The Darling CEO

Money, Business, and Life Tips for the Working Mom

What To Do When You Get Back From Maternity Leave

What To Do When You Get Back From Maternity Leave

A colleague at work just returned from maternity leave and it got me reminiscing of that of that whirlwind time as a new mom. Leaving your life of sweatpants and spit up and diving back headfirst into the deep end of corporate life (all while still caring for a tiny human being that is 100% dependent on you).   It’s a tough time.

However, there are some things that you can do once you get back to work to make the transition back from maternity leave a little easier.

Also, check out this post around things to do before you head back from maternity leave.

Meet With Your Manager 

Schedule some time with your manager to catch up the first few days back from maternity leave.  In this meeting you should accomplish a couple things:

  • Outstanding Items: are there any outstanding items that you need to take care of right away? Does the team need anything from you right away?
  • Priorities:   Have the priorities changed since you have been out on maternity leave? What is the “hot topic” right now? What are the pressing priorities. You would be surprised how fast things can change.  Asking explicitly can help you save time in trying to decipher this on your own.
  • Expectations:  You will want to capture your manager’s expectations as you transition back. Many times, you expect more of yourself than they do so make sure that you ask them. What is important for you to accomplish right away?  Set SMART goals so you are both on the same page.Save some potential anxiety and get on the same page.
  • Discuss Your Needs:  In addition to asking what your boss needs from you, this meeting should also serve as a way for you to share your needs with them.  Will you need any accommodations for pumping or schedule adjustments? This is a great time to discuss these items upfront.

Pumping Logistics

One of the very first things that you can do when you get back from maternity leave is to make your arrangements for pumping.  Block out pumping times on your calendar so other’s don’t schedule meetings during this time.   Schedule time in the mother’s room if necessary.   If you don’t have access to a mother’s room, find a safe and quiet place for you to pump and make sure you have adequate access to this space.

Also, make sure that your manager and coworkers are aware of your pumping times and needs (and let them know that you may need to change them as you adjust back). And remember, a lot of people don’t understanding pumping.  I had a mother of three (so I assumed she knew how pumping worked) actually walk in while I was pumping. Moral of the story is don’t assume anyone knows what you expect of them. If you don’t want them walking in on you, let them know when you will be pumping and ask them to not walk in without your overt permission to avoid any awkward encounters.

Bring in a Treat 

This is not necessary by any means and may be controversial, but it may be a good idea to bring in some treats or do something nice for your coworkers/boss. This is especially true if they have picked up your work while you were out, helped you with the transition in and out, and are making continued accommodations if you are pumping.

You certainly do not owe them, but it shows that you appreciate the support they provided while you were on leave and will continue to provide as you transition back.  Not that you are intending to butter them up, but it certainly doesn’t hurt 🙂

Delete Your Emails

Seriously, delete all of them.  Chances are that 99% of the emails sitting in your mailbox are either obsolete, have already been handled in your absence, or are things you don’t need to know.  Delete them all in one fell swoop.

Instead of combing through 1000+ (at least) emails, just send out a mass email to anyone that you work with to just follow up with you if there is anything they still need from you.

Not only is this approach much more efficient and will save you hours, but it will save you from unnecessary anxiety and frees up much needed mental capacity (and you need all the help you can get with mommy brain).

Meet One on One with Coworkers

The whole notion of staying out of your mailbox stays strong here.  Instead of emailing someone for an update, give them a quick call or meet with them face to face.   So much information is lost in emails.   Meeting with someone in person allows you to gain much needed context.

Plus, it is way more efficient.   It’s a matter of having a 10 minute conversation versus an email chain with 13 messages that you have to decipher and try to read between the lines.

Schedule Some “Me” Time

The silver lining of coming back to work after maternity leave is that you have the opportunity for some “me” time. Take advantage of this.  Even if it is just a quick walk around the block or grabbing coffee with a coworker,  do something nice for  yourself.

