by Solange Lopes | Sep 25, 2014 | Career
Rewarding yourself in your career – Photo credit: chocolate.org
I love shoes. So does one in five women who happen to be turned on more by their shoes than their significant others (but I digress…). And when I think of a reward, I naturally think of shoes and chocolate (except I can more evidently brag on the shoes, than on the extra five pounds nestled around my waist). Which is only natural, since the very basis of motivation lies in positive reinforcement, aka rewarding yourself. Actually, the very first step in effectively using positive reinforcement is by identifying ways to reward yourself. So how is it that as much time as we spend at work and in our careers, in 2013 alone, only 13% of employees worldwide were engaged and motivated at work? Hmmm….
In this era of making plans and envisioning the future, which often translates in forgetting our present selves most of the time, and many a times ends up in realizing we’ve had it wrong all along, what value does rewarding ourselves have? Not much, apparently, since we as millenials are already spoiled, entitled brats. And do we even know how to reward ourselves, when the later iPhone6 is a must-have and we cannot seem to live without 24-hour Wifi…
1. Set short-term milestones! As a young, single associate in Boston, my major milestone came back on Pay Day every two weeks. So did my shoe rewards…I learnt since then you can’t reward yourself every time your bank account balance increases. And you also can’t wait until you have three degrees and five certifications to buy yourself a Snickers bar (family size). Live and work in the moment, and set short-term, realistic milestones. Completed that audit successfully? Buy yourself the shoes (but go to Marshalls and get your discount on…)
2. Don’t put all your eggs shoes in one basket! When it comes to performance, don’t adopt the “all or nothing” approach. As a perfectionist, I would get ecstatic one minute for successfully completing a project, and give up on life the next because my manager gave me one lukewarm review note on another. Take it one project at a time, and keep in mind, perfection is boring! Reward yourself for a job well-done, and decide to improve on what didn’t work out so well…
3. Enjoy the reward! Really, life is short, so if you’re going to reward yourself, do it and do it well! Buy the shoes, wear the heck out of them, and enjoy the moment! You may look forward to Fright, or your next big break, or the career of your dreams, but for today, you did a great job, right here, right now, and it matters…
Stay motivated!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 24, 2014 | Career |
Morris the Memo Holder – $17.13 – Photo: luckies.co.uk
When I saw this, I first went “Awww”, and then “I need this, now”! Considering my life is an unending trail of post-it notes, memo cards, phone reminders and other alerts, I could use me some Morris the memo holder.
Loving this contemporary take on memo holders, that is sure to bring a smile to your face as you’re reminded to call your Mom…again! It’s $17.13 at Luckie’s.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 24, 2014 | Career |
Tulip-hem top – $79.50 – Photo: banana republic.gap.com
Ok, Spring is nowhere near, but I’m into tulips (don’t judge me!). Hence today’s pick of this simple, elegant tulip-hem top from Banana Republic. Loving the simplicity of the round neckline, the seasonally appropriate long sleeves, and the pleasantly surprising original tulip-shaped hem.
I’d pair this top with a long necklace as in the picture, some easy slacks or classic pencil skirt for work. it would also work extremely well with my favorite jeans and flats on the week-end. Although I’m a big fan of belting tops, this one would probably look better left alone. This tulip-hem top is $79.50 at Banana Republic (and is available in red, berry, navy and grey).
Like this suggestion? Please let me know what you think and feel free to send your picks at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 24, 2014 | Career
Why you should audit your own career – Photo credit: atlantablackstar.com
I’m a CPA and auditor by trade. I dissect processes, systems, companies. Heck, I audit my own household and finances, and as much as I try to refrain from (figuratively) dissecting situations and people, it can be quite a bit of a challenge…
Yet, despite my weird tendencies, I’ve found treating your career as a process in need of regular re-examining and sprucing up is actually beneficial. Too often, we forget our careers are dynamic, living processes that ought to evolve right along with us.
Your career is process all in its own. It has its own risks, objectives, and internal controls you can apply to it. And like any other process, it needs some regular TLC, some freshening up, some unplugging and re-plugging. It needs a regular, on-point audit:
1. At least on a quarterly basis, revisit your career. What are you working on? What is your professional environment like? What are you learning? Are you growing or instead regressing?
2. What are your current career risks and objectives? Identify common current risks and pitfalls such as career stagnation, learning apathy or scarcity of opportunity. Pinpoint the related common and personal objectives to these risks, such as upward mobility, learning opportunities for instance. Put it all down in writing and assess where you stand.
3. Do you have any controls in place to mitigate these risks? Now that you know where you stand, what are you doing about it? If you’ve identified a lack of learning opportunities, are you actively seeking those? Are you pursuing certifications and continuous learning to mitigate the issue?
Once you start looking at your career at a process you can evaluate and control, you’ll notice it starts improving in the direction of your choice. Don’t they say you can only attack an issue you are able to see…
What do you think? Do you take time to audit and evaluate your career periodically? If so, how often, and what have you found?
by Solange Lopes | Sep 23, 2014 | Career |
Olivia Pope – Photo credit: facesofblackfashion.com
On the heels of the professionally fabulous Scandal collection introduced today at The Limited, I was wondering how many among us think fashion and the way we dress make us feel more confident at work. Could we even, like Tea Loni in last Sunday’s episode of Madam Secretary when she used fashion as an attention-grabbing media ruse, use it to our career’s advantage? I mean, there’s a reason why it’s called power dressing.
