Career & Finance

At the end of 2021, I knew it was time for me to make a change. As an entrepreneur, I was thrilled to see my business really grow throughout the year, but by the end of the year, the burnout was creeping in big time. Over the holidays I sat down and made a plan to better tackle my work days. That way, I could keep up my current output while also regaining some much-needed work-life balance. After giving a lot of different productivity methods some serious thought, I turned to time blocking and it made a world of difference in how I plan my days, how quickly I can complete tasks, and how much free time I have outside of work.
Basically—I am a time-blocking convert, so I’m here to walk you through why so many successful women swear by this productivity method and how to bring it into your own work days.

What is Time Blocking
So, what exactly is time blocking? The beauty of this productivity method is how simple it is. When you plan your workday or work week, all you have to do is divide your day into blocks of time where each block is dedicated to accomplishing either a specific task or a group of tasks. You can start by creating a normal to-do list, but then you need to take things up a notch and assign each to-do a certain block of time where you intend to complete that task.
Let’s look at an example of how I would time block my day as a writer, starting with a pretty standard to-do list.

Write two blog posts
Arrange three upcoming subject matter expert interviews
Meet with two clients
Research and outline two blog posts to write tomorrow
Reach inbox zero

With that to-do list in mind, I would then block out my tasks around the tasks that are already set in stone (aka meetings) at certain times.

8-11 a.m.: Write two blog posts
11 a.m.-1 p.m: Meet with client #1 at 11 a.m., have lunch and take a quick walk, and meet with client #2 at 12:30 p.m.
1-3 p.m.: Research and outline two blog posts
3-4 p.m.: Arrange three subject matter expert interviews and reach inbox zero

So, how did I determine how to arrange my time blocks? To start, I am the most focused in the morning and that’s when I write best, so I chose to start my day with my biggest tasks. I had to schedule to get both of those blog posts done before meeting with my clients starting at 11 a.m. Because there was a gap between my two meetings (which makes it very easy to waste time), I scheduled my lunch break into that same block. Later in the afternoon when I have a bit less energy and focus, I decided to work on researching and outlining blog posts, which require less focus than writing. This prep work will also make it easier to jump straight into writing them the next day. I chose to then group easy and small admin tasks for the last block of the day when I find it really hard to focus on bigger projects.
How I time block might not work for you and that’s okay, but you can see from my thought process how you can use time blocking to be really strategic about how you get your work done.

Why It Works
The reason that time blocking can be so effective is that it makes it easier to commit to deep work and to make the most of your preferred working habits and schedule. Not to mention, it helps you avoid having to hem and haw over what to do once you finish a task.
When you decide on a time block and commit to it, you are dedicating yourself to one single task or a similar group of tasks which helps you devote your mental focus better. You can avoid task switching (which can really slow you down) when you group together tasks. That’s why I find it easier to send out interview requests via email in the same time block as cleaning out my inbox. The same goes for research versus writing. Research can be quite tricky and involves overcoming a lot of roadblocks and problem solving, which can be really frustrating. Grouping all of my research together makes it possible to just focus on the writing which requires deep work that isn’t slowed down by trying to overcome research problems.
Time blocking is also really motivating and makes it easier to avoid distractions. When you set a time deadline for a task the pressure is on a bit. If you start to surf the web, you can miss your chance to finish your task in your desired time block which can derail the whole rest of your day.

Mistakes to Avoid
Time blocking is a very simple method, but there are some mistakes you’ll want to avoid whenever possible.

Underestimating your time. This can be tricky at first, so be patient. It’s easy to underestimate how much time something will take you which can make it hard to stick to the time blocks you chose. At first, overestimate until you get a better idea of how much time certain tasks will take. Even when you can better estimate timelines, it helps to leave a little buffer room to deal with unexpected Slack messages or tasks that are harder than anticipated.
Leave room for breaks and admin work. The schedule I blocked above is a bit simpler than the ones I usually create. Just like I added room for a lunch break, it’s important to add room for smaller breaks throughout the day and to do admin work. I don’t have a boss, so I can ignore my emails for as long as I like, but you may need to schedule time between major blocks to address your inbox. You can also take advantage of finishing time blocks early to take breaks (another reason why it’s helpful to overestimate).
Being too rigid. We can’t fully predict what’s going to happen on a work day. There’s no harm in reworking your schedule when an unexpected need or meeting pops up. That’s why I like to block time on paper with an erasable pen. It’s super easy for me to make adjustments as needed so I can regain a bit of control when things don’t go according to plan. By the way, these are the other tools I use to stay productive that are a bit more exciting than pen and paper. 

How to Start Time Blocking
Time blocking gets easier with trial and error, so there’s no reason you can’t start trying this productivity method today. Write a to-do list before the start of your next work day or as soon as you sit down to work, and next to each task, write down how long you think it will take. Then you can pull out a paper calendar, digital calendar, or a simple sheet of paper. Write down any meetings or appointments first since those have to happen at certain times, then make other time blocks around those fixed to-dos. If you see you have 90 minutes between meetings and you have a task you think will take 60 minutes, schedule it in there so you have some time for that task to run long or to take a break. If you only have 30 minutes between your last meeting and the end of your work day, group together answering emails and planning the following day into that one block.
Eventually, time blocking will start to feel a lot more intuitive as you learn what your most productive day looks like!

