Category: Professional

I Love Nashville Nouns

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I haven’t posted anything in this series for a while.

Don’t worry! I still love Nashville 🙂 I mean, who doesn’t these days? Check out this article.

I decided to post about a place that is near and dear to my heart since I spend 5 days out of my week from around 9-5 camped out in this exclusive locale.

It’s my office! When I found out that I was getting a new office, I decided to style it up and make it mirror my sparkling personality ;). I’m blessed to have an office and not live in cubicle land. To be honest, I have decorated my office better than I’ve decorated my apartment. Eek! I know, I know, I’m working on it :/.

Check out the images of some of my favorite office bits.

Fun pencils, monograms, and a special letter opener from my alma mater.
We the best!
Madison on Main purchase from Bryson City, NC.
Love me some office supplies. Zebra says, “Get it done.”
I’m a fan of quotes. A reminder that this pretty smile can only get me so far.
Who doesn’t love candy in mason jars?
Gotta represent the last name. I actually wish people called “Clark” more often.
Mousepad/Notepad from Target
No one has time to sit around and listen to your complaints.
Books on Books and my monogrammed mason jar
Do this.

For these items visit the following sites:

Design Darling for the lovely monogrammed business card holder and pencil cup not to mention all of the other goodies you can purchase from this beautifully stocked boutique
Anthropologie for the fun pencils
Etsy for the Monogrammed Mason Jar
Always scope out TJ Maxx for office goodies.

Hope you liked a little visit to my work home. I figure if I’m going to be there for such a large percentage of my life then I better like the place. I work with college students so it also needs to feel welcoming, comfortable, and fun. Oh, the paint color is called “Spicy Hue”.

Tell me about your office.

On Friday, I’m in Love.

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Here are seven things that are making me very happy these days:

1. Baggu for J.Crew — These adorable bags can carry up to 50 lbs. and the same amount of items as 3 grocery bags. It is guaranteed for a year. This bag was clutch for my Steeplechase survival kit and it matched my hat.

2. J. Crew Nautical Coasters — I am getting a “new to me” desk very soon and I want to make sure to not create any stains on the surface. I was in search of cute coasters and stumbled upon these while perusing J.Crew. Nautical designs always makes me feel like I’m on vacation and I certainly need that feeling at work.

3. Design Darling –This blog is adorable just like the creator, Mackenzie Horan. Horan not only authors the blog but she’s also the owner of a cute online boutique. I recently just purchased some monogrammed desk beauties and I’m super satisfied with her work and her customer service. My 101 in 1,001 list is inspired by her.

#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7

4. Inc. –In my ever present desire to develop myself as a professional, I often peruse Inc. for ideas, current trends, and general advice. Follow Inc. on Twitter (@Inc) for quick articles that will help you rethink your work.

5. Hybrid Her –Fashion for a cause. Hybrid Her has an amazing story and is all about the empowerment of women. I recently attended a trunk show benefitting Girls on the Run Nashville and picked up these adorable chevron bracelets and also grabbed a pair in polka dot.

6. Hunter Dixon by Hunter Bell –Do you watch Fashion Star? I could have bet my life savings on Hunter Bell winning the whole shebang. She’s mega talented and on top of that an absolute beauty. I dig her style. I enjoy supporting female entrepreneurs and she shared her story in an authentic way with the viewers. Congrats to Hunter on her win. I’m also a shameless fan of her mentor, Jessica Simpson. Now check out her clothes!

7. Paper Source — I enjoy a good greeting card. This place is a drug. I usually just go in for one card and I leave with entire sets of stationery, notepads, gifts for friends, and enough greeting cards for three families. Hopefully, you have one in your area. I needed Octopus based items recently and lo and behold Paper Source has a plethora of goodies for me to choose from.

Enjoy!

Later Y’all.

I’m just really not sure…

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Ambiguity- Noun
1.Uncertainty or inexactness of meaning in language.
2.A lack of decisiveness or commitment resulting from a failure to make a choice between alternatives.

It is amazing how a nine letter word can cause so much anxiety and create great hesitance in one’s life. The “gray” is constantly taking hold of me these days whenever I’m presented with a new opportunity.

