> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # #226 - real bird, fake bird? - URL: https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/226-real-bird-fake-bird-2/ - Published: 2025-02-17T05:21:16.000Z - Updated: 2025-02-17T05:21:15.000Z - Description: A framework for building resilience, some non-icky tips for networking and ways to have difficult conversations at work. More free stuff, a way to conquer news fatigue and real or fake choice to be made. - Author: Matt - Tags: Newsletter ✍️ Introducing [JournalBot](https://bsky.app/profile/journalbot.bsky.social?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) \- a new Journaling prompt every day, delivered through BlueSky. [Find it here.](https://bsky.app/profile/journalbot.bsky.social?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ## The Stuff that MattRs **Monday Motivation**. Let this week be the one where you increase your resilience by [understanding the 3P framework for optimism when things are challenging.](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/featured/the-3p-theory-how-to-stop-overthinking-and-build-resilience/) *Bonus Stuff.* [*Forty practical ways to handle stress.*](https://theassist.com/stress-management-40-easy-ways-to-deal-with-stress/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *Number 19 and 20 are essential tactics for reducing anxiety around work.* **Communications**. [Nine excellent business communication tips.](https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/feb/11/digital-communication-tips-work?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Includes brushing your hair before camera on, and a warning about typos. **Networking**. If networking gives you the ick (it certainly does me), maybe it’s time to be a little more intentional about the new relationships you build. [This guide to conscious networking is a great starter.](https://theconsciouspublicist.com/conscious-networking-tips-for-building-authentic-relationships/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) *Bonus Stuff.* [*Seven barriers to building strong connections, and how to overcome them.*](https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven%5Fbarriers%5Fto%5Fbuilding%5Fmore%5Fmeaningful%5Fconnections?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **Motivation**. [Here’s how to use the power of your mind to prepare for ANY task.](https://psyche.co/ideas/heres-how-to-use-your-imagination-to-prepare-for-any-task?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) Your imagination is a powerful tool, learning how to harness it for positivity can be life changing. **Skills**. [Five ways to have difficult conversations with ANYONE at work.](https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2024/04/04/5-steps-to-have-difficult-conversations-with-literally-anyone-at-work/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) #2 on this list is essential, and seeking to understand is a great way to start those tricky chats. **Free**. [Another ten free sites that you should bookmark](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/february-free-sites-for-you-to-bookmark/). The entire archive is [here](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/tag/tools/). ✍️ ****Random Journal Prompt:** What is something that makes you uncomfortable in a good way? How could you do more of that? [From JournalBot](https://bsky.app/profile/journalbot.bsky.social?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ****Bonus Stuff.** [Try my 30 day Journalling Challenge](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/journalling/). ![man sitting on bench reading newspaper](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1495020689067-958852a7765e?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDF8fG5ld3N8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzM5NjAzMzk0fDA&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Roman Kraft](https://unsplash.com/@iamromankraft?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) **Outrage**. [News fatigue](https://ukrant.nl/we-should-be-sharing-the-burden-of-news-fatigue/?lang=en&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) is a real thing. [Here’s how to identify those feelings, and practical steps to take action and combat the emotional exhaustion](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/outrage-fatigue-is-real-heres-why-we-feel-it-and-how-to-cope/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk). **Emotions**. [Seven ways to shift difficult emotions](https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/seven%5Fways%5Fto%5Fshift%5Fyour%5Fdifficult%5Femotions?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk). Emotional management is an important life skill that can bring you calm, here’s how you can grow it. *Bonus Stuff.* [A framework for ‘letting it go’](https://socurious.co/heres-a-framework-for-letting-it-go-whatever-it-is/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk).p Pactical steps for allowing a negative emotion to leave gracefully. **Solutions**. Why is it much easier to solve other people's problems? [You can harness Solomon's Paradox to use this skill on yourself.](https://bigthink.com/smart-skills/solomons-paradox-psychology/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **Relationships**. [99 great conversation starters for deeper connections.](https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/conversation-topics/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) **FInally**. [Real bird, fake bird?](https://realbirdfakebird.com/?ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) A daily game that challenges you to separate the real from the fake, a different category every day. 🎵 Have you tried ****FlowStuff**? It's my ever growing and changing playlist of music for concentration and relaxation. Just shy of 50 hours of mostly beatless and wordless music. [You can follow along here.](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2rXoop87aCB6oe1HBERtyn?si=f38e9657e468481c&ref=mattrutherford.co.uk) ### 🔈 My week in Music... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2025/02/saba.jpg) My recommendation this week is a great album from Iranian Composer and Instrumentalist, Saba Alizadeh. Read why I immediately bought this one on vinyl in my week in music... [Read My Week in Music here](https://www.mattrutherford.co.uk/mwim-9/) ### Stuff Someone Said (feel free to share) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/2e/c22ecd6b-9412-4701-b914-97051141e207/content/images/2025/02/-226-1.png)