Career

Subterms

    Latest story

    113 Shares

    Here’s how to healthily navigate through a career burnout

    by

    Experiencing career burnout can be incredibly challenging. It’s a feeling of being emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted due to prolonged stress.
    Dr Gurveen Ranger, Clinical Psychologist, Lead for Corporate Wellbeing and Adult Mental Health at Sage Clinics, on recognising the signs of career burnout.
    What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
    The first 30 minutes of my day involves hitting the snooze button acouple of times, so I get up gradually. I try to start the day mindfully – so I avoid looking at my phone until I have left the house and focus on getting ready. Half the week I start work a little later, so I start my day with some form of exercise at home, and I find I have a bit more energy for the rest of the day.
    Talk us through you career.
    I decided I wanted to be a psychologist when I was about 16 years old, doing my college A Level in Psychology. Prior to this I knew nothing about it and thought I was going to be a journalist! Learning about the psychological theories got me hooked on the subject, and I found it fascinating learning about how the brain and our minds can work. This, coupled with a desire to help people meant it was the perfect career for me to pursue and find meaning in. After my undergraduate degree in Psychology, I worked in various NHS establishments in the UK, gaining experience in the mental health field so I could eventually pursue the doctoral clinical psychology training. I have always loved to be challenged, and so after several years working post doctorate in a service for people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties, I decided the next challenge was to move here to the UAE and be part of establishing a new clinic – in a region where narratives around mental health are progressing but still in their relative infancy. I have enjoyed the work we are doing to raise awareness about mental health and have ended up specialising in corporate wellbeing, recognising the significant need for this in the UAE.
    What are the key symptoms of a career burnout?
    Career burnout means emotional, physical and mental exhaustion from prolonged stress or dissatisfaction in your career. The key signs include physical exhaustion, where you may notice you feel exhausted, no matter how much sleep you get, and emotional exhaustion, which leaves you feeling overwhelmed, cynical, and detached from your work and colleagues. You may notice a feeling of dread when you wake in the morning which lingers throughout the day. Thirdly, mental exhaustion where you may notice a decline in cognitive abilities, including memory and concentration, increased absenteeism that leads to burnout along with an increase in sick days and a decrease in productivity and lastly decreased motivation, where burnout can lead to a lack of enthusiasm and interest in work, which can impact your performance. You may notice getting less of a sense of achievement in your work, or feel like you are not good enough regardless of your actual accomplishments and therefore feel less inclined to put the work in.
    How is the mind and body interconnected – can stress lead to adverse affects in the body?
    Absolutely, there is a lot of research on the impact of stress on the body. When we are stressed, we are often in fight or flight mode – our threat response, and the brain releases more stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to help the body deal with the stressor. Whilst helpful in a dangerous situation, when it is activated frequently by chronic stressors we start to see an impact on the body. Such impact includes headaches, muscle tension and soreness, digestive issues, and overall weakened immune function to name a few. There is also an impact on our sleep, concentration, and our emotions – for example heightened anxiety, and our emotions are experienced physically in our bodies. A little more indirectly when we are stressed, we tend to engage in less self-care, so our diet may change, we may exercise less, and this will have an impact on our bodies too. So, when I work with clients on stress management, we look at it from both psychological and physiological perspectives.
    What’s the best technique to regulate during a stressful situation?
    During a specific stressful situation grounding can be really helpful in the moment. This might be focusing on your five senses (the 54321 exercise is good – name in your mind five things you can see around you, four things you can touch – really feel them, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste). This helps us “drop and anchor” and get present in a moment when our thoughts and emotions may be overwhelming and racing. Deep breathing is also a good in-themoment strategy, as our breathing is often dysregulated during the threat response. Breathing in to a count of four and out to a count of six is a good way to do this, and ensure your abdomen is moving more than your chest – so you know you are taking a good, full breath. You can place one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest as you breathe to help determine this. More broadly, meditative exercises can be helpful to practice regularly to manage stress. Mindfulness meditation and relaxation meditation are a couple of ways of doing this and you can typically find good audios or scripts online.

