by Solange Lopes | Dec 20, 2017 | Career
At the end of each year, I inevitably ask myself: “Self, where do you stand?” While this question pops up as related to all areas of my life, it also inevitably gets asked of my work. Like most of us, the majority of my time is spent working. Reaching December 31st also means that twelve full months have elapsed during which most of my waking days have been spent pursuing some professional or business goal or another. What it also means is that it’s time to review your career at year-end.
While we’re all about looking forward, especially as we start a new year, it’s important to look back at what our experiences have taught us. This is all the more prevalent in our careers as these are not built in a year or so. It’s the sum of countless lessons learnt from the cubicle to the office that create real success. Not the success borrowed from your frenemies’ timelines on social media, but lasting success on your own terms.
7 Steps to Review Your Career at Year-End-2
Take a pause as the year ends to quickly review where you stand in your career. If you’re unsure where to start, consider these 7 steps:
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Start Within!
How do you feel about your career? Are you as excited as you were when you started out at the beginning of the year? Or are you dragging yourself out of bed every morning? Are you justifying the way you feel by the fact that you need to pay bills and do what you’ve got to do?
Checking in with yourself is the first step to re-evaluate your career at the end of each year. This is not to say that you should beat yourself up for feeling the way you do. However, we should all make an honest assessment of where you stand emotionally as related to your career. It’s normal to evolve and change. It’s also normal that your desires and tastes evolve with time. What’s not normal is to deny the emotional impact your work has on you and your life if you want to create success on your own terms.
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Goal Check Time!
As the end of the year approaches, where do you stand as related to the career goals you set at the beginning of the year? Did you get that promotion you had planned for? Have you made that lateral move? Are you closer to finding a new job, or leaving your 9-to-5 to work on your business?
Many of us avoid reviewing the goals we set at the beginning of the year because it can be a painful exercise if we did indeed fail. However, we must understand that failure is not only normal, but also necessary. Failing means you’ve tried, and that you may need to re-evaluate those goals. Yet, you need to assess these goals first in order to move forward.
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Do An Opportunity Check!
Now let’s talk opportunities. What have you learnt this year? Every year should bring about new opportunities to progress, learn and advance. This is not just about scoring a promotion, raise or the book deal of the year. It’s about being better and further than where you started.
Look past the usual symbols of success such as money and status, and look for ways, even the smallest of ways, in which you have progressed in your career. It may be a new training you took, a good performance review, or some praise from your managers. Recognize the good.
Also, recognize those areas where you missed opportunities, and ask yourself why. The most important part of this process is to understand what worked well and what didn’t, so you can re-adjust your approach in the new year.
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Assess where you stand!
This can be a tricky part of your review process. When asking yourself if you are where you should be in your career, it should not be to reflect what others are telling you about yourself. Neither is it to beat yourself up because you are not where society thinks you should be at.
Rather, this is where you should use your own barometer of success. Are you where you think you should be according to what is important to you? If you feel like you haven’t progressed enough, then it may be time to devise a plan to go further in the new year. If you do, don’t rest on your laurels, but continue to learn and better yourself.
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Create Your Career Vision!
Now project yourself onto the future, and ask yourself what your career looks like in the next year, or in the next five years? This part of your review process is crucial, as it will determine how you re-orient and re-engineer your goals as you step into the new year.
What is it that you want more of? Less of? What is the next step for you? What is your next milestone?
Write down your Career Vision statement for the next year, and read it aloud to yourself as often as possible. It should represent where you see yourself in your career in as much detail as possible.
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Take Action!
Now it’s time to draw a Career Action Plan for yourself. This is where you actually devise specific steps you need to accomplish what you desire in your career. It may mean taking on more complex assignments, going back to school, being more assertive, etc.
Whatever it is, make sure to list in your Career Action Plan for the next year. Keep this action plan handy as you start the new year.
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Use your village!
It takes a village to build a successful career, according to what your view of success is and to what is important to you. Review your goals at the end of the year is an even more powerful process if you can share it with people who can help you. Whether it’s a mentor, a trusted manager or colleague, or even a dear friend, consider discussing the results of your year-end review with someone you trust.
This will help you bounce some ideas off of someone else’s, and come up with even more insight.
How do you review your career at the end of the year?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Dec 19, 2017 | Working Mom & Woman Tips
Last-Minute Gift Guide for the Fierce Working Women In Your Life
Please note I may receive a commission if you purchase the items below.
