Summer vacations are a much-needed respite from our daily routines. But for leaders, the prospect of a vacation can be more stressful than relaxing. You need to plan how you'll keep up with your team's needs while away - and that can feel like too much pressure on top of all the other things you have going on in life. What if we told you there are ways to ensure your summer vacation doesn't hinder your leadership abilities? We'll show you how below!

You can take a summer vacation and still be a leader.

Leadership is a mindset, a skill, and a decision. You choose to do it because it's the right thing to do.

Leadership is not only reserved for those who have been promoted or selected by others in their organization as leaders; it's something we all have the ability to be if we want it bad enough. Leadership comes from within each person who has chosen this path in life--and no one can take away that choice from you unless you give up on yourself first!

The summer vacation season provides us with an opportunity for rest and relaxation but also gives us time away from our daily routines so we can reflect on where we've been and where we want our lives (and careers) to go next year when school starts again: Do I still want my current job? What else could I learn about myself? How can I improve as an employee/leader? What kind of leader do I want my team members to know me as?

Leaders are always on the job.

It's easy to think that leaders are only in charge of their employees' work, but they also have an important role to play in how those employees behave. Your job as a leader is not just about getting things done but also about making sure everyone on your team feels comfortable and supported by the environment you create.

Leaders need vacations too! But if you're going away this summer, ensure it doesn't come at the expense of your team members' well-being or morale--or worse yet, their performance at work while you're gone.

You can still be loyal to your team when you're on vacation.

You can still be loyal to your team when you're on vacation.

• Be available to your team. If there's an emergency and someone needs help, it's important that you know about it. Even if it means waking up at 5 am (or earlier), ensure your phone is charged and turned on so that no important messages slip through the cracks while you're away from work.

• Help out in an emergency if needed--but remember: do not take over! When someone reaches out for guidance or assistance, provide them with as much information as possible without taking over their responsibilities. You want to give them room to grow and learn by themselves; otherwise, they may never develop into competent leaders themselves someday!

Start by defining what you'll be doing as a leader in advance.

Before you start your vacation, take some time to think about what you will be doing as a leader. Think about how much time you want to spend on each task and what resources are needed for each task.

Once you've defined these things, it's easier for people in the organization to know what they need to do when things come up while you're gone.

Have a "turn-off" time planned for each day.

In addition to making time for relaxation, it's important to plan how you will spend that time. For example, if you're going on vacation with your family and want to spend some time relaxing in nature, make sure everyone knows their options so they can avoid feeling like they have no choice but to sit in front of a screen all day.

If the weather isn't cooperating with your plans or if there aren't any activities nearby that interest everyone, consider playing board games or doing puzzles together instead--or even just reading books!

Pay attention to yourself - don't neglect your own health and needs.

Summer is a great time to slow down and enjoy yourself. Take some time off, go for a walk, or sit on the beach. Listen to music you enjoy, do something that makes you happy, and have a good meal with friends or family. Relax with a good book if you're not feeling up for it!

Summer vacations don't have to keep you from acting like a leader at work, but they may require some planning to succeed at work while relaxing.

Summer vacations don't have to keep you from acting like a leader at work, but they may require some planning to succeed at work while relaxing.

Leaders are always on the job. That means that even when they're on vacation, they're still responsible for their teams and their projects--and they should expect the same level of performance from their team members while they're away.

So how can you lead effectively when you're not there? Start by defining what you'll be doing as a leader in advance: Will someone else be filling in for you, or should everyone pitch in? Decide which tasks need your attention first, then delegate them accordingly (or ask others for help). If possible, set up meetings before leaving so that everyone knows what's going on when he or she returns from vacation--this will also give those who aren't coming back until later enough to get up-to-speed before jumping into action again!

Conclusion

We hope you're inspired to take a summer vacation and remain a leader! If you follow the steps we outlined above, it should be easy for you to do so. Remember that no matter what kind of work environment you're in, there will always be leadership opportunities--even if that means being there for your coworkers when they need help or support.

