Like death and taxes - meetings are inevitable. I know this is one of my more morbid blog post introductions, but anyone who has ever been in an unproductive meeting can understand my strong stance and the purposeful juxtaposition of the three fore-mentioned terms (meetings, death & taxes). Unproductive meetings lead to: wasted time, wasted money, increased stress, team disorder and the overall frustration of all parties involved. If you are a young professional, there is a very high likelihood that you will be responsible for leading/facilitating a meeting at some point in your career. I am here to make sure that when that day comes, you will be ready! Now, there are many ways to successfully lead a productive meeting. The steps I have included in this blog post are simply the steps that I have been utilizing. I have lead and facilitated hundreds of meetings with many influential clients, and this method has worked seamlessly every time.
If you are reading these tips and have questions, or need more in depth clarification - just leave a comment below or write me directly here. I love answering questions, and I am happy to help you in any way that I can! Step 1: Develop a formal agenda for the meeting. The pre-work is without a doubt the most important aspect of holding a productive meeting. The agenda allows you to communicate the overall goal/purpose of the meeting to all participants prior to the meeting. It allows participants to review documentation & compile information ahead of time, with the goal of being able to make meaningful contributions to the conversation during the allotted meeting time. Providing the agenda early enough for participants to review information is crucial. I would recommend 3-5 days prior to the meeting. Also, send out a meeting reminder with the agenda the day before the meeting as well. The agenda should include: - meeting name/subject - date/time (specify time zone for virtual meetings) - location information - list of all expected attendees - formal agenda topics - table for collecting action items (columns include: action item title | designated POC (point-of-contact) | expected completion date | actual completion date).
For those of you who know me, you know how much I love the minimalist clothing lifestyle. There are so many benefits to wardrobe minimalism. Not only does it save time and money, but minimalism also requires a graceful synthesis of creativity and discipline.
Over the past three weeks, I have had quite a number of individuals comment on the new addition to my minimalist accessories - my large MICHAEL Michael Kors Tote in luggage (luggage is actually the name of the color). Before I begin, I must say that this bag was a very generous gift from my Best Friend! She totally surprised me with this bag on the day before her wedding! What a sweet & loving GEM! I swear I had been dreaming about this bag! She just knows me so well <3 MICHAEL Michael Kors Tote: Jet Set Travel Large East/West in Luggage
Currently, this exact bag is retailing for $278 at Bloomingdales. My friend informed me that the most strategic time to purchase would be on Cyber Monday - when deals are at their lowest for the most part. The outside is just the start - check out the inside!
Navigating the corporate world can be tough, especially when you are young and just starting out (like myself). There are many lessons to be learned. And no matter how many books you buy, or articles you read, some of these lessons you can only learn by doing. Nevertheless, I feel compelled to share my experiences as a young professional in the hopes that one day my experiences can prove useful to someone in a similar situation.
I want to preface this post with one hard truth. Life is not fair. This is something that I am reminded of time and time again. Just because you share your food with someone, doesn't mean they will share with you. Just because you lend someone money, doesn't mean they will pay you back. This same principle applies in the workplace as well. Just because you are doing the same exact work as someone else, and may even have the same credentials, doesn't mean your boss will pay you both the same salary. There are many people that feel as if they are overworked and underpaid, but I wonder how many of those individuals have ever ask to be paid more? For all you young professionals out there - remember that: In order to reach your goals, you will first need to make them, and then bust your butt in order to achieve them. This means asking the hard questions, knowing what you want and clearly articulating the reasoning behind it. When the day comes for you to negotiate your salary or ask for a raise, remember these key points: 1. Know Your "Why" This is perhaps the most important of them all. You should know exactly why you are asking for a raise in the first place. What prompted the thought? Did you take on more responsibility? Have you figured out others in your same position are making far more than yourself? Do you find yourself spending far too much in gas and travel expenses? Are you starting a family? Whatever it may be, your ability to articulate why you are looking for a raise, can directly affect if you receive one. 2. Do Your Homework Research comparable positions and salaries within your company. Then, research salary ranges in comparable positions within your region at various companies. Be realistic in determining a salary range. I did google searches for my job title and included the keyword "salary" in the search box. A number of sites came up that assisted in finding the average salary for that position. For the men out there. Flowers for your lady are always a good idea. Always. Even if she's allergic to pollen, buy her flowers. If she doesn't have a vase to put them in, buy her flowers. If, for some strange reason, she doesn't actually like the type of flower you pick out for her - she will still be so touched and so happy that you bought her flowers anyway.
