Vision board = Powerful visualization tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on your life goals.
Last week-end, I set out to do do something I had planned on doing a couple of years ago, but was kinda resisting all along…So after a couple of years of fighting with myself and procrastinating, I walked into Staples on a rainy Sunday morning, grabbed a cork board (HERE’s a medium-sized one, and a wide frame one HEREfrom Staples), a box of colorful pushpins (check out this one HERE), some scissors (like this pretty pink one HERE), and went on my way with a mission: Build my first vision board ever!
I got home and gathered a bunch of magazines and even some of my favorite books, and went to town. There I was cutting, sticking, and creating the best visual representation I could muster of who I was and what I really wanted out of life! And between the board, the scissors, the colorful pushpins and the images I picked, it was both scary and exhilarating at the same time…
Now why a vision board? And how can a simple piece of corkboard with some random images stuck to it create the life of your dreams? How about working on what you really want and already have, and leave all the woo woo stuff to your superstitious grandma?
Those are all questions that kept me from buying into the whole concept of visualization and creating a vision board. For the longest time, I have to admit I thought vision boards were kind of an active exercise in daydreaming. Well, I’m glad to report the joke was on me…And here’s why…
Visualization is your brain’s most powerful tool.
According to Psychology Today, a weightlifter lifting hundreds of pounds emits the same vibration patterns as when s/he simply imagines it. Or you could just ask olympians for the basis of their mental training, and they’ll gladly tell you that visualizing their performance ahead of time helps them not only do better, but actually even work the same muscles they would otherwise use in reality.
This is to say that for decades, and especially in popular culture after the book The Secret came out, we’ve been realizing that our brains are more powerful than we think. That we can actually change our performances, outcomes of situations and our entire lives based on the thoughts we think and those things we can see in the eye of your mind. I mean, if uccessful moguls like Oprah Winfrey and Uncle Rush consistently use vision boards in their own lives and empires, why shouldn’t we?
BUT (there’s always a but, right…)
We tend to resist seeing ourselves as our best selves.
From my own experience, I can see how it’s easier to just conform, and resolve ourselves to”fit in” to our environments, rather than daring to see ourselves in the full expression of our potential and desires.
Whether it’s in our careers, our businesses, even in our families and relationships, it requires a lot of courage to say “this is what I want, and that’s what I’m going for.” Is it any surprise then that women especially tend to not negotiate the salaries they want and deserve? That we tend to put ourselves last? And that we’d rather be “realistic” than give our dreams a real shot?
Yet again, is a simple piece of corkboard with a bunch of ideal images stuck to it with colorful pushpins going to be able to change all of that, and all of a sudden give us that promotion, send us on that vacation, or build that billion-dollar empire for us?
Which brings me to my next point…
The secret is not in the stuff, it’s in what the stuff brings out of you!
The biggest misconception I had about vision boards was that they were about the stuff. The perfect job, the dream house, the vacation in Venice, even hanging out with Oprah (Oprah, if you ever read this, I’ve not given up, and yes, you’re on my vision board)…Except I was totally wrong…
As we strive in life and allow ourselves to aspire for more, ask for more, experience more, we’re not just yearning for the stuff. Sure, the stuff is part of it. That amazing business would allow you to afford that Cartier watch you’ve been eyeing. Making partners at the firm would let you have more of the prestige and everything that goes with it, including the padded yacht and luxurious vacations…
But what really makes a difference, what really drives us, moves us, makes us get up in the morning, is not the stuff. It’s how the stuff makes us feel. How watching our kids grow into amazing people in part because we can afford to give them a quality education, makes us feel. Or how building a business from scratch turns us from fearful creatures into fearless, powerful individuals.
That’s the secret wrapped into visualizing simple images from a magazine into a reality you can live. And that’s also the fuel hidden inside the power of those visualizations, that turn the power of your mind into tangible action that brings you closer and closer every single day to your wildest, craziest goals…
Just because you dared to question your own assumptions, stepped into a Staples on a random Sunday morning, and purchased a corkboard, a few pushpins, and a solid pair of pink scissors…
So if you’re ready to give it a try, here are a few things you’ll need:
Any kind of board. It can be a corkboard, like the ones I recommend above from Staples.