Don’t feel guilty about it.  Taking care of yourself is essential for you being the best mother and employee that you can be.  Consider it personal development time 🙂

 

 

How to Find a Mentor

How to Find a Mentor

Disclosure: This post contains afflliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Having a good mentor is priceless but a lot of people don’t know how to find a mentor.   This post will walk you through how you can find a mentor regardless of your industry or stage of career.

Have a mentor?  Check out 25 Questions to Ask Your Mentor post! 

Why are Mentors Important?

Mentors provide many benefits whether you are just starting a job or have been in your role for twenty years. Many people think that mentors are for finding a new job but that is the only way that mentors can help you in your career.   For one, a mentor can improve your engagement by providing you with a neutral sounding board for ideas and concerns. Sometimes we just need someone to talk to (or vent to) in a safe space and a good mentor can provide that for you. They can also help you think differently about situations which are very helpful, especially if you are angry or stuck with a challenging problem.

In addition to providing support, mentors can help you become better your current role.  They are likely your mentor because you or someone feels that they have skills that you can utilize in your growth.  Taking advantage of this expertise or skillset can help you tackle challenging problems that you may be facing.  They can provide you with tips and strategies to deepen your skills which will make you better.

How to Find a Mentor

Your Company

Many large companies have a formal mentorship program that matches employees with mentors.  This would be a great place for you to find a mentor because it may force you to go outside of your comfort zone a bit.  For example, one time I  was matched with an employee from a completely different area of the company. At first, I  didn’t think I would get much from the mentorship but in reality, I learned and grew a ton from that relationship. It really expanded my horizon and forced me to get out of my own world a bit.  Not sure if you have a mentorship program? You can ask your manager or call HR. They will likely know if something exists in your organization.

Your Manager

Speaking of managers, ask your manager if they can help you find a mentor. Tell them what skills you are looking to develop or what you are trying to accomplish with a mentor. They likely have someone in their network that they can pair you up with.  Make sure that if you are asking your manager to find you a mentor, that you are taking the mentorship seriously. Being a mentor is a big commitment and not something to be taken lightly so your boss is going out on a limb by asking on your behalf.  The worst thing you can do is make your boss look bad by not taking the mentorship seriously.

Coworker

Have you worked with someone on a project or admired someone’s work from afar? They may be a great mentor for you.   So often we think that a mentor needs to be an executive but sometimes the best mentors are peers.  They can understand the role that you are in and can relate to the challenges that you face.   This makes for a great mentor!    Plus, being a mentor can help them grow as well so it is a win for both of you!

Industry

Many professional associations have formal mentorship programs that you can take advantage of. If not, look for someone that possesses the skills that you are looking to gain and simply asks them.  Make sure that you spell out what you are looking to gain and how much of a commitment you are looking for when you ask. You would be surprised how many people would say yes!

Social Media

Fortunately, social media makes the world so small.  Sites like Facebook or LinkedIn are a great place to find virtual mentors.   Look for someone in your network that you really admire and can relate to. Start a relationship with them by engaging with their posts and content. Once you cultivate the relationship a bit, ask them if they would be willing to start a mentoring relationship with you. Again, make sure that you are clearly setting out your goals and expectations (try to be realistic here, 30 minutes a month is much easier to commit to than 30 minutes a week) when you are asking.   If they do happen to say no, kindly ask them if they happen to know anyone that may be a good fit.   So many people would be flattered and excited at the prospect of being your mentor. You just need to find them and ask!

Have you ever had a mentor?  How did you find them? What did you get out of that relationship?

 

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Get Fit at the Office

Get Fit at the Office

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Who said you can’t get fit at the office?   Check out these products that will make it easier for you to get fit while you are at work!

Under Desk Peddler

This little gadget is not only affordable but will help you get in exercise while you are sitting at your desk. This peddler is great because it is very easy to use, it’s foldable so it is easy to store, and even has a digital display to track your time/rpm/and minutes.  This will not only help you get some extra exercise in but a nice added bonus is that it can help you focus on your work.  Physical activity is a great way to get your blood flowing and your mind focused.

