George approached his manager asking for a raise. Said he had been with the company for years and was in dire need, unable to meet his personal expenses. He just had a child and threatened that he would resign if it was received.
Sounds familiar? At times many find themselves searching for that Loophole to earn extra cash to supplement their disposable income to do the things you would like to do. Things such as get married; buy your first place; get a larger home for your new and growing family; or simply to getaway on that dream vacation.
But accomplishing these goals is not as easy as most would like. It is then that creativity jumps in as I shared in a recent article on 20 Ways to Earn Extra Income. In that article I promised to share the how to ask your boss for a raise (yikes!). But while this method of increasing your income is upfront, and center (basically right under your nose), it’s not the easiest for us to do. We get nervous, shake, get angry, scared, have sleepless nights, all in our efforts to come up with the most plausible reason why we deserve the salary/rate increase .
15 Ways To Ask For A Raise
Having managed Human Resources internationally for over two decades dealing with issues like this, I’ll share a few pointers on how to do it ‘right‘. How to Evoke the response that will not remain Static with your employer, boss, supervisor–whichever pertains to you.
Here I share:
Prepare yourself for the ask.
Timing is everything.
Consider your company’s policy on salary reviews.
Evaluate the financial situation of your employer.
Take on more responsibility.
Demonstrate your wins, and added values
Share your goals and ask for feedback
Request a face to face meeting. If you’re in a different location, use your internal communication channel. Whatever you do, don’t do the initial ask by email.
Focus on the ‘why‘ not the ‘need’. Why you deserve the increase (not why you need it)
Practice your pitch and anticipate questions
Don’t use other colleagues as your argument (he/she received an increase and so should you). That’s the worse thing you can do.
Don’t discuss workload
Do your research…know what the market pays
No, no, no. Be prepared to hear no. It happens. Decide to ask for other things such as bonus, incentives, or personal development opportunities. Be confident that once you’ve asked, you’ve taken that giant step and the request stays in your boss’ mind.
Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get, you’ve got to make yourself.” – Alice Walker
Reflection, Rest, Relaxation & Renewal
Self-care is important, and so is doing it alone ..yikes! But time alone is important. It Evokes reflection, rest, relaxation and renewal.
Here I share my own favorite list of 9 Things to do by yourself.
Self-Care
Give yourself a mini retreat weekend–eat healthy food, go for a massage, spoil yourself, and really relax!
Meditate. Sit. Be still and devote time to listen to your spiritual thoughts. Breathe.
Have dinner on your own in a nice restaurant… take time to really enjoy the food
Go somewhere in the city where you have never been
Study. Sign up for an online course in any topic you have an interest in and learn something new
Sip a cup of tea and look out the window
Spend a day at a museum or art gallery
Journal. Carve out the time to write up a list of things you would love to do. Declare your dreams and intentions or simply empty out all your thoughts into your notebook.
Travel on your own. Learn something new about yourself.
“Why does this keep happening to me?” This question is often asked by those down in the dumps, or who have a stream of ‘bad Luck ‘ that seem to follow them. Charlene was always late. Late for exams, late for work, late for appointments, late for time with her family…she was late for just about everything. Yet she utters these words when she is fired, dumped, kids faltered etc. But is there something she’s doing wrong that causes these stream of ‘bad luck’ to follow her? Let’s give her the benefit of the Doubt.
Most of us can think of situations that are like that of Charlene’s. People will tell you to follow old wives fables such as throwing salt over your left shoulder, burning incense, carrying protective charms, lighting a few candles of specific colors, and much more to change streams of bad luck. But life is more…
I write because…hmmm…I don’t know (smile). I have never really given much thought to it. Maybe it’s because it’s in me and I love doing it! I’m at peace when I write. I write because maybe there’s a Focused sense of urgency. Throughout my life I remember my mom ‘writing‘ her book. Her story. She wrote in hardcover note books, pieces of paper, typewriter. Then years later she died with her story still inside.
I write because my sister too wanted to write her story. Ravished by cancer, she was hardly able to concentrate. A teacher by profession, she wrote in journals, in her phone, computer, anything she could get her hands on. Then as death drew near, she voiced her writings.