Magazines you’d like to cut inspiring images from, like that great beach in Rio de Janeiro you’ll be lounging in soon, or that Louboutin beauty you’ll be slipping your tired feet in in no time
Your favorite photos, quotes, sayings…All the stuff that inspires you to keep going. For me, it includes my kids’ and hubby pics, my mom, dad and siblings, and all the empowering Bible quotes and other mantras I live by. And don’t forget to add a picture of yourself in there as well, preferably one taken at a time when you were really happy, to bring back those memories.
Embellishments: if you’re into the glitz and glam of board vision making, then knock yourself out. Add fun stickers, markers and all the bling you want to make your board really YOU.
Last but not least, give yourself some time and space! Allow a couple of hours for this exercise, so you’re not rushing into it, and you really take your time to pick the images that best represent your best self and life. Most importantly, take the time to enjoy the process and enjoy yourself through it!
Pick a space that evokes peace and harmony to you. If you’re in the mood, light a candle, put on some soft music, or that Beyonce anthem that gets you going…And while you’re at it, pour yourself a glass of wine too…
PS: Here’s a quick tutorial on how to build your dream vision board that I really like from The Cubicle Chick:
Let me preface this by saying that I’m a woman of my makeup (and my shoes and my purses too, don’t judge). Not that I would roll into work looking like I’m ready for the Paris Fashion Week, but you know, looking fresh and on par can help with the whole getting through the day thing…
And it’s another reason why I love the Fall, as with the new season comes a little upgrade in our makeup routine for work. Everything about Fall is a bit more refined, a tad more sophisticated, and that goes for our makeup as professional and business women as well…
For me, it’s a matter of reconciling my crazy morning life routine with the glam mom buried deep inside of me (most days). Which means picking on-point, beautiful but efficient products that take minimal time to apply and have maximum impact…so when you catch me strutting my stuff running around, at least I’ll look and feel like I kinda woke up like this…
So here are my mom-approved,”I-only-got-5-minutes-to-get-ready”, “make-me-over-now” 7 top work makeup picks fora subtle but right on par Fall makeup for work:
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
This all-day, natural-looking coverage foundation has quickly become one of my favorites. All you need literally is one drop, and you’re good to go! It builds and blends effortlessly, and reduces discoloration over time too! And I love the fact that it’s available in a range of great shades for women of color as well. It’s $48 at Nordstrom.
Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
You know when the kids have been waking up about every hour on the hour, and you get up looking like a raccoon gifted you with extra eyes…You get the drift. I’m always on the lookout for great concealer (blame the kids and the blog) that makes me look like I just had a full 8 hours of restful sleep (appearance matters, people). And this Laura Mercier high coverage concealer has been doing the trick for me lately. The high coverage formula is highly pigmented, and blends and build flawlessly for a great yet still natural-looking effect. Read: I get to work looking like I won’t have to drink about 5 cups of coffee to get by! It’s $30 at Nordstrom.
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
I love this luxurious yet natural powder. No chance to look like you fell into the flour jar, or are celebrating Halloween year-long here! Plus it has minerals in it, and provides a matte finish that’s almost perfect under most lights (including the horrible lighting in your office’s conference rooms). It’s $33 at Nordstrom.
Maybelline The Nudes Eyewear Palette – Photo credit: shopstyle.com
Pulling a natural-looking but put-together look for work is easy with this selection of nude eyeshadows. The shades are subtle but still add a little something’ something’, even if only to make you look like you’re not daydreaming about your bed during the quarterly earnings presentation. Just sayin’…It’s $9.99 at Ulta.
Now I don’t know why it took so long for someone to invent this thing, but it’s definitely been worth the wait…If you have to pick between looking like a powdered cake, or sporting a smooth, radiant skin that glistens from a distance, please get yourself a beauty blender. I love that it allows me to apply minimal foundation and concealer, and still look flawless in the end (I mean, of course I’m biased). It’s $20 at Neiman Marcus.
