So stop sending me mean emails and text messages! LOL! I’ve been sick and it is taking me some time to get my energy back. I will be back to making regular posts as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience!
~Joey
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Picture courtesy of bn.com
I’ve always thought scarcity was a myth. The idea that there are limits to things I can have or do simply because someone else may have them doesn’t sit well with me. As I mentioned here, I recently read The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles. Although Mr. Wattles died in 1911, 100 years later he is still on to something. This book is not just about obtaining wealth, but it is a handbook that can walk you through whatever goals you may have and how to achieve them.
Now back to scarcity, in Mr. Wattles’s book he says that people should not concentrate on being competitive, but instead on being creative. By following your own mind, heart, and spirit, you will attract what you are looking for. It does not matter if someone else has what you want. It does not matter if you haven’t seen it done before. If you focus, apply yourself, and keep your mind clear, you will inevitably meet your goal. Sounds simple right? Wrong. Getting your mind to focus on your goal is the key. How easy is it for you to think about one thing at a time?
Of course the overall synopsis of the book cannot be simplified in the above few sentences. However, reading this book resonated with me because I find in corporate america, people are unnecessarily competitive. Of course one must compete in order to climb the corporate ladder, but I believe knowing when to compete and when to simply focus on yourself is more than half the battle.
For example, this past week I witnessed some coworkers try to compete their way into a manager’s good graces. As I watched from the sidelines, it dawned on me that they were going about things the wrong way. If they all would simply focus on their own productivity, work product, image, and reputations, they might get to where they want to be without all of the manipulation and sneaky tactics. One person was so focused on their competition, that they forgot to finish a very important project. Not good.
This reminded me of the importance of focusing and not getting easily distracted. I know that I have talked about the power of focusing here before but this theme keeps resurfacing. Quiet your mind and put your blinders on. Envision your goal. Draw all of the details in your mind. Can you see it? Can you feel it? Now don’t let that picture go until you get there.
Posted in Branding Sweets
As spring teases us, I think about my annual spring cleaning. It is one of my favorite things to do. I finally get to open all of my windows and let some fresh air in without feeling like I am in a blizzard. This year, I promised myself that I would clean greener. I usually purchase non-toxic cleaning supplies. The smell of harsher cleansers gives me headaches and make my hands extremely dry. Here, you can find the Environmental Working Group’s tips for green cleaning as well as an explanation as to why you should make the switch to cleaning green. My favorite three tips are:
Be sure to go to the website to read the entire list. Not only is a green brand a better brand, but better safe than sorry!
Posted in Branding Sweets, Green Sweets
Photo Courtesy of optimumsportsperformance.com
Continuing on our journey to fantastic personal brands, it is important to understand that you CAN change fields if you want to. As adults, it is easy to focus on the bills that need to be paid, and the families that need to be taken care of all while forgetting that there is something else we yearn to do. You can make a change. It may not be easy but it is certainly possible. Change is a popular theme that you can use to your advantage.
I recently read an article at The Little Pink Book, the number one online resource for America’s working women called, “Time for a Drastic Career Change?”. It struck a chord with me because I know a few people who are transitioning to totally different careers at this very moment. They are scared, excited, worried, and exhilarated all at the same time. I also know a few wonderful women who have already made drastic career changes. Do you know what the common theme is among them? They are happy. They may have struggled for a while but the hard work paid off because they are doing what they enjoy. As a result of their authentic happiness, their personal brands continue to bring opportunities to them. The article says that one should plan ahead, train, and prepare to be successful. Here’s five things I’d like to add to the list of things to keep in mind when making career changes:
One public career change that has been on my mind is that of Cathie Black. Ms. Black transitioned from being the chairman of Hearst Magazines to the newly appointed New York City Schools Chancellor. What is the connection between running a magazine empire and running New York City public schools? I don’t know. Ms. Black has no teaching experience nor a master’s degree. Yet somehow, she was able to get a waiver that allowed her to run the school system of a major American city. Ms. Black also wrote a book entitled, “Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life).” In essence, she has been an author, the president of a magazine powerhouse, and now a Chancellor of Schools. I do not know if she will do a good job running the NYC public school system. I don’t know if she was the best choice for the job. What I do know is that it is possible for one person to do many different things. You may think you aren’t capable, aren’t qualified, or don’t have the time. If you want it and you can see it, you can do it. So what are you waiting for?
Want to share your story about how you made a difficult career change? Comment below or send me an email.
Posted in Branding Sweets
Graph courtesy of ewg.org
Did you know that over half of the nation’s drinking water contains unregulated contaminants? This means that you could be drinking tap water that has not been adequately tested for safety standards. Bottled water isn’t aways the safest water. Bottled water regulations are actually less stringent than tap water regulations. What does that mean for you? Know where your water comes from! In addition to minimizing plastic bottle usage, go the Environmental Working Group’s website and find out information about the water in your zip code. You may be surprised at what you find!
One of the reasons I started this blog was because I was looking for examples of minority women succeeding in corporate america. When I didn’t find these examples in one place, I thought I could create that source. Perhaps other people would be helped. We can learn from any woman of any nationality. However, it does help to be able to refer to people who have had similar experiences as you.
Photo courtesy of eonline.com
When I read the interview Star Jones gave to AOL’s Black Voices, I was so happy that she gave an intellectual and dignified response to Nene Leakes’ comments about her. Celebrity Apprentice is for entertainment, and the proceeds go to charity. The money raised does not go the celebrities on the show. Star Jones is not just a television personality and an entertainer, but she is also a lawyer. She has navigated the corporate ladder.
