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Happy October! 

Welcome to Q4!! I know Q4 is extremely busy, but I want you all to know that it is important to take a break and prevent burnout. Overworking, immersing ourselves entirely in our jobs, and compulsively moving from one responsibility to another is an unsustainable approach. Try to incorporate these ideas to avoid pushing yourself too hard this quarter and beyond:

Give it a try! You can't change what you don't notice, and I want you all to be your best self inside and outside of the workplace. 

– Danielle Alavian

Announcements, happenings, tidbits, and other notables

Employee Profile/GP Success Stories

Let's give them a big round of applause — thank you!Coming Up

Birthdays

Fast Five with Erica 

Givans

Where do you live now and where are you originally from?

I’m based in Denver, CO, and originally from Bend, OR, AKA two very similar places with great mountains, outdoor activities and strong beer culture. 

What's your favorite thing to do on Saturday morning?

Most weekends my boyfriend and I are waking up early to go hiking, skiing or climbing, and trust me I’m not complaining, it’s the reason we live in Colorado! But the best mornings are the slow wake ups, followed by a walk to our local bakeshop for treats, then video games on the couch. He’s currently playing through either Ratchet & Clank or Zelda and I’m taking my sweet time exploring everything in Hogwarts Legacy. 

Is there something you've been obsessed with lately?

Cats. I’m planning to adopt a furry friend in early October, and between meetings and work tasks I’ve become a frequent visitor of my local shelter’s website to peruse the kitties available. I’ve also been pre-shopping for all the necessary cat gear, and already have a cat tree set up in my office. Thanks to the cat channel for all their product suggestions! How do you stay motivated or energized for work?

The ADHD hack that helps when I’m feeling particularly sluggish is to get dressed in more uncomfortable clothes (aka jeans) and put on real shoes. It tricks my brain into being more focused, but if that fails I’ll relocate to a coffee shop. I love having a little background noise (and an $8 chai or fresh pressed juice). Do you have any secret skills or talents we should know about?

It’s not a secret, but I’ve been developing my ceramics skills for the last couple years and I’m currently taking a faces and hands sculpting class to focus my art in that realm. One thing I’m not though is a thrower, my infinite respect and admiration for anyone who can make things on a wheel. 

Now, show us where you work (or are working from this month):

Two for one! I actually have two desks in my office, my work desk and a dedicated art space/standing desk. 

Inspiration: Hidden Potential

We invest a great deal of energy in cognitive skills; however, it is equally important to recognize the value of nurturing character skills. For those seeking an enriching literary experience, I recommend pre-ordering Adam Grant's latest masterpiece, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things.

If you're eager to embark on the journey of unlocking your untapped potential, you should take the quiz Adam created to help you identify a strength and an area for growth. For those planning to host a book club discussion, be sure to download this discussion guide. Additionally, you can join Adam Grant in person during his upcoming tour, with stops in NYC, Philly, LA, SF, or Santa Barbara. If you can make it, don't miss this opportunity to engage with his transformative insights live!

Any Inspiration requests? P&C is on it. Ping Danielle.