Career & Finance

Falling into a career rut is a rite of passage in your 20s and 30s (just like overcoming a quarter-life crisis at 25 and moving on from that relationship you swore you’d never get over). You’re not alone if you’re feeling bored, confused, frustrated, burnt out, or a mix of all of the above. I’ve been there a few times since graduating college—trust me. Whenever I’m getting whiplash from checking the clock during my work day, I know it’s time to do a little soul-searching. My favorite way to get out of the monotonous day-to-day besides chugging coffee and hoping for the best? Surprisingly, journal prompts.
Getting my thoughts onto paper helped me work through other big life decisions like packing up my bags and moving to the city, and turning inward has proven equally successful whenever I’ve found myself feeling bogged down at work. I’m not about gatekeeping, so here are some of the journal prompts I’ve leaned on to get clarity on my next career move (and pull me out of my deepest, darkest ruts):

1. If I could achieve financial freedom, how would I spend my time?
Potential career pivoters and questioners, this prompt is for you. If we lived in a dream world where money mysteriously popped into your bank account every day without you lifting a finger, how would you fill up your day? Would you spend it redecorating your home? Tending to your backyard garden? Maybe working on that art piece you haven’t had the chance to finish?
Look at each hobby and activity individually and then as a whole. Are there any common themes? Are you in current alignment with your true passions or are you too far removed from what brings you joy? Can you combine any of these interests into a role? Get creative with your answers until you can map out a career path (or two). Revisit these desired career paths and map out the skills, knowledge, and tools you’d need to help you get there.

2. Are there untapped opportunities that could reinspire me at work?
I’ll let you in on a little hack: Finding opportunities where you’re currently at is the quickest way to moving through a career rut. Before you job hop hoping it’ll provide you the relief you’re desperately searching for, you want to make sure you’re 100% confident in your decision to move on. There’s nothing worse than experiencing buyer’s remorse in a career setting. Unfortunately, returning to your previous employer isn’t as easy as showing up at Nordstrom with your receipt in hand. This journal prompt will subtly uncover whether or not you’ve outgrown your current role, company, or maybe even the industry as a whole. 
Ask yourself: Have you ever wondered what your boss’ boss does on the day-to-day? Is there a project that would let you flex your creativity? Or better yet, is there a project you can lead yourself? Open your eyes to projects and shadowing opportunities you’d like to try in your current role and jot them down to bring them to your next 1:1 with your manager. You never know what possibilities there are until you ask!

If linking to stock image site: Source: Vlada Karpovich | Pexels

3. What three ways can I incorporate more self-care into my routine?
Sometimes it’s not just the 9-to-5  job itself, but also the lifestyle you’ve set in place during your 5-to-9 life. Write down a few approachable swaps you could build into your morning and night routines then transfer them over to your planner so you’re motivated to cross them off your to-do list each day. The catch here is to make sure each self-care activity is something you truly enjoy or you won’t prioritize it. All’s to say that if you’re not a die-hard runner or a morning person, don’t add a 4 am sprint to your calendar even if that’s what your favorite influencer on TikTok swears improves her day. 
I recommend incorporating one mental, one physical, and one emotional self-care item into your routine. For example: meditating for mental release, a daily yoga practice for physical well-being, and journaling for emotional regulation. If you’re at a loss for what to write, look back on your response to the first prompt: If you could achieve financial freedom, how would you spend your time? You may find a few ideas hidden within your answer. 

4. Who do I look up to as a career role model and why?
If you could pick three to five people in your previous company, your current company, or within your industry to sit down to dinner with for an hour, who would you choose? Create a bulleted list of your VIP dinner party guests and what you would pick their brains about over vodka pasta and Aperol spritzes. Get descriptive with which questions you’d ask, which strengths each one brings to the table, and what you’d like to learn from each of them.
If they’re someone you know or could know in real life, set up a coffee chat or after-work happy hour to get to know them better, and who knows, you may have found your next mentor. If they’re more of a public figure or celebrity, research their career timelines on your own or learn from them through a class, article, video, or podcast. Either way, you can take a peek at their career paths and gain inspiration for one, the direction you could take yours, and two, what career would suit you better if you’re looking for a pivot. 

5. What do I really want? 
Not your parents’ expectations of you or what you want to brag about to your friends during girl’s night but what do you really want? Are you ready to negotiate for that shiny new title and pay bump? Do you feel like your career choice has already run its course? Dive a little deeper into the goals you want to prioritize on your career bucket list and what lifestyle you want. Because at the end of the day, you’re the one clocking in and out of your job and living the life you’ve set out for yourself so you want to make sure it’s something that is filling your cup—not draining it.

9 Affirmations To Tell Yourself if You Are Stuck in a Rut More

When you feel like being an adult is an active struggle, it’s easy to become envious of women who seem to have it all figured out. You know who I’m talking about—the women who naturally attract money, promotions, love, glowing skin, and shiny hair into their life. To us mere mortals, it seems as though these women glide effortlessly through life, but the truth is, they simply follow the same 20 life rules. Keep on reading to learn all about the life rules successful women follow, and watch everything around you fall into place.

