by Solange Lopes | Sep 2, 2014 | Career
Photo credit: porchdrinking.com
So it’s the end of the summer…Kids are back to school, schedules are tightening up, and morning traffic jams are getting worse and worse. And as many of us return to work after Labor Day week-end, a small vacation, or just a day off here and there, the mood is not exactly the best…
I believe in rituals as a way to help ourselves ease life’s transitions and new seasons. And if we value rituals as part of our everyday life, why not integrate them as part of our work life too? An ex-colleague of mine used to decorate her cube for the different seasons. A few of my teams in Public Accounting welcomed the Fall (and the start of busy season) with a celebratory lunch and spicy happy hour. All in all, we all understood celebrating new transitions at work or life give us that extra boost to produce our best work.
What are your end of summer rituals at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 2, 2014 | Career
Leather-waist dress – $134 – bergdorfgoodman.com
I’m loving this Carmen Marc Valco cap-sleeve leather-waist dress from Bergdorf Goodman. The classic, timeless elegance of the puffed cap sleeves and sheath silhouette is perfect for work or even a semi-formal evening. And of course, the originality of the leather waistband only adds to the sophistication of this dress.
I’d pair it with minimal accessories to let the pique fabric and jewel neckline of the dress shine. This beauty is on sale for $134 at Bergdorf Goodman.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 2, 2014 | Career
Woman-with-Post-its – Photo credit: gogirlfinance.com
Happy Tuesday! It’s back to school time, and if you have not noticed or do not in any way want to be associated with kids’ frenzy over the new “Frozen”-themed lunch boxes, just check out the morning traffic…I’ve always loved the whole “back-to-school” thing, what with new books, new shoes and a whole new attitude (all bound to last for a least a week before things get back to a new normal).
Fast forward a few years (emphasis on a few), and now I’m shuttling my own little ones back to school. And need I mention the closest feeling to being back at anything is that of getting back to my old angry inner driver in the morning. Yet as I watch my daughter’s enthusiasm as she rushes in her classroom, disappearing under her “Frozen” backpack, I wonder if maybe some of us tired, blase professionals could use some “back-to-our-careers” energy at the end of summer too…
1. Re-commit to your goals! Yes, mid-year goals may have been set and approved already, but refreshing your goals only requires some personal commitment and decisiveness on your part. Just as students re-commit to pursuing their education, graduating from school or college, re-commit to bettering yourself, producing significant results and finishing better than you started.
2. Give yourself a boost! Noticed the pep in your kid’s step as she sports her brand new Frozen backpack, or shiny new sneakers? Well, just as we want to motivate our kids for the new school year, why not motivate ourselves for a new season of our careers? How about a new pedicure (much needed at the moment), facial or even a personal day to get re-energized? As they say, it’s the small things…
3. Be accountable! Don’t you ask your kids if they have homework to do before plopping their cute selves in front of the tube? Just as they do feel accountable to you, you also need to feel accountable for your own career and success. And no, you need not ask your mom to revert to policing your life. Yet, you can find a colleague, friend or even your spouse, to help keep you in line. Unless of course you have your own “Sasha fierce” alter ego like Queen Bey…
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 1, 2014 | Career
Things you should do for yourself over the week-end – Photo credit: blackhairmedia.com
Happy Labor Day everyone!
Hope everyone is having a great Labor Day long week-end (frankly, isn’t Monday the best day to have off…). And as you’re enjoying this long week-end doing the things you love, spending time with family and friends, or simply relaxing with your favorite book by the poolside, have you also wondered about those activities or pastimes that have the greatest impact on your success and career? Could it be that even as you’re having some downtime and basking in some good ol’ fun and leisure, you’re actually helping your career and success along?
- Are you being present when spending time with friends and family? A long week-end gives us the opportunity to schedule that extra time with friends and family, away from work or household distractions. Yet in our generation of chronic multi-tasking and smarter-than-you smartphones, the issue is less about the amount of time we have as much as how we choose to spend it. Are you choosing to make the most of your interactions with friends and family by actually being present, both mentally and physically? Or are you switching back and forth between social media and your company, not giving either your full attention, instead depleting yourself of much needed focus and inspiration? You may think it’s not a big deal, yet may be unconsciously forming a new habit that will transfer into your work life and negatively impact your success...
- Are you committing to have some “uncommitted” time? In the midst of family cookouts, picking up the dry cleaning, and getting through this book you’ve been putting off for a while, week-ends hardly feee like the beginning of work all over again. Every single minute is committed to some activity, and even leisure time is scheduled. As a result, we’re running from one activity to another, hardly enjoying ourselves because planning our week-ends leaves us wanting to get back to…work. How about planning to have some unplanned time? How about taking the (earth-shattering) decision to purposely have unscheduled blocks of time? Too scary…well, maybe start with sitting down somewhere for a few minutes and see how (good) it feels…
- And if you MUST schedule something, let it be one thing you love! The point of time off is to be off, truly off, that is! It is so we can take the necessary time to refuel our body, mind and spirit, first and foremost for ourselves. If you must commit to scheduling some time during your long week-end (other than the usual or emergency stuff), let it be your favorite kickboxing class, some time to finish that great novel or your next quilting masterpiece (yes, quilting can be relaxing)…
And after all this rambling, I’m off to sharing some uncommitted time with my couch (don’t judge me)…
Happy labor Day everyone!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 31, 2014 | Career
Weekly news update – Photo credit: nerysparry.com
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Happy Sunday! Hope everyone is enjoying this long week-end, and hopefully having a lazy Sunday morning…No lazy Sunday mornings on my side of the blogosphere (Dear Daughter and Dear Son never grasped the concept), but beyond the early morning cries for sugary drinks and candy, I’m thankful for another day, and another warm, strong cup of joe…And for our weekly news update:
- Last Tuesday was #Women’s Equality Day, and the Huffington Post reminded us of all the things we couldn’t do in 1971 that we can do today, and some we still can’t do (like getting equal pay for equal work…hummm….), while confirming that women are losing $18,000 a year due to income inequality (let’s not quantify this in shoes);
- And while we women are celebrating our wins (and acknowledging how much work there still is to do), Women’s e-news writes that men also share the fruits of Women’s Equality Day;
- Speaking of equality, the Harvard Biz Review takes an honest look at how men and women differ when applying for jobs;
- Who else than Beyonce to embody Girl Power? Well, my favorite political duo Danielle and Aisha Moodie-Mills of the weekly politics and pop culture show Politiny, use Beyonce’s songs and lyrics to talk women’s pay equity in the Grio (a must-watch!);
- It’s back to college time, and the Washington Post lists the college majors most and least likely to lead to under-employment, while the Huffington Post tips us off on 5 everyday ways college students can save;
- And speaking of college, The Guardian has an interesting perspective on whether you should study something you love or something that will get you a job;
- I’m a happy naturalista, and since I’m always looking for quick and elegant ways to do my hair, I really enjoyed this post from Curly Nikki on 6 buns to get you to class (or work) in a fast and stylish way;
- In personal news, one of my favorite anchors Tamron Hall discusses why professional women do not need to have kids to care;
- As you’re sipping on your
second third cup of joe this morning, did you know there are scientifically-backed optimal times to drink your coffee during the day?;
- Last but not least, The Corporate Sister thinks it’s OK not to know what you want (but still work at it), while questioning if it’s OK to share personal problems at work. And if it’s too much to think about, then some good work fashion can always lighten the day, as suggested here, here, and oh here too…
Happy Sunday everyone, and happy reading! As always thank you so much for the support, much love!
The Corporate Sis.
