Energy In the Pits? Maybe It Is Your Wardrobe

I read an interesting article recently about women and energy.  One of the items highlighted in it had to do with your energy being zapped because of your wardrobe choices. 

That didn't come as a big surprise to me.  Most women I know, especially busy professional women, have more energy and are more confident when they feel comfortable and also feel that they look their best.  This is often the result of favorite outfits that fit them well.

What did surprise me was what the article actually had to say about common professional outfits on energy levels - it wasn't at all what I expected. 

It stated that women who tend to wear professional dress, such as slim skirts and heels, are more likely to have less energy.  Why?  Because, on average, they take 491 fewer steps throughout the day than women who wear more casual dress.  This is less physical movement (even if you don't think of it as exercise) and that equates to lower real energy levels regardless of the confidence boost...yes, even on that day (not just over time although that is an impact, too!)

That isn't a green light to start schlepping - comfort and office fashion don't have to mutually exclusive.  It does mean that putting just a little more thought into the various side effects of your wardrobe choices is well worth it.  The more energy you have, the more able you will be able to keep up not only at work but also in the rest of your life.  So, find a place in your day for more comfortable shoes - even if that means carrying your stilletos in a stylish bag to wear just around the office or for that big meeting.  Or consider wearing fashionable pantsuits that look best with the latest styles of mid to low heels - and make you likely to walk more.

Who wouldn't want to make a change this easy to up that energy level?

A Traveler Interview Featuring...

In my January 1st blog post, I talked about how we really enjoy traveling as a family and that this is a key part of the lifestyle we've created over the past several years.  It didn't happen all at once, but it did happen because we deliberately focused on what we wanted to create in our lives. 

And, now we've been featured on the Traveling With the Jones travel blog as part of a Traveler Chat series of interviews!  It's a great way to share with a new group of people what this means to us - and there's even a tip on how traveling helps busy women executives let go of the stress and overwhelm they can feel.

Check out the full interview here - and be sure to let me know what you think!

Jennifer

Is It Just Me Or Is It Cold In Here?

I tend to get cold easily.  When I worked in an office, even when we went business casual, I dressed in layers - jackets, sweater ensembles, and the like.  In that corporate environment, I had little control over the temperature - unless you count the contraband space heaters we had.

Working in a home office, I should have more control over lots of things - including the temperature.  Yet, when I thought it was chilly, my first reaction was to assume it was just me.  Possibly the power of suggestion with the 8 inches of snow on the ground and the subzero temperatures.  And I kept thinking that same way and just put on another layer, grabbed a cup of hot tea and considered gloves with the fingers cut out (better for typing).

But it wasn't just me being a cold weather wimp.

As the thermostat kept going down and the year-old furnace ran constantly, I started thinking it really wasn't just me.  But it took THREE DAYS to get there.  Granted, we kept thinking it would get better as the weather got warmer (moving from subzero to the teens - heat wave!).  It didn't.  It got colder instead. 

And we started moving space heaters from room to room as we went.

Until we finally called someone...and found out the compressor was out.  Now, I know very little about furnaces or any heating and cooling systems in general.  Except that I know that a compressor is a big deal.  So we feel smart and relieved for calling in the pros.  And we feel a bit stupid (yes, stupid) for waiting three cold days to do it.

In the grand scheme of things, it's a minor inconvenience.  Still, it made me think about other things like that.  What other things in my life, my lifestyle, my relationships, my work do I put up with because I assume "it's just me"?  When is it time to stop settling and call in the pros?

What answers do you get when you ask yourself those same questions?

Getting Ahead in 2011

Busy women executives and managers lead demanding lives. Whether you are at the beginning of the road to being an executive or already farther down the path, there are a number of things you can be doing to get ahead faster and, frankly, with less hard work (e.g., hours in the office). And, even if you aren't looking to get promoted or head for the corner office, you want to be seen as a valuable employee and selected for those prime opportunities and projects.

How is this possible when less than 15% of executive positions are held by women and still earn about 81 cents for every dollar earned by a man? Don't we have to try harder? Or not be ourselves and start really playing the man's game?

Not necessarily - but we do need to stop hurting ourselves by not taking advantage of options already at our fingertips. This is even more true as you strive to create a life of joy and balance - one where you get to call the shots in your office and make time for your family and friends...and yourself.

As this recent CNN.com article points out, there are some simple ways to do this. Here are a few highlights from the article.

