Crina and Kirsten Get to Work

Say, 'No' and Do Less

Following on the heels of episode 11, The Crushing Burden, Crina and Kirsten continue their exploration of the things we juggle as professional, working woman In this episode, Crina and Kirsten turn to the practical while exploring how they each manage their time, how their values dictate their priorities, and where they spend their time. Kirsten checks in about her work to minimize her commitments while honoring her values. She talks about how she struggles to juggle responsibilities from her job, community, family and friends. Crina explores how her approach to time management is different from Kirsten’s and likely a product of her willingness to say, “no.” In addition to exploring their own styles, they also offer tips and tricks and strategies to help listeners get a grip on their own schedules. For instance, Kirsten recommends eating your big hairy frog first and Crina encourages listeners to choose themselves first. As always, Crina and Kirsten get real about the need to say, “no.”
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Links https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/28/smarter-living/productivity-isnt-about-time-management-itsabout-attention-management.html https://www.nyu.edu/students/academic-services/undergraduate-advisement/academic-resource-ce nter/tutoring-and-learning/academic-skills-workshops/time-management.html

Gratitude and Praise will change your work life

In this episode of Crina and Kirsten Get to Work, Crina and Kirsten talk about how critical it is to have gratitude and praise in the workplace. In fact, most workers site praise and meaning as one of the most important elements of job satisfaction. Let’s face it, feeling good and getting acknowledged feels good. When someone notices that you worked hard, did something amazing, pushed through a barrier or overcome a challenge, it makes us feel motivated to do more.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of workers report that they have not received positive feedback about their work performance. Say it ain’t so!! If this is your work culture, there are things you can do to change it for yourself, your coworkers and your organizational culture. Gratitude is not only good for the receiver, but also for the giver. 
If you want to start giving praise and sharing gratitude there are a few keys to be successful. Be sure that you are giving praise in a way that works for the listener. Some people like to hear feedback in public, some people prefer private praise, some of us like to see positive comments in writing and others value a gift or a pat on the back. Positive comments are also more meaningful if they are specific and timely.
It’s also important to know yourself and know how you like to receive feedback. If you’re like Crina, you might even try asking your employer for what you want. 
In addition to seeking external gratification, Crina and Kirsten remind listeners to own their power and accomplishments. Remember that you are awesome! 
Listen in – you’ll be grateful!
 
Links:
https://hbr.org/2012/01/why-appreciation-matters-so-mu
https://www.emergenetics.com/blog/workplace-appreciation-gratitude/
https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-gratitude/
https://smarttribesinstitute.com/books/

Your Money AND Your Life

Some people think money equals power, others think it's the root of all evil and some see it as a something to save and protect. What are the stories you tell yourself about money? Are you spending, saving or investing? Learn how your money script can dictate the way you think about that paycheck!
Some people say that sex and money is where it all happens for us and where we meet up with our “stuff.”  Since Crina and Kirsten talk about work, they focus this episode MONEY.  What is your philosophy about money?  What is your money script – or what story do you tell yourself about money?  Are you someone who saves every penny or are you comfortable spending? Do you think money equals power? Is it the root of all evil or does it define you and your success?
Crina and Kirsten also discuss how women are perceived as financial decision makers, what women think about their standard of living, investments and retirement. 
Listen in as Crina and Kirsten tackle these issues head on while exploring their own relationships with money.
Links:
https://www.yourmentalwealthadvisors.com/money-scripts
https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-myths-we-believe-about-women-money
https://archive.news.iastate.edu/news/2006/nov/genderinvest.shtml
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/111/s181

Dealing with assholes

On Crina and Kirsten Get to Work, our dynamic duo talk about those folks who behave in a way that is out of line, beyond the pale and absolutely unacceptable – you know, assholes. Crina shares a recent experience where she and her son encountered a terribly mean woman who was the motivation for this show. While not in the workplace, this story launches our hosts into a discussion of these kinds of behaviors in the workplace and what you can do about it. And you have to have a few laughs about this frustrating folks.
We love to hear and share your stories, so write us at the email address included below!
LINKS
https://firstround.com/review/our-6-must-reads-for-cutting-through-conflict-and-tough-conversations
https://hbr.org/2014/10/how-to-deal-with-a-mean-colleague
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Send us your stories, questions, feedback, and comments to: yougettowork@gmail.com

