Can one hour change your life? It can if you use it every day to learn something new, let your mind wander and try out what you've learned, writes Thomas Oppong, the creator of the Postanly Weekly newsletter. "You can learn a new skill, reflect on what went well or didn't go well in the day. Or simply sit and think without your phone. The return of intentional time to learn, think, or reflect compounds in all areas of your life," Oppong writes.

A challenge to eliminate procrastination for one week got off to a good start for freelance writer Amelia Tait, but as the days dragged on, Tait felt emotionally fatigued and fell back into old habits. Tait used techniques recommended by a psychology professor, including identifying and ranking her emotions, journaling and shifting her self-talk, and made some improvements. However, Tait realized that taking breaks and delaying some tasks can enhance creativity, but cautioned vigilance against slipping back into avoidant procrastination.

Absen executive Ruben Rengel is from Spain, lives in Japan and works in China. Rengel acts as a bridge among the cultures, helping western professionals who struggle with the indirect communication styles and decision-making processes prevalent in Chinese business culture.

Private-sector job creation rebounded in October with 42,000 jobs added, according to ADP, which has become a crucial source of labor market data amid the absence of federal jobs data because of the government shutdown. The pace of hiring is slower and concentrated in fewer sectors, with job losses in information, professional and business services, and leisure and hospitality.

As pressure mounts on leaders from all sides, getting the right amount of sleep should be a board-level priority, writes Julian Hayes II, founder of Executive Health, who notes that every major decision, strategic pivot and emotionally charged interaction draws from a finite biological reserve, which is replenished by quality rest. "A rested mind doesn't just respond faster; it also, more importantly, perceives more clearly as it identifies patterns, anticipates challenges and synthesizes strategies from complexity," Hayes notes.

From sister publication Kiplinger: For those uneasy about learning AI late in their careers, experts recommend a gradual approach. Start by using AI for simple tasks, such as drafting emails or summarizing documents, and build confidence over time. Workers don't need to master every tool at once and should leverage help from tech-savvy colleagues.

My take: I can certainly understand the hesitance, but I took the awe out of AI. Once I framed it in my mind as just an impressive computer tool — similar to when the internet became widespread — I was able to look at it in real terms, rather than as a revolution of biblical proportions. -- Janet Connor Kahler, editor of Your Career

With generative AI rapidly changing workplace dynamics, employees are anxious about job security, shifting responsibilities and their ability to adapt, writes Gleb Tsipursky, CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts. It's best to acknowledge these anxieties and address them openly, writes Tsipursky, who notes that case studies show that transparent communication about how AI will impact roles instills confidence and shifts employee feelings from resistance to collaboration.