by Solange Lopes | Jun 4, 2016 | Career
Muhammad Ali – Photo credit: quotes gram.com
On June 3, 2016, Muhammad Ali, aka The Greatest of All Time, ended his last fight on Earth, at the age of 74. The three-time heavyweight champion’s being remembered for more than his spectacular fights in the ring. We also remember Ali for being a civil rights champion, an outspoken leader, and in general for living a big, bold, most inspiring life. For generations, he’ll always be the emblem of ultimate strength, courage and service.
Reading his most famous quotes this morning, I can’t help but feel a surge of hope, passion, and determination at the remembrance of an extraordinary life and legacy. And as we close another chapter, I’m filled with pride as I read over and over about the life of a man who rose to the greatness he himself never doubted, the success he could see in the eye of his mind, even before anyone else could…
As a career woman, I take with me these few universal, yet powerful, lessons we can all apply to the work of our lives, as we seek to make a difference in our own great, unique capacities:
If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.
“I am the Greatest; I said that before I even knew I was.” – Muhammad Ali
If there ever were a quote from Muhammad Ali to give us that oomph, that belief that you can break any barriers, remove any obstacles, and beat the odds no matter what, it would be this one. At the end of the day, it’s a mindset thing! You become what you believe, so believe you’ll succeed. Stop looking at your present circumstances, your current job, that boss, those co-workers, and instead work towards those goals…
You’ve got to pay your dues.
“Don’t quit; suffer now, and live the rest of your life as a champion.” – Muhammad Ali
Career success doesn’t just happen; it’s the sum of those tough, hard moments spent working after-hours, studying for that certification, putting in that extra effort! Whether it’s finally getting that degree, going for that challenging certification, or putting in the extra time at work, those hard-earned dues are what set the greatest apart. And yes, you may buy the shoe after…
Fake it ’til you make it.
“To be a great champion, you must believe you are the best. If you’re not, pretend you are.” – Muhammad Ali
As women at work especially, we tend to doubt ourselves way too much. Many times, we’d rather think we don’t deserve the promotion, or don’t meet all the qualifications, than actually go for the job or ask for the raise. The old adage of “fake it ’til you make it” still holds. From dressing for the position you want to going for that job you’re only 60% qualified for, pretending you are the best can actually turn out to be half of the battle.
Be bold.
“I am gonna show you how great I am“. – Muhammad Ali
There’s something about being bold that takes you one step further, even when you’re not quite sure where you’re going. Even when your knees are shaking in the meeting room, and you fear speaking up. Or when you’re scared of asking the money you deserve in a salary negotiation. Or when you have to fight to get credit for your work.
Ask for those opportunities to lead at work. Speak up and present a different point of view. Don’t be afraid to disagree, not even with the boss. Boldness has a way of opening doors…
But remain humble…
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” – Muhammad Ali
I know there were times when ambition in my own career made me forget to be humble and also serve others. Despite all the talks about advancing oneself at work and “taking your opportunities”, the mark of true leadership is humility and service to others. It can be a hard balance to strike though…
Remind yourself to help others along the way, even as you fight to make a spot for yourself. Mentor others, help them reach their potential, make time to answer questions and provide guidance. And constantly remind yourself that someone also did it for you…
Take risks
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life”. – Muhammad Ali
Are you willing to take risks to take your career to the next level? Whether it’s accepting that challenging position, or actually resigning from that zero-potential job, mustering the courage to make the difficult decisions in your life and career is what will separate you from the rest of the fold.
You don’t have to be the best at everything, but whatever you do, be the greatest at it!
“You could be the world’s best garbage man, the world’s best model; it don’t matter what you do if you’re the best.” – Muhammad Ali
Public speaking is not my strength, writing is. I could write reports, emails, and memos of all kinds for hours. Put me in front of an audience, and I might need extra cupcakes to keep going…
In your career as well, capitalize on your strengths. Dedicate yourself to what you do, and do it better than everyone else. You don’t have to be everything to everyone, especially not at work. Do what you do, and do it so well everyone will know you by name. Period.
What other career lessons has Muhammad Ali’s life and legacy taught us?
RIP Muhammad Ali!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 3, 2016 | Career
This Franco Sarto Holt flat is absolutely fabulous (and this is coming from a heel addict)!. Today’s Corporate Catwalk pick is a head-turner, and a perfect addition to your summer (casual) work wardrobe. I’d definitely sport it on a casual Friday at the office, and most definitely on week-ends. For less conservative offices, this could be an everyday shoe. It’s $48.76 at 6pm.
Similar flats include this stunning Proenza Schouler D’Orsay pair, and these open toed Nine West ones, also from 6pm.
These are perfect with tailored cropped pants like these twill cropped pants from Everlane (I also like this funky polka-dot pair from Farfetch).
Which one is your fave?
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates!
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 3, 2016 | Career
This is our weekly career and lifestyle news update, where we round up exciting news of the last week and we let you have it…ahem, news-wise that is…
Think of it as your career gossiping section on steroids…
And while you’re at it, follow us on Facebook, Twitter,IG, and Pinterest!
Here we go…
Happy Friday
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates.
To your success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 2, 2016 | Career
Today’s Corporate Catwalk will take you to a tropical place, even as you sit at your desk typing away. This orange Lily pencil skirt from Dorothy Perkins is a fun alternative to your classic pencil skirt, with colorful patterns and a vibrant hue. At $35.00, it’s also a major fashion steal!
