Whatever Your Dream, Don’t Give Up…

 

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Dreams are illustrations… from the book your soul is writing about you.     

Entrepreneurs know the travails of starting and growing a business. The challenges associated with carrying a business from incubation to reality. It’s no easy task.

Career transitions, college students, and goal seekers all know how difficult it is to carry the burden of studies to get to the finish line. It’s no easy task.

Parents know how difficult it is to bear the burden of the change in lifestyle as a newborn is expected. It’s no easy task.

Let’s not forget authors whose stories became known from a dream, to a thought, to a page, to a book. Published! It’s no easy task.

So it is with whatever we put our minds to. Whatever we decide to do from idea, thought, dream, goal… it is not going to be easy until it becomes a reality. Success involves dreaming; it involves planning; it involves hard work; it involves dedication,  determination, commitment, and most of all resilience. Many are the athletes whose stories have been told of the journey that they had to embark on and overcome. Not only days, months but for many years, athletes stood the test of time to achieve their goal. They were able to achieve because they stuck to their dream.

Today whatever your dream is … don’t give up. Strive, put in the hard work; put in the dedication, put in what needs to be done, and your success is inevitable.. however you define it.

Cheers!

13 Things I Learned From Working With A Micro Manager…

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 Give me guidance, not micro management

Micromanagement. It’s negative. Besides the organizational impact of higher turnover, stress, lowered productivity, team members suffer dire consequences when being micro-managed. We dare say that many still practice it… but is it wise? Is there a basis for micromanagement?

Micromanagement is a management style whereby a manager closely observes and/or controls the work of his/her subordinates or employees. Micromanagement is generally considered to have a negative connotation, mainly due to the fact that it shows a lack of freedom in the workplace

Below are some simple examples of reasons learnt from working with a Micromanager.

  1. Not to micromanage
  2. It’s frustrating
  3. Time goes by slowly and you long for weekends and holidays
  4. It induces lack of confidence
  5. You question yourself “am I doing it right?“
  6. You double and triple-check your work to make sure there are no mistakes
  7. You become insecure, often asking yourself; “am I going to lose my job today?”
  8. Productivity increases when the boss is absent because employees are ‘happier’. The opposite is also true because employees feel relieved, relaxed and become unproductive
  9. The micromanager rarely gives praise because he/she is focused on finding mistakes
  10. Micromanagement causes increased Stress which leads to health issues and absenteeism
  11. Individuals make irrational decisions when they become frustrated. Some even throw in the towel and resign without knowledge of the next steps.
  12. Turnover is high
  13. The micro manager is a control freak because he/she is often insecure 

Were you ever micro-managed? How did it affect you? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

When The Pen Slows: Writers Share What To Do When You Don’t Feel Like Writing…

When the pen slows… writers share what to do when you don’t feel like writing.

  • Write more often
  • Do fun stuff and write for 30 minutes per day
  • Try a different genre
  • Draw a comic
  • Write about something you love without edit
  • Write something short. It’s like riding a bike
  • Prepare several projects and switch between them when you feel the need
  • Think of a reward that would motivate you to write more
  • Read. It will revive your writing appetite
  • Re-read books you found inspirational years ago to bring back lost inspiration
  • Don’t worry. Get some rest and exercise. You will be motivated again
  • Indulge other hobbies
  • Take a holiday
  • Freewrite
  • Read through your work like a reader not a writer
  • Voice record
  • Go with the Flow
  • Don’t beat yourself up

Personally, I suggest you write about what it feels like to not want to write. It will help others. Whatever you do, don’t give up.

Cheers!

Spring Clean Your Resume. 3 Ways…

Once a year, do something different for you.

It’s time. Yes, time to do that clean-up of your home. That’s normal you say. But what about your career? When was the last time you did something about it? Have you taken the time to look at you? If an opportunity showed up today, would you be ready? Hmmm…no worries, we got you covered. Here are 3 ways to help you freshen up your resume and get you ready for that next move.

1.Trash it

Get rid of old data. Ever looked at your resume and wondered now when was that? It’s a sure indication of how often we look at our personal information included on our resume. You may have changed jobs. You may have changed positions in the same organization. Update it. Yes, do it.

2.You Aced It!

Learnt a new software program? Participated in professional development? New certification or recently graduated? Add it! That’s the whole purpose. To learn and impress decisions makers that you are able to ace the new opportunity.

3.Expose It!

Turn your mundane job responsibilities into achievements. Take a look at what you have achieved. What did your manager last commend you for? Did you change or simplify a process that increased productivity? Did you redesign a program that saved cost? What about a suggestion you made that positively impacted the bottom-line?  Reflect on the good and expose it!