Fitbit 

My Fitbit was a game changer. I always thought that I was fairly active until I got my Fitbit. I drastically was overestimating my physical activity. This was great though because I  now know what is needed to get my daily steps in and am much healthier overall. I find myself getting up (because it will tell you when you have been being too lazy) and taking a walk several times per day. It’s fun to try to get my 10k steps everyday! I    will say that I’ve had a Fitbit and a couple Apple Watches and hands down the Fitbit is more motivating for health and wellness. The Charge is a great model but there are models to fit any price point.

Balance Ball Chair

This balance ball chair has been shown to not only improve your well-being but it helps with that nagging lower back pain you get from too much sitting.   It also encourages greater focus.  If you are able to keep your body moving, your mind is much more sharp and focused.  I  also love that you can order the balls in different colors. It’s an easy and fashionable way to get fit in the office.

Water Bottle 

I’m really bad at staying hydrated. I drink a lot of coffee so that doesn’t leave me a lot of time to drink water. However, when I keep a nice water bottle around it makes me much more likely to get my water in. I  love this particular bottle because it gives you motivational messages and makes sure that you are staying on track. It is also easy to transport and super cute.   Having water bottles everywhere you go will make it much easier to get your water in (it’s all about making habits easier!)

Wireless Headset 

One easy and simple way to get fit at the office is by using a wireless headset.   If you tend to  be on phone calls throughout the day you will understand how lazy you can become. Get untethered from your desk and use this headset to walk around while you are listening to conference calls or taking calls.  I  am sometimes literally on conference calls from 9am-5pm.  I zone out after so long.  Now, when I  find myself losing focus I will get up and do a couple laps.  I    get some steps in and find myself actually paying attention to what people are saying. It’s a win-win.

Wobble Cushion 

If you don’t want to bounce around on a ball to get fit in the office, turn any chair into an active seat by using one of these wobble cushions.  This helps strengthen your core, improve your posture, and can help ease back pain. This is also great because you can put it on the floor and can be used for meditation.    It’s a cheap and easy way to get more fit at the office.

Shoe Bag 

One easy way to improve your wellness at work is to incorporate walking into your day. Whether it is walking to your workplace,  getting off the bus a couple blocks early, parking in a spot farther away, or even taking laps around the building.  Anything that you can do to get additional steps in will add up. It makes it much easier to get these said steps in when you have comfortable shoes.   This shoe bag is a great way to pack your sneakers so you can easily change to get some steps in.  I have a similar bag and I bought a pair of extra sneakers that belong just in this bag. That way I  never have to back them, they are always in my car.  Make it insanely easy on yourself to get fit at the office!

Standing Desk 

Standing desks are pretty amazing and are becoming more common in the workplace. They allow you to work while you are standing without having to hunch over.   There are actual standing desks but this stand is a great way to go if you don’t want to invest in an actual standing desk. This is something that you place on the desk that you already have. There is a button on the side (powered by a gas spring so it’s very easy to use) that makes the desk go up and down to the height that you desire. It is very affordable and easy to use. It’s a great way to keep moving and active throughout your day.

Deskcize Pro

This is a pretty amazing gadget- it’s a standing desk/exercise bike. Just think of the exercise that you can get in while you are peddling away at your desk. This is easy to use and portable so you can move it around your office or home.  It’s also very quiet so you won’t be distracting your coworkers which I’m sure they will appreciate. And again, not only does it help you get more active but it helps improve concentration.

 

These are just a few gadgets and tips that you can use to get more fit at the office. What suggestions or tips do you have? Leave a comment below!

 

 

 

How to Avoid Office Gossip Like the Plague That It Is

How to Avoid Office Gossip Like the Plague That It Is

Office gossip is like a wild night out. In the moment it always seems like a fun time. It is exhilarating, feels good, and can even make you feel closer to the people partying the night away with you. However, when the morning comes all you are with is a bad headache, a sense of regret, and relationships to repair.

Office gossip is a cancer to workplaces across the world and should be avoided at all costs.  Unless you want to ruin your career and taint your workplace, check out these tips for how to effectively avoid office gossip.

Avoid Discretely

The most obvious way to shut down gossip is to shut it down directly by saying something like “I’m not comfortable discussing Sally with you.”   While this is the most mature approach, you will likely annoy and infuriate the gossiper. They would then likely start gossiping about you.  So while practical, this direct avoidance may not work out for you in reality. 

