Lights, Camera, Accessories.......

Brrrrrrrrrrr!  It's cold outside and when I'm dressing for work it is my goal to stay warm and look professional.  One way to do that is to have my accessories ready to grab and go.  I've sorted my scarfs by color and size for easy access. I keep two pair of tights in each color ready wear and I don't have to really think about it. Below are the items that are a must have in the winter months to make  a great work outfit and to keep you warm too!

1. Leggings or tights in brown, black, grey and blue, 2. A third piece, a vest, scarf or sweater, AND  3. Boots (last season I said riding boots, but this year I going to go with just boots.  And remember there is no sparkle overload.  Just sparkle, layering on the arm party.

2.  Animal print and calf hair is everywhere and jewel tones are fun too:  Ruby, Emerald and my favorite is Teal.  Fun, fun, fun. .

Now, let's talk about the scarfs:  I'm sharing 6 ways to wear them below.

1. The European Knot - Around the neck.
2. Hat around the neck and tuck into your coat.
3. Hang loose - possible knot in the front.
4. Loose around the neck with a vest.
5. Over a dress as a wrap because of the air on your shoulders
6. Through a belt. 


My scarfs are not itchy, baby blanket soft and not heavy.  Layer these items on to give you the creative edge you need to make a classy wardrobe statement everyday.

Fresh Hot Coffee

Write it down and make it happen

I have been a way for quite a few months.  I've been working my business and as well studying and have not been able to post as I would like to have done.  I've decided to write it down as a goal and now here I am posting.  Writing it down is not about time management.  It is not a to do today list that will make you feel guilty if you don't get every single thing done.  Rather, writing it down is about clearing your head, identifying want you want and setting your intent.  You can only retain about seven things at one time in your head is what research says.  You can "make it happen" by believing in the possibility.  Once you state your goal in writing, the rest of the world can cooperate with your ambition from career goals and major moves to waking up in the morning happy.  Write it down " I wake up in the morning with a sense of joy"  Try it because it works.  "I will not allow anyone and I mean any upset my day."  I will register for school this week and what about booking that dream vacation .  Do it now... write it down and MAKE it happen.

Happy goal setting.  
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Secrets in the work place

Secret #1 – Think Big

·         Present and pursue bold initiatives

·         Pursue Business success on a large scale –it the only success worth pursuing

·         Be willing to challenge the status quo.

·         Overcome complacency

·         Launch, define, and operate your business and your career in a way that continually shatters people’s preconceptions.

·         Remember: People have a way of making room at the table for big thinkers.

·         Realize that small ideas rarely lead to large accomplishments.

·         Don’t forget that time is tight in today’s business environment.

·         Learn to imitate other notably successful entrepreneurs. 

Secret #2 – Show the Competition No Mercy

·         Identify and neutralize your company’s competition and your own competition.

·         Pay attention to both internal and external competition in the business world.

·         Remember, in the world of the high achiever, competition is a rule of life.

·         Learn what must be done in order to outperform other people and other institutions.

·         Never forget that your goal is to become a leader.

·         Don’t hold grudges.

·         Focus on the best ways to win.

·         Know that internal competition is what makes high-level external competitions possible.

·         Don’t concentrate exclusively on helping your team, but rather on helping yourself and your team. 

Secret #3 Defend Yourself Aggressively

·         Don’t expect others to defend you.

·         Remember, life in the business world is not always fair.

·         Study the competition, look at all the options, and think your plans through ahead of time.

·         Expect others to notice your ability to respond effectively to situations,

·         If you’re under attack, step forward and state your case.

·         Hone the ability to provide a reasoned, well-articulated, and impassioned defense of what I believe in.

·         Don’t expect attacks to disappear by letting them go unanswered.

·         Forget about “rising above the fray,” ignoring charges that do not deserve a response” and “letting others do the fighting.”

