PTT: There's More to Life

Professional Tip Tuesday

Along with my degree in college, I received a Certificate in Philanthropy and Fundraising. I have a special place in my heart for philanthropic organizations. People put so much time, energy, and passion into something they care about.. what's not to like about that?

So I got the certificate, did some volunteering, and was involved in all sorts of organizations on campus. Unfortunately, that whole sentence you just read was in past tense. Since graduating, the extent of my community involvement is limited.

On a Volunteer Spring Break - Helping at a Wild Cat Refuge in Arkasas with a friend from my trip!

6 Ways to Find a Charity that You are Passionate About - Levo.com

When I saw this article pop up on Levo League today, it reminded me just how beneficial it is to be involved. If you can spare the time, a little philanthropic work can add so much to your life. Especially when the 8-5 grind can feel a little dull. 

But why get involved?

You are busy. I am busy. But finding that organization you want to be a part of can open so many doors. Here are my top 3 reasons to commit to an organization...

- Good for the soul-

This one is the obvious one. Volunteering can be kind of like working out. It can be hard to 'make' yourself do it, but you usually don't regret it once you get going. You end up feeling more energized and satisfied after you give back a little time. 

- Be more passionate-

Remember why I said I liked philanthropic organizations above? People who are volunteering love what they do. If you find an organization you can get behind, maybe you will discover some secret well of passion you didn't even know existed. Organizations are doing cool things every day to make a difference. It can be pretty empowering to be a part of that. And who knows, maybe you'll find something that really changes your path!

-The people- 

How do people make new friends and build a network? Common interests. If you become a part of an organization you are excited about, chances are you will meet other people that are just as excited. Being involved is one of the best ways to network. Who knows what opportunities could come out of it!

Where to begin..

So if you are ready to commit, idealist.org and volunteermatch.org are two great websites that let you search your community opportunities you are interested in. It definitely doesn't hurt to see what's out there! 

So what organizations have you been involved with in the past? Any advice? Comment below!

PTT: Healthy Hotel Habits

Professional Tip Tuesday
Remember my post back in February? Well I have come a long way since the desperate days of a Cup of Noodles and coffee stirrer chopsticks. It took me 6 months but I am getting into a groove of weekly groceries to stock my mini-fridge.

So while I am no expert yet, I wanted to share a few of my go-to groceries for breakfast, lunch, and dinners. These food ideas make it a little easier to stay healthy if you are living the frequent travel life. Here are the tricks of the trade:

First of all, commit.
- Commit to going to the grocery store if you are going to be staying in your hotel all week.
- Commit to buying the good stuff. Lots of veggies and foods that will keep you full.
- Commit to getting some supplies to make hotel-living and 'cooking a whole lot easier - Tupperware, dish soap, and a sponge can open a world of opportunities.

The foods.
- Think in terms of meals. What can you easily eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

• Breakfast - My hotel offers breakfast, so I am covered there. But if you are looking for an easy, healthy breakfast option, there are lots of good go-tos. 
• Try: Oatmeal, cereal, and maybe some fruit.
• Lunch - Packing a lunch isn't as difficult as you would think. Especially with that handy Tuperware!
• Try: Bagged chopped salads, peanut butter sandwiches, or a tuna wrap (sorry if you don't like tuna!). Pack some veggies or fruit on the side and you are set.
• Dinner - I usually keep it pretty simple for dinner. But keeping it simple actually makes it easier to stick to the healthy foods. 
• Try: Blackbean burgers (from the freezer aisle - not too bad!), steamable vegetables, avacado, and cottage cheese. ..I rotate between the veggies and cottage cheese to keep it interesting :)

                               

The extra effort.

- Water, water, water. I am a constant water drinker. I always have a water bottle with me. My newest thing is drinking bottle of water when I get up, before every meal, and during every meal. This is an easy way to slow down the snacking and feel more energetic throughout the day.

So what are your tips for staying healthy? Any other dinner ideas that I can add to my rotation? Comment below! 

PTT: Conference Call in Real Life

Hello, hello! I am happily working remote from a beautiful cabin in Wisconsin. I couldn't really afford to take the whole week off for vacation, so I decided to opt for two days where my 'office' consists of a deck looking onto a lovely lake.

My view on Monday from the 'office'

On the subject of working remote..
A lot of businesses today rely on being able to collaborate with the client, even when they cannot be in the same city (let alone the same conference room). There's no replacing the value of an in-person meeting. But business folk are making due with conference calls to meet with our managers, project teams, and clients.

