Thumbs Up Socials

Merry Christmas, everyone! Wishing you all a joyful holiday filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of relaxation. Take time to enjoy the season with family and friends. Cheers to a wonderful year ahead!

Ever had a team member who was just struggling to keep up? We had a new member on the team and were starting to wonder if she was a poor performer or if we needed to put her on a PIP. During a 1-on-1 meeting, I could see the stress on her face. Tasks were piling up, and she seemed overwhelmed. I asked her about her process, and she was hopping from one task to another, losing focus and wasting time. I introduced her to batching, like instead of stopping what you’re doing to answer a random email every 10 minutes and lose focus, you set aside an hour to answer all emails at once. and you could see the relief wash over her. We broke down her workload, grouped similar tasks, and tackled them together. Fast forward a few weeks, and she’s not just keeping up; she’s thriving. Now, instead of worrying about her performance, we’re celebrating her progress. It’s amazing what a little guidance can do. I love seeing a turnaround like but I also feel like I could have nipped this in the bud much earlier if I just took the time to look at her process instead of just the end results. Have you ever had to help someone turn things around? What did you do? Let’s hear your stories.

I love productivity hacks, especially ones that you can see a night-and-day change. I’ve been training remote teams for over 10 years and this is now one of my favorites. I remember a time when I was staring at my never-ending list and feeling completely overwhelmed. The big problem was that I was procrastinating on the big stuff, avoiding those daunting tasks that seemed like climbing a mountain. That sounds smart right? tackle the low hanging fruit so you’re at least accomplishing something. But then the PIA projects kept dragging on. I knew I was a hard worker, and was grinding all the time, so that wasn’t the problem. And when everything’s a 5-alarm fire, prioritization needed to go deeper than just what’s important for business reasons. So that’s where this "eating the frog" thing comes in. It’s not just just what’s due or what the client is freaking about, but what YOU mentally need to do first to get the rest of your day moving. Here’s how it works: Tip 1: Define Your Frog What to Do: Each evening, take a moment to identify your most daunting task for the next day—this is your "frog." Why It Works: By pinpointing your frog in advance, you eliminate decision fatigue in the morning and set a clear intention for your day. Trust me, knowing what you need to tackle first can make all the difference. Tip 2: Tackle It First Thing How to Implement: Make it a rule to dive into your frog first thing in the morning before getting sidetracked by emails or other tasks. Benefit: Completing your toughest task early not only boosts your confidence but also creates a sense of accomplishment that propels you through the rest of your day. Tip 3: Break It Down How to Do It: If your frog feels overwhelming, break it into smaller, manageable steps. Benefit: This makes the task feel less intimidating and helps you build momentum as you check off each step. Remember, every little victory counts. Tip 4: Create a Morning Routine What to Include: Develop a morning routine that energizes you and prepares you to tackle your frog. This could be a quick workout, a healthy breakfast, or a few minutes of mindfulness. Benefit: A consistent routine helps you start your day with focus and determination, making it easier to jump into that tough task. Tip 5: Reflect and Celebrate How to Do It: After you’ve eaten your frog, take a moment to reflect on your accomplishment and celebrate your success, no matter how small. Benefit: Acknowledging your achievement reinforces positive behavior and motivates you to keep up the productivity throughout the day. You can learn about this from Brian Tracy’s book, 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating. Have you tried "eating the frog"? What strategies did  you use to tackle your toughest tasks? Share your experiences below. Let’s inspire each other to work smarter, not harder.

I used to think that powering through the chaos was a badge of honor. Who needs breaks when you’ve got deadlines to meet, calls to make, and a child who’s 100% dependent on you for snacks, comfort, and existential support over a misplaced toy? Then, I realized something: my brain was foggy, and my patience was running thin. I wasn’t being the best boss or the best mom because I wasn’t giving myself a chance to reset. But that changed when I started taking breaks. Was I listening to the many countless health professionals that have always urged us to step away from our desks and take a break? Nope, It was my watch. Okay, I got one of those digital watches and every so often it would ping me to get moving. Of course I closed the notification the first hundred times. But this one day, my brain was mashed potatoes and really needed a break so I got up and just walked around the outside of the house. And when I came back, I was really refreshed. It worked wonders. Who knew? That’s when I decided to embrace the breaks—just 10 to 15 minutes to step away, move around, breathe, and recharge. After those short breaks, I’d return to work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle my tasks with renewed focus. I could make decisions with confidence and maybe even find my toddler's doll without the meltdown. And the best part? I was more present for both my business and my little one. So, if you’re juggling a business and motherhood (or any big responsibilities, really), prioritize those breaks. Trust me, it’s not about slacking off—it’s about staying sharp, calm, and effective. Just like I tell my team at Thumbs Up, sometimes stepping away is the best way to move forward. And hey, if you’re a mom trying to juggle it all—remember, those breaks aren’t just for you; they’re for your sanity, too. What’s your favorite way to recharge during a busy day? Let’s share our go-to strategies.

