Hey Reader!

In my degree, group work is the rule, not the exception. I’ve worked on some incredibly energizing projects, but I’ve also had… other experiences that may or may not have ended in tears.

Group work can be frustrating 🫠

There was one particular habit I saw repeatedly in groups that really bothered me, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why it was frustrating. Here’s an example:

Your group has a presentation due next Wednesday, and you haven’t started. It'd be good to get together, brainstorm, and divide tasks, so one group member texts in the group chat: “guys, we should meet this week”… and then they disappear.

I don’t know about you, but when I read a message like that, I immediately feel anxious. That task (an “open loop,” you might call it) has already been hanging ominously in the back of my mind; all they’ve done is remind me that it's incomplete. When I receive that message, I have to add “schedule group meeting” to my to-do list. In reality, this is three tasks: estimating how much time we need to finish the project, looking at our class schedule for open slots, and collecting everyone’s availabilities. Whew.

Basically, that message points out what needs to be done but leaves the mental load of making it happen (”closing the loop”) to someone else.

In short, it frustrates me when people:

🚨 Point out problems instead of solving them, leave open loops, and create mental load for others. 🚨

A better message would have been:

“Guys, we should meet this week to start the project! I suggest we meet at school after our class on Tuesday, or in the break between classes on Wednesday. Here’s a poll so you can vote for the times you’re available. Please vote by tonight so we can get it scheduled! And let's each bring three topic ideas to the meeting so we have something to start with.”

*****

Now that I had a clear idea of the problem, I could think of so many other contexts where I’ve seen it. One of my favorite Instagram accounts is this guy who makes videos offering examples of “domestic, mental and emotional load” in his own relationship. He explains how simply offering to go to the grocery store leaves his wife with the work of creating a meal plan and grocery list that will suit the whole family. To actually take some stress off her shoulders, he could draft a grocery list himself and send it to her just to look over it.

I also remembered Cal Newport’s idea of “process-centric email” — writing emails that accomplish the ultimate goal as efficiently as possible, bypassing the countless back-and-forth messages. So instead of saying, “Hey, you wanna meet for coffee?” you would propose a location, four possible meeting times, and a phone number they can call you at if they'd like to suggest another time. Yes, writing this kind of email takes more work initially, but you’ll save time in the long run. Also, it’s just nice to save the other person some work.

In conclusion: Whether in relationships or at work, in person or via email, be a loop-closer and a problem-solver.

Don’t just point out what needs to be done, but take steps towards getting it done. We all have a lot on our minds, and we can show each other a little kindness by stepping up and taking something off others' plates 😌

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This week's video

Here’s how I prepared for the academic year! We’re a paperless university, so it’s less buying cute stationery and more setting up iCloud folders. I show you how I organize my files, take notes digitally, and create a shared homework document for my class.

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A few of my favorite things

👩‍💻 Apparently Gen Z is on LinkedIn now? I may be a small sample size, but I, for one, am spending a lot more time on it these days! Most LinkedIn “influencers” annoy me, but I’ve actually found this behavioral analyst’s posts quite interesting.

📝 You probably know how loyal I’ve been to my to-do list app, TeuxDeux. Well, in an attempt to tighten up the budget a little bit, I’ve been trying this other (very similar) app. It offers a free and premium version, but I’ve been getting by just fine with the free one. I gotta say, it’s more aesthetic than TeuxDeux 👀

🗺️ Sometimes Google Maps doesn’t cut it, so I’ve been using this app to get around Madrid. It shows you different routes that combine all forms of transportation, live wait times, which metro car you should get on to exit fastest, and which exit you should take out of the station.

🚀 AD*: Having a lot of "tabs open in your brain" is a good metaphor for being a college student but I also literally have a lot of tabs open on my computer. I've been using a browser called Mirror to create a neat & tidy digital environment with separate Workspaces for school, blogging, internship work, etc. For example, I’ve grouped all the tabs I need for each class so I can come back to those pages whenever I need them (and I can search from the home page if I’m not sure where to find a tab!). Customize your own setup in Mirror to organize your whole digital life!

*This is a sponsored mention. Thank you for your support! ♡

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❔ An exercise for you

The next time someone needs to step up and organize something, be that person 🫵 Be the scheduler, the coordinator, and the DO-ER. Borrow a page from Cal Newport's book and try to accomplish your goal in the most efficient way possible by suggesting plans, offering options, and making polls - whatever it takes to get the job done!

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Thank you so much for reading! Remember, hit reply to talk to me, and you'll find all editions of the newsletter here.​

Lots of love,
Beatrice