MC's Perspective
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Toolkit
  • Groups
    • Group Insights
    • Group Intake

5 Things you should do at Work in 2019

29/1/2019

0 Comments

 
"Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."- Francis of Assisi
Picture
After the long holidays, we are all now back to work. Some of us are having a great time, while others are not happy to wake up and go to work every day. With the amount of time we spend at work, I firmly believe that we need to enjoy work more. Thinking beyond your day to day job and more about finding fulfillment on your career journey will broaden your perspective.

Studies show that about 60% of women like to set career goals for themselves and 74% of women globally in junior or middle manager level positions expressed aspirations of reaching senior or executive leadership ranks within their organization. To get desired results in your career, you need to act.

Career growth should be on your list of goals for 2019. Continuing our thoughts on what we can do for ourselves, let's prioritize growing our careers and taking action. In this blog post, we will explore ways you can ensure you get the results you want at work.

Own your career development
To continuously grow in your career, it is essential to have a career development plan. Think about what you want to achieve in your career in the short, mid and long term. It is a missed opportunity to take the approach of "let's see where my career takes me" or “ I’ll see what my company will do for me.” Take an active approach to discovering where you want to be and working towards it. Learn more practical ways to Own your career development from my previous blog post. Remember that you are responsible for building the great career you desire and that it is possible.

Talk about your work
A great way to show your value and contribution is to make your work visible. Many women I talk to struggle with talking about the great work they are doing and their unique contribution to their company. Practice sharing highlights of what you are working on at any opportunity you get at work. Share some lessons you learned and the great results you have produced. If you aspire to get more recognition for your work, start talking about your accomplishments today. Discover more ways to Celebrate your professional achievements.

Find Mentors and Sponsors
Identifying the people who can serve as advocates and support you with your career development is a great contributor to your career growth. You need a mentor who will give friendly advice, build relationships and help you improve. A sponsor, on the other hand, can support you to get to the next level and help you get ahead. In a previous blog post titled How to find professional Sponsors, I shared some practical tips that can assist you on your quest. An additional piece of advice that I would like to share; seek out mentors and sponsors way before you need them and invest time in building relationships. The more they know about you and your work, the better they can support you.

Build your network
Having a community of people who are working on developing their careers will help you propel your career. Sometimes networking sounds daunting because we think of growing a massive network of people rather than making connections with our peers and industry partners. Great ways to start building your professional network include attending events, conferences, talks, and trainings. Discover more practical tips from my blog post How to build a professional network.

Seek out new opportunities
To find fulfilling work, you may need to look outside your day to day responsibilities for new opportunities. An essential part of women's satisfaction at work comes from doing more meaningful work and having opportunities to make a difference. Seek out work that provides you some satisfaction and growth opportunities. Depending on where you work, this may be a gradual process, be patient and persistent. Explore more tips on How to take Initiative at work from my previous blog post.

Call to Action
Where do you want to go in your career? Write down 3 things you want to achieve at work over the next year and 3 more longer-term career goals. Take a step today.

Final Thoughts
  • You can build the career you want - develop it one step at a time.
  • Knowing your career goals will guide you to seek out the opportunities that will get you where you want to be.
  • You have something unique to contribute at work - show it.

Great Resources
  • 10 Brené Brown Quotes to Inspire Success and Happiness at Work
  • The Four Keys to Happiness at Work
  • How to Be Happier at Work, According to Scientific Studies
  • Finding Happiness at Work
  • 37 Ways to Be Happier at Work ASAP
  • 13 ways you can be happier at work, according to career experts
  • 15 Proven Tips to Be Happy at Work
0 Comments

How to do things you are afraid of

22/1/2019

2 Comments

 
"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" "What's worth doing even if you fail? - Brene Brown
Picture
A few years ago, a professor shared a valuable approach to facing my fears that I had never considered before. She advised me to think about strategies I can implement when I plan on doing things I am afraid of. Previously, I had never thought about actively addressing my fears through action.
To succeed and be fulfilled in life, you need to do many things you are afraid of. If your approach is to wait until you have no fear before you take a step, you will miss some great opportunities.

Are you starting a new job or role, chasing your dreams, working towards achieving your goals, moving to a new town or country, making lifestyle changes or doing something new? This post is dedicated to you.

In this blog post, we will explore seven strategies to overcome your fear through action.

Why should you do things you are afraid of?
  • It's the only way to make progress in life.
  • It helps you overcome your fear.
  • You learn to unblock yourself when you feel stuck.
  • You achieve goals that you never expected.

Strategies to overcome your fear and do things you are afraid of
Acknowledge your fear
Often, we wonder what holds us back and stops us from embracing new opportunities. The fear of failing is one of the biggest reasons why we don't achieve new and bigger goals. Think about all the opportunities you have missed because of fear. It is natural to be afraid, but it should not stop you from taking a step.
Questions to consider
  • What are you afraid of with regards to achieving your goals?
  • What is the worst thing that could happen if you take a step?