The Surprising Trait That May Be Affecting Your Productivity More

There are few things more frustrating and disheartening than a seemingly endless job search, so what if there were some simple tips that could help your resume move to the top of a hiring manager’s pile? Whether your relevant training and experience are extensive or very minimal, your resume is your sales pitch—it tells those looking to hire what you can do, what you enjoy, and where you want to move in your career. It’s essential that your resume highlights your best attributes while avoiding any red flags or mistakes that could hold you back in your job search. If you’re looking to take your resume to the next level, keep reading for nine unspoken resume rules that you need to follow before submitting your next application.

1. Keep It to No More Than Two Pages
When you really want to show off your training and experience to a company, it can be tempting to list every job you’ve ever had or course you’ve ever taken, but that’s rarely a good idea. According to Indeed.com, most resumes should be no more than a single page, especially if you have less than 10 years of professional experience. Most hiring managers have mere seconds to skim over a resume and decide if you’re a good fit for the available role, so you need to make sure that all information they see is relevant. Avoid unnecessary filler words, remove outdated information, and keep your resume as concise as possible.

2. Tailor Your Resume to the Job
Although it may be easier if you’re applying for a wide range of job opportunities, using the same resume for every application may work against you. Hiring managers are looking to see that you have the skills and experience for the specific role they are filling, and that will look different for each and every position. The training and work experience that would be important for an accounting role is very different from those needed for a hospitality position, so identifying relevant skills and elaborating on those for each specific job is crucial to ensuring you stand out. This also means removing any work experience that isn’t relevant to the job you are applying for, especially if it is from more than five years ago. Keep it recent, and keep it relevant!

3. Don’t Let Spelling and Grammar Hold You Back
It may seem obvious, but ensuring you use correct spelling and grammar on your resume can make a big difference when it comes to whether a hiring manager takes your application seriously. Use Grammarly to check for mistakes, or ask a friend to edit your work. Avoidable errors on your resume imply that you rushed in writing your application, are not detail-oriented, or simply didn’t care enough to edit your work before sending it—none of which are the impressions you want to give to a potential employer!

Source: Color Joy Stock

4. Numbers, Numbers, Numbers!
One of the best ways to ensure that your experience stands out is by quantifying exactly what you did in each role. That means including numbers! Instead of listing a duty as simply “Customer Service,” say “Served up to 200 customers per shift.” Rather than writing “Posted on the company Twitter,” say “Managed the company’s presence across four social media platforms, building the online following to over 20,000 people.”

5. Name Hard Skills, Not Soft Skills
The skills section on your resume should be short and relevant, which means only listing hard skills! Hard skills are measurable abilities that are directly relevant to the job being applied for, while soft skills are personal attributes that describe employees as individuals. While soft skills like being hard-working, honest, and patient may have sounded good in high school, they are not measurable or objective, and shouldn’t be included on a professional resume. Instead, list hard skills that will jump out at a hiring manager, like your experience using Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Skype, or Zoom.

6. Use Action Verbs to List Your Duties
When it comes to listing your duties and responsibilities in previous roles, action verbs can make all the difference. This switches the language of your resume from passive voice to active voice and is a great way to highlight what you offer to a company. Lead bullet points with action verbs like “negotiated,” “managed,” “coordinated,” and “developed” to draw attention to your accomplishments and experience.

Source: Social Squares

7. Research Current Employees
If you want an insight into what a company is looking for, the current employees are an incredibly useful place to start! LinkedIn is an amazing resource to find the people already working at the company you’re applying to, and it allows you to see what experience and skills they list both at their current job and at their previous positions. This can be a great way to find out which training and information the business and hiring managers see as important, assisting you in highlighting your own skills.

8. Cut Out the References
Including references on your resume, or even the well-used phrase “References available upon request,” is a thing of the past! Not only are they not needed at the application stage unless specifically requested but a list of references takes up precious space on your resume.

9. Use a Cover Letter to Explain Gaps
A lot of people are scared to address gaps in their resumes, but they shouldn’t be! A 2020 LinkedIn survey found that Americans feel embarrassed (24%), uneasy (23%), and ashamed (15%) about disclosing they are currently unemployed, but especially since COVID-19, it is very common for candidates to have at least short gaps in their employment history. If you have gaps in your resume, regardless of the reason, the best thing you can do is be honest about it. Rather than shying away, use a cover letter to highlight that you took time for yourself to grow and focus. From taking a course online to building a professional network, use the gaps in your resume to your advantage, and don’t be afraid to explain your time off to a hiring manager—it might just work in your favor!

