1, 2, 3...Dress

I found these 3 quotes that essentially say the same thing in different ways:

Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. 

~Epictetus

"Dress for the job you want, not the job you have!"

~Jeannine Morris, Founder and Blogger of BeautySweetSpot.com

Bottom line:

You'll be addressed the way you dress.

P.S.

Have you noticed that this topic* has a way of coming up ~ every quarter?

Just noticed & will now try to keep it that way...please remind me if I forget.

*Read more:

http://empowered-women-excel.blogspot.com/2012/03/essence-of-dress-sense.html

http://empowered-women-excel.blogspot.com/2012/03/dress-sense.html

http://empowered-women-excel.blogspot.com/2012/08/dress-essence.html

http://empowered-women-excel.blogspot.com/2012/09/next-size-please.html

http://empowered-women-excel.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-essence.html

http://empowered-women-excel.blogspot.com/2013/06/can-you.html

Mentoring...

is not Mothering...

Why eagles fly...and chicken flutter

Once upon a time, long, long ago, the Eagle and Chicken were very good friends. Everywhere they went these friends went together. It was not uncommon for people to look up and see the Eagle and Chicken flying side by side through the air.

One day, while flying, the Chicken said to the Eagle, "Let's drop down and get a bite to eat. My stomach is growling." "Sounds like a good idea to me," replied the Eagle. So the two birds glided down to earth, saw several animals eating, and decided to join them.

Hip! Hip! Hi-Po!!! ... now what?

Reading this article* in The Glass Hammer, I couldn't resist sharing it with you especially after my piece on this last year (http://empowered-women-excel.blogspot.ca/2013/03/are-you-hi-po-or.html).
I’ll highlight things that struck me, my comments are in purple font:

According to Harvard Business Review, companies identify 3-5% of their workforce as “High Potential.” If you have made that list, congratulations! You likely have outstanding technical expertise and an aptitude for strategic thinking. You probably have already delivered strong results, succeeded in various roles, and sought ways to improve processes and efficiency. Although making the list is an achievement in and of itself, it is only the first step. Now, as your journey as a “High Potential” begins, what steps should you take to position yourself for realizing that potential? EW: Indeed it’s one thing to “get on the list” Congrats!!! Now, how do you (plan to) stay on the list? It know how - it's actually as simple as ABC...

One resolution

Mid last year, I found out that January is Mentoring month so I decided to start off the year with a related resolution. In fact, I made this resolution a few years ago - and took action and it has continued to pay off...in more ways than one. 

I like what Karen Dee, the President and CEO of  Fifth Third Bank (Central Florida affiliate), said about Mentoring and encourage you to make that one of your resolutions:

"Find a mentor early in your career and,

as time goes on,

give back

by being a mentor to someone else."

I'll do my best to share mentoring tips this year - please feel free to send any other tips you know &/or have experienced to me. We can "mentor" each other on mentoring :)

Wishing you a really wonderful year ahead... invest in yourself and in others.

Don't forget to appreciate all those who have been your mentors - at one time or the other.

Reach out...

It's been almost 2½ years since I started this blog. One reason why I started it was because I strongly believe that we're here to help others.

I know that some people erroneously believe that they must be better than others in order to help them - that belief can't be further away from the truth.

I agree that there are times when being "better" educated and experienced, is definitely one way to help others.
On the flip side, being a willing listener and learner can and does help you become better and also helps those who are "better" go a notch higher. For instance, watching and learning from my mentors, helped me develop mentoring skills and then having the opportunity mentor others has greatly improved my mentoring skills.

Which is why these quotes from Pablo and Michelle Obama resonated with me.

When you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you. You reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.

~ Michelle Obama

 

I hope these 2 quotes will also encourage you to keep reaching out...accept that hand and pull someone up or be pulled up.

 

Play to win

Do you find yourself stifled by the competitiveness around you which then puts you on the treadmill of wanting to outdo your "competitors"? Personally, I believe that the best type of competitiveness is when you are always trying to outdo yourself... let me explain.