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When you’re tired, you’re less effective at your job — it’s as simple as that. To prioritize sleep, start by accepting that working more doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing better work. Sleep deprivation takes a toll on your cognitive abilities, whether you notice the effects or not. Your caffeine consumption can be a good litmus test: If you need coffee just to make it through the morning, or even the afternoon, that may be a red flag. Make a plan for how you’re going to sleep more. Some simple ideas: Set an alarm for when you’ll put down your work and leave the office. Stop using devices at least an hour before you go to bed. (Maybe even go to bed early once in a while.) Start the day with a short to-do list of essential tasks — and once it’s done, go home. Remember, there will always be more work to do tomorrow. Adapted from " You Know You Need More Sleep. Here’s How to Get It. ," by Christopher M. Barnes

Disappointments are inevitable and unpleasant —­ a missed promotion, a failed project, a poor investment — but you can always learn something from them. To constructively deal with your next setback, think through what happened. Distinguish situations that were predictable and preventable from those that were unavoidable and beyond your control. Ruminating over something that didn’t go your way — and that you couldn’t control — will only frustrate you further. For situations that you could have handled differently, consider them in positive terms: What can you do differently next time? What lessons can you learn from the mistakes you made? And remind yourself of what’s going well in your life, so you don’t let the disappointment take an outsize role in your brain. It might sound like a cliché, but keep the setback in perspective — and try to let it go. You may be tempted to play the situation over and over in your head, but staying preoccupied with it will only create unnecessary st...

Changes can make employees nervous. Whether you’re announcing an acquisition, a reorg, or a new HR policy, people often need help processing the information. Make the announcement go more smoothly by explaining the reason behind the change. Give the background on what’s not working and why the new plan will alleviate that organizational pain point. For example, talk about how customers have been hurt or how the business is incurring extra expenses, and explain exactly how the change will solve the problem. Also, discuss how the change will affect people on an individual level; employees’ first reaction is often to ask, “What does this mean for me?” Don’t sugarcoat any inconveniences the change will bring. And avoid the urge to say that delivering the news is hard for you — that may sound manipulative. Instead, demonstrate humility and responsibility, and focus on what your employees need. Adapted from " How to Tell Your Team That Organizational Change Is Coming ," by Liz Kisl...

When it comes to a major career change, pay is often a sticking point. Can you afford to switch jobs if you’d be making less money? Eliminate some of the uncertainty by testing out your new salary. Figure out what you expect to earn, and live on that for two to four months. This will give you a realistic picture of daily life in your new career. If you’d be making significantly less money, think hard about what you could cut back on — meals out, expensive groceries, or TV subscriptions, for example. At the end of your test, revisit your budget to see how you did. And, of course, check in with your spouse, partner, or other family members to discuss the financial implications of your career change. Setting expectations for what you will, and won’t, be able to afford will leave less room for surprises. Adapted from HBR Guide to Changing Your Career

Even if you find it easy to leave your worries at the office, your spouse or partner may not. How can you help them cope with work stress? For starters, really listen. When your partner gets home and begins telling you about an office frustration, don’t “half listen” while you do the dishes or make dinner. Stop, pay attention, and empathize. Sometimes they may just want to vent; other times they may want your advice. If you’re unsure what they need from you, ask. You can offer advice — but be gentle about it. Say something like, “I have a suggestion for that problem. Can I share it?” And if you get the sense that your partner is misreading a situation at the office, ask nonthreatening questions to learn more: “What makes you think that’s the case?” Whatever you do, never compare your spouse’s stressful day with your own. Stress endurance is not a competition. Adapted from " How to Help Your Spouse Cope with Work Stress ," by Rebecca Knight

Working parents sometimes worry that they’re letting down their kids by spending too much time at the office. Once your children are old enough to understand, address this concern head-on by having open, honest conversations. Talk frankly with them about the pressures you feel and what you truly want. Don’t blame your company for the times when you can’t be flexible or you’re stressed at home; the last thing you want is to teach your children to despise the idea of work. Instead, model by example. Help your children understand that the time you spend away from them is one way you contribute to the family. Talk about your passion for your work and the skills you’ve developed to excel professionally. And if you’re going through an especially busy time, explain to your children that you want to put them first and that when you can’t, it’s hard on you, too. Feeling sad together creates connection, which will help them learn that your occasional absence is not a reflection of your love for ...

If you want to excel in a new job, you can’t rely on the orientations and meetings that HR sets up for you. Take control of your onboarding by cultivating connections up, down, and across the organization. Figure out who the influencers are in relation to your role, and get to know them face-to-face. And don’t make the common mistake of assuming you know what your top goals should be and how best to communicate with your new manager. Ask your boss questions to better understand how you will be evaluated and to identify potential early wins: “How do you prefer to give and receive feedback and be kept informed?” and “What should I accomplish in the next six months?” Keep in mind that the goal isn’t to become a hero by tackling the biggest problem right away. Instead, go after something that can be achieved quickly and that delivers operational or financial results. Adapted from " Starting a New Job? Take Control of Your Onboarding ," by Susan Peppercorn

If you have moments of feeling overwhelmed by your inbox, you’re not alone. But don’t set up unrealistic habits for yourself, such as, I need to reply to my boss more quickly than she replies to me or I need to reply to any new email that day. Clarify expectations with others. Instead of assuming that your boss needs something done immediately, ask her when she needs it. Instead of dropping what you’re doing to write a detailed reply to someone, quickly let them know when you’ll get back to them. And don’t feel pressured to respond to emails sent after hours, or even late on Friday afternoon. Whoever contacted you as they were running out the door might not want a response during the weekend. If you don’t reply until Monday, most people will understand — and they may appreciate your helping them with their own boundaries. Adapted from " 5 Things to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed by Your Workload ," by Alice Boyes

“Am I at the right company? Am I in the right job? Is this all there is?” We all ask these types of questions from time to time. They’re a symptom of career malaise, and one major cause is boredom — especially for mid-career professionals who have been doing the same job for years. To conquer these doldrums, you don’t necessarily need to switch jobs. Try making small changes to your current role: Seek out an exciting and immersive project, or join an internal committee or team that will stretch you in new ways. You could also shake up your routine by asking for a different schedule or a move to another office. Even small changes can have a big effect on your outlook. It’s also important to seek meaning in what you do. Make an effort to meet the people who directly benefit from your work, whether they’re customers, clients, or colleagues. Seeing the impact of your job is a great motivator. Adapted from "How to Beat Mid-Career Malaise," by Rebecca Knight