My $0.05: I do feel a boost of confidence at work when I’m well-dressed. And I’m probably not the only one. I think tasteful, professional femininity and competent self-confidence make perfect partners in the workplace (plus catching a flattering reflection of yourself in the conference room glass wall is always nice before that grueling presentation)…
What do you think? Does dressing well make you feel more confident at work?
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 23, 2014 | Career
Thelimited.com
Can I say “Gladiator” fashion? Yup, the Scandal collection has arrived at The Limited! Its on days like these I wish I were paid to try on clothes, but since I’m not, I’ll start with picking my 5 favorite pieces from the new, how-off-the-oven Scandal collection:
Funnel neck tweed jacket – $168 – the limited.com
1. Funnel Neck Tweed Jacket: Can I say exquisite? Loving this uber-elegant tweed jacket. The funnel neck makes the jacket in this case, for a modern yet classic take on the Fall jacket. It;s $168 at The Limited.
2. Plaid Cape: Powerful and luxurious, that’s how I would call this typical Olivia- Pope cape!
Plaid Cape – $228 – the limited.com
It’s definitely a head-turning piece, that would amp the elegance and confidence factor of any Gladiator. It’s $228 at The Limited.
Tulip Skirt Sheath Dress – $128 – the limited.com
3. Tulip Skirt Sheath Dress: Loving the tulip-shaped skirt on this classic with a twist sheath dress. The square neckline adds an element of sophistication that nicely complements the flintiness of the skirt. It’s $128!
4. Neck-tie blouse: Perfect mix of femininity and masculinity in this neck-tie blouse. The long
Neck-tie blouse – $69.95 – the limited.com
sleeves are Fall-perfect, and this neck-tie just commands fashion attention. It’s $69.95 at The Limited.
Officer’s pencil skirt – $79.95 – the limited.coml
5. Officer’s Pencil Skirt: The classic pencil skirt with a nautical feel a la Olivia Pope. Simple, elegant, confident, perfect! It’s $79.95 at The Limited.
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 23, 2014 | Career |
Feminism – Photo credit: pinterest.com
I’m a feminist. So are Beyonce and Emma Watson. And really, if you want my opinion (that I’ll go ahead and give you anyways), Frozen‘s Elsa, despite all the anti-feminist critique heaped on the poor Disney girl, is also a feminist in my book. Except as much imaginary swag as I may have in common with Queen Bey (please refrain from giggling), or equally imaginary magical powers with Emma or Elsa (keep refraining), I also have this thing called…a J-O-B.
And it’s not like I can just ice my way out of my cubicle like Elsa, and go on and do me (which technically, with a substantial supply of Ramen noodles – preferably shrimp flavor- would be possible). Or stay “On the Run” without Bey and Jay’s astronomical paycheck, entourage, yacht vacations, etc…I could extend an invite to all the professional men out there to assume their sensitive side and join the feminist ranks like Emma, but the fluctuations in testosterone levels may prove a challenge.
So what are professional women, mere mortals reporting to Cubicle World every day, to do to be feminist and happy in their current careers? How could we even walk into our male-dominated, hierarchically traditional workplaces, with our feminist bravado and not be deflated like cheap water-filled balloons the minute we swipe our badges at the door? Considering the US had an even lower participation of women in the workforce than Europe in 2013, what presence or influence does a regular Jane Blow even have to push any type of women-oriented, let alone feminist agenda, at work? And with only 7% of visible minorities in management positions, the question is even more dawning for Black women at work.
Theoretically, being a feminist woman at work just sounds like an oxymoron, and not even a
Beyonce Feminist banner – Photo credit: http://womenaresociety.tumblr.com
cutesy, play-on-word one at that. But theoretically, I also have swag like Bey and magical powers like Emma…Realistically, we may not be able to give brilliant speeches in front of a United Nations audience, or perform the heck out of Bey’s songs in front of a lit-up “Feminist” banner.
Yet what we can do is show up in our own lives and be excellent. Not good, not average, but kick-ass! We can learn, re-learn and out-learn our trades. We can motivate other women to kick ass, and not take “no” for an answer. We can be the best version of ourselves, even when our voices are not heard. And to make ourselves heard, we can pinch our forearms, move to the front of the room and ask the same question our boss was going to ask, except we thought it was a stupid question and he thought we couldn’t have thought about it in the first place.
We can swipe our badges at the door, and refuse to be deflated like water-filled balloons every time someone else takes our opportunity. And instead, work better, smarter, stronger, on our own terms. We can start telling our stories, and giving value to our experience. And even when it looks like our efforts are but a drop in the ocean, we’ll still feel a little warm tingling somewhere in the space between our heads and hearts.
I guess in our overachieving, never-enough kind of minds, that would equate to being happy…Or at least getting there…
And Emma, I have to say, of all the magic tricks in Harry Potter, your speech to the UN is one of the most magical things I’ve ever heard. So much so I may need to hear it again:
The Corporate Sis.
