by Solange Lopes | Mar 26, 2015 | Career
networking – Photo credit: smallbiztrends.com
It’s spring cleaning time, and your network could use some refreshing as well. Stalking your relationships online is not enough, you actually need to put effort into nurturing and developing your networking list. Remember, your network is your net worth!
Here are 7 tips to help you spruce up your networking list:
1. Just say hello! Send a quick hello card, drop a note to congratulate them on their new job or work anniversary, let them know you changed positions or jobs, etc. Put some thought into your networking as often as you can, not just when you need a favor!
2. Attend more networking events: Your annual meet-and-greet at your local accounting society chapter may not be enough. Look around for other networking events as well. Your company may sponsor some, or host numerous organizations you could benefit from!
3. Use the power of chain networking! You know how the friend of your friend is also your friend? Well, that’s what I call the power of chain networking! Look around at your current connections, and (respectfully) use their connections too. Or you can ask them to refer you to their contacts. The more, the merrier, right?
4. Jazz up your resume! Yes, you can dust off, spruce up and spring clean your resume as often as needed! Yet don’t forget to also jazz it up! Make it more appealing by using powerful verbs, format it in a more compelling way, or even adding images and pictures if you’re in a more visual field! Jazz it up!
5. Get even more social! Having a basic Linked In profile no longer cuts it! Get more social, post updates on your Linked In profile, update your picture, seek recommendations! In short, sell yourself!
6. Tackle your mental blocks! A large part of effective networking rests on how you come across, as a professional and as an individual! Are you afraid of being perceived as too weak, or too aggressive? Are you filled with doubt and angst when introducing yourself? Check yourself, and tackle the mental blocks that are keeping you from making the right connections.
7. Ready, set, go! Last but not least, you’ve got to act! Make a plan of networking attack, and follow it! Don’t get discouraged by the lack of answers or the negative reactions you may get. Continue in your efforts, and watch your network (and your net worth) grow!
How do you refresh your networking list?
LIKE THIS POST? CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO GET YOUR 50 QUESTIONS TO ASK AT YOUR NEXT NETWORKING EVENT:
The Corporate Sister.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 25, 2015 | Career |
We’re all about spring cleaning our careers , our minds and life this week, and as many friends and corporate sisters and I often discuss, one of the biggest challenges we face in the area of work priorities. And considering the bulk of our time is spent at work, how do we reconsider and re-evaluate our work priorities?
My $0.05: I am not a status quo type of girl, so in order for me to produce my best work, I need to shift things up a bit regularly, especially when it comes to my work schedule. Here are some of the tips that have helped me the most in that area:
1. Do a work roundup! I usually look at what I’ve accomplished in the past 3 months, identify the best, highest and lowest points. What did I excel at? What was a total miss?
2. Shift priorities! Based on my work roundup, my priorities do shift. Whether it’s taking a class in an area I need to improve in, capitalizing on my strengths to launch a new project, or correct past mistakes, I am quick to shift priorities!
3. Find your zen! It’s important for me to be well mentally, before I can excel professionally. Any re-evaluation or self-review I engage in has to take into account my mental stability, and what really makes me whole and fulfilled as a person. If that is in alignment with my work, we’re good to go! If not, there’s more work to do…
How about you? How do you spring clean your work priorities?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 25, 2015 | Career
Crossover wrap skirt – $88 – Photo credit: jcrew.com
Skirt weather is (slowly) coming back! Hence today’s pick, this crossover wrap skirt from J. Crew (psssttt….J. Crew is having a 25% off sale online and in stores). Loving the clean, slick lines not his faux-wrap skirt that sits at the waist, and looks as comfortable as it is versatile. It could be easily dressed up for after-hours or down for an elegant, yet low-key day at the office. This skirt is $88 at J. Crew!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 25, 2015 | Career
Ms. Marieme Faye, Financial Strategist and Wealth Consciousness Expert
Today, it’s my pleasure to introduce on the blog a lady dear to my heart, and an extraordinary woman I’m thankful to know! Our Sister of Impact this week is Financial Strategist and Wealth Consciousness Expert Marieme Faye, who is speaking to us about her coaching career, how to live an abundant life, and why you may be your biggest road block on your way to success!
1. Dear Marieme, welcome to the blog! Can you tell us a bit about you and what you do?
Thank you for being an inspiring and empowering voice for women! I am honored to be a guest on your blog.