You've been a leader and have been pretty good at it for a while now. You've got a great team and can easily handle most challenges. But are you taking care of your mental health? If not, that's okay! You don't have to be perfect; just being aware of the challenges will help immensely. Here are five tips to help keep your mental health healthy as a manager:

Be realistic about your capacity.

The first thing you can do to be more realistic about your capacity is to start small. You don't have to do everything at once, and you don't have to do it all alone! Start small and work your way up. If you have a big project coming up at work, build in time for rest and relaxation. Don't overcommit yourself because this will only lead to burnout or, worse--a mental health crisis (which could also affect your productivity).

Being realistic about your limitations doesn't mean being afraid of failure; it means being honest with yourself about what's possible, given the resources available at any given moment. If something needs doing that requires more energy than what's currently available within the framework of your life right now--whether it be physical energy or emotional/psychological reserves--don't try anyway! Ask for help instead; plenty of people out there willing and able would love nothing more than to help out a friend in need!

Set boundaries and stick to them.

Setting boundaries is a very important part of self-care. It's also one of the more difficult parts because it requires you to say no and set limits for yourself. It's easy to feel like we don't have time or energy for other people, but remember that saying yes all the time can be just as harmful as saying no all the time!

To help with this process:

• Give yourself permission to say no when necessary. Don't be afraid of disappointing others if they push back against what you want from them; instead, focus on making sure that your needs are being met first and foremost in any situation where there might be conflict over them!

• Ask for help when needed--and don't stop asking until someone actually agrees (or gives up). Don't underestimate how much power there is in asking others for assistance; often, people around would love nothing more than to see us succeed at our goals!

Say no to the things you "should" do.

Sometimes we're so busy saying yes to everything that we don't realize how much it's affecting our mental health. And sometimes, saying no can actually be helpful for your mental health.

Why? Well, first of all, it gives you time for yourself. You get to care for yourself and do things that make you happy! It also helps with guilt because if someone asks something from us, but we don't have time or energy, then they won't feel bad about asking again later on (and maybe even give up). Also, when people see that someone else is stepping in to help out instead of always being "the most helpful one"--which doesn't really exist anyway--it makes them less likely to ask again later on because they know there are others who can do the same thing just as well or even better than them!

Think about all the things in life where people say no without feeling guilty: sleeping late after working all night; taking a break while studying; leaving early from work without feeling like an awful person; eating ice cream every day (this one might not apply so much).

Take care of yourself physically.

Remembering that you are more than just your mental health is important. You have to take care of yourself physically, too.

• Make sure you eat well and exercise regularly. Exercise helps many people with their mental health, releasing endorphins in the body, and making us feel better about ourselves. Don't overdo it, though--you don't want to injure yourself or burn out on working out--but don't be afraid of pushing yourself either!

• Don't forget about rest: Sleep is super important for our minds and bodies alike, so make sure that when it comes time for bedtime, you get into bed early enough so that you get enough sleep each night without feeling tired during the day (or worse yet - tired AND stressed).

Take care of yourself emotionally.

• Know your triggers.

• Ask for help if you need it.

• Be honest about your feelings and be open to discussing them with someone you trust, such as a friend or family member.

Remember, taking care of yourself doesn't mean you must stop leading or doing all the important things in your life. It just means knowing when enough is enough and having strategies in place so that when those moments arise, you'll know how best to handle them.

What's your vision for life and work? Did you plan for your life and career to look like it does today? Or did you plan something entirely different?

Rarely does our adult life look as we imagined when we were little. Of course, not many of us worried about the financial burden, career advancement, or fairness in the workplace when we were 10 years old. Nor did we worry about the daily challenges of raising a family and balancing family with our careers. 

What do you envision as a fulfilling career?

Success and fulfillment in our workplace aren’t defined the same for everyone. For some, we are fulfilled by a company culture that is encouraging and supportive - no matter the job. Others long for the status of a title behind their name. Yet others don’t think much about being fulfilled at work - they receive fulfillment from the job supporting their family needs. 

What kind of lifestyle do you want to lead?

