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      in lifestyle and culture

      The Big Career Goal You Should Tackle in 2023

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      It’s a brand new year, and with that comes a blank slate full of possibilities. Many people immediately think about setting resolutions to hit the gym more, revamp their dating life, or start saving for a big goal. These are all great goals to set, but one area you shouldn’t overlook when it comes to setting goals for the year is what you want to accomplish in your career. Often, career goals can seem intimidating because they can take a while to accomplish and require some deeper strategic thinking, but once you’ve set a big goal you can break it down into smaller goals that can be easier to accomplish month over month.
      Whether you’re brand new to the “real world” and are looking for your first opportunity or have been climbing the ranks for years, there’s almost certainly a new career goal you can add to your list for 2023. In no particular order, here are some goals I’ve set for my career in the past that you might want to consider!

      If you’re ready for a big change: Get hired at a great company 
      Whether you’ve recently graduated or have been working for a while and are feeling a pull towards a new role, the start of the new year can be just the motivation you need to shake things up and focus on getting hired at a great company. I say a great company and not just any company because we want to set the bar high and get exactly what we deserve in 2023! A great company can be different based on what you’re looking for, your industry, and your location, so this is totally subjective based on your wants and needs. 
      If getting a new role speaks to you, you can break it down into more actionable steps and then set deadlines for each step. Micro goals could look like researching companies that offer the compensation and career challenges you’re after, reaching out to connections at those companies, and practicing interview questions. If you start at the beginning of this year and have your target list of dream companies ready for the end of January, you can give yourself the rest of the year to build those connections and hopefully receive an offer by December.

      If you want to level up: Get promoted 
      Love your current company but feel ready to take on new challenges? The goal of getting promoted this year is for you. This is a great goal to set at the beginning of the year because it will give you lots of time to work on any areas you need to develop on your path to promotion. It also gives you time to research and work towards any certifications or courses that could help you jump to the next level. 
      Once you’ve set the goal to get promoted this year, be loud and proud about sharing your intentions at work. Set up a meeting with your manager or HR partner to chat about what a promotion timeline looks like for you. Coming out of that meeting, be sure to record any next steps or agreements made (pro tip: send an email to the relevant parties the next day to ensure you captured everything correctly and have a record of your convo). Then, take every opportunity to showcase the skills you need in order to get promoted, and schedule regular check-ins with your manager to ensure you’re on track.
      Remember to keep a “Wins List” of your accomplishments to have as proof of everything you’ve done that year in service of getting promoted. My personal Wins List always includes key presentations I gave, any initiatives I started above and beyond my job description, and big wins my team had (as well as how I specifically contributed to them). I also include important metrics to tangibly show how I added value over the past year. 

      If you’re a manager (or want to be): Build your leadership skills 
      Let’s say you’re happy with your company and are killing it within your role, but you know you’re not quite ready for a promotion yet (or maybe you recently got one, in which case, yay you!). If you fall into this camp, a goal you could consider is increasing your leadership skills. Leadership skills are important for almost every job as you grow your career, whether or not you want to manage a team or department down the road.
      Increasing your leadership abilities might look like owning more deliverables, taking a greater lead on team projects, or mentoring newer teammates. If you have a team reporting to you already, consider setting a goal of becoming a better manager, finding different ways to coach each of your direct reports, or creating opportunities to be seen as a leader outside of your immediate team.
      Depending on whether you have a team already or not, your micro goals will look a little bit different. If you don’t have a team, take some time to identify areas where you could take on a bigger leadership role and speak to the necessary parties (likely your boss) to see if it’s a possibility. Mentoring a newer teammate could be formal or informal and might look like finding someone who could use support and offering yourself as a resource to answer questions, provide feedback, and give advice.
      If you already manage a team, think about if there are courses you could take or books to read to become a better manager, speak to your boss about growing your team if there’s a need, or build out individual plans with each report to make sure you’re supporting them as best as you can. My career goal for 2023 is to become a better manager, so you’ll definitely find me researching some leadership courses this month!  

