Focusing in the summer is a real talent—even when you love what you do. And sometimes what you're focusing on isn’t what’s actually going to propel your career. That’s where Refinery29 reader Nicole got stuck. She was struggling to balance her workload, networking, and personal time and ended up drowning at her desk. To help her create boundaries, I shared my secret: the FourSquare method.
The FourSquare is about deciding the most important things to prioritize right now. Sometimes work needs to take a back seat to self care, and that's okay if you own it and know it’s what is essential to bounce back to productivity. This doesn’t mean you’re not showing up and doing a good job; you’re simply carving out equal time to reset, exercise, or try out a K Beauty routine instead of getting to inbox zero!
After my 10-week book tour, I’m prioritizing reconnecting with family and friends I haven’t seen enough of lately. I’ve always said relationships are the key to your happiness and success, whether it’s connecting you to a new opportunity, reminding you of your worth, or just listening when you need to vent.
No matter what your priorities are, take a moment this summer to reach out to an old colleague, hit up happy hour with your coworkers, or just enjoy a lazy night at home with your family. It doesn’t feel like work, but these moments help you reset, refocus, and set you up for success.
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TIP / Empathy Can Get You More
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A big part of being nice is being empathetic. In every interaction, I try to get into the other person's head and understand their motivation and needs. This has allowed me to build strong, trusting relationships and negotiate more effectively. I spoke about this and more on the Pardon My French podcast. I've always loved Garance so it was incredilby special to sit down with her. Listen here.
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Portfolio news: Meditation Studio has been acquired! Now, these powerful meditations (like the Nice Girl collection) will have the opportunity to reach even more consumers across the globe. I often speak with founders about the importance of building enterprise value and creating an asset that is attractive to a larger company. That's exactly what cofounders Patricia and Cyd did. I'm so excited for them and their new roles as they join the Interaxon team. Learn more about the next phase here.
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My Refinery 29 Column
“I have trouble prioritizing tasks and adjusting my schedule when priorities change. More so, my job requires a lot of research work and I feel like I'm too heads down and not doing enough to prove my value. What do I do? ”
—Nicole, Associate at a Management Consulting Firm
The reality is there is so much more to career advancement than putting your head down and doing a good job. Everyone should carve out time to network and look for professional development opportunities. But how can you do that when you're drowning in work? My latest Refinery29 column deals with focus and priorities—setting them, sticking to them, and saying no to anything outside the box. And if you or someone you know has a career question, please email fran@franhauser.com. |
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On My Radar
- The HeyMama founders on why it's okay to want something more than motherhood.
- Insta influencers: Buy a ticket to SIMPLY LA on August 11th in Los Angeles, where fashion & beauty insiders will share their knowledge. Use code FRAN10.
- Great read: Denise Albert, my friend and cohost of The Moms Podcast, shares her cancer journey.
- Personalize any product—like a Do Not Disturb sun hat—at Ryan Porter. Enter the code NICEGIRL40 for 40% off your next purchase!
- Listen: I spoke about body language and staying civil (even when others aren't) on the See Jane Invest Podcast.
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And, if you have a friend who would love to join our newsletter circle, tell them to sign up here. If you want a sample of my book, take a listen. And, as always, email me with ideas.
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