Fabulous Financials

Have you ever had so much going on in your life all at once that you decide to do nothing and just be still? That’s where I am right now. I’ve decided to place myself in a holding pattern.

CAREER

For nearly 7 years, my professional career has been on overdrive, full speed ahead. I began my current career as an Intern with an annual salary of $33,000. Since then, I’ve been promoted, entrusted with progressively complex projects, empowered with limited authority to carry out my responsibilities, and earned a salary increase of more than $10,000 every single year for the past 7 years. Currently, my salary exceeds six figures, my authority is unlimited, and I oversee a staff that manages multi-million dollar projects. Some may think this is amazing progress, but it hasn’t been an easy feat. I’ve worked hard - I mean HARD. I’ve hustled. I’ve networked. I’ve established my professional reputation. On the grind everyday, day after day, non-stop.

But now…I’m tired.

I’ve pushed myself so hard and my career has moved so fast, I can’t continue to live up to the performance that others have come to expect. No, scratch that. I can live up to it, I don’t know if I’m “willing” to live up to it. If I were, I’ve positioned myself perfectly to earn another promotion within a year. It’s so close, I can almost taste it. But I’ve decided that I’m not willing to put in the leg work to make it happen. It’s time to slow down. The salary and responsibilities at the next level are gift wrapped with an inordinate amount of demands that will place a burden on my personal life. As a single mom of a teenager who’s breaking out of her baby shell, I’m not ready to make the necessary sacrifice. However, I will continue to deliver the same quality results where ever my name is associated and I will continue to help my subordinates develop the necessary skills to advance their careers. But for me - just for now - I am going to be still and place my own career in a holding pattern.

PERSONAL FINANCES

I’ve had an interest in personal finance all of my adult life, but I’ve only been blogging about it for 2.5 years. In that short amount of time, I’ve made significant changes/improvements in my own personal finances. I am now non-mortgage debt free. I max out my annual 401k contributions. I max out my annual IRA contributions. I have a fully funded emergency fund. And I’ve recently begun to focus on non-retirement investments. All of my basic financial goals have been met and my saving/investing contributions are on auto pilot.

There’s so much more I can push myself to accomplish, but I am content. I’m quickly learning that owning rental property introduces many financial risks if one is not postured to handle the worst case scenario. So I’ve decided, it’s time to focus on the one thing that could potentially threaten my comfortable financial life. I will continue to make automatic saving and investing contributions, but all excess cash flow will go into the rental property. Which means - just for now - I’m going to be still and place my personal finances in a holding pattern.

BabyGirl & Mr Eye Candy

Since many of you have inquired, I’ve decided to throw in a tidbit about two of the most important people in my life. Sometimes the relationships I have with them seem too good to be true. If I wrote a book, it may be classified as a fairytale. Then, there are other times when we face challenges that make our bed of roses feel like thorns. I’m thankful those times are few and far between, but based on experience, overcoming those challenges have strengthened our bond.

Currently, I’m in a weird place with both of them. Although I’m usually a “fix it” person, I’ve come to realize that everything doesn’t have to be perfect all the time. All relationships have dips in the valley and it’s ok to let the natural process run its course. I will continue to nurture the relationships with the same tender loving care. But I’ve decided - just for now - I’m going to be still and place my two most important personal relationships in a holding pattern.

Lesson Learned

There’s a time for everything. Sometimes it’s YOUR time, sometimes it isn’t. If things seem too difficult, too much to bear, or you can sense a storm on the horizon - hold tight. Try your best to prepare for what’s coming, but don’t take on more than you can handle and get ready to face the inevitable. If you’re lucky, you may avoid it temporarily. But if the challenge was meant to occur, it WILL come full circle again. Sometimes, the best way to manage is to slow down, be still, and place yourself in a holding pattern. This is when the most valuable lessons are learned.

I know this is an unusual post with cryptic details sprinkled throughout, but the intent of the message is from the heart. Take full advantage of your growth period but also recognize and accept when you need to be in a holding pattern.

Image Credit: The Chronicle

~*~*~*~*~*~
Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!

This is a guest post by Kimber at No Limit Ladies. If you like what you read, please check out her blog and subscribe to her feed.

During a recent party, while chatting it up with my girls, I was introduced to a new person. She asked the standard ice breaker, “What do you do?”

I honestly didn’t know. I was stunned at first and then blabbered through some convoluted explanation, my buddies, all the time, snickering into their beverages. Ever since, they ask me what I do at the beginning of every conversation.

What DO I do? Am I a corporate consultant? An investor? An entrepreneur? A blogger? A writer? No one wants to hear that laundry list of occupations. I have to pick one.

Very difficult.

Many of us have this issue, especially women. If we take maternity leave, are we temporary stay-at-home Moms or corporate gals on a break? If most of our income comes from investments yet we work as accountants, are we investors or accountants?