Yes, Manifesting Works—It Helped Me Land My Dream Job More

It’s no secret that Mondays can be stressful. The term “Sunday scaries” even describes the uncomfortable feeling prior to the start of a new week. I, for one, have struggled for a long time with this. I’ve spent many Sundays overthinking the tasks and responsibilities I have waiting for me on Monday, often putting a damper on wonderful weekends spent with friends and family.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent the Sunday scaries before they even hit, and there are even ways to prevent Monday morning from feeling like a frantic scramble to the finish line. The trick? It’s all in how you spend Friday afternoon. So get ready to sit back and fully enjoy a well-deserved glass of rose on Friday evening—because we’re diving into the five things successful women (and now you!) do on Fridays so that Monday isn’t a nightmare.

1. Prep Your Monday, Before Monday
Successful women know that remaining a step ahead in work and going the extra mile is what will set them apart, but as the week comes to a close, it’s normal to have tasks that spill over and become a “next week” item.
Before you log off on Friday, take the time to organize your Monday (and the rest of the week for that matter). Review your email, messages, calendar, any big meetings from the week, and your overall to-do list every Friday before you leave the office. From there, map out the following week and bake in time for meeting preparation, follow-ups you need to handle, reminders you have in your calendar, things you have to do, and things you want to do. When doing this, make sure to add in things like walks to coffee mid-week when you know your mind will need a mental break.
When I do this, I like to take it a step further and connect with my internal teammates about items for the following week so that we are already aligned on what needs to be done—saving us time and energy on Monday so that we can jump right in. This way, I leave for the weekend already confident that I have the following week managed and under control.

2. Get Meeting Preparation Handled
If I know I’m walking into a Monday with calls of any kind, I like to take extra time on Friday to prepare these in advance. I ensure agendas are ready, notes have been made, and I know exactly what needs to be done Monday morning in order to fully prepare.Knowing what I’m walking into on Monday helps meetings go smoother and helps me rest easy Sunday night knowing that Monday morning isn’t going to be a fire drill. Win-win!

3. Clean Your Physical Space
Before you jet out to catch up with friends on Fridays, ensure your desk or workspace is tidy. Walking into a neat and calm space on Monday morning will help ease your mind. Pro tip: Set out a nice candle, cute notebook, and your favorite coffee mug for Monday morning.

Source: @alainakaz

4. Clean your Digital Space
Maybe more important than your physical workspace is your digital one.Before I log off on Fridays, I do my best to organize my email inbox, desktop, downloads, and other folders that may have started adding up during the week. I file items appropriately and get rid of what I don’t need.
For email, I use folders and labels to ensure my inbox is as organized as possible for when I walk in on Monday, so that when I’m trying to rack my brain about where things left off, it’s already right there, organized in front of me.

5. Reflect On Your Week
At the end of the day, all of this preparation will only truly pay off if you take what happened during your current week and apply it to what is next. Take a walk for 5-10 minutes on Friday afternoon and think about what worked, what didn’t work, where you want to shift focus the following week, and what additional skills you want to learn. Add key goals you set for yourself or areas you’d like to improve into your weekly plan and add things to remember to sticky notes in your workspace so that when you come in Monday, there is no question about what you’re going to do.

15 Sunday Rituals to Set You Up for an Amazing Week More

Do you ever feel like no matter how many productivity hacks, time management tips, or The Everygirl desk essentials you buy, you still aren’t operating at your peak productivity levels?
We’ve all heard the same advice from productivity experts everywhere, “Wake up an hour earlier!” or “Have you tried [insert time management strategy here]? It’s a total game-changer.” We live in a world where productivity is always top of mind, but sometimes, something still feels off no matter how many strategies we try or how much effort we put in.
If you’ve ever felt this way, you aren’t alone. But I’m here to tell you a little secret: You might have top-notch time management and productivity skills, but if you’re not structuring your day around your chronotype, you’re missing one of the puzzle pieces that will help you be successful.
As a self-proclaimed self-help enthusiast, I recently dug into Daniel Pink’s book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. Despite knowing as much as I do about productivity, I’ve never thought about how the timing I choose for specific work might not be a good fit. Naturally, I find open time in my calendar in the afternoons, a couple of hours before logging off for the day. But as it turns out, as a morning lark, I should actually be scheduling my focused work time in the morning hours.
If you’re looking for the real productivity hack that will help you get your best work done, look no further: Understanding your chronotype is the missing piece you’ve been searching for.

What are Chronotypes?
Each of us has a chronotype or a circadian classification of sorts. Our chronotype influences our alertness and activity levels, even when we don’t realize it. And since research suggests that our chronotypes are biological characteristics influenced by genetics and age, it’s often easier to work with your chronotype than against it or try to change it.
In his book, Pink shared the story of Thomas Edison alone in his lab one evening in 1879. While other colleagues went home to sleep, Edison stayed behind, determined to find a filament to illuminate a lightbulb. Pink uses Edison’s concept to introduce chronotypes you might be familiar with: larks and owls.