But conference calls can be challenging. The average call is filled with awkward pauses, technical difficulties, and trouble focusing. Check out Conference Call in Real Life. It hilariously demonstrates the struggles that go into these virtual meetings.

So what's the trick to making a conference call as successful as possible?
1. Join early. 
- It just makes sense to try and be on for the whole meeting. It's no fun to try and catch up if you miss a portion of the call. And let's face it.. it's already hard enough to focus on a conference call. Besides, do you really want to be the beep interrupting the conversation 5 minutes into the call?

2. Can you hear me now?
- Try and find a good spot to take the call from. A good internet connection or cell service can make all the difference. It could be a total waste of everyone's time if there's a poor connection.

3. Tell 'em who. 
- Especially when on a call with people we don't talk very much, how often do you just know their voices? If you have something to contribute try and always start with "Hi this is _____." and then your idea.

4. Most importantly - Mute.
- This is a big one. Talk to anyone and one of the most annoying things that can happen on the conference call is a lot of unnecessary background noise. Don't be the one that forgot to mute their line.

What are your tips for communicating over conference calls? Comment below.

PTT: Is being on vacation 24/7 a job? How to avoid burnout.

Professional Tip Tuesday
4 days. 4 days until my first real vacation since I started working last July. Britt and I are heading to a lake in Wisconsin with his family - and I cannot wait to spend some quality time with some of my favorite people!

Between that, and an awesome weekend in Virginia Beach with my family.. it is almost impossible to get back into the workweek. I have been living for the weekends lately, and the weekdays are just dragging on.

Soaking up the beach life in Virginia last weekend.

Burnout is a real thing.
The Mayo Clinic describes it as, "a special type of job stress — a state of physical, emotional or mental exhaustion combined with doubts about your competence and the value of your work."

That is the opposite of what I want to be feeling right now. Okay. So that's a little dramatic for my current state of mind. But as a 20-something trying to figure out my passions in life, it's easy to get a little stressed about an entry-level job.

So needless to say, I read 5 Ways to Stop Getting Completely Burnout at Work at just the right time.All of these tips are great reminders to give yourself a little break and celebrate small accomplishments to get yourself back in the grove.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Focus on a single task.
• Although as a female I am very proud of my ability to multitask - forget trying to to do it on days you are feeling a little down. Plug in your headphones, listen to some motivating music, and power through.. one thing at a time.
• And while you are at it, start with the small things.
• Make a list of a few things you want to get done in a day. Tackle the easiest items first. It will make you feel so much better about the day just by being able to cross a few things off the list!
• When all else fails, get away from it all. 
• The article takes this one a little far, saying it's time to call it quits. But really even taking a few days to yourself can do the trick. Turn off your work phone, don't check your email, and just get away from it all. 

What are your tips for avoiding burnout? How do you help yourself feel rejuvenated and ready for the workweek? Comment below! 

PTT: Goal-Setting for the Millennial Mind

Professional Tip Tuesday
Why is goal-setting so scary? My very first annual review is coming up soon, and along with that - we have to set our 'annual imperatives'. Oh boy, am I struggling with this daunting task. Thinking about goals for too long could scare anyone.. at least a little.

But the 'millennial mindset' makes it even harder to form that 'What's next?' question into (the very intimidating) SMART goals. Our generation has constantly been told that we can do anything - so no wonder it's difficult to put all of those possibilities into a just a few goals!

So how can you set goals in your first year of the real world?
I have learned so much in my first year as a working gal. But a year doesn't make me a seasoned vet. I still have so much to learn - and all of it has to do with setting goals.

My ultimate career goal.
Access Dubuque asked what my dream job was at a college career fair. 

So when Goal-Setting has you down...
Think about what you are good at, and what you have done well.
     - If you think about what you have succeeded at in your job, it might help you figure out what you enjoy about your job. This gives you a great place to start. Personally, I want to work towards a goal that lets me do the things I like to do!

Think about things you are getting good at.
      - The tasks that you are just starting to master are great for goal-setting. It's something you are already excited about - so set a goal around it, and use it to your advantage!

Think about what your company wants.
     - Look at your company's mission statement and goals. Use these as inspiration and drop some buzzwords into your goals. This will help you to develop goals that align with what your company needs!

Something to remember: Writing a goal isn't the same as committing yourself to a career path. This has been a scary exercise for me because I don't know what my 'next steps' are yet. But just by keeping these tips in mind, along with making small and attainable goals - I am able to see this as a 'one step at a time' sort of thing. Most importantly - there's still plenty of time to use that millennial mind and do 100 different things :)

What are your tips for writing career goals? Comment below!