Have a Positive Mindset

When you have a positive mindset you naturally look for ways to reinforce that mindset and avoid things that detract from it, like office gossip.  Look for ways you can build and maintain a positive mindset. One tactic I use is positive affirmations. Affirmations are especially helpful on those days when it is harder to maintain a positive mindset.

Change the Subject

One way to avoid gossip discretely is by changing the subject.  If someone starts gossiping to you, look for an opportunity to change the subject and maintain ownership of the conversation.   A strategy I have used is to ask a work related question like it just popped up in your head. If Mary from accounting starts talking about your boss’s divorce pretend like you just remembered something “Oh wow, I haven’t heard that. Before I forget Mary, do you know when we need to get those TPS reports in? I can’t remember”   Then try to exit the conversation as quickly as you can.    

Avoid the Gossipers

It is pretty quick to identify who the guilty gossipers are. Once you spot them, try to avoid situations where gossiping can occur.  Sometimes this means avoiding alone time with someone that is a known gossiper, as they seldom gossip in front of others.   Try to make sure that you avoid being alone and always have someone with you.   This will make it more difficult for them to gossip in front of you. 

Avoid Places Where Gossiping Occurs

Sometimes, a place gets synonymous with office gossip. Avoid gossip by avoiding these gossip hotspots. For example, if you see that the break room is a breeding ground for gossip and complaining, try to avoid the break room.   This may be difficult, but at least avoid times when gossip is likely to occur. For example, if Karen and fellow gossipers take lunch at 11am, try to take your lunch at noon.

Say Something Positive

If you find yourself in a situation where others are gossiping, try to insert something positive into the situation.   If folks are talking about a coworker being crabby, say something like “I  wonder if things are going okay at home. She normally responds so well to stress. We should look for ways to help her.”   This type of statement cuts off gossipers and shifts the conversation.

Never Spread Gossip

Finally, never spread gossip.  No matter how salacious it is, avoid repeating anything you hear.   You never know what is true and spreading information can really hurt people. It can also hurt you.  The label of “office gossiper” can be hard to shake so just refrain from earning yourself that designation. However, if you feel that it is information essential that your company know (ie. someone doing drugs at work, someone embezzling, etc.) try to get as much information as you can and go to HR.  If you don’t have an HR department, go to your immediate supervisor.   Whatever you do, don’t talk about it with anyone else other than HR or your boss.

My overall guidance would be to take a Switzerland like stance and avoid gossip.  If you do get tempted to confide in someone, remember that everybody has a best friend.

What are your tips to avoid office gossip?  Have you ever experienced office gossip?  If so, what did you do?   Leave a comment below.

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January To-Do’s for Successful Working Moms

January To-Do’s for Successful Working Moms

Call me crazy but I love January. I love the feeling of renewal that comes from a brand new year. I am energized and motivated to take on the year.

Every January, I try to capitalize on this energy and motivation and knock off some tasks that help me start the year off right as a working mom.

Here are January to-do’s for successful working moms…

Declutter

We have a large family so our children get so much stuff for Christmas. To top that off, my daughters birthday is in January as well so even more stuff. Yay. During January, I try to get rid of as much stuff as possible. Old clothes, toys, magazines that have piled up, toys, old makeup, anything and everything that is not nailed down. Check out The Life Changing Method of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. Kondo provides very practical tips on what and how to get rid of your clutter.

Deep Clean

You can either outsource this or do it yourself but one to-do that should be on every working moms life is to deep clean your home. Once you have decluttered it is the perfect time to clean. I’m talking clean that you never have a chance to get to like baseboards and washing walls. This will allow you to start the year off with a truly fresh and clean space. It will also take some away some of the mental load that can eat away at you.

Set a Budget and Savings Plan

If you are like me, you are experiencing a spending hangover in January. I am so sick of spending money by the end of December, I am just ready to get back to a budget and start saving again. Take advantage of this feeling and sit down and set a budget. Start by reviewing your spending for the last year. Where did your money go? Reflect on where you could have saved more and spent less. Now set your budget for the next year. Make sure that you are paying yourself first and setting aside money in your budget to save. Start the saving program as early in January as possible either through your employer (via a 401k) or your bank (IRA or a traditional savings account).