Whether you've never bought flowers for your lady before, or it's been more than one week since you last bought them - it's time to pick up the phone and call a florist or stroll on down to the local grocery store (great for if you're in a pinch). Even if you know nothing about flowers. You will still look like Prince Charming holding that bouquet in your hands! And she will be so honored that her man is thinking of her and can express his love for her in this ways! For the single ladies out there. Buy yourself flowers! Don't just wait around for a man to buy them for you. If you like flowers, buy them and show them off to the world! It's your gift to yourself, and it is well deserved! They look great, and you feel great looking at them! It's a win - win! And who doesn't like winning?! (Rhetorical Question!) With Love, Stasia | Rose Last weekend, Baltimore hosted roughly 400,000 or more people during a three day outdoor art exhibit event called Artscape. Attracting hundreds of eclectic artists, Artscape is the modern day artist's Mecca. During the second day of the festival, I was able to venture out with a few friends to enjoy the sites and tastes Artscape had to offer. It was an extremely humid day, and the city of Baltimore took great measures to provide festival goers with plenty of water and cool air. There was even a city bus parked in the street strictly for providing guests with a place to sit down and cool off in the A/C. As hot as it was, we didn't let the temperature stop us from exploring everything Artscape had to offer.
Our first stop was a seat on this colorful ferris wheel. It gave us a fantastic view of the festival, and showed us just how HUGE the festival was - spanning along large sections of Charles St. and Mt. Royal Avenue. After my ride, I snagged a shot of my friends Olivia and Mike taking the ferris wheel for a spin! I love to travel. Exploring old places with a new and fresh perspective is more than exhilarating, it's life changing!
I remember my trip to Italy like it was yesterday. I miss the cobblestone streets, the sea filled air, and coffee chats with my bestie. We found a great deal on Groupon, which included round trip airfare, car rental, hotel stays and quite a few complimentary breakfasts for one low price. Gotta love Groupon! After landing in Rome, we hopped into our little Fiat rental, and headed for the Amalfi Coast. It was an amazing journey, and here are some tips that I learned along the way: 1. Save $$$ and learn to drive a manual car. In Europe, stick shifts are the most common cars on the road. Our Groupon deal included a manual automobile, which posed some initial difficulty. We did have an option for selecting an automatic car rental; however, that change would have cost us an additional $1,000 USD. Not happening. So, I learned how to drive a manual instead (easier said than done.) 2. If you travel in March, bring an umbrella...and a jacket. My friend and I chose to visit Italy just before tourist season. We wanted to get to know the beautiful country void of its large number of seasonal tourists. While there were virtually no tourists in Sorrento during that time, there was a lot of rain. In fact, it rained everyday. Neither of us were prepared for the rain, and the chilly temperatures that followed in the evenings also took us a bit by surprise. 3. Plan your schedule around the locals' - riposo The riposo is the Italian version of "siesta." Each day, anywhere from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., local businesses close down for a midday break. If you are the kind of traveler that loves a packed schedule, keep the riposo in mind and plan your meals and activities accordingly. 4. Bus tickets - buy them early. When visiting Italy, I recommend buying bus or ferry tickets early. None of the buses or ferries have assigned seating. If there are multiple people in your party, purchasing tickets and boarding early can give you a better chance of staying in a group. It can also give you a better view! 5. Ferry tickets - buy them one way at a time. This advice may seem as a contridiction to #4, but hear me out! Buying round trip ferry tickets is more expensive than purchasing one way tickets at each port. For example, buying a round trip ticket in Sorrento costs more than buying a one way ticket in Sorrento and then a one-way ticket in Capri. Secondly, you do not know how much time you will want to explore the island. Trips between ports are pretty well staggered (keep in mind tip #3) so you shouldn't have a problem finding an adequate return time. So there you have it, 5 useful tips for visiting the Amalfi Coast. All based on my personal experiences. If you have any more useful tips, definitely mention them in the comments below! If you haven't already, subscribe to the blog! Love, Stasia Rose
Excuse me, but I am in the mood for a meaningful (or meaningless) tangent.
