First Thing Monday #24

??? Welcome to the 24th edition of FTM! It’s the second Monday in January and we are here! I spent time on laundry and a Home Town binge this weekend, all gearing up for a busy week at work. Is anyone else going for iced coffee today, even though it’s cold out? Treat yourself!

?? FTM is a weekly newsletter that includes a recap of all the news Millennial and Gen Z leaders need to know to help make better decisions about their careers. Each issue also includes four tips for developing better relationships in your workplace. Weekly issues come out on Monday mornings!

? Have a work question or topics you’d like us to discuss? Drop me a line ?? [email protected] or leave us a comment below!

I’m Jon Cochran , a consumer goods executive with 15 years of experience leading sales, marketing, and product development teams and working with brands like J.Crew, Hilton, and Mattel. I want to provide resources to help you take control of your career and maximize your satisfaction in the workplace.

Thank you for reading First Thing Monday! If you like it, I hope you’ll consider subscribing for free to receive new posts and support my work.

? What to read before your first meeting:

• A Very, Very Expensive Emoji (The Atlantic): I love to think about the changing nature of language, and emojis are among my top three interests here (slang and how we write are the other two). A lawsuit against Ryan Cohen hinges on the interpretation of a "side-eyed moon" emoji he used in a tweet about Bed Bath & Beyond. This raises questions about the legal meaning of emojis and their potential for misinterpretation, drawing parallels to interpreting body language and other non-verbal cues. We caught last year that the meaning of “thumbs up” is evolving . As emoji usage continues to grow in the workplace and online, we can expect more legal cases involving their interpretation.
• The Formula to Get More Time Off Using Your Vacation Days (The Wall Street Journal): Sometimes I get what I want to call “optimization fatigue”—where I just get tired of trying to be productive and efficient with everything. Vacation and PTO are areas in the past that I tried to optimize, in ways that both did and did not work. The WSJ shows us how to get 50 days off using 15 days of PTO and public holidays. This is the kind of optimization I endorse!

• Older Americans are Choosing Work Over Retirement (Allwork): Nearly 20% of people aged 65+ are employed today, double the rate from 35 years ago. This rise is due to longer lifespans, changing retirement plans, and the decline of traditional pensions. The trend aligns with the growth of the gig economy and freelance work, offering older individuals flexibility and a chance to utilize their experience. As the workplace population evolves, age-inclusive benefits, flexible work arrangements, and continuous learning opportunities will be important for all workers.
• What Is Resenteeism? (U.S. News): Resenteeism is a term that describes employees who stay in their jobs despite being unhappy, often due to financial constraints or difficulty finding new positions. As workers demand more autonomy, control, flexibility, and better rewards from their jobs some become resentful from feeling undervalued, unappreciated, or stuck with no growth opportunities. Poor management, low pay, and inadequate benefits also contribute. How to overcome? Address the root causes with your manager, seek new challenges, or actively search for a new job. You can do it!
• Should Companies Follow TikTok Trends To Make Employees Happier? (RetailWire): After we discussed doctors who dance on the internet , I couldn’t help but notice others thinking about how we represent work on social media. The article discusses the changing landscape of work culture through the lens of trending terms like "Bare Minimum Mondays," "boomerang employees," and "rage applying." These trends reflect a shift in employee mindset, particularly among millennials and Gen Zers, who prioritize work-life balance and mental well-being over the traditional hustle culture. Paying attention to these trends is important to understand how your team is feeling. But the only way to combat these attitudes is open dialogue and an adaptive attitude toward well-being and changing work culture dynamics.

?? The Water Cooler

• ICYMI: Jeremy Allen White continues his reign as the Internet’s Most Fascinating White Guy of The Week. This time running up a stairwell to a rooftop, to sort of take off his jeans before leaning over the ledge to reveal his Calvins . Am I asking for too much if I wanted more storyline out of this photoshoot?
• I had to give up on Monarch . It did not live up to my expectations.
• After reading mostly non-fiction in 2023, one of my 2024 resolutions is to read one fiction book for every non-fiction. So I started with The Shining . Let’s see how it goes.
• Katt Williams went off this past week on the Club Shay Shay podcast with Shannon Sharpe. It was a lot to experience !

?? Reflections for this week:

• For yourself: Is anything worse than being crazy about optimizing every aspect of your life? Bringing that perspective to how you relax can also be annoying. We often fall into the trap of planning the perfect itinerary, filling every minute with activities, and trying to maximize every aspect of the trip. This can create unnecessary pressure and rob us of the chance to simply relax and disconnect. It's better to have a few meaningful experiences than to try to cram in too much and feel overwhelmed. Savor the present moment, engage with your surroundings, and create lasting memories instead of ticking off boxes on a checklist. Being still can do wonders
• For your boss: Words matter and how we talk to each other is important. As a member of a younger generation, you can offer valuable insights into how emojis are commonly used and interpreted by your peers. This can help your boss tailor their communication style to be more inclusive and effective. Addressing potential emoji mishaps now can save you from frustrating misunderstandings or misinterpreted tones in the future. This can improve communication efficiency and build a more positive work environment.
• For your direct report(s): It’s the first week of the year, do you know how your team is feeling? Regularly ask your direct report for feedback on their work, workload, and any concerns. This shows you value their opinion and builds trust. Show your direct report that you value their feedback by following up on the conversation and taking action where possible. Your commitment and follow-through will mean more than you know!
• For your co-workers: Want to be a good colleague? Lead by example. Focus on task completion over working long hours. Demonstrate effective time management skills and encourage folks to do the same. Make a conscious effort to switch off after work hours. Avoid checking emails or messages outside of working hours to set a healthy precedent. A healthy team prioritizes well-being as well as results, leading to a more sustainable and fulfilling work experience for all.

??And one last thing…

As we embark on this new year, it's a fitting time to reflect on the evolving landscape of work and life. We've explored the shifting meanings of emojis, the rise of unconventional careers, and the whispers of discontent simmering beneath the surface.

Perhaps the most resounding message that emerges is the need for balance. Between optimization and relaxation, precise language and open communication, demanding efficiency and setting healthy boundaries. It's a dance, a constant calibration to find the sweet spot where productivity and well-being coexist.

This week, let's commit to nurturing that balance, both within ourselves and in our interactions with others. Remember, a fulfilling life isn't just about maximizing every second; it's about finding the rhythm, the space to breathe, and the joy in simply being human. Let's make this year one of conscious connection, meaningful experiences, and the quiet satisfaction of finding our own unique equilibrium.

How’s 2024 treating you so far?

Go get ‘em,

Jon

Follow me on Instagram at @mistersfantastik