Tuesday Stuff

Hi guys, how are you? Remember me.. I am the girl that used to consistently post on this site. Sorry I kinda fell off the blogging-sphere this past week. I was home in Kansas City for a whopping 10 days - the longest I have slept in my own bed since January! And it will probably be that way for a while. As of yesterday, I flew back to Salt Lake City and won't be home again until mid-July.

The Highlights
So with this 40+ day stint ahead, I spent the past week laying low and packing in as many normal life things as possible. I have never appreciated things like grocery shopping more!

Lots of time with friends and lounging by the pool!

The week couldn't have started off more perfect - my best friend visited for Memorial Day Weekend! After weeks of hotel rooms and coworkers, there was nothing better than time with the people that know you best. We even fit in some pool time with a side of some delicious margaritas :)

Got a little crazy in the kitchen.

Like I said, I had a little too much fun at the grocery store. I loaded up on fresh foods and prepared for lots of cooking. It was great to actually use my kitchen - I made myself breakfast, packed a fresh lunch, and experimented with tasty new dinner foods. Britt and I got adventurous with homemade black bean burgers and tabbouleh! We used a super simple recipe and... it was (surprisingly) a success!!

Visited a few KC favorites.

It wouldn't have been a week at home without visiting a few of my favorite establishments in Kansas City.. and even checking out a few new places! I went to a movie (or two) at the Dine-In Alamo Draft House movie theater. Enjoyed a delicious Sangria at The Drop. Tried out the cutest Italian restaurant, Cupinis, for some amazing cuisine. And finally made it down to the jazz district in KC for some great live music and good food.

Feeling refreshed. So after a great week of being around friends and sleeping in my own bed - I am ready for more hotel rooms, work, and travel. This month is going to be a little chaotic, but I have lots of good summer plans to look forward to!

So onto the Tuesday stuff.. 

After an update like that, it's hard to get down to business - but I do want to share a little Professional Tip Tuesday good stuff. Someone special shared this awesome article with me and I have to pass it along: 10 Life Lessons to Excel in Your Thirties.

Everything  Mark Manson mentions in this article is valuable and makes you think. I loved every part of it! My (current) favorite is number 8 - "Nobody (still) knows what they're doing, get used to it". 

As I approach my year in the working world, my mind has been racing with the "What's next?" sort of questions. The author points out that this is pretty typical for people at every age. We are constantly meeting new people, reading about the 'next big thing', and exposed to jobs we never knew was possible. So it totally makes sense that our minds are always wandering!

I get a new big idea everyday! I think about career possibilities within my company, graduate school, what would make me happy.. oh, it never ends. Like he notes in the article, no one knows what's next. But it's exciting stuff. There are so many things out there in the world to daydream about!

So what 'life lessons' are you learning along the way? And back to the fun stuff, how was your Memorial Day weekend? Comment below!

PTT: Post Grad Thoughts

Professional Tip Tuesday

Dear Recent Grads, 

How are you feeling? Graduation weekend went by like a blur. And now here you are, in the 'real world'. It probably doesn't feel much different right now.. other than this sinking feeling in your stomach that things are about to change. 

But you have that diploma, and the world at your feet. There are so many things ahead of you as begin your post-grad journey. So, inspired by this roller-coaster of a year, I wanted to pass along this article - 10 Life Tips for New Graduates.

I survived the first post grad challenge - Embarrassing baby pictures at the graduation party.

I love the last tip the author mentions, "Enjoy this time of uncertainty." I am constantly embracing this in my post-grad years. There will be times of doubt, but it's all about figuring out what your passion is and growing along the way. Whether a full time job or grad school is in your future, here's to an exciting ride! 

Cheers, class of 2014! 

What's your biggest piece of advice for new graduates? Comment below!

PTT: Mother Knows Best

Professional Tip Tuesday
With Mother's Day just behind us, I have been thinking about all I have learned from my beautiful mother. Her bright spirit guides me every day and has made a huge impact on my accomplishments. Those lessons from Mom will take you far both personally, and professionally.

So this weeks Professional Tip Tuesday is an ode to my dear mother. Especially starting this new part of my life, the following traits have been a great addition to the workplace.

Mom, thanks for teaching me to smile. 
I don't think my mom ever stops smiling. Moms are good at that. No matter what's going on, they always seem to find something to smile about. This has been a great thing for me in the professional world. People appreciate happy people! A friendly smile will immediately make someone feel more comfortable.

