We’re almost to the 2024 finish line. This year has been undoubtedly memorable – and not always for good reasons. You may feel burned out, exhausted, and less excited than ever to start it all over again in 2025. Trust me, I know how it can feel. But as entrepreneurs and business leaders, we can’t afford to drag our feet into the new year.

Mid-December is almost here, and that means we’re about out of time to get holiday gifts in! If you’re giving gifts in your office, you probably don’t have until Christmas (or your holiday of choice) to source the right presents for your bosses, co-workers, or team members.

Here in Tennessee, the weather never gets truly cold. It’s been a balmy fall, and only recently have we seen nighttime temperatures below freezing. As much as I’m more used to heat and humidity in my neck of the woods, I would happily welcome some colder weather, but probably not for the reasons you’d expect!

A recent Fast Company article revealed that psychologist Gloria Mark discovered a dramatic drop in our attention span in front of screens. In 2004, our attention span was 2.5 minutes. In 2020, it had dropped to a paltry 47 seconds. Some would quickly blame tech use for this shift – or individual apps like TikTok. 

But technology is a tool. Like any tool, it can be wielded with purpose or used carelessly. It’s the knife that chops your vegetables versus the knife that slices your finger! It’s the same knife. The difference is in how it’s wielded. 

Technology in the workplace can be both a positive and a negative influence, depending on how it is implemented and used. If we’re going to maximize the positives, we need to understand both risks and benefits!