Career & Finance

We are all looking for that one golden nugget of wisdom that will make our days run effortlessly and smoothly. Between navigating through all of our various roles in life working and as daughters, mothers, friends, partners—and just our own individual contributions—there is always a long list of things to do. While the truth is that there is no one single path to being productive, there are a lot of productivity hacks we can build into our lives to advance our journey.

1. Use Your Commute Productively
Commutes may still be a little unpredictable as we move between remote and in-office work. But for most of us, there are still a few minutes in many days where we’re in that “in between” space of not at home but not quite settled into the days’ business. How can this time work for you? Is it a quick call to check in on a parent? Or 5 minutes of listening to a new podcast and some deep breathing? Even if this time is short, using it intentionally is a satisfying way to start and end the day.

Mark & Graham
Tech Commute Clutch
Keep your laptop and tech essentials organized with this functional (and highly stylish) carrying case.

2. Clean Out Your Email
Yes, clean it out. All the way! Get rid of half-done replies, drafts that won’t go anywhere, and holiday sales notifications you didn’t happen to shop your way through. Even just 30 dedicated minutes on a Friday morning of filing, unsubscribing, and getting responses off your plate in both your personal and work emails will send you into a weekend feeling refreshed.

3. Prioritize Your Tasks
Prioritization sounds easy, but it isn’t always simple. To really prioritize, don’t just make a list of tasks that need to be done and pluck off the “biggest,” “hardest,” or even “easiest.” Instead, think of your day as a set of building blocks that all need to fit together. Where’s the causality? What needs to be done first to make the rest of the day or week move better? Using this more connected method of prioritizing also helps us overcome some of the resistance we have around tough tasks.

4. Use the Pomodoro Method
These little tomato timers and their “work then break” method are a fan favorite for a reason! It’s proven that our brain feels more refreshed and focused when we can work in bursts. Set a timer, pick a mini project or a task, and then shamelessly give yourself the built-in breaks to recharge and come back strong.

Amazon
Time Management Cube
2022 can be the year you finally embrace block scheduling with this handy desktop timer.

5. Ignore Your Email in the Morning
If this one feels uncomfortable, try it boldly for just one week and see what it does for your productivity. It’s a natural inclination to want to respond and jump on tasks when we see an email. Starting your day diving right into the piles of emails you have means that your inbox becomes your prioritization list—in control of you instead of the other way around. Consider blocking an hour to check emails a little later in the morning, and instead, start your day with your priorities.

Source: Boris Jovanovic | Stocksy

6. Understand Your Work Zones
Matching the type of work that needs to be done with where you do it is a huge productivity hack. Do you do your best number crunching at a structured desk or the kitchen table? Or maybe your best creative ideas come to you when you’re on a walk and can let your mind reset. Either way, knowing when and where you are at your best for all of your various tasks can be a real productivity boost and help with your work-life balance.

7. Strategically Leverage Your “OOO” Message
Who says the Out Of Office email is just for vacation? Get creative with this autoresponder and use it for targeted projects. “I’m on a special project right now, and my mornings this week (9-12) will be dedicated to that effort. Please contact me outside of those hours for the most timely response.” Push the boundaries by setting some of your own.

8. Scope Your Day the Night Before
“Scoping” your day is different from planning. When you’re scoping your day, you’re mentally preparing yourself for the various waves of energy and effort you’ll need throughout the day. Can you shift an important call to the morning when you’re feeling a little more fresh? Should you see if a friend can help with after-school pick up if your meeting runs over? Being able to do this assessment the night before a full schedule gives you more options to manage and rearrange the day.

9. Reduce Small Distractions
Every little ping, buzz, and blink takes us away from our full mental focus. Get in tune with what nudges kick you out of your zone each day. Is it a blinking instant message? Set a few hours of Do Not Disturb. Does the buzz of the office floor catch your ear? Headphones, please! You may even find that a dimmed-out room (and some blue light glasses!) helps you zone in on a key project or task, without other visual distractions.

Amazon
Blue Light Glasses
An editor favorite, these blue light blocking glasses are chic and will help keep headaches and eye strain away.

10. Set Up a Social Media Blocker
There are all kinds of useful apps and sites to help us control our social media consumption. Almost more important than helping corral its use is to figure out when and why you turn to it during the day. Do you find yourself reaching for a “scroll” when you’ve hit a tough part of a task? When you’re lacking some motivation? Or when you’re burned out and need a break? Understanding your “why” will do an even bigger job of helping you reorient to productive mode.

Source: Social Squares

11. Book Time for Self-Care
While a daily massage would be just the self-care that a lot of us would love, there are many other mini ways to fit this into a day. This could look like treating yourself to a whole tea ritual in the break room, complete with a fancy teapot you keep at the office, or a full walk around the block doing a walking meditation. The point is to identify new hobbies or the thing for you that yields maximum good feelings for the highest value cost and effort to help ensure you keep it up.

12. Find Ways to Set Up “Habit Stacking”
Habit stacking was made popular by the book Atomic Habits, which helps you link new things you want to accomplish to existing habits to up the chances of getting them done. You’ll start to view your new habit goals in a whole new way when you think about the small ways you can link them together to be more productive.

