What do you do when you’re feeling down? How do you handle your own negative thinking or low energy? I take time to acknowledge how I’m feeling and consider the cause (so that I can do something about it if it’s within my control). Then, here are 9 things I find...
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Below, you’ll find my latest blog posts to help you do brilliant work without sacrificing your personal life – less effort, more impact!
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Why Negative and Narrow Thinking Is Normal (And What You Can Do About It)
The locker was empty! Whaaaaaaat??? Where was my bag with my laptop, credit card, and other valuables!!! My mind was racing just minutes after I’d emerged from the lovely, relaxing hot baths at my local spa in central Tokyo. Here’s what had happened… I’d realized the...
Do You Really Need To Say “Sorry”?
I was on a call to confirm details about an upcoming corporate speaking engagement. Since we were meeting online for the first time, everyone briefly introduced themselves. I was struck by how each of the Japanese women immediately apologized or put themselves down in...
A Funny Story About Learning From Mistakes
Well, this story certainly got a laugh from the audience at our recent event for The #LessEffortMoreImpact Movement for Women in Business. Around 30 years ago (!!!), I was working as a Coordinator for International Relations at Yokohama City Hall. I’d been asked to...
Too Embarrassed To Admit Taking Time Off
I lied. I was HORRIFIED because I like to think of myself as an honest person. But the lie just plopped out of my mouth before I could even think. While ordering lunch from a Thai food truck near my office in Ginza, I told the vendor that I’d just got back from...
Is It Wrong To Lean Into Easy?
Thank you to everyone who emailed me about last week’s Sasuga! Tips For You newsletter: How can you apply “less effort” in your work? If you missed it, you can read it here on the Sasuga! blog or on LinkedIn articles. One lovely lady wrote: Thank you for explaining...
How Can You Apply “Less Effort” In Your Work?
If you hear “less effort,” what does that mean to you? Is it positive or negative? Some people interpret “less effort” as lazy or unrealistic if you want to succeed in a demanding business environment. Makes sense. That’s because it’s drummed into many of us from...
11 Tips To Be A Great Boss (Or Colleague)
One of my clients is starting an executive role in a new company. He wants coaching to help him be his best. One area he asked for advice was how to work effectively with his new executive assistant. My first tip was to talk with her and ask about her work style and...
Good News, Bad News…
Think of the last time you received bad news. How did you react? Has bad news ever turned out to be good news for you? Let me share 4 brief personal examples from a recent trip: Bad news 1: After flying from Haneda and landing at Heathrow, the first email I saw was...
6 Personal Development Lessons That Have Stayed With Me For Life
When did you first become interested in personal development? I was 19 years old, and my old German teacher recommended a seminar that was held at The Queens Hotel in Leeds, UK. I passed by there last week. Ms Novakovic was quite a character. When she returned one of...
How Fast Should You Reply To Work Chat?
How easily are you distracted by work chat and other instant messaging? Are you sometimes frustrated by interruptions, but simultaneously compelled to reply immediately? Read on to discover How work interruptions cost you more than just your time to respond 4 tips...
3 Checkin Questions To Reduce Meeting Distractions
Have you ever been in a meeting where your colleague didn’t seem to be paying attention or contributing fully? You might feel frustrated. But you probably don’t know what’s going on in that person’s life that could be distracting them. One day, I joined a 1:1 coaching...