‘Tis the season for gifting! When it comes to the fierce, kickass, unstoppable working women around you, finding gifts that truly represent who they are (and that they can actually use) can be tricky. After all, keeping up with an ambitious woman’s excellent taste, as well as her busy career, is not for the faint of hearts.
If you’re wondering what to run out and get that relentless, hard-working woman in your life, you can get inspired by some of our ideas. Something tells me she’ll adore these practical yet stylish office tools, these brilliant office supplies, and one-of-a-kind signature accessories.
Rifle Paper Floral Weekly Planner Desk
Rifle Paper Weekly Desk Planner – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
This weekly planner desk featuring 52 tear-off sheets is the perfect desk accessory and reminder in one! The honeydew floral style is elegant and chic, and you can even use it as a mouse pad! Click HERE to check it out!
Clear Office Desk Drawer Organizer – Photo credit: amazon.com
Clear Office Desk Organizer
This clear drawer desk organizer is perfect to store all your office supplies in one place. From the two file organizers on the left, to the iPad holder and charger in the back, you can get everything you need in the office in one place. Click HERE.
Goal Digger Planner 2018 Ivory Agenda – Photo credit: amazon.com
Goal Digger Planner 2018 Ivory Agenda
This stylish gold polka dot organizer includes enough space for your budget, your yearly and weekly goals, as well as monthly and weekly calendars, among other practical things. The details, from the gold elastic bands to the gold corners, are just perfect. Click HERE.
Kate Spade Cameron Street Agenda – Photo credit: amazon.com
Kate Spade Cameron Street Agenda
Get clarity and intention with this stylish and practical Kate Spade agenda. Featuring 17 month fillers, laminated dividers and 14k gold plated hardware, this agenda means business! Click HERE.
Like A Boss Mouse Pad – Photo credit: amazon.com
Like A Boss Mouse Pad
Stay inspired and productive with this colorful, optimized for comfort Like a Boss mouse pad. Not only is it a conversation starter, but it’s also designed for extreme comfort with a soft rubber base. It also allows for precision tracking. Click HERE.
kate spade new york Acrylic Stapler – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Kate Spade New York Acrylic Stapler
Thou shalt staple in style! This acrylic stapler is a great addition to your office supplies. And the inscription reading “Keep It Together” is all you need to keep you motivated. Click HERE.
Sloane Stationery “Geek Chic” Notebook – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Sloane Stationery “Geek Chic” Notebook
The “nerd” woman in your life will love this Sloane stationary “geek chic” notebook. This embossed, soft-cover notebook will keep you on track and in productivity. Click HERE.
kate spade new york Journal – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Kate Spade New York Journal
This cloth-covered, hard cover journal with gold foil accents is the chic companion to any kickass working woman in your life. Click HERE.
Rebecca Minkoff Regan Sleeve – photo credit: www.amazon.com
Rebecca Minkoff Regan Laptop Sleeve
This genuine leather laptop sleeve features an exclusive padded lining and front zip pocket for extra storage. The Rebecca Minkoff signature details are as stylish as they are elegant. Click HERE.
Glitter iPhone Case – Photo credit: amazon.com
Glitter iPhone Case
This is the perfect phone companion for any fabulous working woman who wants some bling in her life. Click HERE.
Frends Layla Headphones – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Frends Layla Headphones
These headphones are as stylish as they’re comfortable and efficient. The memory foam cushions are molded to fit your ears, while the stain-resistant leather is both practical and a magnet for compliments. Click HERE.
Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
These wireless bluetooth headphones are as simple as they are efficient. Whether you use them alone or share them with a friend, the built-in sensitive microphones will ensure perfect sound. Click HERE.
Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch
This rose gold watch will keep her on time and fabulous! Click HERE.
Mint Boss Lady Mug – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Mint Boss Lady Mug
For any Boss Lady in your life! This mug will remind her to keep thriving in all areas of her life! Click HERE.
Pink Eyelashes Gold Coffee Mug – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Pink Eyelashes Gold Coffee Mug
Chic and stylish are two words to define this adorable mug! The working woman in your life will get a kick out of it (as well as out of the coffee she’ll be sipping out of it)! Click HERE.
Real Lightweight Leather and Ponte Jacket – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Real Lightweight Leather and Ponte Jacket
Nothing like a statement leather jacket to give the working woman in your life a pep in your step! This moto-inspired jacket is perfect with any workwear or weekend wear. Click HERE.
Tweed Jacket With Trim – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Tweed Jacket With Trim
A classic tweed jacket like this one will be a perfect addition to any professional woman’s workwear. Click HERE.
