A Higher Education

As I apply to MBA programs far and wide, I have realized this process is truly a mini crisis in my life. Essay after essay, recommendations, applications - and lets not even mention the GMAT preparation involved! The other day I was emailed a link from the Graziadio School of Business and Management that I found to be very helpful. As opposed to MBA.com, which I find very cut and dry, the GMAT club offers a more interactive approach to the process. Discounts, forums, school rankings, interview tips, and GMAT tools are available and easy to access. Best wishes to all those embarking on this challenge with me!

http://gmatclub.com 

Mentor-Mentee Relationships

Finding a mentor that will nurture your career will greatly enhance your professional development. A mentor has been there and done that!  This confidant can provide you with advice on everything from entrepreneurial strategy to feedback on your ideas. A mentor should be someone who you aspire to mirror. In order to secure your dream mentor - some minor stalking may be involved ;). 

The following advice will help you to develop repore and make the most out of a mentor-mentee relationship!

~Define your goals prior to developing a relationship
~Research your mentor
~Always be equipped  with discussion topics/questions
~Bring something to the table so that both parties benefit 
~Follow up regularly
~Show face / be proactive in maintaining the relationship
~Listen, implement and act on advice
~Thank your mentor (gifts welcomed)  
~Never forget who helped you!!!!!!

Your Daily Motivation

"Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you’re wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn’t love you anymore"

~Lady Gaga

Ladies Who Launch

While writing my business plan, I find it difficult to translate words into actions. Strategizing the game plan on paper is easy, but where do I go from there? For example, the first step in my business plan is to trademark my name and logo??? Easy to say but harder to do. The SBA website is useful, but still a bit overwhelming in the beginning.  I recently stumbled upon this amazing website, Ladies Who Launch. From business plans to industry connections, this resource is a one stop shop for women entrepreneurs. Simply stated ~ I think I've found my starting point!

www.ladieswholaunch.com

How Do You Compare?

At 22 years old, most people would say that I am pretty successful for my age ~ but I beg to differ. I feel there are numerous young adults more successful, intelligent, well networked, and more goal oriented than myself. I read about these success stories everyday, stories about twenty something year old entrepreneurs who change the game. These articles frighten me, I suddenly feel like I am wayyyy behind the rest. I know I am going a little overboard but what I am getting at is this ~ compare yourself to those who you aspire to mirror. I see too many individuals comparing themselves only to their immediate sphere of influence. You can easily deem yourself successful when comparing your accomplishments to those who have achieved less. I altered this quote, but like the saying goes "It will be difficult to soar with the eagles if you compare yourself to turkeys."

Your Daily Motivation

"Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit."

~Conrad Hilton

Girl On Top

Girl On Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Successes 

I read an expert from this book on the Forbes Woman website. Sources claim that this book skips the bullshit and provides honest advice. Nicole Williams takes 20 dating rules and shows you how to apply them to your career. Below is a excerpt from the book ~ Enjoy!

"Just like our tendency is to throw out the rule book and call, and call, and call, and call the super hot dude you can’t help but imagine is “the one,” you’re going to come across the job, the boss, the client you can’t imagine yourself living without, and it’s exactly here where you need play the game. Finding, catching, and building a relationship with a beau simply isn’t so different from finding, catching, and building a relationship with a boss... And for those of you who think you’re above playing games in love or in career, good for you... have fun in the mailroom." 

-Nicole Williams, Girl on Top

In Your Spare Time...

It is easy to fall into a routine way of living ~ school, work, weekend, repeat. Being busy does not necessarily mean being productive. We are all so diligent, but still able to spend an hour or two on facebook every night. I suggest making the most of that spare hour by learning another language. Not only will it help you in your professional career, but trips to your country of choice can be a great reward once partially fluent. Resources are pretty inexpensive, you can take a class at a community college or use a do it yourself program like Rosetta Stone. Either way, you can never go wrong with a second language! 

Into the Cloud

This week I came across two different articles emphasizing the technological changes that will be taking place within the next decade, particularly "the cloud." This term is loosely used to describe how popular applications and operating systems will be no longer computer based - but internet based. Software content will begin to migrate to the "cloud," making internet access vital at all times. Information will soon convert to real time, and the speed in which decision makers can react to a change in the business environment will accelerate dramatically. Businesses as well as consumers will be internet based, blurring the lines between the two. We will need to be connected to the internet 24/7 for both work and pleasure. 

