Are You Procrastinating? Increase Motivation and Take Action with These Simple Steps.

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There are countless reasons to put off working on a project. Maybe you’re daunted by the size of it, or the deadline is far off, so you don’t feel urgency to get moving. Whether your procrastination is the result of perfectionism, negative thought patterns, or even boredom, there are easy changes you can make to increase your motivation and complete high-quality work without missing deadlines.

Take charge of your day

It’s easy to find excuses to not take action. I don’t have time. I’m too busy. I’ll do it later when things calm down. To move beyond procrastination, you need to take charge of your time.

  • Don’t let external demands control your time. Deadlines and mundane tasks are likely a part of your days. Take charge of your schedule.
  • Minimize interruptions. Turn off your Teams, Outlook, and text notifications if you can. Block off time on your calendar. Prioritize your tasks.
  • Ask yourself: What needs to be done now? What can wait until later?
  • Figure out and respect your preferred working methods and energy levels. Consider when you’re most productive and schedule your day accordingly.

Set small deadlines

If you sometimes feel like you’re accomplishing nothing, it may be because your idea of getting something done is too big.

  • Focus on the wins, no matter how small. Set small goals and interim deadlines throughout the day.
  • As you hit each small target, you’ll build momentum and feel motivated to strive toward the next goal.

Achieve an optimal level of positive stress

We all face stress at work — deadlines to meet, unexpected problems to solve. It may sound counterintuitive, but a little stress can be a good thing. Positive stress can give you the energy you need to stay motivated. The key is to achieve an optimal level of healthy stress.

  • Know your limits. Find a challenge you can realistically take on.
  • Don’t be complacent. Push yourself to achieve great things, one step at a time. Remember that a challenge should stretch you without breaking you.

Collaborate to stay engaged

When we pool our resources and expertise to work on a task with others, we share ideas, discuss options, and develop ideas as a team. One person’s enthusiasm might inspire you. New eyes bring new perspectives, which may help you look at a task in a new way.

  • To ensure your collaboration is effective, be sure you have a diverse group to offer different perspectives.
  • Allow some quiet space to build on the ideas that emerge.
  • Effective collaboration can be structured or informal.

Try these techniques to help you take action and leave procrastination behind, and look into self-paced, online elevateU resources for further motivation and guidance.

photo of a woman working at a laptop

Leadership Blog Series: Performance Excellence During Periods of Uncertainty and Transition

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Written by MSU HR Organization and Professional Development

Whether your department plans to continue remote work, switch to a hybrid model, or bring everyone back to campus ASAP, Performance Excellence discussions likely have a different feel this year. The reality is that Performance Excellence—annual, probationary, and interim reviews, performance planning and goal setting—is very much needed despite all the recent and upcoming transitions and unknowns. Here are some tips to help you stay on track with these important discussions regardless of how and where the conversations take place.

Keep with it

Do not postpone coaching, feedback, 1-on-1 sessions, or performance reviews during this time. Our instinct may be to put off these conversations until things are “back to normal.” However, the opposite is true. Due to the highly unusual year we’ve all experienced, it’s imperative to connect with employees right now. Even in times of crisis, people still want to know that their long-term growth and success haven’t been forgotten.

Now’s an ideal time to revisit goals and keep the focus on the future. Identify opportunities, quickly communicate changes to your staff, and prepare them for potential pivots. Don’t ignore performance issues or delay accountability conversations. It’s as important as ever to address these matters as soon as possible. Put in the work now to help avoid larger issues in the future.

Establish, re-evaluate and reiterate criteria for success

Amid so many changes, consider establishing new definitions of success. Think short-term, well-defined, and task-based. Take a goal-based approach to performance measurement that focuses on clearly defined expectations and standards—for example, SMART and HARD goals or objectives and key results (OKRs)—to allow for a more flexible or task-based approach where metrics don’t exist or can be deceiving.

This is especially important when evaluating teams working from home. It is critical for those teams to focus on clearly defined outcomes and performance indicators (e.g., metrics, goals, deliverables). Don’t mistake activity and participation—such as emails, meetings, or hours on a timesheet—for high-quality, productive performance outcomes. Clear, established goals provide a straightforward way for both the supervisor and employee to truly gauge success.