Set a Goal

Every year I set a personal development goal for myself. Motherhood can be so daunting. When you are working, raising children, taking care of a home, taking care of a marriage, etc. it leaves very little time for you. It can be easy for moms to feel like they have lost themselves. Each year I set a goal solely for myself. This gives me a reason to do something that I enjoy and gives me fulfillment and satisfaction as I march towards achieving it. A couple of goals that I have completed are reading 100 books in a year and learning Spanish. Find something that you enjoy doing and set a stretch goal for yourself. Make sure that you keep that promise to yourself and make a plan to achieve it. And remember, a happy mom/wife/employee is a good mom/wife/employee!

Organize Your Schedule

The end of the year is a free for all. There are so many demands on your time with the holidays, school events, and work deadlines. After all of that, now is the perfect time to reset and organize your schedule. Go through your calendar and block out time for everything that you need to get done. Make sure that you are carving out time for your goal and for just doing nothing. I make sure that at least one day out of each weekend we block out our calendar to do nothing. Those are my favorite days (and my kids) and would likely not happen if I wasn’t intentional on blocking out that time.

Now is also a great time to grab control of your work calendar. Go through each meeting that is on your calendar for the new year and make sure that it needs to be there. Meetings tend to stick around a lot longer than they are actually needed. Now would be a good time to trim the fat and get rid of non-essential meetings. You should also schedule time to actually do the work. I work in a corporate environment so I sit on conference calls all day. If I don’t block off time to actually do the work, I would be bringing that home with me today. Block an hour or two a day during your MOST productive time of day to do deep work.

What are your January To-Do’s for Successful Working Moms? What do you do in January that helps set up success for the remainder of the year? Leave a comment below!

 

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Start a Side Hustle in 7 Days

Start a Side Hustle in 5 Days!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for which we earn a small commission on your purchase at no additional cost to you.

We know that having a side hustle is essential to financial security and building wealth. The more streams of income that you have, the more you are able to avoid financial setbacks and save money over time.    But how do we actually get started on our side hustle? Follow this simple plan to start a side hustle in just seven days.

Day One: Determine Your “Why”

Before you start a side hustle, sit down and think about your long term goal. What are you trying to cause in developing a side hustle. Being crystal clear on your purpose will help you get through the inevitable hard times of having a side hustle.

Day Two: Identify what you are passionate about or good at?

Ask yourself what do you like doing?   What do you get excited about?  What do people ask you questions about?   Making quick money is cool, but having something that you really enjoy doing is critical to ensuring the long term viability of your side hustle. If you do something that you hate doing, you will eventually burn out and end up resenting your side hustle.  You are better off finding something that you are pretty good at and really enjoy doing.

Day Three: Create a Plan

What value will you add and how will you do it?  Will you be providing in-person services or doing online consulting?   Will you use social media to get customers or will you advertise in your local paper? Put pen to paper and start mapping out your plan and strategy

Day Four: Test Your Concept

This is probably the most important step.  You need to validate and test your side hustle concept. The best way to do this is to test it out on a real life client. If you are offering a service, provide a free service in exchange for their feedback.   If you are selling something,  sell a few samples.  You can also perform some market research by asking friends, family, and prospective customers on social media.   Tell them as much as detail as you can about how you plan on offering your product/service and pricing and get their thoughts.   A little feedback early on can ensure you are on the right path and people would actually be interested in your product.

Day Five: Make a Plan

Now that you have validated your concept, it is time to start making a more detailed plan.

You will want to answer the following questions:

  • What products/services will you provide?
  • What will your pricing be?
  • How will you market your products/service?
  • What will  your startup costs be?
  • What is your projected income?
  • What challenges can you foresee?  How will you overcome these challenges?