Perhaps you envisioned a two-story home with a white picket fence, marrying the first boy you kissed, two children, and a family pet. Maybe you had different aspirations. Maybe you didn’t have any set ideals. 

• How do you want to feel at work?

• What do you hope to achieve in your career?

• What are your life goals?

• Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? Twenty years?

These are all good questions to ask yourself if you want to find the right job and make the most of your life. 

Having a vision for your career is good, but keeping yourself grounded in reality is also important.

What inspires you to be who you are?

Inspiration comes from within - and from those around you. What is your inspiration? Is it a mentor or someone you admire? Is it your child who looks up to you as their inspiration? 

Inspiration can change over time. Your situation can shape it. It can be a moment in time or an ongoing feeling. As you grow in your life and career, your inspiration will be shaped by your aspirations…likewise your aspirations will show you your inspiration. 

Maybe your inspiration is

• Resilience

• Following a passion

• Overcoming adversity

Or maybe it is motivating others…

Being able to motivate a team to take on challenges, overcoming obstacles, and achieving goals is a powerful feeling!

How do you motivate yourself and others?

Doing the same thing day after day can be its own challenge. It can become dull and mundane, and we often crave a challenge. If your vision includes becoming a great leader, you must motivate yourself and others. 

Seeing your team grow and develop under your tutelage can give you a sense of accomplishment. Helping others achieve their goals can be personally rewarding. Do this by setting realistic goals. Huge goals are great, but try breaking them down into smaller chunks. Lessen the chances of becoming overwhelmed. 

Whether you are looking to those in your workplace or those at home, offer encouragement and support, be a mentor, be organized, and celebrate successes - large and small. Use what inspires and motivates you to reach your vision, and don’t be afraid to celebrate along the way or let your vision change with your circumstances. You are the only one who sets your vision! 

Women supporting women in leadership not only empowers the individuals involved, but when you have a women-led team, your business also has the power to accomplish far greater things than you would have been able to do alone.

The history of the women's movement tells us that when women support one another as they grow their businesses, everyone wins. Organizations profit, families thrive, and our communities become more inclusive when women have a seat at the table.

The Value of Women in Leadership

• Women who lean into their strong social skills can build up truly valuable connections that can help propel them forward in their careers.

• It's important for women to support one another as they grow their businesses and careers.

• Support from other women is hugely important for dealing with adversity.

• Women are more likely than men to invest in other women.

• Women nurture relationships at work.

• Women influence workplace culture, creating better working environments for everyone.

• Women support one another as they grow their businesses

Women face unique challenges in the workplace. 

Look at yourself. How many women in your organization have leadership roles? The answer might be zero. You get to decide the protocol in your organization. What will you do to empower women in your organizations? If you want to learn more about female leadership and how it can strengthen your company, you will benefit by joining a community of women who support each other as they grow their businesses and learn how to excel in life.

Women face many barriers to growing their businesses and careers, but supporting each other can make a real difference. By empowering women in leadership, your organization can be more successful.

We are driving the conversation to connect, empower, and learn from one another. Our focus is to shine a spotlight on those who lead differently. We commit ourselves to finding inspiring leaders—if you stare at a problem long enough, it might solve itself.

We know that diversity breeds innovation, but we don't often hear about how it makes us stronger as a community — until now.

When women come together, amazing things happen. We share ideas, experiences and advice with one another, helping us grow personally and professionally. This type of community building is essential for women to thrive in today's business environment.

The power of women is undeniable. Women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S., and they make up over half of all small business owners.

In fact, research by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor found that 70% of entrepreneurs are women, and female-owned businesses have a higher growth rate than male-owned ones.

But what about when it comes to leadership? Are women getting their fair share of power? The answer is no.

Women make up less than 5% of Fortune 500 CEOs and less than 15% of senior management positions at large companies in the U.S., according to Catalyst. So why are there so few female leaders?

The good news is that there’s an easy solution: support one another as they grow their businesses!

