Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
Congrats graduates! But hey, we don’t want you to go broke, so Black Enterprise is tipping you off on everything you need to know about student loans;
Looking for a new gig? Business Insider lists the 15 best states to find a job in 2017;
Hey Mompreneurs! Forbes tells you why being a mom makes you a better entrepreneur;
Speaking of moms, Ellevate Network tips you off on how moms can successfully return to the workplace;
Got the learning bug? The Muse has 10 fun and free classes you can start and finish this week;
Are you running a minority-owned business? Black Enterprise gives you the deeds on getting certified as a minority-owned business;
Summer is right around the corner. While most of us may be thinking days at the beach and picnics outdoors, the rest of us may be doing the Monday to Friday work “thang”. Which also means finding practical, easy and stylish ways to dress for the office or the business when temperatures are rising…
But…What’s a Capsule Wardobe Anyways?
If you’re wondering what a capsule wardrobe is, it’s simply a collection consisting of a few pieces of clothing (and some stylish) shoes that you can mix, match and merchandise to create multiple outfits.
I love the concept of a capsule wardrobe for any season, especially for work. It’s one of the smartest and most efficient ways to manage your wardrobe while being on point with your fashion. And did I mention saving oodles of money by not shopping impulsively but instead relying on a few statement pieces and essentials to build a solid, no-fail, “look-at-me” wardrobe? Plus the opportunity to purge that overflowing closet of yours, and finally give away those 1980’s neon pumps you know you ain’t wearing anytime soon…
How do I create my capsule wardrobe for work?
When it comes to creating your perfect capsule wardrobe for work, it’s all about your personal style, your own sense of comfort, and your office’s dress code. Is your office more business casual, or is it on the super conservative side? Are you more into being comfortable and able to move all day long? Or is your personal style more feminine and romantic? Whatever your answers to these questions are, they will help you identify pieces of clothing that fit you best. For more inspiration, you can use Pinterest boards, magazine clippings, or style blogs for your favorite looks.
What essentials should I have in my Summer Capsule Wardrobe for Work?
Dressing for work in the summer can be tricky. It’s hot outside, and due to some odd pact between the forces of air conditioning and inside offices, the A/C is on blast inside. Which has prompted me over the years to create my own mix of style and practicality for my summer work wardrobe.
For this summer workwear capsule wardrobe, I’m leaning towards colors with neutral accents here and there. Because I’m generally into bright and cheery colors… I’m also all for lightweight blazers and cardigans to ward off the curse of the office A/C, and accessories that let your personality shine.
I’ve deconstructed this capsule into groups of similar workwear items:
“I love Mondays!” say very few people. I mean, you just have to look at the onslaught of #mondaymotivation tweets and social media posts around you on Mondays to realize it ain’t winning the Oscar for Favorite Day of the Week. Just sayin’…
After years of waging a very public vendetta against Mondays, I finally started to make peace with it when I started building my own business, side-hustling and freelancing. The simple reason for this sudden pro-Monday niceness on my part is that I realized that there are only so many hours in the day. When your time is literally your most precious commodity, and you have to distribute it between kids, hubby, family and laundry (did I say laundry), then you know you can’t afford to waste a Monday…
So after years of Monday-hate conditioning and celebrating the start of a new week with excessive caffeine, sugar and facial frowns, it was about time to find a way to beat the Monday blues at its own game. Although I’m an avid reader of motivational quotes and other inspiring Monday shenanginans, I had to come up with my own creative strategies to get my Mondays work for me:
Trick Your Mind to Plan Ahead
You’ve heard it before. Plan, plan, plan, and plan some more…But really, who wants to add planning on top of everything else there is to do? Yes, we know we need to plan, but we’re still praying for some magical trick of the Universe for the house to be magically clean, the laundry washed, folded and put away, and that work report finally completed…
So instead of beating yourself up because you haven’t planned for the time to plan this week, you can trick your mind to get into a “planning” mind. Instead of writing unending to-do lists, think about what you want to accomplish in the course of the week. Now plan according to your goals. I find this a great way to align your goals with you plan for the week, while encouraging you to accomplish your objectives
Recommended Tools:
Mindmeister: this tool is great to create mind maps to outline your ideas and objectives.
Evernote: I like to call this app my “second brain”. You can store your ideas and to-dos in individual notes and notebooks that you can retrieve at any time
Todoist: This app lets you set up simple checklists with due dates and task rankings. It also integrates with Google Calendar and Evernote.
Start with the fun stuff (and the stuff you’re good at).
Contrary to popular opinion, there’s something about enjoying what you do. As in, not forcing yourself to start with the very tasks that make you dread getting up on Monday mornings in the first place.