    How important is it to set healthy boundaries at work?
    It is essential to set healthy boundaries at work to ensure a healthy work/life balance and prevent burnout. When we don’t have healthy boundaries, we often feel overwhelmed, resentful, and frustrated. Healthy boundaries also help us feel more fulfilled – by only taking on what we have capacity to do, we end up feeling more motivated and satisfied, as we are able to give full attention to what we are doing – so you end up focusing on quality of work rather than purely quantity of output where we feel like we are working hard never achieving anything that feels “good enough.”
    What are some of the top selfcare practices that can be incorporated in our busy schedules?
    Protect break times – block this time in your diary, even if it is only 30 minutes. We often tell ourselves we don’t have time, but research indicates we are actually more productive when we take breaks. If you can, move away from your desk for your break. Start and leave work on time as much as possible – I know many people who use their morning commute to catch up on emails, which means they are often in ‘threat mode’ before they even get to work. Using this time to be more mindful – focusing on surroundings or listening to something like a podcast or music can help us start the day in a more grounded way. Same for after work – hide away your laptop so it is out of sight and plan something else – relaxing, social, or active! If you absolutely have to check emails in the evenings, set limits on when and how often you do this. Aim for a routine as schedules may be very busy, having a regular sleep/ wake time can be really helpful for our wellbeing, alongside regular balanced meals. It may not be possible to get to a gym multiple times a week when you are so busy but a short walk or a 20-minute home workout are also great – anything to kick start the endorphins. Connect to others – colleagues, friends and family members, social connection can go a long way for stress management. If you are short on time you could combine – so meet a friend but go for a walk or activity together so you are socialising and getting some exercise in at the same time. Lastly, stress management techniques are important – as mentioned before, learning to be more mindful is a key way of managing stress. Alongside this, relaxation strategies as well as engaging in leisure activities as mentioned above are all key parts of stress management. If you are noticing the signs of stress or burnout and would like some help in managing this, I would recommend speaking to a therapist.
    Many employees are navigating through the imposter syndrome – how can this affect our mental health?
    Impostor syndrome, whilst not a ‘clinical’ diagnosis is so common in all walks of life, and I see it a lot in my corporate clients. No matter how successful they are or how much they have achieved, there is this pervasive self-doubt – questioning their accomplishments, skills and talents and this persistent fear of being “found out” to be a fraud or not good enough. I often see this in new mums too. This pulls us into overworking, comparing themselves to others, and downplaying achievements. Understandably, this can impact our mental health, and often co-exists alongside depression or anxiety for example. This then becomes self-perpetuating, as the more we believe we are not good enough, the more we dismiss positive feedback, avoid things, or self-criticise for making mistakes, and this then further impacts our mood and anxiety levels.
    When should one seek for help during their career?
    As early as possible. This way, you can access timely intervention which prevents the symptoms escalating into more chronic stress type difficulties and burnout. It also means you can catch certain unhelpful coping mechanisms like avoidance or overworking before they start to exacerbate the cycle of how you are feeling, and before they contribute to feeling disconnected from your career.
    This is The Body Issue – what are your nonnegotiable self and body care practices?
    Sleep! This is my number one rule. I know whenever I have a bad night’s sleep or have gone to sleep too late the knock-on effect on my concentration, mood, and productivity the next day is huge. I had to teach myself to reduce how much time I spent on my phone in the evenings, which was hard, but I got there eventually. Now I have a specific wind down routine, and screens are put away at least 30 minutes before I go to sleep. A balanced diet is important too. I have had to train myself on this too but having a routine where I prep everything in the evening and enough for a few days at a time has really helped, as the more stressed I am my default is convenience rather than nutrition, as is the case for many. Within this, I have also learned not to restrict anything, as actually that often leaves us feeling more stressed! Balance is key. It’s important to get regular health check-ups. I used to be someone who would dismiss symptoms and tell myself I didn’t have time to go for check-ups especially when I am too busy or stressed. But making time for this is not only essential from a health point of view, but also showing ourselves that we are worthy of self-care. When I work with clients who are coming for heightened anxiety or stress, I always recommend a routine physical health check-up if they haven’t had one for a long time, before we assume something like tiredness is solely related to stress, for example.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram

    June’s – The Body Issue with So Much Trouble – Download Now
    Images: Supplied & Unsplash More