1. Love the skin you’re in
Successful women are not immune from insecurities—they are human, after all. Nevertheless, they still make an active effort to love the skin they’re in. They’ll speak kindly to themselves and engage in self-care rituals and activities that nourish their soul regularly. Likewise, they’ll also admire their body—they’ll run their hands over it in the shower, look in the mirror, or hug themselves, and this helps them connect with themselves and increase their self-love.

2. Always rise to the opportunity and accept new challenges
Successful women have no trouble rising to the occasion. They’ll never say “no” to any new opportunity or challenge that comes their way because they know that life is a never-ending learning journey. While mindset helps them grow in every aspect of their life, it’s especially beneficial for their career—it makes them reliable and hardworking, and that only contributes to their success.

3. Ask for help when you need it
Although we’re taught that doing everything on our own is a sign of success, successful women know better. They know that doing it all often leads to exhaustion and burnout, which is why they ask for help when they need it. They’re not ashamed of this either. In fact, they know that setting aside your pride and seeking help from others is a sign of strength—not weakness.

4. Take control of your finances
Successful women work hard for their money, and they’ll be damned if they don’t have a handle on their finances. They make it a point to go out of their way and stay in the know when it comes to their finances. They’ll track their income and expenses, review and adjust their budget as needed, and conduct research and ask a financial expert questions when they don’t know something. Regardless of what they do, they don’t leave their financial situation up to fate.

5. Take care of yourself
Women who are thriving in life seem to have a natural glow to them, and it’s because they prioritize taking care of themselves. They know that health is wealth, so while they enjoy looking good, they enjoy feeling good even more. So, they’ll attend routine health checkups and dental cleanings, exercise regularly, hydrate and eat a well-rounded diet, and get plenty of rest. Likewise, they also won’t deprive themselves; they know life’s about balance, and will indulge from time to time in moderation.

6. Invest in and bet on yourself
Successful women have no trouble focusing their attention and putting their money towards whatever’s going to help them reach their goals. This might mean pursuing a postsecondary degree if it’ll benefit their career or taking a certification class in order to make a career change. Or, they might buy a new outfit for a once-in-a-lifetime interview to help boost their confidence. Whatever the case may be, these women have no trouble betting on themselves, and that inner confidence radiates outwards.

7. Put yourself out there
Putting yourself out there can be scary, but successful women do so in spite of that fear. This goes for both work and relationships. They know that stepping outside of their comfort zones is a surefire way to get noticed. So while it may be intimidating, they believe in themselves enough to take that leap of faith. More often than not, this move pays off tenfold in the end when they land their dream job or manifest their ideal partner.

8. Don’t spend your life worried about others
Letting go of caring what others think is sometimes easier said than done, but it’s a rule successful women swear by. They know that when it comes down to it, you can’t please everyone. Which is why they’ll surround themselves with an uplifting, positive social circle. And being surrounded by people who only want the best for you ultimately makes this rule an easy one to follow.

9. Build an emergency fund and save for retirement
For successful women, knowing that they can fall back on themselves financially if push comes to shove is non-negotiable. So, they prioritize building an emergency fund and saving for retirement. Not only does this help them become financially independent, but it also sets them up for success and the ability to fully enjoy the fruits of their labor and embrace their golden years when it comes time.

10. Never compete for your partner’s love or attention
It’s not uncommon to come across someone who makes you feel as though you have to compete for their love and attention. However, successful women won’t tolerate feeling this way from a romantic partner. If their partner ever makes them feel like this, they’ll talk to and see if they can get through to them, or they may cut their losses and part ways. Of course, every relationship is different, but ultimately, successful women don’t have time to play games and vie for their partner’s love.

11. You are the author of your life
It’s easy to let other people or the things that have happened to you define who you are, but successful women refuse to fall victim to that mindset. Instead, they take charge of their story because they know they are the sole author of their life. And while there will always be things that are out of their control, this ultimately makes them a force to be reckoned with.

12. Talk to the people you care about regularly
Everyone is busy, and it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But time can slip away all too quickly and life can change in an instant. So, successful women make it a point to talk to and connect with the people they care about regularly. It doesn’t matter if it’s over text, a call, FaceTime, or in person—all that matters is that they’re connecting. Plus, it helps remind everyone that they’re not alone, which is something we all need.

13. Have a morning and nighttime routine
It’s not uncommon to feel like your career, relationships, and overall responsibilities demand more of your time as you get older. But successful women make sure these demands don’t take away precious time for themselves. Instead, they combat this by having a morning and nighttime routine. Besides all the benefits that can come from having these routines, this allows them to steal and carve out extra time for themselves no matter what. And this helps them stay grounded and make strategic moves in life.

14. Don’t apologize for your success
Unlike many of their traditional male counterparts, women often feel the need to apologize for their success. While successful women certainly won’t brag about their accomplishments, they won’t go out of their way to hide them either. They know how hard they work for what they have and they refuse to apologize for it. And they know that their accolades simply reflect the time, effort, and dedication they’ve put in—and that’s something to be proud of.

15. Know what you bring to the table
The saying “know your worth, then add tax” applies here. Successful women know exactly what they bring to the table and have no trouble asking for what they deserve. They refuse to settle for being underpaid and underappreciated in every aspect of their life. So, they’ll ask for a raise if the odds are in their favor or take their talents elsewhere and surround themselves with people who love them exactly as they are.

