The Darling CEO

Money, Business, and Life Tips for the Working Mom

30 Powerful Affirmations for Work

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase using the link, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

Positive affirmations for work can be very powerful and effective in helping you mange your stress and realize your true potential. If you are new to affirmations, check out this great article from MindTools on what affirmations are, how to use them, and how to craft your very own.

30 Powerful Affirmations for Work

I will succeed today and accomplish everything I set out to do.

I am capable and confident to take on any thing that comes my way.

My team values the work that I put in and I am a valuable member of the team.

My boss values and believes in me.

I put my best foot forward every day and

I find the work that I do challenging and fulfilling.

I will tackle and conquer every challenge that comes my way today.

This work comes easy to me. I am very qualified for this role.

Every challenge that comes my way helps me grow and develop.

I am creative and ideas flow out of me.

I have the courage to go after my dreams.

I am powerful and courageous. Anything is possible when I put my mind to it.

I am a strong communicator and enjoy presenting information.

I excel in all things that I put my mind to and success comes naturally to me.

I am grateful for the opportunity to do what I love to do everyday.

I am an asset to the company that I work for.

I have unlimited opportunity for growth. I can grow into any role that I choose.

I avoid gossip and anything that takes away from my positive mindset.

I am calm and collected in the face of chaos.

I will not worry about what I cannot control. I can only try my very best.

I am resilient and do not give up when encountering adversity.

I can do this and I will do this.

Today is the perfect day to to be happy and grateful.

I have the energy and health to take on the challenges of the day.

I am full of solutions to the problems that come my way.

I seek wisdom when I run into an obstacle.

Wealth flows easily to me.

I am capable of great things and will accomplish all of my goals.

I am focused on what my priorities are and make the best use of my time.

I am destined and ready for greatness in this role.

 

What are your favorite positive affirmations for work? Please leave a comment and share!

 

 

 

How to Deal With a Bad Boss

How to Deal With a Bad Boss

We have all had one, a bad boss.  A study by Life Meets Work found that 56% of American workers claim their boss is mildly or highly toxic.  Unfortunately, all of these bad bosses are wreaking havoc on their employee’s careers and emotional well-being.  According to the American Psychological Association, 75% of Americans say that their boss is the most stressful part of their workday. Additionally, having a bad manager is one of the most cited reasons for leaving a job.  Oftentimes, we don’t know how to deal with a bad boss so it can cause long-term damage to our careers.

However, I’ll dare to say there can be a silver lining to having a bad boss. They can actually help you become a good leader. I’ve had a few bad managers over the course of my career. As awful as those bosses were, they helped me strengthen important skills and become a better leader myself.

So, while having a bad boss is never fun, it can be helpful for your career if you learn how to deal with them effectively.

Here are some strategies on how to deal with a bad boss.

Look For The Best in Your Boss

The first thing you should do is look for the best in your bad boss. Instead of assuming they are trying to be a bad boss, assume that they don’t know how to be a good one.

Leadership is an intricate art and it is not for everyone.  Many times people get promoted based on how well they do the job rather than their leadership ability.  Instead of getting mad and taking things personally, try to seek an understanding of why they are making the decisions they are. More than likely it is stemming from a place of insecurity or naivety.  Try to find empathy for them over anger.

Understandably, this is hard to do however you will find that you will be less stressed and upset if you take the high road.

Ask For What You Need From Your Boss

Be very open and specific in terms of what you need.  Sometimes bosses don’t understand what their employees need and employees don’t feel that they can ask.  This just makes a bad situation even worse.

If you need more autonomy, ask for it in a professional and respectful way.  Saying something like “I have found over the course of my career, I learn and perform best when given some freedom to figure things out. I feel I may serve this role better if I have a bit more autonomy. I understand this project is important for you, so I would be happy to meet with you weekly to discuss my progress and gain your feedback.”

Keeping your request professional and focused on how it will help the company will make it hard for your boss to say no.  If they do say no, then you can respectfully ask for their concerns which will open up healthy dialogue.

Leverage your Mentor

Mentors can be extremely helpful when dealing with bad bosses.

First, they can provide a sounding board where you can safely vent and discuss your situation.  You don’t want to complain to coworkers so having someone you can go to is important.

Secondly, they can provide invaluable advice and help you navigate the rocky waters. They have likely experienced their own awful manager, so they have the experience that you can draw upon. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions, get suggestions on how you can approach situations differently, etc.

If you don’t have a mentor, check out this post for tips on how to find one —> How to Find a Mentor

Escalate Your Concerns

If you have tried other solutions and nothing seems to be working, you may need to escalate the situation to your boss’s manager or Human Resources. I would say this should be a last resort option, as much as I hate to say that.

The reason being, that you can’t go back from this.  If your boss is bad, they are likely to hold a grudge which will make the situation even tougher.  I’m not saying this to discourage you from escalating the situation, I just want you to use caution when doing so. I have seen employees do this before it ended up backfiring on them and ends up hurting their careers.

If your boss isn’t listening to your careers, your coworkers are likely to experience the same.   One way that you can escalate concerns more safely is to come forward as a group, rather than individually.   There is strength and safety in numbers in these types of situations.  Your boss can easily dismiss the experience of one, but it is a lot more difficult to dismiss the experience of many.

I  wish that we lived in a world and had bosses that would take feedback graciously.   However, the reality is that sometimes we don’t.  However, if your boss creates a toxic culture that is impacting your physical or mental well-being or discriminates against certain employees, you have every right (and even obligation) to speak up.    If your company protects the boss,  that might not be the right place for you to work.