Larks have early chronotypes and are generally what we refer to as “morning people.” They wake early (naturally, not after hitting the snooze button seven times) and feel energized throughout the day but start to wear out by the early evening hours. According to Pink, when it comes to personality characteristics, research reveals that morning people are pleasant and productive and high in positive affect.
Owls have late chronotypes and are “night people.” They may sleep in when they don’t have to get up early for work and don’t peak (or do their best work) until late afternoon or early evening. Pink notes that owls tend to display darker tendencies, including impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and living for the moment.

But in addition to these two types, Pink introduces the third chronotype somewhere in the middle—the third bird.

Third birds are in the middle—not inherently early risers or night people—but more like people who naturally wake sometime between 8-10 am. Many of us meet the third bird criteria.

Source: Tatiana Syrikova | Pexels

Why does my Chronotype matter?
Okay, our chronotypes certainly impact our sleeping patterns, but why do they matter at work? All of us, regardless of chronotype, similarly experience the day. The kicker: We don’t experience it at the same time in the day because of our chronotypes.
Every day, we experience three phases as part of our biological productivity:
A peak: The time of day where your energy, attention, and focus are at their highest.A trough: The time of day where your energy levels are lowest, and you may find it challenging to focus.A rebound: A boost in energy and attention (not quite the same levels as your peak, but more than your trough).
According to Pink, larks and third birds experience the day in that exact order, but at different time frames throughout the day (larks peak earlier than third birds, etc.); however, night owls might experience the day in reverse order, says Pink—a recovery, a trough, and a peak. (Keep this in mind, we’ll help you optimize your day once you figure out your type!)

How to determine your bird type
Determining your chronotype is relatively simple. You need to examine your behavior on a “natural” day—a day when you aren’t setting an alarm clock or forcing yourself to wake up at a specific time.
Pink recommends asking yourself the following three questions:

What time do you usually go to sleep?
What time do you usually wake up?
What is the middle of those two times—that is, what is your midpoint of sleep?

Do you have your answers?
You’re probably a lark if your midpoint of sleep is before 3:30 am. You’re likely a third bird if it’s between 3:30-5:30 am. And if it’s after 5:30 am, you’re most likely an owl.
Still not convinced? Try Pink’s simpler method to be sure. Write down when you wake up on the weekend or a non-alarm clock day. If it’s the same as weekdays, you’re a lark. Slightly later than weekdays, a third bird. And one-and-half hours or more later, an owl.

How to make the most of your workday
Now that you know your chronotype, you can take advantage of the three phases of the productivity cycle: peak, trough, and rebound.
If you have some control over when you can do your work, try to plan to do your most critical analytical tasks during your peak. For larks and third birds, the morning to mid-morning hours is a sacred time that you should reserve for your most important tasks (you know, like that big assignment requiring research and critical thinking that your boss wants from you by the end of the week). Night owls don’t have it as easy, but saving important analytical tasks for the late afternoon and evening can benefit from a productivity standpoint. Here’s an example schedule for each of the three types:

Consider using your trough for lighter, administrative tasks that are more mundane and routine. For larks and third birds, a late afternoon time block for responding to emails and Slack messages might be the move. For owls, consider starting your morning this way—ease in slowly and get settled into your workday. Knowing when your trough is can also be helpful for scheduling meetings. Depending on the type of meeting and your role as an attendee, consider scheduling less critical, more routine meetings during your trough when your activity levels are lower.
There’s no secret recipe for living your best, most productive life, but knowing how (and when) you’ll do your best work can help. Don’t ditch those time management strategies and productivity hacks just yet! Combine them with a schedule that works well for your chronotype, and watch your work life soar in no time.

5 Expert-Backed Productivity Tips That Will Actually Help You Get Things Done More

The first time I learned about the Pomodoro Technique, I was standing in my manager’s office as she was staring at a tomato. She was convinced it would help improve her focus and her productivity. I remember being very confused and asking myself, “How in the world will this tomato help her get work done more efficiently?” Turns out, she was onto something. Well, actually Francesco Cirillo was on to something first.
In the late 1980s, Cirillo developed the Pomodoro Technique while attending business school in Rome. How does the tomato timer come into play? “Pomodoro” in Italian means “tomato”, and Cirillo originally used a tomato timer when he first coined this productivity technique.
My manager isn’t the only person who’s been intrigued by the Pomodoro Technique. Since its creation over 30 years ago, more than 2 million people have used this method to increase their focus and productivity—but how does it actually work? Here’s everything you need to know.

So, what exactly is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that breaks a large task, or series of tasks, into short, timed intervals of work. Francesco Cirillo used a kitchen timer to break his work into 25-minute intervals followed by short breaks. Each interval of work and break is called a Pomodoro. The Pomodoro Technique is meant to improve focus and increase productivity by reducing distractions and reducing complexity. Each Pomodoro helps create smaller, more manageable tasks and improve concentration.

How do I give the Pomodoro Technique a try?
There are six steps to the Pomodoro Technique. Let’s break them down.