I turned down three awesome opportunities this week because I’m taking on a new job in May and I’m just unsure about what my day-to-day will look like in this role. Part of me is excited about that and the opportunity to sculpt a new work lifestyle for myself but the other part of me just wants to know my schedule so I can plug in the rest of my existence.

unfold

During my first post-graduate job search, I was asked on a phone interview, “How do you deal with ambiguity?” and I thought, “what an odd question” not fully knowing the ins and outs of working in Greek Life. I stumbled through the question and for some reason that moment has never left my mind. I always tell people that are job searching to be able to answer that question because it totally caught me off guard.

If I was asked that question now I might say the following: “While I don’t enjoy ambiguity, I am learning to trust the process and know that all I can do is make the best decisions with what I have at my disposal. All I can do is control my sphere of influence and I must let go of everything else. I go with my gut, trust my education and experience,seek advice as needed, and have confidence in the fact that at the end of the day I did the best I could. There is something exciting about ambiguity as you never know what might happen and that same aspect can also be quite frigtening. If you think about it, life is ambiguous. We figure it out as we go and if we make mistakes we do our best to fix them along the way. If we can’t fix it then we apologize and promise to do better the next time. There are always multiple versions of the truth and I just have to go with the one that seems the most accurate within my current context. Uncertainly is just that, uncertain and we can’t do much to change that. It is what it is.”

So, I don’t know what my life is going to look like past May 15th. I don’t even know where my office is going to be located. All I know is that change is coming and I better buckle up and get ready for the ride. We’ll see what happens and what doesn’t happen. I’m making space so that I can be a flexible passenger in this car. Either way, I’m sure I’ll be fine with Him all around me.

Later Y’all.

101 for 1,001

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What are you doing for the next two years? Mackenzie Horan has it all figured out. Check out her list here. She is the author of the adorable blog Design Darling.

She came up with 101 things for 1,001 days. That’s about 2.75 years to get 101 goals, dreams, and tasks completed. Sounds good, right?

Of course, I love a good list so I started trying to come up with 101 things that I want to do in the next 2.75 years…

This is a lot harder than I thought. Here’s what I have thus far:

1. Join a professional association for Leadership Educators.
2. Invest in a new camera.
3. Take someone I want to learn from out to coffee/dinner/lunch at least once a month.
4. Run/Walk a 5K.
5. Do more guest blogs.
6. Send email to leadership friends for insight into their world.
7. Get personal business cards.
8. Take on a Board/Council position within the Junior League of Nasvhille.
9. Be nominated for and apply again for Nashville Emerging Leader Awards.
10. Participate in a Nashville based leadership development program.
11. Go to Bluebird Cafe.
12. Be an extra on ABC’s Nashville.
13. Contribute to a new charitable cause on a bimonthly basis for 1 year.
14. Eat at 1 new restaurant per month.
15. Make it to the gym 3X per week for at least 3 months.
16. Join Toastmasters.
17. Drink at least 2 bottles of water per day for at least a month.
18. Pick an exercise class and stick to it for at least 3 months.
19. Send 2 random cards to friends at least twice a month.
20. Do Karaoke in Nashville.
21. Go to Gatlinburg, TN and Memphis, TN.
22. Take a trip every 8 months to a new destination in the US.
23. Make plans to go abroad and go!
24. Pay off debt.
25. Clean my house at least 1x per week. I live alone. I’m messy.
26. Get my car detailed.
27. Grocery shop every month. I eat out A LOT!
28. Join CABLE.
29. Go on a date.
30. Cook 1 meal per week.
31. Recommit to a small group.
32. Take a trip to W&M.
33. Read at least 1 new book per month.
34. Send my mom more cards. She keeps them all.
35. Find my signature scent.
36. Buy a great pair of tailored black pants.
37. Take time alone with God in the mornings at least 3X per week.
38. Read the entire Harry Potter series.
39. Get a massage.
40. Find a primary physician.
41. Go on a hike.
42. Clean up my computers (work/home).
43. Decorate my home like a grown up. Curtains? Coffee Table? New TV?
44. Throw a dinner party/supper club in my home.
45. Send out Christmas Greetings.
46. Seriously, plan my return to school for my Ed.D.
47. Plan and have a classy 30th birthday party.
48. Professionalize my closet.
49. Invest in big girl heels.
50. Return to learning the Spanish language.
51. Go home at 5 as often as I possibly can.
52. Leave at least 1 night per week during the weekday that I don’t have any evening plans.
53. Be a lead facilitator or Keynote Speaker at more events.
54. Be accepted as a LeaderShape Cluster Facilitator.
55. Host a book collection event for Book ‘Em.
56. Make more 1:1 connections with students at Vandy.
57. See a therapist.
58. See at least 1 live musical performance a month.