Public Speaking

Can you identify with this scenario?   I have averaged maybe two speaking engagements a year and these were not even paid engagements. I had never handled my speaking career in a professional manner.  Everything was catch-as-catch can, word-of- mouth, seat of the pants.  I had my niche, but I never promoted myself.  I never called or emailed to thank a client afterward.  I never even kept track of what I'd done for each group that I spoke to. 

How will I change it? I decided that if I'm a public speaker and I have a message to share that I need to get serious and be professional about what I'm promoting.  I've decided to contact a free local newspaper and ask the editor to publish a story about me.  Whew!  Big move and a bit scary.  An article all about me.  Yes, me and what I have to offer. I am ready, I have what it takes and the universe needs to see me back in action.  I'll going to check back in six months to evaluate personal my progress. 

.More about insight, drive and focus in my next post.  I'm off to get another cup of  Joe.  See you at the meeting.

 

Allies

There are a few things that an ally in the work place does for you:

1. They help you realize that you are not alone.
2. They offer constructive feedback.  They can point out things you might be doing or not doing.
3. They help you strategize everything from your next project to your next position. 
4. They provide access to information. 

Women should not shy away from making connections with each other.  Men do it all the time on the golf course or even over Scotch.  Building alliances with other women is most helpful.  It takes courage to take the time to connect with another woman and get to know her.  Keep in mind that these alliance are about career building, not about snaggin another girlfirend.  Keep it professional.

Leader without having authority

Another Tennessee Summit has come and gone, whew!  This year it was suppose to be a "mini" summit and it blossomed into a full blown summit.  It is amazing when your audience wants more of what you are offering.  We used the blocks in the functional areas for the necessary training needed that has not been available to the campus.

When you think about it this is one of the only opportunities the functional/technical areas have been able to get together for collective coordinated training throughout the year and it was well recieved.

This was an "aha" moment for me, because this would be an opportunity as we bring all the campus together annually that we could capitalize upon by doing our best to make the program offers exceptionally robust.  I'm thrilled to think that going forward the task is to build one of the best training opportunities available for the universities/community colleges. 

This was a grand opportunity for me to build positive relations with my colleagues as well as my customers.  My client and/or customer is my office staff members as well as any individual from a campus.   Sometime as an administrative assistant we may not have authority, however, we certainly have influence.  As I worked to help others look good it helped me to win influence with those individuals. 

The way that I've made the most of my influence is to focus on providing superior service when dealing with my clients and customers.  As I have supported their efforts to build their track offerings, they have in turn been supportive of me and acknowledged my work in turn.  

I have also found that when others have been frustrated that they are not being heard, I can amplify their essage by mentioning them, reinforcing them and by reflecting positvely upon what they are sharing. 

Tennesee Summit was a grand success.  Kudos to all the presenters and attendees.  I look forward to next year's program. 

The office hub

It is already mid-July and this is my very first post.  I gotten side track with the summer programs on TV after work and just chilling.  Time to refocus.  As I rethink what's been going on in my life; I'm recalling that I've been more focused, direct and deliberate with working on entreprenial experience.  And that is what has taken me away from my professional blogging.  My office, mine personally often times ends up being a hub where people come to find out all kinds of information i.e. feed back on a presentation, the whereabouts of the boss, his mood, fashion questions and often timescareer advice.  You name it and people come talk to me about it.  I'm in an attempt to explode the myth that I am "just an admin" because in most cases I am truly the hub they are looking for. 

I have some of the most endearing connections and what is good about it is that I like bring people together.  It's kind of a key in lock theory.  It's not always about who you are, but aout what or who you know.  And I know some people.  I see taking on the role of the hub as one of the most valuable people in an organization.  I network with others in the business community, not because I have a piece of business to give them at that moment, but I might in the future or I might refere someone who will give them that piece of valuable information or business.  I love it.