Step 1: Select your task. This task can be big or small. It’s totally up to you! The most important thing to keep in mind is that it’s work that requires your full, undivided attention.
Step 2: Set a timer for 25 minutes. You can use a traditional timer like Cirillo did, or an online timer. You can even set a timer on your phone or download an app, but keep in mind that during this time you are committing to no interruptions. That means that you won’t pick up your phone to check social media, answer a text, or even respond to an email.
Step 3: Work on the task until the timer rings. As soon as you start your timer, your only objective is to immerse yourself in the task at hand. Remember, no distractions. But because it’s not uncommon for random thoughts to pop into your head (think that one item on your to-do list you totally spaced on), keep a piece of paper handy. If you have a thought that pops into your head, quickly write it down, and then get back to work.
Step 4: When the timer goes off, stop working. Metaphorical pencils down! Your 25 minutes are up, and it’s time for a break. At this time, put a checkmark on a piece of paper so you can keep track of how many Pomodoros you’ve completed.
Step 5: Take a short break. The key word is short. The break should only be 5-10 minutes long. Set a timer and do anything unrelated to work. Go for a quick walk. Refill your coffee cup. Grab some water. Do a few breathing exercises. Literally anything other than work.
Step 6: Lather, rinse, repeat. Congratulations! You’ve completed one Pomodoro. It’s time to get back to work. Once you’ve completed four Pomodoros (approximately two hours if you’re working for 25 minutes with a five-minute break), it’s time to take a longer break. This break should be around 20 minutes, but it can be up to 30 minutes. This time is used as a reset before you begin your next set of Pomodoros.

A few tips and tricks when implementing the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is fairly simple, but staying focused, which is the reason you’re probably trying out this technique, is often easier said than done. But I promise, you’ll get the hang of it after a few tries, and it works! While you won’t find a tomato on my desk anytime soon, I can attest to the magic that is a Pomodoro.
As you’re working through your Pomodoros, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Working in intervals is meant to instill a sense of urgency. So while you might find your flow right before the timer sounds, the built-in breaks are there for a reason (i.e., to help reduce fatigue and burnout). It’s important to trust the process.
The Pomodoro Technique is a great way to take a larger, more complex project and break it into smaller, more digestible tasks. So just because you think a task will take longer than 25 minutes, doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of this technique.
If you finish a task in the middle of a Pomodoro, use any remaining time to review your work or take a look at your to-do list to identify what you’d like to work on next.
By keeping track of how many Pomodoros it takes for you to complete an item on your to-do list, you can begin to learn where your time is spent throughout the day to start to create efficiencies in your work week.

 
Can I use the Pomodoro Technique with others?
Yes! While the Pomodoro Technique was originally developed for solo work, there’s a benefit to adapting it to use with your colleagues and teams. For example, try scheduling time with a friend or co-worker to sync up your Pomodoros. Whether in person, over Zoom, or via text, holding each other accountable for knocking out your to-do list is a win-win scenario.
You can even try the Pomodoro Technique with teams. Say you need to brainstorm for an upcoming project, set a timer for 25 minutes, and let your minds run wild. When that timer is up, take a team walk or snack break before diving back in. Accountability is a powerful tool, and the Pomodoro Technique allows you to hold yourself and others accountable for achieving your goals.

5 Expert-Backed Productivity Tips That Will Actually Help You Get Things Done More

I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason, especially when it comes to your career. Whether it’s taking a job just to pay the bills (been there!) or taking a role that is far from your dream job just to get your foot in the door (done that!), it can be easy to wonder if all of these random jobs will ever get you where you want to go. In a world where we regularly see people in our networks announcing a shiny new job offer or promotion on LinkedIn, it’s easy to feel down about working a less-than-stellar job. But all is not lost, because even if it’s not your dream role, making the most out of any opportunity can take you places you’d never expect.
I’ve been there a few times in my career, but one role, in particular, stands out. I knew I wanted to work in the content and editorial world, but it can be hard to break into the industry (gird your loins indeed!). After trying and failing to get a job in the fashion world, I took an entry-level position as a copy editor at a digital publication and bravely walked into the full-time working world. That role ended up being a lot of fun, helped me learn key skills that I still use today, and gave me my first steady paycheck, but those actually weren’t the best things I walked away with. I ended up meeting someone there who, unbeknownst to me at the time, would help me to grow my career to new heights in a number of ways in the coming years. Put in more basic terms, I learned the power of weak ties—how your acquaintances can actually be more helpful in some situations than your close friends and family—something which I definitely wasn’t taught in college.