Lately, I have been in a certain frame of mind. I have all of these things that I want to do, and I don't want to wait 5 years to do them. I want to do them NOW. I have this heart pounding desire to write a book, own my own business, start a travel blog, and be able to work from anywhere in the world. I swear, I have come up with too many reasons why my dreams won't become a reality. But I think those self-defeating reasons are masking the real issue. I am fearful that my dreams may just become a reality. Now, I know it sound crazy, but I am more afraid of succeeding than I am of failing. And unfortunately, I know I am not the only one out who feels like this. So, here are 7 reasons why you can make your dreams a reality (I am also talking to myself here): 1. You are Fearfully and Wonderfully made. 2. You are a capable human being with strong values. You can do more than you think you can do. 3. There is so much information available to help you reach your goals. 4. You are passionate. 5. You have a purpose. 6. If you don't do it, then someone else will. And if they can, then WHY CAN'T YOU?! 7. You are loved by the one who has power over all things. And your success or failure will never change the power of that love. This is 2015. And although the year is over half way done, don't wait until 2016 to make your dreams into new resolutions. There are over 5 months left in the year! Start Today. Start by taking baby steps and work toward actually making your dreams a reality. Nothing happens overnight. Everything worth having is worth working for. If in the process of discovering your dreams, you find you need some encouragement. I would be happy remind you of how capable, wonderful and ambitious you truly are. Love, Stasia | Rose I'm not gunna lie - Fathers day is hard for me. My father passed when I was eleven years old, and I don't think there will ever be a moment when I don't miss him. I figured I would share a little bit of my story, in case there are any others out there who have gone through a similar experience... I am 25 years old. And at this point in my life, I have spent more time without my dad than I did with him...which is a hard thought in itself. Growing up without a father has been a struggle in more ways than one. When my father passed, my little 11 year old self was so afraid that there would be no one left in the world to protect her. But I know now, that there is no reason to fear! Today, I am humbled and brought to tears by the abounding love of GOD who so graciously took me in his arms and continues to show me just how precious I am in His eyes. I am, have always been, and will always be His daughter. He has taught me the true meaning of love, and how to love myself. He has taught me the beauty of being exactly who He created me to be, and not diminishing myself. He has held me in my hardest and darkest moments, and also made me to shine brighter than the sun. He has provided for me financially time and time again, and given me opportunities that are just plain amazing! He has placed influential father figures in my life to provide me with sound wisdom and judgement. Something I am eternally grateful for. He is truly the best Father and dearest friend that a lonely and afraid 11 year old girl could have ever asked for that day on her bedroom floor. And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Also by God's grace, I was raised by a very loving mother. She taught me everything I know about being strong, caring, independent and limitless! I love my mother more and more everyday, and recognize her for the blessing that she has been in my life and the lives of so many others. For all those reading this whose fathers have passed or are not present - be encouraged! God is so real, and so wanting to take care of you and make you whole again! I can tell you some crazy stories about how God has showed up in my life and the healing that has come. He is my protector and provider, and He is there for you too! Just waiting for you to call on Him! Truth be told, there are still a number of things that continue to reveal themselves in my personal life and in my relationships from not having an earthly father. Working through those things will take time, and a healthy dose of patience and prayer. I am not sure what else to write, except to express just how much I miss my father, just how much I love my mother, and just how grateful I am that the Lord holds me so closely to His heart. That is just a little snippet of my story. I am happy to share more of it with you! If you are interested in receiving blog updates, subscribe to my email list (located in the sidebar). With Love, Anastasia Rose Let's face it, deciding what clothes to pack for vacation is not easy. On one hand, no one likes overpacking and toting a bunch of heavy luggage through the airport. On the other hand, no one likes limiting their wardrobe and leaving out items they love to wear.
What if I told you that you don't have to choose? That there is a way to pack lightly AND pack clothes that you absolutely love?! WELL IT'S TRUE! For a full two week stay in Trinidad and Tobago, I packed one carry-on item and one personal item. Keep reading and I will teach you exactly how I did it! I have more of a classic style. I love wearing neutral tones (black, white, beige, denim and grey) with gold accent jewelry. Before my trip to Trinidad & Tobago, I was convinced that packing lightly meant compromising my personal style - but it doesn't mean that at all! Before my trip, I decided to be very intentional about packing lightly and bringing outfits that were both comfortable and true to my personal style. I tried not to overcomplicate the situation by sifting through every piece of clothing I owned. Instead, I broke the process down into four simple steps! |