      If you’re up for review: Negotiate for the raise you want 
      There’s always a lot of buzz around the “New Year, New You” idea in January, but I propose we change that to “New Year, New Salary” because I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t love a bit more cushioning in their bank account. If you’ve been with your company for a while or have a yearly review coming up soon, creating a plan for a salary increase might be the perfect goal to set. Oftentimes companies will go into raise discussions with a prepared budget increase of 3-7% of your salary, so if you want more than that you’ll need to take the time to prepare and state your case through negotiation. 
      If negotiating is a scary thought for you, make 2023 the year you face that fear and ask for what you want! You’ll first want to create a list of all the ways you’ve added value for the company since your last raise, along with any metrics you can provide (think along the lines of “I strategized and launched our TikTok channel which grew our yearly site visits from social media by 35%”).
      Once you have your accomplishments, use online job boards, your network, and any salary publications to help you develop a target number that’s ambitious but still realistic. It can also be helpful to find similar job descriptions in states where salary transparency is required on the posting, such as California or New York, to use as a benchmark. Then, schedule a meeting with your boss and let them know you’d like to discuss your salary. Finally, put on your best hype music (I recommend Lizzo) and go get what you deserve! Remember, if the answer is unfortunately no, try to take that as a “not yet” and ask your manager what you’d need to do to receive the raise you want and what a realistic timeline would be to have the conversation again. 

      If you have an unexplored passion: Build a side hustle
      If you’re in an industry where freelancing is common or you have a skill you know people will pay for, 2023 might be the year you think about finally starting a side hustle. You’ve heard it all before, but having an alternative source of income can be a great security blanket during challenging times, can provide extra funding for a big savings goal, or just give you a little bit of extra fun money (prepare to say yes to that cashmere sweater you’ve had your eye on!). 
      The first micro goal is to figure out what your side hustle is going to be (a bit of a key step!). You could try out freelance writing, selling your art on Etsy, coding websites for small businesses, managing social media for a local organization…the options are truly endless. You’ll want to pick something that has a good hourly rate for the time you’ll be putting in and has enough demand to warrant making it your niche. Your next goals should include researching any licenses or tax implications you need to be aware of (some states require you to have a separate business bank account, for example), determining how many hours you can dedicate per week, and then working on marketing yourself and getting some customers.
      It might sound like a lot, but you can totally launch a profitable side hustle within a few months if you just dedicate a few hours to getting it up and running each week. Trust me, your bank account will thank you! 

      12 Expert-Backed Financial Resolutions To Make This Year—And How To Achieve Them More

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      in fitness and body

      The Softest Fabric For Your Toughest Workouts

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      With workout gear acceptable and comfortable in all day activities way beyond the gym, it’s become a focus of active people to seek out the best gear that feels as good after your exertions as it does while working up a sweat.
      Like Suede On Your Skin
      The secret to success in this crossover of comfort comes down to how the gear feels on your skin. Under Armour has created Meridian fabric with that precise goal – to feel soft on your skin during and after a workout. A technical quick-dry hybrid fabric that lets you go hard without losing that super-soft feel.
      It’s a sensation to the skin you never knew you needed but can’t imagine wearing anything else once your feel it. This specially engineered fabric delivers a unique type of softness that can still wick sweat like a champ. 
      All Day Comfort
      With the realisation that soft just for the sake of comfort is not good enough, numerous rounds of research and development were used make sure comfort and workout versatility are priorities. The result is the  softest performance gear to date from Under Armour.  The impressive collection is ideal to wear to any fitness class, from spin to yoga to pilates, but is  also so flexible, lightweight and soft, that you  won’t want to take them off once you get home. 
      “The Under Armour Meridien legging is absolutely phenomenal. Moving in them feels  like they weren’t even there. Even while sweating, they still just felt really comfortable.”, says Rachel Garcia, Pro Softball Player.
      The ‘SOFT YOU CAN SWEAT IN’ collection’s notable promises include:
      SERIOUSLY SOFT Under Armour brushed the surface of the fabric to an ultra-soft finish for our softest feel yet.
      LASTING COMFORT Wicks sweat and stays comfortable, especially in those high-friction zones.
      FLEXIBLE PERFORMANCE Super-breathable, lightweight stretch goes everywhere you do.

      The ‘SOFT YOU CAN SWEAT IN’ collection includes a wide range of gear and also features the new UA Smartform Evolution Bra. The new ‘must have’ bra delivers strategic support, tailored for medium-support activities like cycling, weight training & boxing. Bending, jumping, and squatting can make your clothing shift or slip as you move, The UA Smartform fabric can help your clothes adapt to your movement moulding to the shape of your body which may help keep them from slipping or shifting during workouts.              
      The new ‘SOFT YOU CAN SWEAT IN’ collection will be available at Under Armour Brand House stores nationwide as well as online: www.underarmour.co.za More

    • 188 Shares

      in health and weelbeing

      I’ve Been on Autopilot for Months—Here Are 5 Ways I’m Getting It Together This Fall