Shift your perspective

As some employees remain remote and others return to the office, it’s important to re-tool our ability to read performance. Put effort into deciphering the increasingly blurry line between work and life. As one manager put it, it’s necessary to now “balance the need for flexibility that’s specific and supportive to the individual’s needs with the need to also somehow be equitable to others.” This will require effort on your part with thoughtful consideration of what your employees need as individuals and as a team.

With a few changes to our thinking and approaches, the Performance Excellence components of goal setting, performance planning and measurement can continue to benefit your employees, your team as a whole, and you as a supervisor. Visit the Performance Excellence pages on the HR website to find tips, tools and relevant forms. The Conducting Annual Performance Reviews Remotely page provides additional assistance for working with remote employees.

Job of the Week: Research Technologist I

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This week we’re highlighting a Research Technologist I position (posting 707910) for the Clinical Neuroscience Lab. This is a funded project investigating abnormal visual perception in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in many aspects of the study including recruiting and scheduling participants, performing clinical interviews, collecting behavioral and neuroimaging data, and organizing study data. In addition, this position will involve general lab management, including maintaining ethical protocols. The research technologist will also have the opportunity to prepare scientific results for publication and presentation. Finally, there will be the opportunity to participate in mental health outreach activities. There will be ample opportunity to learn novel methods in functional neuroimaging, vision science, and clinical science; accordingly, this position should be viewed as a stepping stone toward gaining entry into graduate or professional school.

You should have knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in psychology, neuroscience, or related discipline and up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in basic research techniques. Find a complete list of job duties and required/desired skills on the posting page.

If you’re interested in applying or learning more about this position, please visit the posting page here. Find all current job openings at MSU on the Careers @ MSU website.

Job of the Week: Public Engagement Coordinator

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This week’s job of the week is a Public Engagement Coordinator position (posting #707290) for the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at MSU.

This position will serve as operational coordinator for the public programs and special events of the museum and report to the Director of Operations. Your primary responsibility is to plan and execute both public and private events, including rental clients from grassroots community organizations to corporations. Working closely with internal and external stakeholders the person in this role will further the MSU Broad’s strategic goal of fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible environment through collaboration and high-quality events. The Public Engagement Coordinator additionally serves as manager on duty during public hours and events, requiring in-depth knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the museum facilities including building, security, exhibition and student staffing processes. Find a more detailed list of duties and responsibilities on the posting page.

This job requires knowledge equivalent to that which would normally be acquired in a four-year college degree in Public Relations, Communications, Business or in an area related to the work being performed; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible and expansive work experience in a field related to the position including planning and managing special events; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

You can learn more about this position and apply here by May 25. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu.

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Leadership Blog Series: Recognizing and Managing Stress During Times of Change

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Written by Sharri Margraves, HR Associate Director for Organization and Professional Development

Based on some of my behavior choices over the past year (e.g., purchasing 50 lbs. of flour — why?), some might say I did not handle the stress of the pandemic very well. I’d have to agree. Personally, it was terrifying last spring when the threat of economic collapse seemed imminent. Those fears lessened but were then replaced by worries of illness, death, and the safety of my loved ones as the pandemic doubled down in Michigan and throughout the world.

Many of us are now preparing for a new kind of stress that reflects more unknowns, such as potential changes in work location, expectations, tasks, and what that all means to us as employees and colleagues. We are collectively experiencing unprecedented change across the organization by virtue of budget impacts and changes in senior leaders — both of which have a way of cascading through an organization and challenging the status quo.

Check Your Stress Level

One thing the pandemic did not do was ease the “normal” stressors in life such as divorce, familial issues, debt, and job change, to name a few. Consider taking the Life Change Stress Test, a self-assessment scale developed as a predictor of an individual’s well-being and the likelihood of illness. Where are you currently on the life-change stress index?

We may not share a common experience to change. What one person feels is a great idea might feel like an unnecessary and stressful change to another. You might find exhilaration in tackling new systems while others might find the same experience overwhelming. How leaders navigate these next few crucial months is expected to impact employee stress and, therefore, employee motivation and satisfaction — essential aspects of building a healthy and positive culture for our students and colleagues.

Are You Languishing?

The fact is there are many unknowns still surrounding the pandemic that, when combined with our everyday stress to navigate, can lead to even fun activities like weddings and graduations causing an increase in stress and a decrease in motivation.

