Independent Banker - May 2023 - 25

PORTFOLIO LEADERSHIP AT ALL LEVELS
You're a new community
banker-now what?
By Lindsay LaNore, ICBA
attire can be a real confidence boost
as you head into your workday.
¡ Slow down. It may seem
counterintuitive as you are rushing
to get to work, but stopping to think
about the day ahead can give you
the necessary mindset, and focus to
approach your day. This might mean
waking up a few minutes earlier and
carving out some time to focus on
what the day ahead holds.
¡ Give yourself enough time to get
to work. If you're running behind,
it will most likely affect your day.
Pro tip: It's best not to arrive at the
office with seconds to spare. Being
15 minutes early can reduce your
stress levels, and your boss will also
appreciate your timeliness.
ommunity bankers often tell us they wish they had a " how-to " list for new
team members. In other words, answers to the big question, " Now what? "
Over the next few months, we're going to tackle that theme, offering tips that
can be shared with team members on day one, and every day after.
This month's focus is on getting ready
for work. Here are some tips for what
to do the day before.
¡ Think about what the next
day will look like. Review your
calendar, upcoming meetings
and focus work time. Check for
deadlines and project milestones.
Make your to-do list outlining
priorities for the day. Do not
randomly select things to do-make
a plan. Consider highlighting the
three most important tasks on your
list to ensure a productive day.
¡ Tidy up your desk at the end
of each day. Sitting down at an
organized desk in the morning is a
great way to focus your mind.
¡ Mentally prepare yourself.
Whether you have a big meeting or
a new task, getting into a prepared,
positive mindset is key to success.
Research shows that a mindfulness
practice can be highly beneficial,
but sometimes it's as simple as
going for a brisk walk.
¡ Get a good night's sleep. Aim
for seven to eight hours. Using a
smartphone before bed has been
proven to disrupt sleep patterns,
having negative effects on both
sleep quality and general health.
So, avoid scrolling through your
social media feeds for 30+ minutes
before turning out the lights.
Now, let's look at your morning tasks.
¡ Eat a healthy breakfast. It is
always better to start the day off
with a good wellness regimen.
¡ Dress for your day. Something
as simple as choosing appropriate
C
Once you're at your desk, plan for the
rest of the day.
¡ Identify when you're most
productive during the day. Use
that time to focus on your priorities.
¡ Do your research. If you're
meeting a new customer later in the
day, review the goals of the meeting
and the customer's background.
Review the agenda and spend time
preparing for it in advance.
¡ Limit distractions. Put your phone
away and close your email inbox.
Consider wearing headphones with
light music if you need to focus.
¡ Revisit your to-do list midday.
Are you staying on track for the day?
Adjust as needed.
It's all about preparation and establishing
good habits that allow you to
optimize your workday-and ultimately
your whole team's productivity.
Lindsay LaNore (lindsay.lanore@
icba.org) is ICBA's group executive
vice president and chief learning
and experience officer
independentbanker.org // 25
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Independent Banker - May 2023

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