One of the simplest, and most overlooked secrets of productivity, is to have fun. What are the tasks that excite you the most? What are the goals that you’re most enthusiastic about? What are the tasks that utilize your strengths and shine the spotlight on your talents? These will give you the boost you need to tackle the less…fun stuff.
As a blogger, Monday is my content writing day, simply because it’s what I enjoy the most and where my strength is. Creating and writing content inspires and gives me a boost, so I can move on to the nitty-gritty of administrative and technical tasks with more motivation and even a pep in my keystroke. I literally save the best for, wel…first!
Recommended tools:
Good&Co app: This app lets you determine through a series of quizzes what your strengths are, and what your fit is in terms of career and company
Spotify: Add some fun to your workday with your own selection of music to help you enjoy your work by creating playsuits that suit your schedule and mood.
Mind your health
One of the most unsuspected reasons why Mondays are such a drag is that we’re not as healthy as we could be. I mean, if you’ve spent the week-end enjoying your fave snacks and have officially broken up with the gym, chances are your Mondays will be quite rough.
Make your Mondays more productive by keeping up with your health. Whether it’s an earliy morning job, a mid-day walk, or a week-end fitness regimen, being healthier also means being more productive, especially on Mondays…
Recommended tools:
Sworkit: This app is perfect if you want to get healthy on the go and find an exercise routine that fits your lifestyle. You can easily fit it in on a hurried Monday morning too.
5dollarmeal.com: Get healthier by strategizing when it comes to what you eat. This meal planning site helps you create healthy meal plans.
The VitaminShoppe: Put your health first with the right vitamins to keep up your well-being and productivity
Headspace: Take care of your mental health by using this app. It helps you learn to mediate and guides you through the entire process.
Have something to look forward to
The best part of acing your Monday is rewarding yourself after it. You’ll be more motivated to win on Mondays if you know there’s something to look forward to. I usually set a reward for myself on a weekly basis, whether it’s mani/pedi, free time to read, or a new book…
Start your week with a reward in mind, and tackle your goals with gusto, on Monday!
Recommended Tools:
Tip Yourself: Reward yourself by saving money. You tip everyone else, so why not tip yourself when you reach your goals?
Ebates: Reward yourself with shopping that puts cash back in your pocket (you can try Ibotta too)
Now your turn: How do you turn your Monday into the most productive day of the week?
Have you ever wondered what it takes to find your very own perfect career? I mean, the career that fits you like a glove, one where your skills, strengths and talents are fully utilized, and where your weaknesses are being improved every single day?
Now enters Good&Co, aka “the job-hunting lovechild of e-Harmony and Linked In“. Think of it as your career matchmaker, to help you identify your professional persona, assess your dream companies’ fit, and provide you with the tools and resources you need to finally find career happiness. This unique app’s mission is to help employees and employers uncover your unique strengths. Based on a series of personas, from the humanitarian to the caretaker and the socialite, it works through a series of quizzes, including:
Your unique strengths
How you come across to others
What your spirit animal is
What your networking strengths are
What your approach to getting things done is
What kind of co-worker you are.
It took me years to realize that enjoying your career is actually possible, but (and this is a big BUT) you need to know where you fit first. And that all depends upon your own personal and professional growth, which can take quite a while to figure out.
When I first downloaded the Good&Co app, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. Note that Yet as I started taking the various quizzes, I ave to admit I was pleasantly surprised. The questions were on point, targeting areas about myself I hadn’t always been conscious of. Besides, the very process of answering these questions had me thinking about the evolution of my career until now, and where I want it to go next. Check out my profile personas below when I just started taking the quizzes:
And here’s how I come across to others, which was an eye opener for me as I tend to push myself too hard and get close to crashing afterwards (blame it on those sleepless nights writing term papers in college):
What I really like about this app is that it’s a constant work in progress. Each quizz uncovers a new feature which allows you to take even more in-depth assessments of yourself. My favorite feature is the CompanyFit feature which assesses how you fit with the companies of your choice. You can also start following those companies you’re interested in, and receive job posting notifications from them! Even better, you can now connect with people from these same companies! In addition, connecting your account to your Linked In, Google+ and Facebook accounts helps you add more to the mix as well.. And did I mention the ability to form teams in different disciplines, including Quality Assurance, IT Support, Logistics, Finance, Sales, etc…
There are not many things I would change about this app. However, if you’re not into quizzes or assessments, this may not be for you. But overall, if finding career happiness and owning the way you work is important to you, Good&Co is one of the best career companions you’ll find!
So connect with me on Good&Co and let’s share our individual results! Finding career happiness is a journey, and it’s best when taken together…
Good&Co App
Now your turn: Have you or will you be trying the Good&Co app?