Quit

Sometimes it takes hard circumstances to force you to make a move. If you have a bad boss, maybe it is a sign that you should be looking elsewhere either in your organization or outside.

You will want to consider whether how and for how long you can tolerate your current circumstance.  While nothing is permanent, if it is likely your boss is not going anywhere and staying would cause you harm, you may want to look elsewhere.  Intuition is a powerful thing and should be followed in situations like this.

I had a bad boss at one point in my career. Up to that point, I was very comfortable in my role. I was performing well, getting a lot of recognition. Everything was going great.  When I got reassigned and received a new boss, everything changed.  I felt like I wasn’t respected nor trusted. I wasn’t able to do what I knew I could do to help the organization. I tried all of the above strategies on how to deal with a bad boss but they just didn’t work.

It was really frustrating so I decided to start looking for new opportunities. Looking back, I would not be where I am today without that little “push” to find something else.  As crappy as that situation was, I’m very grateful for it today.

I think that it is good to have a bad boss every now and then.   Difficult situations are where true growth and breakthrough often emerge.   While you are in the situation, just try to make the best of it, take note of what you could do differently, and never forget these lessons.

Tell us about the worst boss that you had.    What were your strategies for dealing with your bad boss? Did it ultimately help or hurt your career?

 

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Why Working Moms Need to Exercise

Why Working Moms Need to Exercise

I always loved(ish) working out before I had kids.  I was never a die-hard “gym head” but I went a solid 2-3 times a week.  It was something that I enjoyed doing and it made me feel good.

Then I got pregnant.  Morning sickness hit me like a Mac truck so I  stopped working out completely.  Fast forward five years (and two kids) later and here I was completely out of shape and forty pounds heavier.  My active five-year-old and four-year-old left me completely exhausted on most days. I was always tired and just didn’t feel like myself.  I knew something had to give.

On a whim, I signed up for a gym membership and started working out 3-4 days a week. And you know what? I felt better almost immediately. I have more energy, get more accomplished, and am generally happier than I was just a few months ago.   My only regret is not doing this much sooner.

Being a working mom is incredibly hard.  Finding time for anything is insanely difficult, let alone something “for yourself.”  But in fact, investing time to workout is actually one of the greatest gifts you can give not only yourself but everyone around here.

Here is why all working moms should find time for exercise.

  1. Energy

After working all day and then coming home to household responsibilities, I didn’t have much energy left for anything else. What killed me most is not having the energy to keep up with my kids.  I always wanted to be an active mom and one that played a lot with my kids. I found that was becoming increasingly difficult to do.

Once I started working out more, I found myself naturally having more energy. I was able to keep up with them much more easily. I didn’t dread going on walks with them after work, but now I look forward to it.   In addition, I’m finding it much easier to keep up with housework and have more energy for work.

  1. The Old Me

Mothers are selfless creatures and we give so much of ourselves to everyone else.  Sooooo much of ourselves.  You give so much that sometimes you feel that you don’t even know who you are anymore. For me,  working out is an activity that reminds me of my old self.   It reminds me that I was a person before I had my children and I will be a person after they don’t need me anymore.

  1. Mental Well-Being

I’m fortunate to be a pretty even-keel person. Even so, I have noticed a marked improvement in my overall mood since working out more regularly.  I am generally more happy, relaxed, rested, and stress-free.  The link between exercise and mood is strong. In fact, you get an increase in mood from just five minutes of moderate exercise! Regular exercise also improves long-term depression and anxiety. This is yet another way that exercise not only benefits you but those around you.

  1. Healthy You & Healthy Family

It is pretty obvious that regular exercise is healthy for you.  Exercise improves cardiovascular health, reduces the risk of diabetes, improves muscle mass and bone density, lowers the risk of chronic disease.   So the benefits to you are pretty obvious. However, working moms who work out also improve the health of your family. Your kids adore you and want to be just like you. Do you want them to exercise and make healthy choices? Start by exercising and making healthy choices yourself. They will start to see that taking care of yourself and working out is just what you do.  You can also find ways to stay active and workout as a family.

  1. Daddy Time.

When I’m around my kids, I am it.   I am the one they come to, I am the one that they crawl on, I am the one that they cry too and hug on.   My husband gets lost in the mix. However, taking that time to myself and going to the gym causes him to step up and spend more one-on-one time with the kids.   When I first starting leaving for the gym, my kids would sob hysterically. Now, after a few months they actually look forward to having “dad time”.  I love seeing them bond and make special memories, which would otherwise not be possible if I were home. Spending time away gives your kids a chance to bond with their father/mother/caregiver/etc.

  1. Self Esteem

Let’s face it, growing tiny humans in your body, birthing tiny humans, feeding tiny humans, and nurturing tiny humans takes a toll on your body.   Things can get pretty rough and you can easily feel pretty bad about yourself. Especially when you see celebrities in bikinis 3 days after popping out a baby.  Every body is beautiful , especially a body that brought life into this world.   That doesn’t mean that sometimes you feel a little insecure.  Working out can help you gain more confidence and improve your self-esteem, which is never a bad thing.

Finding time to exercise is not selfish. You are not taking time away from your kids and family. In fact, you are actually creating a better, healthier, and more energetic you to give.

Every time you exercise, you are giving a gift to you and your loved ones. You are making an investment in yourself and your family and you will see the returns on that investment for years to come.