Amazon
Mini Elliptical Machine
With eight different resistance levels, this mini under-the-desk elliptical machine will help you burn calories while you’re in endless Zoom meetings.

13. Know Your Personal Bandwidth Triggers
We all know what our personal “running on empty” looks like. The hack is to know how to recognize it before it completely sneaks up on you and rewire. Do you start rubbing your eyes a little more? Do you get distracted and start poking through your old photo reel? Whatever your personal trigger is, that means you’ve hit top capacity on your bandwidth—become friends with her, and watch out for her more regularly.

14. Make “No” Your First Response
This may be another counterintuitive approach to productivity, but starting with “no” means that you get to say “yes” to a whole host of other things that are your personal priorities. When someone comes to you with a new project or need, start to think through the lens of putting the burden of effort on them to explain why it is worth your time and should be tackled before the long list of other priorities you have in train.

15. Trust Your Own Natural Rhythms
Some of us are morning people. Some of us are not. No matter how many mini vlogs we watch with a fresh-faced gal bouncing out of bed for her green juice and jaunting off to yoga, we may just never be the person who is their best self in the morning. Know your own rhythm for when your tasks best match your energy throughout the day and hack accordingly.

Amazon
Mug Warmer
Place any hot beverage on this mug warmer and it will automatically keep your beverage nice and warm.

16. Find A Planning System That Works For You
Productive never happened without a system. That doesn’t mean that you have to string together some ultra high-tech collection of apps, trackers, and planners. It does mean that you need a consistent way to organize your life tasks so you can get to the goals that matter to you. Whether that’s through a gorgeous paper planner that feels more like a journal or a minimal but comprehensive app to tackle your to-do list, find your sport.

The Everygirl x Day Designer
30-Day Challenge Planner
Our 30-Day Challenge Planner will help you prioritize your goals and take the leap into becoming the best version of yourself.

Source: Social Squares

17. Tie Your Long-Term Goals to the Everyday
Goals aren’t happening unless they’re broken down into mini-objectives and addressed in small pieces. Think about the ways you can take your longer-term hopes and move toward them even in tiny ways every day. Running a marathon for your next birthday? Great. Even a quick 10-minute jog today puts you on the path to achieving that goal.

18. Communicate Your Productivity Objectives
We all do better achieving our productivity goals when we’ve shared them with someone else. This can be formal, as in telling your boss or colleagues what you’re up to this week, or it can just be chatting with a loved one about what’s on your plate lately. Externalizing what we’re doing and what we need to get a job done is a huge part of productively working through our task list.

19. Slow Down
Quality almost always wins over quantity. Whenever you find yourself moving speedily through a task and buzzing on to the next thing, think of that as your trigger to slow down. Not only are we likely to make mistakes that will just take more time to correct in the long run, but we’re also training ourselves to overpack our days and often times not communicating that timelines may be unreasonable or that we need more resources. What do you need to get a great job done, not just a quick one?

20. Define Your Own Personal Productivity Metrics
On that note, productivity isn’t about doing more, faster. We could define productivity with a little more nuance and say that it’s about doing the best job, at the right time, with the right resources, and for the right objectives to get to the best outcome. When that’s the case, “how much” we checked off our list doesn’t matter as much as how productively we used our energy in a day, matching it with the things that matter the most.

How to Prioritize When Everything Is Urgent
5 questions to ask yourself to better prioritize your to-do list. More

With so many job openings on the market right now, it is a great time to start your job hunt or just get a fresh perspective on what new opportunities might be out there. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 10 million job openings on the market. But when it comes to figuring out exactly how to find jobs, it can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But searching for the perfect new job doesn’t have to be a daunting task; there are all kinds of creative places for everyone on the hunt for a new job.
For many professions, it may feel easiest to start with LinkedIn, in part because social media does some of our heavy lifting and tees up jobs from our network and their own jobs page. But that doesn’t have to be the only place you start scouting. Whether you have a niche expertise, are just getting started in your career, or are ready to level up to a bigger role, there’s a platform and place for you to start exploring.

Particularly useful for tech experts and design aficionados, Upwork can be a great place to build your portfolio and snag interesting freelance opportunities. On this site, your profile and your portfolio presentation are key. You’ll want to spend some time building out work samples or a compelling bio and resume that give you the edge to create a polished proposal. Finding your niche here is also important. Focus on a few key skills or specific audience to up your chance of getting the right work matches.

Ladders is known for its high-paying roles—jobs listed here offer salaries of at least $100,000. Jobs posted are from high-paying firms that also have to pay to list their jobs on the site. That generally means that you’re getting a better set of quality opportunities. Ladders also boasts a rich set of content, with a lot of tips to help you advance your job search and put your best self forward.

A really rich search interface with a number of useful filters make Indeed a great jumping-off point to start your job search. A wide variety of industries, job titles, ranks, and roles post on Indeed, giving you the opportunity to quickly scope and rescope your initial interests. Search by salary, industry, or even experience level to get a sense of what may be interesting to you.

Glassdoor is a great tool to make you a well-informed job seeker. It’s known for its company reviews, interview reviews, and salary information posted for certain roles, and you can use all of this information to get a very clear picture of your job possibilities at a company. Creating a profile on the site is a great place to start—it streamlines the application process, and after that, you can apply for roles with just a few clicks.