And why does it matter?

Because our “label” tells others what our focus is. If I say I’m a writer, the conversation will turn to writing. Perhaps the newcomer knows a book reviewer or better yet, a small press friendly agent (do they exist?). There is potential for growth. There is potential for wealth and career building.

The natural inclination is to “be” who you’re best at being, to impress people. I do the opposite. I introduce myself with my weakest title, the one I need most help with. If I’m looking for an agent, I’m always a writer. If I need a contract gig, I’m always a consultant.

It is when I don’t need anything that it becomes challenging.

How do you define yourself? Does it change depending on the circumstance?

Kimber Chin also writes romance novels based in the business world , in addition to her blog at No Limit Ladies.

[image credit]

~*~*~*~*~*~
Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!

I ran across an article in this month’s issue of Black Enterprise and loved it. It isn’t available online yet, but I wanted to share anyway…

Entering a new job can be overwhelming. Below are three strategies to gain confidence from your potential clients, colleagues, and managers:

1. Learn the Corporate Culture

Before setting goals, learn your environment. Learn how employees conduct business and view success. Learn how the company rewards achievement.

Single Ma’s thoughts: Learning what the new organization values is key to your success. What was important at your last job may not be as important at your current job. Spend some time figuring out what’s important to those around you, then set your eye on the prize.

2. Build Your Network

Get to know the influencers within your company - immediately. Ask someone to lunch. Have drinks after work. Use this time to ask specific questions about the work environment. Build your network and start developing your reputation.

Single Ma’s thoughts: Assume everyone is equally important, never underestimate the power of a secretary and never assume an executive is well respected. Build allies above and below, but closely observe those who are on the fast track. Take mental notes on what it takes to make a name for yourself.

3. Organize Your Work Space

Communicate your eagerness to be a contributing member of the team, but always remain focused on your professional development. Employees tend to see further development for the job, but not their careers. Think of your new job as an assignment during which you are being paid to learn a new task and increase your experience level in case you must leave your job.

Single Ma’s Thoughts: The title of this one is odd, but the last sentence took the words right out of my mouth. I view every job as a learning opportunity that will prepare me for the next level.

As I embark on this new journey, I plan to consider the above tips. Learn the culture, build my network, and prepare for the next level. Yep, that’s my plan.

It may take a little while to get acclimated, but I can already tell what the organization values. As for my network, I’ve pegged a few I’d like to know better and a few have pegged me as someone they should know. Last but not least, considering the fast pace of the environment, I’ll have no problem gaining the experience I need for the next level. Consequently, formal classroom training may be a challenge. I’ll have to figure something out.

In the meantime and in between time, I’ve established 3 objectives based on my observations and documents I’ve reviewed so far. Two are related to process improvements and the other is related to career development. A department can’t ‘exceed’ goals without efficient processes and the quality of output is dependent upon a fully trained and capable staff. In a few months, I will make recommendations, get buy-in from leadership, and implement. That’s easy. Convincing others to embrace change without sparking World War III will be the greatest challenge, but I think I can handle it. Then I’ll use the experience to secure my next promotion.

One year baby. ONE YEAR. Trust me!

~*~*~*~*~*~
Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!

He called today to check on me. After we exchanged greetings, he wanted to know if everything was settled on the personal front. When I confirmed that all was well, he said “OK good, but let me be honest. I’m really calling to make sure you’re coming back on Monday.” LOL!

For a minute, I was afraid of what I may have gotten myself into. Then I thought to myself, this man is overwhelmed and he’s happy that he hired someone who can take some things off his hands. HA HA HA  Poor thing. *smh*

~*~*~*~*~*~
Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!

After a few days of jumping back on the blogging band wagon, I ran across this fabulous article: How to Get a Job That’s Way Beyond Your Experience by Penelope Trunk @ Brazen Careerist. Immediately, I thought to myself - been there, done that. Got the battle scars to prove it. LOL Then I paused to truly reflect.

One year ago, I made one of the best decisions of my career, but it was also one of the worst. If that makes any sense.

I saw what I wanted and went after it. Although I knew I wasn’t ready for the responsibility, I wasn’t afraid to take the risk. As a result, I advanced my career into new territory, increased my salary by nearly 20%, gained substantial experience, developed new skills, became more self aware of my strengths and weaknesses, and turned some of those weaknesses into new strengths.

All in one year.

However, the last six months of that year involved one of my worst career experiences ever. It’s all behind me now, but the experience made me a better person. And for that, I’m thankful.

As I was going through it, I consulted with another mentor whom I trust and respect. Not only did he introduce me to my current boss, but he also gave me perspective about my old boss. He said “the most valuable career experience I’ve ever had was when I worked for someone who expected me to do more than I thought I could, but never asked me to do more than I was capable of.”

They say hindsight is 20/20. I finally understand what he meant.

~*~*~*~*~*~
Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!