16. Balance is essential
Successful women don’t buy into the mindset that life is all work and no play. Instead, they know that balance is essential. This is why they have a life outside of work—whether it’s a hobby, side hustle, or simply going out with friends. Likewise, they also carve out time for themselves and treat themselves and splurge every once in a while. In short, they let themselves enjoy life and luxuriate in it.

17. Support other women
Society often pits women against each other, but successful women are actively working to change that. Rather than compete against each other, successful women lift up and encourage each other wholeheartedly. They know that a win for one woman is a win for all women everywhere.

18. Compromises shouldn’t come at the cost of happiness
It’s no secret that relationships consist of compromise, but flourishing women don’t let those compromises come at the cost of their happiness. So while they have no problem being flexible, they won’t agree to anything that jeopardizes their overall well-being (think: giving up their career, etc.). After all, the right partner will make sure their happiness is a priority and won’t ever put it on the back burner.

19. Look at the glass half-full
Despite the fact that successful women aren’t immune from hardships, they still choose to look at the glass half-full. This doesn’t mean that they fall into toxic positivity—they’ll still cry, scream, and get their emotions out when they need to. Rather, it means that they remain optimistic in spite of life’s trials and tribulations. And this positive outlook is ultimately what helps them attract abundant success into their life.

20. Set goals and go after them fearlessly
By now, you probably know that goal-setting is vital, and successful women swear by this as well. Not only do they set goals, but they also formulate plans to reach those goals and go after them fearlessly. Ultimately, they never lose sight of their dreams. And they know that no dream is too big or unattainable—they believe in themselves and their abilities and will wake up every day and take tangible steps in the real world that help them bring their wildest dreams to fruition.

10 Things Successful Women Do Before 9AM More

Talking is easy. But communicating? That’s another story. Effective communication is a fundamental skill everyone needs to learn to succeed in life, and it’s a crucial component of managing personal and professional relationships. But with the rise of social media, effective communication has taken a backseat to emojis and posts with witty captions. Whether you’re looking to improve your communication skills at work or in your personal life, you’ve come to the right place. I’m offering practical tips to help you develop effective communication skills so you can share your thoughts and opinions with clarity and purpose.

5 Tips for Effective Communication
We are constantly communicating. Whether through talking in person in a meeting, emailing with team members, texting with a friend, or through our body language, verbal communication and nonverbal communication are always happening. So how can we ensure we’re conveying the right message with the appropriate tone of voice to build trust and make others feel heard and understood? Good communication skills, that’s how. 
More specifically, effective communication skills partnered with the right amount of emotional intelligence and active listening. I know because I spend my days communicating. Not just because I have to but because it’s literally my job as a communications professional. Throughout the years, I’ve learned what good communication looks (and feels) like and how to avoid poor communication. We’re going to dig into why effective communication is so essential to a fulfilling and successful career and how you can explore the best types of communication that suit your personality and your work style.

What is Effective Communication?
Communication, at its core, is the exchange of information among people. But when you’re in an important presentation or a one-on-one with your manager, you don’t just want to share information. You want to do it in a successful way that produces your desired result. You want to ensure the information you’re sharing is received and understood. In essence, you want to communicate effectively. This involves listening attentively, knowing the best words to get the information across, and being clear and concise in conveying your message. Effective communication, like most skills, takes time and practice to develop. But it’s a crucial skill to learn.

Why is Effective Communication Important?
Effective communication in the workplace is vital to a successful career, just as good communication in your personal life is critical to strong relationships. Here are a few reasons why effective communication is a skill you need in your toolbox.
Effective communication:

Reduces miscommunication
Enhances clarity and conciseness of messaging
Fosters trust, respect, and empathy amongst colleagues and personal relationships
Strengthens collaboration among team members
Boosts happiness at work and home
Reduces conflicts as a result of misunderstandings
Creates efficiencies and saves time
Develops a mutual understanding between people
Increases individual and team productivity 
Aids in effective problem solving
Facilitates healthy conflict resolution
Promotes innovation and creativity 

How to Communicate Effectively
We’ve all been in a situation where you’re trying to get your message across, and the other person just isn’t getting it. It’s frustrating for everyone involved. When it comes to figuring out how to avoid miscommunication, you can take a proactive approach. Imagine that every conversation or meeting you have results in a positive outcome with mutual understanding. That’s what we’re trying to achieve with effective communication. Here are five tips to help you develop and hone your effective communication muscle.

Practice Active Listening
Effective communication involves a mutual understanding, and while we all listen, are we doing so actively? Active listening is more than just hearing what another person is saying. It’s going above and beyond to ensure you understand the meaning and the intent of their words. It requires you to actively participate in a conversation, which means devoting your whole attention to someone and avoiding interruptions and distractions. Being fully present and engaged in an exchange allows you to understand the original message better and gather additional information relevant to the situation by asking questions you may not have originally considered.

Facilitate Two-Way Communication
There is nothing worse than communicating at someone when your goal is communicating with someone. Effective communication ensures the other party understands what you’re saying, and that includes gathering information and feedback from others. Two-way communication seeks to avoid a one-way dialogue. If you relay information to a person without understanding if your message was received or clear, it could lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and a lack of trust.
So how exactly do you do this? First, seek to understand your audience and what’s important to them. Then, determine your message and the best channel to communicate to your audience (i.e., in-person, email, phone, etc.). Third, encourage feedback and gather data to better inform your work and future dialogues. And finally, analyze the feedback and take action. Continue to repeat the steps to hone your messaging as needed. Two-way communication fosters an environment of openness and transparency, leading to meaningful and productive conversations.