How to Rock Your Job

In this episode of Get to Work, hosts Crina and Kirsten answer a simple question: what makes a good employee? Previously, they talked about how important it is for employees to identify and ask for those things that they need (or want) to make work meaningful, joyous, and fulfilling. As they discussed the importance of making those requests, one listener was intrigued to know whether there were other qualities that make a desirable worker. If you are asking yourself why another employee is having a better work experience than you are, it may be good to take Crina’s and Kirsten’s advice.
Crina and Kirsten start with the basics of being a great employee: show up on time, do the work you were hired to do, be engaged and be accountable, dress appropriately. Then, they circle back to the importance of asking for things that you need to do your job and to do it well. More specifically, Crina and Kirsten call on employees to be truthful in their requests, as well as to pose potential solutions to any problems presented. In doing these things, you help your employer know how to ensure a satisfying work relationship with you. Other qualities a great employee has are positivity, appropriate curiosity, and the ability to keep work and personal life separate.
Our hosts also discuss the employer’s’ role in making a positive work environment for their direct reports. Employers should be intentional in finding out what their employees need. It is their responsibility to make space and time for their employees to express their concerns and desires. They also must be secure and flexible to provide the opportunity for employees to come to creative solutions on their own. Crina and Kirsten want women in the workplace to show up with their best selves – and ideally in a place where the employer or manager appreciates and encourages full participation.
We love to hear and share your stories, so write us at the email address included below!
Links:
Tune in and subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Stitcher, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Send us your stories, questions, feedback, and comments to:
yougettowork@gmail.com

The Crushing Burden: Managing work, Guilt and Competing Responsibilities

In this episode of the Crina and Kirsten Get to Work podcast, hosts Crina and Kirsten discuss “the crushing burden” that often weighs on working women as they find themselves navigating work responsibilities along with community and caregiving responsibilities. They discuss the way in which this burden tends to impact women in particular, who often have to balance work life with such things as the needs of children and spouses, volunteering, and caring for aging parents. They also address their own experiences of schedules filled with various obligations and responsibilities.
After explaining what the crushing burden is, Crina and Kirsten talk about emotions associated with the burden. They focus first (and primarily) on guilt, which is a common feeling experienced in connection with both the challenge of juggling many responsibilities and the choices made as women try to navigate their responsibilities. Guilt, they note, involves a sense of offense and of failing to meet an expectation. It’s distinct from disappointment, anger, and frustration, and is also a socially acceptable emotion, particularly for women. Rather than guilt, some women experience depression and/or anxiety because of the crushing burden.  The emotions are not as social acceptable.
Having diagnosed and examined some of the emotional reactions women often have to the challenge, Crina and Kirsten turn to the response they hope to encourage in their listeners. They desire to see women move beyond feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression, and to release themselves from the expectation that they are everything to everybody, and choose to care well for themselves at least as well as they care for others. Crina, who does not struggle with guilt in the same way Kirsten does, provides insight on how to live without guilt. She and Crina discuss the value of personal well being, and consider the concept of obligations. They ultimately conclude that, while a woman should by no means abandon all responsibility, she should recognize that the obligation to self is as important if not more important than other obligations. So, they advise, treat yourself as well as you treat others.
We love to hear and share your stories, so write us at the email address included below!
Links: 
Tune in and subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Stitcher, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Send us your stories, questions, feedback, and comments to:
yougettowork@gmail.com

How to Get What You Want

In this episode of the Crina and Kirsten Get to Work podcast, hosts Crina and Kirsten discuss how women can get what they want in the workplace.  They suggest starting by getting clear about what you want and getting ready to ask for it in the most effective way. They acknowledge that women’s voices are often not well represented or heard. Thus, women in the workplace will likely need to take clear, tenacious, confident steps to make their work experiences as satisfying, joyful, and meaningful as possible.
Crina and Kirsten discuss what must happen before you ask for something in the workplace; first determine what it is that you wants. Kirsten believes in honoring your preferences.  Be clear and know that asking for what you want will provide your employer with the opportunity to create loyalty, retention, and longevity.
What sorts of things can a woman ask for? She can ask for a raise, a job title or description, more benefits, a flexible schedule, training, ways to seek advancement opportunities, physical modifications to the work space, challenging assignments and even such less tangible things as the consideration of her opinion and things that will make her feel effective at work.
Crina and Kirsten talk through challenges that stand in the way of asking, such as fear and the difficulty of talking about money or self worth. Our hosts encourage women to be confident and willing to navigate conversations that are not as easy. They provide advice on how to prepare , how to schedule a meeting with the appropriate decision-maker, to work to understand the perspective of the conversation partner and to anticipate possible objections to their proposals. Given the cost of not asking and the potential for productive workplace change after asking, Crina and Kirsten are confident that women will benefit much from actively seeking the workplace change that they desire.
We love to hear and share your stories, so write us at the email address included below!
Links: 
Tune in and subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, Stitcher, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Send us your stories, questions, feedback, and comments to:
yougettowork@gmail.com

Let Me Introduce You to Yourself

Being self aware can be a great gift to yourself and your coworkers, but are you being perceived accurately at work? What is your personal brand? Is it accurate? Is it helping you succeed or standing in your way?