute to the team effort.
  • Communicate – Encourage your team members to communicate with you and each other (and provide them with the means to do so). When teams communicate freely and openly, it strengthens the connections between team members. It also allows for problems to be solved more quickly and easily.  
  • Build trust – In order to work together effectively, team members need to trust each other. To build trust, managers and team members need to be honest, kind, and respectful, and need to communicate openly and frequently. As a manager, make sure that you’re available if a team member needs to talk. The more accessible you are, the more likely your employees will be to speak to you freely and trust you with their ideas.
  • Work together to resolve conflicts – Even the most effective and cohesive team will occasionally experience conflict. When it happens, get team members to work together to come up with a solution. Don’t let the problem fester. Address it quickly, and make sure that all team members are satisfied with the proposed solution.
  • Celebrate team successes – When your team experiences some sort of success or achieves an important goal, make sure to celebrate it. Congratulate the entire team, rather than singling out one or two people. Acknowledge the fact that the entire team contributed to the success.

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Indeed Editorial Team. (2021, March 2). 10 steps to improve team cohesiveness in the workplace. Indeed. Retrieved from: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/team-cohesiveness

How to Be Curious

By in Learning 1 Comment Tags: , ,

Curiosity

Curiosity is a great quality to have in the workplace. People who are curious are more likely to examine problems from different perspectives and come up with innovative solutions. They’re more likely to be lifelong learners who are constantly developing and enhancing their skills and abilities. Curious employees tend to be creative employees. And they’re often a big asset to their teams.

We were all curious when we were young. But curiosity is a quality that can sometimes be lost as we get older. It’s not always encouraged. There’s an old saying – “curiosity killed the cat.” Many of us were taught that curiosity can get you into trouble and you should stick with the status quo.

So how can you become curious again? What can you do to rediscover this quality? Author Greg Blatt has a few suggestions:

  • Allow yourself time to think and learn – When you’re faced with a problem at work and you don’t need to take immediate action, give yourself a little time to reflect. Take the time to consider all of your options and possibly discover new ones. In addition, if you ever have downtime at work, try to spend some of it investigating a topic that interests you. Learning about new things can help to further spark your curiosity.
  • Be willing to listen to new ideas – When a coworker voices a new idea or opinion, don’t judge it immediately. Listen to what your coworker has to say, and try to be open to new ways of doing things.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions –If you don’t fully understand something, ask about it. Asking questions is one of the best ways to indulge your curiosity and improve the quality of your work. Your questions might help you and your coworkers to uncover new possibilities, collaborate more effectively, and develop your ideas more successfully.  
  • Get used to feeling a little uncomfortable – It can sometimes be a little uncomfortable to question the status quo and examine issues from a new perspective. But if you can stomach that feeling, the payoff will be worth it. Being curious, asking questions, and learning new things is tremendously rewarding. And ultimately, it will be beneficial to your whole team.

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Blatt, G. (2020, April 7). Curiosity in the workplace: How to develop an inquisitive attitude and become a better leader. Thrive Global. Retrieved from: https://thriveglobal.com/stories/curiosity-in-the-workplace-how-to-develop-an-inquisitive-attitude-and-become-a-better-leader/

Choose Your Words Carefully

By in Communication 1 Comment Tags: , ,

Choosing_Words_Carefully

Words are powerful. They can tear another person down in an instant. That’s why it’s so important to choose your words carefully when you’re at work, and to always think before you speak.

Honest communication is essential at the office. Teams can’t function without it. But it’s equally important to present your thoughts and ideas in ways that are respectful and considerate of others.

Here are four things that you should do when you’re speaking to your coworkers:

  • Take a pause – It’s often a good idea to pause before you speak, and take a little time to consider what you want to say. This will prevent you from using words that might be hurtful or misunderstood. In addition, a brief pause will indicate to others that you’re thinking about the issue carefully and taking it seriously.
  • Think about whether it’s necessary to say anything – It’s not always necessary to share your opinions. This is especially true when you feel like you don’t know how to voice your thoughts in a way that’s clear and respectful. In these situations, it’s better to sit back and listen to what other people have to say. One of your coworkers might voice an opinion that’s similar to yours (making it unnecessary for you to speak), or you might hear new ideas that make your rethink your position. Try to be open minded and carefully consider what other people have to say.
  • Don’t forget that you’re at work – You might use colorful language when you’re at home, but you shouldn’t do it at the office. Even if you have good relationships with your coworkers, always remember that you’re in a work setting and you need to be professional.
  • Apologize if you say the wrong thing – Everyone makes mistakes. And no matter how careful you might try to be, there may still be a time when you say the wrong thing. If this happens, you should immediately say you’re sorry. Acknowledge the fact that you shouldn’t have said what you did, and apologize for causing offense.

