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.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 29, 2014 | Career
Women on TV – Photo credit: stage buddy.com
Happy Friday, and TGIF!
I can’t wait for this Fall to indulge in one of my guilty pleasures: watching TV. Except this time I have a good excuse: women, strong, career women, are roaring this Fall on TV! From Viola Davis in “How to get away with murder” (ABC, September 25) to Cristela Alonzon in the self-titled “Cristela” sitcom (ABC, September 10), not to mention the return on my favorite Gladiator Olivia Pope in Scandal, women on TV are stepping up, big time!
And as I look forward to relishing every single minute of this televised women’s revolution, here is a quick and dirty snapshot of what strong women on TV have taught us about our careers:
1. Career and marriage don’t jive (better yet, get another woman’s husband)! Case in point: Miss Olivia Pope and Mr. President! As steamy as the sex scenes may be, the fact remains, it’s another powerful woman messing with a married man! I still love you Olivia!
2. You are as fabulous as your designer wardrobe! Now can we talk about the clothes, I mean…From the perfectly tailored suits to the impeccable sheath dresses, these successful career women are clearly sending the message that career success and designer wardrobes go hand in label! And we ain’t mad at them (hello Roberto Cavalli)!
3. Big (career) girls don’t cry (and when they do, their Chanel mascara doesn’t smear!) Could you picture Gina Torres’ character in Suits (as Pearson Hardman’s managing partner Jessica Pearson) in a full crying fit, threatening to mess up her perfectly pressed hair? Nah han…Big girls don’t cry, and on TV at least, career women are as strong as they come…
4. Forget diplomacy, politics rule! Olivia Pope does not play when it comes to the political game. And in the cold world of the Pearson and Hardman’s law office, Jessica Pearson is a political strategist, playing people and situations like a game of chess. No stress, politics rule!
5. Want career, must have nanny (or mother-in-law willing to keep the kids). Yes, some career women on TV, like Julianna Margolies in The Good Wife, happen to have kids (and a publicly failing marriage as well). They also spend most of their lives at work, and could not do it without the sacrificial mother-in-law or Miranda’s cute Ukrainian nanny in Sex and the City.
6. Oh and you need a cook and a cleaning lady too! Ever caught a scene in Suits where Gina Torres’ character cooks or cleans? Yeah, my point exactly…
7. The sex is not hot, it’s scalding! Career women on TV are also goddesses in bed. Despite demanding careers and gladiator missions, they wear the sexiest lingerie and can make your TV screen melt…So much for falling asleep in your oversize shirt after a long day at work…
8. Diversity is not dead! Minority women like Gina Torres and Olivia Pope are ruling the small screen, and it’s giving us hope that even buried in award-winning scripts, diversity is still alive and well…
9. Power is sexy! These career women in their tailored suits and impeccable hair embody power. And for once in a long time, power is no longer muscular, deep voiced or masculine. It’s actually rather feminine and sexy…
10. Work like a girl! And last but not least, working like a girl rules! Women are law firm partners, political gladiators, business women and professional goddesses. It feels good to be a woman these days…
The Corporate Sis
by Solange Lopes | Aug 28, 2014 | Career |
Peep toe booties – $59.96 – nordstrom.com
Fall is arriving fast, and every year as I roam through store shelves lined with the latest and greatest collections of alluring booties, I keep wondering “Would this one be appropriate for work?”, or “Does this one look too edgy, biker chic or like I’ve regressed to high school time?”.
Having worked in conservative Public Accounting, where some of my clients requested suits everyday and no open toe shoes whatsoever (I’ve always wondered what is so offensive in a toe, but I digress), sporting booties to work, and peep toe booties at that always felt like I was violating some federal law. Yet the corporate fashionista in me is always on the hunt for a bootie that is the right mix of conservative and edginess to pass through most professional environments without too many disapproving glances…
Hence today’s coffee break, this Halogen Katrina bootie from Norsdstrom. I like the reasonable heel and modest height of the shoe, that is cut like a pump but still has the “bootie” look. The dark leather makes it more work appropriate, while the front opening brings the style factor up a notch. The peep toe opening is also reasonable enough for most professional environments (please know your office!)…
This peep toe bootie is on sale for $59.96 at Nordstrom!
Pssttt…Nordstrom is currently having its clearance sale until September 7!
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 28, 2014 | Career
Short sleeve sheath dress – Photo credit: www.cusp.com
It’s back to black and white, and I kinda like it! Nothing says elegance and sophistication than a play on these two opposite colors. As in this Black Halo Dayton short sleeve sheath dress from The Cusp by Neiman Marcus.
The contrast basket weave on this dress is flawless, and brings a slimming focus on its impeccable architecture. Loving the side split, which it gives it a little “je ne said quoi”, while the empire waist is flattering on most body types.
This short sleeve sheath dress is $224 at The Cusp by Neiman Marcus.
The Corporate Sis
by Solange Lopes | Aug 28, 2014 | Career, Find Your Purpose |
A good marriage is not great – Photo credit: womenonthefence.com
Happy Thursday!
Marriage is not easy. Actually, if anything requires work, it would be putting two people together with different sets of toothbrushes and brains together, and then proceed to ask them to spend the rest of their lives sharing bedsheets and possibly one toilet seat…Marriage is messy, complicated, obnoxiously loud (yes, even silence turns deafening when you put a ring on it). And apparently, the entire institution seems to be bent on legalizing raised toilet seats and dirty socks.
Yet marriage is beautiful, in a way a weird, color-laden, contradiction-filled painting from some famous artist would be considered beautiful because beauty is easier (and safer) to explain than ugliness. Marriage is your career’s beautiful, free spirited, love-filled big sister. It’s also a license to work hard at something you’re committed to mastering and perfecting over time, yet with no guarantee that you’ll make it past your first raised toilet seat offense. And like marriage, a good, roll-with-the-punches, no-wave career is a good life partner, except you secretly want to pour laxative in his morning coffee just to convince yourself you actually have a pulse (and they actually have responsive bowels, but I digress…).
Gone are the days when an average, good career, or marriage for that matter, was good enough. In the days of the I-phone brain, we need to be fulfilled like we need our next tweet. We need meaning, context, and instant bliss in a bottle. We don’t want jobs, we want careers that help us save the world. Because even if we’re late on our student loan payments and just overdrew our checking account yet again, we are committed not to leave this world in the desolate state we found it in.
So for the rest of us millenials, semi-millenials and somewhat post-millenials, our parents’ picket-fence and safe retirement plan options are worse than dial up internet connection. For us, a good marriage is just not great, and we’ve categorically refused to sign up for good enough. We want passion and self-fulfillment. We have dreams, goals, objectives, and we’d rather bike to work and rent the latest Luis Vuitton purse than one day having to tell our kids to learn a marketable trade, get a safe job or a clean shave…
And maybe that’s why 30% of us will be unmarried by age 40, while 71% among us actually dream of our first startup without being all that ready for the grueling, hard work of entrepreneurship…Because after all, it’s so much easier to fantasize on the perfect wedding dress and ideal family than to actually have to remind yourself why the jerk you married is unable to put the doggone toilet seat down, ever….
The Corporate Sis.
