The Skinny Confidential Spills Her Holiday Work From Home Hacks
Lauryn Evarts of The Skinny Confidential and her Google Pixelbook.
Lauryn Evarts, founder and oh-so-tells-it-like-it-is voice behind The Skinny Confidential, knows how to keep it real. From sharing advice on her blog to running her podcast, "The Skinny Confidential Him and Her Podcast," with hubby Michale Bosstick, she's a busy babe who needs to keep things steamlined (the best she can).
Plus she's the perfect person to give us the low-down on avoiding awkward family interactions over the Holidays.
Do you have any tips for avoiding awkward family small talk at the table? No. Aunt Helen, not appropriate.
OH AUNT HELEN. WE ALL HAVE A HELEN, RIGHT? I mean really can we all agree we all have that one person who has too much Pinot Noir & brings up drama from 1989? My rule of thumb is not to stay too long anywhere- we move around & move around in conversations too. If someone brings up something you don't want to talk about? Simply slowly exit the conversation. I don't like to argue- you know I'm not the type to fight fire with fire. I've always preferred to slowly back away as opposed to cutting anything off. This concept very much applies to Thanksgiving. You know what I mean? Also my chilled glass of champagne never hurt a flea.
What’s your trick for staying on top of everything this holiday season?
TIME-BLOCKING! This is this amazing, simple hack that's changed the game for me. Basically I carry a big time cube in my oversized handbag (I even did a big blog post on this subject & now a bunch of The Skinny Confidential readers do this too!). Anyway it comes in handy because I use it to block time off ( for instances 1 hour of e-mails when I wake up ). For one hour you're only allowed to focus on the one task you pick. No phone, no distractions, no other tasks besides the one you choose, sorry! I know, sounds painful but it really ups the efficiency. Seriously helps so much during the holiday seasons when there's so much distraction. I'm very much a "oh how cute a puppy, wait OMG- did you see that squirrel?" type of person. Distracted is my middle name so yes, a time cube certainly helps. Let's just say they will be in the entire family's stocking stuffer this year.
What about hacks for getting work done when you’re surrounded by friends and fam?
This is hard. I want to write a biography on this. It would be called: Hacks For Getting Work Done When You’re Surrounded By Friends and Fam: A Memoir.
Seriously sometimes I edit an Instagram in the bathroom? Just being real here.
I REALLY try to get all my work done so I can put my phone away at parties with friends and family. My latest is to take IG Stories and save them and then post when I have some time to myself. And then there are times when you just need to go outside and do what you gotta do.
What feature of the Google Pixelbook are you most excited to use?
I've never been more excited for an accessory. Like screw shoes and handbags! All I want is a Google Pixelbook Pen. How chic is it in white? Before I got it I envisioned myself in business meeting with my white Google Pixelbook and the matching Google Pixelbook Pen. It was a very clear vision and now I throw it in my handbag (next to the time cube) and head to meetings. As you can imagine I feel very cool when I whip out my pen to take notes.
You travel so much, how do you think it will streamline your travel days?
Honestly, the Google Pixelbook will be so amazing for travel. I actually SCREAMED when I got it in the mail. For one it will fit perfect in my black travel backpack and for two it's lightweight and so easy to use. Since we travel so much for work it's ideal for writing blog posts on-the-go. There's nothing better than a long red eye flight with a fast Internet, a glass of champagne, and side of plane peanuts- this is heaven for me. The Google Pixelbook will make my dreams come true while I'm flying. As you can see, I'm overly excited for how it will streamline my travel days.
But let's be honest what I really love is it's white, chic...AND has a Pen!
Google has something for everyone on your list. To see our full Google Gift Store Guide click here.
Don't miss out, Friday to Monday Google Store is offering all kinds of holiday deals.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
Why It's Great That Not Everyone Will Love Your Work
Fear not the unfollow.
The more connected that our world becomes, the more influencers there are, the more social media posts and best practice philosophies that there are, and the more comparison there is. We're bombarded with other people’s messages and a nagging feeling that we're not enough; that we could be doing so much more.
There’s better technology, cameras, styling props, improved platforms, more readers to capture, more email addresses, more Instagram followers to acquire and so on....Everyone else (apparently) is doing so much better and so much more than we are. They have more followers, bigger numbers, better websites and collaborations.
This perception and overwhelm often translates to inadequacy. We feel bad about what it is we’re doing.
It isn’t enough. Except, it is.
Focusing on 'what everyone else is doing' is less than helpful. You need to protect yourself and find the balance between being in a bubble and being inspired by those killing it around you.
BUBBLE VS. INSPIRATION
Put the comparison game aside. Focus for a sec on the cold-hard truth that your numbers aren't as big and your profile isn't as out there as someone else's? First of all, this will always be the case (unless you're Kim K).
Second, the reality is that not everyone will love you and your work. This is the truth for all of us and no matter how awesome you are or your work is, there's someone who it won't speak to. Whether from a brand perspective or your prospective audience.
Do you know why?
Because your message isn’t what they’re seeking and that is perfectly OK. In fact dare I say it's fabulous?! It means that as you're doing your thing, following your heart and speaking your true voice. Genuine and authentic followers, subscribers and even customers will follow.
Again, no matter how rockin’ your work and profile is, not everyone is buying what you’re selling and this is absolutely OK. An online course I studied this year highlighted a very important point when it came to sales pages. It discussed the concept of clearly stating within your copy who your product or service is NOT for, hence advising prospective customers that maybe they aren't prospective customers after all. That this concept was as crucial as telling them how fabulous whatever your selling was too.
There’s a two-fold strategy to this exercise; first off you've more than likely circumnavigated away from the future painful and unsatisfied customers of your business and second, you’ve represented up-front and unabashedly who you are what you’re all about to those who want to hear it.
Following my studies I decided to take these lessons a step further and extend it to all of my work and communication; to really own my space and what I’m doing. I wasn't in competition with anyone else and it wasn't for purposes of profit or profile. I chose to fine tune my voice, allow it to be heard even more clearly and not hold back with anything; whether that be a product, recipe or social media post; in case I put someone off.
"I chose to fine tune my voice, allow it to be heard even more clearly and not hold back with anything."
Tweet this.
GUESS WHAT?
I have put people off. Silently and without issue. I’ve also gained more subscribers, followers, profile and engagement; with these there come further excitement and possibility. You could argue it’s the whole quantity over quality debate. Although there was an initial drop off, and perhaps overall my numbers will be smaller from "owning my space" and therefore being more of a niche, but those who’ve elected to hear from me on various platforms actually want to hear from me.
I treat that as sacred and I know they feel that from me too. I’m able to deliver better quality to them because I’m not spreading myself thin trying to please and appeal to the entire world’s population. If you need further proof of this, check out how many blogs there are devoted to the humble succulent (and yes I love them too!)
We're all different and our tastes reflect as much. Learning to accept this point is the best thing that you can add to your blog. Do your thing and do it with all that you have. People pick up on and respond to that and besides it feels awesome!
So the next time that someone unfollows you or unsubscribes from your list fear not (within reason), wish them well on their quest and welcome with open arms those who have remained instead.
Nadia is a 29 year-old Sydney-sider, devoted to providing inspiration and tools to empower women in living a life of wellness; to be the best that they can! As an author, speaker and recipe developer she is a big dreamer and living proof that we can each do and be what we choose. Departing the corporate world in 2013 to follow her heart, Nadia has found it and attempts to seize the day, everyday. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and on her website.
An original version of this article appeared on Blog Society.