My mom and I grinning from ear to ear when we met Dolly Parton at a Nashville truck stop.

Mom, thanks for  teaching me empathy.
This is big, and a huge add on to the smiling thing. It doesn't matter who you are talking to - strangers, acquaintances, or friends - making someone feel like you care about them in the moment is something special. After watching my charismatic mama all these years, I could strike up a conversation with a shoe. And you had better believe that shoe will get my undivided attention!

Mom, thanks for teaching me to get excited. 
Enthusiasm is one of the best qualities my mom could have passed down to me. Her dynamic personality is contagious. When she is excited, everyone is excited. This has been an awesome trait for my professional life so far. People feed off that energy in the workplace, so showing just the slightest bit of happiness can make you much more enjoyable to be around.

My mom has taught me some pretty cool stuff throughout the years. But sometimes you don't realize some of the most special characteristics until you are older. So thanks, mama, for all you do. I see more of your traits in me everyday.

And sending lots of love to all the moms out there. Where would we all be without you? 

P.S. We didn't really meet Dolly Parton. That was a cardboard cutout.. did I fool you? :)

What have you learned from your mom over the years? Comment below!

PTT: Real Friends

Professional Tip Tuesday
In almost every experience I have had, my work friends have become my best friends (see my ode to my O-Team friends here). From my high school days working at the movie theater, to my job with Iowa Orientation - I always end up wondering: How did that friendship happen?

Remember my Ode to my O-Team friends?

Let me tell you, I am a fairly bubbly and energetic person. I love meeting new people. And I thrive around my close friends. But put me in a room full of acquaintances, and sometimes I would prefer to curl up in the corner.

I just get so awkward and shy around those 'inbetweeners'. I hate fake conversations (i.e. the weather). And that's what you have to do with acquaintances. My problem is that I'm always worried about asking the right questions without feeling too nosy or overbearing.

How do you seal the deal on the move from acquaintances to friends?

That's the stage I am going through with my a lot of people on my project team. I really like them - but I just haven't figured out how to create a real friendship with them yet. So when I saw this article on Huffpost Women, I thought it offered some great ideas!

Here are the highlights of how to become more comfortable with acquaintances!
1. Be brave. 
- Asking questions isn't so bad. People like to tell you about themselves. It isn't offensive to ask them about more extensive topics than the weather.. at least that's what I am figuring out slow but sure! This is how you get to the good stuff - the stuff that truly creates a bond.

2. Potential friendships aren't as fragile as you think.
- This is something that's really hard for me. The minute I do something 'wrong' - I get 10x more awkward. It's the worst cycle. But the truth is, one thing can't ruin a potential friendship. Like the author says, a sincere apology can make all the difference!

3. Be yourself.
This last one, the most cliche, can be the most important for me. If I think back to those times when my acquaintances do become friendships - it's the moment that we can let go and completely be ourselves. Like the article said, don't try too hard to impress. People like real people.

My 'Real Friends'

My Orientation friends became my 'real friends' because of the kinds of efforts outline in that article. Work is a great way to bring people together - you all have a big thing in common. While getting to that next phase isn't easy.. it is definitely worth it. Those close friends in the workplace can make a huge difference!

How do you make that extra effort with acquaintances? Comment below!

PTT: My Personal Money Mint

Professional Tip Tuesday

A few weeks ago, I mentioned an article I found on Mint.com about credit cards in a post. That same day I went ahead and signed up for a Mint account. Why hadn't I ever signed up for it before?

Mint offers personal tracking for all of your bank accounts, credit cards, and bills. Basically your whole financial life can flow right into your 'Mint'.

This awesome website makes it easy to keep tabs on all of your finances. After you sign up, you can categorize your spending and 'trend' your expenses. With that, it allows you to make a budget and track your transactions all in one place.

The initial set up is easy! I've been periodically logging into my account and playing around a bit to start to get a feel for it. But I still have a lot to figure out on Mint. You can see below the Mint Goals page that I started looking at tonight!

The other really cool feature I am loving is the Weekly Financial Summary. Mint sends out an overview every week that includes a snapshot of your accounts and overview of your budget!

So if you are interested, I included a short video below that explains a little more of what Mint can do. This is a quick clip that gives you a little better idea of how beneficial Mint can be for personal finances!

How do you keep tabs on your money? Comment below!

PTT: Generations in the Workplace

Professional Tip Tuesday

One of my favorite topics to learn about is generational differences in the workplace. I happened to catch this Levo article today, "The 4 Generational Attitudes that Make Up the Modern Workplace". I think it's so interesting to read about how different age groups think things through  based on the society they grew up in.