Talk about putting all your eggs in one basket :/ 

Own It

In today's world, branding yourself is difficult task. Competition is fierce and we must all find ways to stand out as individuals. Our name is our reputation - built by every social encounter. It is crucial that we decide who we aspire to be, and market that image in every way possible. You can start branding yourself by owning your name. No you don't need to spend thousands trademarking your name, but instead purchase your domain name online. If you plan to build a huge empire like myself, It is a great way to start planning for your future. You can hold on to your domain for future use, or create a customized website marketing your skill sets, resume qualifications, and aspirations. Securing your domain name is incredibly cheap, ranging from $.99 - $12.00 a year. I am familiar with www.godaddy.com, but their are many other sites in which you can purchase a web address.

Your Daily Motivation

"The most courageous act is to think for yourself. ALOUD."

~Coco Chanel

Need vs. Want

I came across this article today on Yahoo titled "21 Things We're Learning to Live Without." So true, I have crossed at least half of these luxuries off my list of priorities this year. These little insightful articles are great for determining current market trends, especially if you are a future entrepreneur , being that you need to keep current on failing and thriving industries. Trends mentioned include cash over credit, moving back in with parents or acquiring roommates, cutting extra calories by spending less on food, and the loss of a home phone line. You can find the link to the article below:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/21-Things-Were-Learning-to-usnews-3382196417.html?x=0&.v=1

The Right Mindset

"I am not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it."

~Niccolo Machiavelli

Success Through Delegation

We are all guilty of using the phrase "I wish I could pay someone to do this" at one point or another. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and we are all programmed to excel in different areas. Example -  While starting my own clothing line, I realized I can write a business plan, but can't make a pattern to save my life! Problem meet solution - Odesk and Elance - websites that allow you to hire out your work. Type in a task or profession and you instantly have access to profiles that include the freelancer's location, qualifications, schooling, rate of pay, and feedback received. Delegating work has never been easier!

www.odesk.com

 www.elance.com

In The Know

Whichever career you dive into, it is crucial that you know everything surrounding that industry. Like Diane Pernet would say, you must stay curious if you want to succeed. This means getting to know the ins and outs of your industry - the big players, the CEO's, competitors, market trends, affected industries ect. Try and spend at least 30 minutes a day reading about your market. Make a list of relevant magazines, blogs, websites, newspapers, and other resources in order to constantly keep you in the know.  

A Different Perspective

Today I was given a new approach to goal setting. My broker stated that "if you reach your goals - you've set them too low." Interesting because every time I reach a goal I feel the need to reward myself with a vacation or a pair of shoes. This has me thinking, am I setting them too low?

Poised and Cultured

I always find a person to be very intriguing when they can hold an intelligent conversation pertaining to art. Most of us are not exposed to the various attributes of landmark painters and sculptors, unless or course your major is centered around the subject in some way. Sure I go to museums and famous landmarks when traveling, but I must admit I am unaware of the exhibits going on in my own city. This will change in 2010, as I will attend a different exhibit every month. I encourage everyone  to build a more extensive realm of knowledge by using a spare Saturday to visit a museum. Lets be honest, spending more than three hours looking at paintings can be redundant, so rent a headset and absorb what you can. You will be sounding more cultured and poised in no time! 

Coupon Cutters

Ok so I am not exactly a coupon cutter yet, but I have found another way to drastically save money. I have recently realized that there are online coupons for basically every store in existence. I have been using these codes for every online purchase I've made this month, and I have saved over $200. All you have to do is google a phrase like "online coupon codes for xyz," and walah! These discount codes range from free shipping to 20% off your purchase. It can take a few minutes to find a code, but the time spent is so worth it!

Your Daily Motivation

"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it." 

~ Margaret Thatcher

Travel ZOO

I was introduced to this AMAZING website Travel ZOO.  Serving as a discount travel website, Travel Zoo features deals on airfare, hotels, cruises, vacation packages, entertainment and car rentals. I have booked numerous trips over the past few years, and this website has the best deals by far. I just booked a Vegas hotel room on the strip for $50...on a Saturday! Five and Four star hotels are often regularly featured (my favorite). You can find the site link below...

www.travelzoo.com

Bad Credit Bad Life

          Almost every time we try to make a purchase we are asked the question, "Would you like to open up a rewards card and save 10% today?" Do yourself a favor and say NO - opening up credit cards with multiple retailers is one of the worst mistakes young people make. If you must, own one store credit card at most, and make sure to pay it in full!! You should have no more than four credit cards in your wallet. Having too many open lines of credit can damage your score, especially if you are only making the minimum payment. You should look at credit card purchases in the following manner: If u can't afford to pay for the item right then and their, you can't afford it.
          If you do need to close accounts, close your newest credit lines first. Creditors like to see long lines of credit history and responsible bill paying. And do not cut them up, always cancel them by phone. Below is a quote that applies to all this credit talk...


