This is an iHeart Podcast.
Hey, listeners.
Today's tip is powered by National University.
As a listener of Before Breakfast, you know my goal is to help you make the most of your day without sacrificing work or family time.
That's why I'm so happy to introduce an institution that shares the same values.
If you are thinking about going back to school, you're probably wondering how to fit it all in.
National's flexible online formats, four and eight-week courses and monthly class starts help you begin your degree sooner, finish faster and do it all on your own schedule, so you have more options for managing work, family and school.
With over 150 degrees, credentials and certificates to choose from, they have a program that fits your career goals.
Learn more today at nu.edu.
Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeartRadio.
Good morning.
This is Laura.
Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.
Today's tip is that if you want to introduce something new and you aren't completely confident in it yet, just call it an experiment.
That way no one will expect perfection.
You invite helpful feedback because, hey, it's an experiment.
And if the experiment is a major change in how people were doing things, they might not feel as stressed or be as resentful as they might be if it were presented as a permanent change.
So I know of a wonderful cook who does what she calls beta tests.
Anytime she tries a new recipe, and she often does, she presents it as a beta test.
That is, she makes it clear that the recipe is a work in progress.
She is not promising that the dish will be delicious, but she is hopeful that it might be good.
And in the meantime she is happy to share the dish and invite feedback so she can keep making it better.
Framing something new as a beta test, an experiment or a prototype can be helpful in lots of contexts.
Basically, any time you try something new and perhaps a little risky, you can think of it in this way.
A teacher might experiment with a talking stick for students to share airtime during discussions.
She could tell her students why she thinks the talking stick may be helpful and then invite their feedback after they've used it for a few discussions.
A department leader might use a new team meeting agenda presented as an experiment and afterwards ask everyone what they thought about having the meeting structured in a new way.
Perhaps a librarian has an idea for a new program where avid readers come together and each of them spends five minutes recommending a book to the group and everybody leaves with ideas of books they would enjoy reading.
You could describe the first meeting as a prototype, implying that it is not in its final form yet and letting the participants share ideas for refining it.
Even in your family life, you could reframe new approaches as experiments.
You could experiment with not eating meat on weekdays.
You could experiment with a new school day morning routine, or with how chores are assigned, or with giving your kids their allowance in a different way.
Everybody is more relaxed about an experiment because the change isn't necessarily permanent and you feel free to make any tweaks that you need to.
After all, you are just trying it out.
When you frame something as an experiment, you manage expectations and you position everyone else as partners in helping you evaluate and refine or discard the new approach.
It's a great way to lower the risks and stress of making a change.
Because sometimes it turns out that things don't work.
But now you know.
And if parts work and parts don't, you know what you can keep and what should be discarded.
Your next iteration will probably work better.
Or you might go back to what you were doing.
But you won't always wonder.
And that can be a good thing.
In the meantime, this is Laura.
Thanks for listening.
And here's to making the most of our time.
Thanks for listening to Before Breakfast.
If you've got questions, ideas, or feedback, you can reach me at Laura at LauraVanderkam.com.
Before Breakfast is a production of iHeart Media.
For more podcasts from iHeart Media, please visit the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.
Hey listeners, today's tip is powered by National University.
You know my goal is to help you make the most of your day without sacrificing work or family time.
That's why I'm so happy to introduce an institution that shares the same values.
If you are thinking about going back to school, you're probably wondering how to fit it all in.
National's flexible online formats, four- and eight-week courses and monthly class starts help you begin your degree sooner, finish faster and do it all on your own schedule.
So you have more options for managing work, family, and school.
With over 150 degrees, credentials and certificates to choose from, they have a program that fits your career goals.
Learn more today at nu.edu.
There's nothing like sinking into luxury.
At washablesofascom, you'll find the Anabase sofa, which combines ultimate comfort and design at an affordable price.
And get this.
It's the only sofa that's fully machine washable from top to bottom, starting at only six hundred ninety nine dollars.
The stain resistant performance fabric slip covers and cloud-like frame duvet can go straight into your wash.
Perfect for anyone with kids, pets or anyone who loves an easy to clean, spotless sofa.
With a modular design and changeable slip covers, you can customize your sofa to fit any space and style, whether you need a single chair, love seat or a luxuriously large sectional.
Anabay has you covered.
Visit washablesofascom to upgrade your home.
Right now, you can shop up to 60% off storewide with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Shop now at washablesofas.com.
Add a little to your life.
Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.
This is an iHeart Podcast.