My experience
I met this individual in the office one day when our desks were rearranged, and we found ourselves sitting close together. She was on a different team and from what I could tell, we didn’t have much in common. Her desk was full of DIYs she had made herself (I can barely color in a coloring book), she was older than me (which seemed very significant when I was only 22 and intimidated by anyone with a smidge of work experience), and she already had a strong network of connections in the office with whom she regularly hung out with. I figured we’d be friendly to each other and go about our business like regular coworkers, but we ended up connecting way beyond that.
Throughout the time that we sat together, she gave me a lot of industry tips, and we bonded over our adopted dogs. When I ended up leaving the company for a different role in an entirely new industry, she leveraged her connections to get me a meeting with the hiring director, and a few years later, she randomly invited me into a top-secret Slack group for marketers in our city (who even knew those existed?!) which is where I found my current role that I love. That, and I ended up tripling my salary over the course of four years as I changed jobs which is something I can tie directly back to my colleague (#blessed).
Here are some of the things I learned from this relationship that has helped me grow and build an authentic network and similar connections with other people.

Source: Social Squares

How To Create Meaningful Connections

Be open to connecting with anyone
As I mentioned, I didn’t think that this person was going to completely change my career trajectory. That was largely driven by the fact that I had no idea how networking worked, and I didn’t think there was much value in building connections with people outside of my direct department. Anyone who knows anything about networking will tell you that is totally backward, and I’m glad I learned sooner rather than later because the best connections expose you to people you otherwise wouldn’t probably know—AKA you need to know people outside of your department! By building up a genuine friendship with someone who I otherwise wouldn’t have gravitated toward, I exposed myself to a huge network of her connections which she leveraged when I was looking to make a job switch. I wouldn’t have had access to most of these people or resources had I not made the effort to be open to learning more about her and her role when we worked together many years ago.

Find common ground
It’s all well and good to be nice to random people in your office, but what if you have nothing to talk about?! There’s nothing worse than being forced to make small talk about the weather every day, so it’s important to find something in common and build a connection around that. Most people are happy to talk about things they are passionate about, you just need to do some detective work to figure out what that is. In my case, we both had adopted dogs and would swap stories of their antics, but for you, it could be that you share a love of craft breweries or wear similar clothing—seriously, I once became great friends with a VP in my department because I noticed her wearing a sweater I also owned and then figured out that we had the same style. I used to tell her about ongoing sales all the time. It’s easier to build a network when you have an “in” with each person outside of your direct working relationship.

Nurture your connections
Once you’ve found common ground, it’s important to nurture your relationships with these people, even if you don’t know if they can help you down the road. In my opinion, this is the hardest part of fostering authentic connections. With the person in my story, we’d stay in touch over text about industry news and occasionally grab lunch, slowly becoming more friends than colleagues. If there’s something I see that reminds me of a past colleague or connection, I take 30 seconds to send them a quick email. Most people love to receive genuine messages on LinkedIn along the lines of “thinking of you!” in a way that isn’t looking for something in return, so be that person. Sometimes one text or LinkedIn DM a year is all it takes for them to keep you top-of-mind.

Source: Color Joy Stock

Remember that it’s a two-way street
On that note, if you want your connections to hook you up with amazing networking and job opportunities, you need to be open to doing the same for them. One of the most annoying things is having a connection who only reaches out when they want something. Even if you stand to gain absolutely nothing, be the person who sends a job opportunity to someone who sounds like a perfect fit, offers to introduce them to a hiring manager if they decide to apply to a role at your company, or even just invites them to join an industry event you think they’ll like. All of that good karma is not just so that they’ll potentially help you down the road, it also helps you build a shining reputation as someone that everyone wants to know.

If it’s not working, don’t force it
As much as this strategy has a 95% chance of success (my own data, of course), there’s always a handful of people who you won’t mesh with no matter what. If you’ve tried the above strategies and aren’t seeing any traction in the form of replies to your messages or an equal showing of interest, it’s OK to just let it go. I’ve had this happen a handful of times, and while it’s not fun being left on read, I don’t sweat it. As long as you aren’t burning bridges or only reaching out to people because you need something, trust that the other connections you have will help you out when you need it. That person you never quite connected with might even circle back around years later for a random reason. This is where trusting things to play out as they should in your career is super valuable!

Play the long game
We all wish fostering weak ties was one of those one-and-done things, but it’s unfortunately not. Having friends and connections to lean on whenever you need them takes work, but it is SO worth it. Since I befriended my work colleague five years ago, she introduced me to a future manager at a cocktail party and then invited me into a Slack group where everyone shares the inside scoop on jobs and events before they’re public. Everyone knows that applying through a portal is the absolute last way that you want to apply for a role, so having these kinds of resources and a network that wants you to succeed is truly priceless. Remember that you never know where life will take you, so it’s important to be nice to everyone you meet along the way (ugh, mom is right again) and trust that everything in your career happens for a reason!