What are your reasons for working out?  What are your obstacles and challenges from getting exercise? what other benefits have you experienced? leave a comment!

 

 

 

How to Get Promoted

How to Get Promoted

I’ve been fortunate to serve as a mentor numerous over the course of my career.   The number one question that I get asked is “how do I get promoted?”. The answer  I always provide is simply, “do what other’s won’t do.”    Even that sound harder than what it really is. It is astonishing how little people either know to do or will do in order to advance their career.   Many times, it doesn’t take too much effort or ingenuity to stand out amongst the crowd.

Here are a few strategies that you can do to get promoted into your dream job quickly!

Ask for Additional Responsibility

Be proactive in seeking out opportunities to take on new responsibilities or projects.  Many people do the bare minimum, so going above and beyond goes a long way with leadership.   Bonus points if you are able to identify a problem and work toward a solution.   Chances are your boss is already aware of them problem but may not have the bandwidth to tackle it.  Taking something of their plate will make you look like a hero and help you develop some new skills!

Network Genuinely

Most people reach out to hiring managers too late.  Once a job is posted, chances are that the hiring manager already has someone in mind.   Even if they don’t, hiring managers typically take a while to warm up to last minute candidates.  The best strategy is to network with hiring managers before you are even looking for a new job.   Start to form a relationship and get your name out there so when the next position comes, YOU are their plan.

Ask for Feedback.

Try to get as much feedback as you can to help improve on any opportunities and build upon your strengths. Ask for feedback from a variety of people you interact with including your boss (naturally), coworkers, support staff, customers, and employees if you have them. The key to getting quality feedback is asking often and pointedly. Instead of saying “How can I improve?”,  ask “what are three things that I did well in that presentation and what are three things I could look at doing differently?”.   People are often hesitant to provide feedback , especially to a peer,  so you want to ensure that you put them at ease and ask specific questions to get the most meaningful feedback.

Another key to asking for feedback is don’t be a jerk about it.  Don’t get defensive or make excuses (no matter how valid you feel they are). Just listen, smile, and thank them for the incredible gift they just gave you.   Feedback hurts, but if you use it right it makes you better. Always, remember that!

Always Be Learning

As Aristotle said “the more you know, the more you know you don’t know.”  Getting complacent in a job and feeling you are the top of your game (which you often feel when you start looking for a promotion) is a dangerous place to be. It is easy to think that you have nothing else to learn, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Make it a point to learn something new everyday.  Do a quick Google search on your industry and read an article, go on Linked in and read an influencers post, take an online course, watch a YouTube video. With technology, you have literally zero excuses not to keep learning.   Not only will it help you get better prepared for your next role, but it shows initiative that your competition may lack.

Be an Engaged Employee

Listen to me closely on this one, don’t be a PIA (pain in the @ss).  No matter how crappy your boss is or how much you hate your job, keep a positive attitude and be professional.  I’ve seen so many employees that are actually good at their job but be labeled as horrible employees. And you know what? They NEVER get promoted.   Because not only will your current boss not hire you if you are a complainer or Debbie- Downer, but your boss has friends that also know you are a complainer and Debbie-Downer.

Make it Clear What You Want

Ideally, your manager will know what your next move is and when you plan on making it.  You want them to know as soon as possible so they can help you get there.  Your boss knows your strengths and weaknesses and can help you leverage them. They know who the key players are and can help you form the right connections and put good words in for you.  They can keep an eye out for positions that may be opening up that may interest you.

Now, this is assuming you have a supportive boss. I understand that not everyone has that.  If you don’t have a supportive boss, try to let them know anyways.  At the very least, you will have been a professional and given them advance notice that you may be open to other positions in the future.  No boss should stifle your professional development, and if they do even more reason for you to move on.

Just Go For It

Is there is a position open that you are interested in? Just go for it and apply. If the position you want doesn’t exist, create a solid business case for it.  You will never feel entirely ready for a promotion, so if that is what you are waiting on, stop it!  Just go for it.  At the very least, you will have shown your interest and gathered insight into the interview process which would both serve you well for the next opportunity.

My last piece of advice is this- at the end of the day, you own your career.  No one else on this planet does. Your boss and your organization may help facilitate some level of career development but if you sit back and wait for them to initiate your next move, you are probably going to be waiting for a while.   Show initiative, have a positive attitude, and have faith that what is meant to be will be.

Once you land that promotion, Check out the Dominate Your New Job course. This quick, yet extremely effective, course will show you exactly what you need to do in the first 90 days of a job to guarantee success in your new role.

What is your next move? What is holding you back?   Do you have any other tips on getting a promotion?  Leave a comment below!

 

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How to Request a Flexible Working Arrangement

How to Request a Flexible Working Arrangement

One silver lining from the Covid-19 pandemic is that it has shown us that many of us can do our jobs from home. And we can do our work more effectively, efficiently, and with a better work-life balance.   We have learned that working from home allows to balance more of our personal and professional obligations that we face as working mothers.   Now that that companies are asking employees to come back into the office, don’t feel pigeon-holed into your old work structure.  Follows these tips on how to request a flexible working arrangement.

Research Your Flexible Working Arrangement Options

Start by researching your company’s policy on flexible working arrangements. Find out what your company may already have in place and what the request process entails.  If your company does not have a policy on the books currently,  research other companies in your industry’s policies.