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n.a. (2020, January 15). 4 ways to think before you speak in the workplace (and elsewhere). Leadership Delta. Retrieved from: https://www.leadershipdelta.com/be-the-delta-blog/2020/1/15/4-ways-to-think-before-you-speak-in-the-workplace-and-elsewhere

Asking for Extensions at Work – The Difference Between Men and Women

By in Leadership, Living Well 1 Comment Tags: , , ,

Need_Extension

Work can be very demanding. Sometimes, it’s difficult (or impossible) to meet all of the deadlines that we’re given. In these types of situations, people are often advised to talk to their managers and ask for an extension. But according to a recent research study, women are less likely to ask for an extension than men. This was found to be true of all women, regardless of the amount of time they’d been at the job or their level of experience.

Women were more concerned about appearing to be incapable or inadequate. They were also more concerned about inconveniencing others by not getting their part of the project done on time.

This reluctance to negotiate about deadlines can be damaging to the employee. It can cause increased levels of stress, and (if deadlines are missed) negative performance reviews. It can also be damaging to the company. When employees must rush to get things done by a certain date, mistakes are more likely to be made and the quality of the work may drop.

So what can be done to alleviate this problem? Researchers Whillans and Donnelly suggest that management should institute the following policies:

  • If a deadline is flexible, make sure to communicate that to your employees – Maybe you’d like a certain project to be done in a week. But if you know that it would actually be fine if your employees took a couple extra weeks to get it done, make sure they know this. Don’t keep it a secret.
  • Tell your employees that it’s OK to ask for an extension when they need it – Make sure your employees know that you won’t be angry or disappointed if they feel like they need more time on a certain task. Asking for an extension doesn’t indicate that an employee is incompetent or lazy – it means that the employee is dedicated to doing quality work.
  • Create a formal policy that states that employees will not be penalized for asking for an extension – With a formal policy in place, employees will know that they will not be punished if they feel the need to ask for an extension. Researchers found that in companies that had this type of formal policy, there was no longer any difference between the number of women and men who requested extensions.

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Whillans, A. & Donnelly, G. (2021, November 1). Women, men and deadlines. The Wall Street Journal, p. R9.

What to Do When You Feel Envious at Work

By in Learning No Comments Tags: ,

Envious_Fish

Have you ever felt envious of one of your coworkers? Maybe that person seems to have everything – money, charm, status, and the perfect home life. They might learn new information quickly, get constant praise from your boss, and have pictures scattered around their office that show them doing exotic things like climbing Mount Everest or swimming with sharks. Even if you like the person, you still might be gritting your teeth with envy.

Envy is an emotion that we feel when someone else gets something that we want. We’re all likely to feel envious now and then. It’s especially likely to crop up when things seem uncertain or chaotic at work. If you feel like you’re competing with your coworkers for limited resources, envious feelings will almost certainly exist.  

Unfortunately, these feelings can be really damaging — not only to the person who feels envious, but also to the entire team. The person who’s envious will feel angry, stressed, and dissatisfied about the fact that they haven’t been able to achieve the same things as their coworker. This could cause their work to suffer. In addition, the envious person may not want to communicate or collaborate with their coworker. This could have a negative impact on the team’s ability to work together, innovate, and get things done.

So what should you do if you find yourself feeling envious of a coworker? How can you banish this damaging emotion? Authors Tanya Menon and Leigh Thompson suggest that you take the following steps:

  • Figure out what’s causing your envious feelings – Try to pinpoint exactly what’s causing your envy. Is it the fact that your coworker has such a good relationship with your boss? Or that your coworker has a more important position in the company? Once you’ve figured out exactly what’s causing your envy, you’ll be better able to control that emotion. You’ll also be able to start working on achieving those things yourself.
  • Focus on yourself rather than other people – Don’t compare yourself to other people. Since you don’t know everything about your coworker (and the problems or insecurities that they might have), it’s impossible to make an accurate comparison. And it will always make you feel lousy. Instead, focus on yourself, and compare your present self to your past self. Have you accomplished things over the past six months? Are you in a better position now than you were a year ago? If so, you should feel good about that! If not, it’s something you can work on.
  • Think about your strengths and accomplishments – When you start to feel envious, try to stop yourself, and think about your strengths and the wonderful things that you’ve accomplished instead. Thinking about your own positive qualities will help you to overcome any feelings of resentment that you might have for your coworker.

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Menon, T. & Thompson, L. (2010, April). Envy at work. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2010/04/envy-at-work

Another Bizarre Thanksgiving Dish – You’ve Got to See It to Believe It

By in Holidays and Celebrations 1 Comment Tags: , ,

Shocked_Woman_in_Kitchen

Every year, around Thanksgiving time, I like to scour the internet to find strange and disturbing Thanksgiving dishes. One year I posted an article about a woman who attempted to make “Frozen Jellied Turkey-Vegetable Salad” (so awful), and another year I discovered a “Thanksgiving Turkey Cake” that was truly awe-inspiring.