Scouted couples talent and technology through an AI algorithm and platform that helps early to mid-career candidates match with the right job. Their methods de-emphasize traditional methods like where you went to school or your GPA and consider a number of different aspects of your personal interests and professional profile to find you the right fit. Scouted is best for non-technical business roles.

Source: Social Squares

One of the original job hunting platforms, Monster has come a long way in building out its career resources as well as its tools and opportunities. Most notably, its slick app is easy to navigate, meaning you’re more likely to frequently hop on and search around for new roles that are a fit for you. Years of being in the market with job hunters means that Monster has a wealth of insight on how people land new roles. Check out their sections of popular job titles, locations, and searches to get inspired for your own search.

FlexJobs manages to centralize what almost all of us are looking for this year–more location flexibility and interesting remote or freelance opportunities. FlexJobs does have a paid option that is worth considering if you’re really focused on the hunt. And since remote is their speciality, their content section is especially useful even if you’re just looking for ways to make your existing job a little more WFH-friendly.

8. Alumni Associations
Whether you’ve just escaped campus life or it’s farther in the rearview mirror, our alma maters have a lot to offer on the job front that is often overlooked. You can play either the short or long game here on the job front. First, check if your school keeps a career portal or hosts any hiring events for alumni. Second, be sure you’re signed up for any local mixers—even if you’ve since relocated—and stay on top of online communities or networking events to connect with future employers.

9. A Search Firm
Working with recruiters may seem like something that’s just available to the most senior among us. But the help of new technologies and a hot job market has increasingly opened up this avenue for talent of all types to consider leveraging a recruiting resource. Recruiters or search firms work best, however, when you are at least at a mid-career level, have a good number of years under your belt, or have a highly specialized technical talent. Be prepared to go through some research and meet and greets to find the right fit. Most recruiters are paid by the company that hires you, so it just costs you your time and effort to explore this path.

10. Your Network
You know a lot more people who can help in your job hunt than you may think. The most useful networks are those that span a lot of industries, demographics, and interests because that diverse set of expertise and capabilities gives you the widest range for exploring new possibilities. And remember, your network doesn’t live on a specific platform—it is the collection of your connections, past managers, people in your community, church, and friend group that may be positioned to help you think about a new role. It’s also best practice to deeply build your network long before you want to hit people up for help regarding a new job, so it’s also worth considering what you can give to your contacts (even a new introduction!) as you make the rounds.

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When it comes to maximizing our productivity, showing up as our best selves, and crushing our career goals, we’re willing to do just about anything. But what happens when exactly what we need to do isn’t necessarily more but, instead, less? It might seem counterproductive to spend less time at work, ditch perfectionist tendencies, take on fewer projects, or even give yourself space from the grind. But when it comes to achieving a healthy work-life balance and being your best self so that you can perform at your highest capacity, setting boundaries and reevaluating your workload to help you manage your time both at and away from work is absolutely essential.
While work-life balance may look a little bit different for everyone, finding a healthy separation between work and life is key to feeling rejuvenated, fresh, productive, and ready to solve complex problems. We’ve partnered with La Marca Prosecco, our bubbly of choice and a brand that stands to empower women to make every day sparkle and overcome the challenges that come with work and life. Together, we’ve made it our mission to help you find success in the workplace and in your life. If you’re looking to finally find it or you want to rediscover it, look no further—these 10 tips will help you reinvigorate your work-life balance.

1. (Actually) take your PTO
Whether it be workplace culture or your own perspective toward work, it can be common to feel guilty when actually taking your paid time off. Switching out of this mindset is key to invigorating your work-life balance. PTO is part of your paycheck, and if you don’t use it, you’re essentially overworking for free. Time off is crucial to rest, recharge, connect with friends and family, and invest in hobbies that bring you joy. Working more hours than you should doesn’t always equate to higher productivity or being better at your job. In fact, taking time away from work can give you the space to return with better energy, mood, and focus.

2. Learn to strategically and respectfully say “no”
We’ve all been there: In an effort to do it all, be a team player, or avoid being perceived as “lazy,” we’ve said “yes,” and we’ve paid the price. In this case, that price is less time spent on other, higher-priority tasks, not being able to complete the task well, staying late at work, working when you’re not being compensated to work—the list goes on. Having healthy boundaries at work and declining tasks that would make any attainable workload unmanageable is not only acceptable, but it’s also crucial to your output and your mental health. If you don’t have the capacity to make an ask happen, say so.

3. Respect your coworkers’ work boundaries
If you want others to respect your work boundaries, start at home and give your coworkers the same courtesy. Not everyone works in the same capacity, and learning how your coworkers best work can help turn (or reinvent) the wheel and have a positive effect on your workplace culture. If your coworker doesn’t text you after hours, don’t text them. If they prefer not to be met with spontaneous, no-context meetings, be mindful and offer them other methods of connecting when priority communication needs to happen. If you’re on a friend level with your coworker (shoutout to all of the work wives out there!), practice professionalism and keep “work first and friendship afterward” in mind.