Prepare yourself for the journey ahead
To get more comfortable with making a move, make time to do some research and think through what you need to want to do. The good thing about most of the things we plan to do, we are hardly the first people to do it. Take advantage of the opportunity to research what other people in a similar situation have done and talk to people around you for input.
Questions to consider
  • How can you prepare yourself?
  • What has worked in the past when you were preparing for something new?

Create a plan to achieve your goals
Often when we approach the big tasks that we fear, we can't imagine how we can take action. Break down those big tasks into smaller tasks and plan them. Set milestones to help you measure your progress.
Questions to consider
  • How are you planning to achieve your goals?
  • How will you measure progress?

Equip yourself with the right tools
Tools, tips, and techniques help us solve the challenges we face as we achieve our goals. After you have identified what you are going to do, research available tools that can simplify the tasks. Some examples of useful tools may be a calendar for planning or courses and trainings to learn new skills.
Questions to consider
  • What tools will help me on my journey?
  • Do I have the tools already or need to get them?

Take the first step
It may sound too easy, but now that you have done some research, prepared yourself, it is time to act. Be careful not to wait for too long to make a move. The best way to overcome your fear of doing something new is to do it.
Questions to consider
  • What steps can you take?
  • What are you going to do within the next month?

Continue learning and improving
As you take a step into the unknown, it is crucial to be prepared to learn and improve continuously. Having a growth mindset will help you cross the hurdle of getting started and also get better results as you are interested in growing and learning through the process.
Questions to consider
  • How can you ensure you learn through the process of taking a step towards your goals?
  • How can you apply your learnings and improve?

Celebrate your achievements
Now that you have decided to do something you are afraid of, keep track of your accomplishments. Your achievement log will show you the tangible results of the move you made and serve as motivation when you start feeling discouraged.
Questions to consider
  • What have you achieved since you started doing things you were afraid of?
  • How often will you review your achievements?

Call for Action
What is that thing you will do if you were not afraid? Challenge yourself to take action and apply the strategies above. Share with your community.

Final Thoughts
  • On our journey, we will continuously face opportunities that seem bigger than us - embrace them.
  • Being afraid is not a sign of weakness - it is a sign of work we need to do.
  • You can do it - take a step today!!

Great Resources
  • Fearless Living: Do What You Are Afraid to Do
  • Challenge #1: Do Something I'm Scared Of
  • Want To Do Something Great? Don't Be Afraid Of Failure
  • Do One Thing That Scares You Every Day
  • Overcoming Fear of Failure
  • There Is No Success without Failure: 6 Reasons to Do the Things That Scare You
2 Comments

How to own your motivation

15/1/2019

1 Comment

 
"Let no one discourage your ambitious attitude. You don't need a fan club to achieve your goals. Be your own motivation." - Mama Zara  
Picture
Many times, when we talk about being motivated, we are relying on external sources to motivate us. Imagine all you could do if you made it a priority to motivate yourself. It will not only get you started faster, but self-motivation will also keep you on the ball longer.

In this post, we will explore ways to get motivated and continue being motivated as you achieve your goals.

When you are self-motivated, you are:
ambitious, self-directed, full of initiative, proactive, self-dependent, driven by oneself, a self-starter and a go-getter.

What is self-motivation?
  • Ability to do what needs to be done, without influence from other people or situations. People with self-motivation can find a reason and strength to complete a task, even when challenging, without giving up or needing another to encourage them. (Source: Business Dictionary)
  • driven by one's own desires and ambitions. (Source: Merriam Webster Dictionary)
  • motivated or driven by oneself or one's own desires, without any external agency. (Source: Collins Dictionary)
  • Motivated to do or achieve something because of one's own enthusiasm or interest, without needing pressure from others. (Source: Oxford Dictionary)

Benefits of being self-motivated
  • You can go after what you want.
  • You seize new opportunities.
  • You find power from within yourself to continue working on things.
  • You are not dependent on others to motivate you to get where you want to go.

Self-motivation questions
Let's evaluate your self- motivation with the help of some reflective questions.

What excites or drives you?
Being aware of the things that motivate you is crucial. With this knowledge, you unlock the ability to seek out those motivators and experiences. It will become like fuel for your motor to power through whatever situation you are in.

What are you good at?
Appreciating your unique strengths and identifying opportunities to apply your skills will motivate you. We focus so much on our weakness and what we are not good at, which demotivates us. Focus on your strengths and celebrate your achievements.

How do you continuously check your motivation level?
Being in touch with feelings and how motivated you are at all times is essential. You will feel more motivated at times more than other times, and that is perfectly normal. Have regular check-ins with yourself.

What do you do when you don't feel motivated?
Times will come when your motivation will drop. Think of ways to increase your motivation. Personally, I find that learning something new or sharing my knowledge helps motivate me. Fighting demotivation requires you taking action.