• Quit thinking the workplace is fair. It's not. Use your energy to accomplish something by addressing things you can control (like your own performance). And, if it's truly a discriminative environment, use your energy to find another opportunity.
• Speak up. Call attention to your work and ask for new projects. And don't be afraid to ask for a raise.
• Don't ever, ever cry at work. Being able to deal with challenging situations is a sign of maturity and builds your credibility.
• Use additional work time to network instead of hunkering down at your desk. Sure, cranking out the work is important, but building relationships is equally or even more important as you work your way up the ladder.
• The way you talk and dress matters. You can never make a first impression twice. But, even if you have the job, you can build your reputation of credibility and promotability by acting as if you are at a higher level. Building the perception that you are capable to "fitting in" to a senior position will help those who can influence assignments and promotions think favorably of you when there are opportunities. Perceptions matter. Manage them.

Seem overwhelming or not sure how to fit all this into a balanced life? Sign up for your complimentary Gracefully Balance It All strategy session, and we'll create an immediate action plan for you to get started!

Self Improvement Gifts 5 Offers 100s of FREE Personal Growth Related Products, Services & Memberships

I wanted to let you know today about a Self Improvement site that will allow you to download 100’s of self help gifts. And the best part is that it is absolutely FREE!

If you’ve had enough of plodding along year after year and you want to improve yourself to make 2011 your BEST ever year, then you need to go here: http://selfimprovementgifts5.com/go/909

Self Improvement 5 will be open only for a VERY LIMITED TIME from January 6th to January 27th 2011.
When you go there you’ll find a multitude of products – all FREE – provided by Self Improvement and Marketing experts from all over the world. Here is just a small sample of what you will find:
* How to Become an Advanced Early Riser - Steven Aitchison
* Turn Your Passsion into a book... - Warren Whitlock
* Total Wellness Guide - Craig Raphael
* COACHES: Create a 6-Figure Practice, Here's How! - Barb Wade
* Living the Rich Life - Julia Busch
* Achieve Your Dreams - Brenton Lindo
* I Have Value Meditation - Estra Roell
* Creative Visualization Mastey - Bruno Auger
* Wealthy You 2011 Vision Sheet - Nachhi Randhawa
* Find the Best Self Improvement Niches and More - Tuks Engineer
* Self Hypnosis Sessions At Home - Paul Mihai Pavel
* Wake Up to the Dream -  Eva Gregory
* And TONS (OVER 700+) MORE!

Get all of these and 100’s more here: http://selfimprovementgifts5.com/go/909

The organizers of the event are Stephanie Mulac, Carolyn Hansen and Dr. Joe Rubino.

Just briefly, this is Stephanie’s 4th Self Improvement Giveaway. Stephanie started this style of event in 2006. It’s in the form of a “Giveaway” which is sort of like a giant electronic trade fair where 100’s of experts offer their products free to the public.

Because it has become so popular, this year Stephanie has enlisted the services of Carolyn Hansen, renowned fitness professional, and Self Exteem Expert, Dr. Joe Rubino.

You only have to walk into any book store in any country to see how popular the subjects of self improvement, self awareness and personal development are. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry churning out hundreds of new books, audios, CD’s and other paraphernalia every year.

These can be very expensive but at http://selfimprovementgifts5.com/go/909 you can pick this information up completely FREE.

With 2011 upon us, what better time is there than right NOW to set yourself and your business up for future success? This event is a life-changing experience for those who take it.

Come and join Stephanie, Carolyn, Joe and me and see for yourself.

If you want to grab the largest collection of self improvement and internet marketing products you’ll find ANYWHERE – all FREE – then go to http://selfimprovementgifts5.com/go/909 NOW and claim your bounty!

New Year...Goals or Resolutions?

I don't really think of myself as the resolution type. I'm sure part of this is based on the collective cultural data (real and perceived) that resolutions are not really long-term - and most don't make it past the first of March.

All of this is almost like knowing that there is some sort of defeat just waiting around the corner...

Ugh. That is clearly not motivating.

Goals, on the other hand, give you something to strive for. Plus, they tend to be talked about in the positive sense whether you are setting, tracking or achieving them. Even when you say "I didn't meet my goal" you are often miles ahead of where you would have been had you never set a goal to start with.

So...no resolutions for me this year. Instead I have a brand-new set of goals and a shiny new 3 year grand plan that is pulling me forward into 2011.

What about you? Are you the resolution type or do you prefer goals...or maybe neither one? Be sure to share your thoughts!

What I Did on My Christmas Vacation

Sounds like a school essay title...

I can only wish that I could have had this type of Christmas vacation growing up. Although maybe not. Maybe it is better to be experiencing it as an adult, knowing that we are creating amazing memories and experiences for our kids, our family, each other now.

So...what exactly did I do on my Christmas vacation?

You can find out here...Peek Family Adventures

Enjoy!