eek! Still 43 more things to go…I’m working on it. Of course, many things that I want to do are at odds with each other but it is all about prioritization and doing things on a budget. Planning is such a joke, right? Life happens in ways that tends to kill most of our plans but at least I can use this to orient me and help me make a first step. We’ll just have to see what He has in store from there. What God has for me is for me and it might not be anything on this incomplete list :).

Later y’all.

“Happy Hour”

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We are the “after work” generation.

I was with a friend at Valentine’s Day dinner and she inquired about the latest happenings of my life. What I noticed was that Monday- Friday was jam packed but I reserved Saturday/Sunday–“The Weekend” to do absolutely nothing. We both laughed at the backwardness of my schedule but realized that is has become the norm for us single in the city 20-30 somethings.

The question is always, “What are you doing after work?” Every bar/restaurant has a “Happy Hour” that contrary to its name lasts for way longer than 1 hour. People plan full scale social events for weekday nights. By the time we get to Saturday, we are pooped. We spend that time catching up on sleep, exercise, grown-up household duties, work we didn’t finish while in the office, and low key friend fun, or personal time to just breathe.

Going home at 5 is a rarity and with the invention of DVR, Hulu+, Netflix, and reruns for the Bravo crew, it almost seems unnecessary to do so. We need something to look forward to when the clock strikes 5. It actually becomes an excuse so that we don’t stay any later at the office than we need to, “I have plans.” There exists a desire to have a goal or a game plan after a day of running the professional rat race. Plus, who actually wants to go home alone, again. We gotta put ourselves out there, right? Our walk to the parking garage becomes a stride of pride as we make our way to the nearest $2.00 rails and 1/2 off small plates. We’ve made it through another day and to celebrate we need to show others while wearing our “work clothes” that we’re champs. Let’s blow this popsicle stand that pays off our student loans. Life’s too short to take all of our awesomeness home at 5pm. Let’s feed the local economy and our egos at the same time. Let’s let off some steam and commiserate with our friends. Let’s invite folks we don’t know to an innocent happy hour. I mean, we can hold a conversation with almost anyone over one drink, right?

Next week alone I have the following: dinner with a co-worker/friend followed by a lecture by Melissa Harris Perry on Monday, drinks and my first hockey game on Tuesday, a session on Conference Placement Etiquette on Wednesday, student meetings on Thursday night, and a date night with a friend on Friday night. Saturday morning, I go out of town until Sunday evening and then I start all over again. If it wasn’t for that brief trip to Clemson University, you can bet I’d be on the couch catching up on primetime television.

I guess I should enjoy this “after work” life for as long as I can. Should I ever acquire any dependents, I can 100% guarantee that “after work” will have a totally different meaning. For right now, bring on the happy hours, the too long dinners, and the Nashville networking circuit. I’m game but I’m actually not free after work again until the 2nd week of March…

So, what are you doing after work this week?

Later y’all

One Sweet Day.

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excited

It amazes me the sheer amount of things that can happen in a day.

I’ve been moved to tears three times.

I’ve been giddy like a school girl due to the presence of an NFL Quarterback and most importantly NFL Cheerleaders.

I met a woman who instantly inspired me to continue tackling my life.

I had a lot more work dropped into my plate.

I was reminded of just how much I love my family.

I had a teachable moment.

I said “no” to an experience. I said “yes” to another.

I’ve been over the moon grateful for my life in and the people of Nashville, TN.

I’ve been reminded about how important volunteers are to the world.

It was affirmed for that though I can’t change the whole world, I can certainly do my part to change a small part of it for the better.