What are you looking forward to?
With all the seriousness and responsibilities we have, it is easy to forget to have a positive outlook on life and your future. There is a lot to be hopeful for. Positivity will increase your motivation throughout your journey.

Call to Action
How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated? Write your response down so you can read later on.

Final Thoughts
  • Motivating yourself takes action and effort - it is definitely worth the investment.
  • It is empowering to know that you can own your motivation.
  • Motivation is essential to achieve your goals.

Great Resources
  • [QUIZ] How Self-Motivated Are You?
  • Struggling to Get Motivated? Don't Ask for Advice--Give It
  • How to Motivate Yourself to Do Things You Don’t Want to Do
  • How to Motivate Yourself: 3 Steps Backed By Science
  • 17 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Do Great Things
  • 8 Steps to Continuous Self Motivation Even During the Difficult Times
  • How to Keep Working When You’re Just Not Feeling It
  • How to Stay Insanely Self-Motivated, According to Science
1 Comment

10 free or low-cost things you can do for yourself in 2019

8/1/2019

1 Comment

 
Happy new year to you! 2019 is finally here. Are you ready for greatness?
Picture
The start of a new year brings excitement and anticipation of the great things to come. However, it also comes with a lot of pressures and fear of the future. In preparation for your journey this year, it is important to be empowered and confident that you can make things happen for yourself.

In this blog post, we will explore a few ideas to add to your list for the year that will cost you very little and create high value. The guiding principle for most of these tips is that they help you build a strong foundation for the year, no matter what comes your way.

#1: Believe in yourself
Valuing your unique skills and abilities comes at no cost. It's free and can only be applied by one person - you. Think and speak good things about yourself and your future.

#2: Be consistent and disciplined
You will experience great success in everything you do if you apply these two simple principles. Being consistent and disciplined costs you nothing but brings great rewards.

#3: Reflect on your experiences
Think back on the past experiences and uncover those valuable lessons that will help you this year. There is a wealth of knowledge that you can derive from things that went well or not so well last year.

#4: Share your story
This tip is a new one for most of us who prefer hearing other people's stories but fail to see that our stories are unique and relevant. Last year, I learned the power of sharing my experiences with people around me. It helped me appreciate my journey even more.

#5: Be positive
Especially as we start a new year, it is crucial to have a positive outlook on the future. It is very easy to look at the months ahead and think of only challenges and issues we may encounter. Imagine the excitement you build when you are hopeful and positive about what lies ahead.

#6: Motivate yourself
You can do even greater things when you are self-motivated. Depending on people to motivate you will affect the progress you make. The ability to identify your goals, take action and stay motivated through the process will make a difference for you this year.

#7: Build your growth mindset
Be prepared to invest time and work on your personal and professional development. As a result, you will continue to grow and get better at everything you do. Believing that in life you have many learning opportunities and possibilities to grow will change your perspective on challenges you may face.

#8: Surround yourself with good people
There are many positive and negative consequences of the company we keep. In this new year, make it a point to surround yourself with people who inspire you to grow and be your best self. It may be time to reconnect with people who added positivity to your life.

#9: Find and gather knowledge
These days the vast amount of learning resources that are available to us are impressive. Read books, listen to podcasts, attend classes, subscribe to newsletters and take every opportunity to learn something new. Knowledge is a tool you always want to have in your toolkit.

#10: Be kind to yourself
It's the start of a new year, and you most likely have a long list of goals for 2019. While you work on achieving your goals, remember that some things may not happen as planned. Regardless of the outcomes, give yourself permission to make mistakes, learn and grow. Also, remember to make self-care a priority this year.

Call to Action
Think about things you can do for yourself and share two things you will do for yourself in 2019.

Final Thoughts
  • You set the tone for your year - be positive and hopeful.
  • Make sure your foundation is solid – work on yourself.
  • Do new things this year – be great!

Great resources
  • 50 Small Things You Can Do Every Day to Really Love Yourself
  • Start Doing These 9 Things For Yourself Every Day To Immediately Improve Your Life
  • 6 Things To Do For Yourself Starting Today
  • 30 Things to Start Doing for Yourself
  • 29 Things That You Need To Start Doing For Yourself
  • 7 Tiny But Meaningful Things You Can Do to Become Your Own Best Friend
  • 8 Things To Do To Make Every Day Count
  • 12 Days of Self Care: 13 of the Best Things to do by Yourself

Welcome to 2019!
After taking a two-week break over the holidays, I am looking forward to sharing more blog posts with you and expanding our community. Join me on this adventurous journey!
1 Comment
    Picture

    Author

    Marie-Christin Anthony
    -Learning and sharing

      GET the monthly newsletter

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Categories

    All
    Events
    General
    Her Career
    Her Finances
    Her Growth
    Her Plan
    Her Relocation
    Her Story
    Her Toolkit

    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

    RSS Feed

    JOIN THE LIST

Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Toolkit
  • Groups
    • Group Insights
    • Group Intake