Be Clear and Concise
To achieve effective communication, the person you’re communicating with must understand what you’re saying. The best way you can do this is through clear and concise language both in-person and digitally. Be as descriptive and specific as possible. Avoid using vague language that could result in confusion. The goal is to get to the point in written and spoken communication as efficiently as possible. It’s also critical to select the correct communication channel. If there are a lot of important details to share that need to be referenced, writing an email may be best. If you have to share direct feedback, an in-person meeting or a phone call might be the direction you take. Be mindful of the words you use, what they mean, and how best to share them with others.

Pay Attention to Body Language
While there are many different types of communication, body language is key to remember when striving for effective communication. Making eye contact, maintaining good posture, being mindful of facial expressions, thinking about the tone and pitch of your voice, and keeping open body language helps to show whoever you’re talking to that you’re interested and engaged in the conversation. By being mindful of how we physically convey ourselves to others, we can make them feel more comfortable and understood. When others feel more comfortable, they’re more likely to be engaged in what you’re saying, and you’ll be able to get your message across more productively.

Show Acknowledgement and Appreciation
Showing interest in a conversation or exchange of information is respectful and leads to a more productive discussion with mutual understanding. When receiving or relaying information, show acknowledgment and appreciation to the other person. Relay back what you heard and validate if it’s accurate. Thank them for sharing the information with you and keeping you informed. Effective communication promotes empathy, allowing people to foster a more meaningful connection where different perspectives are considered. Think about how you’d want someone to act and respond if you were communicating with them and model that behavior back when the roles are reversed.

10 Phrases Successful Women Use at Work More

We all send and receive so many emails every day that it’s easy to forget that email is a tool—a tool most of us were never taught how to use. Knowing how to create and send effective emails, while also making the most of an organized inbox, can save you a lot of time, improve your email communications, and boost your productivity.
Successful women understand the power of leveraging email to their advantage, so let’s break down seven email tips, tricks, and hacks that successful women utilize daily to be at the top of their email a-game.

7 Game-Changing Email Secrets Successful Women Know

1. They know the power of a strong subject line
Successful women know that first impressions matter and that a well-crafted subject line can make or break an email’s impact. They opt for concise, specific subject lines that summarize the main purpose or request of the message. By captivating the recipient’s attention with a compelling subject line, you increase the likelihood of the recipient opening and responding to your email promptly.
For example, instead of writing “Meeting Request” they might opt for “Meeting on Project X Due Friday”. This subject line clearly communicates the intention and urgency of the email, capturing the recipient’s attention from the start. Or instead of using a subject like “Project Update”, they would write “X Project Update: Milestone Achievement and Next Steps Discussion”.

2. They use confident and authoritative phrasing
Phrasing plays a crucial role in conveying messages effectively. Successful women choose their words carefully, ensuring their emails are clear, concise, and free from unnecessary jargon. They aim to get their point across without overwhelming the recipient with lengthy explanations. By mastering the art of phrasing, they make their messages more digestible and easier to respond to.
Successful women also avoid excessive apologies or self-deprecating language, as it can undermine their confidence and authority. They choose words that convey professionalism, respect, and assertiveness, while still maintaining a friendly tone.
Here are a few phrases that you can benefit from learning to avoid including in your upcoming emails:

Sorry: While apologies have their place, overusing the word “sorry” can undermine confidence and unnecessarily take responsibility. Instead, focus on addressing any mistakes or issues directly and offer solutions or alternatives when necessary.
Just or only: These words can downplay your confidence and diminish the importance of your message. For example, saying “I just wanted to check” or “I only have a quick question” may make you appear unsure or less credible. Be direct and assertive in your communication.
Actually: This word can accidentally come across as condescending or corrective. Instead, strive to provide information or clarify points without using language that may appear dismissive.
I think or I feel: While it’s important to express your opinions, using phrases like “I think” or “I feel” can weaken your message. Instead, state your viewpoint confidently as a fact without hedging or apologizing for your perspective.
Abbreviations or text-speak: In a professional setting, it’s best to avoid abbreviations or text-speak like “OMG” or “LOL.” Opt for complete and proper sentences to maintain a polished and respectful tone.

3. They tailor salutations and signoffs
The salutation and signoff set and enforce the tone for an email. Successful women tailor their salutations based on the level of familiarity with the recipient. They use “dear” for formal or unfamiliar contacts and “hi” or “hello” for more informal relationships. Similarly, they select signoffs like “best regards” or “sincerely” for formal correspondence and “thanks” or “warm regards” for more casual or friendly interactions. Paying attention to these details showcases professionalism and respect and can help you maintain healthy business relationships.

4. They have templates for everything
To save time and maintain consistency, successful women create email templates for commonly used messages. Templates act as a starting point, allowing them to customize the content as needed. Whether it’s a follow-up email, a request for information, or a meeting invitation, templates streamline the email composition process, ensuring efficiency without compromising personalization.
Templates are especially helpful for any email communications you send out repeatedly with detailed instructions. For example, if you onboard a lot of contract workers as a part of your role, you’ll want to have an email template ready to go with clear onboarding instructions. That way, you can skip repeatedly writing tedious emails while also making sure no important details slip through the cracks.