4. Schedule in self-care and personal time as you would a meeting
We wouldn’t skip a meeting if a coworker or your boss scheduled one with us ahead of time, so why is it so easy for us to cancel “meetings” with ourselves? When we’re busy, it can be commonplace that seemingly non-urgent, non-work blocks of time are the first to take a backseat in an effort to maximize our time, which is a quick path to burnout. Commit to yourself by carving out time for yourself to journal, meditate, exercise, connect with a friend, or pour a glass of La Marca to celebrate a work win.
In the short term, nixing your “me” time can seem like a quick solution to a busy day. But in the long term, neglecting personal care can be a one-way ticket to anxiety, distractibility, and fatigue. When you invest time into yourself or into hobbies that ignite your passions away from work, you’re investing time into being your best self so that you can show up refreshed and ready to better take on whatever challenges come your way.

5. Take care of your health
Don’t let an overpacked schedule or stress stand in the way of your health or happiness. Skipping a doctor’s appointment, opting for non-nutrient dense meals out of convenience, foregoing physical activity, or staying up past your bedtime in the effort to do it all at work can be detrimental to your well-being and can lead to decreased productivity, poor emotional health, and even physical illness in both the short term and the long term. Inversely, investing time in your mental and physical health by living a healthy lifestyle is crucial to maintaining stress, preventing burnout, and gaining and maintaining a work-life balance.

6. Batch tasks to increase productivity
Begin to tackle a task, get a notification for another task, start the new task, return to the first task, jump to a second task, repeat. If this endless distractibility cycle sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In a world of constant communication in the form of emails, Slack messages, texts, and phone calls, taking on a project without getting diverted to another can seem like an impossible feat that ends up draining our time and energy in the long run.
For focusing and making our work time as efficient as possible, we turn to task batching: breaking projects into certain steps and sorting them by similarity. By focusing on similar tasks and creating blocks of time to do them, you’ll waste less time switching gears, which will help improve your concentration and attention to detail. Some examples include batch responding to emails, attending or leading meetings, brainstorming, or more mindless tasks. Then, schedule them based on times that you find yourself more or less productive.

7. Let go of a perfectionist mindset
As much as we’d love to produce perfect outcomes all of the time, the reality is that we’re human. Performing perfectly and at the highest level at all times isn’t only unrealistic—it can bog you down and be a deterrent in your workday that can make moving on from tasks and letting go of work after hours difficult. Quiet your inner perfectionist, shift your mindset to the bigger picture, reevaluate if spending more time on certain tasks will actually create a better product, readjust your standards, and remember that you can be a high achiever without performing flawlessly at all times.

8. Reinforce the end of your workday and set expectations for other team members
In a world of remote work, the line between work life and home life may be more blurred than ever. If you’re still working from home (which undoubtedly can feel like “living at work” at times), it can be difficult to disconnect at the end of your workday. Having a set, after-work routine and establishing healthy boundaries is key to making a distinction between work and non-work and achieving the work-life balance that you deserve.
As you near the end of your workday, be realistic about what you’ll be able to accomplish before you sign off. Communicate this to the appropriate parties and pick up where you left off tomorrow. Set expectations with your bosses and coworkers ahead of time to protect your after-work time. One example includes saying something along the lines of, “feel free to leave me a message while I’m away, but please note that I will respond when I return to work tomorrow.” Just because we live in a world where we can be accessed at all times doesn’t mean that we should be. And if you find yourself having difficulty peeling yourself away from work tasks, it might be helpful to schedule after-work plans or activities to help you physically sign off from your day.

9. Communicate workload issues with your manager
If, time and time again, you find your workload spilling into your after-work hours or are having difficulty meeting certain deadlines, consider setting up a meeting with your manager to discuss workload so that you can spend your evenings, early mornings, and weekends resting, recharging, and refueling. Give your manager an overview of what your workload looks like at the moment, insight on how long certain tasks take, and solutions such as delegating tasks to other employees, rescheduling lower priority tasks, or changing a particular process (such as turning a solo project into a group effort). Speaking up when you’re feeling overwhelmed gives your manager the opportunity to support you so that you can be your best self.

10. Take breaks to leave your work area for small periods of time throughout the day
When you’re working on a complex issue or find yourself with a full plate of work, it can be easy to convince yourself that you don’t have time for a break. In reality, research shows that taking a break (even a small one), can restore motivation, increase creativity, boost productivity, and have a positive effect on your well-being. Taking a quick break or your full lunch break is a very necessary way to help loosen the grip of work stress and gain balance in your life.

La Marca Prosecco is an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including the tireless work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and our partnership with La Marca Prosecco has helped us take that mission into the real world with live and virtual events, small business grants, and more. Let’s raise a glass to that!

This post is sponsored by La Marca Prosecco, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

You’ve probably already set your fitness goals and made plans to eat healthier. Maybe you’ve even set an intention for the new year and decided how you want to improve your love life. But what about your career? Feeling in control of your work life and finances is self-care too, and we can (and should) always be improving our professions for a more fulfilling life. If you need some inspo for your 2022 career goals, here are 10 career commitments I’m making to myself that I intend to tackle before 2023.