Bare Minerals Ready Blush – Photo credit: Shopstyle.com
Fall is my season to “blush” it! There’s something about the chill in the air that makes you want to get a little cheeky (no pun intended, people). One of my favorites is the Bare Minerals Ready Blush, which has great colors for all skin tones and is neutral enough to sport to the office. It’s $24 at Macy’s.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have a bit of a lipstick/lipgloss/lip balm obsession, and will grab every mildly attractive lipstick I see in a drugstore just because. But if I have to invest in a long-lasting, Fall-ready lipstick, it would be this plum beauty from MAC! It’s $17 at Nordstrom.
What are your favorite work makeup picks for Fall?
Big changes at work? The Glassdoor Blog gives you tips on how to handle them;
Ever cried at work? One of America’s favorite CEOs tells you why it’s OK;
Want to become your own boss, but not sure where to start? Black Enterprise tips you off on 5 part-time franchise opportunities for your side hustle;
Did you regret accepting the offer after day 1 on the job? According to Ellevate Network, you should have asked these three questions beforehand;
This University of South Carolina Assistant Professor created an app that helps you rate your media for equity, inclusion and general content quality;
Wondering what recruiters look for in new candidates? Ellevate points out these three things;
The Paris Fashion Week is in full swing, and the Business of Fashion confirms that it’s all about women empowerment;
Soup season has officially started, people. Love and Lemons shares with us their 10 favorite soup recipes to whip up throughout the Fall.
PS: Did I miss anything? Email me at corporate@thecorporatesister.com with any career, lifestyle or inspiration news you’d like me to share, or simply post a comment below!
Our “Wear to Work” feature presents a piece of professional attire recommended for corporate and business sisters.
So one of the trends this Fall is velvet. I have to say, I had to refrain from picturing my beloved grandmother donning her favorite ankle-length velvet skirt at first. But the rebel fashionista in me decided to do a double-take into the velvet world, and what I found wasn’t too shabby either…
Today’s “Wear to Work” pick and splurge of the week is this Joie velvet blazer from Neiman Marcus. I’ve seen other velvet blazers around, but what really made me stop at this one is the impeccable fit and cut. It’s easy to look frumpy when you’re wearing velvet if the cut is not right on point…
This elegant blazer nips at the waist in a flattering way, and boasts a distinctive rounded notch lapel and classic single-button cuffs on each sleeve . It’s clean and classic with an edge, and at $428, it’s well worth the splurge for a staple you can take from work to wine any day. It’s currently available at Neiman Marcus in sizes 00 through 12.
Plus sizes.
In plus sizes, I’ve found this Esley Fine and Sandy velvet number in a red/maroon at ModCloth, for a very reasonable $79.99. If you’re ready to splurge, this Joan Vass two-button blazer from Neiman Marcus is as pretty as the penny it costs (no pun intended, people).
Petites.
I love this preppy navy version in petite sizes from Petite 00 to 12, available at Banana Republic. Throw it on a pair of slacks for a relaxed day at the office, or with your favorite pair of jeans on the week-end, and you’ll be velvet-perfect (I couldn’t resist..)…
I was listening to a sermon by one of my absolute favorite pastors in the world, Pastor T.D. Jakes, and this phrase he used single-handedly changed my perspective on the whole concept of opposition, especially at work.
How many times do we feel “stuck” because someone, whether it’s the boss, the boss’ boss, or even a colleague, is a source of opposition for us? How many times do we feel unmotivated, defeated, and unsure of ourselves, because someone or even a set of seemingly unfortunate circumstances, puts a wall smack down in the middle of our career path?
The boss just decides they no longer like us, and starts taking away opportunities and promotions from us.
A colleague decides they have to undermine you in order for him/her to advance at your expense.
All hell’s breaking loose at home, and you can’t concentrate to get the job done at work.
It could be anything really. Or maybe you’re just not as passionate about what you’re doing, and every slight mistake you’re making is being pinned to you to bring you down.
We all face opposition at work from time to time. For some of us, it may be a daily thing. You may be walking in the office with your armor on every day, ready to go for battle on that quarterly report, or that year-end project. And many a times, it can wreak havoc on our personal lives, seeping into our relationships and family life.
What do you do when opposition strikes at work, and you still have to make a paycheck and show up every day? Do you just lift your hands to the sky, pack up and give up? Do you stay and blindly strike back, at the expense of ruining your health and relationships in and outside of work?