 

Day Six: Set Up Your Side Hustle

Now that you have a plan it is time to get things ready.  This is the time when you should secure your social media accounts, domain and website, business cards and other marketing collateral, etc.   Try to bootstrap your side hustle as much as possible.  Spend as little money as possible and as you start making more money you can always invest in things that will help you expand your business.  Set a budget and stick to it!

Day Seven: Start!

At this point, you should be ready to get started.  Go out and start offering your product and service. Don’t worry about being perfect at this point because you won’t be.  You will learn and refine your skills as you go on.  And always remember, everyone started as a beginner!  You will get better and learn with each mistake that you make along your journey. Have grace with yourself and push forward.

There you have it, how to to start a side hustle in just seven days.   You are well on your way to the financial security and wealth potential that a side hustle provides!

Ready to start a side hustle? What part of the side hustle journey do you struggle with or have questions?  Leave a comment below!

 

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Want To Be a Millionaire? Start a Side Hustle

Do you want to be financially secure and ultimately wealthy?  You need to increase your streams of revenue and one of the easiest (and quickest!) ways to do that is to start a side-hustle. According to a study by Tom Corley, most self-made millionaires have generated their income from multiple sources.  Think about any wealthy person and you will likely see that they have money coming in a multitude of ways (e.g. business income, dividends, rental income, investments, side-hustles).

Why is having multiple-streams of income important?  Most importantly, it protects you in the event of a job loss.  If you lose your job for whatever reason (downsizing, illness, injury), having a side-hustle or supplemental source of income will allow you to ride out the waves and stay afloat.  Most financial setbacks occur because of a loss of income.  Having a side hustle provides you with some insurance against loss of income.

Secondly, having a side hustle allows you to earn extra cash that you can use to save and invest. The law of compound interest tells us that the earlier that we can save, the more we will earn.  Therefore, having a side hustle (ahem, now) allows you to take advantage of time. For example, starting at age 23, you need to put away just $14 per day to reach $1 million by age 67. Wait just seven years, age 30, and you have to increase that amount by 50%. Hold off until age 35 and you’ll have to save more than twice as much as at 23.  Investing a little bit as early as you adds up quickly!

Another way that having a side hustle can get you a ticket to millionaire status is that earnings from your side hustle can be used to create yet another source of income, such as rental property or other businesses.  For example, through your side-hustle as an online instructor you are able to save enough money to purchase a rental property.  Now you have income from your day job,  income from your side hustle, and a monthly income coming in from your rental property. You can then take the money from the rental property and invest in dividend paying stocks, thus creating a FOURTH stream of revenue.  You can go on and on reinvesting and creating additional stream of revenue which increases your wealth and creates additional financial security.

With technology and the gig economy, the barrier to entry is the lowest it has ever been. Anyone can create a side hustle to bring more money in.  It’s as easy as posting on your town’s Facebook page that you can rake leaves or shovel snow.  You can also take advantage of services like Shipt and Doordash.   Even a few hours a week can add up over time and create financial security for you and your family.

Do you have a side hustle?  How has having a side hustle improved your finances?   Leave a comment below.

 

Top Gifts for Business Travelers

Top Gifts for Business Travelers

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Business travel can be grueling.  The constant in and out of the airport, waiting at the rental car lines, nights spent sleeping in unfamiliar beds, can be exhausting.   Anything to make this life a little easier goes a long way. Here is a list of the top gifts for business travelers.

Amazon Basics Hardside Carry On 

Every business traveler needs a good solid carry on. This carry on from Amazon Basics is study yet affordable and has a divider, three zippered pockets, and four swivel wheels.  It also comes in different sizes and colors.

 

UV Light Sanitizing Wand

Germs.  Ugh.   One of the absolute worst parts of traveling is encountering all kinds of germs on all kinds of surfaces.  This handy little device claims to kill 99.9% of germs which sounds like a win for me.  Even it if doesn’t kill 99.9% of germs, the placebo effect is still very strong. Feeling like you are in a clean environment makes a world of difference when you are traveling.

Portable Fan

I  love sleeping with a fan, in fact I must sleep with a fan. I love this little portable USB powered fan. It’s super compact and easy to pack and it can sit right on the end table. It has a rechargeable battery so you can place it anywhere without need it tethered to a power cord.   This is also a perfect size for a desk at work or cubicle.