    More stories

    • 100 Shares

      in lifestyle and culture

      How to healthily navigate through a career burnout

      by

      Experiencing career burnout can be incredibly challenging. It’s a feeling of being emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted due to prolonged stress.
      Dr Gurveen Ranger, Clinical Psychologist, Lead for Corporate Wellbeing and Adult Mental Health at Sage Clinics, on recognising the signs of career burnout.
      What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
      The first 30 minutes of my day involves hitting the snooze button acouple of times, so I get up gradually. I try to start the day mindfully – so I avoid looking at my phone until I have left the house and focus on getting ready. Half the week I start work a little later, so I start my day with some form of exercise at home, and I find I have a bit more energy for the rest of the day.
      Talk us through you career.
      I decided I wanted to be a psychologist when I was about 16 years old, doing my college A Level in Psychology. Prior to this I knew nothing about it and thought I was going to be a journalist! Learning about the psychological theories got me hooked on the subject, and I found it fascinating learning about how the brain and our minds can work. This, coupled with a desire to help people meant it was the perfect career for me to pursue and find meaning in. After my undergraduate degree in Psychology, I worked in various NHS establishments in the UK, gaining experience in the mental health field so I could eventually pursue the doctoral clinical psychology training. I have always loved to be challenged, and so after several years working post doctorate in a service for people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties, I decided the next challenge was to move here to the UAE and be part of establishing a new clinic – in a region where narratives around mental health are progressing but still in their relative infancy. I have enjoyed the work we are doing to raise awareness about mental health and have ended up specialising in corporate wellbeing, recognising the significant need for this in the UAE.
      What are the key symptoms of a career burnout?
      Career burnout means emotional, physical and mental exhaustion from prolonged stress or dissatisfaction in your career. The key signs include physical exhaustion, where you may notice you feel exhausted, no matter how much sleep you get, and emotional exhaustion, which leaves you feeling overwhelmed, cynical, and detached from your work and colleagues. You may notice a feeling of dread when you wake in the morning which lingers throughout the day. Thirdly, mental exhaustion where you may notice a decline in cognitive abilities, including memory and concentration, increased absenteeism that leads to burnout along with an increase in sick days and a decrease in productivity and lastly decreased motivation, where burnout can lead to a lack of enthusiasm and interest in work, which can impact your performance. You may notice getting less of a sense of achievement in your work, or feel like you are not good enough regardless of your actual accomplishments and therefore feel less inclined to put the work in.
      How is the mind and body interconnected – can stress lead to adverse affects in the body?
      Absolutely, there is a lot of research on the impact of stress on the body. When we are stressed, we are often in fight or flight mode – our threat response, and the brain releases more stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline to help the body deal with the stressor. Whilst helpful in a dangerous situation, when it is activated frequently by chronic stressors we start to see an impact on the body. Such impact includes headaches, muscle tension and soreness, digestive issues, and overall weakened immune function to name a few. There is also an impact on our sleep, concentration, and our emotions – for example heightened anxiety, and our emotions are experienced physically in our bodies. A little more indirectly when we are stressed, we tend to engage in less self-care, so our diet may change, we may exercise less, and this will have an impact on our bodies too. So, when I work with clients on stress management, we look at it from both psychological and physiological perspectives.
      What’s the best technique to regulate during a stressful situation?
      During a specific stressful situation grounding can be really helpful in the moment. This might be focusing on your five senses (the 54321 exercise is good – name in your mind five things you can see around you, four things you can touch – really feel them, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste). This helps us “drop and anchor” and get present in a moment when our thoughts and emotions may be overwhelming and racing. Deep breathing is also a good in-themoment strategy, as our breathing is often dysregulated during the threat response.Breathing in to a count of four and out to a count of six is a good way to do this, and ensure your abdomen is moving more than your chest – so you know you are taking a good, full breath. You can place one hand on your stomach and one hand on your chest as you breathe to help determine this. More broadly, meditative exercises can be helpful to practice regularly to manage stress. Mindfulness meditation and relaxation meditation are a couple of ways of doing this and you can typically find good audios or scripts online.