Being a woman leader is tough. In the corporate world and many other industries, women are still underrepresented in leadership roles. This means they have to work harder than their male counterparts to prove themselves to be just as capable as anyone else. Luckily, some great studies have been done on what it takes for women leaders to succeed at their jobs. Here's an overview of some of those findings:

The responsibility of being a woman leader.

As a woman leader, you must work harder than your male counterparts to prove yourself. You should be able to handle conflict and disagreements with ease, as well as embrace change.

Women are still underrepresented in leadership roles worldwide. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2017, women make up only 24% of all managers worldwide--and only 4% lead Fortune 500 companies (which has decreased since 2013). This means not only do women have less access than men when it comes time for promotions or raises, but they may also need extra support from their coworkers if they hope for success within an organization.

How to handle conflict and disagreements.

Handling conflict and disagreements is a vital skill for any leader. It's also one of the most challenging aspects of leadership because it requires you to be able to listen, understand and respect others' points of view.

Here are some tips:

• Listen carefully when someone disagrees with you or offers another perspective on an issue. Try not to interrupt them as they speak; instead, take notes so that you can reflect on what they've said later on to fully grasp their position on things (or even change your own).

• Let the other person know that you understand their point of view by paraphrasing back what they told you to ensure there was no misinterpretation between either party involved in this conversation/argument/debate/etc...

Embracing change.

Change is inevitable, and adapting is a crucial skill for leaders. Change can be good or bad; it depends on how you view it. If you embrace change with an open mind and a willingness to learn from your mistakes, you'll find that most of your experiences are positive ones that help grow your leadership skills.

Suppose we want women in leadership roles today so that one day our daughters can have those same opportunities tomorrow. In that case, we need more role models willing to step up and take risks by stepping out of their comfort zones into uncharted territory--even if they're not sure where they're going yet!

Working with women employees.

Women are more likely to be promoted to leadership roles than men. This can be attributed to the fact that women have been shown to be more collaborative and effective leaders than their male counterparts. However, it should also be noted that there is a difference between public sector versus private sector workplaces when it comes to promoting female leaders:

In the public sector (government), 57% of senior positions are held by women;

In the private sector (business), only 31% of senior positions are held by women;

The not-for-profit sector has the highest proportion of female board members at 41%.

The key to success in a leadership role is handling people well and working with them effectively.

As a leader, you have to be able to work with other people. You need to be able to collaborate and delegate effectively, which means building trust in your team members. Hence, they feel comfortable approaching you with questions or concerns (and vice versa).

You'll also need the ability to handle conflict productively, especially from within the organization. This can mean helping employees resolve their differences through mediation or arbitration or simply ensuring that no one gets too heated during an argument to avoid damaging relationships further down the line.

You'll also need some measure of flexibility when working with others: change always happens! If someone is unhappy about something at work, it's up to you as manager/supervisor/leader figurehead, etcetera...

Conclusion

This article has given you a brief overview of some of the responsibilities of women in leadership roles. If you are interested in pursuing this career path, we encourage you to do so! It can be a challenging one but also very rewarding. Remember that there are many ways to become involved with your community and help others achieve their goals.

Article Credit to Tianlong Du MD (China), L.Ac., AP, article retrieved from: https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Acupressure+Points+to+Enhance+Your+Concentration+and+Memory

During January's meeting I shared some of these "brain points" with the ladies at the luncheon. While I have studied these points and use them regularly myself, I found that this author's description of the points' location and description is well stated. Therefore, I'm doing something I have never done and using his material while giving credit. 

"Whether you are a student, a professional, or a homemaker, issues with concentration and memory can create a lot of problems in your life. From as simple as not remembering where you have put your car keys or if you have picked up the groceries, to more serious ones like missing a doctor’s appointment or forgetting to pass on that important piece of information to your superior at the office, your life could be a mess and your confidence may take a serious beating.

