3 ways to beat brain fog

And the Excel feature most people don’t notice

May 11, 2023

Hey hey! I have an exciting announcement! *cue drumroll 🥁* I’m launching an AI course this June! Learn how to use ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Bard to boost your productivity, stay ahead of technological trends, and advance your career. From analyzing data to writing emails to creating content, I’ve got you covered on all things AI.

The best part? Newsletter readers (AKA you!) get 30% off. Use the code WORKBOOK30 here!

The Excel Feature Most People Don’t Notice

Have you ever found yourself lost in Excel while searching for a specific tool?

It’s the same overwhelming feeling you get when you’re sorting out your room and you can’t figure out the best way to fold your sweaters so you just end up getting sidetracked (we’ve all been there 🙃).

But Excel has a little-known feature to help you find exactly what you need: a built-in search bar. 🔍

Pulling it up is super easy. Just right-click on your data and it’ll show up at the top of the drop-down list. From there, you can locate any data, tools, or functions you’re looking for.

The next time you don’t remember where a tool is, whether that’s sparklines, removing duplicates, or VLOOKUP, this feature has your back.

The best part is you no longer have to memorize your Excel ribbon, which is great when you realize it has over 500 functions. 😅

Calling all data nerds! 🙋🏼‍♀️ What are you doing in 2 weeks?

Join data experts, analysts, and innovators in Las Vegas on May 22-25 for Alteryx Inspire:

  • connect with other data enthusiasts and experts

  • get trainings and certifications

  • discover new tools and platforms

And, it gets even better! Attend killer keynote sessions where you’ll learn how to leverage AI, make data decisions faster than a cheetah, and hear inspiring stories from data wizards.

This is a mature, responsible reason to go to Vegas AND get insights to step up your analytics game.

Grab your tickets here!

3 Unique Ways I Beat Brain Fog

Everyone has those days when their brain just isn’t cooperating, even though their to-do list is urgent and their stress levels are high. 

So, here are my top three tips to help you stay alert that don’t include a sixth cup of coffee (which, from experience, I absolutely would not recommend 🫠).

1. 🧊 Get chilly. A cold shower can decrease anxiety, boost alertness, and help you get more done. And if a cold shower isn’t your thing, a 2016 study from Psychological Science found that even just glancing at photos of cold landscapes helped participants perform cognitive tasks. Personally, I’m more into changing my computer background to a picture of snow than taking a freezing cold shower.

2. ✍️ Write by hand. A 2014 Psychological Science series of studies found that when students recorded notes by hand, they processed the information better because they reframed it in their own words (versus transcribing it verbatim). I write my to-do list and content ideas by hand and I find it gets my creative juices flowing.

3. 🗣 Speak aloud. If you WFH, chances are you’re spending a lot of time in your own head! Speaking aloud about your agenda, goals, etc. can both help you focus and remember your ambitions, according to a 2017 study from Waterloo University. This is my favorite tip to get your priorities seared into your brain so you’re motivated to get 👏 stuff 👏 done 👏.

  • Excel Magic 🪄: Here’s how to number 25,000 rows in three seconds using the SEQUENCE function.

  • I loved Goop’s recent podcast on gut instincts, spiritual guides, and what most people get wrong about manifestation!

  • A list of 75 + of the best add-ins, plugins, and apps for Microsoft 365 Excel.

  • We’ve all been there: You’re on your mental health walk trying to decompress when—bam—all the tasks you forgot about pop into your head. Instead of disturbing your peace 🧘‍♀️, now you can use Office Otter’s text integration. Just send a quick text and it’ll instantly get added to your to-do list so you can tackle it later—check it out here.*

  • Numbr is a smart calculator combined with a notepad that’s super useful if you’re dealing with multiple currencies.

  • “Building the life we want also means re-wiring what we think we can do,” reads this amazing article on how to manifest.

*This is sponsored advertising content.

In last week’s newsletter, we talked about why we should read more fiction. 📚 So, here’s my favorite quote from my current fiction pick, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho:

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” 

Have a favorite quote you’d love to share? Hit “reply” and send it on over—I’d love to feature it in this section to brighten everyone’s day. 🌞

Stay Exceling,

Kat