Greetings from our new Thrive Global HQ! On Monday we moved into our new office — actually, our third, having outgrown the first two. We’ve seen such amazing growth since the moment we launched in November of 2016 and we were quickly bursting at the seams. Not only do we have room to grow in our new digs (check out our careers page!), it’s the first space we were able to design around our principles. Our mission isn’t only to take our message about the connection of well-being and productivity to other companies, but also to be a sustainable startup ourselves, proving that it’s possible to launch a fast-growing company not fueled by burnout.
So we now have a dedicated Wellness Room where we offer regular massages to anybody who wants to sign up (everybody wants to sign up!). The room has a nap pod and also serves as mother’s room. The food and snacks in our new kitchen area are chosen around being nutritious, healthy, energy-boosting — and delicious. We have a barista bar, which, as a coffee-addict, I’m trying to steer clear of, at least in the afternoon (the experts say no caffeine after about 2 p.m.). Following the data on how people are most productive, our workspaces have a mix of common spaces, including meeting rooms names after some of our favorite sources of ancient wisdom (including Marcus Aurelius, Lao Tzu, Athena, Rikyu, and Meera) and private “phone booths” for focused work.
And when Thrivers got to their new desks on Monday morning, they were encouraged to kick off the new space — and the new year — with some “New Office Resolutions,” which you can see below. They incorporate a few of our signature Microsteps, which are too-small-to-fail behavior changes that are the core of our behavior change philosophy.
Many thanks and gratitude to all members of our Thrive team who helped us get to this point — and this space. I can’t wait to see what we’ll do here.
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NEW OFFICE RESOLUTIONS
FORGET NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS. HOW ABOUT NEW OFFICE RESOLUTIONS?
As we settle into our new office, it’s the perfect time to commit to a new Microstep. Here are three favorites. If you’d like, pick an accountability buddy so that you can hold each other accountable — you can check in from time to time and talk through how it’s going and any challenges you’re facing.
FOCUS
When we face constant interruptions, we’re more likely to spend our after-work hours working, glued to our devices and trying to catch up. While at the office, be intentional about priorities and focus. You’ll be more productive and have more time for your life outside of work.
Microstep: Use your “Thrive DND Mode” desk sign to let people know you’re focused and should not be disturbed. Or, if you really need to get deep work done, use one of our new phone booths! Most importantly, if you see someone’s sign up or spot them in a phone booth, respect their focus and do not interrupt them!
BREATHING & MEDITATION
Research shows that by building habits around breathing, mindfulness and meditation, we can lower our stress, enhance focus and improve decision making.
Microstep: Our Deputy Editor, Emily, starts each editorial meeting with a centering protocol: She asks everyone to pause for a moment and then leads them through three square breaths — four counts to breathe in, four counts to hold it at the top, and four counts to breathe out. I promise you: Our editorial meetings (and coverage!) are better for it. Take a moment at the beginning of each meeting to breathe and center yourself.
PRESENCE & PRODUCTIVITY
When we have our phones and laptops in meetings, we’re more distracted, less focused, and less creative — and we’re a distraction to others in the meeting, too.
Microstep: Practice presence in meetings by leaving your devices at your desk. Try as you might, you won’t be able to avoid the siren call of Slack or texting or, yes, Twitter, if you have your phone or computer in front of you. Device-free meetings will be more efficient, more productive, and spark more creative ideas. Bring a notebook to take notes, and if you need to handle something, step out of the meeting!
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