1. I will acquire a skill outside of my comfort zone
We often gravitate toward things we’re good at. Year after year, we can rack up learning experiences in skills we actually love, leaving the trickier stuff for another day. But this year, let’s commit to start learning and building skills around the things a little outside of our comfort zone. I’ll be scanning Edx, Udemy, and Skillshare for free and low-cost classes on data science, design, programming, or any topic that feels more difficult to me (Pssst. We’ve got some pretty fun learning ideas here too).

2. I will join an office networking program
It’s time to expand the circle: Finding a mentor, like-minded people on your level, or even inspiring employees at different stages can help you move through your career more efficiently, working as a sounding board or source of support and inspiration. Many offices have some sort of affinity group or networking organization that can expand your connections at the office and hook you up with some new 9-5 friends. Remote employee? This is even more important, and making connections with others at your place of employment doesn’t have to rely on in-person coffee meetings. Nothing like this available to you? Start the next generation leadership networking forum or simply connect with a group of like-minded people in your industry to build a networking group. 

3. I will ask for that raise
Some time in the next 12 months, we’re all likely to be in the mix for a performance review of some sort. Polish off that brag sheet that itemizes all the impact you’ve created in your role this year (or start keeping those notes now!). Asking for the raise is about documenting your success and regularly communicating your value to management. Make sure to get specific about what you want, and ask for a raise based on numbers, not just because a higher number sounds better (i.e. Are you doing more responsibilities than your last pay increase? Are you bringing in more revenue to the company recently?). Yes, you can do it. And if a pay raise isn’t possible (because your request likely won’t be accepted every time), there are other things to negotiate as well. 

4. I will plot out my next career chapter
12 months out is the perfect amount of time to start charting some actual action items for a new role you’d like to explore. If you’re ready to move on to a new company, start scoping LinkedIn and networking with recruiters or HR representatives in your field. Ready for the next step inside your company? Meet with your manager about action steps, see if you can meet up with a new department on a joint project, or set up informational interviews with employees whose positions you’re interested in. A new role doesn’t have to be immediately on the horizon to make these moves. In fact, the small steps over time are the very things that position you for all kinds of unexpected opportunities.

5. I will learn to have hard conversations with coworkers
We all have that one coworker we avoid or hate working with. Maybe they’re not pulling their weight on a team project or perhaps they’re just generally difficult to deal with. Over the next year, try to use more of your emotional intelligence toolkit at work and pick up some skills for how to have hard conversations. Overall, strive to feel more comfortable providing feedback (including to managers or employees on your level), and always come from a place of how to better workflow, productivity, or the goal of the company (rather than offering critiques without solutions). 

6. I will understand my personal brand
Whether we think we’re creating one or not, we’re all actively developing a personal brand, even at the office. So why not lean in and foster what you want your personal brand to be? First, think about your foundational skills, which are qualities that help get the job done. Where does your boss see you excelling? Do you need to work on your technical know-how or presentation skills over the next year? Second, be sure your network is growing with the right kind of people and that you are actively connecting and returning the favors of people who have helped you. Lastly, make sure your brand materials (like LinkedIn and resume) are up to date.

7. I will find low-stakes and high-stakes audiences to practice tough stuff
I’ll be honest: I really need to improve my presentation skills. But it’s hard to practice presenting in company-wide meetings or in front of my boss. Instead, I need lower-stakes places to practice public speaking where I’m feeling less stressed about the material and where I know that I’ll have a friendly audience (like organizing a game for my friend group, speaking up during book club, etc.). Experiences like these help boost your confidence for the tough stuff when you do have a huge presentation in front of the board or really need to nail the meeting with your boss. Finding other forums that are “high stakes” or have harder material to convey helps build those skills for the next stage of our work journey.

8. I will max out my work benefits based on my lifestyle
The start of a new year is a great time to review the benefits you have and make sure you’re taking advantage of all the things that your company offers. Start looking at how you might be able to increase your retirement savings through employer contributions and make sure you’re taking full advantage of PTO, flexible office hours, or sick days. Alternatively, hunt down those lesser-known perks like gym discounts or commuter benefits that you might be leaving on the table.

9. I will give back to someone earlier in their career journey
It can be easy for us to feel pretty internally focused when we think about our career journey, but nothing is more fulfilling than sharing what you have learned along the way with someone who is a little earlier along. Being a mentor can happen in small moments, so don’t get hung up on feeling like you need to take a junior employee under your wing for the rest of the year. A few well-timed, encouraging words before a client meeting or a coffee pregame before a big project can go a long way. Plus, you’ll have a fresh perspective for your own career trajectory and what you want to accomplish.

10. I will fit my career into my life, not the other way around
And last but arguably most importantly, let’s promise not to make our work world our whole world. While our jobs should be exciting enough to get us out of bed every day, our lives are made of so much more. In 2022, I’m recommitting to the mindset that my job is just one of the many pieces of my life that add up to who I am and prioritizing a healthy work-life balance, which means cutting off work at closing time (no exceptions!) and actively pursuing a healthy life outside of work.