You should also talk to people that already have flexible working arrangements. Ask them what they like/dislike about their working arrangement and how they presented the arrangement to their boss.

Have a Written Proposal Prepared

Have a formal proposal written out and ready when you make the request.  This helps you think through your request and shows your employer that you are prepared and serious about your request.  Make sure that your plan is focused on how your employer will benefit because that is what they are most concerned with. Benefits to your employer could include increased work hours due to elimination of a commute, increased efficiency, and improved engagement due to your ability to focus on family obligations more.

If you focus on how it will help them, you are more likely to keep their attention and interest when you are requesting a flexible working arrangement.

Stay Flexible and Have a Plan B

With any negotiation, come prepared with an ideal state but have a more realistic plan B at the ready. For example, your ideal state would be working from home full-time. However, you would settle for 2 days in the office if necessary of coming in for certain meetings.

Knowing exactly what you are comfortable with will help you when requesting a flexible working arrangement.

Arrange a Meeting

When you are requesting a flexible working arrangement, schedule a meeting with your boss and make sure it is on their calendar.  You want to give them a heads up on what you plan on covering in this meeting so they are not caught off guard. However, don’t dive into too much detail in the invite because you don’t want to start the conversation via email or over the phone.

Try saying something like “I would like to discuss some ideas I have for my working arrangement.”  If your boss tries to open the conversation right away reply by saying “I have some ideas that I would like to discuss but I really want to ensure that we have enough time. Can I get an hour on your calendar?”

Having a dedicated time for the request will give it the space and attention the request requires.

Be Persistent

Chances are that your boss is not going to be overly excited about your request for a flexible working arrangement. Go into the conversation expecting a less than positive response.  As mentioned earlier, demonstrate flexibility and have a healthy conversation about any reservations that they may have.

If they still have reservations after talking it through, see if they will give it your flexible working arrangement a trial run.  Try the schedule out for 3-4 weeks.  Your leadership may be more receptive to trying it out if they know it’s only temporary. Chances are it will work out (and you will have documented your productivity/effectiveness) and they will keep up the arrangement after the trial ends.

Perform Well

Hopefully, after all of these actions, your employer approves your flexible working arrangement request.  The next step is to make sure that you perform well. Your performance under a flexible working arrangement will likely be under a microscope. They will be looking for any misstep along the way. Prove them wrong!  Make sure that you are holding up your end of the bargain, even if that means you are working a bit harder as you acclimate to your new working situation.

Not only will this help you and your career but it will help your employer be more open to future requests. This is a win for all working mothers!

Do you utilize a flexible working arrangement?  If so, what is your arrangement and how did you request a flexible working arrangement?   We would love to hear more. Leave a comment below.

Don't feel stuck to a traditional Monday to Friday 9-5. Follow these steps to ask your boss for a flexible working arrangement. #workingmom #workfromhome #careeradvice

How to Find Your Next Dream Job

How to Find Your Next Dream Job

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Purchases made from these links may result in a commission. 

Finding your dream job can feel like an insurmountable task but it doesn’t have to be that hard.  Just practice a little intention and patience and find your dream job in no time!

Follow these easy steps to learn how to find your dream job.

Utilize Your Network

As the old adage goes, it’s all about who you know.  The very first place to start when looking for a new job is with your own network.  Hopefully, you have a solid network of people both inside and outside of your organization (if you don’t have one, start building one asap!).    Start by reaching out to those that are in the job or industry that you are most interested in.   Give them a call or ask them to meet for coffee.  Let them know that you are looking for a new opportunity and ask them to keep you in mind if anything happens to come up. Don’t be discouraged if they can’t thinking of anything right away.  Just set a reminder to follow up on a regular basis (monthly or quarterly works well).  This helps you stay top of mind and demonstrates your dedication and tenacity.

If you don’t have someone in the exact job or industry you are interested in,  identify who may be closely related and reach out to them. Explain what you are looking for and see if they have any contacts they can refer you to.  You’d be surprised how often this works, it’s a small world out there!

LinkedIn

Unless you are retired and never plan to work another day in your life,  you should have a LinkedIn account. Not only does LinkedIn provide a way to grow and manage one’s professional network, but it is also an excellent tool to find your dream job.  For one, if you have an optimized profile, employers are likely to seek you out.  I get several messages from recruiters on LinkedIn almost weekly.  Being sought out is always easier than doing the seeking so make sure that your profile is up to date, specific, and focused on your strengths and passions.

LinkedIn also provides a great way to search for jobs.  There is an entire section of the platform dedicated to job searchers.  LinkedIn provides you with a list of jobs that you may be interested in based on your profile and career history. In my experience, the jobs that are listed here are always very relevant and intriguing.   You can also search for jobs by specific companies in your area or industry.   You also have the ability to search for openings by a simple keyword search.

Finally, LinkedIn provides a great opportunity to identify and connect with potential employers. Say, if you want to land a job at a local retailer. search for that business name on LinkedIn.  Likely, you will find the business owner or someone that may be in a leadership position there.  Send them a message or invitation to connect.   The very worst thing that can happen is that they say no or ignore your message (which you shouldn’t take as a “no”, they may not have seen it).

Industry Groups or Trade Associations

Looking for your dream job?   Do you belong to a trade association or industry group?   These groups can be a great resource for job openings. Most of them even have a dedicated job opening section on their website.   Even if you don’t have a membership,  it’s worth checking it out as the job board may be visible to the public.  For example, say you are looking for a job in Human Resources, the Society for Human Resources Professionals (SHRM) has a job listing board exclusively for HR jobs. Even if your industry association website doesn’t have a career board,  you can at least find the names of some industry contacts that you can reach out to.