 

The above are just a few ideas to help you clean things up in your career. Create that fresh start. Once it’s done, don’t stop there. Add it to your LinkedIn profile. You never know what’s in store for you.   Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

The Admin Cove’s 10 Ways To Successfully Leave Your 9-5 Job…

Start doing what is necessary. Then do what’s possible. Then suddenly you’re doing the impossible. ~St. Francis of Assisi

Many are the dreams of entrepreneurs. Those new who are brave enough to start and those who are still dreaming keep the momentum going through 101+ Empowering Quotes For New Entrepreneurs. If you are among those who wish to make the move, the Admin Cove shared 10-ways to safely and Successfully leave your 9-5 Job. Here I share their tips:

1]. Start with a goal and make a decision. This can be a goal of when you want your last day to be or what you would like to do. Written goals are more likely to be accomplished than non-written goals.

2]. Redesign your life. Begin to become conscious of your budget, your spending habits, and put together a plan of where you can cut corners in the meantime.

3]. Pick up a side hustle. Picking up extra work can help you save but more importantly, can provide you with a back-up plan for when you are ready to leave.

4]. Save up 3-months of salary. In the event that your business/backup plan takes longer to get off the ground, It’s good to have at least 3-months worth of salary saved up and ready to go for spending needs.

5]. Become laser focused on your plan. Keep your vision front and center DAILY and make sure to stay focused on the end goal.

6]. Work weekends, nights, and through lunch. Take advantage of the time you have outside of work and Budget your time wisely based on your lifestyle/family life. Always make sure to set aside ample time to focus on building your business/perfecting your craft.

7]. Master 1 skill. Focus on 1 skill which you’re already good at. Then, work on improving it. Stick to what you know in the beginning and become the best.

8]. Keep quiet about your goals. When possible, try to avoid sharing your goals with too many people especially those you work with.

9]. Don’t burn any bridges. Maintain healthy relationships with everyone you work with includes your boss. You never know when your paths will cross again and you may need their help or vice versa.

10]. Jump! Basically when you’re ready, make that leap. The more you think about it and worry about job security, the less likely you’ll make the decision to leave.

There you have it. Prepare your plans. Step our and realize your entrepreneurship dream,

Cheers!

Adventure Is A Path…

Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white. ~Mark Jenkins

Your Vision. Re-Brand And Grow…

Personal branding is about managing your name — even if you don’t own a business — in a world of misinformation, disinformation, and semi-permanent Google records. Going on a date? Chances are that your “blind” date has Googled your name. Going to a job interview? Ditto. ~Tim Ferriss

Your Brand It’s You

That cross-trainer you’re wearing; one look at the distinctive swoosh on the side tells everyone who’s got you branded. That coffee travel mug you’re carrying…ah, you’re a Starbucks woman! Your T-shirt with the distinctive Champion “C” on the sleeve, the blue jeans with the prominent Levi’s rivets, your fountain pen with the maker’s symbol crafted into the end” … and we could go on, and on. ~Brand Guru, Tom Peters.

My appetite whet from Tom Peter’s insight, I reflected on branding which tells the experience  you have when doing business with others. As I reflect on my own brand, my vision becomes clear. To motivate and inspire others to go after their dreams. The impetus is for them to believe; to achieve; and to succeed.

Even though I have studied leadership and success at the post graduate level, and subsequently published books on Success Strategies, there still needs to be beauty and style in the platform used to interact with others. The intention is to fuel the traction to build trust and solidify the brand’s reputation for its own success. Through motivation, leadership, inspiration and success, I write to empower your success as an individual, new author or new entrepreneur.

What about your brand? Are you where you want to be? Maybe it’s time to re-brand. Revitalize. Energize. Move forward to pump up your dreams to new heights. Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

Wake Up To Make Up…

Capture The Moment

Years ago when she was a child, my little niece would come up to me and compliment me on how nice my makeup looked. She grew from a young debutant admirer into one of South Florida’s top Makeup Artist doing the likes of BET’s last CEO Debra Lee, Andrienne Bosh-wife of Chris Bosh, Empire’s delightful ‘Cookie’ Taraji Phenson, tennis champ Serena Williams, the lovely Vivica Fox … and tons more household names.

Recently, I sat with her to get my own consult on the latest makeup application. Always have to keep up with the times and fashion changes. Woohoo! I got my training!  It’s a must for Job interviews, and major events when you want to look your best doing your own thing. Not to mention those special occasions like weddings when you just can’t do it on your own.

And what about men? She does them too! Just ask Usain Bolt, Ne-yo, John Legend, Kanye West, Pitbull, and many more.

Thanks Nordia for your very valuable insights and your warm hospitality. Cheers to the future filled with promises of great things to come.