I also like this similar orange pencil skirt from J. Crew Factory, or this lace one too! And I definitely wouldn’t mind this Marco Bologna gorgeous printed number!
Which one is your fave?
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates!
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 1, 2016 | Career
‘Tis the season for fresh and airy blouses, like this Uniqlo pleated short-sleeve pleated blouse. Today’s Corporate Catwalk pick is feminine and versatile enough to pair with a lot of outfit options. At $29.90, it’s also a steal!
Similar blouses include this pleated sleeveless blouse, also from Uniqlo. I also like this original Sisley 3/2 sleeve pleat neck smock blouse from Asos.
And to complement these simple yet elegant blouses? A beautiful statement necklace like this Coupe Collar from Baublebar, or this stunning Twiggy piece.
Which one is your pick?
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates!
Love,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Jun 1, 2016 | Career
I bet you don’t exactly think of mindfulness when you’re crumbling under the weight of emails, last- minute meetings, and loads of deliverables due like…yesterday. However, mindfulness has been associated with everything from being a competitive advantage at work, to increasing creativity and even reducing stress. And as it turns out, the best place to meditate is actually…work!
Since we tend to spend upwards of eight hours at work anyways, why not use the time to get our mind in tip-top shape (and keep for losing it in the process too). When you’re stuck at your desk, or you need a minute to breathe, here are a few apps that can do the trick:
Photo credit: happier.com
Happier: Ever heard of the power of gratitude? You can now use it every day at work, with this app. Not only can you learn to appreciate those special moments of your day, but you can also share them with the “Happier” community!
Photo credit: http://www.stopbreathethink.org
Stop, Breathe and Think:You know how every now and then at work, you feel the need to stop, check in with yourself, before getting back into the swing of things. This app helps you do just that! It prompts you to check in with yourself, and then provides you with recommendations based on your current mindset. Kind of a fitbit for your mind, at work?
Photo credit: buddhify.com
Buddhify:This award-winning mindfulness app has over 80 guided custom-made meditations, for any situation you may be in. Whether you’re traveling, stuck at your desk, or taking a breather in the work bathroom (it happens), you can get your meditation on even on-the-go!
Photo credit: headspace.com
Headspace: Got 10 minutes? Then you have time to meditate. This app will guide you through 10 minutes a day of meditation, which is really all you need not to tell your boss off (or eat that entire jar of cookies…).
Any other apps you use to bring mindfulness into your day? Please share with us.
PS: Like this post? Click HERE to get The Corporate Sister’s career, lifestyle and entrepreneurship, bi-weekly updates!
To your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | May 31, 2016 | Career
You know the drill! You get out of work, rush to pick up the kids, get home by 6 or 7pm! In the shuffle of microwaving cooking dinner, wolfing said dinner, night time baths, and desperately trying to remember to take off your make-up (doggone wrinkles), you finally make it crash in bed around 11pm-midnight!
What do you do in those 5 to 6 hours, between the time you hurry home and the time you start loudly snoring, I mean, breathing hard?
A few years back, I would’ve told you the whole thing was a big, giant blur of bedtime stories and late night snacking on leftover corn bread. As it turns out, those few hours between logging off your work computer and logging into home and family activities, could change your entire career. And not just because the distance allows you not to really tell your colleague his after-lunch breath is killing you by the day…
It’s not just what you do at work, but what you do after work, that often determines how successful your career can be!
I’ve always loved writing (as you can tell by my constant blabbing on this blog). But after a full day at work, spending time with the hubby and kids, making some form of edible dinner, and setting the alarm on my phone so I wouldn’t forget to take off my lenses, make-up and (occasional) bad attitude before bed, there seemed to be no time left to write anything. Not until I started leveraging one of the only times I actually had to breathe (and pee) alone: after-hours.
Spend one hour each day, or as many days as you can, doing one of these 4 things:
- Read something: Bill Gates, one of the world’s greatest technologists, reads about 50 books a year. Arianna Huffington unwinds in the evening with a good book. People who read a lot are more likely to be successful; and most successful people credit reading for helping them constantly improve. Ok, granted, when you have toddlers flushing plastic toys down the toilet instead of going to bed, you may laugh at the concept of “unwinding with a good book”. How about making a commitment to read 20 to 30 minutes after work? It could be before you fall asleep, or as you’re finally sitting on the couch. And if you have to make a choice between reading and catching another episode of the Bachelorette, why not read?
- Learn a skill: One of my friends taught herself to code after-hours, and went from being a receptionist to tripling her salary in a couple of years. Another acquaintance of mine learnt to sew after work, and is now well on her way to becoming a fashion designer.The point is, you can use your time after work to get ahead of your peers, or get closer to your dreams by learning a new skill. Do you have to give up on life, and just work all the time? No. We’re talking a half-hour to an hour every day, which may add up to 99.99% more knowledge than your peers within a few years?
- Work on a project: I started blogging after-hours. That was my time to pursue something I love. The older sister of my best friend launched her bag line after-hours; her creations are now featured in 13 Whole Foods stores. Is there a project that’s near and dear to your heart? Something you’re itching to try, and don’t really have the opportunity to pursue at work? Work on it after-hours, if only an hour a day.
- Network: Most formal networking events happen after-hours. If you’re looking to expand your network, use some time after work to take part in networking activities. If you’re not able to attend these in person, why not spare an hour or even just a half-hour to connect on social networks like Linked In for instance?
Which one of these activities do you practice after work? Have you noticed a difference in how they affect your career?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