      How important is it to set healthy boundaries at work?
      It is essential to set healthy boundaries at work to ensure a healthy work/life balance and prevent burnout. When we don’t have healthy boundaries, we often feel overwhelmed, resentful, and frustrated. Healthy boundaries also help us feel more fulfilled – by only taking on what we have capacity to do, we end up feeling more motivated and satisfied, as we are able to give full attention to what we are doing – so you end up focusing on quality of work rather than purely quantity of output where we feel like we are working hard never achieving anything that feels “good enough.”
      What are some of the top selfcare practices that can be incorporated in our busy schedules?
      Protect break times – block this time in your diary, even if it is only 30 minutes. We often tell ourselves we don’t have time, but research indicates we are actually more productive when we take breaks. If you can, move away from your desk for your break. Start and leave work on time as much as possible – I know many people who use their morning commute to catch up on emails, which means they are often in ‘threat mode’ before they even get to work. Using this time to be more mindful – focusing on surroundings or listening to something like a podcast or music can help us start the day in a more grounded way. Same for after work – hide away your laptop so it is out of sight and plan something else – relaxing, social, or active! If you absolutely have to check emails in the evenings, set limits on when and how often you do this. Aim for a routine as schedules may be very busy, having a regular sleep/ wake time can be really helpful for our wellbeing, alongside regular balanced meals. It may not be possible to get to a gym multiple times a week when you are so busy but a short walk or a 20-minute home workout are also great – anything to kick start the endorphins. Connect to others – colleagues, friends and family members, social connection can go a long way for stress management. If you are short on time you could combine – so meet a friend but go fora walk or activity together so you are socialising and getting some exercise in at the same time. Lastly, stress management techniques are important – as mentioned before, learning to be more mindful is a key way of managing stress. Alongside this, relaxation strategies as well as engaging in leisure activities as mentioned above are all key parts of stress management. If you are noticing the signs of stress or burnout and would like some help in managing this, I would recommend speaking to a therapist.
      Many employees are navigating through the imposter syndrome – how can this affect our mental health?
      Impostor syndrome, whilst not a ‘clinical’ diagnosis is so common in all walks of life, and I see it a lot in my corporate clients. No matter how successful they are or how much they have achieved, there is this pervasive self-doubt – questioning their accomplishments, skills and talents and this persistent fear of being “found out” to be a fraud or not good enough. I often see this in new mums too. This pulls us into overworking, comparing themselves to others, and downplaying achievements. Understandably, this can impact our mental health, and often co-exists alongside depression or anxiety for example. This then becomes self-perpetuating, as the more we believe we are not good enough, the more we dismiss positive feedback, avoid things, or self-criticise for making mistakes, and this then further impacts our mood and anxiety levels.
      When should one seek for help during their career?
      As early as possible. This way, you can access timely intervention which prevents the symptoms escalating into more chronic stress type difficulties and burnout. It also means you can catch certain unhelpful coping mechanisms like avoidance or overworking before they start to exacerbate the cycle of how you are feeling, and before they contribute to feeling disconnected from your career.
      This is The Body Issue – what are your nonnegotiable self and body care practices?
      Sleep! This is my number one rule. I know whenever I have a bad night’s sleep or have gone to sleep too late the knock-on effect on my concentration, mood, and productivity the next day is huge. I had to teach myself to reduce how much time I spent on my phone in the evenings, which was hard, but I got there eventually. Now I have a specific wind down routine, and screens are put away at least 30 minutes before I go to sleep. A balanced diet is important too. I have had to train myself on this too but having a routine where I prep everything in the evening and enough for a few days at a time has really helped, as the more stressed I am my default is convenience rather than nutrition, as is the case for many. Within this, I have also learned not to restrict anything, as actually that often leaves us feeling more stressed! Balance is key. It’s important to get regular health check-ups. I used to be someone who would dismiss symptoms and tell myself I didn’t have time to go for check-ups especially when I am too busy or stressed. But making time for this is not only essential from a health point of view, but also showing ourselves that we are worthy of self-care. When I work with clients who are coming forheightened anxiety or stress, I always recommend a routine physical health check-up if they haven’t had one for a long time, beforewe assume something like tiredness is solely related to stress, for example.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram

      June’s – The Body Issue with So Much Trouble – Download Now
      Images: Supplied & Unsplash More

    • 138 Shares

      in lifestyle and culture

      Vision boards: 4 different ways to make create one for 2024

      by

      Life

      by Ruman Baig
      2 hours ago

      Vision boards have become a popular tool for manifesting goals, dreams, and aspirations.
      This visually engaging practice involves creating a collage of images, words, and symbols that represent your desires and objectives.
      If you’re intrigued by the idea and are looking for road map on how to create one, what’s the reasons behind their effectiveness, and understand how this creative process can positively impact your life, we’ve got you covered.
      Different Ways to Create a Vision Board:
      Traditional Collage:

      Gather magazines, scissors, glue, and a sturdy board. Flip through magazines, cut out images and phrases that resonate with your goals. Arrange and glue the selected items onto the board.
      Digital Vision Board:

      Use online platforms or graphic design software to create a virtual vision board. Collect images and quotes from the internet that inspire you. Arrange them on a digital canvas and save the file for easy access.
      Themed Boards:

      Focus on specific areas of your life (e.g., career, relationships, health, travel). Create separate boards for each theme, allowing for a more detailed and targeted approach.
      Mind Map Vision Board:

      Start with a central idea or goal in the center of the board. Branch out with images and words that relate to different aspects of that goal. Connect the elements to visualize the interplay between different areas of your life.
      The Reasons Behind Vision Boards:
      Visualization and Law of Attraction:
      Vision boards serve as powerful tools for visualizing your goals, aligning with the law of attraction. By regularly exposing yourself to your aspirations, you’re sending a constant message to your subconscious mind, reinforcing your intentions.
      Clarity and Focus:
      The process of selecting and arranging images forces you to clarify your goals. Vision boards act as a focal point, helping you concentrate on what truly matters to you amid life’s distractions.
      Motivation and Positive Reinforcement:
      Seeing your goals represented visually can be a daily reminder of your aspirations. The positive reinforcement gained from acknowledging your progress fosters motivation.
      Brain Engagement:
      Creating a vision board engages both the creative and logical parts of your brain. This holistic approach enhances your ability to think critically about your goals while expressing them artistically.
      Incorporating vision boards into your routine can be a transformative experience. Whether through traditional collages or digital formats, the act of visualizing and articulating your goals contributes to a more focused, motivated, and purposeful life.
      Take the time to create a vision board, and watch as it becomes a dynamic tool in shaping your future.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Unsplash & Pinterest: More

    • 125 Shares

      in lifestyle and culture

      Vision boards: 4 different ways to create one for 2024

      by

      Lifeby Ruman Baig18 hours ago Vision boards have become a popular tool for manifesting goals, dreams, and aspirations.This visually engaging practice involves creating a collage of images, words, and symbols that represent your desires and objectives.If you’re intrigued by the idea and are looking for road map on how to create one, what’s the reasons behind their effectiveness, and understand how this creative process can positively impact your life, we’ve got you covered.Different Ways to Create a Vision Board:Traditional Collage:Gather magazines, scissors, glue, and a sturdy board. Flip through magazines, cut out images and phrases that resonate with your goals. Arrange and glue the selected items onto the board.Digital Vision Board:Use online platforms or graphic design software to create a virtual vision board. Collect images and quotes from the internet that inspire you. Arrange them on a digital canvas and save the file for easy access.Themed Boards:Focus on specific areas of your life (e.g., career, relationships, health, travel). Create separate boards for each theme, allowing for a more detailed and targeted approach.Mind Map Vision Board:Start with a central idea or goal in the center of the board. Branch out with images and words that relate to different aspects of that goal. Connect the elements to visualize the interplay between different areas of your life.The Reasons Behind Vision Boards:Visualization and Law of Attraction:Vision boards serve as powerful tools for visualizing your goals, aligning with the law of attraction. By regularly exposing yourself to your aspirations, you’re sending a constant message to your subconscious mind, reinforcing your intentions.Clarity and Focus:The process of selecting and arranging images forces you to clarify your goals. Vision boards act as a focal point, helping you concentrate on what truly matters to you amid life’s distractions.Motivation and Positive Reinforcement:Seeing your goals represented visually can be a daily reminder of your aspirations. The positive reinforcement gained from acknowledging your progress fosters motivation.Brain Engagement:Creating a vision board engages both the creative and logical parts of your brain. This holistic approach enhances your ability to think critically about your goals while expressing them artistically.Incorporating vision boards into your routine can be a transformative experience. Whether through traditional collages or digital formats, the act of visualizing and articulating your goals contributes to a more focused, motivated, and purposeful life.Take the time to create a vision board, and watch as it becomes a dynamic tool in shaping your future.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Unsplash & Pinterest: More