In the work context, the continuous change we have been experiencing along with ongoing uncertainty can lead to what Adam Grant of The New York Times recently described as languishing. People may not be considered depressed, but they’re not flourishing either. After months of being on high alert, our bodies and brains are likely tired, stressed, and burned out by this state of hypervigilance.

Reduce the Impact of Stress

Keep in mind that stress does not need to be negative to have an impact on you, and not all stress needs to be immense to add up. Often, it is the compounding of little things that have a large impact. Recognizing your typical and atypical stressors — be they “positive” or “negative” — and how they impact you personally and professionally can better prepare you to successfully manage your stress and move out of a state of languishing. Engaging in reframing your situation, learning new coping strategies, exercising, or seeking services through Health4U Stress Reduction, your healthcare provider or EAP are all places to begin.

Take some simple steps to help yourself and your team get through this period of continuing uncertainty with improved stress management strategies and increased motivation. Here are a few additional, self-paced resources you might find helpful:

elevateU Online Resources

Additional Resources

Grant, A., May 5, 2021. There’s a name for the blah you are feeling: It’s called languishing. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html

Holmes, T.H., and Rahe, T.H. “The Social Readjustment Rating Scale,” Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 11:213, 1967. https://www.dartmouth.edu/eap/library/lifechangestresstest.pdf

photo of Todd Bradley

Motivational Monday Round-Up

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Todd Bradley, HR’s Senior Learning and Organization Development Specialist, has been keeping us motivated with his short videos full of insight. In case you missed any, please find a round-up of Todd’s latest videos below.

These videos were designed to motivate and inspire MSU employees, exploring topics like rational thinking skills, emotive skills and more for both professional and personal development. Visit the MSU HR YouTube channel to view Todd’s full series of Todd Talk videos.

Motivational Monday: Diversity

Todd encourages us to celebrate the diverse perspectives, skillsets, and experiences that all Spartans encounter.

Motivational Monday: Accountability

Todd defines and offers suggestions to demonstrate accountability.

Motivational Monday: Influence and Persuasion

Todd defines and shares the mechanics of influence and persuasion.

Motivational Monday: Cultivating Positive Habits

Todd suggests positive habits to consider cultivating and shares tips to be successful.

Visit the MSU HR YouTube channel to view Todd’s full series of Todd Talk videos.

Job of the Week: Audiovisual Technician

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This week’s job of the week is an Audiovisual Technician (posting #705059) for the College of Nursing.

This position will provide assistance to faculty and students with instructional hardware, software, audio-visual and simulation equipment in terms of set up, operation, maintenance and troubleshooting as requested for scheduled classes, on-site events, distance learning programs, special events, and more. You will be responsible for the day-to-day support of classrooms and meeting rooms that require technology needs. This includes monitoring the student media center, availability of equipment and digital media, and maintaining inventory. Find a more detailed list of duties on the posting page here.

This job requires knowledge normally acquired in the first two or three years in college, technical, vocational or business school in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business or related field; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in mechanical and electronic repairs, audio and video recording, ability to analyze schematics and familiarity with cameras and other electromechanical devices; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

You can learn more about this position and apply here by May 18. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu.

sparty statue in summer

Nominate an Employee for the 2021 Clerical-Technical Recognition Award Today!

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Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 Clerical-Technical Recognition Award through Monday, July 26, 2021 at 5p.m.

This annual award is given to a Michigan State University clerical-technical support staff member by the Thomas and Concettina Gliozzo Endowment Fund. Charles Gliozzo is director emeritus of MSU’s Study Abroad program. Thomas and Concettina Gliozzo were immigrants who became U.S. citizens and valued the importance of education throughout their lives.

The award recognizes outstanding MSU clerical-technical employees who have been nominated by their peers. Individuals may be nominated by any member of the MSU community. Selection criteria includes respect and concern for all members of the campus community, diligence in daily work, significant contributions to the community or public service and innovative thinking.

The recipient of this award is selected from nominations received by the CT Recognition Award Selection Committee. The winner will be profiled in HR Source monthly newsletter and will receive a monetary award of $1,000 from the endowment fund in recognition of their outstanding service.

How to Nominate an Employee

To nominate an individual:

  1. Complete a nomination form
  2. Collect a minimum of two support letters (maximum of five) by MSU colleagues.

Please note: nominees must be part of the CT Union.

You may include additional information if it supports the applicant’s nomination.

