013 | 5 min Weekend Challenge

013 | Your Weekend Challenges Await!

Welcome to the weekend!

This week is different. We're practicing the skills we preach.

In McKindsey's Future-citizen skills report shared last week, proficiencies in certain skills were linked to higher income, better employment probability, and more job satisfaction.

Let's look at the top 3 skills and practice them this weekend.

Skill #1: Self-Confidence

Linked to both higher income and higher job satisfaction.

The question: How quickly are you receptive to change?

Challenges (pick 1!):

1. Reflect on this Year's Wins: Likely, you've achieved some awesome wins in 2024. Take a piece of paper and quickly write down 5 personal or professional achievements. Place this next to your desk if doubt creeps in at the end of the year.

2. Speak Up: Attending an event? Challenge yourself to contribute to the conversation — share an idea, offer an opinion, ask a question.

3. Tackle a Fear: Scared of Ai? Use it. Try out Google's Notebook LM (like my friend Bez)!

Skill #2: Coping with Uncertainty

Linked to both better employment probability and higher job satisfaction.

The question: How well do you stay calm and productive when things don’t go as planned?

Challenges (pick 1!):

1. Unplug: Block off one hour to be completely tech and social-free. The easiest way to do this is to leave your phone at home or in the car, and take an hour walk. Use this time to reflect on how you feel without immediate access to information or social cues.

2. Get Risky: Try an activity you've never done before, to experience the learning process and adapt to new situations. Work through the activity without immediately seeking directions.

3. Reflection on Chaos: Journal on a time when things did not go as planned. What strategies did you use to stay calm? What would you do differently?

Skill #3: Workplan Development

Linked to higher income.

The question: How well can you organize and prioritize to achieve a clear outcome?

Challenges (pick 1!):

1. Set a weekly goal: Identify one meaningful goal you want to accomplish by the end of next week. Break it down into small, actionable steps, and map out when you'll tackle each one. Doing so also helps build your self-confidence.

2. Visualize your next project: Sketch out a simple timeline. Focus on the milestones which will lead you to your end goal.

3. Identify roadblocks: Think of a current project or goal, and note 3 potential obstacles that might slow you down. These obstacles could be self-inflicted. For each roadblock, take one piece of paper and write stream-of-conscious how to overcome this.

Conclusion — Poll!

I need to work on Skill #3, and will choose one of the challenges above.

What about yourself!

⚡️ Updates

Check out my podcast interview with Arvind from Founder Alchemy, released this week!

Connection Power Hours

I'm on a mission to connect 100 unique individuals in 1:1 and small group breakout rooms through online, speed networking.

Our last one of 2024 is next week!

Learn more on our website and subscribe to our event list here—all times in EST.

🎶 Playlist

Every week, an updated playlist with 5 new songs. Choose your platform 👇

📥 Suggestions

Hey, Lauren here. I'm grateful you took the time to read this letter!