5. They organize their inbox with filters and folders
An organized inbox greatly benefits successful women. To help stay on top of things, successful women implement strategies such as creating folders or labels to categorize emails, prioritizing messages based on urgency or importance, and utilizing filters to automatically sort incoming emails. By keeping their inboxes clutter-free, they can locate important messages quickly and efficiently and respond to critical matters that could easily get lost in the inbox abyss.
For instance, they might set up filters for things like “Clients”, “Projects”, “Personal”, or “Newsletters” to easily sort and locate emails based on their respective categories. In addition to using folders, successful women prioritize their messages based on urgency or importance. They may create folders like “Urgent”, “To-Do”, or “Follow-Up” to highlight emails that require immediate attention or actions. By adopting this approach, they can swiftly identify critical matters and ensure that nothing important falls through the cracks.

6. They know how to manage their email time
Successful women have a lot to get done in a day. This is why they understand better than anyone the need to set boundaries and manage their email time effectively. They allocate specific time slots for checking and responding to emails, avoiding constant interruptions throughout the day. By establishing designated email windows, they maintain focus on their core tasks and prevent email overload from derailing their productivity.
So—when do successful women tackle their inboxes? A good rule of thumb is to check your inbox when you first start your work day to see if any urgent matters came up and right before signing off for the day to make sure no one’s waiting on an important response. In between those times, successful women use small pockets of time between meetings when deep work isn’t possible or when they’re experiencing an afternoon slump to catch up on emails.

7. They use AI to make their lives easier
AI tools like Chat GPT and Grammarly are invaluable for successful women seeking to improve their professional email writing. Stumped for words? ChatGPT can help you figure out how to phrase your email effectively. Just tell the AI chat tool all of the details you want to cover and it will give you a clear response. You can then experiment with different suggestions to refine your email drafts. Once you craft an email, you can turn to Grammarly or Hemingway for a quick grammar and spell check. Typos aren’t professional, so going the extra mile to avoid them counts.

The Takeaway
Mastering the art of email communication is essential for professional success and successful women have honed their skills in this area, enhancing their productivity, making lasting impressions, and navigating their inboxes with ease. Eventually, with enough practice, these tips will run naturally in the background of your mind, and you’ll be able to make the most of your email every day.

7 Career Habits Successful Women Practice More

I love working from home. I’ve been doing it since before it became cool (read, necessary) in 2020. Working remotely allows me to do my job without leaving the comforts of my home. It gives me more time in the day for myself and my family and less time behind the wheel commuting. And while it may not be for everyone, it’s my jam. But as stellar as the pros of working from home are, I’ve also experienced my fair share of cons, like lack of social interaction and collaboration, deafening silence and loss of focus, and time management and productivity challenges.
Over the years of working remotely, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to stay productive and focused. Not every day is perfect, but with these ten practical and effective strategies, you too can level up your work-at-home game to make it more healthy, productive, and, dare I say, fun.

10 Tips For Leveling Up Your Work-At-Home Game
Leveling up your work-at-home game can be easier than you think. By making simple but effective tweaks to your day, you can become the best remote worker for yourself, your productivity, and your sanity.

Create a Morning Routine
How your work day goes often depends on how you start it, so make the time to establish a morning routine that allows you to begin your day on the right foot. Getting in a workout, showering, meditating, or eating a healthy breakfast are a few of the ways you can start your day off right. Find what works best for you. What you’re trying to avoid is waking up, rolling out of bed, and immediately logging onto your computer to work. And please, change out of your pajamas. (If you need some work from home style inspiration, we have plenty of work at home outfits to help you up your game). 

Maintain Consistent Working Hours
If you were working in an office, you’d set a consistent work schedule. The same rule applies to working from home. You need to create a schedule and a routine you can structure your life around (because life isn’t just about work). Determine what hours you need to be or are expected to be available and make a plan to stick to them as best you can.

Keep a Dedicated Office Space
Just like it’s essential to maintain consistent working hours to help separate your working time from your personal time, it’s critical to keep a dedicated office space. This doesn’t have to be a separate home office (although that’s great if you have one!). It can be a dedicated corner of a room with a flat surface, a coworking space, or a quiet spot in your home. The goal of a dedicated office space is that at the end of the day, you can close your laptop and walk away, signaling to yourself and your brain that the workday is over.

Set Ground Rules
Working from home is a skill that, like anything, takes practice. As you become more established working remotely, you’ll want to set some ground rules. Setting a baseline for how you want to operate during the day when there is the possibility of so many distractions is essential to staying productive and focused. Think about how you want to use your phone, if you want to weave in personal tasks like laundry, and how you plan to take a lunch break. Get clear on your expectations for yourself and how to operate to set yourself up for success.

Schedule Breaks
When you’re working in an office, think about how many times you take breaks throughout the day. From walks to the water cooler to bathroom breaks to a quick chat with team members, real-time breaks are built into your day. These built-in breaks become less frequent while working from home, so it’s important to schedule breaks in your day. Plan to get up and stand at least once an hour, take a walk break on your lunch, or savor a few minutes by making a new cup of coffee. The longer we sit in front of a computer uninterrupted, the more unproductive we become. Breaks are essential to an efficient workday.