That being said, I was so utterly disappointed to see that the show hadn’t even aired yet and already, there was a cat fight. I was actually saddened. In response to Nene’s comments that she “wouldn’t spit on Star Jones if she were on fire,” Star Jones has finally issued a response.
“I would hope, as she becomes more exposed to a variety of professional situations, she will tone down the vitriolic emotional reactions and learn to express herself in manner that is more reflective of the majority of black women in America.”
Photo courtesy of eonline.com
My sentiments exactly. All black women don’t behave like Nene Leakes. All black women don’t behave like the majority of women on television today. There are phenomenal women of all nationalities who are handling themselves like class acts daily while achieving their professional goals. Where are these people on television? Why don’t they have a place to be profiled and celebrated? Well, this blog is a start.
Perhaps I am overreacting? Perhaps, there is more to be seen and I should watch the entire season of Celebrity Apprentice before I make a final conclusion. I realize that the purpose of all television shows is to get ratings. If everyone sat around and played nice, people wouldn’t watch television. I understand that. However, there has got to be a point where women demand that we are represented better on television. The below video makes a total mockery of Nene and her purpose and I was embarrassed. Am I overreacting? Tell me what you think.
Photograph courtesy of paw.princeton.edu
While perusing the January issue of Black Enterprise magazine, I read the financial advice of Mellody Hobson. As the president of Ariel Investments, LLC, the largest African-American owned management and mutual fund company in the United States, Ms. Hobson manages over $3 billion in assets and doesn’t stop there. While running the Chicago based investment firm, she also writes for Black Enterprise magazine, and is a regular contributor on ABC’s Good Morning America. On the show she discusses financial issues and gives out financial advice. As if that isn’t enough, she has also been a featured financial expert on the Tom Joyner radio program, and is a director of three public companies: Dreamworks Animation SKG, Inc., Estée Lauder Companies, Inc., and Starbucks Corporation.
Photograph courtesy of contactmusic.com
A Princeton graduate, and the recipient of an honorary doctorate degree in humanities from Howard University, what I like about Ms. Hobson is that she rose to be President of Ariel Investments, LLC in only ten years. She started at the company as an intern in 1991, and by 2000 she was the President. In an interview she did with the Chicago tribune, she said,
“Women should be strong but not tough, and kind but not soft. I think that’s something that took us a while to figure out.”
Being successful at work while maintaining my femininity and personality is something that I have struggled with. She shows how succeeding in corporate america can be done with grace. Born on April 3, 1969, she’s also a fellow Aries! 🙂
In addition, Mellody Hobson is also very active in her community. She is a board member of the Chicago Public Library, the Chicago Public Education Fund, and the Sundance Institute.
What do you think of Ms. Hobson’s accomplishments? Slow and steady wins the race is the Ariel Investments motto. Below is a short video of her explaining why patience is important for financial growth.
Does her story push you to work harder or at least to keep going? Tell me your thoughts!
Lastly, who would you like to see featured as an Über Sweet?
Did you know that every time you open your refrigerator door, it takes three minutes to regain its original temperature? It doesn’t matter how long you hold the door open. Your refrigerator will pull more electricity until it regains the proper temperature. To save money and energy, close your refrigerator door as soon as possible after opening it.
Picture Courtesy of http://www.philstockworld.com
What is the “Gaslight Effect”? I had never heard the term before. Then I received this article from W2WLink.com, a woman’s networking organization. Written by Robin Stern, it tells the story of two female coworkers whose relationship quickly changed when one woman got promoted over the other.
As I read the article, I found that I was not surprised. No longer colleagues but competitors, manipulation quickly became the name of the game. As I continued to read, I found myself wondering why this seems so common. Is this simply business as usual or are women more likely to turn to manipulative mind games to excel in corporate america? I have witnessed women in managerial roles get picked apart by their team members until they are nervous wrecks, always defensive, or they quit from the pressure. Is this the only way? One person told me about working for a woman who would be happy when the work was completed well, but then would immediately have a mood swing as if her job was in jeopardy and berate her for small insignificant tasks. I personally have worked in a situation where the woman treated me so terribly, that I thought I was doing horrible work. When I tendered my resignation notice, she got teary eyed and told me that I was the best paralegal she ever had. Why all of the manipulation? I may never know! But I do find that when I hear about stories like the one written by Ms. Stern, women are always involved. I rarely hear about these situations with men.
So I ask you. Is work place manipulation business as usual or unnecessary cattiness? Also, what do you think of Ms. Stern’s article?
Picture Courtesy of http://www.doughroller.net
At some point, most of you have either heard about or are very aware of your FICO score. FICO stands for Fair Isaac Corporation. Your FICO score is a three digit number, ranging from 300 to 850. Most lenders will use this number to determine if they should lend you money, and if so, at what interest rate. So you knew that already did you? Well, did you know that more employers are using FICO scores and credit reports to pick job candidates?
According to Black Enterprise Magazine, in an article written by Sheiresa Ngo, more employers are using credit scores to determine if a future employee is trust worthy. According to the author, even current employers will run credit reports when trying to decide if someone should receive a promotion. What does this mean for you? If you haven’t run your credit report recently, now is the time! You have to know what is there in order to manage not only your credit but your reputation. Keep in mind that people have more information about you, and will draw conclusions about the type of person you are before they even meet you. Second, make a plan. If your credit score isn’t what you want it to be, make a plan on how you will build your score up. Lastly, provide yourself with tools to succeed. Knowledge! Pick up books like Suze Orman’s Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny.
And don’t forget to pick up the January 2011 issue of Black Enterprise!
Branding Sweets 