PTT: Eat Smart at Work

Professional Tip Tuesday
A colleague and I decided the Freshman-15 in college is a joke. It's more like the Young Professional 15.

I think figuring out a personal healthy lifestyle is just as much as an adjustment as everything else. It's something I am still working hard to figure out. And with the holidays approaching, it's top priority on my list of New Years Resolutions.  

                                

Step 1 for me is eating healthy - and that can be a huge challenge during the workday. Between on-the-go lunches, snacking like crazy, and traveling, it can be tough to make good choices. Below are a few tips I have found and try to do myself. 

• Pick a sensible, but filling breakfast. Fix yourself something to get your day started off right. I am not too hungry when I first wake up - but I don't want to skip the most important meal of the day. I usually bring something that's easy to eat at the office. 
• My go-to is oatmeal. I just pack some of the dry oats in a little baggie with a pinch of brown sugar. Whenever I get hungry, I toss it into a cup and pour in some hot water. Another easy thing I have done is an egg bake if I have time on Sunday. For that just mix a few eggs, load in the vegetables, and throw it in a casserole dish - just bake on 350 and you are set for the week! 

• Structure your snacks. It can be easy to get carried away with the snacking during the day. I know I do it. Sometimes you just want to munch on something while you are working! But it's much better to pack a little snack bag of something that gives you energy and is filling. 
• I usually pack unsalted almonds, a granola bar, or apples and peanut butter. I give myself 2 mini snack bags for morning and afternoon. And as an added bonus, those snacks also help the day go a little faster!
• Pack your own lunch. Try and bring a lunch as much as possible. If you plan out your meals in advance, you have more control over what you are eating and portion size. If you are anything like me, whenever I buy my lunch at the cafeteria I feel like I should eat it all! 
• There are lots of easy, healthy lunch recipes all over the internet - check out Pinterest for inspiration. Here's a link to a bunch of quick options from The Food Network: Healthy Eats! 
• But do you really deserve a treat? One of my biggest downfalls is the "I have been working hard and deserve a treat" mentality. Avoid the vending machine and try and to control the urge. A Brazen Life article refers to these as the "cost free calories" - we tend to think those calories don't count because we 'earned' it. The author said, do what you need to do to break that mentality! 
• The author of that article says, "find a way to remind yourself of your health goals". Whether it's a sticky note on your desk or a having a 'buddy system' with a co-worker to help you resist, do your best to not indulge all the time. **Of course we do need a little sweet treat every now and then - don't totally deprive yourself! Just make it more of a special occasion sort of thing :)

Work accounts for a huge portion of your day. Being a little more conscious of what we eat at work can help significantly control a healthy lifestyle! So what are your tips for eating healthy in the workday? Comment below. 

PTT: Effective Note Taking

Professional Tip Tuesday
On Friday I celebrated a very special birthday. It wasn't a particularly exciting number. I didn't do anything extremely out of the ordinary. But it was special just the same.

In the days leading up to December 6th, 2013, instead of preparing for a birthday bash I was planning a mini-pity-party. I was sure the first grown up birthday was going to be a bust. Silly me.

Good friends helped be ring in the birthday.

Every birthday I get this overwhelming feeling that I am the happiest and luckiest I have ever been. But then it happens again 365 days later. And that wasn't any different this year. Even in this new stage in life, I felt so loved. I am a thankful girl. 

Anyhow, how is everyone's week going? I have been helping out with a client event this week which made yesterday and today go incredibly fast.

My job this week has been to take notes. Sounds super glamorous doesn't it? Actually, it's not a bad gig. I just switched to a new team a few weeks ago - and it's been great way for me to learn more about our process.

This week's Professional Tip Tuesday is short and sweet.. something that has really helped me out the past couple of days!

Template for taking great meeting notes.

There is a true value to being able to take good notes. I was happy to receive serious kudos for my note-taking the past couple of days. I asked a few co-workers how they take effective notes before I started and I can't tell you how much it helped me.

So below is a 'template' for what to include on your next set of meeting notes. This is great whether the notes are for yourself or for others. There's a secret to effective notes: After your general notes, review what you wrote, and create another 'Meeting Snapshot' in a new section. This final section is to call-out the most important points from the meeting. Here are the sections I found most helpful!
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• Team specific follow-ups: 
• Use this are for the most important items from the meeting for you (or the person you are taking the notes for) to follow up on soon after.

• Decisions: 
• Keep track of the big decisions that were made during the meeting.

• Tabled Conversations:
• In this section call out topics that need further discussion. This will serve as a good reminder of what subjects need to be brought up in the next meeting.

• Additional Uncovered Information:
•  I made this section to list important, extra information that might be uncovered during the meeting. It may not be a follow-up, but more of a 'good to know' piece.

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These sections will make it much easier for anyone to scan them quickly. It also helps when you looking back at meeting notes to review. What are your tips for taking effective notes? Comment below! 

PTT: To repair or not to repair?