I was born and raised in Sénégal, West Africa. I am my mother’s oldest child; I have six siblings and five half-siblings from my father’s side. I am a loving sister, a daughter and the lucky aunt of five amazing nieces and nephews.
I am the woman who failed a “million” times on my way to self- empowerment, personal success and living my life’s purpose. Failures make a woman wise and experienced; they are stepping-stones to worthy achievements.
I am a Financial Strategist & Wealth Consciousness Expert with Wealthy Women Academy & Richésse Financial who loves speaking, mentoring and coaching others to live up to their true potential, to be happy “now” and create lasting wealth in their life and business.
2. What has led you to a coaching career, and what do you love about this career path?
One word: Life.
A few years ago, my dad sent me to Boston to go to school. I later found out that his underlying reason was to “get rid of me” as his new bride could not stand my presence in their life. I was my family’s advocate and did my best to protect my mother and siblings after my parents’ divorce. My new stepmother didn’t like the fact that I still had a soft place on my father’s heart; she made sure that he sent me far away.
I found myself living in a foreign country where people spoke a language that I had to master in order to integrate myself in my new environment as well as excel in school. I had to learn to live in the midst of strangers, I felt exiled from my loved ones and all the comfort, lifestyle and culture I knew. That was getting way out of my comfort zone!
Life was stressful. I felt lonely, untrained to live in my new environment and completely irresponsible with money (my father allowed me to spend his money but he never got a chance to teach me how to manage it, save it or invest it).
On top of that, I inherited my mom and six siblings as my dad “abandoned” us to our own fate and decided he would no longer send me money or help my mom financially other then giving her a mediocre divorce settlement that was only used to buy food.
My mom depended solely on me to help her start her new life. Our cultural tradition states the oldest child must take care of the family’s needs when necessary, my siblings were too young to help out, so the burden of providing and taking care of my family fell on my shoulders. I became a head of household. My life was never the same from that point on.
I joined the workforce and worked really hard to take care of my basic needs and send the bulk of my money to my mom so she could raise my siblings decently.
I lost “myself” in the process. I felt like a zombie, waking up every day doing the same thing over and over again. Life lacked purpose and I was heartbroken.
Because of my pain of being away from the people I loved the most, the heavy obligation I felt providing for my family working harder than anyone I knew, adapting to my new environment, waking up every day to go to jobs I hated and blaming my dad for my life’s misery; I was a “human bomb” ready to explode and give up on this life because it didn’t make sense anymore, it didn’t matter, it was useless and so was I…so I thought until I discovered the world of personal development.
A world filled with people who not only took responsibility for their life’s’ creations but were committed to pay the price to create the best version of themselves and be of service to humanity. I felt alive again. I attended events, seminars, retreats, spent time, money and energy in the pursuit of “discovering myself” and “what my purpose in life was”. I hired my first coach and found myself on a new path, a path that was filled with hope, growth, Ahas moments, expansion, LIFE as well a sprinkle of breakdowns and breakthroughs along the way. I was fascinated by all the amazing things I was learning and found joy in helping others positively transform their lives, evolve, grow, discover their true divine self and live up to their true potential.
With a background in Finance, I worked in the financial industry throughout the years. My career although not soul satisfying, awakened a desire in me to serve others on a deeper level. As I was consulting with families and individuals on their finances, I could not bear the thought of people living in poverty, unfulfilled, unhappy and not using their God given gifts and talents. Strategies and advices were easy to come up with but some people struggled with implementation because of whom they were, what they were feeling and how they were living their lives. This was one of the catalysts that led me to be a professional coach and mentor in the realm of money, wealth, personal success and personal fulfillment.
Life is meant to be joyful and fully experienced; we as human beings are meant to grow, shine, prosper and be happy. Children demonstrate this very well; observe them. Their innocence, authenticity and joie de vivre make them very inspiring.
Every event, every experience, every heartache, every pain I felt, every joyful moment, every challenge I overcame and every victory I had led me to my current career and made me who I am today.
I love seeing the light in people’s eyes when they have breakthroughs, I love witnessing their transformation and I am always honored to be of their journey and evolution.
