1.  Framing a Meaningful Piece of Artwork From a Child – and making sure they autograph the art is a sure fire win.
2.  Updating Pictures In The Home – Most working moms have little time to spare, and while there is always time to take pictures of your loved ones, it is very rare that a working mom has the time to develop or print out the photos and update them in the existing frames in the house. Doing this for your working mom is a welcomed gift.
3.  Creating Your Own Realistic Redeemable Coupon Book – is a fantastic present.  When every member of the family contributes coupons to this book, your working mom will be able to redeem REAL LIFE gifts such as: No Talking, No Fighting, a night off, dinner made, the kitchen cleaned, a date night, a couch foot massage et al. Having the power to make any of these things happen on the spot is a dream come true for any working mom, just ask them!
4.  Organization Is a Constant Goal for Working Moms – so, getting yours a large tote that can hold a laptop and all her mom supplies and necessities is useful gift.
5. Buy a Gift Certificate WITH An Expiration Date – since most working moms put off going to a spa in lieu of doing something with the family, a guarantee to get her there with a deadline is a gift unto itself. To further motivate mom to take time out from the family, contact one of her girlfriends ahead of time and consider buying her friend the same gift certificate. That way both of them can enjoy a i.e. spa day together! Ensuring that there is an expiration date is key to this gift quotient.
6. Gift Her The ‘Family Jewels’ – any keepsake piece that has her children’s initials will warm her heart all year long.

The post Holiday gifts for Working Moms appeared first on Heather Monahan.

1. Do – Attend
   It is extremely important to attend your company holiday party. This is not optional, even if you can only make it for an hour, it will send the wrong message if you don’t show up to support your company trying to support you.
2. Do – Dress for the Occasion
   This means dress for a work party, which is a far cry from dressing to go out with your friends. You need to be much more professional and conservative than you would be on your own time and own dime. You are creating a brand at work and you need to represent that brand while you are at the party. Dress to the level of the position you want and not just the one you have.
3. Do- Arrange for Transportation
   In a world where a ride to and from anything is as far as your uber app, it makes no sense to drive when attending a work event unless your employer is providing the transportation for you. This shows that you are responsible and employers love employees that protect themselves and the company.
4. Do- Be In Control Of Your Consumption
   Just because it is open bar and you see other employees drinking a lot does not mean you need to go down that rabbit hole. Nothing bad will happen if you don’t drink too much, but if you do drink too much and lose control, you may risk losing the respect of your superiors or worse.
5. Don’t be a Cling On
   Be mindful of how long you are speaking with any given person and even though it might seem comfortable speaking to someone for a long time, it is your objective to speak with someone for a limited window of time and then politely excuse yourself to continue networking. Always leave people wanting more of you not putting them in a position to escape you.
6. Don’t Use This As A Time For Selfies, Social Posts Or Photo Memories
   Some people will drink too much, talk to members of the other sex or act inappropriately and they will not want this documented the next day, even if they act like it is funny in the moment. Save your pics and photo opps for your friends.
7. Don’t Stick Your Head Into Your Phone
   You go to a company party to socialize and expand your network. Keep your head up and a smile on and get ready to move and introduce yourself to others. Prepare ahead of time so you have some good questions ready to ask others. Remember people love to talk about themselves, ask others questions about them and they will love you!
8. Don’t Ignore Spouses
   The opportunity to say hello and introduce yourself to someone’s spouse can go a long way in getting to know the person you work with. Don’t pass by spouses and ignore them, make an effort to make them feel included too.
   
9. Don’t Forget To Check Your Teeth
   Make sure you have a napkin under your drink and that you stop in the bathroom to check your teeth if you are eating something. When you are in close proximity with others you need to keep your smile big and clean.
10. Don’t Ask For A Raise
    Holiday parties are the place for light and positive conversation. Do not see this opportunity as one to complain about work or to pitch yourself for advancement, this is not the time or place.
11. Don’t Be The Last Man Standing
    It’s great that you attended the party and networked and made a solid impression, now get the hell out of there! Once you have seen a few people leave, it is time for you to make your excuse known and get out. Nothing good happens at the end of the night.

The post Holiday Office Party Hacks To Propel or Pulverize Your Career appeared first on Heather Monahan.

The good news is that New Year’s Resolutions are no different than when we set a goal for ourselves at work, or in our personal lives – the only difference is there is an inordinate amount of conversation and pressure around everyone to have a few by January 1^st.

In the spirit of helping those of us who have the best intentions, but have fallen short in the past with delivering on an end goal, here are some basic steps we can all take to make sure we ACTUALLY reach our goals and create the year ahead we are hoping and wishing for:

1. Those That Deal In Specifics Seldom Fail And Those That Deal In Generalities Seldom Succeed – this January 1^st be sure to create VERY specific goals in order to give yourself the chance to achieve them.

   A ‘general goal’ sample is: “I’d like to get more involved in charity work.” Although sweet, this is an example of how you set yourself up for failure. On the flip side, a very ‘specific goal’ sample to implement instead is: I am going to join the i.e. City Year Charity team and volunteer a minimum of 2 hours per week for the duration of the year.

   The devil is in the details and we all need the details in order to deliver on the resolution. 

2. Keep Your Resolutions Top Of Mind – during the Month of January everyone is acutely aware of his or her resolutions and open to discussing them often.  The key here is to keep that same focus and momentum going throughout 2017. I find writing my goals down and posting them in places where I see them daily to be of help, mainly because they serve as constant reminders. I like to schedule weekly prompts in my outlook calendar so my phone and computer remind me of my goals as well. Frequency sells and it is critical to see your goals and remind yourself of your mission often.
3. Be Accountable – accountability can be more challenging for some of us. So, for those that struggle with accountability, identifying a partner or ‘accountability buddy’ will dramatically shift the odds of success in your favor. If you can find another friend that also wants to keep their resolutions year round, then the two of you can hold each other accountable.

   Scheduling monthly accountability check-ins, especially at a favorite restaurant or sporting event, can be a fun way to report to one another on how your resolutions are coming. Knowing that you have to face the other person and report in on your progress will also definitely help you stay focused on your tasks at hand.

4. Failing To Plan Is Planning To Fail – in order to achieve ANY goal, you’re going to need a plan. There’s no getting around this as a plan is a detailed roadmap that you can use to propel yourself and/or fall back on when you want to ensure that you are taking the right steps to achieve your goals. Consider tapping into a mentor or friend that has had success in your goal area and ask them to help you build your plan. Constructing a comprehensive one will ensure you are taking the next right step towards achieving your goal.
5. Be SMART – S.M.A.R.T. goals are the only kind of goals to have if you are serious about delivering on them.  You need a goal that is Specific. Measureable. Attainable. Realistic. Timely. Give yourself deadlines to hit along the way.  

While this may seem like a lot of work to achieve your resolution(s), you will feel much better about yourself come December 2017 when you have ACTUALLY delivered on them. Because a part of setting goals is feeling good about yourself when you actually accomplish them.

Good luck and Happy New Year!

#bossinheels

The post 5 Tips to ACTUALLY Achieve Your 2017 Resolutions appeared first on Heather Monahan.