Work From Away
If you find yourself growing bored or uninspired by your workspace and your company is supportive, change up your scenery. Working remotely doesn’t always have to mean working from home. It can mean working from a coffee shop or at a vacation rental on a beach, or at a coworking space with friends. While routine is important, when you’ve been working from home for an extended period of time, switching up your working location is a great option to reinvigorate and energize your work.

Invest in the Right-For-You WFH Tools
To do great work, you need the right tools. In addition to productivity tools and project management software, it’s important that your space is set up to make you feel you’re most productive. Think about what would be valuable to you, and if your budget allows, make an investment. Some work-from-home tools that could really level up your space include items like a standing desk, a walking pad, an essential oil diffuser, a charging station, a second computer screen, or a printer. 

Take Time Off
Work is a big part of our lives, but it’s not the only part. While working remotely in comfy clothes might feel more leisurely than commuting to an office, it’s still imperative for your well-being to take time away from work. Utilize your vacation time. Take a sick day if you’re sick instead of trying to push through. To be well at work, we need to rest and charge. Working from home isn’t a vacation, so take advantage of the time off you’re given.

Stay Social
While working from home often still involves team collaboration and video conferencing, it’s not the same as being surrounded by an office full of people. It can feel isolating at times to be an office of one, so it’s necessary to proactively make an effort to stay social. Schedule time with friends or family outside of work to stay connected or book a workout class prior to your work day. We’re innately social creatures, so finding ways to get out of the house and surround yourself with people that energize you is important.

Make Time for You
For me, a big benefit of working from home is the extra time it gives me back in my day. Without commuting and extra time spent getting ready and preparing a lunch, I can spend more time doing things I enjoy. Don’t forget, the point of working remotely isn’t to work more, it’s to provide you with a better way to integrate your work and life. Throughout the work week, take time to do things you love. Read a book in the morning, get in a yoga class, play with your children, go for a walk, listen to a podcast, or spruce up your house. Take advantage of the extra time you have in your schedule and do the things that light you up.

Best WFH Tools
There are a lot of helpful resources available to level up your work-from-home game. I’ve identified five types of tools you might find valuable to improve your productivity, so pick what works for you and set you up for your best work day.

Planner
Call me traditional, but I love a good planner. There’s something about actually writing down your tasks and goals and crossing them out that motivates me. Planners (or even blank notebooks!) are a great, inexpensive way to keep you on track and productive while working remotely. The Everygirl has some awesome options available at Target.

The Everygirl x Day Designer

The Everygirl x Day Designer

Project Management Tool
Whether you’re solo or working on a team, a project management tool is an effective way to collaborate with others, especially across different time zones. They’re essential for time management and task efficiency. Many tools are cloud-based, have mobile apps, and offer free plan options to help make collaboration even easier. A few of my favorite tools include Asana, ClickUp, Monday.com, and Trello. 

Communications Tool
Communication is key when you’re working away from your direct team and those you cross-collaborate with at your company. Identifying a communication tool that works for you is crucial to your productivity. Your company may equip you with tools to help you chat and video call with others, like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack, or the Google Suite. Find what fits your needs and allows you to work efficiently with your team to accomplish your goals.

Digital Calendar
Keeping a digital calendar is essential for me. It helps me manage my day and stay on task. Digital calendars allow you to time block your day to help you focus on tasks and avoid distributions. There is no right or wrong calendar to use. The best one is whichever one you’ll stick with managing. Staple tools like Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar are great places to start. The Google Suite is a useful option because it allows you to utilize other tools like Google Meet, Google Drives, and Google Tasks, which will automatically add any tasks you make to your Google Calendar to really help you organize your day.

Comfort Items
This work-from-home tool is a personal-to-you option. One of the perks of working within your own four walls is that you’re afforded the freedom of comfort. You can opt for leggings instead of hard pants. You can wear slippers instead of heels. You can play soundscapes instead of listening to coworkers chatting a few cubicles down. You can light a candle and enjoy the relaxing scent. Take advantage of what makes you feel good and allows you to do your best work. Obviously, if you need to be camera ready for a video call, ensure you’re presenting yourself professionally. But if you’re doing focused work, comfort is key.

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7 Productivity Habits Successful Women Practice More

It’s time to talk about a major life hack that can make a huge difference in your career, personal relationships, finances, and health. Boundaries. They aren’t easy to set or enforce, but the hard work you put in upfront when you establish clear boundaries can create a ripple effect throughout your entire life. That’s why so many successful women consistently practice setting boundaries every single day. It’s no secret that women are all too often expected to balance a lot, but it isn’t our job to rise to the expectations that other people set for us. Finding success in all areas of your life takes focus and by setting boundaries with everyone in your life, you can free up a lot of time and energy to devote to building your dream life.
Let’s take a look at some of the boundaries that successful women practice every day so you can start to think about how you could change your day-to-day life for the better.

1. Saying No
Two small letters can lead to a whole lot of progress. Will you drive me to the airport? Will you clean up the break room? Will you tutor my child after work? Will you…You get the gist. There’s nothing wrong with someone asking you for a favor, but there’s also nothing wrong with saying no to that favor if it’s something you don’t feel you can accommodate. Saying yes to everything that comes your way is the shortest route to burnout. 
Successful women know how to prioritize their work and say “no” to nonessential requests. Saying “no” should be a guilt-free answer. If a request makes you feel uncomfortable, say no. If a request will make it hard for you to prioritize your wellness like a full night’s sleep, working out, or eating three meals a day, say no. If a request means you’ll work overtime instead of focusing on your personal life, you can say no. 
Saying no applies to fun things too. You don’t have to go to every party or family brunch. Once you get over the initial awkwardness, you’ll feel great, we promise. 