When I heard Pastor T.D. Jakes talk about turning opposition into opportunity, it took me back to all those times at work, when I personally either left because I thought I couldn’t deal. Or stayed and waged a blind fight against anything and everything, failing to recognize the real problem or solve it for that matter.
Yet, if we take a moment to stop and think about what this opposition really means in our careers, and actually devise ways to leverage it instead of falling prey to it, we may just turn the whole thing to our advantage. Opposition is neither bad nor good, it’s like change, it just is and opportunity to look around and at what you’re doing, and re-position yourself in a better way:
Opposition is a sign that you may be doing something right.
Yes, even when it seems all your boss can see are your mistakes. Or the office gossip has you looking like the department’s villain. Because work is a lot like life, in that if you’re not doing anything barely noticeable, you’re not very likely to be noticed, or opposed for that matter.
So instead of taking the opposition as a sign that your career has come to a screeching halt, or that you’re doing something terribly bad, take it as a sign that you may be doing something right. That in the middle of the muddy waters of work, there may actually be gems you can use to propel yourself forward.
Opposition points you to something you must learn.
Every time I’ve faced opposition, I’ve had something to learn. In every seed of opposition, there’s a nugget of wisdom to be extracted, squeezed and actually turned into your competitive advantage.
What type of criticism are you facing? Is your performance being blamed? Play the detective, and gather all the arguments making up your opposition, and sit down with the whole thing for a while. What can you learn from it? What’s the hidden message behind it?
Even better, go straight to your opposition, and ask what they think you can do better. It may be going to the boss who constantly belittles you, and ask them for constructive feedback. Or the colleague who spreads rumors about you, and seek their opinion.
In all cases, there’s always something you must learn for yourself. For me, it meant developing my own perseverance and self-confidence in the faith of obstacles. What is it for you?
Opposition is a fuel to Excellence.
There’s no better time to go for the gold then when you have a wall of opposition stand before you. It may seem counter-intuitive, but using the fuel of frustration and dissatisfaction created by the feeling of constantly being opposed, can actually work wonders in your performance.
Every time you face opposition, turn the resulting lack of motivation and defeated attitude into fuel. Fuel to do more, to do better, to close up every gap in your performance and attitude that could be shot at.
And whatever you do, take a few minutes to wallow into your temporary frustration, buy the shoes, and keep going…
Our “Wear toWork” feature presents a piece of workwear, along with great alternatives, for stylish corporate sisters.
Who doesn’t love a great sheath dress you can recycle from the office to the dinner table? And when it’s as stylish and affordable as this Merona bi-stretch twill sheath dress from none other than…Target, it can’t get any better! I love the versatility of this dress: you can rock it all day from meeting to meeting, with a nice cardigan like this J. Crew original leopard wool style.This dress is $29.99 at Target!
In petite sizes, this Pendleton petite sheath dress from 6pm is the perfect LBD you can pretty much take everywhere and anywhere. Or you could opt for this sophisticated Tahari bi-stretch sheath dress from Nordstrom, featuring an inverted notch collar and some serious architectural details.
Plus-sizes.
In plus sizes, I love this Ellen Tracy tweed print sheath dress from Nordstrom for its vibrant print and rich texture, perfect for the Fall. This Adriana Papell side rushed crepe number is both flattering and elegant, as is this preppy square neck ponte sheath version from Talbots. My favorite? This Fall-ready Signature 3/4 sleeve textured color block dress from JC Penney.
Danyelle Little aka The Cubicle Chick – Work/Life Management Professional, Author & Digital Debutante
When I first “virtually” met Danyelle Little via her highly influential blog The Cubicle Chick (aka TCC), I was barely starting out as a budding blogger. I remember scouring her blog, literally inhaling post after post, seeing myself and so many other corporate and entrepreneur sisters and brothers through the topics discussed.
After “virtually” stalking her blog and social media channels for a while (it happens, ok), I finally worked up the nerve to reach out and ask to become a TCC contributor and add my voice to the beautiful work she’s already doing.
Fast forward, and it’s my pleasure to feature her on The Corporate Sister. In this inspiring conversation, I’m picking Danyelle’s brain about her path as a careerist and entrepreneur, and probing into what drives this woman on fire. Check it out below:
Hi Danyelle, thank you so much for being featured on the blog! First off, please tell us about who you are and what you do!