Recruiters

Recruits (or headhunters) are always on the lookout for top talent so it helps to get on their radar.   Do some investigation and see who the recruiter may be in your desired industry or company. Reach out to them and see if they would meet for coffee or lunch.  Treat this meeting like you would an interview.  Do as much research as you can beforehand,  be prepared to answer questions,  dress nice, show up a tad early, etc.   First impressions matter and while you may not be interviewing at this time,   the recruiter will remember you and whether they would think of you for a future position.

Job Search Sites

If all of the above fails,  you can utilize job search sites such as Monster and Indeed.   While these sites can be effective for entry-level positions, they shouldn’t be your Plan A for most positions.   Most employers post to these sites as a last ditch effort, if they even post to them at all,  so the quality of jobs that you find may not be the best.  In addition, these sites often utilize resume screeners so there is a good chance that the employer may never even see your resume.   You can use job search sites to get a feel of what is out there but if you are serious about an opportunity, your best bet is to find someone that you can reach out to that works for the company.  Hiring managers almost always interview recommendations from current employees.  Doing so will help you stand out from the pack and get your resume in the right hands.   

So there you have it, some practical and easy tips to land your dream job.  My biggest piece of advice is to be patient and have faith.  A dear mentor of mine has told me throughout my career that “everything happens for a reason” and that couldn’t ring truer. Every single time I got passed on for a job has led me to an even greater opportunity.

How did you find your dream job? What tips or suggestions do you have?  leave a comment below!

How to land your dream job and job search tips by DarlingCEO.

Starting a New Job: Your First 90 Days

Starting a New Job: Your First 90 Days

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.If you make a purchase using the link we may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

As a former hiring manager, I have seen first hand how important it is to make a good first impression. I have seen countless people take on a role and create a horrible reputation for themselves right out the gate. Unfortunately, these reputations last a long time and are nearly impossible to overcome. Here are some tips for starting a new job.

Start Before You Start

You did it, you got the job!  As soon as you get the offer, you should start preparing.  There are a ton of things that you can do prior to starting a new job to help you hit the ground running. Reach out to your new boss and ask if there is any reading or training that you can do prior to your first day.  Go online and research the industry and company as much as you can.  You should also take the time before starting a new job and organize yourself and your home as much as possible. You can invest in a new planner, organize your home office, take care of any outstanding errands or appointments, even doing a deep clean of your house can make you feel more prepared to take on a new role. Anything you can do to eliminate stress will allow you to start a new job feeling refreshed and present.

Have a Positive Attitude

Let’s be honest, starting a new job can be tough.  You have no clue what you are doing yet, you’re still trying to get a sense for the company culture, you need to learn a whole new group of people,  and you can’t find where they keep extra office supplies. You may even find the job very different than what you had originally thought. It’s like when you first get married and are desperately trying to figure out this whole married life thing and then you realize that your spouse snores and leaves wet towels everywhere. You can become a bit shell-shocked.  However, having a negative attitude will not help the situation out in any way.  Negativity only breeds negativity. It’s best to keep a positive attitude and have patience.  Patience with yourself, patience with your coworkers, and patience with your employer.  Chances are everything will be running smoothly in a few months and you don’t want a reputation of being a negative Nancy chasing you around.

Clarity Expectations Up Front

In the early days of starting a new job, it is important that you clarify expectations as early as possible.  You want to have a full understanding of what is expected of you in terms of job performance and deliverables.  You should also ask what their preferred communication style, method, and frequency. Another very valid question to ask up front is what the bosses pet-peeves are.   Every boss has them.  You want to find out as early as you can as to avoid them.  I was a manager of people for many years and that question was seldom asked but always appreciated.  Trust me, having that conversation up front is much easier than waiting until after you have already annoyed each other for weeks or months.   It’s also a good idea to ask coworkers similar questions in case your boss isn’t self-aware of forthcoming.

Help People Like You

You will want to start right away getting to know your new coworkers and forming relationships.  Being well-liked in the workplace not only makes work less “work-ish” and more enjoyable, but it makes you more successful. You need other people to get your job done.  People tend to help people more that they like.  Therefore, it makes a whole lot of sense to try to get people to like you.  I know it sounds silly, but it is the reality. The first key to this is to be polite, respectful, and friendly.   Make it a point to learn as much as you can about others by asking questions and being genuinely interested.  People love to talk about themselves and their family, it’s human nature. Capitalize on this and get to know people as well as you can. Note kids names, pets, and hobbies.  Reference these facts in later conversations.  I also suggested connecting in an informal setting.  You get to know someone much better in a relaxed setting such as an offsite lunch or happy hour.

Be Respectful with Feedback

No doubt, you were hired for a reason and your manager obviously values your opinion.  However, when you are new to a role you will want to be sensitive with sharing your feedback and/or suggestions, especially if you are new to a company.  People tend to be very loyal to their company and coworkers.  Think of it like this, you can think your sister is super annoying but if someone else thinks she is, they better watch out.  I once had a coworker start with our company.  He compared everything to his last employer,  “my last company was much better at that”, “This technology is so outdated, it was much easier to do this at my last job.”  He made my skin crawl, he was so annoying. Granted, he had valid points and was likely telling the truth. However, I was annoyed and almost offended every time he would do this.  Now, this is not to say that the company shouldn’t hear such feedback but using some decorum and tact can go a long way.   Wait for appropriate times to share feedback or suggestions such as one-on-ones with your manager.  Use a positive tone and always bring a possible solution when you are bringing about criticism.

