by Solange Lopes | Sep 4, 2017 | Career
Workwear: Silk Dress – Photo credit: jcrew.com
Our Workwear feature presents various pieces of work-appropriate attire at different price ranges and sizes.
Nothing like a polished silk dress with a bow at the neck and a charming silk graphic diamond motif to transition your workwear from Summer to Fall. The Italian Ratti print is gorgeous on this classic and chic silhouette, perfect from work to the weekend. This dress is available at JCrew.
In a similar style, I also like this Ratti graphic diamond print skirt, also from JCrew. You can save 30% with the code YESPLEASE.
What pieces of workwear would you like us to feature? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
This post contains affiliate links and The Corporate Sister may earn commissions for purchases through links in this post. Thank you!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 4, 2017 | Find Your Purpose
If you’ve ever asked yourself what your purpose in life is, you may have unwittingly given yourself a headache. It’s one of those life-impacting questions that requires quite a bit of self-introspection and understanding of oneself. It’s also a question that so many of us avoid because it seems unrealistic, or downright, impossible to get the right answer for ourselves.
[Related: 30 Best Personality Assessments to find the Career you Want]
As I’ve been navigating through my own career journey, I’ve stumbled upon it quite a few times. While I was able to successfully sidestep it for years, It came a point in my life and career when I could no longer avoid it. The more I was faced with a growing sense of restlessness and impatience in my work, the more I was compelled to look within. The more I looked within, the more it was obvious that I needed to get clearer about my purpose.
As I went along my career journey, here are 7 questions I asked myself throughout my journey to find and get more clear about my purpose:
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What did you want to be when you grew up?
You know how as a kid, people will continually ask” What do you want to be when you grow up?” While this question makes many of us smile at the randomness of the answers we get from the mouths of babes, it actually may reveal more than we think. I came to understand that gifts, skills and talents are naturally placed in each and everyone of us, from the time we’re children. It’s those gifts and talents that usually are there to indicate a sense of purpose in our lives.
I’ve always loved to write. From an early age on, I would walk around with a notebook and pen in two, recording senseless stories about plants and insects. It’s a natural, God-given talent that has never left me, even decades later as I’ve switched paths to become a writer.
What You Should Do: Do you remember who you wanted to be when you grew up, even as a kid? Take a moment to do some self-introspection and go back to the careless days of your childhood. What did you answer to this question? Write it down in your journal and record those memories.
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What can you do that others find hard to do?
Whatever it is that you can do with ease while others struggle at, is the sign of a natural skill and talent. Can you whip up a 700-word article in a half-hour, while it takes everyone else around you two days to finish? Does investing come easy to you, while your friends don’t get the very basics of stocks and mutual funds?
Your purpose is always linked to something that you can do with more ease than most people. It’s easy to overlook these talents and skills that we may have for the very reason that they’re so natural for us. However, they’re indicative of areas we are gifted in and can use to make an impact.
What You Should D0: Grab your journal and make a list of those areas, skills and talents which come easy and natural to you. These don’t have to be career-related. Anything that you’re good at should go on this list.
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What do others seek your help in?
Are you the go-to-person your family, friends and colleagues come to when they need help with writing? Do people call you for investing, real estate or financial advice? Do your colleagues always come to you for graphic design advice?
One of the clear signs of your purpose is linked to those areas in which people seek your help and advice. Most times, others will recognize our purpose in us before we even do.
What You Should Do: Make an inventory of those things and areas you help people the most with. List them in the order of the frequency with which you help them most often.
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What would you do even if you weren’t paid for it?
This is one of the best Litmus tests to identify your purpose. What could you spend most of your time doing, even if you weren’t getting paid for it? For me, it was always writing and reading. My husband could cook and provide investing advice all day, for free.
Those activities that you wouldn’t mind doing for free are those that are linked to your purpose. Make sure to carefully recognize throughout your professional and personal journey.
