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What to Do When You Accidentely Text Your Co-Worker to Bring You a Blanket at Midnight

In terms of embarrassing things ever done, texting a co-worker late at night probably ranks among the highest. So when I, having just been told by my boyfriend not to forget my blanket before heading to bed, did just that and forgot my blanket, things took a turn for the worse. I immediately realized my mistake as I crested the stairs. But, unwilling to brave the cold stairs a second time, I resignedly texted my boyfriend to bring my blanket, knowing full well he would make fun of me. That’s when things really fell apart. Glancing down to check the time, I registered that he was responding as my iPhone’s text screen displayed that standard “…” to indicate a response is being written. My eyes slid up to the name positioned at the top of the screen and my insides began to writhe in fear. For written there, clear as day, was the name, Scott. Perhaps you think that my boyfriend’s name is Scott, however, you’d be incorrect. My boyfriend’s name is Jon, and Scott a manager on my team

The One Essential Trait You Need for Success

Success can be defined in any number of ways. There’s success at work, school, in your personal relationships, and many others. It can be measured in a multitude of ways as well. Perhaps you make a lot of money compared to your friends, maybe you simply have a lot of friends. Either way, most of us look up to or envy others who have achieved “success” in their various endeavors. So what sets those successful people apart from the norm? Just one thing according to Angela Lee Duckworth, a noted psychologist. Grit . Watch Angela Lee Duckworth’s TED Talk on the subject of grit below and formulate your own opinions on how gritty people achieve success. What is grit? Grit is a trait formed of passion and perseverance. It doesn’t have anything to do with innate talent, high IQ, or anything else we are led to believe from a young age. Anyone, no matter their background, can have grit. Grit is just one way to describe the attribute. Others call it toughness, stamina, or

Being a Career Woman with Chronic IBS

Intestinal disorders often go hand-in-hand with hard-working women in the workforce. Perhaps it’s constantly dealing with chronic, personal pain that teaches us how to persevere when times are tough. Or perhaps it’s that many of us internalize our stress until it manifests physically. Either way, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) , an umbrella term I’ll be using to describe chronic intestinal issues, shouldn’t be holding you back in the workplace. This is, of course, easier said than done. But it is possible with the right strategies in place. I’ve had some manner of undiagnosed IBS since I was a teenager, more than a decade now. It’s taken me the better part of 7 years to come to terms with it and accept that I may never know what exactly is wrong with me. Through the journey of pain, isolation, and confusion, I’ve learned two very important lessons. I should always trust myself -and- I am unstoppable. Doctors have told me everything from “you’re perfectly he

Grow Your Professional Network with These Foolproof Strategies

Professional networking is an art which many of us have failed to master. A professional network is a group of peers who work or participate in a community you’re involved with. Networks can be very broad or narrow in reach. If you work in the financial industry, you might consider your professional network to only be made up of only individuals who work, or have worked, in the financial sector. A broader professional network can consist of almost anyone in any type of community, however. It can comprise old professors, family members of friends, people from your extracurricular activities, even the aspiring author who lives next door. Networking, or the act of making new professional connections, is commonly seen to be of vital importance for career development. There are many benefits of networking including finding a support structure, learning about new opportunities, and making your personal brand more visible. Check out Career Addict’s post on 10 Important Benefits of Netwo

Don’t Get Stereotyped as an “Entitled Millennial” at Work

Millennials get stereotyped as entitled by older generations all the time. This is especially true in the workplace, where boomers and millennials interact on a daily basis. This, of course, isn’t true of all boomers or older workers, but there is a growing sense that millennials are “snowflakes” and cannot be trusted to do the hard work needed to succeed. Many believe millennials feel owed great salaries, lots of vacation and benefits, simply for graduating college. There are entitled millennials out there, but getting thrust in their shadow isn’t fair for millennials who are putting in the effort. But they promised us jobs if we went to college!? “Four-in-ten Millennial workers ages 25 to 29 had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2016, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Current Population Survey data.” ( Pew Research Center ) Affluent parents of millennials are likely to have told their children that they need to go to college to get a good job. Some even told the

3 Common Mistakes of Group Project Leaders

Being a successful leader of a group project takes forethought and effort . You are likely to make many mistakes at the beginning of your tenure as a project leader, but knowing some common pitfalls beforehand can help you to avoid leading your team down an unsuccessful path. Whether you’re deciding to take on the mantle of leader of your own free will, or because it’s your job, these common mistakes should be avoided at all costs. They don’t make a plan Planning and organization are the hallmarks of a successful leader. Others on the team may have specialized expertise and know how to execute on their tasks with precision, but it’s the leader’s job to get everyone moving in the right direction and help them stay on course. Before bringing your group together for an initial planning session, you must have a preliminary plan outlined. Coming to the meeting with suggestions will help get the meeting moving and avoid wasted time. Once your meeting is convened, you can w