This year, I’ve discovered a new and amazing dish. It’s called “Thanksgiving in a Bucket.” The food itself isn’t that strange. What makes this one bizarre is the presentation.

Created by Christine Byrne and Rachel Sanders, the Thanksgiving in a Bucket is described as a dish that’s perfect for people who don’t have a lot of space on their table. Instead of serving all of the traditional Thanksgiving dishes in separate bowls and platters, they suggest layering the food into a clear, three-gallon bucket. Those layers include (from bottom to top) a layer of stuffing, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, turkey and gravy, and cranberry sauce. Check out Tasty’s website to see what this thing looks like. I think it has to be seen to be believed.

So would you eat Thanksgiving in a Bucket? Personally, I would be willing to give it a try. I’m not fussy about keeping my foods separate. If everything kind of mixes together, that’s OK with me. But I would never prepare a Thanksgiving in a Bucket and serve it to others. If I did, I’m afraid they’d never associate with me again!

Do you know of any bizarre Thanksgiving dishes? If so, please feel free to share them in the Comments section below! And have a great Thanksgiving!

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Byrne, C., and Sanders, R. (2014, October 8). Thanksgiving in a bucket will be your new favorite tradition. Tasty. Retrieved from: https://tasty.co/article/christinebyrne/thanksgiving-in-a-bucket#46und9w

Saying “OK” to Scammers

By in Humor, Technology 1 Comment Tags: , ,

Scammer

I’m sure you’ve gotten emails from scammers who have tried to trick you into sending them your money or personal information (including things like your social security number, bank account number, or credit card number). It happens so frequently. I think we’ve all gotten used to it.

I always delete their emails without responding. But I know that there are other people who enjoy messing around with the scammers by responding to their emails and making their own ridiculous requests. It’s an effective technique. Scammers will eventually give up if you’re more persistent and annoying than they are. But I would never have the time or energy to do it myself.

That is – until now! I just watched a video about an easy, new technique that you can use to make a scammer’s life miserable. It’s pretty simple. You just have to agree to everything they say. Watch the video below to see the technique in action! Enjoy!

The Benefits of Wearing a Uniform to Work

By in Living Well No Comments Tags: , ,

Work_Outfit

My former boss decided that he liked wearing a white shirt, black pants, and black shoes to work. So he started doing it every day. He bought five white shirts and a couple pairs of black pants, and he was all set. He called it his “work uniform” and he claimed that it simplified his life.

I sometimes think about my boss’s work uniform, and what a good idea it was. Now that many of us are returning to the office, we’re faced with picking out an outfit to wear to work each day, and this can sometimes be difficult and time-consuming. I often struggle with what to wear. (And I often feel exhausted and defeated when I realize that the specific shirt that I need to complete the outfit is either dirty or wrinkled.) The thought of wearing the same thing every day is kind of appealing.

Here are just a few of the benefits:

  • It saves time and energy – As I mentioned, picking out work outfits takes time. If you wear the same thing every day, you don’t have to give your outfit a moment’s thought. You can use that saved time and energy on more important things (like getting a little more sleep).
  • It saves money – There’s no longer any need to be a slave to the latest fashion trends or spend money on trendy new clothes. You can simply wear your work uniform every day and save your money.
  • You’re guaranteed to feel confident – If you choose a work uniform that makes you feel professional and confident, you’ll feel good about the way you look every day.
  • No one will notice – You might be concerned that your coworkers will think less of you if you wear the same thing every day. But that won’t be an issue. Your coworkers are preoccupied with their own lives. They most likely won’t even notice what you’re wearing.

Author Julie Kendrick suggests that you pick a uniform that you truly like and will work in variety of situations (including more formal client meetings). In addition, it’s got to be comfortable. She suggests that you ask yourself “Can I eat a huge meal wearing this outfit and still feel good?” If the answer is “yes,” then it’s probably a good choice! Finally, in order to make things easy on yourself, make sure that your work outfit is machine-washable and can be thrown in the dryer. (There’s nothing simple or easy about dry cleaning, so you should probably avoid clothes that require that kind of care.)

Now if you enjoy fashion and express your creativity through your clothing choices, then this is probably not the best approach for you to take. But for the rest of us, I think it’s a pretty good idea! If you decide to give it a try, please let us know how it went in the Comments area below!

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Kendrick, J. (2021, September 13). 4 reasons to adopt a work uniform, and how to do it. HuffPost. Retrieved from: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/work-uniform_l_6137a588e4b0df9fe27c2eac

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