That was a long answer! 🙂
Photo credit: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com
3. For others aspiring to the same career, what advice do you have?
Go for it! Follow your heart; your desires are your “compass” to your life’s calling and purpose. Spend some time asking yourself soul-stirring questions like:
What do I really want to do for the rest of my life?
What brings me joy?
What fulfills me?
What do I love doing so much that I “could” do it for free all day?
What gets me so excited that I can’t wait for the sun to rise again in the morning so I can do it all over again?
How do I want to serve others?
In what shape and form do I want to do it?
What/ how would that look like, sound like, feel like?
These types of questions will give your “clues” as to what your life’s purpose is. The answer will definitely come from your heart and the good news is that you already know what it is. You might just need to quiet your mind so you can hear the whispers of your soul. Meditation can help, start with five to ten minutes of silence and quiet a day.
I will also have you consider that you are already a coach in some area of your life. I have always been a coach and a mentor to my family and friends for as long as I can remember. I have always been naturally good at solving other people’s problems. I just wasn’t being compensated for it. Now I am getting paid to do what I love, to serve others.
Take some time to think about it, figure out what you are naturally good at, write down the experiences that have changed you, describe the pain that you have been through and how you overcame your life’s challenges, most importantly pay attention to your desires because they will guide you to your life’s purpose. If you want to accelerate your results, hire a coach who resonates with you.
4. As a woman in the coaching business, and especially as a woman of color, what obstacles have you or do you still face to flourish in your field?
The greatest obstacle to my own success and personal growth was “me” and will always be me. I get to play small or big. Only I can choose to allow my fears, doubts, worries, and other people’s opinions to stop me or use them as fuel for success.
There was a time when I thought that I was “limited” and was not given opportunities to flourish because I was a black woman and to top things a black African woman who speaks several languages and had an accent. In the city I live, I was surrounded by brilliant women and in their midst I could not “see” my own worth or even stand in my personal power as the brilliant loving and smart woman I am. I doubted myself a million times, questioned my value a billion times. I gave up on myself and on my dreams several times throughout my career for a moment…the whispers of my soul were always louder than my own limitations and I just knew that my purpose was bigger than me. I knew that I was born to be who I am today and there are specific people that I am here to serve. It became personal, it was like following a divine commandment that I could not say “no” to.
You must learn to know yourself, know who you are, know your worth, know your value so that you can have the Courage to keep going when you feel like you have nothing left in you. That is why I use daily tools and mind
shifting exercises to coach my clients to own their true power, be self- empowered and have the confidence and faith to just do what must be done to reach their goals.
Some people will discourage you, some will prosecute you; the more it happens the more I know that I am on the right path. I have mainly worked in a male dominated industry throughout my career, but I never let it put me down because my job on earth is bigger than any obstacle, challenge, trial and prosecution that I face.
The more I evolve, the stronger I become, the less the challenges, obstacles and critics affect me. Know yourself, know your worth, know your “WHY” and you will overcome your perceived barriers and limitations.
Photo credit: todaybestquotes.com
5. How have you overcome these obstacles/challenges?
I believe that the only real limitations are the ones you “impose” on yourself mostly subconsciously. Yes, there are things that you may never have control over; gladly surrender to them God or to your higher power.
My best advice to overcome challenges is to truly really deeply know yourself, so that you will know how to deal with those challenges when they show up.
By knowing yourself I mean, know who you are, know who you are not, know your values, know your principles, know what you like and dislike, know your boundaries, know what makes you passionate, know your relationship with your creator or higher power, know your habits, know your strengths and your weaknesses, know what you care and don’t care about.
To paraphrase Jack Canfield; Events are always neutral, your reactions and actions to the events will determine their outcome and impact in your life. Thus your reactions and actions towards your challenges will determine their outcome and impact in your life.
Challenges don’t ever completely go away. As you evolve and grow you will have new challenges to overcome. As you work on yourself and stand in your personal power; you will see the challenges as opportunities to strengthen
yourself and reach new levels of growth and greatness in your life. Your response to challenges will be different as you change your perspective and know that you have the ability to use empowering tools and resources. A coach/mentor can help you guide you in this process.