Ask for Feedback Regularly

Feedback is good and essential as you start a new job.  While feedback can be painful to hear, ignorance is not bliss when it comes to your job performance.  Hopefully, you will have regular touch-bases scheduled with your boss. If not, I would highly suggest you take the initiative and get them on the calendar (at least once a month). During these one-on-ones, it is critical that you seek feedback regularly from your boss.   Don’t just ask “do you have any feedback?”. Your boss may not be comfortable being forthright with their feedback just yet.  Leaving it open-ended makes it too easy for your boss to skirt the question entirely.  Try asking for feedback in a more pointed manner such as “What are three things I should focus on in the next month?” or “What are 2-3 items that I should include in my personal development plan?”. Hopefully, these questions will help you solicit invaluable feedback as you start your new job.

It can also be helpful to ask your coworkers, partners, and customers. These individuals may be closer to your work so they can provide more relevant and accurate feedback.  They also may have a better idea of what is needed to be successful.  At the very least, it will demonstrate humility on your part and a willingness to learn.

Starting a new job? Take the Dominate Your New Job Masterclass. This Udemy course is jam-packed with practical advice and resources to help you start your new job on the right foot.  

WHAT ARE YOUR tips for starting a new job?  What mistakes have you made in the first 90 days of a job? leave a comment, we would love to hear!

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Starting a new job: tips for the first 90 days

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Catapult Your Career: Top Career Growth Strategies

Catapult Your Career: Top Career Growth Strategies

Updated June 27, 2021

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may result in a small commission. 

In my carer, I have beed afforded the opportunity to work with hundreds of employees at various levels of their career.  One of my favorite things to do is help people develop skills and move up the career ladder. Nothing is more rewarding as a leader to help people put career growth strategies in action and watch them achieve their career goals.

Through the years, I have seen what works and what doesn’t work when are you looking to achieve career growth.

Here are the top career growth strategies that I have found over the years.

Network

The old saying is true, it’s not WHAT you know, it is WHO you know.  Furthermore, it is who knows you that is most important.  From day one on the job, you should start to build your professional network both internally and externally.

Inside your company, you can grow your network by volunteering for special projects, participating in extra-curricular activities, and building a reputation for being helpful and going above and beyond.  Introduce yourself to anyone that you can and learn about their roles and business.   While you are doing this look for opportunities to help and provide value.  If you help someone, they will always remember that and look for opportunities to help you in return.

Externally, you can participate in local networking events, have an active LinkedIn profile, and keep in touch with former colleagues. It’s also a great ideat to become involved in trade or industries groups which will afford you the opportunity meet different people outside of your organization.

Regardless of how you grow your network, always treat people kindly, be respectful, and always add value. You never know who could be your boss one day.

Learn

We all have a tendency to become comfortable in our roles after a certain amount of time. This comfort can cause you to become complacent in regards to your own growth and development. You are confident in the role that you are in and do not feel the urgency to learn more. This is very dangerous for your long-term career trajectory.

Those that continue to excel and move up the ladder continuously learn and challenge themselves.  Case in point, most CEOs read on average 4-5 books per month.  Today, there is literally no excuse not to continue learning.  Sites like Coursera and Udemy offer free or super affordable courses on any topic imaginable.  Most local libraries offer virtual libraries where you can download free e-books. There are countless opportunities to keep learning and further develop your skills.

Large companies are also offering more professional development opportunities than ever before. Whether these be web-based trainings, development seminars, or certification programs. Take advantage of every opportunity that your company is willing to pay for. These are skills that you can take with you to your next role.

< LEARN HOW I  READ 100 BOOKS IN ONE YEAR! > 

Master Time Management

You can have all the skills in the world but if you don’t know how to effectively manage your time, your career will stall. As you move up the ladder, you will become busier. You will have more on your plate, more important projects, and more pressing timelines.  You can quickly become a hot mess if you don’t continue to refine your time management skills.

 Read a few time management books per year, take a time management course on Udemy, listen to time management podcasts, and utilize technology to help you become as efficient as possible. Ask successful coworkers if they have any strategies to get things done faster. Utilize technology to become more efficient.    Minutes add up very quickly so look for any opportunity to streamline and shave minutes off of tasks to become more effective.

Have a Mentor

I have been lucky to have several mentors throughout my career, both formal and informal. Each of these mentors has helped me at various points in my career whether it be providing advice on a difficult work situation or keeping an ear to the ground for opportunities that might interest me.

If you don’t have a mentor, simply ask someone that you look up to.  It takes a moment of courage, but the benefits are endless.  If your company offers a formal mentoring program. participate in that as well.   You can have several mentors in different areas, just make sure that you respect their time and your own time.  It’s also a good idea to make sure that you pay it forward and mentor others that are coming up behind you.  Teaching teaches.

Take On Something Difficult

Find something that no one wants to do and do that.  Too often, people take on a couple easy projects do an alright job and then wonder why it didn’t get them far in their career Well,  it’s hard to stand out from average when you do average work.  Find a challenge that others run from and take it on.  Challenge yourself to learn as much as you about it, become an expert, and set clear goals for yourself.  Do a good job and you will be a hero. People will remember this much more than you taking on an easy task that anyone could complete.