So what are the typical working styles of generations in the workplace? And what's the best communication style?

• Traditionalist
• Born in or before 1945
• Strong work ethic, dedicated, and traditional values of authority and respect
• Communicate in a formal and direct manner, be respectful of authority.
• Baby Boomers
• Born between 1946-1964
• Competitive, personal fulfillment through achievement and accomplishment of goals
• Communicate in a way that recognizes their efforts, face-to-face communication is best.
• Gen X 
• Born between 1965-1979
• Loyal, self-reliant, entrepreneurial - value work-life balance and sense of family
• Communicate in a clear manner, explain why something is important, and give them space.
• Gen Y 
• Born between 1980-2000
• Multi-taskers, optimistic, ambitious, team-oriented and collaborative 
• Communication can be relaxed, and informal - embrace flexibility and praise good work.

Even from that brief description, you can see how these different communication styles can be very different. BUT you can also see all of the awesome qualities a diverse team could possess. A better understanding of where someone might be coming from and how they communicate can help foster more effective teamwork. 

Also, these categories obviously aren't a complete catchall. Just because someone might fit in the Baby Boomer slot, doesn't mean they can't work better in an informal and flexible work environment. But these traits give us something to think about in our workplace communication styles. 

P.S. I am including this video because I love Ted Talks - but it's only partially relevant to this post. Enjoy!

PTT: Travel Tips Tuesday!

Professional Tip Tuesday
It's not easy to get back into the swing of things after a weekend getaway. San Francisco was just a taste of vacation - but Britt and I were able to jam-pack so many fun things into just a couple of days! So since a little time away is just as important as work.. this week's Professional Tip Tuesday is:

Three tips for making the most of a mini-vacation!

1. Do your research. 
- Even just spending a little time looking into your destination spot will give you some fun ideas! Sites like Lonely Planet and Trip Advisor have lists of the top things to do with reviews. Britt and I checked quite a few of the items off of this Top 10 Highlights of San Francisco list!

Painting the Painted Ladies along Alamo Square Park.

2. Flexibly plan. 
- It's not like you want a strictly planned out vacation - but it makes the trip a lot more relaxing when you at least have some idea. As you find activities and events to add to your must-do list, start to figure out which days might work best.

We spent a lot more time than planned at the very best farmer's market.

3. Forget full price. 
- If you find a show, restaurant, or activity you want to do - don't get scared away by the price tag. Check discount websites like Groupon or my new favorite, Gold Star, for cheap tickets to top-rated events. Even just doing a quick search for the name of the event, plus the word 'discount' will probably get you a couple of hits. Britt and I found the Sunset Bay Cruise from my Favorites on Friday post on Gold Star for half the price!

A memento from our trip!

This definitely won't be the last travel tip Tuesday.. I am already anxious for the next weekend trip! So how do you get the most out of a short vacation? Comment below!

PTT: An April Fool's Sense of Humor

Professional Tip Tuesday
Happy April Fool's, everyone! I made it through the day, and only fell for one prank. BUT it felt like one of the cruelest office practical jokes ever.. someone said the coffee pot was broken.

How I felt when I thought there was no coffee.

While that wasn't my favorite joke of the day, we did have some fun at the office. A few good pranks can really brighten up the workday. So in honor of this jokesters holiday - today's tip is all about the importance of a sense of humor at work.

Why is a sense of humor so important? 
Culture is the buzz word of today's business world. Companies that have truly embraced this concept are some of the most successful. And what can make for a better company culture, than a fun-spirited office with a great sense of humor?

A great example: Zappos. This fantastic company has appeared multiple times on the Forbes "Best Companies to Work For" list. The company culture is driven by creativity and team spirit. It's easy to see that they know how to have a good time in this April Fool's video featuring a few good office pranks.

And for more fun.. dial Zappos Customer Service line at 1-800-9277671, and hit 5 for their joke of the day. Zappos wants to ensure their customers get a taste of that famous company culture too! I've had it saved in my contacts for a while now - it makes for a great afternoon pick-me-up :)

So how can a sense of humor at the office help you on a more personal note?
This Forbes article offers some great reasons to keep the good times rolling at the office. Not only does humor make the work day go a little faster, but it makes everyone feel more comfortable and collaborative.

Just make sure it's funny for everyone! :)

Any good April Fool's Day pranks strike your office? Comment below! And if you are already prepping for next year's revenge, here are a few good ideas for you.