2. Turning On ‘Do Not Disturb’
Having technology readily available at our fingertips does not mean you owe everyone you know constant access to you. Continuous interruptions throughout the day can be immensely distracting which can make it harder to accomplish your goals in a timely manner—whether that be finishing a work project or finally getting through your book club read. Successful women set communication boundaries by turning off notifications and responding to emails, texts, and calls at a time that works best for them. This simple boundary helps reduce stress and distraction, thus improving productivity and making it easier to manage tasks efficiently. 

3. Delegating and Outsourcing
You don’t only need to set boundaries with other people, you also need to set them with yourself. One major boundary worth implementing is letting go and being able to delegate and outsource. Successful women know there are only so many hours in the day (please don’t compare yourself to Beyoncé) and that the secret to getting more done effectively is to delegate or outsource certain tasks. 
Whether you pass off work to an assistant or team member, hire someone to put together your new furniture, or simply pick up a gorgeous cake at Whole Foods instead of making it yourself before your BFF’s birthday party, delegating and outsourcing can help you find success and balance in one fell swoop. 

4. Protecting Their Financial Interests
Other people love to tell you how to spend your money, even though they may not realize that’s what they’re doing. Successful women know that a huge element of reaching their personal, career, and financial goals is to be strategic with their money. That can mean saving, paying down debt, or investing. When a friend is pushing you to go all out for a night on the town or your parents really want you to travel across the country for that third cousin’s wedding, you can set boundaries that protect your financial interests. 
It’s important to remember that your financial well-being is your priority. If you’re feeling pressured to go out to expensive dinners or travel to far-flung destinations, you can simply shut down that pressure by saying no. If you have an intimate relationship with the person, you may choose to clue them into your financial goals and how they impact your spending decisions, but you also don’t have to share anything about your finances if you don’t want to. By setting clear boundaries and communicating openly with those around you, you can build stronger, more sustainable relationships while also setting yourself up for a brighter financial future.

5. Refusing To Give Excuses
When we refuse a request or say no to someone, we don’t have to justify or apologize for our decision. One major boundary you can set is not owing anyone an explanation. You don’t have to justify any answers you give when you’re trying to set boundaries that work for your schedule or comfort level. 
There’s no need to give elaborate excuses because that implies you owe the other person a worthy reason for not complying with their request. Only you need to be comfortable with your reason for saying no. Successful women don’t need to devote any time or energy to coming up with “good” excuses when that brain space can go towards much more important things.  
Can’t attend that family function? Don’t have time to work on that extra project at work? Want to skip the overpriced bachelorette weekend for a friend you aren’t that close to? Stop giving excuses. A vague, “I’m sorry, I won’t be able to make it” or a quick “My workload is too heavy to take on that project right now” will do the trick. 

7 Productivity Habits Successful Women Practice More

There’s no way around it: we have to master workplace communication if we want to succeed in our careers. What makes the task all the more complicated is trying to find the perfect thing to say and way to say it in order to communicate clearly and be taken seriously. Unfortunately, even simple phrases can be perceived in a negative way. If I say, “Sorry about that!” my colleagues may believe I’m weak. If I say, “Friendly reminder…” my coworkers may assume I’m being passive-aggressive. So, we’re left frequently trying to strike the perfect balance in every interaction.
It’s easy to get caught up in overanalyzing every tiny detail. Does this sound okay? Am I being too nice? Did I use too many exclamation points? The list truly does go on. While we’re still trying to figure out the exact perfect amount of exclamation points, there are a few phrases successful women have in their back pockets to ensure they’re communicating effectively. Here they are:

1. “I don’t see it this way, and here’s why.”
Stating your opinion—especially when it’s different from other viewpoints in the room—can feel intimidating and nerve-wracking. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t held back from sharing at times. 
But here’s the truth: your opinion is as important and relevant as everyone else’s, and you deserve to share it! It’s not rude to disagree with what others are saying, and you don’t have to apologize for having a different opinion, either. When sharing your opinion, it’s essential to consider the timing and your justification to back up your argument. 
For example, if you’re in a meeting and your colleague asks if anyone has a different point of view, share yours while it’s relevant, don’t wait until after the fact. And to back up your reasoning for seeing things differently, make sure you have some concrete examples or references to share. You could say, “I don’t see us needing to return to the office five days per week, and here’s why. My team’s productivity has not declined. I want to continue supporting our team members with the flexibility to meet their at-home responsibilities because they provide better output with this freedom.”  

2. “I have more thoughts to share.”
We’ve all been there: when you finally worked up the courage to share your perspective, and before you can finish your thoughts, a coworker interrupts and steals your thunder. 
It happens all the time, and even though it can feel discouraging, it’s okay to jump back into the conversation and continue sharing your thoughts. If you’re sitting in a meeting and a coworker interrupts or speaks over you, try to find a natural pause in the conversation to say, “I have more thoughts to share. Thank you for your input, but I’d like to finish where I left off before we move on further.” Asserting yourself helps ensure your ideas are heard and gives you a well-deserved seat at the table. 
This phrase also works well when a meeting gets cut short, and you don’t have the opportunity to finish providing your perspective. You can follow up via email and let your team members know you have more thoughts to share and outline them in the email or schedule a follow-up meeting to continue the discussion.