I have taken on projects in my career that people still talk about years after.  I  have acquired new skills, met new people, and made a name for myself as someone who can take things on.  That has been essential for me in advancing in my career.

Be Nice to Your Boss

You will have good bosses and you will have bad bosses throughout your career. Be nice to all of them.  You never want to get a reputation for being whiny, negative, and high-maintenance.  That is a reputation that could take years to get rid of (if it ever goes away).

Of course, it is easy to be nice to your boss if they are great but it is equally important. Don’t take them for granted, always try to make you boss look better, and always look for ways to add value and make their lives easier.  The employees that do this well tend to soar because their bosses become their biggest advocates and cheerleaders.

If you have a bad boss, this still rings true (no matter how painful it can be).  Your boss is likely bad because they lack the self-confidence and security as a leader.  The more that you challenge that, the more that they will fight back.  In these situations, it is best to play the game and deliver to the best of your ability. This may mean that it’s still not enough for them and they may take credit for your work. However, you are still learning skills and showing others (besides your boss) that you are strong and capable.

At the end of the day, professionalism and professional courtesy are never a bad thing for career growth.

Avoid Gossip

One of the must follow career growth strategies is to avoid gossip.   Gossip is annoying, petty, and can be extremely damaging to your career.  We all know those people that live to share the latest gossip with anyone that happens to comes their way.  They believe their job is to gossip.  Don’t be that person.  We also all have that person who gossips in a nasty, hateful way.  These people are typically extremely narcissistic and love when other people fail. They are the absolute worst.  Don’t be that person either.

Gossip can cause people to not trust you, which can be extremely damaging to career growth. It’s best to avoid gossip at all costs.

what career growth strategies do you have to share?   Anything that has worked well for you?  leave a comment below!

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Catapult Your Career, Top Career Growth Strategies. Professional tips to move up the ladder. #career #careertips

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How to Find Time For Your Side Hustle

How to Find Time For Your Side Hustle

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. 

Anyone that starts a new side hustle has the same concern. How do you find time for your side hustle?

I have always been entrepreneurial and starting a business is so exciting and all consuming. When I start something, I tend to put my whole self into it. However, I’m also a mom of two. I’ve learned quickly that it is difficult to put your whole self into anything as a mother.  You are pulled in a million different directions which can leave you feeling defeated and ineffective.

Luckily, I have figured out a way that I can have both a successful career and be an engaged and present mother.

Here are four strategies that you can use to find time for your side hustle as a busy working mom

#1. The Parent Split-Shift

I’m a huge advocate for the “parent split-shift”.  If you haven’t heard of the parent split-shift before, it is essentially working during the day, taking off a bit early in the afternoon to spend time with your kids, and then plugging back into my side hustle when the kids go to bed.

This is how it works in my house-  I work until about 4 or 5 pm and then head home to spend some quality time with my kids. During this time I am able to be fully present and focus solely on them. Quality over quantity.  I am able to get dinner ready, take them to the park, give them their baths and put them to bed. Then after bed time, I am able to plug back in and get more accomplished.

The key to this strategy is making sure that you stop working at a reasonable hour both in the afternoon and evening.  Otherwise, you run the risk of burning out.

#2. Side Hustle Focus Day

I strongly believe you need to take action on your side hustle every day in order for it to be successful. If that is difficult to commit to, dedicate one day a week to your side hustle.  It could be a day during the week where you arrange childcare for your kids after school or you can pick a weekend day where your spouse can handle the kids for the day. Whatever works best for you and your family.

If you are able, try to keep your “side hustle day” consistent so you can and your family can plan for it accordingly.  Make sure that you have a to-do list for this day consisting of tasks that will bring the most value to your business. Start with the items that will bring you the most money and work only off of that list. This will ensure that you are maximizing productivity during this time.

#3. Side-Hustle Sprint

Another highly effective strategy for fitting in your side hustle is the side hustle sprint. If you just can’t seem to find a larger chunk of time, schedule your side hustle in 20-minute increments throughout the week.  If you are intentional and focused, you can accomplish a TON in a short amount of time.

At the beginning of the week, take a look at your schedule and identify times when you can schedule some side hustle time in.  It could be in the morning before the kids wake up, at nap-time, when your spouse gets home from work, or whenever you can find it!

Before your side hustle sprint, identify 1-2 items that you want to accomplish.  Be realistic with yourself, you don’t want to set yourself up to fail. For example, you likely won’t be able to write a complete blog post in 20 minutes. You can, however, write an outline and the intro.  If you can’t accomplish the whole task in 20 minutes, you can break up the task into several increments. In this example, you can spend your next sprint writing the body of the post.  Little blocks of time add up quickly! Block this time on your calendar and write down exactly what you should be doing during this time. 

#4. Side Hustle Vacation

I discovered this technique when I was in grad school.  When I would try to study for finals at home, I found that I was too distracted to really concentrate. I would sit down to study and then the next thing I knew, I was reorganizing the garage.  The weekend before finals each semester, I would book a hotel room for the weekend and basically hole up and study for 48 hours straight. It was amazingly productive.

I know it’s hard to get away from your home and family, however, try to do this for yourself from time to time. A side hustle vacation affords you the opportunity to get away from the day-to-day and truly focus on your side hustle. This is a great approach for things that really require your focus or things that you may have been putting off for a while.

While I miss my kids immensely during this time, I always come back feeling refreshed and accomplished and a much better mom!