"A big stack of plastic can damage more than your wallet seams. More cards mean more temptations to overspend, more chances to have your identity stolen, more headaches if your wallet is lost and more chances to look like a credit risk to lenders."

NEW YORK (Money Magazine)

Bad Attitude

Negativity sucks away energy. If part of the negativity stems from your attitude or perspective, commit yourself at the beginning of each day and each activity to find something positive in yourself and in others around you. If the people around you are negative and you can't change that, either remove yourself from the situation or view it simply as one obstacle you face in pursuing your own potential. Stay focused on your own goals and make the best of the situation.

Tips for Success

I have another good interview tip to share with everyone. Prior to the big day, ask the interviewers assistant what type of coffee their boss prefers, and then bring it along the day of.  It is a small gesture that goes a long way, starting the interview off on a good note.

It's All In The Shoe

Most of us have New Year's Resolutions that involve loosing weight. For Christmas I received these Reebok Easy Tone shoes, and since then I have been sore every time I wear them. Easy Tone's allow you to burn more calories, while toning your butt and legs with every step. I was sceptical at first, but I can feel the burn in my legs when I wear them, especially while doing any kind of up hill exercise. Not to mention they are reasonably priced ~ selling for $100. 

Entrepreneurial Myths

I read an article today on the Forbes website titled Three Myths About Starting Your Own Business. It is contradictory to what we learn at Universities, but a great article nonetheless. You can find the link below:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/07/new-business-mistakes-leadership-managing-innovation.html

Your Daily Motivation

"Dress and act for the position you aspire to have; soon others will see you in that role and the promotion will follow."
                                                                 ~Maria Razumich-Zec

Adventures Abroad

If you are considering traveling this summer – now is the time to plan out you trip! The first thing that needs to be considered is your budget, followed by where you want to go and how you want to travel. I wanted to introduce Contiki to those who have not heard of the company. I took the Amsterdam to Barcelona tour two summers ago and I had an amazing time! Contiki is basically a tour company geared towards a younger crowd, ages 18-35. The best part is that there is no planning involved, all transportation (except flight) and hotels are included in the tour price. Some meals are included, but excursions cost extra (although I recommend participating in them). Tour guides know that the nightlife is also a part of your experience – the only time you sleep is on the bus. Contiki provides a very diverse selection of tours all over the world. The website is defiantly worth checking out while planning your holiday, the pictures alone will excite you!

www.contiki.com

Tips for Success

One tool every individual should possess is the ability to reiterate five quotes off the top of your head. Your top five should be a direct reflection of your aspirations, whether they pertain to life, ambition, success, or motivation. Having memorized these quotes will embed them into your brain. Try pulling them out when applicable, you will come off as sophisticated and intriguing. And finally, don’t’ forget to give credit where credit is due. 

Letters From Leaders

I am currently reading the first book off my reading list, titled "Letters From Leaders," compiled by Henry O. Dormann. One woman's advice I found particurally forward and useful. Muriel "Mickie" Siebert, known as the first woman of finance, gives the following advice...

~You create opportunities by performing, not complaining.
~Take stands, take risks, take responsibility.
~If you are not willing to accept the worst that can happen, don't do it.
~Those who wait to see which way the wind is blowing will be unfurling their sales while the competition is crossing the finish line.
~In any game where there are winners, there have to be losers, and it's no disgrace to lose. But you're not entitled to make the same mistake twice.
~Any significant change in business is an opportunity for new business.

New Year, New YOU

A new year makes for the perfect time to start over - new goals, new dreams, and a year of opportunity to accomplish them. Everyone has at least a few resolutions for this upcoming year, but how are you going to reach those goals? What is going to make this year different than last year?

A few days before the New Year, I wrote out goals for every aspect of my life. I then put together an action plan – steps and deadlines I needed to meet so that I could accomplish my goals. My action plan was broken down to the daily level. I highly recommend this approach; you do not want your resolutions to get lost in the coming months.

Jan 1^st – IT STARTS TODAY!

Happy New Year