What You Should Do: Think back about what you do on weekends and during your free time. The activities, skills and talents you use during these times are most likely linked to your purpose.
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How can you best help people?
Your purpose is first and foremost linked to helping people. By tapping into your specific talents and skills, and leveraging your abilities to the best, you can help people the most. If you’re wondering what your purpose, looking at ways in which you are best equipped to help people is a great indicator.
What You Should Do: Look back at instances when you were able to help people? What gifts and talents did you use? How did you manage to help them? How did you feel about helping them?
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Who are your role models in life?
The people you admire and want to emulate the most are also associated with your purpose. There’s a reason why you’re such a big fan of Oprah or Lebron James. These people display qualities, abilities, and strengths that are also charasteric to you.
It’s not about imitating others’ lives and successes, but rather about using them as guides and role models towards your purpose.
What You Should Do: Make a list of those people who you consider to be your role models. What attracts you about them? What qualities and talents would you like to emulate?
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How do you envision your life?
How do you see yourself living your ideal life? What would an ideal day, week, or year look like for you? Your purpose is meant to help you live your best, most fulfilling existence. However, it can only happen if you dare to dream big and imagine the life you were created to enjoy.
What You Should Do: Create a vision board on which you record images of what your ideal life would be. Take time to create the best vision and record it in your journal as well.
[Related: How to create a vision board]
Have you been wondering about your purpose? What steps have you been taking to find your purpose?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Sep 1, 2017 | Career
Workwear: Modern Denim Jacket – Photo credit: anntaylor.com
Our Workwear feature presents various pieces of work-appropriate attire at different price ranges and sizes.
There’s no closet staple more classic than the jean jacket. This modern denim jacket from Ann Taylor is perfect for casual Fridays into the weekend. The mandarin collar with frayed edges adds a touch of original to an otherwise classic, and very chic, workwear staple.
What pieces of workwear would you like us to feature? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
This post contains affiliate links and The Corporate Sister may earn commissions for purchases through links in this post. Thank you!
by Solange Lopes | Sep 1, 2017 | Career
Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
Want us to add anything to this list? Email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
Cheers to the weekend!
The Corporate Sis
by Solange Lopes | Aug 31, 2017 | Career
Workwear: Floral Suit – Photo credit: whitehouseblackmarket.com
Our Workwear feature presents various pieces of work-appropriate attire at different price ranges and sizes.
Freshen up your traditional suit with this all-over floral print blazer and coordinating pants from White House Black Market. Bold print patterns are actually coming back in style this Fall, and can be easily sported at work with numbers like these. I’m usually reserved when it comes to all-over florals, but the black canvas on this floral pant suit actually brings it all together in a stylish yet work-appropriate way.
I also like the coordinating pencil skirt, if you prefer a skirt suit.
Workwear: Floral Skirt Suit – Photo credit: whitehouseblackmarket.com
What pieces of workwear would you like us to feature? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
This post contains affiliate links and The Corporate Sister may earn commissions for purchases through links in this post. Thank you!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 30, 2017 | Career, Find Your Purpose
When you’re in college or even in school, no one really teaches you about finding your own career path. Not the one that pays more money, or that requires less years of study, or even seems to be the most comfortable to take…
When I decided to graduate in Accounting in college, it wasn’t the promise of cracking down numbers all day long that kept me going. Instead, it was what just about everyone else told me about it: “It’s a great field!”, or “You’ll make good money”, or better, “You’ll never lack of a job.” For all these reasons and the prospect of not having to live on Ramen noodles so I can buy more shoes, I did what any reasonable student would do.
What no one tells you about finding your career path is that it doesn’t have as much to do with how much money you can make. Or how much job stability you can get. Or even how many weeks of vacation you can score. It has to do with YOU! Surprised?
After all, it’s been proven that most people are financially satisfied after reaching the $75, 000 salary cap. So if money is not really the ultimate denominator of career satisfaction, and finding your own career path has little to do with making sure that you’re chained to a desk for the rest of your life, what is everyone not telling you?