When you are often distracted by various thoughts or find focusing on your work a big problem, you lose the zeal to carry on with your responsibilities and daily affairs since the inherent enjoyment of doing them would be gone. This, in turn, can cause a dent in your dedication and motivation, thus making your whole life a muddled affair. But there’s no reason to lose hope as acupressure can come to your rescue. By working on your acupressure points, you can improve your concentration and memory, thus bringing a significant change in every aspect of your life.

1. Sun Point (Tai Yang)
About 1.5 inches away from your eyebrows, this point can be found in the depression of your temples. Applying slight pressure on these two points for 2-3 minutes will not only improve your concentration and memory but also offer relief from mental stress, dizziness, and headaches. However, remember to be gentle when applying pressure on your Sun Point and be consistent by repeating the process 3 times every day to get the best results.

2. Third Eye Point(Yintang)
This point is located between your eyebrows, in the indentation where your nose’s bridge and forehead meet. Apart from improving your focus and memory, massaging this point for 3-4 minutes every day would bring a calm and uplifting effect, which would help when you feel stressed or overwhelmed. To get the best results, you should massage your third eye point 2 to 3 times each day.

3. One Hundred Meeting Point (Bai Hui)
You will find this point on the top of your head in between the cranial bones. By placing a finger at the top of each ear and following an imaginary line upwards to reach the top of your head, you will reach a point where the two fingers meet. This is the point where applying gentle pressure would improve your concentration and bring notable mental awareness and clarity. Whether you are suffering from a creative block or headaches, massaging this point for 1 or 2 minutes will offer relief by increasing the body’s vital force and raising the emotional energy.

4. Gates of Consciousness (GB-20)
If you run your fingers just below the base of your skull, you will find shallow hollows on both sides, approximately 2-3 inches apart. Stimulating the gates of consciousness will offer relief from headaches and help improve poor memory. In case you have concentration problems due to arthritic pain, stimulating this point will help reduce the pain, irrespective of the location of the pain.

5. Middle of a Person (GV-26)
This point is located between your nose and the upper lip. It’s about two-thirds of the way up from your upper lip to the point between your nostrils. Pressing this point firmly with your finger for a few minutes will help improve concentration and memory, in addition to offering relief from dizziness, fainting, and cramps. If you often find yourself daydreaming during work, or have thousands of distracting thoughts that make it difficult to concentrate, stimulating this point will ground you and bring you back into the moment, thus letting you focus on the task at hand. You can increase the effectiveness of this point by accessing it every day for several weeks.

6. Sea of Tranquility (CV-17)
This point is located at the breastbone’s center, three thumb widths above the bone’s base where you will feel a little indentation. Stimulating it improves concentration and offers relief from anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, depression and other emotional imbalances that hinder your ability to focus and think clearly. Thus, knowing this point would help you recall things and enjoy improved focus as well as clarity of thought.  

7. Heavenly Pillar (BL-10)
You will find this point 1.5 inches below your skull’s base, on both sides of the spine, each 1.5 inches away from the spine. Being an excellent stress-relieving point, massaging it in a circular motion for 7-8 minutes every day would help beat stress, overexertion, burnout and unclear thoughts. If these problems are inhibiting your focus and memory, stimulating this point would help relax your neck, thus facilitating better circulation into your brain. This, in turn, would improve your ability to concentrate, memorize and remember.

8. Three Mile Point (ST-36)
This point is located 1 cm away from your shinbone and 2 inches under your kneecap. To ensure you have the right point, bend and straighten your foot to notice a muscle-flexing under your finger. Use your middle and index fingers to press this point for 5 minutes to boost your energy levels, strengthen your body and mind, reduce pain and gain improved mental clarity.

9. Effective Brain Point (LV-1)
This point is located right beneath your big toe. The point on your right toe will let you access your brain’s left side and vice versa. You can massage this point every day by moving your thumb on the big toe for 1-2 minutes in a way that tries to cover it (the big toe) completely. Remember to keep your massage duration same for both the toes. Doing this regularly will help your brain to relax and give your ability to concentrate a big boost.

