October 2024 newsletter

Two weeks ago, I discovered the Home Shopping Network.

After teaching a day-long manager training onsite, I was tired, browsing cable in my hotel room, opting out of anything that required empathy or emotion.

And then I landed on THIS:

I watched this channel for an hour. It was SO relaxing and after a few minutes, I realized why: everything on this channel was complete bullshit. Like, no need to question fact or fiction, the level of ridiculous content spewing from this guy’s mouth was so incorrect. And yet! He kept going! He told dramatic stories about the ONE time he saw a ring like this many years ago and has regretted not buying it ever since. He made wild sound effects and introduced a SMACK DOWN price! (Rest assured, that precious jewel on screen did NOT go for $22k. Please.)

No critical thinking required, this show was pure entertainment. I laughed and texted my friends and watched again the next night. You’ll be very glad to know that I didn’t buy anything, though the indoctrination started taking affect when I found myself thinking: damnnnn that’s a good price for 40 lbs of amethyst… 

Who is that sales guy is when he’s not working? Is he a good friend? A thoughtful spouse? Does he rake leaves for the elderly?? To some extent, we’re all different at home than we are at work — but what if your work self is bruising the values of your home self? What if the role you play at work insults the person you really are?

Friends, that feeling is a red. flag. 

I can see the argument that all workplaces are basically the same because of capitalism. But listen to me when I say that I talk to people at MANY companies and I can guarantee you that there’s always a spectrum… and finding a place where you’re not bullshitting everyone around you (all day, every day) is well within your reach. <3


Manager Trainings in 2025

Though 2025 promises to be an innovative year for Plucky, tradition rolls on with two So Now You’re a Manager trainings for newish managers! 

The first will happen in February 2025 but the second will happen later in the fall. The great news is that you can buy a 2025 ticket NOW without committing to either date. 

Why might you do this? It’s the time of year when people want to stash their professional development cash before they lose it. If that’s the case for you, please head over here and grab a ticket!


ADHD on the Plucky blog

I guess I’ve been drinking more coffee lately because I published THREE blog posts about ADHD this month. Check these out! 

– Self-regulation at workThere are many ways to define self-regulation, but I like this one because it’s so simple: “Self-regulation means control [of oneself] by oneself.”

– Challenges of interest with ADHD at workAn absence of interest means an absence of stimulation, which means that a disinterested person with ADHD is not bored. It means that their brain’s attention center is literally not activated.

– Explanations over Excuses: disclosing ADHD at workShould there be a question of your performance, behavior or questionable decisions, take an explanations approach. Convey what might have led to the mistake at hand without shrugging off responsibility.


Last of all…

By the next time I write to you, the presidential election in the US will have happened. (Lord knows if the winner will be resolved.) So your homework, your VERY IMPORTANT HOMEWORK, between now and then is to vote.

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE 

Thank you in advance for playing a very important part in the future. May we all win metaphoric diamond rings in November.

xo Jen


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