Hey Reader -

Do you have a case of the mid-month blahs, leaving you doomscrolling? Are you looking for a quick fix so you can jump into the New Year, New Rules game?

Upping your step count or adding green smoothies makes you feel productive, but they're rarely life-changing. So, if you're going to have a turnaround year, counterbalance short-term, instant-gratification goals with bigger intentions, such as increasing your people flex.

If adding people skills to your Goals List gives you a case of the groans, reframe it. It can be as simple as maximizing what you do naturally. Let's meet someone who leveled up the easy way.

Make Soft Skills Your Secret Weapon

In a recent essay, Alex Su remembered envying a fellow law school student who had the knack of acing exams even though he constantly skipped class. Meanwhile, Alex diligently put in spade work, attending every lecture, finding study groups, and sharing meticulous outlines.

Then he had a lightning bolt moment: Being a great lawyer wasn't about rattling off cases or having grades at the top of the bell curve. It also required cultivating a people flex.

He may not have had a photographic memory like his fellow student. Nevertheless, Alex's day-to-day activities steadily helped him create his own kind of success. For instance, every get together built a network of alliances. And celebrating wins and losses with his study group community made him more empathetic.

Alex summed it up by saying, "…All those wins share the same origin story. They didn't happen because I was the most gifted person in the room. They happened because of strengths I didn't know how to articulate yet. The ability to connect with people, read and interpret unspoken dynamics, and nudge people toward decisions."

Three Easy Ways to Describe Your People Flex

In the January series, 4 Power Moves to Reach Your Intentions, we're discussing how you can overcome common blocks to setting intentions. Last week, we talked about knowing your Why, and block #2 is falling for quick fixes.

When you're hanging with friends at the pub, working on soft skills may not seem as flashy as Instagram cold plunge reels. But here's why you want to keep going: Understanding what makes people tick is a goal that always pays off. Having ease with all types of people can be the difference between a make-or-break year.

Getting started doesn't need to be hard. Upleveling is as simple as being self-aware about how you show up, practicing collaboration in informal safe spaces, and finding new alliances. Those are all transferable, marketable skills.

Jumpstart your power move of increasing your people flex by customizing this AI prompt, then sum up your know-how in one sentence:

Social media may make the latest trends seem tempting. However, there's no need to compare your style, situation, or timing to anyone else's. Swap instant answers and quick fixes for lasting results.

All the best,

Michelle Mains

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