Yes, Manifesting Works—It Helped Me Land My Dream Job More

At the beginning of 2022, I set a goal of landing a new job. I liked my current job well enough, but I had been feeling somewhat disengaged and I knew I wanted to pivot my skill set into a different industry. I had a list of what I was looking for: a remote position in the tech industry in content and/or editorial, a team to lead that was supportive and hardworking, and creative freedom to try new things, all with a lovely six-figure salary to match. Should be an easy find, right?
In fact, when I first wrote out that list of criteria in my brand-new 2022 planner under the “Goals” section (a yearly ritual I highly recommend), I literally laughed out loud when I read it back to myself. It was a far cry from where I was starting from in more ways than one. Furthermore, I had absolutely no idea how I was going to make it happen. I spent the rest of the day stressing out about the fact that I had set a completely unrealistic goal and was already doomed to fail.
The universe happened to be looking out for me the next day though, and my friend invited me to join her in Gabby Bernstein’s 21-day manifesting challenge. I’ve always been very openminded when it comes to things in the spiritual and wellness world, so I signed up and logged onto the platform for Day 1. I had always heard a lot about manifesting your dream life, but this was the first time I was going to actively try to create something I wanted and I was a bit nervous about looking like a fool if it didn’t work. However, the course walked me through a series of steps and mental exercises that felt more like fun than work. There were some key steps I learned to successful manifesting that are important to keep in mind as you work toward attracting your goals.

Get Crystal Clear on What you Want
The first step of the challenge was about getting crystal clear on what I wanted to manifest so I’d know when an opportunity presented itself to help me achieve my goal. This was fairly easy for me, as I already knew what I wanted, but writing it down and then creating a vision board around it forced me to really narrow down what I wanted and keep it top of mind. I printed out one copy of my vision board (#oldschool) and put it above my home office desk, and then I made a digital copy to set as my phone background so I could see it every time I picked up my phone (which we all know is way too often).

Source: cottonbro | Pexels

Spend Time Visualizing
The next step of the course was all about visualizing. As a self-proclaimed chronic daydreamer, this was the fun part for me. For 21 days, I spent 10 minutes each morning and night thinking about how finding the perfect role would make me feel once I had accomplished it. I learned how important it was to focus and identify the emotions I was experiencing while visualizing, as this helps your mind get used to those feelings and rewires your brain to seek out more opportunities to give you those feelings. While it might sound a bit “woo woo,” there is a lot of science to back up visualizing and positive brain modification, something that kept me going even when I wasn’t yet seeing results.

Let Go of the “How”
Now, this was easily the hardest part of the process. After the first week, the course finally addressed the question I was wrestling with from the minute I set my goal: “But how will this happen?” When we set a lofty goal that is a far stretch from where we are presently, our minds immediately go to how we can (or can’t) accomplish our goals, looking for tangible next steps to help us feel in control.
Whether you are trying to manifest a new role like I was or are looking to find the perfect partner or achieve any other goal, it can be incredibly difficult to just “trust” that it will happen when the time is right. The course advised that anytime I found myself stressing about how my goal would happen, I should focus on a few positive affirmations to reframe my thinking. Some of the ones that I loved were “I have complete faith that everything I desire is coming to me at the right time” and “If not this, something better.” That last one was especially helpful when I found myself worrying about missed opportunities (like roles I applied to that I thought would be perfect for me yet never got a call back for).

Take Aligned Action
Toward the end of the course, I was feeling positive and hopeful but also couldn’t get rid of this nagging feeling that my dream role wasn’t just going to come knocking on my front door—I needed to do something to make it happen. I was worried that manifesting meant just sitting back and meditating, but for the final seven days, I learned about the importance of taking aligned action, something my Type-A self was thrilled to hear.
Aligned action is essentially taking the necessary steps to achieve something while also maintaining the positive, relaxed mindset that comes from knowing that you will find the right opportunity when it’s ready for you. Easier said than done, I know. For me, this looked like continuing to practice my affirmations daily, spending time visualizing, and reviewing my vision board often while also networking, touching up my LinkedIn and resume, and applying to jobs that seemed like the right fit. Instead of doing these things with an energy of “Why the heck won’t anyone call me back?!” (my previous default mentality), I shifted my thinking to be along the lines of “OK, that one clearly wasn’t the best fit for me, but I’m confident something better will come along soon.”
Changing my thinking really gave me more motivation to keep going and also prevented the stress of hunting for a new role from impacting my personal life or the job I already had.

Source: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels

The End Result
Despite my friend achieving her manifesting goal of finding her perfect home within days of finishing the course, my dream role did not perfectly appear in the month of January. It also didn’t appear in February or March, either. I had given myself all of 2022 to achieve this goal so I wasn’t super stressed about it, but I did begin to wonder if I had gone off track with my manifesting. I certainly had doubts that I would ever find the right thing, especially when it seemed impossible at times (a job with a good salary and work-life balance? A myth for sure).
I kept pushing forward and decided to share my job hunt with a friend after we got on the topic of manifesting. A few weeks later, she reached out to put me in touch with someone she knew at a company I was interested in for a coffee chat. Lo and behold, after meeting with this connection twice, she shared with me that she was about to resign from her role in content for another opportunity and asked if I’d be interested in applying to replace her. I went for it (equipped with my revised resume and interview prep work that I had done as part of my aligned action!), and three weeks later, I was the proud owner of an offer letter with ample vacation time, a larger salary than I had dared to dream of when I set my audacious goal, and the opportunity to work from home as often as I wanted. All that, and I had jumped into an industry I had been dying to get into for years. To say that I was thrilled would be an understatement.
If you’re skeptical about manifesting, I totally get it. I was always unclear about how manifesting and ambition paired together, but learning about it in depth helped me realize that manifesting is about an outlook, not just an outcome. By being crystal clear on what I wanted, spending time focusing on it every day, and taking actions from a place of trust and confidence over desperation, I was able to attract the perfect role for me in a way I otherwise wouldn’t have. I’ll definitely be using my newfound manifesting toolkit to help me attract other goals in the future, and I encourage you to give it a try!