PS: For this program, you will download the Good&Co app and complete the quizzes to discover your unique strengths. Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to download it as well so you can check your FitScore with them!You can find Good&Co on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Welcome to our weekend chat feature! Got something you want to chat about? Post it in the comments below…
Happy Memorial Day! I know you’re super excited about the long week-end, and so am I! Especially when sporting this bright, cheery off-the-shoulder dress from J. Crew. Love the laid-back look of this relaxed dress, perfect for summer week-ends!
What are you doing/wearing this Memorial Day week-end?
ITooAMHarvard – Photo credit: black enterprise.com
Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
Congrats, you’ve graduated! Now what? Ellevate Network shares a few tips on your post-graduation plan;
If you haven’t heard about the Harvard Black Graduation, Black Enterprise lists three facts to know about it;
Do you get easily distracted at work? The Muse lists the best apps for people who get easily distracted at work;
If you’re strapped for time, Glassdoor lists these 10 amazing companies that you can apply to in less than 10 minutes;
Hi entrepreneurs! Business Insider shares the “small business owners of the year”‘s best advice for entrepreneurs;
Business Insider lists 6 new clothing, footwear and handbag brands every professional woman should know;
Ask A Manager tells you how to put together a professional wardrobe without blowing your budget (check out Corporette‘s tips to save 90% off on your workwear too);
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Serious Eats lists some pretty yummy Memorial Day snacks, sides and dips.
I leave you with Oprah’s inspiring words at the 2017 Agnes College Commencement. I love my shoes, but she’s right:
Scandal’s 6th season just wrapped up a few days ago, and it’s just been announced that the show will end at Season 7 next year. I mean, saying that it’s bittersweet is an understatement…
Who’s going to give me all kinds of fashion goals and awaken my swagger onThursday nights again? And how can I ever get over the Olivia-President Fitzgerald romance being cut short? How am I supposed to handle all this “getting ready to say goodbye” stuff? I can barely make it through the airport, any airport, without crying with strangers about other strangers leaving them, as everyone’s looking at me wondering why this Black woman is hugging it out with the Polish family she’s never seen until two minutes ago…But I digress…
This is deeper than just spiritually parting ways with the confusing, sweet evil of Poppa Pope, while holding dear Mama’s Pope words in the season finale that so many Black women can identify with:
No, this is like hanging around with your girl crush for six whole TV seasons, and seeing yourself, for once, in a light you’re not often allowed to thrive in. It’s staring at your alter ego in her fierce face, as you rise in power inside all the while mumbling powerful affirmations like “It’s handled” of “No one takes Olivia Pope”.
But you already knew the revolution Olivia Pope has created for Black women everywhere. What you may not have suspected is how much it was (and still is) needed.
As a Black working woman in a world that may disqualify me from the get-go, sometimes, many times, all I need to handle the fear, the barriers, the opposition is an Olivia. Not as a fictional TV character inspired by a somewhat distant reality, but as a symbol of what CAN be.
When you can’t see in the eye of your mind what’s possible, you’re tempted to feed in to the negative rhetoric of society. To see yourself as the “angry Black woman”, the catty Black woman on reality TV, or the powerless Black woman and single mom on welfare. Because that’s what society and the media feed us, right?
But then… enter Black women like Olivia Pope, written into life by Black women like Shonda Rhimes, as Black women like you and I sit at the edge of our own stories and face all of our power. Not just the power to make it, to survive, to carry everyone on our shoulders, but the power to be at the top of our games, to be outrageously, ridiculously successful, to write the rules, our own rules, and never once apologize for it.
You know how they say “you’re pretty for a Black girl”, or “you did well for yourself for a Black women”? And everyone nods and pretends not to notice the invisible wall there…Well, Olivia handled that wall, she crushed it and then came back to show us what that looks like when Black women can rise to such outrageous heights History has to rewrite its own narrative…
This is not about beating the odds anymore. It’s about smashing them, grinding them to a pulp, and molding them like Play-doh into the most fabulous staircase to success. Bam!
“How does it feel to be the most powerful person in the world?” Cyrus asked Olivia in the last episode of Season 6. Notice he said “the most powerful person”, not the “most powerful woman”. And for once, it’s a woman, a Black woman, who has all that power, as she sits on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with a bottle of red wine and the outrageous sparkle of victory in her eyes…
So yes, I’m already mourning the end of “Scandal” and my Thursday night powerful pow-wows with my girl crush over some red wine and crazy tweets….So I’m preparing to do what we do when we have one last summer with the bestie, one last season with the girl crush, we get the wine ready and keep the best for last….
What about you? What are your thoughts on Scandal ending?
Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