It’s my pleasure. Thanks for having me. I’m Danyelle Little, Digital Debutante, Lifestyle Engineer, and founder of The Cubicle Chick, a website devoted to serving working parent families with tips and tools to help them succeed. I am also the mother of two, and I’ve written three books.
What inspired you to go from Corporate to your own fabulous blog and business? Did you have an AHA moment?
I didn’t leave on my own accord, actually. Had it not been for me being laid off, I would probably still be working in HR for a Fortune 500 company. But of course, everything happens for a reason. I lost my job two weeks before Christmas in 2009 and decided to take my then hobby-blog of 10 posts to a position that could help me achieve a profit. I didn’t really have an AHA moment, other than I needed to be able to pay my bills and take care of my family. I saw others making a living with their blogs so I thought I would toss my hat in the ring, too. Six plus years later, I’m here!
What advice do you have for corporate sisters (and brothers) who want to leave Corporate behind and build their own entrepreneurial ventures?
I would say have a plan and don’t be afraid to execute it. Work on your business as much as you can on the weekends, weeknights, whenever you can. Partner and collaborate with others to get your name out there and cross-pollinate your brands for visibility. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and who will root for you—you will need them in your corner. Work the plan and plan the work. You can do it!
You’ve built a fabulous online brand. What are some of your recommendations for other entrepreneurs to follow in your footsteps?
Thank you so much for that. I really feel that I still have a lot of work to do, but I think I realized in the beginning that branding is everything. Your logo, your signature colors, your photos, your website—all of that has to SHINE! It has to resonate with others. Being personable and allowing yourself to be out there also helps. People relate to you when they feel that they know you so be very visual. Have nice graphics. Pay attention to detail. Develop and grow an online tribe who will rock with you. And most of all, be consistent.
Tell us about a typical day in your life, as a mom, successful business owner and woman on fire?
I wish I had a typical day, but I don’t. Everyday is an adventure! I travel a lot, but when I am home, this is what it looks like: I get my daughter up and out the door for school, and then I work in my home office writing, answering emails, etc. I take a lunch break and then go it until it’s time for my daughter to come home from school. Once she’s home, work stops and it’s all about her. Dinner, homework, family time, bath time. And once she goes down for bed, I can be found working in my home office until sometimes very late. It’s hustle and grind all of the time.
What are 3 of your favorite go-to products/tools?
There are so many, but I will say WordPress for my blog—what would I do without it? Canva for graphics and creating products like my workbook, which you reviewed recently. I also love GarageBand for recording my podcasts.
If there is one mantra you could leave us with to inspire and motivate us, what would it be?
DO THE WORK. A lot of people look at people like myself and always ask how’d we do it. As if there’s a quick way or shortcut. There isn’t. You gotta do the work, put in the time, and stay on top of trends, news, and what’s going on in your genre. Listen to your customers, clients, and readers. When you serve them and do the work, then you will get positive results.
Last but not least, where can we find you online and how can we contact you?
The interview is over! I could go on and on! But yes, people can find me at TheCubicleChick for career tips and lifestyle interests, and on DanyelleLittle.com for business and brand inquiries. I’m on pretty much every social network under TheCubicleChick, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google+.
Thanks so much for the opportunity, Danyelle!
Photo credit: thecubiclechick.com
Bio:
Known as first as a Mom, and then as a Work/Life Management Professional and Careerist, Danyelle Little is a rising star amongst her peers. With over a decade of experience in Benefits Administration and Human Resources, Danyelle created TheCubicleChick.com to discuss topics important to working parents and entrepreneurs. Glamour Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Huffington Post Live have all tapped Danyelle to share her thoughts on newsworthy items relating to workplace issues, employee relations and lifestyle trends. Recognized as a top entrepreneur and social media influencer in St. Louis (she’s the 2014 winner of ALIVE Magazine’s Best Use of Social Media), Ms. Little is routinely seen on local and national news and lifestyle programs, and has been a featured personality in national brand promotions including a Subaru advertising campaign.
Vision board = Powerful visualization tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on your life goals. 
Let me preface this by saying that I’m a woman of my makeup (and my shoes and my purses too, don’t judge). Not that I would roll into work looking like I’m ready for the 
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…
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