10. Bigger Rushing (LV-3)
You will find this point on the top of your foot, in the indentation between the second toe and the big toe. Pressing this point every day for 2-3 minutes will offer relief from fatigue, memory problems, headaches and poor concentration while boosting energy, motivation, focus, and clarity of thought. If you are battling flagging concentration and memory, stimulating this point would give you a fast pick-me-up with improved concentration and focus.   

Summary
An improved ability of memory, concentration and recalling is useful for everyone. While students will find it useful to excel in their studies, adults handing professional or domestic responsibilities will enjoy better creativity and productivity in their everyday tasks. Yet, we often find several physical, mental and emotional problems causing an imbalance in our body and mind, which in turn causes everything from lack of focus and poor concentration to anxiety, insecurity, insomnia, confused thought and much more.

By stimulating the acupressure points we have mentioned above, you can now enhance your concentration and memory, which in turn would help you remember your tasks, have better focus and clarity of thought. However, you need to be consistent in your effort to stimulate these acupressure points if you want to reap the best benefits. Start making the most of these acupressure points today to organize your thoughts well with optimum focus and an uncluttered mind. You will soon find how fun, easier and fulfilling your life becomes!

To learn more about acupuncture for concentration and memory contact an acupuncturist near you!

About the Author: Tianlong Du is an acupuncture and neurology specialist at Beijing Acupuncture and Herbal Life based in Georgia with over 49 years of experience. Dr. Du has been practicing acupuncture and Chinese medicine in greater Atlanta for the past several years. He was a renowned neurologist in Beijing, China before he came to U.S." 

We are all guilty of it. It could be as simple as letting that load of laundry grow bigger before we toss it into the washing machine. Or it might be letting the dishes wait until morning when you aren’t quite so tired.

Or…it might be putting off that task on your to-do list at work. You know the one. You have been avoiding it for a few hours, or maybe until the next day…or even next week, if you don’t want it to give you a poor start to your weekend. 

But I’m going to let you in on a little secret…

It won’t go away.

No matter how much we wish the procrastination fiery would come and do our laundry, our dishes, or that hated task at work…she is a busy little fiery. She is not as magical as Santa visiting every house in one evening. 

Tip #1 Know your triggers. 

What does your behavior look like when you are procrastinating? Do you put that folder at the bottom of your inbox? Or do you look the other way when that frustrating email glares at you? Recognizing your patterns is the first step in changing your procrastination ways.

Tip # Why do you procrastinate? 

Studies have shown that people procrastinate because they are delaying or are against doing the task, aren’t organized, lack motivation, or are impulsive. This results in putting off one task in preference to another (yes, of course, there are times when something lands on your desk that is a legitimate “must do now” task). Sometimes we feel the task is too big, and we become overwhelmed or fear failing to do the task well.

Tip #3 You can change!

Know that just because you have procrastinated doesn’t mean you have to keep procrastinating. Forgive yourself and move forward, knowing that you are intentionally trying to leave your procrastinating ways behind. Simply acknowledge that fact and let it go. Not acknowledging it will set you up for failure in the future. 

Tip #4 Procrastination is an evil beast.

Try making a commitment to yourself that you will get this task done by such & such a date. Then just do it. Make it happen. Don’t get distracted or discouraged. Don’t let stress creep into your mind, and don’t stop. Take one bite at a time out of that beast of a project. (You might need to take a step back, gain some perspective, or if you are like me…a change of scenery adds some fresh ideas and gets your cognitive juices flowing again!). 

Tip #4 Find a goal buddy. 

A co-worker, a friend, your significant other…it doesn’t matter. Talk to one another about your goals for the day. Make yourself accountable to someone. Then celebrate your successes together! Make your to-do list have a fun ending you will look forward to!

Tip #5 Slap your inner voice. 

When you find yourself hearing inner thoughts of “I can’t do this,” “I wish this didn’t land on my desk,” “I don’t have enough time or information to complete this”, etc., simply shove those inner thoughts aside. Your inner voice can be a negative force, and will do her best to try to talk you out of completing your to-do list. (Mine likes to talk me into believing something sugary will help me focus. Beware of this - it’s simply NOT true.)