But for me as I reflect on this prompt, I now write with that sense of urgency to get what’s inside of me ….what I’m pregnant with……
A Goal is defined as the object of a person’s ambition or effort, an aim or desired result.
Dreams, goals, aspirations! Don’t we all have them? At the end of each year most reflect on where they are, and where they wish to go. Here I share millennial’s’ thoughts on what they hope to achieve this decade.
Create the most epic new job that is aligned with my soul
Professional and personal ventures
Jump into my authentic self and apply for a dream role that will involve more if I am chosen
Start a therapeutic farm
Jump into success
Jump into adventure
Jump into independence
Publish great original writing
Start strategy and marketing consulting business
Jump into God’s plan for my life
Finding and developing a career that impact the lives of others that inspires me to learn
A new life
More me-time and more international travel
Jump into a few creative jobs with even more creative clients
Turn my new opportunity into something I am proud of
Finishing my Masters
Finding myself again
Leading a group for women who feel stuck or lost focused on building confidence and an action plan
Wow! Brilliant, lots of jumps! Do any of the above resonate with you? Do share!
A colleague recently connected with me to share a number of options Presented to her by her employer. She was to select one and get back to them. She asked my input. I asked her to think about her options as she transitions in her life. From there, she would be able to select the option most suited to her.
Goals Must Intercept
While you must take into account employer goals especially those directly assigned, you must be sure that those goals align with your own personal development. It’s the “what’s in it for me”. Let me hasten to say that it’s not selfish, but job goals that intercept, provide meaning. They provide the motivation to jump out of bed each morning to spend hours on the job. Such personal objectives could be:
Financial to save for the future, or to purchase something major
Achieving Dreams such as vacation goals, or invest in a unique hobby
Education for personal development to get ahead
Start a family
Become an entrepreneur
Making a difference in your community
The above takes into account the selection or acceptance of goals that will help forge those Forlorn desires ahead. If you are working to only pay bills, then it doesn’t make sense, and you’ll eventually feel stuck.
So invest some time now to think seriously about what you want; the direction for your life so you can indeed forge ahead this year.
Ever wanted to write? Ever wondered how other writers got started? What’s their Funnel? We are intrigued by writing veterans the likes of Stephen King, and countless others. Many wannabe writers are scared to take the leap. So it was with a breath of fresh air that the writing tips asked the question about how writers got started. Intrigued, I dug deeply. Here I share excerpts of some of their thoughts.
I hid in my words starting at 10 to hide from the pain
My cousin said that I looked like someone who writes poetry. So I gave it a try, and fell in love with it.
I always loved reading and wanted to create stories. Then my parents took me to see the dolphins when I was 8 or 9 years old, and I wrote my first story about this adventure. After this I feel in love with writing because sometimes the stories we create or even just a part of them can become true.
I was 5 years old and wrote about a superhero
I didn’t want to do my math homework but still wanted to look like I was being productive, and that’s how I’ve written about two books.
I had a dream and wanted to make a story out of it
I can’t remember a time I haven’t been writing! Before I could write I drew the pictures and told my parents what to write
What really pushed me into writing other than school assignment was role-playing
When I was younger I had a speech impediment the only way I could truly talk was through writing. Still to this day I write better than I can talk.
My baby sitter wrote stories about the group of kids from our neighborhood who were superheroes. I loved listening to her read them, my love of reading and writing was born, I was 3-4 years old
My siblings and I used to create the most intricate imaginary games. As I got older, I began wanting to write them down. I haven’t stopped.
A sixth grade narrative assignment. Upon handing it back, my teacher said I had talent and could make it as a writer. I was speechless.
So I could be right-brained in school while looking like I’m working on my assignments
I started when I was mentally at a shitty place and needed an outlet to how I was feeling. Writing became my therapy. It healed me.
So those are mine, what’s yours? My intention is to set up an Allergic reaction every time I deviate to keep me on track. Accountability partner, I know you’ve got my back.
Remember to be successful in life you must be willing to do more, think more, and go beyond the call of duty.