Professional Tip Tuesday

I decked out my Lucky Bamboo for the holidays.

Who else is counting down until Christmas? It's just a few short weeks away. As I write this, I am drinking hot cocoa and watching The Santa Claus (one of my holiday favs!).

Even tough I am giddy about the holiday season - I did have a little misfortune this past weekend. My poor 2003 Chevy Cav hasn't been doing so hot. This is nothing new. I haven't been in an accident - yet I have gone through 3 cars since I started driving. As you can imagine, those 3 cars have racked up a number of repair bills.

So the I'm-an-adult-now question of the day is: How do you know when to keep putting money into repairs, and when do you give in and buy a new car?

I have been doing my research - and a great website to utilize is edmunds.com. This site is loaded with info on everything you need to know when making these big decisions. I found an article weighing out pros and cons of getting a new car.

I was hoping to put this huge life step off for a year or two while I get my big-girl-finances figured out. But I have to think about what will be more cost effective in the long run. So after doing some research, here is some food for thought for anyone in my position.

The repair bill is almost always cheaper than a car payment.
 - It's not just the new car you will be committing to.. a new car means more expensive insurance, and license and registration depending on the state.

Time and energy is something to keep in mind. 
- A reliable car can hold a lot more value when taking into account the time I have spent in repair shops and making ride arrangements. Constantly worrying about what's next in my car repair saga adds a whole new level of stress.

New vs. New to me. 
- A new car will lose 20-30% of it's value when you drive it off the lot. A lot of articles advocate for buying a used car. The trick is, buying a used car that is certified and still under factory warranty.

Know what you have to offer.
- If you do begin the looming task of car shopping, go in with confidence. I have my car as a trade-in for the down payment, I am a first-time car buyer, I have a steady income, and pretty good credit. The dealerships want your business - so play your cards right!

These were the things that really stuck out to me. I am still on the fence when it comes to the future of my Chevy Cav. If you have bought a new or used car recently, what was your experience? What advice do you have? Comment below!

PTT: Appreciating Your Job

Professional Tip Tuesday
There's a big myth that's circulating our society and tricking soon-to-be-graduates everywhere: The transition from college to the real world is easy-peasy. Hah!

Everyone is concerned about the transition from high school to college being tough. I took a "College Transition" class my freshman year. So where is that for the transition to the real world? That was just as traumatic to me!

Sad to not be in college anymore.

As much as I am loving the exploration and excitement of this new adventure.. sometimes it can make it hard appreciate my first real job. But there is a reason I chose this company. So I loved reading this article on "How to Spark Your Passion at Work Again".

It's not the easiest to transition from college to the real world - but finding little ways to enjoy your job can make it a whole lot more fun. And the best news? Everything is a learning experience. 

The author gives you some great ways to revamp excitement for your current career path. Check it out and let me know what you think.. Comment below!

PTT: The Modern Professional Dress

Professional Tip Tuesday
Professional dress is a complicated thing. As a college student, dressing up consisted of a nice crew neck sweatshirt and a cute scarf. Maybe a pair of earrings to accessorize if I was feeling particularly dressy that day.

But after 4 months in the business world, I am still questioning my professional wardrobe everyday.

It seems like men can throw on a nice shirt and a pair of khakis, and be good to go. Women have to put a lot more thought into their wardrobe. I actually thought I was getting the hang of it until the season changed.. Then it was game over and I had to start from scratch.

I have read all sorts of articles on how women today should dress professionally. What I've taken from them? A headache. Mixed messages about the do's and don't's of dressing conservative vs. modern.

So how can modern professional women appropriately dress for success today?

While this doesn't answer all the wardrobe questions, here are 3 tips that are a sure bet.
1. Follow the leader. - Dress to your office culture.

• Pay attention to how your co-workers (and superiors!) dress and mesh their styles with yours.
• My office has a jeans business professional dress code. Something I have noticed? People really push it with casual dress. So a pro-tip with this one is, keep in mind the old adage: Dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Try and stay a step ahead of the dress code.

2. Be comfortable, be confident. - Wear something that's feels like you. 

• The more comfortable you are, the more confident you will be in what you are wearing. 
• Keep Tip #1 in mind, but don't forget to add some of your personality into your outfit. I love a big warm, cozy sweater in the winter. And it can work with a nice blouse and a pair of slacks to keep it professional!

3. Shop smart. - Make it more simple.

• Could you tell I am a little jealous of guys that can pull together their professional wear in no time at all? Well we can make it a little easier on ourselves with the same approach. 
• Stock up your closet with the core pieces. A couple neutral slacks, cardigans, and maybe a blazer or two will allow you to throw on a professional outfit in a hurry. Plus these pieces almost guarantee to keep an outfit looking classy!

If you are interested in what sparked this Professional Tip Tuesday, check out this article on Levo.com: Can Women Ever Win When it Comes to Style at Work? It seems like a silly thing to add stress to a woman's workday. But I guess I'm not alone in feeling the daily pressure of finding a balanced, business professional look that comes off just right to those around me.