A few final words: Your most hated tasks that cause procrastination are not a catastrophe. They aren’t out to get you. Don’t stress over perfection. Put your best into it, then don’t criticize yourself because you didn’t have enough time to make it perfect. You do have enough time, don’t let this be a distraction. Set your to-do lists realistically. None of us can do everything. Delegate, take small chunks, set small goals and know your peak efficiency times - and use them for good!

As women we have had to face challenges that our male counterparts don’t. Society has one view of a woman’s role, men have a view, and of course, we have our own view of what we want our roles to look like. No matter what role we are in, there are barriers to accomplishing our dreams. 

Of the top barriers women face in the workplace is sexism. Many have fought having women in high-level leadership roles because we are women. We are the recipients of harassment, interruptions, or being mistook for lower level workers. Stereotyping of a group, a gender, a race all leads to low expectations. When women have assertive traits at work we are seen as pushy, aggressive, or some wonder if it’s that time of the month for us. We may face backlash or be deemed less competitive if we don’t fit into a set behavior pattern. 

Women also have more family responsibilities than many men. Balancing work and family is a struggle. Household responsibilities tend to fall on the woman, such as laundry, cleaning the house, cooking, shopping, caring for the children, and of course caring for the sick family members. 

So what can we do to remove barriers?

Having a well developed leadership network is a great way to begin lowering those barriers. Sharing concerns and challenges with other women in your shoes gives you a sounding board, reinforcement, and camaraderie in our professions. Small gatherings over wine or more formal meetings are both good ways to learn from each other. Having a strong network will help you personally and professionally.

Look for programs in your industry, or on a topic important to your career. Building your community of support will offer both you and your contacts a place to work through barriers together. Finding inspiration in one another, showing empathy for challenges, and adopting tried and true leadership traits will enhance your value to your support network and by extension to your employer. 

Remember, a great way to be involved is to be a mentor or seek a mentor. Having this dynamic relationship can remind the mentor of the struggles they faced and how they overcame them. That knowledge can help the mentee learn from your experience. Mentoring empowers professional women to grow, excel, and gain the visibility needed to advance in their careers. 

Tap Into Leadership Programs and Positions

The more you put yourself out there and take on challenges the better equipped you will be for the next barrier to advancing your career. Have a goal in mind for your career advancement. Opportunities don’t just fall in your lap. Plan, strategize, and communicate your career advancement goals to your supervisor. Set your sights on short and long term career goals. Know your strengths and make a plan to develop those strengths further. Know your weaknesses and how to overcome them. Finally, when you set your career goals, know what it will take to achieve them. Seek guidance when you can and make it happen! It might be a bumpy road, but you are the only one that can truly stop you.

Cherina Johnson is our guest blogger.

Have you ever put off doing something for a day that ended up being for weeks, months, or even years? How about avoiding to do something because it brings up painful memories, is boring, or the task seems overwhelming? If so, well let’s talk about procrastination.

Procrastination “is the act of unnecessarily postponing decisions or actions.” Merriam-Webster defines procrastination as “to put off intentionally and habitually; to put off doing something that should be done.” When something is intentional, it means it was done on purpose. On the other hand, when something is habitual it means it is a lifestyle. When procrastination gets to this point, it is hard to break. Not impossible to break, but will be a challenge to overcome. Let me repeat it again, not impossible to break, but rest assure you are likely going to have a fight on your hands in doing so. Depending on how long the procrastination has gone on will determine the strength of the stronghold it has in your life.