    • 125 Shares

      in lifestyle and culture

      4 creative ways to make your vision boards for 2024

      by

      Life

      by Ruman Baig
      2 hours ago

      Vision boards have become a popular tool for manifesting goals, dreams, and aspirations.
      This visually engaging practice involves creating a collage of images, words, and symbols that represent your desires and objectives.
      If you’re intrigued by the idea and are looking for road map on how to create one, what’s the reasons behind their effectiveness, and understand how this creative process can positively impact your life, we’ve got you covered.
      Different Ways to Create a Vision Board:
      Traditional Collage:

      Gather magazines, scissors, glue, and a sturdy board. Flip through magazines, cut out images and phrases that resonate with your goals. Arrange and glue the selected items onto the board.
      Digital Vision Board:

      Use online platforms or graphic design software to create a virtual vision board. Collect images and quotes from the internet that inspire you. Arrange them on a digital canvas and save the file for easy access.
      Themed Boards:

      Focus on specific areas of your life (e.g., career, relationships, health, travel). Create separate boards for each theme, allowing for a more detailed and targeted approach.
      Mind Map Vision Board:

      Start with a central idea or goal in the center of the board. Branch out with images and words that relate to different aspects of that goal. Connect the elements to visualize the interplay between different areas of your life.
      The Reasons Behind Vision Boards:
      Visualization and Law of Attraction:
      Vision boards serve as powerful tools for visualizing your goals, aligning with the law of attraction. By regularly exposing yourself to your aspirations, you’re sending a constant message to your subconscious mind, reinforcing your intentions.
      Clarity and Focus:
      The process of selecting and arranging images forces you to clarify your goals. Vision boards act as a focal point, helping you concentrate on what truly matters to you amid life’s distractions.
      Motivation and Positive Reinforcement:
      Seeing your goals represented visually can be a daily reminder of your aspirations. The positive reinforcement gained from acknowledging your progress fosters motivation.
      Brain Engagement:
      Creating a vision board engages both the creative and logical parts of your brain. This holistic approach enhances your ability to think critically about your goals while expressing them artistically.
      Incorporating vision boards into your routine can be a transformative experience. Whether through traditional collages or digital formats, the act of visualizing and articulating your goals contributes to a more focused, motivated, and purposeful life.
      Take the time to create a vision board, and watch as it becomes a dynamic tool in shaping your future.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Unsplash & Pinterest: More

    • 163 Shares

      in lifestyle and culture

      How I got my job as… Senior Marketing Director at Sunset Hospitality Group

      by

      Life

      by Camille Macawili
      2 hours ago

      Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
      This week, we put the spotlight on Iliana Orietta, Senior Marketing Director of the Daylife Division & Head of Corporate MARCOM at Sunset Hospitality Group, whose brands include a dynamic roster of concepts and brands in Dubai and beyond such as Drift Beach, Aura Skypool Longe, Azure Beach, and Folie Restaurant & Sea in Bodrum, Turkey.
      To understand Iliana’s multi-faceted role, we caught up with the marketing veteran to learn about her remarkable journey, the finer details of crafting the perfect brand experience and upcoming openings in the pipeline.
      Scroll through to read the interview below and find out more.
      What was your favourite subject at school?
      I was always attracted to history, geography, and literature, with a weak spot for geography.
      What was your first job?
      I started my career working in travel agencies, and since then, I was always involved in the hospitality industry. It seems I was always destined to work in hospitality and marketing.
      What eventually brought you to Dubai?
      Dubai is dynamic, cosmopolitan and has in its core the concept of hospitality; it’s a hub for innovation and my passion for hospitality and marketing drove me here, seeking exciting opportunities in the industry.
      What inspired you to enter the hospitality space?
      I’m originally from Greece, a country at the heart of hospitality and tourism, so it felt natural to start working in travel agencies, hotels, and then event companies and eventually hospitality groups.

