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Good afternoon. Last week, one Twitter user bravely shared 10 of the biggest management mistakes she’s made in her career. Not surprisingly, most involve communication and accountability. We’re all about both those things at Sidekick, so check out today’s installment of “F*ckup fables,” where we get into messed up stuff from accountability dodging to climate change.
Today’s affirmation: “I drink from the keg of glory. Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land.”—Josh Lyman in The West Wing
In today’s edition:
- The secret life of an interior designer
- Are we all a little toxic?
- Company (forced) fun
—Maliah West, Sabrina Sanchez
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optimize
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Time-saving tools and products we’re really into rn.
If you’re typing your wrists into carpal tunnel territory, try this low-profile mechanical Bluetooth keyboard with its specially designed keys that minimize discomfort. You know, so you can finally finish writing that novel.
Wandering around the latest trade show city got you feeling like Dora the Explorer? For your next retreat, group vacation, or destination wedding, help your own guests out and set up a Proxi Map (because The Map knows best!).
If your coworker got that promotion you had wanted, don’t fret. Turn your envy into motivation and reach twice as high. Don’t get mad. Get better!
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routine
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“I very much had to rely on what I do to support myself. Sometimes it’s not that easy, but I’m ever grateful for the work that I do.”
Sam Buckley is an Edinburgh-based interior designer and the mind behind some of the coolest spaces you’ll ever see. He’s been featured in Elle Decor and Design Milk, and he’s also hosted a course on curating a stunning Insta feed.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Kickoff: “I’ve been [working from home] for about five or six years now. It’s taken me a while to get my system down. But generally, I will start about nine or 10 in the morning—answering emails, checking in on stuff on Instagram…It’s not often that you get a day to fully design, but [it’s] something to aspire to [making happen].”
Getting his start: “I’d always been interested in architecture and design in general. I was good at math, physics, design technology, and art. So in many ways, the architecture and building side of it had always been present…But then, 2009 hit and architecture as a profession in the UK lost huge amounts of [its] workforce. So that’s where I [pivoted] to encompass more of my interests in art and design…I looked at interior design courses, and Milan was where I went to do my master’s in interior design.”
The process: “I like that every project will be completely different. There are similarities maybe [in] how I decorate. But ultimately, I want the feeling behind a new space or set of spaces to be something completely unique every time…I love the concepting. But then equally, when a project is finished, [and I] get the photos back, I can amuse myself for a day just looking at the photos because it can take so long to get these things finished.”
The busy season: “Last year at one point, I was working on five interiors, and it was too much. I like to do a full home if possible. I really like to get involved in conceptual design. I do get a lot of inquiries from people asking how small of a project I can do. And when someone says they just want a sofa or a rug or something, I’m just like, ‘Ehhh.’”
The 5–9: “Apart from school, being a painter was something I’d always aspired to be. I think that’s maybe why I chose the kind of slightly more mechanical variation on art. I do have a little studio where I paint. And that’s something I do out of the house…Other than that, the main thing I do is DJ. I have been DJing for 20-some-odd years. Not so seriously for the past five to six years. But for a long time in my life, I was DJing every week in Edinburgh, [and] I played a number of gigs internationally and in the UK and did radio shows. But most of that was during my youth. These days, it’s more that I can’t really be staying up till one or two in the morning to start a set. I’m in bed by then.”
Doing it on his own: “I don’t want to grow too quickly and make a mess. I don’t want to expand [and] take on a load of people if at the end of that job, I’ve got to let them go. I’m very wary about the repercussions of people relying on me for their job. And although it might seem fairly selfish, I just kind of want to see what I can do by myself…I think it’s mainly because I was made redundant a couple times just with the recessions.”
Finding balance: “I still see friends occasionally. I’ll take the weekend off here and there. But a lot of the time, I will gravitate toward, ‘Oh, I’ll just have a look at this new coating system.’ Or, ‘I’ll just draw something in 3D.’ And I tend to do that almost every day. Saturdays and Sundays [can] quite easily just turn into same old, same old. [You need work-life balance], but unfortunately work is kind of my life...I know I need to do better.”—MW
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That change in the air.