I have countless individuals that stop by on a daily basis just for me to give them a read on a personal or professional scenario.  I appreciate their confidence in my insight.  From where I sit, I can see things from a very different and non-judgmental empowering position.  In most meetings, I'm meeting new people and making connections which is what networking is all about. 

Today, I had a CIO tell me that he is looking for a new adminstratve assistant and so I'm on the look out talking to other people that I know in the area that mayknow someone looking for a job or even a change. 

I have a few leads and I'm going to send them his way.  That connection will be a good one if I send him a good take charge individual.  I'll let you know how that works out in one of my next blogs in the months to follow. 

Provide Security

Wow!  Provide Security.  I commited to four post this month and we are in week three and I've only completed one post.  I'm behind the gun, however, don't fret I will deliver as promised.  Thanks for checking back.   T

This post is all about understanding that people are never more insecure than when they become obsessed with their fears at the expense of their dreams.  People who focus on their fears don't grow.  They become paralyzed and can't move.  Leaders are in a position to provide followers with an environment of security in which they can grow.  I've heard this echoed several times.  I read about it in "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels great book if you haven't read it.  It changed my life when I read it.

 I seem to always get stuck with leaders that do not know how to create such an environment for me to grow within in my primary employment or even spiritual life.  I was just out there like a weed and just growing.  Heat and sun burning my skin and the rain almost chocking me out.  One thing about that kind of growth is you learn survival and it comes from the school of hard knocks. 

Early in my career I did have some guidance, although it was not extended.  I marvel at the people who grew up in a nutured environment with guidance and direction along every step.  It seems they would get further along.  Not sure how they feel about the guidance they recieved.  But it seems it would have been a good pairing to have someone as a mentor. 

At this point in the game, I'm grateful for three new voices in my life right now.  And these voices are constant and extremely nuturing, two are very upclose and one from somewhat of a distance.  Needless to say, it doesn't matter to me when I haven't had any.  I can truly appreciate the guidance and support that I'm getting now.  Up close or from a distance.  I'm holding onto their every word.  It has been good for me. 

Great leaders make their followers feel bigger than they are.  Soon the followers begin to think, act, and produce bigger than they are.  Finally, they become what they they think they are.  Henry Ford once said, "one of the great discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do."  A nuruturing leader proives the secruity a potential leadear needs to make that discovery..... 

Until next week, don't miss an opportunity. 

First Quarter of 2013 has ended

The first quarter of 2013 has come and gone like a March wind.  It breezed in here and who was ready for the first quarter to begin.  I certainly wasn't, however, ready or not it was on.   I have to say I came out of the shoot by setting goals mid January professionally and personally.  These goals were complete with timelines and strategies for attaining my goal.

I thought that I had clearly defined the goal, a timeline and the steps necessary for achieving each goal.  I expressed my goals in terms of specific events or behaviors ( For example, "my goal is to actively return to college in a degree program.") that was just an example.  

As I reflect and review the achievings of the first quarter were many, however, none of them quite what I had prepared or planned out to do.  The bottom line with the goals that I set I allowed life to get in the way and I got off track.  I've reviewed each goal and decided whether or not it is worth my time to continue with working to achieve it in the 2nd quarter or do I need to scrap it all the way. 

I will just tell you that one of my goals is to complete 4 posts to each of my blogs for the month and that is just one post a week.  I've set the theme for the month as renewal and I'm on my way.  I'll be stopping at a local coffee house a couple of times a week to work on each post.  I'm excited about it and I'm going to achieve this goal for April and expect to work it right through to June.   Second Quarter and it is on...... Stay tuned for next weeks post.  It will be all about Spring renewal.  Until then always be prepared to seize the moment. 

Diane

Think you are tops?

What's the  worst personal quality that a bos can display, accordign to 1,000 workers recently survey by Hogan Assessment systems?  Arrogance.  Followed by manipulative, emotionally brittle, a micromanager, passive aggressive and distrustful.   Source: Chad Brooks/Live Science.com   Interesing point of view huh?  I've had some great bosses in my caree and they have all been respnsibile, inspiration, tactful and foremost trustworthy. 