A few months ago, a friend of mine implied that I had 3 things going against me, she said:
– you are a woman
– you are black
– you are from a foreign country and speak with an accent
For a moment, I believed her. I felt discouraged, hurt, hopeless- disempowered. I told my coach what she said and how I felt. Thomas replied: yes, you have those 3 things going for you:
– you are a woman
– you are black
– you are from a foreign country and speak with a beautiful accent
obstacles – Photo credit http://www.idlehearts.com
Remember, no one can take your power; you may lose control of it for a moment but it is always yours. And you have the right to have it!
6. Last but not least, from your coaching experience, what advice do you have for women at work to help them reach their goals and achieve their dreams?
Make Peace with your work and your current situation NOW, especially when you hate your job and feel disconnected from your purpose. Be grateful for the paychecks you receive as they fund your dreams and provide for you and your family.
Let your desires guide you, follow your heart and use your “dislike” about your current situation as fuel to push you towards achieving your goals.
If you love your work, excel at it, give it your best every single day and show gratitude for it.
If you don’t love what you do, you can choose to stop doing it cold turkey Or you can still do your best, show gratitude for your paychecks and make plans to leave your job.
Reorganize your finances and save 3-6 months of income or whatever amount makes you feel comfortable based on your cash flow and business profit if any.
Put your “quit date” on your calendar and prepare yourself mentally to leave when the time comes.
If you have a business or want to start one; work on your business a few hours a week, part time.
Follow your dreams in your spare time, don’t wait for that “someday”, that date in the future when you will finally give yourself permission to be yourself, do what you love and have the courage to pursue your dreams. Someday never comes…Start now.
The more you do what you love, the more successful and fulfilled you will be and the happier you feel overall.
Time doesn’t wait for you and it is your most precious asset; use it wisely!
Thank you Marieme!
by Solange Lopes | Mar 23, 2015 | Career |
Hushbook app – Photo credit: stylecaster.com
It’s spring cleaning time, and one are you may want to spruce up and remove unnecessary distractions and time-wasters from is your social media world, and more specifically your Facebook newsfeed…And of course, there’s an app for that!
It’s called Hushbook , and what it does is basically help you filter down your newsfeed to what you really want to see. The end result: less annoying or unnecessary updates, and hopefully less time wasted…
My $0.05: Where do I sign up…
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 23, 2015 | Career
Stripe Fit-and-Flare Dress – $130 – Photo credit: banana republic.gap.com
Loving this perforated stripe fit-and-flare dress from Banana Republic. The perforated jacquard fabric is very alluring and romantic, while still keeping its professionalism with the black and white stripe print. This dress is $130 at Banana Republic!
I’d pair this dress with some luscious loafers like these rsvp Lala flats, or these uber-elegant Cole Haan Amalia skimmers, for a comfortable, yet stylish look.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Mar 23, 2015 | Career
Hello Spring! Although the first days of Spring started with none less than snow here in the Northeast, Spring is here, finally, and with it the need to dust off some of our old, unproductive habits and start fresh.
Especially when it comes to our careers, springing forward when it comes to our careers is not only beneficial, but oftentimes crucial. We know all too well the usual, all-important and practical tips to do your work spring cleaning, including sprucing up your resume and Linked In profiles, adding some trainings to your curriculum, or rebooting your networking efforts.
Yet when it comes to your mindset at work, which happens to very often be the most important component of your career, what can you do to refresh and make up your mind about work?
1. Take a mental break! Schedule a mental health day, find a babysitter to take the kids out this week-end, or just sleep in for a change! Take a mental break from the rat race, and replenish your reserves!
2. De-clutter your mind! Sometimes there are just too many things going on at once. The kids drive us crazy, housework never ends, family members give us headaches, and social media just makes us feel like we don’t measure up. De-cIutter your mind, put aside anything that’s not essential,and enjoy the peace!
3. Make peace with your professional past! That bad review, the boss’s mood swings, that disastrous presentation last quarter, make peace with them! If you keep focusing on what didn’t work out, it will keep repeating itself. Decide to move forward now!
4. Look forward to the rest of your career! Whether you’re considering a big career change, transitioning to another job, or resolving to excel at your current job, look forward to the rest of your career with anticipation and excitement! New projects are coming up, new initiatives and opportunities are on the horizon!
5. Do something new/ different! Nothing like a new habit, a new endeavor or pursuit to motivate you! Enroll in a new training, start running, look for a career in a different field, whatever it is, do something new and different! Change your perspective!
How do you spring clean your mind at work?
The Corporate Sis.