Want To Reinvent Your Career?
2022 is the year to do it. Here’s how More

That fresh New Year’s energy is right upon us. And it’s usually the time we start getting curious about our own next chapters or what we could be doing differently to be sure we’re living our best lives. Even a small change on the job front can have huge payoffs when you’re resetting and rebalancing your self-care, family, and career.
We’ve partnered with La Marca Prosecco to bring you a self-check on what change you might be ready to make to switch up your career trajectory so that you can step into the new year as your most empowered self. La Marca believes that we should celebrate those tiny, everyday moments—because they add up to elevating our whole life. Even if we’re not explicitly on the hunt for a new job opportunity, there are a number of ways we can level up our work experiences in 2022. So grab a coupe of bubbles and find out what action you should take at your job this year! 

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How long have you been in your current role?

A few years. I am a core part of the team!

I came in on the ground floor; some people call me a lifer.

New arrival! I’m just hitting my stride.

When was the last time you asked for a raise?

Never. I’ve always had someone look out for me.

It’s been a while, but now I’m at the top of the range for this role.

I negotiated like a boss just recently when I was hired.

How excited are you about your current day-to-day?

I really like my work. It’s meaningful, and I am moving the needle daily!

I’m more settled than excited. I know what’s expected and I can regularly deliver.

Butterflies on the reg. I’m tackling new challenges, and it’s really stimulating my creativity.

What is your relationship like with your leadership?

Solid. I’ve demonstrated my value over time, and they value me too.

Plateaued. I’m not as challenged as I once was, but we’ve built a good relationship.

Growing. I’m learning my boss’s unique habits and their goals for our business.

Do your team values align with your own?

Yes. It’s one of the characteristics of this job that has kept me here for so long!

They definitely used to, but we’ve had some management changes that have shifted the culture.

This team’s beliefs and way of business are known to attract top talent, and that brought me here.

When was the last time you felt challenged on the job?

I’m in the zone. Challenges are rewarding, but I also have routine work that is grounding and effortless.

Does finding a new lunch spot count? That’s challenging!

Daily! I’m building new relationships, learning new skills, and gaining exposure to great leadership styles.

How many of your coworkers would you consider to be friends?

We’re a tight-knit bunch! Nearly all of them.

I’ve made a few close connections, who I know will be long-term friends.

I hit it off with one woman right off the bat—we’re having regular coffee dates!

What would be the next step on your current career ladder?

I can see many rungs ahead—my boss’s boss has a very valued and cool role at the company.

I would need some new skills to think about taking the next step. It’s a bit of a leap!

I could see this role giving me a lot of different paths. It’s a pretty matrixed and varied opportunity set.

The #1 Change You Should Make At Your Job This Year

Time to ask for a raise or promotion.

You have built an incredible reputation, strong book of work, and are probably part of the glue that keeps your team running in top condition! You may have found yourself taking on extra work this year or supporting teammates through challenging life and professional transitions. Or you may have used some pandemic down time to skill up on a new area that supports your professional development, such as getting a certification or extending your education.
It sounds like you are ready to be better rewarded for your contributions through asking for that raise, additional benefits that are meaningful to you like a more flexible schedule, or family accommodations—or you can really spread your wings and ask for a more expanded set of responsibilities. Get that promotion! And after you do, toast to your business savviness with a glass of La Marca Prosecco!

Time for a new opportunity at your company.

We’ve all been there. You’re comfortable and you’re pretty well settled in your groove. That can be a great thing! But if you’re feeling a little too comfortable, not challenged, or like you’ve just hit autopilot, you deserve a new chapter. Looking for a new opportunity at your same company can be a great way to leverage all the great social capital you’ve built over the years and your awesome network of useful internal relationships. Challenge yourself to start the year with a meeting with your current manager to ask about what a new role could look like, either expanded from your current team or an entirely different area of the business! Pour yourself some La Marca Prosecco and start making a vision board of what your next dream job looks like.

You’re crushing it. Deepen your expertise!

You may have taken the past 18 months to really hit reset and either change your role or arrive at a new job and company entirely. Congratulations! Toast to this moment with some La Marca Prosecco. This is a really exciting part of your professional cycle, where things feel new, challenging, and you start to get those great routines and rituals that enhance belonging at a firm. Once you’ve made it past that first stretch of newness, it’s time to start deepening your expertise. Stretch yourself to meet people outside of your immediate work circle and start raising your hand more often for stretch projects that give you a chance to try out different parts of your business.

La Marca Prosecco is an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including the tireless work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and our partnership with La Marca Prosecco has helped us take that mission into the real world with live and virtual events, small business grants, and more. Let’s raise a glass to that!

This post was sponsored by La Marca Prosecco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

Whether we’re just starting out in our careers or self-checking mid-stream, finding that intersection of what we love and what we’re good at is an art and a science! Even when we have a variety of jobs, some themes in our passions and capabilities constantly repeat themselves. You could think of this as building your own personal “career archetype” over time based on the type of work you’re routinely drawn to. Going back to this “north star” of your true self can be an awesome way to shape your career even through a wide variety of jobs and hone in on your differentiated expertise!
We’ve partnered with La Marca Prosecco, our drink of choice and a brand that believes in making the everyday moments matter. We are excited to share a new way for you to think about how you might frame your talents, skills, and passions. Because when you know yourself and exactly how to deliver that to the world, our day-to-day lives have a little more sparkle and celebration. And couldn’t we all use more of that? Grab a La Marca mini and spend some time in self-discovery!
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In your dream job, how often would you meet new people?