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      Lately, I’ve been going through some major life changes. I’m talking about switching career paths, ending a nearly five-year relationship, and moving across the country—all at once. To say that this has been an overwhelming experience would be an understatement. As I’ve been navigating the changes as they come, I’ve found myself more in “survival” mode than normal.
      Many of the things I love to do, my mental health, and my physical well-being have been put on the back burner while I’ve tried to stay afloat. Think circa 2020 when we were all just trying to get by, understand how the world was changing, and simply take things day by day. We were living on autopilot, and maybe some of you, like me, have stayed in that stagnant place for a little too long. 
      Now that I’m starting to feel more settled in a new routine, I’ve decided it’s time to regain control of my life. It’s important to me that I craft a better future for myself. I want to start chasing my goals once again. Like everything in life, that’s easier said than done. I’ve realized it will take a lot of effort to get back on track. While I’ve needed to give myself grace the last few months, I know it’s time to hit the ground running. Here’s exactly how I plan to get it together this fall:

      1. Join a personal development group
      The easiest way I’ve found to stay in a slump is to try to get out of it on my own. As human beings, we need community, support, and genuine connections. This is exactly what Topknot was able to provide me.
      If your best friend were also an affordable life coach who encourages you with forward-thinking and tangible ways to achieve your goals, you’d have Topknot. Their goal is to be an affordable alternative to one-on-one life coaching, where you meet with other women in a personal development club to discuss ways to achieve your goals. 
      Ever since my first Topknot session, I have been obsessed. I’ve left each one feeling energized and motivated. Before the first session, Topknot asked me to provide a goal. In my case, I chose to advance my career. Topknot matched me with another individual with a similar goal. For 40 minutes, she and I discussed the issues that have held us back from achieving our goals. We also discussed tangible ways to overcome the setbacks and strategic timelines for measuring success. 

      The Topknot website guided the discussion for us, strategically offering discussion points that allowed us to come to the conclusions we did. Maybe the most impressive part of the session was that you were given the option to add alerts from their website to your personal calendar. These alerts remind you to work on the action steps you previously set. 
      Through the support of my personal development group members, the constructive conversation I had with my partner, and the accountability aspects of Topknot, I’ve achieved real day-to-day progress. The best part? It is a low-cost, hassle-free platform for women who want to invest in personal growth. Interested in learning more? Click here to start a free trial membership of Topknot Time and start slaying your goals today.

      Source: Vlada Karpovich | Pexels

      2. Journal
      You’ve probably heard us talk about journaling more than once. (I think that just shows how important it is not to let your thoughts consume your brain.) As a writer, it may seem like journaling would come easy to me. But truthfully, as much as I love to write, putting my thoughts and feelings down on paper was—and still is—something I have to work on. Likewise, you don’t have to be “good at writing” to take up journaling. 
      The great thing about journaling is that no one but you has to read it. As the ultimate act of self-care, think of it as a quiet time to be with yourself and your thoughts. Instead of having thoughts racing around in your mind all day, give those words home on a piece of paper. One of the things I’ve loved most about taking up journaling is that it’s helped me sleep better. It used to take me so much longer to fall asleep because I would stay awake thinking. I would think about my to-do list, all of the upcoming changes, and everything else that was worrying me. Leaving everything on the page before bed gives me a solid reason not to have all these thoughts when it comes time to lie my head down.

      3. Go to the gym
      It’s no secret that regular exercise can make you feel good. Your brain is literally releasing “happy” chemicals. After being in what felt like survival mode for months, my physical health turned for the worst. I wasn’t eating well, and my workout routine was almost nonexistent. And if there’s one thing that can kick you while you’re down, it’s not feeling confident in your own skin.
      While I pay very little attention to the number on the scale, the effects of not prioritizing my physical health were showing in most aspects of my life. I was feeling extra tired and lacking motivation. And, to be honest, when my clothes didn’t fit as well as they used to, I felt uncomfortable in my skin. 
      Making the commitment to exercise regularly was something that I needed to do. The beauty of getting into a fitness routine is that it can be ever-changing. One day I’ll feel super motivated and take a high-intensity workout class. On other days when I need a slower pace, I can opt for a more meditative yoga session. For me, getting out of the house and spending time moving my body means starting to feel better in my skin again and improving my mental health exponentially.

      Source: Andres Ayrton | Pexels

      4. Reprioritize old hobbies
      While dealing with several life changes simultaneously, the things I once enjoyed had to be put on the back burner. One hobby that hurt me to lose was reading. I’ve loved reading all my life. So, seeing that become less and less of a priority was a hard pill to swallow.
      To get myself back on track, I decided to reprioritize this hobby that I love. First, I got a library card, which made it significantly easier to read more because I’m not spending $15-20 per book. Then, I set aside time in my days specifically for reading. I even started a bookstagram. Getting back into a hobby I love has been like reconnecting with an old friend. It’s just what I’ve needed to start to feel like “me” again. Even if you don’t already have a hobby you love, there’s no better time to start exploring your options. The great thing about hobbies is that they give you something to focus on. When you prioritize a new activity, you show yourself that you can be motivated. And the first time you do something successfully in your hobby, you will get feelings of accomplishment that can accompany you throughout the rest of your daily life.