In order to correct procrastination in your life, you have to first be honest with yourself and acknowledge you have a problem. Well, I make myself vulnerable and share openly that I have a problem. The two areas I would like to share about is not keeping my purse cleaned out, and allowing paperwork to pile up on me to the point of clutter. Now, I carry a purse practically every day. Starting off, I already have a lot of stuff in it; however, when I throw in receipts, paper towels, candy wrappers, check stubs, etc. over time it ends up looking a hot mess inside. Recently, my every day purse was so heavy that my husband even agreed with me that I needed to clean it out. So I made up my mind and put forth the action to lighten the load. In my private time being home alone, I poured the majority of the contents of my purse on the floor and started to separate the items into different piles; keep, shred, and recycle. It was an embarrassment to see all that “stuff” that was in my purse, and that I had allowed it once again to get to that point. Whether personally or professionally, we all need to clean out some areas in our lives so that we can grow and be more productive. The second thing is allowing paperwork to pile up on me to the point of clutter. Junk mail sits on the kitchen counter that should immediately be placed in the recyclables and legitimate mail stays unopened longer than it should, which should be promptly addressed then properly filed. What kind of things are piling up in your life?

According to (Shatz, n.d.), the following are some dangers of procrastination:

•  Academic issues
•  Employment and financial issues
•  Interpersonal relationship issues
•  Reduced wellbeing
•  Worse mental and physical health.

However, (Chua, 2022) suggests ways to break the cycle of procrastination by doing these things:

•  Break your work into little steps
•  Change your environment
•  Stop over-complicating things

If you have a problem with procrastinating in your personal or professional life I hope you were inspired “to do” something about it. Join me and make a personal declaration to stop procrastination, taking one step at a time.

Chua, C. (2022, September 26). How to stop procrastination: 14 practical ways for procrastinators. Lifehack. https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/11-practical-ways-to-stop-procrastination.html.

Procrastination. Merriam-Webster. www.https:// https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procrastinate#:~:text=%3A%20to%20put%20off%20intentionally%20and,something%20that%20should%20be%20done.

Shatz, I.  Procrastination dangers: the negative effects of procrastination. Solving Procrastination. https://solvingprocrastination.com/procrastination-dangers/.

  Cherina Johnson is our guest blogger.

      The topic of discussion for September’s Women in Leadership luncheon was “Seasons of Change and Transformation” with guest speaker, L’Oreal Hartwell.   The author, entrepreneur, and business woman shared valuable life lessons from personal experiences and family situations that have shaped her into the awesome woman she is today; which also include being a beloved wife, mother, and sister.  However, her transparency in sharing her story was magnetic.  It drew you in to want to hear more and more of what she had to say.  The positive outlook on life, despite the many obstacles she and her family had to overcome to reach the level of success that they enjoy now is admirable.  The sincerity from her heart to want to see others succeed in life, and her willingness to make herself available to assist in whatever way she can to help make it happen, even giving complete strangers her personal phone number to reach out to her to connect later, so that she can see how to help to make their dream a reality.  I was really impressed with our guest speaker in action up close and from afar in her interactions with others as well as myself.  She was down to earth and personable.

                There were so many things that resonated with me during L’Oreal’s presentation that caused me to have an inward excitement.  For example, her positive outlook on life was one of my favorites.  Positivity attracts positivity!  I was leaping inside with excitement, and different Bible verses were coming to mind as she spoke.  Such as, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26) and “Therefore I say to you whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24).  However, she was not just a positive voice, but shared practical things that she put into action to improve her quality of life for she and her family.  For instance, from academic probation to MBA graduate and from her and her family temporarily living with her grandmother to having a home in the neighborhood she envisioned living in.          Even though she shared with the group how nervous she was to speak at the Women in Leadership luncheon it was not obvious for she gave an awesome presentation that was shared from her heart that was practical and sincere.  As a result, you could see and feel her positive energy, choosing to look at things from a positive perspective despite what she has gone through in life.  Being a person of resilience, bouncing back from obstacles, disappointments, setbacks, and lack into a beautiful person of gratitude for the blessed life that she now enjoys with a desire to help others to enjoy a blessed life as well; through living their God-given dreams and accomplishing their goals.

Some of my takeaways were the following:

• ·         “Breakdown and breakthrough happen at the same time”
• ·         “Everything is based on perception”
• ·         “I do not lose I learn.”

                On behalf of Women in Leadership Great Lakes Bay, thank you, L’Oreal Hartwell for sharing your story with us.  We were inspired, challenged, and blessed by your presence!