Travel Steamer 

This little thing right here is a game changer. Much to my grandmother’s chagrin, I  do not know how to iron clothes. I  have tried and it never works out. At home, I    use a steamer if things get wrinkled. On the road? I use this little gem. This is a must have gift for business travelers. It is portable and can easily fit in a suitcase and is very easy to use. In minutes you can have your clothes ready to go and wrinkle free.

Phone Charging Padfolio

One of life’s biggest dilemmas when you are traveling on business is where you are going to charge your phone. Nothing is worse than being at an all day meeting with a dying phone.  This padfolio is a jack of all trades. For one, it is a traditional padfolio and allows you to keep jot your notes and a pen. It also has a space to store business cards that you collect or need to pass out.  The very best part of all? It is actually a power bank and has a built in phone stand and charging cables. How amazing is that?  You can charge your phone while you are sitting in any meeting, anywhere!  I wish I had this ten years ago.

Travel Power Strip 

Last business trip I forgot my phone charger. I was in Downtown Pittsburgh and I literals could not find a store that had a power adapter in stock. I ended up buying one in the hotel store for $40. I almost died knowing I can find them on Amazon for $5.   This little gadget will help you avoid that.  Stash it in your suitcase and you are covered! You can plug your phone, iPad, and computer at the same time.

Luggage Cup Holder 

There are very few times you will find me without a coffee in my hand. Although, I  am not skilled at balancing lugging my luggage with a coffee. This cup holder attaches to your luggage and allows you to cart your drink around hands-free.  What I  love most about this is it gives me a place to hold my coffee at the gate when there are no cupholders around. it’s the simple things in life <3.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes make life so much more simpler. It saves me sanity and space in my luggage. Who would know that bags within bags could change your life?   With the smaller packing cube, I bought an extra set of toiletries that I keep in my suitcase at all time. It’s saved me so much time, money, and sanity always having everything I need.

What are your travel must-haves? What are your top gifts for business travelers? We would love to hear. Leave a comment below!

 

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Crush Your Goals by Using Smart Goal Setting

Goal setting gets a bad wrap, but it is because so many people do it incorrectly.  People throw out arbitrary goals and hope they work. Problem is, when you set a goal and don’t follow the right framework you will never achieve your goal and will only start to feel defeated and reluctant to chase subsequent goals. That is where the SMART goal setting process comes in. 

That is why I am such a fan of the SMART goal setting framework. You have probably already heard of SMART goals but let’s take a look at the framework and how you can use it to create and achieve any goal that you set.

You can use this process for any size goal- whether you are trying to to meal plan for the week, start a new job,  or launch a business.  SMART goal setting will provide you the structure to achieve it. 

So, let’s break the SMART framework down.  

Specific

Your goal should be as detailed as possible. For example, Instead of saying “I want to improve my social media” say “I want to grow by Instagram followers by 30%…”   Write down as much detail as you want about your desired future state so you can truly see where you need to go.   

Measurable

  How will you know whether you are successful or not?  You need to include some measurement of success.  Even if your goal isn’t necessarily quantifiable, quantify something within it so you can use that as a benchmark.    Why is measurement so critical?  Measurement can supply you with feedback on whether you are on track to meet your goal, but more importantly it can provide you with much needed motivation to get there.

Action-Oriented

A dream without a plan is just a wish.  You need to identify what steps you need to take to achieve your goal. Again, the more specific you can be, the more likely you will be to achieve your goal. Write down all of the steps that you will need to be successful. You can even assign measurements and timelines to your actions.  Can’t stress enough, the more planning that you do up front, the easier the process will be and the more likely you will be to achieve your goals. 

Realistic

I love lofty goals, however there is something to be said for being realistic. Too ambitious of a goal can leave you frustrated and defeated. Set your goals to a level that you can achieve but will stretch you.   You can still dream big, but near term goals should be more realistic. 

What are your thoughts on SMART goals? Do you have any additional tips that help you in the goal-setting process? Leave a comment below.