With all of these strategies, it is important that you are being kind to yourself and carve out regular “me” time.  Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging your relationship and health .  It’s the whole “put the oxygen mask on yourself before others” thing. Your cup has to be full before you can pour it for others.

You need to take care of your self before you can take care of others.

Tell us! what tips do you find time for your side hustle? Leave a comment below.

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How to Balance Work and Kids (Without Going Completely Insane)

How to Balance Work and Kids (Without Going Completely Insane)

I am a glutton for punishment. I have two adorable little kiddos, work a full-time (sometimes stressful & demanding) job, and I run a blog and consulting practice on the side.  Life is beautiful and a bit chaotic most days.

A while back I  started to really struggle with balancing all of the demands on my plate. I  felt like I  was always neglecting something. I  felt like I  could never fully be present in what I  was doing because there was always something else that demands my attention.  Sound familiar?

While I still struggle with this regularly, I’ve picked up some strategies along the way that have helped me balance work and kids more effectively.

Be Nice to Yourself

As women, we tend to put an incredible amount of pressure on ourselves.  The first step to balance work and kids is to have grace with yourself. You can’t do it all and no one expects you to.

When you find yourself stressing about something, stop and give yourself a quick reality check. Ask yourself what would happen if this doesn’t get done right now?  What is this load of laundry doesn’t get folded right this second?  Nothing.     What if I don’t volunteer to help organize the next bake sale at school?  Someone else will.

Get comfortable with the fact that you don’t have to do it all, all the time.

It Takes A Village

It really does take a village to raise children. I always thought that sounded cheesy until I had children of my own. Now, I understand that you need people around to help you.

Sometimes you need some time to work uninterrupted (or time to just recharge). Ask grandma to keep the kids overnight so you can catch up on some work (and sleep!). Set up a babysitting swap with a girlfriend or neighbor. You watch their kids one night and they can watch yours the next night.  Hire a local babysitter to watch the kids a couple of hours every week.

You should also try to get some help for your home, if possible.  Every successful woman I have ever spoken with has some form of household help. Literally, every single one of them. It could be a housekeeper, someone to run light errands for you, or just a cleaning service that comes a few times a year. Whatever you can afford to do. It will take some pressure off and ultimately allows you to spend more time with your family.

I have a cleaning service that comes every other Friday.  I find myself being a much better mom those weekends because I’m not stressing about housework. Try Amazon Home Services. They have services such as housecleaning, window washing, and handyman services. It is much more affordable than you think.

Whatever it is you are struggling with, try to find how you can enlist other people to support you.  Chances are there are friends and family that would love the opportunity to help you. 

Empower your Family

I tend to take everything on myself:  work, clean, cook, manage finances, plan trips, manage the household, etc.   I fail to include my family in these responsibilities and shame on me.

At work, I am a huge advocate of empowering employees by delegating them tasks and responsibilities. Why should my home be any different? Not only will handing off some responsibilities to your kids ease your workload, but it will help develop them into responsible and competent people.

Find age appropriate tasks, teach them how to do the tasks, provide them support as they are learning, and watch them flourish.

You do not need to do everything yourself.

Establish Routines

Routines are essential in helping you balance work and kids (for you and your kids).

I am an advocate for routines because they are liberating and reduce stress in your life. For example, brushing your teeth is a task that you have to do. Do you get stressed out every morning because you have to brush your teeth? Nope,  because it is a habit and part of our routine. Brushing your teeth requires no thought. You just do it.

Human beings thrive on routines.  Develop a morning routine, a home from school/work routine, a bedtime routine, and a prepping for the week routine on Sundays. In doing so, you can quickly go through the motions, get things done and clear your mind for more important things. Visualize the perfect routine,   write it down, communicate the routine to others, and then hold everyone accountable for it.   After a few weeks, it will be second nature and will be much less stressful for everyone involved.

Sundays are for Preparing

Every hour that you spend planning or prepping on Sunday can save your hours of execution and tons of additional stress.

Your plan should include some form of meal-planning.  On Sunday decide what your meals will be for the week and make sure that you have all of the ingredients that you will need on hand. Another thing that will really help save you time is to plan your and your family’s outfits for the week. Buy a hanging organizer and put everything that you need for the outfit in the organizer down to socks and underwear. That way all you need to do in the morning is grab it and put-on. I do this for myself and include accessories and shoes so I am not scrambling around looking for something that goes with the outfit. Any sporting events or activities? Prep all of the items that you will need and get them ready to go. Your Thursday self will thank you for all the work that you did on Sunday.

If you aren’t sure what to include in your Sunday routine, think about what takes up the most time or causes the most stress throughout the week.  Think about how you can try to eliminate some os this work/stress by planning ahead.

Set Goals

Goals are essential in helping you balance work and kids.

Each Sunday, set goals for the upcoming week. Set an overarching goal for the week-  what do you really want to accomplish? What woudl make you really excited to get done?   Next, break it down into realistic daily tasks that need to be done in order to accomplish that goal.

The key is being realistic.  You are just setting yourself up for failure if you try to cram too much into your week or accomplish too much. By picking one realistic goal, it allows you to meet that goal and be done.  Then you can relax and spend time with your family. Without goal setting, you will always feel that you have something else to do.

It is possible to balance work and kids, it just requires a bit of planning and patience. You got this!

What tips do you have to balance work and kids? What is your biggest struggle as a working mom? We would love to hear, drop a comment below.

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