      5. Say “yes” more
      There’s nothing like your comfort zone to keep you in a stagnant place. One of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made lately is choosing to say “yes” when opportunities arise—even when it means leaving the comfort of my couch and favorite TV show (The Vampire Diaries, obviously). 
      For instance, I was recently invited to a golf event with about 45 people. Of those 45, I personally knew four of them. Oh, and I had never golfed a day in my life. Do I sound unhinged for saying yes to this event? Probably. But I also am so glad that I did. As it turns out, golf is pretty fun, and I wasn’t as bad at it as I thought. On top of that, I was able to meet so many people who were all incredibly nice and welcoming. I even made a few actual friends out of the experience. 
      All that to say, good things happen when we step out of our comfort zones. A great way to get out of a slump is to make yourself do things—even an activity that is nearly foreign to you—and spend time with other people. 

      7 Tips To Change Your Mindset so You Can Manifest Your Dream Life

      This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Topknot, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. More

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      in fitness and body

      Run In Comfort Over Any Distance With The New Under Armour HOVR Infinite 4

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      Spring is a great season to start upping your running game and we’ve been testing for the perfect pair to make you excited to get out and run, while covering all your running needs at the same time. 
      The great thing about the UA HOVR Infinite 4 is the versatility of the shoe like this covers all the bases. Whether you’re going for a short run or taking on those long-distances, the new HOVR Infinite 4 is the queen of comfort. Much like its predecessor, Under Armour’s game changing HOVR Infinite range is a go to running shoe for all types of runners across the globe.
      What’s New? 
      Unboxing the new addition to the UA HOVR family you will immediately notice the exciting new look from this extensive makeover, and the new changes do not disappoint. The most important part of any road shoe is the midsole and its ability to keep you in comfort for the duration of your run so that the energy you put in is channeled into your pace, rather than worrying about any troubles with your feet. UA have kept the reliable, smooth, secure feel of the infinite by changing the cushioning midsole system, rethinking the outsole and simplifying the upper, resulting in a lighter, softer and more durable every day running shoe.
      High Impact
      The change of the midsole has been a significant technical mashup to deliver more efficient cushioning. By unwrapping and flipping the UA HOVR cushioning you now get a smoother sensation as the foot moves through the natural gait cycle, which for most runners starts with a heel strike. From here, most of the impact is absorbed in the midsole with a smooth transition to the toe off. A new upper has simplified the amount of fabric used to result in just one-piece of airy mesh, which means a lighter ride, and together with the 3D moulded insole, cradles your foot to help keep it securely in place. 
      Miles of Comfort 
      Coming back to the gait, we approve of the outsole makeover, which reveals anatomically placed deep flex grooves to provide flexibility in key areas to work with the natural forces in your stride and smoothly take you through each cycle to build up a smooth rhythm of running. This means you save energy. Unless you burn it on going even faster – recommended!
      New carbon rubber lugs under the heel offer improved traction and durability in high-impact strike zones to help propel you forward with greater confidence – another reason to up the tempo!

      At A Glance 

      Engineered mesh upper is extremely lightweight & breathable, with strategic support where you need it
      3D-molded sock liner cradles your foot for enhanced step-in comfort
      Responsive UA HOVR cushioning reduces impact, returns energy & helps propel you forward
      Anatomically placed, deep flex grooves offer flexibility in key areas
      Carbon rubber pods under the heel deliver greater traction and durability for those high-impact strike zones

      Stay Connected
      What we love about the whole Under Armour running range is the standard inclusion of Bluetooth in every pair of shoes. The insert in the heel records the data of your running gait, step count, ground contact time, strike angle and a whole lot more insight to analyse post run on the, free to download, MapMyRun app for your phone. It’s a simple matter of pairing your app with your shoe and then you don’t even need to run with your phone as the shoe itself is recording all the metrics. If you do run with your phone you can get the added benefits of having a real-time virtual coach advising you while you’re running. Bring on a spring full of running. 
      The new HOVR Infinite 4 is available in multiple colourways at Under Armour Brand House stores nationwide as well as online for R2899: www.underarmour.co.za
      *In Partnership with Under Armour More

    • 125 Shares

      in beauty and fashion

      The Boots You Need in Your Closet for Fall 2019

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      It’s officially fall — both according to the calendar and the weather, for once — which means our sandals are packed away and the only shoe with a chance of touching our feet are boots. If you haven’t started preparing yourself for fall, it’s time to do what you need to do to get excited for it. […] More