PTT: Credit Card Chaos

Professional Tip Tuesday
Well folks, I have an update on the credit card conundrum. As I told you a few weeks ago, I am trying to take advantage of all of this travel and rack up on the rewards points.

Photo Credit: Petr Kratochvil, via Wikimedia Commons

So as I was trying to weigh the pros and cons of adding yet another credit card to my wallet..
2 major credit card questions had me worried.
     1. Is it ok to close old credit cards?
     2. How many credit cards is too many?

It is not easy to find straight answers to credit card questions. Everyone has an opinion, and Google searched are overwhelming. But I finally hit the jackpot. Have you heard of www.mint.com? It's a free website that helps you keep tabs on your finances. They also have a great blog with lots of articles that cover all sorts of topics!

So here's what I found out... 

1. Is it ok to close old credit cards? 
• Yes. According to the article 6 Credit Myths That Refuse to Die, "Not only do closed credit cards still factor in the age related metrics of your credit scores, but they even continue to age after they’ve been closed."
2. How many credit cards is too many?
• Personal preference. It doesn't matter as long as you keep a low balance on all of them. The article How Many Credit Cards Should You Have? pointed out that it might be good to diversify with different kinds of cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc).

Those articles helped me to better understand the ins and outs of credit cards. I applied for my second rewards credit card. But just to be safe - I am only using it for my business trips, and paying it off in full every month. What credit card tips do you have? Comment below! 

PTT: What's in a name?

Professional Tip Tuesday
I am terrible at remembering names. I think everyone feels this way. Except for the lucky ones that have a special knack of always nailing it.. How do they do it?

It has to be one of the worst feelings: minutes after being introduced and blanking on a person's name.

Here's how it usually goes: 1) Meet someone new, 2) Introduce yourselves, 3) Focus on making a good impression 4) Say Hi! It's so nice to meet you! 5) Totally forget what their name was 30 seconds later.

Especially when meeting a new business associate, it's one of those things that can make a huge difference in your relationship. Think about it. When you do something for some one.. which goes further: "Thank you" or "Thank you, Anna"

I know which one would make me feel more special and like that person is truly recognizing me (not just the monotonous task I just did).

The best of the best.
After doing some research, I found two Forbes articles that give a few tips and tricks that I am excited to try:
- The Five Best Tricks to Remember Names
- Tired of Forgetting Names? Try These Tricks

But even with these tricks.. sometimes I set myself up for failure. I get so caught up on making a good impression (showing a big smile, seeming genuine, perfecting the handshake, etc.) that I forget to even THINK about these kinds of tricks before meeting someone new.

• So give yourself a chance. I actually put a reminder on my calendar before an upcoming meeting. I know I will be meeting lots of new people and I want to be consciously thinking about remembering names.

And if all else fails.. it's not the end of the world. So you forgot their name? Life will go on. Number 3 on the second Forbes article includes how to "Recover When Memory Slips".

What do you think? How do you remember names when meeting new people? Comment below!

PTT: Conquer the Tuesday Blues

Professional Tip Tuesday
Who likes Tuesdays anyway? I'd say they are the worst day of the work week. Monday usually isn't as bad as I think it will be. Wednesday is HUMP DAaaaY. Thursday is Friday Eve. And Friday is FRIDAY, finally!

But what do Tuesdays have going for them? ...Other than Professional Tip Tuesdays of course! :)

By Tuesday, the work week is in full swing. And Friday is too far away to be hopeful yet. If there was a study done, I bet most 'bad days' fall on Tuesdays.

I was having one of those days today. Everything was just a little harder than it should have been.

Well, lucky me.. I found an article today on HuffPost Women that can help ya beat any 'down' day. "What To Do When You're Feeling Defeated" offers 6 great ideas for putting things in perspective.

So for this week's Professional Tip Tuesday, I will summarize a few - but click the link above to check it out for yourself!

1. Make a list! 
- Do you ever feel overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings on those 'off days'? I do! It makes it really hard to get back on track and be productive. 

• Write down everything that is bothering you. Ed Catmull says getting it all out will allow you to see that a long list of 'problems' can be combined into a couple big things.
• I totally believe in this one. Writing down what's on your mind helps to put things in perspective. Sometimes our brains go a little wild, and can turn a little problem into a daunting irrational fear.

2. Pick a productive hobby. 

- Do you ever lay in bed at night and think, What did I even do today? Especially in this technological world, it's easy to zone out on Pinterest and watch Netflix all day long.