Ever worked in a place that ran like a well-oiled machine? I have, and it was glorious. But sometimes, that smooth workflow is years in the making and filled with tribal knowledge. If you’re starting out, you might need more guidelines to get everyone on the same page. That means more feedback and gentle nudging to keep things on track. Especially when you’re working remote, clear communication is crucial. When I'm neck deep in my tasks, I'd forget the rest of team were focused on other things. I’d send out vague messages and expect them to read between the lines. Yeah, that was a disaster waiting to happen, like, duh of course they aren't mind readers (yet). So how did we solve this? No new AI-powered app needed, just old fashioned regular check-ins. I know everyone hates meetings and thinks they’re a waste of time, but when you’re starting out, these check-ins help develop good habits and team bonding (which leads to the mind reading). We actually talked things out, shared ideas, and got on the same page. We started with daily stand-ups and went down to 2 times a week once the team got into the flow. Some people swear by daily, it really depends on your type of work and how independent your team is. Now, projects flow smoothly, deadlines are met, and the team vibe is way better. It’s wild how open communication can turn chaos into collaboration. Have you had a similar experience? How do you keep your team aligned?

The feeling you get when the last meeting is suddenly cancelled. 

When I first made the switch to remote work, my “office” was a corner of my living room. Distractions were everywhere—cluttered desks, the constant temptation of the couch, and the allure of TV. I found myself working late into the night, trying to catch up, but my productivity was slipping, and stress levels were rising. That’s when I realized I needed to make some serious changes. It became clear that I needed a dedicated workspace and a solid routine to regain my focus. I made a list of what’s important, and here’s my take: ✅ Designate a Space: Find a spot that’s just for work. Seriously, it helps your brain switch gears. I finally kicked my kid's toys to the side and claimed a corner. Use a room divider or a screen if you don’t have a dedicated room. ✅ Keep it Minimal: Don’t clutter it up. I went for a clean desk with just the essentials. Less stuff = less distraction. ✅ Good Lighting: Natural light is your best friend. I moved my desk closer to a window and boom, instant mood boost. ✅ Ergonomics Matter: Invest in a decent chair. Trust me, your back will thank you after hours of Zoom calls. ✅ Set Boundaries: Let your family know when you’re in work mode. It’s tough with a kiddo around, but I learned to use a “do not disturb” sign for some peace. So, I set up my little designated home office area, free from distractions, and established a daily routine with set work hours, regular breaks, and a morning ritual to kickstart my day. These changes completely transformed my work-from-home experience. I became more focused and productive, and I even found time to enjoy the little moments throughout my day. What struggles do you face while working from home? How do you stay focused? Let’s chat!

How Social Media Can Help Your Small Business Grow FAST 🌍 Reach more customers instantly 🤝 Build trust and loyalty with consistent engagement 🛍️ Promote your products/services to a wider audience 🎯 Increase brand visibility with targeted ads 💬 Get real-time feedback to improve your offerings Ready to level up your business? Social media is the key! Let  𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 help you grow faster than ever! #SmallBusinessGrowth #SocialMediaTips  #SocialMediaManagement #SocialMediaManager #LevelUpYourBrand #MarketingMadeEasy #AISocialTeam

Want to turn your followers into loyal customers? Social media isn’t just for likes—it’s a powerful tool to skyrocket your e-commerce sales! Here’s how to make it work for your brand! ✅ Showcase your products in action with eye-catching visuals ✅ Engage directly with customers through comments & DMs ✅ Use data-driven ads to target your ideal audience ✅ Add "Shop Now" features to drive instant sales ✅ Build brand loyalty with consistent and authentic content Ready to turn those likes into sales? Let’s help you take your e-commerce brand to the next level! #EcommerceSuccess #SocialMediaTips #BoostYourBrand #OnlineSales #DigitalMarketing #ShopOnline #EntrepreneurLife #SmallBusinessOwner #EcommerceMarketing #BrandStrategy #AISocialTeam

Feeling overwhelmed by social media? 😓 Here are 5 signs it’s time to call in the pros! ✅ You're constantly overwhelmed by posting schedules. ✅ Engagement is dropping, and you can't figure out why. ✅ Your brand’s voice is all over the place. ✅ You’re struggling to keep up with social media trends. ✅ You’re spending too much time on social, and not enough growing your business. #SocialMediaManagement #SocialMediaManagers #BoostYourBrand #MarketingTips #SocialMediaOutsource #outsourcing #AiSocialTeam