      Talk us through the concept of Sunset Hospitality Group.
      Sunset Hospitality Group was founded in 2011 with a vision to create exceptional dining and hospitality experiences worldwide, from hotel resorts and beach clubs to restaurants and nightlife venues. It began with just an idea, driven by a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the market, and now we are fortunate enough to operate very popular brands around the world.
      The last eleven years saw the Group grow at a rapid rate (I’ve been with the Group for six years); we are present in 16 countries, with over 30 brands. Since the beginning we’ve maintained our excellence, diversified our offerings, while continually developing new and pioneering concepts and acclaimed multinational brands. Most of our brands have received local, regional, and international recognitions.
      What are the key elements of your role?
      I lead the marketing strategy for numerous lifestyle brands of Sunset Hospitality Group, as well as heading the Group’s Corporate Marketing. The part I love the most is conceptualizing, developing, and launching new brand concepts – I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far, for example, we launched the iconic AURA Skypool Lounge, the multi-awarded beach club DRIFT Beach, Dubai’s homegrown concept Azure Beach, and Folie Restaurant & Sea in Bodrum, Turkey. And to name a few, we are working on new and exciting openings in Bali including Attiko, Folie, Santana, Mamasita, we’re taking Dubai’s homegrown concept Azure Beach to Marbella and Vietnam, and we will bring Attiko to Vietnam.

      Talk us through your daily routine.
      My days always start very early – I like to begin with my coffee, then always some form of exercise which gives me energy and strength for the day, and then I head to the office at Sunset’s headquarters. My role requires me very often to travel to several of Sunset’s global destinations as I’m heading projects and managing teams all over the world. At the office, my day is focused on leading a very talented team and working across Marcom strategy, brand conceptualization, reaching financial target goals, designing and implementing brand standards, and managing a growing team of eight locally, and several more globally.
      What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?
      The key to success is passion and dedication. Loving what you do, being part of an amazing team, and having leaders with a clear vision helps you achieve your wildest dreams. Never give up, and even if you face challenges, you pause, regroup and continue. Find your passion and turn it to a job.
      What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
      It never gets easy – you just become better!
      And what is the worst?
      I never received a bad piece of advice. I tend to listen to people I trust and those people always have my best interest in mind.
      What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?
      Life happens as we progress with our professional career so it’s of course challenging managing personal situations while working in high positions. Maintaining a healthy personal life and a successful professional career will always be my priority.
      What are your future goals and plans for your career?
      I love what I’m doing so my goal is to grow further within Sunset Hospitality Group and be proud of more brand creations, concept openings, and international expansion.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied  More

    • 50 Shares

      in health and weelbeing

      Mazda Made With Soul

      by

      Mazda has searched the South African landscape to find people driven by an innate sense of curiosity, willing to tell their human-centric stories of success and passion for their craft. These individuals embody the true meaning of community and harmony with all things in and around us. In this series, they will be imparting their stories of precision craftsmanship, infused with their soul; so who better to share their journey with you, than a brand Made with Soul?
      [embedded content]
      Meet Roushana Gray
      Founder of Veld and Sea, and winner of the Spier Sustainability award in 2019, Roushana Gray is a wild food artist, foodie and avid forager. She shares her passion for the local edible landscape through immersive educational experiences, connection and creativity. For Roushana, her vocation as a food innovator is a journey that never ends as there is always something new to learn and discover.
      Explore more HERE 
      *In Partnership with Mazda More

    • 138 Shares

      in lifestyle and culture

      ‘Your time to flourish’: Sheikh Mohammed’s uplifting words to young Emiratis

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Sarah Joseph
      2 hours ago

      His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued an inspiring message to the future generations of the UAE.
      To mark International Youth Day on August 12, 2022, the Dubai Ruler shared a video across his official social media platforms, celebrating the achievements of the young people of the emirates.
      “I was young once like you and my dreams did come true,” His Highness said. “After the hardships, good days followed. Our country has become a heaven. May it always thrive.
      “It’s now your time to flourish with ease.”

      Sheikh Mohammed went on to outline the “biggest success” in the UAE’s history of achievements, the “youth”.
      “They are the future,” he added.
      He also referred to the country’s youth as the “hope and treasure” of the nation, and urged them to take the future into their hands and carve their own path.
      By championing young people of the UAE following different career paths, the video highlights a chef, triathlete, a camel owner, a horse rider, an engineer and a pilot.
      From robotics engineer, Maryam Buhumaid to chief cultural guide Fatma Khalid, inspiring leaders diligently pursuing their careers from the next generation were presented in the clip.
      Furthermore, he advised the young generation to take the future into their hands and strive for academic excellence, which will contribute to the UAE’s growth.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied & Instgram @faz3 More