• Find something that you enjoy and allows you to see results. At the end of the day, you will have something tangible that YOU did.
• I picked up knitting this year. It seemed like the perfect, after-work relaxation technique and I couldn't figure out why it was that great. Now I know, after a night of knitting - I can see progress. I feel like I accomplished something in the day

3. But wouldn't (little) you be proud? 

- So it's been a bad day. But that doesn't change all of my other accomplishments and good fortune- big and small!

• I love this one. The author asks, "What would 6-year-old you think?" 6-year-old me would be pumped! I am doing juuust fine. Good friends, lots of adventures, and I could have pancakes every Sunday morning if I wanted! 
• Even though, the author's comment about being able to get a puppy whenever I want is a sore subject... iiii wish. Someday, 6-year-old-self.

I'll let you read the article for the rest of the goods! But I thought those were some fun tips worth sharing. How do you get over your Tuesday Blues? Comment below!

And here's to a Happy HUUUMP DAAaaaY! 

PTT: Everybody's Workin' for the Weekend!

Professional Tip Tuesday
Everybody's workin' for the weekend! Okay, hopefully not everybody. I was though. I had to work 12 hour night shifts Saturday and Sunday in Los Angeles. It wasn't so bad. I literally didn't think I was going to make it. I haven't pulled an all-nighter in a while. But I survived.

You will never guess what happened on my way.. Since there were some crazy rain storms happening in Cali this past week, my 8AM connecting flight from Oakland to LA was canceled. Along with almost all of the morning flights.

View of San Francisco right before I landed for my 12 hour day at the Oakland airport. 

The Southwest agents got me on an afternoon flight. I spent the day working from the terminal. As boarding approached, I heard a very important announcement: "Ladies and Gentleman, we have oversold the flight and are looking for a volunteer to take a later flight."

That was my cue. I ran up to the service desk as quickly as I could. Why? 1. I was already going to miss the meetings that day. 2. I knew that Southwest compensates very well for those 'volunteers'.

The perfect weather for sleeping after a long 6PM-6AM shift.

I don't get lucky very often, but when I was the first person up at the ticket counter - I felt like I won the lottery! So I made it to rainy-Los Angeles a little later than expected.. BUT I got a $300 voucher + the cost of my first flight.. a little over $500 for a future Southwest ticket. Woohoo! :)

So ideally, no one really wants to work over the weekend. But sometimes it's inevitable. My good fortune reminded me there are always positives to undesirable situations!


So today's Professional Tip Tuesday - Lessons learned from a working weekend.

1. Have time on your side.
- Even if it doesn't end in a nice voucher, travel is made a lot less stressful when you have plenty of time to spare. My situation wasn't so bad thanks to a flexible schedule!

2. Take a number. 
- Put the important contact info in your phone just in case your travel plans go awry. This makes it much easier to coordinate schedules.

3. Bond with coworkers. 
- A weekend work trip is a great way to get to know your colleagues. Learn more about what they do in the company. It is a good learning opportunity and helps the time pass quickly!

4. Be thankful. 
- Thank the clients, coworkers, and whoever else you interact with during your trip. Not only is it a nice gesture, but you never know when those contacts come in handy!

5. Ask for a comp day.
- Most importantly, I am all about work-life balance! I traveled back-to-back from one client to another and will be gone for 3 weeks. It won't hurt to ask for a little time to relax :)

How do you make the most of a working weekend? Comment below!

PTT: The 2:00 Slump

Professional Tip Tuesday

Dear Professional Tip Tuesday,

Do you have/have you heard of any solutions for fighting the afternoon slump? I always get SO TIRED around this time and sometimes either I don’t want to drink coffee/it doesn’t do it for me.  Any suggestions?

Sincerely,

Falling asleep and drooling at her desk 

Optimistically Anna happily received this question in my email inbox today, and decided this would be a great tip for today. Everyone has been there! After lunch the hours just seem to drag on and on.

So I did a little research and found a few fantastic ideas for beating the 2:00 slump!

1. Move it! 

- Whether it's to fill up your water bottle, or a trip to the bathroom - stretching your legs might just do the trick. 

- And what about Office Chair Yoga? I happened to this in a Yahoo article and had to include the link for any interested yogis out there :) 

2. Water, water, water! 

- As Falling asleep and drooling at her desk mentions, coffee doesn't seem to help her. Sometimes my dear friend coffee doesn't help me either. But WATER seems to be a secret energizer. 