The clothes in a young professional woman's closet should not stand in the way of her success. So how do you dress like a modern, young professional woman? What's your office style? Comment below!

PTT: Tell Me About Yourself

Professional Tip Tuesday
Every interview I have been in starts with: "Tell me about yourself." I counted, and I have been in 15+ interviews. It should be a piece of cake by now, but when it comes to that question I usually freeze up and just stammer through the basics.

The answer should be concise and packed with relevant information. It's easy to neglect this question when preparing for an interview - but as with everything, practice makes perfect. After you do your research, keep the tips below in mind and practice, practice, practice!

There are a couple of reasons why this question is so important.
     1. It is the interviewer's first real impression of you as a candidate.
     2. It allows you to summarizes how you are a good fit for the job.

So how can you nail these two points when you are answering this question?

Meet the generic interviewer: Mr. Word-Art

How to rock the first impression.
- Confidence is key.

• AVOID: Between being nervous and trying to stall, it's easy to start with, "Well... I am... Umm, I did.." You can definitely recover from this, but it's not the best start.
• INSTEAD, DO THIS: Start off strong. Presenting yourself with certainty will not only show the interviewer that you are comfortable - but you will also feel more comfortable moving on in the interview.

- Show off your uniqueness.

• AVOID: Giving the generic answer. It's far too easy to tell them the same general overview they can pick up from scanning your resume. 
• INSTEAD, DO THIS: Tell them something interesting that will make you standout. You can still tie in that general info if it makes sense or seems to fit - just don't make it the focus of your answer. "During my time at College X, I got involved with..."

How to prove you are a good fit.

- Highlight the right experiences. 

• AVOID: Uniqueness can be tricky. Telling them about a special certification or an interesting skill is great - but only if it's relevant to the position. Something that is unique about me is that I can wiggle my ears, but that probably isn't going to help me in an interview.
• INSTEAD, DO THIS: If you are applying for a sales position, talk about a time or an experience that makes you a great salesperson. More specifically, pick an example that compliments the company and/or the position. 

- Tie it all together with a nice, little bow. 

• AVOID: Sometimes people lose what they are saying as they are answering interview questions and trail off. It can be difficult to end strong after a monologue about yourself.
• INSTEAD, DO THIS: Connect the dots. The best way to end your answer is to tie it all together. Why does this experience make you a good fit for this company? HOw is everything you just said relevant to the employer? You can even say, "So with my experience with X, I am excited about the opportunity to be here today because of everything your company is doing with Y."

Answering "Tell me about yourself" confidently can give you a great footing for the rest of the interview. How do you make the most of this question? Comment below. 

PTT: Professional Prince Charming

Professional Tip Tuesday
In the book, Ask For It!, Linda Babcock talks about her experience advising graduate students. One day, a group of female students walked into her office and asked why only male graduate students got to teach their own courses.

Linda immediately contacted the dean. She found out the male students asked to teach the course. Female students never did and therefore, never got the opportunity.

Women do not typically call out their hard work or accomplishments. But if we don't advocate for ourselves, who will?

Little Princess Anna Faye

On a slightly unrelated note, I loved fairy tales when I was a little girl. My parents even told me a large birthmark on my right shoulder was the sign of a real princess. So I felt an extra special connection to Snow White and Cinderella growing up.

But with my girl-power-we-can-do-anything attitude, I never fully bought into that whole damsel in distress/Prince Charming thing.

So I really loved Sallie Krawcheck's idea that women work hard and expect their Professional Prince Charming to come to their rescue. In her comparison, she said we expect our prince (manager) to see our efforts and give us the praise and promotions we think we deserve.

Unfortunately there isn't always a happy ending if we don't work for it ourselves. This week's Professional Tip Tuesday is:

How to advocate for all of your handwork. 




Now do not be fooled, friends. I don't have this down yet. But here are 4 tips I have picked up on so far.

1. Be friendly. 

• Think about how often you rant to your friends about how much you did at work. If you are comfortable with your coworkers and supervisors, it will be much easier to say "Hey, look at all of the stuff I did!"

2. Get over that impostor syndrome. 

• Congrats,  you are a rockstar and you got where you are because of all of your hard work and efforts. Your resume, references, and interview proved it. The only one doubting you is you. Don't forget that. 

3. Take note.

• The reason women don't usually say anything is because they either don't feel like it was enough OR they don't want to brag. When I am giving my supervisor the run-down of what I accomplished that day, I realize how helpful I have been and they usually do too.

4. Make it known. 

• Tell your manager about great performance, praises, and your end-goals. Even if your Professional Prince Charming is out there, he/she probably isn't a mindreader. Help them help YOU and tell them what they need to know. 

Be your own Professional Prince Charming and let people know how much you do. It's not the easiest thing, but these tips are a great start. What do you do to advocate for yourself in the office? Comment below!