Periodically. I like to connect with people who share my niche interests.

All day! The best part of my role is connecting with new people inside and outside my business.

Sometimes. I like developing new relationships, especially when I know I can be of help to someone.

Rarely. I love focusing on tasks and working independently on projects.

Your boss comes to you and tells you they have a new project for you, but it will require getting really in the numbers. You are:

Jazzed. Technical details are my sweet spot!

Not thrilled. I’d rather come up with how we tell the story about the numbers.

It depends. If it’s in service of a larger project or outcome, I’m game.

Excited. Diving into a detailed, complex problem with a cup of coffee is my dream day.

When a problem comes along on my team, I can be counted on to:

Really analyze it. I plot out all the root causes and can come up with a few solution paths.

Understand everyone’s perspective. I’m good at seeing all sides of an issue.

Create a safe space to hash it out. I want to be sure all people feel heard.

Sketch out the actions we need to take to solve it and identify who is the best person on the team to do each.

Most people would describe my communication style as:

Direct. I know what I mean and try to deliver it precisely.

Engaging. I think a lot of people say they’re good communicators, but I really connect with others.

Nurturing. I’m good at pulling out others’ own ideas or illustrating new concepts.

Structured. I am great at being able to lay out a sequence so people can really focus on what’s urgent.

If my company said I could never work from home again, I would:

Be ambivalent. Some parts of my job need collaboration with others, but some do require a lot of focus.

Be just fine! The vibe of the office and being with my colleagues for coffee breaks are really energizing.

Be relieved. Most of my best work happens when I’m partnering with people live and in person.

Start the job hunt! I have thrived being able to work at my own pace and in my own space.

People always come to me for advice on:

Thinking through complex issues. If it has a lot of moving pieces, I can draw you a map to solve it!

Fixing relationships. Work, personal—I’ve heard them all!

The best way to communicate something. I make hard concepts easier to understand.

Building new processes. I love designing sleek, efficient systems of work.

The best part of my job is:

Solving problems. I like to find the pieces of a process or product that are broken and improve it.

Working with people. I think I would faint if I sat in front of a spreadsheet all day.

Taking care of others. I appreciate when I can make an impact and see my work matter.

Seeing the finished product. I love knowing that I’ve checked off every box on my to-do list!

The most motivating compliment I could get from my boss would be:

“That’s an incredibly innovative idea. We’ve never thought that way before!”

“We would have never won that business without you. You are the key to this client relationship.”

“You made such a difference to that person. Their life will be different because of what you did.”

“You thought of every detail. We saved so much time on this and got to the right outcome with your plan.”

How would you describe the ideal pace of your day?

Measured. I like to have a plan and some structure to what needs to get done.

Hustling. Small, quick interactions coupled with longer, meaningful engagements is a good balance for me.

Structured. I need to be able to really give my attention to whatever work or person I’m with at the time.

Fast and slow. I like to power through morning meetings when I’m fresh and take the afternoon to plan.

Which Career Archetype Are You?

You’re an Innovator

You love a new idea. Anything that taps your creative juices or puts you on a path to discovery is right up your alley! The fun part about this career archetype is that there are so many different types of work that suit you. Maybe you’re incredibly design focused, and pulling together a client’s home or new logo is exactly how you express your innovative tendencies. Or you could be breaking glass ceilings and making our world a better place through your scientific discoveries or technological prowess. Innovators tend to find it most satisfying to work on projects that are brand new or allow them to explore a number of different outcomes that engage a lot of people or ideas in the process. Grab a pen and a glass of La Marca Prosecco and start to dream up your next greatest discovery!

You’re a Connector

Connectors are key to making our world go round. You love to engage new people, tell stories, and be on the front lines of any organizations you work in. You are probably most happy when you’re in conversation with someone, discovering their needs or interests, and sharing your own. Connectors have that awesome ability to find a tiny detail about someone—“My neighbor once had a cat named bubbles too!—and turn that person into a lifelong part of their network. Capitalize on this awesome ability by seeking out jobs that get you out from behind a screen and in front of the customers or decision makers of a business. Sharpen those powers of persuasion, sales skills, and willingness to stretch your boundaries to see success follow you in just about any field. Now, raise a glass of La Marca Prosecco and toast to your incredible people skills!

You’re a Caregiver

As a caregiver, you have a supernatural ability to hone in on the needs of other people. This incredible talent can manifest itself in so many different ways! You might be drawn to the medical field, where you’re delivering people a service that can change their lives, or education, where you are truly setting the foundation for someone to recognize and develop their own skills. Caregivers can also end up as consultants or advisers because there is nothing you love more than hearing someone’s problem and helping them find a great solution. Caregivers of all types are at high risk of burnout, so always be sure that you are putting yourself first as you navigate your career across these roles. In fact, start now by pouring some bubbles and taking a break to reflect on a recent win with a glass of La Marca Prosecco!

