The Art of Celebration

Hello again, everyone!

I hope your Saturday is off to a spectacular start.

Can we all agree that choosing to be joyful and content is so much better than only focusing on what is going wrong, what you wish you could change, or what you want next?

My nature is to be forward-looking and it is often easy for me to forget to live in the moment and to enjoy every second as it comes to me. It's so tempting to ignore the wonderful people and things I am currently surrounded by and to instead worry about what I want to do later today, or how to organized my calendar. I know I am not the only one who finds it hard to enjoy the present moment.

And while there is nothing fundamentally wrong with wanting to be organized and futuristic, it can easily rob us of all our joy and contentment. Every minute of our day, we have the opportunity to acknowledge something positive and wonderful. Maybe a colleague is being especially helpful and encouraging to you. Maybe the coffee you are drinking tastes incredible. Maybe you see something really pretty or cool while you are driving and your favorite song is on the radio. These great moments call for a spirit of celebration and appreciation.

How many times do you hear someone complain about how awful their day was or how they are just really unhappy? How many times do you catch yourself concentrating only on what went bad? How does that make you feel when you are complaining? If you are like me and thinks complaining makes you feel miserable, take heart! There's a solution and it's called appreciating every moment of your day and choosing to look for the good instead of the bad. Positivity is the best remedy for feeling stressed or tired.

XOXO

Chloe

Friday Encouragement

Woah! It has been a lifetime since I'v hopped on.

I hope you have all been doing well and are enjoying summer. I thought I'd share some Friday motivation and encouragement with you. Fridays are great but it doesn't mean we can slack off just because we're pumped for the weekend. I am a firm advocate for finishing strong and keeping your standards high. If you expect great things from yourself, you will not be disappointed. A solid work ethic is one of the most attractive traits an individual can have and when you work hard, it can inspire others around you to also work hard and get even more stuff done. I often say that positivity is contagious and I believe it also applies to working diligently. Be a good role model, even if it is tough.

You made it to Friday.
You've worked hard, accomplished goals, and made things happen.
Congratulations on a fantastic week just keep it up.

Your work is important.
You effort is valued.
Thank you so much for giving it your all.

You are strong.
You are kind.
You are smart.
You are capable.
You are talented.
You are loving.
You are special.



When you finish your work, don't forget to celebrate your accomplishments. You've earned some time to rest and unwind. And for some people it can be tough to leave work at work. The temptation to keep on working and stressing yourself out is strong I get it, but remember that having time to chill out, take care of yourself, and spend time with loved ones is more important than getting a promotion, burning out, and being obsessed with your job and title. So when you are with your family and/or friends, enjoy it and soak up every second. Play with your kids, stop checking emails, just enjoy your weekend without any guilt or stress. You earned a good rest.

XOXO,
Chloe

Lessons From A #BossLady In Training

Wow! It has been forever since I've tended to this blog. Happy 2018!

Part of the reason why I've been so busy is that I started a full-time job in December and have been so pre-occupied during the holidays. (Haven't we all?)

Life post-college has taught me many things. I have enjoyed my new "adult" job and love being at work. There's something special about the first job after college. All of the sudden, you don't feel like a little kid anymore and independence is a lovely thing. Since entering the workforce, here are my top 5 tips for being a #Bosslady. (Or #BossMan? BossGentleman? BossDude? Ok, I'll have to work on that!)

1.) Always take a seat at the table. 

I learned this from company's CEO/President. At my work, meetings often include many people from many different departments, industries, companies, etc. Lower ranking attendees usually sit in the very back row against the wall, while executives and other high rank members sit at tables. My CEO looked at me the other day during lunch and told me, "At the next meeting, you take a place at the table. Take that seat and claim it. Show people you are important and what you have to say is important. People will see you sitting there and treat you differently." He smiled at me as if to reassure me that it's not wrong to demand a little bit of respect instead of waiting for others to acknowledge you. Be bold. Take that seat. Set the stage for how you want to be treated.

2.) Work harder than your colleagues, but stay humble.

Go the extra mile in a culture that tends to promote "bare minimum work ethic". Show people around you that hard work is not something to be scared of. You can help set the tone of the office's culture. A strong work ethic is always attractive and it leads to rewards. However, don't feel the need to outshine people just to make them look bad. It can be perceived as threatening and cocky. Never underestimate the power of asking for help or advice from experienced colleagues and being a source of encouragement. It will go a long way.

3.) Keep learning and growing.

Success and the desire to learn go hand-in-hand. Successful people are constantly learning and expanding their minds. Read books/articles, engage in discussions with people outside your industry or expertise, take notes, watch documentaries, keep asking questions. If you approach life with a teachable attitude, you won't be disappointed. Teachability shows you are humble and willing to acknowledge the fact you don't know everything. No one likes a cocky or arrogant jerk.

4.) Find an accountability partner(s).

I love setting goals. It's a great way for me to be reminded of what really matters to me. I also know I need accountability partners in order for me to stay on track of reaching those goals. I can easily become side-tracked or lazy, and my accountability partners are there to remind me to focus and keep working hard. It can be uncomfortable to share your goals with other people, but it's one of the best ways to make sure you are on the right path to reaching those goals. And when you accomplish a goal, celebrate with them and thank them for their help. Community is essential. Together is better!

5.) Schedule "Me Time".

Work can be exhausting. It's so easy to only focus on to-do lists, deadlines, and making everyone else happy. Working hard is important, but it's equally important to take care of yourself. If you neglect to check-in with yourself, you become drained and there's nothing left to give back to others. It's almost impossible to contribute in positive and meaningful ways at work if you are tired, cranky, or sad. I enjoy a weekly hot bath, time to read, or even a simple face mask. Maybe for you, it's going to the gym, or journaling, or just taking a nap without feeling guilty. Your health and well-being should be a priority. 

I hope these tips help you unleash your #BossLady attitude. Work hard, stay humble, and own it. You are awesome.

XOXO

Chloe