DRIVEN Blog
Mindful Change: The Habit-Forming Practice of Forming Habits
Growing up, the concept of a habit to me always assumed a negative connotation (smoking, swearing, cracking one’s knuckles). Now at age 40, I’m finally realizing the reason: in my experience, the word “habit” was, more often than not, preceded by “bad”— conceivably a…
Choose Your Hard
A few weeks ago I was struck by a quote I saw on a fitness website that I often visit. It said, “Losing weight is hard. Staying the same weight is hard. Gaining weight is hard. Choose your hard.” I’ve been thinking about that ever since…
Staying on the Wagon: The Virtues of Dieting
When asked to write this post, I enthusiastically agreed, feeling a bit virtuous having cleansed my diet of both sugar andKristiMcKee2 wheat almost entirely for six months. Early last May, I woke up one morning and decided to eliminate sugar and cut way back on…
Self-Compassion: My Word Of The Year
I’m savoring Olivia Fox Cabane’s book, The Charisma Myth. It’s like preaching to the converted. We totally see eye-to-eye on so many practices. My favorite: being present is a key to executive presence. Non-verbal communication is SO important…
Tool or Torment? Making Email Work for You
Ah, email etiquette. We read articles and hear talk show segments about it all the time, but how many of us truly put such thoughtful advice into practice? This special function has revolutionized the way we communicate in business but to our…
A Window of Opportunity for Anyone With a Boss
When I was first introduced to a self-improvement exercise named the Johari Window, my instinct was to group it in with the countless gimmicks associated with the self-help industry, and just move on. The name alone seemed a contrived attempt to tap into our hunger…
The “I”s Have It. Or, Do They?
Author and career planner Kathleen Brady’s clever NAIL acronym for the challenges involved in personal energy management contains a resourceful message, both for the enthusiastically responsive attendees of Women’s Advancement Compact’s September 18th…
Energy: A More Powerful Resource Than Money
People often think they could achieve their goals if only they had more time, money or luck. While all of those variables may influence the outcome of any objective, none of those things will ensure…
She NAILed It!: A Study in Quieting Our Negative Inner Voice
We all do it. It transcends age, race, gender, experience, and income level. It might be a defense mechanism. Perhaps it’s a way of justifying our shortfalls. Maybe we are anxious about becoming more successful. There’s even the remote possibility that we are subconsciously attempting to sabotage our careers. Whatever the motive…
How Assumptions Relate to Energy
Kathleen's quick lesson led to deep discussion.One thing is for sure: We all tend to make assumptions in life. What we fail to recognize when we act on those assumptions is that assumption is directly linked to perception— an enemy of focus, productivity, happiness and relationships. This proved a valuable…
Inside Scoop: What They're Saying Behind Your Back
Woody Allen says that 80% of success is showing up. Goldie says that 80% of success is showing up on time! Picture it: There were four of us sitting at the table in the restaurant dining room ready to begin our business meeting…
Powering Down Helped Empower Me Up!
I was determined and, frankly, a little scared. A colleague had challenged me to not only unplug for two full days, but to do NO WORK AT ALL for those days. I don’t consider myself a work-a-holic, but I do work every day. My logic is that by working ½-days on weekends, I won’t fall…
Divide and Conquer! Two observations and a conclusion
Office Support… Observation #1: In her book Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg references an incident in her life- where a male colleague cut her off during a meeting. Her boss came to the rescue by suggesting that Ms Sandberg hadn’t finished her thought. This was a moment in the book where some women could glaze over…
Polling Post #3: Put the Phone Down and Step Away Slowly
One of the questions asked during the Women’s Advancement Compact kick-off event was: When was the last time you unplugged? While some scoffed at the notion of turning off their blackberry, iPhone, iPad, laptops, etc., others might have come to the harsh realization that…
Wine Tasting - The Perfect Blend of Education and Socializing… with a Touch of WOW.
Oh, I do love planning a party. And this one’s gonna be a SERIOUS affair! -Goldie Wine: Demystified On Wednesday, June 26th Super Star Sommelier Claire Paparazzo will join Deborah Goldstein to take the adventurous amongst you down the path of wine empathy. This educational look at wine practices is ideal for anyone…
Polling Post #2: I’m NOT Sorry… But Please Forgive My Yelling.
DRIVEN Professionals community events are structured to present thought-provoking content to the greater community, followed by small-group discussion. The dialogue brings out different experiences, coping mechanisms, and support. At our May 9, 2013 event, we polled the audience and asked 14 questions that served as fodder for these intimate discussions. I offer some personal insight…
Launch Lesson #1: Walking Daily Can Lower the Risk of Lifestyle Disease
One of the more provocative polling questions asked during the Women’s Advancement Compact launch was about exercise: True or False: “walking 20 minutes a day can result in a decreased risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and a heightened sense of well being”- The crowd was split as they punched in…
The Women's Advancement Compact Launch: An Inspiring Night to be Remembered by Many!
High Energy Networking, Thought Provoking Conversation, and Great Food & Wine – oh my. An energized crowd overfilled the room at Alston & Bird on Thursday, May 9th to join the Women’s Advancement Compact launch and recognize our new community. David Wolfskehl verbalized the precise goal of the evening when he conveyed: “within 10 seconds…
Sweet Jane Paperie; Hand-Crafted Style from a Stylish Woman
Janine Serio is currently an Associate Creative Director at a pharmaceutical advertising agency with a growing side business creating beautiful custom-made invitations and note cards. She attended art school and comes from a family full of creativity. Growing up in a family with 12 children, Janine learned to express herself through creativity and was able…
An Action Oriented Discussion with Dr. Anne Marie Slaughter
At the Princeton Club on April 10, 2013 Hearing Dr. Anne Marie Slaughter and Andrew Romano speak about work/life balance at the Princeton Club left me energized, hopeful, and armed with an action plan. When Dr. Slaughter analogized this paradigm shift to the evolution of smoking- from commonplace to near extinct, I understood that advancement begins slowly.…