When he was fired he not only lost his job, he lost his mind.
The quoted statement is so true of many who have suffered job loss. Society’s perils and pleasure encourages many to link the meaning of life as the very grain of their existence. Too often it is indeed so. Jobs provide a means of livelihood. At the lower level, some provide the basics of food, shelter, and such essentials of life’s needs. Higher paying jobs provide for higher needs that often includes fame, fortune, and all the flashy stuff that make those who hold them the envy of society. But oh the stress and strain caused when blindsided by sudden job loss.
Survive: Get Over the Hump
What can we do if we fall prey to such occurrence? Here I share a few strategies:
Allow yourself to mourn the loss. Cry if you must. It’s good therapy.
After your period of mourning, face the truth that the situation is for real, and it’s time to move on.
Take hold of your life. Reflect on where you are now. Then reflect on your next steps and what you can do about your situation.
Hopefully, you had saved for rainy days like this. It is suggested that you have 3-6 months savings to help you ride the waves until you get another job.
Start searching for a new opportunity.
Assess your skills to meet the changes in the market. Are you skilled in another area that you did not even think of?
How is your resume? Your social profile? Do they depict the message you want to send?
Connect with your network who can refer you to new opportunities
Treat your job search like a job. Know that it takes time.
Hello 2018! It’s Time to Kick that Fear and get that Picture Perfect Growth…
If you want to cultivate a habit, do it without any Reservation, till it is firmly established. Until it is so confirmed, until it becomes a part of your character, let there be no exception, no relaxation of effort. -Mahavira
Hello 2018! It’s Time to Kick that Fear make it a Treat and get that Picture Perfect Growth! This year I’ll delve deeper into convo’s on:
Getting out of your Comfort Zone to do what you’ve always wanted to do
Goal Management
How to climb the Success Ladder for those new Grads
Managing People for those new to Management or Supervision
Whew, what a year! I’m a firm believer in looking back to get ahead. In business we look back to assess our performance for the year. Often it’s even mandated. Why not apply the same principles to your own personal life. So, here are a few of my major points in 2017.
Nova Southeastern University Recognition
Amazed but as always, all things work together for good. Met some great people as I did the research to help others learn the traits and strategies of how leaders achieved success, and how the ambitious can also become successful. Looking forward to helping youths, ethnic minorities and those in need in the new year.
Book Signings
Book signings, interviews, and giving back to our community were a big part of my theme in 2017. Giving thanks for partnership with Writers of Color, that paved the way to various community centers and libraries in South Florida. Other signings were held in New York, and Washington DC. Deeper exploration continues in the new year.
New Book – GreenLight
Stay tuned for my new book titled GreenLight, slated for early release in 2018. It will include inspirational writings, exhortations, prayers, and the confidence needed when individuals are confronted with changes and transitions along life’s journey.
Conducted a series of Live interviews with millennials and Entrepreneurs around the globe. They shared their stories on the steps they used to achieve success for the benefit of those who are afraid to make the leap to do what they have always wanted to do.
30 Under 30 Millennials
Always a pleasure to lead the panel of judges at the 30 Under 30 Millennials who are making distinctive leadership ventures across the United States and the Caribbean. Event is held by the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington DC. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Washington DC, hosted the event.
Inaugural Goal-Setting Retreat
Inaugural Retreat held at Captiva Island in South Florida. Participants engaged in creating goals for 2018, as well as strategies to help achieve them progressively in the months to come.
Time with My Girls
As always the year was filled with travels but my greatest personal memory was that shared with my girls when we visited New Orleans. Just leave it to my oldest who is Almost an Extravagant lover of traveling and gaining new experiences. Tons of smiles as we went live at Essencefest with Queen Latifah and the Cozy cast of ‘Girl’s Trip‘, made the visit all the more fun. How about you? What was your favorite experience in 2017?
Finally, looking back on the past 12 months, the memories made and the goals tackled, I am truly thankful. I now look forward to the future and the expectations ahead. Can’t wait to see how it unfolds. Here’s to you and your family as we wish you health, peace, and hope that all will be well in 2018, and beyond.