And to think it is only 9:28pm. The amount that God gives us in our day is staggering. I know that He’s giving it to me because with Him I can handle it all.

My sweet mom sent me Psalm 91 to read this morning. Tis a great way to begin the day.

Later y’all.

 

Oh hey!

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I haven’t posted in so long! Yeesh!

Life is moving these days at warped speed. You plod along on this journey until someone pushes the hyper speed button and before you know it your life as you once knew it has totally disappeared. It is like one of those juiced up cars from Fast and the Furious with Paul Walker at the wheel. My inner dialogue as I type Paul Walker completely goes off the deep end. Let’s just say, I appreciate all that he brings to the table. Ya know?

1. I got a new job.
2. I get to submit a blog for a site I truly love and respect.
3. I get to do IMPACT at WUSTL.
4. My mommy sent me the most amazing card that made my heart swell and my eyes tear up. She’s proud of me and that makes me so glad.
5. I am on the board of a life changing nonprofit called Girls on the Run Nashville.

Despite all this awesomeness, there are some things that keep digging at my self conscious. I turn 30 in April and I am trying to figure how what to do to celebrate. A part of me wants to have a blowout extravaganza, a part of me wants to take a trip,and another part of me wants to sit at home in my comfy Duke pants, eat a tub of ice cream and Chinese Food while crying over various movies. There has to be a way to mix all of that into one event, right?

Okay, so obviously I’m blessed but as usual I am questioning what’s next and praying for the next shoe to drop. If you’re a praying type of person then please pray for me and ask God to help me live in the moment as it is the only moment of its kind that I will ever have. I seek to be happy instead of just constantly seeking happiness. Pray that He will keep me continuously grateful. I want to be less of me and more of Him.

That’s all for now. I promise to be better about writing. More details to come about the awesome 5 up top.

Later Y’all

The List

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I have a monthly habit of making a “I’d Love To Do That List.” These lists include things like starting a blog, writing a guest post on a blog, joining a new organization, volunteering with a particular non-profit, and planning an event for people in my social circle, etc.

This  list is often short  and after I write the list I immediately take action on making them come to life. The actions might include sending out an email inquiry, filling out an application, and doing in depth research on the item, etc.

Most of the things on these lists have to do with my professional development but in the last year or so they’ve also included items that are “just for me”.

These lists help me feel accomplished and like I am always working towards a goal. Because the lists are short and the only pressure to complete the lists is from me then I don’t feel as stressed about them. Cool things make up the lists and though these things have been quite helpful to me in my life, if I didn’t do them then it would not be the death/termination of me.

November’s List

– Write another guest blog for Sorority Ever After –submitted request and 2 ideas for posts

– Be a guest writer for Levo League –submitted an idea

– Join Toastmasters –found a place close to my home and that can fit into my schedule

– Keep working towards lead facilitating a UIFI session (on my way with doing IMPACT in January)

– Take a more active role in the Nashville Delta Delta Delta Alumnae Association

– Get more involved with professional organizations that focus on college student leadership development

– Dinners/Lunches/HH/Brunches with a list of Nashville friends –Lots of plans on the rise for the week of Dec. 10th! Classes are over and I’ll have more free time to act my age.

– Run again…eek! My knees! –1 night run under my belt!

Checking something off this list will be a blessing. I look forward to making that happen. All of these things are helping me move in the direction that I feel my life is pulling me. Let’s hope my compass is on track ;).  What would be on your “I’d Love To Do That List”?

Later y’all.

On Thursdays, We Give Thanks.

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It’s that time again amigos!

1. Free concerts. Working at a University, I often get perks like attending free shows. Last year, Trey Songz, My Morning Jacket, and Karmin. This year Childish Gambino and J Cole. Let’s not forget White Panda and Milly Badison. I love music even more when it’s free.

2. Laughing with students. They come in and chat. We speak real life language. We laugh. Feels good. They come back for more because they enjoyed the interaction. Relationship building occurs. The conversation gets richer. Learning occurs. Let’s call it a win. Best part of my job. The end.

3. My overly large Duke sweatpants. Go Duke! My couch, those pants, and a snack make the world a better place.

That’s all for now. Have a lovely rest of the week.

Later y’all.