The Everygirl’s Guide to Manifestation and Achieving Your Best Life More

My husband and I both worked from home together long before the pandemic sent workers home with their laptops. Did I mention we live in a one-bedroom apartment?
While we were used to having two desks crammed into our living room and respecting each other’s space during the workday, we were both usually in and out most days for in-person meetings and any phone calls that could easily be taken in the bedroom. Once the pandemic hit, we had to adjust to a 40-hour workweek and an unexpected increase in video calls occurring in our main living space.
So how did we adjust? I’m going to share some tried-and-true ways to stay productive when your living room is also your office—which gets a whole lot more challenging when you have two people working there.

Create a Designated—But Cute—Work Space
This part is going to sting a little. I know how tempting it is to move your laptop from your bed to your couch to your kitchen table, all to avoid adding office furniture to your living room. It’s not a cute look, but you deserve a real workspace to turn to every day. My solution to softening the blow was to avoid office-looking accessories. You can buy a beautiful desk and desk chair and finish it off with charming accessories that don’t look like they came from an office supply store. Splurging on a notebook you love to look at or a marble tray to collect pens and paper clips can change how you feel about your work space and can help it blend in when you have friends over for a dinner party.
The reason setting up a work space you love is so important is that it will motivate you to work at your desk more often. Is the bed comfortable? Yes. Is it the best place to get work done? More often than not, no. There are no rules in a home office (it’s your living room, after all!), so create a work space you love to look at and work in.

Source: @mycityapartment

Invest in the Right Supplies
Why did it take me and my husband years to invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones? No idea. What I do know is that we won’t be going back. We didn’t even need to splurge on two pairs. Whichever one of us isn’t on a call will wear them while the other person takes their calls, and they really do block out enough noise so I’m not distracted by what’s going on in the background. Having a pair of headphones like this also signals to your live-in coworker that you aren’t available to talk.
This pair of headphones from Microsoft does wonders for us and costs half as much as other popular brands (we’re looking at you, Apple).

Set Boundaries
Do you have a roommate who likes to chat when they’re eating lunch and you’re not? Does your neighbor stop by to talk since they know you’re working from home? Does your very helpful mom want to drop off groceries again? When working from your living room, it’s super important to set boundaries. Make it clear to friends and family, whether you live with them or not, that just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you’re available to chat.
It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to remain responsive at all times. You can put your phone in the other room or ignore a non-emergency text or call until you log off at the end of the day.

Communicate Clearly
To make sure we don’t slow each other down during the workday, my husband and I are super communicative regarding when we are available to connect with each other. In the morning, we go over our schedules for the day so we know when to expect the other person to be completely unavailable (like during a meeting). Then, throughout the day, we check in to see if now is a good time to go on a walk or to eat lunch together. If someone is getting chatty and the other person needs to focus, we just let each other know. You can’t get what you don’t ask for! If you live with a roommate, family member, or romantic partner, simply let them know what you need to feel good about your productivity levels.
The same thought process applies with coworkers who can distract you from a distance. It can be tempting to be responsive at all times when working from home to prove you are in fact working, but sometimes, you need to carve out time to focus solely on the task at hand. Don’t be afraid to tell your manager or teammates you’re going to be heads down for two hours and won’t be responding to Slack or emails during that time.

Source: Samson Katt | Pexels

Plan for Breaks
When you work from home, it’s so easy to feel guilty about taking breaks. When I was in an office, I thought nothing of taking a 15-minute break to chat with a coworker. When you’re in an actual office and interacting with coworkers, a break feels more like a normal part of your workday. At home, it can feel like you’re slacking off. And to be fair, it’s really easy to let a quick coffee break turn into a much longer break than intended when you’re at home and there is laundry to do or a cute pup to play with.
Scheduling breaks can help you get over these hangups. Each day when I sit down at my desk, I look at what I need to accomplish that day and when I have meetings that day. Then, I use time blocking to plan out when I will work and when I will take a break. Do I schedule the break down to the minute? No. But I will say that between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., I am going to clear my inbox, finish writing a blog post, and go on a walk. That way, taking breaks feels like a regularly scheduled part of my day, I know when they need to be completed, and I get to rest, which helps me be more productive throughout the day.

I’ve Worked for Myself for 4 Years—These Are the Tools That Keep Me Productive More