Successful Women Speak Differently: 9 Habits That Build Confidence, Courage, and Influence – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Successful Women Speak Differently: 9 Habits That Build Confidence, Courage, and Influence
Give her the gift of confidence, courage and influence with this amazing book by best-selling author and life strategist Valorie Burton. Click HERE.
In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs
Offer her the gift of inspiration with this chef-d’oeuvre featuring over 100 exceptional women sharing business advice about following your passion. Click HERE.
The Motivation Manifesto – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
The Motivation Manifesto
Give her the gift of motivation with this best-selling exceptional book by renowned high-performance coach Brendon Burchard. It will be a great way to inspire her to own her personal freedom. Click HERE.
Brasilla Small Duffel Bag – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Brasilla Small Duffel Bag
Inspire her to keep in shape with this Nike Brasilla small duffel bag. This water-resistant and stylish bag will be her favorite go-to as she rushes out to the gym. Click HERE.
Diablo Small Duffel Limited Edition – Photo credit: www.amazon.com
Diablo Small Duffel Limited Edition
Perfect for the busy working woman on the go, this small duffel bag is great for any gym run. Click HERE.
Disclaimer: “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”
What else would you add to this list?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Dec 12, 2017 | Start Your Business
You get on your phone to quickly check what’s going on on Facebook before you move on to more important things; then what was supposed to be just a 10-15 minute activity turns out to be 30 minutes, then an hour, then 2 hours…We’ve probably all been there and done that…and I am preaching to myself here!
Social media is a MUST today for any entrepreneur, wannabe entrepreneur, professional just looking for resources, or for anyone who wants to meet new people, keep in touch with friends and reconnect with long lost ones!
However, as much as it is important, it can also turn out (and often does) to be detrimental to us, as it reduces our focus on important things and affects our productivity. When is the last time you read a post and decided to go trough all the comments to read people’s opinions on the matter being discussed? How often have you found yourself spending more time scrolling through your Facebook wall on your phone at work than you’re supposed to (And you’re probably not even allowed to use social media at work 😊)? The same goes on for other social media platforms (i.e., Instagram, Twitter…even LinkedIn); when is the last time you decided to read a book before bedtime and ended up spending more time on your phone than on the book?
It is obvious that as much as we need social media, it can end up using up so much of your time, and preventing us from reaching our goals. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid being trapped by all the social media madness and still make a good use out of it.
Here are 5 ways to take advantage of social media without letting social media take advantage of you:
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Determine how much time you spend on social media each day
Spend a day tracking how much you use social media for non-work related activities; use a notebook to write down every single time you log in to a social media platform and when you log off. Do that from the time you wake up in the morning to the time you go to bed at night. I am pretty sure you’ll be surprised by the result you get; but that’s okay. Before you can solve a problem, you must admit there is one!
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Determine how much time you need to spend on social media each day
Based on your result from 1), see by how much you can realistically reduce the amount of time you spend on social media. Of course, this will depend on the type of work you do; but for someone who does not use social media for any work-related activities, this time should be limited. It should feel like a challenge but an achievable goal at the same time! Listen, you don’t have to comment on that post right away, participate in all the ongoing discussions, go through all your friends’ walls to see what’s going on in their lives; the same things will still be there if you take a break and come back later! Or if you come back tomorrow!
This may sound a little crazy, but if you are really determined and disciplined, it works. If you decided that you’d only spend a total of 2 hours on social media a day, stick to it! You’ll be proud of yourself. Some people may choose to do the whole 2 hours at night when they get home from work, others may choose to spread their time throughout the day; but whatever you do, set the alarm to remind yourself when your time is up. And when the alarm goes off, just stop!
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Use your time on social media efficiently
This will help you stick to your allotted time for the day, but it is also good for your sanity because you don’t need to read/watch everything that is on social media! When you log in, spend a little bit of time on your profile to see if there is anything important you should be aware of, then focus on those pages/groups you follow on a regular basis. Finally, use the rest of your time as you wish.
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Limit your accessibility to social media platforms
You may need to delete all social media apps from your smartphone and only access the platforms from your computer. This will most likely limit your usage as it will require more work on your part (Yes, logging in and off each time you want to get on Facebook/Instagram is really hard these days 😊!).
Hopefully, these small tips help! Please feel free to share any other tips you have!
With Love,
Huguette
Huguette Essoh Latte
Bio: Huguette is a God-fearing woman, a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister and a friend. She is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) by trade and an entrepreneur in the making. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family and walking by one of the beautiful lakes of Minnesota where she resides, when the weather permits.