3. “My workload is full right now. What if we ask X?”
There’s a big difference between being a team player and getting taken advantage of, but successful women aren’t afraid to draw boundaries between the two. Women get asked to take on responsibilities outside their job descriptions all the time—be it planning an event or taking notes during a meeting. 
Extra tasks add up quickly and can lead to burnout and frustration. So, the next time you get asked to take on extra work outside of your role (without additional compensation or recognition), don’t be afraid to clarify what does and does not fit into your workload, especially if the tasks aren’t part of your job description. But instead of leaving your team member hanging, try offering an alternative solution to avoid being a bottleneck. 
If you aren’t sure where to start with this phrase, try using it the next time you get asked to take on a project you really don’t have time for that’s also outside of your normal workflow. You can say something like, “My workload is full right now, but I know X is really passionate about this subject and might be able to take this on.”

4. “I deserve a raise.”
The gender pay gap continues to exist. Confident and strong women know their worth and aren’t afraid to ask for what they deserve, even when it’s anxiety-inducing. 
Even though we all wish we could simply state that we deserve a raise and receive one, there’s some additional work involved that will help strengthen your argument. Do your research to understand a fair rate for your role and create a compelling list of reasons that support why you deserve a raise, including your most recent achievements and contributions. Consider preparing your argument for your mid-year or end-of-year performance review, or find another time to talk with your manager (when you feel ready). 
Being direct and confident about deserving a raise conveys to your manager that you know your worth and will fight for it (as you should). Add this phrase to your vocabulary to get what you want and deserve. 

5. “I’m proud of my effort on this project.”
We don’t give ourselves enough credit. In a world where we’re taught to downplay our accomplishments and avoid taking up too much space, pausing to recognize our efforts can feel unnecessarily boastful. 
Hear me loud and clear: you have every right to celebrate your success and achievements, and being proud of yourself is an incredible feeling. And you don’t have to celebrate in silence, either. 
1:1s with your manager, performance reviews, and team meetings are great opportunities to draw attention to your wins and effort. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a pat on the back, especially in team meetings where your teammates might not realize how much effort truly went into a project. 

6. “I won’t be able to make the meeting. Can you provide me with a recap afterward?”
Successful women know they must ruthlessly prioritize their schedule, and sometimes that includes turning down meeting invitations and removing themselves from projects where they know their team can cover the work without them.
Speaking from experience, I often feel guilty when I turn down a meeting (who gave me the authority to do such a thing?), but the reality is that sometimes it’s necessary. Other priorities (including responsibilities outside of work) may be at the top of the list, and that’s perfectly acceptable. Letting your teammates know you can’t make a meeting but would like a recap afterward conveys that you still care about the topics being discussed without needing to be directly involved.

7. “I appreciate you taking the time to chat today.”
It’s tempting to apologize for asking coworkers for their time, especially when calendars are jam-packed. You might feel guilty for claiming an open time slot between meetings, but if it’s for a good reason, there’s no need to feel bad about it. 
Using the phrase, “I appreciate you taking the time to chat today,” lets others know that you value their time without being overly apologetic. Thanking others for their time is a polite way to claim time for an important and necessary conversation that’s relevant to your workload.

8. “Thanks for your patience!” 
Unless it’s explicitly written in your company policies or you have an agreement with your team, there technically aren’t any requirements around when you must respond to an email or chat. So what you might consider a late reply might not be late. And perhaps the other items on your to-do list took precedence.
No matter the circumstances, using the phrase, “Thanks for your patience!” is a great way to remove the self-penalization of late responses. This is an easy and quick swap for the oh-so-popular “Sorry for the delay!” note we’ve all sent.

9. “Reach out if you have any questions or concerns.”
You don’t have to explain or ask if your ideas make sense. We all have great ideas to share. Rather than worrying about whether the way you verbalized your thoughts made sense, encouraging questions opens up a two-way discussion between you and your colleagues. 
Share your points (either verbally or in written format) and end with the phrase, “Reach out if you have any questions or concerns,” to wrap up the conversation and signal that you’re done sharing. 
Successful women in the workplace stand confidently behind their ideas while offering an opportunity to provide additional context if needed—no more overthinking, overexplaining, or self-doubting. 

10. “I appreciate your feedback, and I’ll consider it.”
Feedback helps us grow and evolve, and the most successful businesswomen seek feedback, consider it, and implement change where necessary. That said, not all pieces of feedback are worthy of action, and sometimes it requires time to digest and absorb that information.
Maybe your teammate reaches out to let you know that you’ve come across as passive-aggressive in a couple of emails lately. In a situation like this, it can be easy to get defensive. Instead, take the feedback in and respond with the phrase, “I appreciate your feedback, and I’ll consider how I might phrase things differently.”
Listen actively even when feedback is hard to hear, and show appreciation for the person who gave the feedback. Commit to reflecting on it even if you decide no further action is needed.

7 Productivity Habits Successful Women Practice More