There is nothing like a trustworthy boss.  You will do soo much for the individual even without them asking you, or I would.  That is not everyone's story.  Trust yourself.  You know more than you think you do.  Dr. Benjamin Spock.

Do you trust yourself?  Have you ever looked back a decision you made and got angry with yourself?  I know that I've done it and I will probably do it again.  It is always easier to see what one could have done or should have been done after the fact.  I've learned that as I trust myself with decisions, my trust causes me to get more clarity in decision making.  Then the next time I'm faced with a decision which is difficult I decide to trust myself and move forward. I will get an A, B, C or D, but, I won't fail because I'm learning.  If I make it a mistake it will teach me to be more in tune to my judgment.   It is a great stepping stone for building trust within myself.  Trusting self is a very important step to beginning to trust others.

This means you have to trust your thinking, your wisdom, your knowledge, your judgment, your instincts, your powers of observation, your powers of deduction, your ability to reason, and your ability to discern.  It's in your gut, however, it's whether you choose to trust it or ignore it. 

I say trust yourself, its a great opportunity to grow!!

Other responsiblities as assigned....

Other responsibilities as assigned which translates into team leader for the coordination of Holiday events within the office.  You know events where no one really wants to participate because they have more work on their plate and they really don't have the time to do it; but it is expected. 

Here's the run down: 

1.      Compose the email with the request for ideas, make it fun, and an upbeat opportunity for o display your creative flair if you participate. (Most people are looking for avenues to display their creativity in ways their current profession will not allow them so this should be simple).  displays initiative

2.       Wait 2 hours and if you receive no response, send another email highlighting one of the team members creativity and enlist their help.  displays consistency

3.       Move to the common area and engage in conversation about the idea and watch others who are listening decide to join in. displays strategy

4.      As the conversation builds allow the individual with the most passion to take the lead as they share their idea.  Chime as necessary to keep the conversation/brainstorming session going.  

5.      Once the idea has been accepted assign and prepare to execute the idea.

The day of the event check with the individual that has shown the most passion and excitement about the about idea or whomever it was that agreed to bring the supplies and make the person the said team captain.  Just follow their lead for being the execution of a project, door decorating contest, chili cook off or whatever.  

I've attached pictures of our finished door.... We are expecting to be the winners of the Halloween door decorating contest 2012.   And that my friends; “are other responsibilities as assigned”.  You don't have to do it alone and you don't have to feel you don't have any power or authority because you do.  It is all about figuring out how to convert this challenge into an opportunity to display your leadership skillset.

Punchdrunk

When we are not clear that we are worthy, worthwhile and valuable beings, we believe that life must be hard.  This belief will bring into your experience difficult situations that you will have to fight your way through.  On the other end of the fight, you can sit back and marvel at what you have done.  You have bragging rights about what you have been through.  You are tough and a survivor!!! 

This may come as a shock and it might be difficult for you to understand that you are creating these situations to support the subconscious belief that you do not deserve to live a joy-filled or peaceful life. 

·         When we learn to duck and dodge the punches life sends our way, this process of living can become an exhausting habit. 

·         When you expect to be punched, you are always looking for the fist, and you know what it comes again and again.

Life does not have to be hard.  Check to make sure that you are not waiting for the next disaster to strike, just to prove that you can take it.   Begin to open your mind and your heart and expect that you can live a joy-filled and peaceful life.  Believe and Expect it.

aaahhhhh I can exhale

Another TN Summit has come and gone.  It was one of my fourth quarter finish strong goals.  We had participation from KY, ATL and TN!!!  Great success and over 500 attendees, 20 vendors and all 19 of our colleges and universities in the State TN participated.  

All things considered... we did exceptionally well.   Now the planning begins for 2013 to remarket and to make the conference even bigger.  Thinking of how to make it a regional conference.