You’re a Doer

Doers keep the trains moving! You can be counted on in any situation to drill down to the urgent and important. What do people need to do right now to get the job done? Who is the best person to do it? You have a great capacity for ensuring all the little details are in order and managed in the context of the big picture. Nothing drives you crazier than a process with unnecessary steps—you immediately begin dissecting how to make everything, from the grocery line to your everyday job, as efficient as possible! Doers often go on to become incredible COOs or cherished project managers. You are able to understand both the processes and the people, which means you can deftly combine both your technical and relationship skills to deliver on an objective. Almost every industry in the world needs people with just your talents—the world is your oyster. And you know what goes wonderfully with oysters? Bubbles! Pour yourself a glass of La Marca Prosecco and toast to your amazing ability to check off that to-do list!

La Marca Prosecco is an elegant sparkling wine grown in the heart of Italy’s Prosecco region. La Marca Prosecco believes in celebrating the joy in everyday moments, including the tireless work that so many women go through to make their dreams come true. A focus on career empowerment has always been part of The Everygirl’s mission, and our partnership with La Marca Prosecco has helped us take that mission into the real world with live and virtual events, small business grants, and more. Let’s raise a glass to that!

This post was sponsored by La Marca Prosecco but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl Media Group editorial board. More

The holidays are right around the corner. I know, we’re excited too! You’re probably counting down the days until your holiday break and can’t wait to enjoy festivities with your friends, quality time with your loved ones, rejuvenation for the new year—or a combination of the three.
It might be tempting to leave your to-do list unfinished and get out of the office or off your laptop as soon as possible. But there are a few easy things you can and should do to wrap up at work before the holidays. Your future self will thank you, and you’ll be able to enjoy your time off without worrying about what’s waiting for you when you return. These work tips will help set you up for a successful new year.

1. List Your Accomplishments (and Celebrate Them)
Maybe you have to complete an end-of-year performance review, but even if you don’t, you should think back and list all of your accomplishments for the year. When we’re in the grind, we may not always pause and celebrate our achievements as they happen. But here’s the thing: You deserve to be proud of your hard work, and having a list of your accomplishments can come in handy down the road.
Maybe next year, you’ll ask for a raise, switch jobs, or be up for promotion. Having a concrete list of completed achievements as evidence can help strengthen your argument or help prove that you’re the strongest candidate. And even if you don’t find yourself in one of these situations, there is absolutely no harm in celebrating yourself and your efforts.

Source: Color Joy Stock

2. Update Your Resume Even If You Aren’t Job Hunting
Are you one of those people who dreads updating your resume when you’re ready to look for a new job? I don’t blame you—I know the feeling. Part of the reason this task becomes so daunting is that many of us wait until we’ve been in a role for a while and then have to spend time reflecting on years worth of work.
Instead, while your current role and responsibilities are fresh in your mind, set aside some time to update your resume. Even if you don’t end up looking for a new job in the immediate future, you’ll save time down the road and won’t have to dread this task later.

3. Clean Out Your Inbox
There is nothing worse than leaving emails in your inbox to come back to after an extended holiday break. If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to waste more energy than you have to perusing through emails and organizing them accordingly.
Treat yourself to an early present and clean out your inbox before you shut things down for some time off. File away the emails you will need to respond to upon your return (and make sure you add them to your to-do list), get rid of junk, and unsubscribe from emails you no longer find valuable. If you haven’t done so already, consider creating a filing system in your mail app to hit the ground running and keep your inbox organized at the start of the new year.

4. Grow Your Network By A Few New Connections
We’ve all heard of the importance of finding and making connections, especially in the professional world. As someone who has landed multiple jobs through mutual connections, I can’t emphasize how crucial it is to grow your network.
I also know that making new connections in your sphere can be tricky, especially throughout the year when you’re drowning in responsibilities. Use the end of the year to identify two or three new connections within your extended network. Browse LinkedIn, Twitter, industry role models—you name it. Do a light introduction and let your newfound connection know you’d love to chat more or meet up for dinner after the new year.
Your circle can never be big enough when it comes to your network. You never know who might be able to help you land the role of your dreams or have a position for you when you least expect it.

Source: Color Joy Stock

5. Organize Your Desktop
Is your desktop a mess of files and folders right now? I don’t know about you, but I’m guilty of saving documents and images all over the place. When we’re rushing and trying to get things done, it’s easy to download what you need and forget about it.
Believe me, you’ll be thankful for the old you when you open your laptop in the new year and return to a fully organized and detoxed digital setup. Ditch the documents and images you don’t need and organize the rest so that you can quickly access them going forward. And don’t forget to empty your trash when you’re finished. Think of this as a virtual cleaning of your laptop.

6. Deep Clean Your Workspace
When was the last time you cleaned your desk or workspace? I’m talking about a deep clean, not just taking all of your used coffee mugs to the sink. If you can’t remember the last time you grabbed a duster or a rag to clean the surfaces and your equipment, you’re overdue for a good cleaning.
On your last workday for the year, grab your favorite cleaning supplies and spend a few minutes decluttering and wiping down your work area. The new year is the perfect time for a fresh start, and what better way to jump back into work than with a clean space and positive energy for the upcoming year ahead?
The holidays are an exciting time of year for many, and to be present during this time, you need to be able to disconnect from your work life fully. Don’t simply disconnect and leave messes to come back to. Try these tips to wrap up your year and start the next one on a good note. Do one (or even a few) of these things, and you’ll hit the ground running in your career early next year.

How to Prep for That Performance Review (And Land a Raise) More