The days are getting shorter, college students are heading back to campus, and everyone on your social feeds is *finally* back from vacation. This can only mean one thing: Fall is sooo close, we can almost taste it.
And with Starbucks® Iced Espresso Pumpkin Spice Latte and the *new* Starbucks® Nitro Cold Brew Pumpkin Cream, you can taste it.
Whether you’re gearing up for the carpool lane, getting a head start on your Halloween costume, or looking for an accessory to complement your new sweater, you’ll be ready for the right now and ready for fall with one of Starbucks® Coffee’s ready-to-drink and multiserve flavors to fall for.
Shop now.
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off hours
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Read: A few excerpts into Jennette McCurdy’s new book, we started wondering if it’s truly OK to cut off someone close to you because they’re toxic. The Atlantic tackled this question, the concept of toxicity, and the ways that social media pushes it forward in this thought-provoking article.
Listen: Get all up in your feels with The Moth Radio Hour podcast. The storytelling collective’s recent episode focuses on six anecdotes about the kindness of strangers worldwide.
Make: If you don’t want to spend $16 at Jamba Juice for an average-tasting smoothie bowl, follow this pineapple-mango recipe from Bon Appétit food editor Zaynab Issa. They’re trendy and delicious.
Learn: Gain 24/7 access to the ultimate Excel experience when you pair Excel Dictionary’s NEW Digital Guides + Dictionaries with the Excel Banner Pen. Shop now for spreadsheet excellence.
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f*ckup fables
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Don’t get us wrong. At Sidekick, we’re all about positive mental attitude, manifesting, angel numbers, and all that. But sometimes it feels like putting all that positivity into the world isn’t helping. Case in point, we scrolled past climate change, voting rights, and a turbulent economy in our news feed before 9am today.
But Sidekickers, you’re doing amazing, sweeties. Through it all you have optimized, hustled, and tried to make the world a better place. So now it’s time to remember the advice you’ve been given on every flight ever: In case of emergency, put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others.
In other words, you need to take care of you. Soothe that sun damage, brighten up those tired eyes, and treat that stress-induced hair loss (good grief!). Because when everything feels, well f*cked up, a little self care is the first step toward being able to care for others.
Read more here!
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hot topic
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Burning questions of our time.
Forced fun:
In an effort to remind coworkers how to communicate IRL at work, some companies are scheduling company retreats, field trips, and bonding experiences as they head back to the physical office. But not everyone is feeling great about this forced fun. Some employees see it all as a cringey waste of work time (and resources), but employers think bonding activities are crucial for employee engagement and retention. So what do you think? Are company retreats worth the investment? Do they actually boost team development? What kind of experience have you had with company retreats? Hit Reply and let us know in the Inbox!—SS
And now, your thoughts on office dress codes:
“After working for two multinational companies where there was an expected business attire dress code, I now work for a startup where the dress code is so relaxed that some folks come to work in sweatpants! Personally I love it, and not just for the comfort (although that helps a lot!). As someone who is part of the LGBTQI+ community, it is liberating to dress in clothes that reflect your identity and gender (e.g., something more androgynous and/or unconventional) instead of being forced to wear business clothes that are often very gendered (pencil skirts, high heels). I now feel more ‘myself’ at work, which obviously has a great trickle-down effect in terms of confidence and representation.”—Clare
“Dress for success. You only make a first impression once. Slob never won the job (not sure if that is an actual quote, but it sounds like something my father would say). There is much to be said for bringing a professional appearance to work. To me, it says you take yourself and your work seriously. Does that mean a suit and tie [or] a pencil skirt and stilettos? Probably not for most working folks today. I do think the bar has been lowered in most work environments as a general trend, particularly since Covid. Might we agree on some new standard that includes professionalism and comfort? For example, a clean shirt and no crocs?”—Molly
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share sidekick
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