- This may sound silly - but if I am feeling especially drowsy, I 'challenge' myself to drink a whole bottle of water in so many minutes. It gives me something to focus on and makes me feel wide awake!

3. Snack attack!

- Keep some almonds or dried fruit handy for that dreaded afternoon hour. They will give you a burst of energy. 

- An extra tip with that one: If you are like me, and could eat a whole container of something if it was in front of you - pack little snack bags with just enough to keep you going strong! 

What tips do you have for staying alert through the afternoon hours? Comment below! 

PTT: Save Money & Stay Healthy While Traveling

Professional Tip Tuesday
I have a confession to make. Last Thursday, I was feeling discouraged by the amount of money I have had spent on food during my recent travels. So I took it as a challenge. I decided I didn't want to spend more than $5 on dinner that night.

This challenge is how I hit an all time low. 

My only
'cooking appliance'

It was pouring rain, so my plan to run down to the cute cafe down the street was a no-go. And let me tell you, there is no way to do room service on $5. So I walked down to the hotel gift shop and saw the answer to my problems - a Cup of Noodles.

Cup of Noodles = Desperation at it's finest. But it gets even worse. 

I threw some water in the little single-cup coffee brewer in my hotel room. Following the "Cooking Directions", I filled Styrofoam cup with the hot water. ...I am not making that up. The 3-steps to making the Cup of Noodles are seriously titled 'Cooking Directions' on the package.


So here's where it gets bad: After my gourmet meal was ready, I realized I did not have a fork. Uh oh. Time to get creative...  

Those 'chopsticks' are actually coffee stirrers - not my proudest moment.

While I am partially impressed by my thriftiness, that was a one-time only ordeal. So this week's Professional Tip Tuesday is what I did differently this week and how it helped me save money and be healthier...

1. I packed a water bottle. 
- I realized I do not drink nearly enough water when I am traveling. This time, I saved room for my water bottle so I would be sure to stay hydrated. Especially when traveling, drinking plenty of water will help keep you feeling healthy.

2. I found food that travels well.

I remembered plastic silverware this time too!

- I stopped by the grocery store and got a little creative before my flight on Monday (pictured below). I almost forgot how delicious an apple and peanut butter can be - these little peanut butter cups are so convenient! Also this oatmeal with flax seed is tasty and filling!
**A grocery store near your hotel is a lifesaver.

3. I read: "Don't be tempted by the menu"
- It's inevitable. That food stash won't be enough and I will have to eat out. I loved the advice in this US News article: Order something standard, like a sandwich or a salad without even opening the menu. ..But don't forget to treat yourself every now and then! :)

So how do you stay healthy on the road? Comment below!

PTT: Load Up on the Rewards!

Professional Tip Tuesday

Here I am, back in beautiful Salt Lake City this week. On my evening flight in last night - I received an unexpected compliment. ...Well I considered it a compliment. The gentleman sitting next to me said, "Hey with all of your organization and use of gadgets, you must travel all the time." Eeek. Like I said in my last post, I am definitely still a frequent-travel-newb.

At least I give off the vibe that I know my stuff!

Morning view from the hotel!

So my latest traveling tip for this week?

Load up on rewards cards! And if you can afford it / feel comfortable - sign up for a credit card to take full advantage of the points. 

I have been debating the 'right' way to do credit cards for a while. It can be so overwhelming! You don't want too many credit cards, but you also need to establish credit too. 

One of my original credit cards is a store visa card. It was a really great idea as I was stocking up on my professional wardrobe. The rewards are great and there aren't any annual fees. But now I feel like it's time to get a credit card that I can get even more out of. 

Since I know I will be traveling quite a bit - I decided to look into airline and hotel rewards cards. After some research.. ding, ding, ding - Southwest was the winner for me.

What to consider when thinking about a rewards credit card: 

1. Be aware of annual fees and charges. 

- Make sure it is actually worth the rewards. You don't want to be surprised by any hefty fees or extreme annual charges. I wouldn't completely rule it out - Southwest does have an annual fee. But the particular rewards I am getting will outweigh that cost.

2. Understand on how your points add up. 

- How much are the points worth? And how many points do you need to even reap the rewards? For Southwest, $1 = 1 point. If I am spending it with Southwest, I get 2 points! And especially since I will be purchasing lots of flights, the actual rewards will hopefully add up quickly. So when considering a card, be sure you know how your points add up. 

3. Consider what rewards you will actually use.

- My first credit card seemed too good to be true with the awesome rewards. But I just don't use the rewards as much as I thought I would. 

What companies are you loyal to when you are traveling? Comment below!