Here are 6 things to stop doing in order to find the career you want that no one is telling you:
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STOP ignoring yourself!
We tend to listen to everyone else but ourselves! Everyone’s opinion is not worthy of being listened to or even considered. What motivates others is different from what motivates you! Instead of heeding everyone’s advice and ignoring your own, start listening to yourself more!
What motivates you? What excites you? What sets your soul on fire? Those signals from your soul are not to be ignored. It doesn’t mean you have to ditch your 9-to-5 to start a career in pottery. What it means, however, is that you have to integrate these signals into your daily life, whether it’s in your work, as a side hustle, or just as a hobby.
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STOP ignoring your personality!
Do you notice how every time you try to go against your personality and the way you truly are, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. Or at least for some serious disappointment and heartache along the way…
If you’re asking yourself how to figure out what really motivates you, and where your strengths, skills and interests lie, stop settling for the status quo and take action instead! Take a personality assessment to nail down those characteristics that set you apart.
[Related: 30 best Personality Assessments To Find the Career You Want]
There are a number of personality assessment tests, from the traditional Myers-Briggs test to other variation of it, to help you to identify your ideal careers and workplaces.
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STOP thinking you can’t start over!
One of the biggest obstacles to finding the career we want, is the false belief that once we’re established or have started in a certain field, we must continue in it! Actually, many successful people have reached optimum success and performance by being willing to start at the bottom again…
A great way to figure out your ideal career is to start interning. An internship can teach you things about a job, field or industry that a formal or informal interview cannot. Even if you’re already working full-time, you may be able to secure a part-time internship to help you find out more about the right career for you!
[Related: I have a job, but I want to work on my calling]
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STOP trying to do it all on your own!
It takes a village to build a successful career. This doesn’t only mean that you must have the support of your loved ones, family and friends. It also means that you must have the necessary career network to inspire and push you to succeed.
Look around you and identify someone in your desired career or field whom you admire. Ask them to be your mentor.
Seek sponsors in your current or desired environment, who can help open doors and bring about opportunities you couldn’t otherwise aspire to.
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STOP failing to plan!
When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. As cliché as this may sound, it’s the truth. Not planning and mapping your career path, even in spite of the changes and detours can deter you from finding the career you want.
Map out your career plan in light of your strengths, skills, talents and desires. Whether it’s making a lateral move, expanding your network, or starting from the bottom, have a plan to get to your career destination.
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STOP thinking of your career as a straight path!
Newsflash: your career is not a straight path! Actually, the straighter it may be, the more boring and un-challenging it may be for you! Instead of looking to turn your work into the most predictable and routine thing ever, don’t be afraid to face changes and challenges!
Dare to start over! Face the fear of starting a side hustle, creating a business, or even making a career transition to a brand new company or industry! Your career was never meant to be a straight path. The more detours you take, the richer, more compelling and more exciting your experience.
Have you been facing these things lately?
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
by Solange Lopes | Aug 30, 2017 | Career
Workwear: Topshop Raw Ruffle Crop Jacket – Photo credit: nordstrom.com
Our Workwear feature presents various pieces of work-appropriate fashion pieces at different price ranges and sizes.
With Fall approaching, it’s time to get back to our blazers and jackets. This Topshop raw ruffle crop jacket is as original and sassy as it is Fall-ready. The peplum hem, bell sleeves and frayed edges all add a serious touch of originality to this fun, yet work-appropriate jacket.
In a smilier style, this Topshop bell sleeve peplum jacket is also a fun additional to your workwear.
Workwear: Bell Sleeve Peplum Jacket – Photo credit: nordstrom.com
What pieces of work fashion would you like us to feature? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
This post contains affiliate links and The Corporate Sister may earn commissions for purchases through links in this post. Thank you!
To Your Success,
The Corporate Sis.