Nominations are due by 5:00 p.m., Monday, July 26, 2021. Email the PDF nomination form with a minimum of two support letters to bracamontes@hr.msu.edu with the subject line: CT Recognition Award Selection Committee.

Job of the Week: Skilled Trades Supervisor

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This week’s job of the week is a Skilled Trades Supervisor position (posting 702128) for MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.

This position will supervise the Power & Water Instrument & Controls (I&C) Maintenance Department, which reports to the director of utilities. Additional responsibilities include direct supervision of skilled trades I&C technicians; coordinating activities of the assigned MSU Information Technology Services specialist; recruiting, hiring, evaluating, and training staff; resolving employee complaints and grievances; assisting in reviewing departmental budgets and developing financial projections and expenditures of funds; participating in long-range planning for departmental operations; and more. You must be able to demonstrate a willingness to build good relationships through strong interpersonal skills to achieve objectives through mutual participation.

The ideal candidate will have Knowledge normally acquired from specialized training such as that acquired in one year of college, technical, vocational, trade, or business school with coursework in a skilled trade or Business Management; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in supervision, management and in one or more of the skilled trades areas including electrical, mechanical, automotive, carpentry, upholstery, and plumbing; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and may require the following licenses: Elevator Contractor’s License, Master Plumber License, Certified Mechanic License, Master Electrician License, or a Class S- 1 Operators License.

You can learn more about this position and apply here by May 18. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu.

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Challenge Your Ways of Thinking to Transform Negative Stress

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Written by Andrea Williams, Organization and Professional Development.

Stress affects each of us in different ways. For some, it provides the motivation to finish a difficult task, but for others, stress has an extremely negative impact. Part of why this occurs is because our reaction to stressors is based largely on our own perception of the stressors rather than the stressors themselves. Since our perception helps determine our level of stress, we can change our reactions and help lower our negative stress levels by adjusting our thinking.

One approach is to utilize the ABC model to help reframe how we experience and manage stress.

  • A: Activating Event — the actual event that causes a stressful reaction
  • B: Belief — how the event is perceived based on your thoughts and feelings
  • C: Consequence — the feelings you have or the actions you take in response to the stressful event that are related to your beliefs about the situation

Put the ABC Model to Work

When you experience a stressful event — anything from a tight work deadline to an argument with a colleague to a major life change — keep the ABC model in mind as you go through the following three-step process to manage your reaction:

  1. Identify your beliefs. Ask yourself, “Why did this situation happen?” Keep in mind that if your beliefs aren’t accurate, you may be overly negative or irrational in your thinking, leading to an even more stressful response.
  2. Challenge the negative thoughts causing your reaction. For example, consider:
    1. Are my thoughts based on fact or opinion?
    1. Am I sure the event happened for the reason I think it did?
    1. Can I view the event in any other way?
  3. Replace your negative or irrational thoughts with positive, rational ones. Determine the aspects of your thought process that led you to react negatively — perhaps you tend to overgeneralize, take things personally or place blame. Checking your beliefs in response to a stressful event can lead to a more resilient reaction to the stressful situation you face, lowering the overall level of stress you experience.

Challenge Your Irrational and Negative Thoughts

Inaccurate perceptions of events, particularly irrational and negative thoughts, can lead to elevated stress and make situations worse than they already are. Common irrational or negative ways of thinking include:

  • Thinking in absolute terms
  • Assuming you know what others think or know
  • Assuming you know how a situation will turn out
  • Assuming similar situations will always turn out the same
  • Making excuses

When you find yourself experiencing negative stress over an event or situation, change your perception of the event by challenging your thinking. Try asking yourself the following questions:

  • Is my understanding logical?
  • Is there any evidence to support my understanding?
  • Am I overreacting?
  • Are my expectations realistic?
  • Am I taking things too personally?
  • Am I wrongly blaming myself or others?

Although we can’t always avoid life’s stressors, we can manage our negative stress when we understand how it affects us. Taking deliberate steps to examine and transform negative stress can help improve everything from your job performance to your physical and mental well-being. For additional stress management assistance, take advantage of the many resources available to MSU faculty and staff, including the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Health4U, and the MSU WorkLife Office.

Source:

Skillsoft Ireland Limited. Take a Deep Breath and Manage Your Stress. Retrieved April 22, 2021 from https://elevateu.skillport.com/skillportfe/main.action?path=summary/COURSES/pd_30_a03_bs_enus