You're either a person who sets goals, or you're not.
Many of us have been writing out lists of goals since we were in school, going from our Junior Cert results to Leaving Cert points, then college aspirations and work objectives.
Sometimes our goals just don't work out, and that's OK. Everybody fails at some point – but that doesn't mean you should throw your list of dreams away.
Setting goals helps you map out your road to success. And while being in your twenties is still just a starting point to the fab life you have ahead of you – it's good to create objectives of what you want to achieve.
So, if you feel like you're losing your way, or just want to set a clear road for your future, here are a few tips for setting goals in your twenties:
Record and track
Having a list of goals means you have a record of what you have already achieved and where you want to go next.
They're a great way of tracking progress in both your personal and professional life. However, don't stress if six months down the line you've barely made a dent in your list.
Many goals don't happen the way you want them to; so perhaps you need to re-think your list and put less pressure on yourself.
Celebrate
Whether you've reached a small or major milestone, celebrate every single one.
It's important to enjoy the little wins, so whether you want to have a glass of champagne when you get home from work or fancy a trip to town with your BFFs, reward yourself along the way.
You crossed something off your list, so fair play to you.
Short vs. long term goals
In your twenties, it's hard to know where you'll be in five years time. Many people set out on one path and then end up running down another.
Short term goals are easier to set, but it's important to have a bigger picture in mind.
The first step is to set goals annually and then monthly, so you have a clear picture every step of the way. And remember, it's always OK to revise!
Ask a mentor
If you don't know where to start, or are confused about where you want to be, ask for help.
Having a career mentor is totally invaluable. So, whether it's a manager you look up to, a past peer, or your mum, it's a good idea to sit down and ask them to convey their thoughts.
Here are some questions to think about when setting your goals:
Where are you now? (Your starting off point)
Where do you want to be?
What have you achieved in the past year/month?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
Can you improve on your weaknesses?
Where does your manager/peer think you can be in one year's time?
Be patient
It can be hard to be patient when you have a clear picture of where you want to be – but Rome wasn't built in a day, ladies.
Goals aren't set in stone; they will morph and change as the months and years go on. So, don't fret if you didn't get that promotion or your dream job. It will all work out.
Stay strong and be confident in yourself. Update your goals as your journey evolves and you'll be reaching them in no time.
The first day of my Leaving Cert coincided with my 17th birthday.
Having started school at four-years-old and skipped Transition Year, I was one of the youngest people in my year and spent all of 6th year as an awkward 16-year-old.
This fact coupled with my compulsion to throw sickies and bunk off at every possible opportunity meant that my parents (and my teachers) weren’t exactly confident in my capabilities.
Would I even show up? Or would I do what I did in previous years and decide to opt out of summer exams ‘due to an ear infection’ or sidestep the Mocks with a bout of Bronchitis?
13 years on, I can confirm that I showed up and was then accepted into my first-choice course.
And didn't go.
Instead, I deferred my place and as my friends began their first semester, I worked in retail.
But as my first year in university approached twelve months later, I began my degree with an air of trepidation.
And then promptly dropped out.
I wasn’t ready for university. That’s right, after a year out and more than half way through my first ’deferred’ semester, I still wasn’t ready.
For a teenager who barely managed to make it to class when it was mandatory, setting me free in an environment that allows you to create your own schedule was playing with fire.
And I was positively ablaze.
So, I left.
After spending another year working, I returned to the same university and decided to choose three different subjects.
Having originally opted for English, Psychology and Sociology, I decided to wildcard it and go with German, Anthropology and Biology.
Having done French all through school, I decided to ‘challenge’ myself with German.
Having never heard of Anthropology, I decided to ‘enlighten’ myself with the Humanities subject.
And having gotten the lowest grade in Biology in my Leaving Cert, I decided to… well… I don’t actually know what I was thinking with that one.
I know; who leaves me in charge of my own life?
And yet, after deferring my place the first time around, dropping out the second time around, and forcing myself out of my comfort zone the third time around, I spent the next four years learning a new language and discovering a real interest in Anthropology.
(The less said about Biology the better, but hey, I got to drop that sucker after the first year.)
My undergraduate degree lasted four years, with one spent in Vienna.
Now, I’d be lying if I said changing direction meant I became one of those students who established societies, initiated study groups or even showed up every day.
I still regularly skipped lectures, often found myself wandering into the SU only to leave two days later, once got 4 per cent in a German exam, and was forced on more than one occasion to introduce myself to a lecturer, but there was a certain drive which simply wasn’t there the first time around.
I was older, more confident in myself and knew that the onus lay with me, and me only. We all know college isn’t for everyone, but it’s also important to remember that college mightn’t be for everyone at that particular time.
I mean, my friends were going into their final year when I was being brought on orientation around a college I had registered at twice before, but I mosied on.
Such was my interest in Cultural Anthropology, I decided to do a two-year MA after graduating, spending another year in Vienna.
I graduated with a 1st, and was advised to look into pursuing a PhD.
True to form, and despite the fact I thoroughly enjoyed my MA, I decided that I had taken the wrong route entirely, and eight years after completing the Leaving Cert lamented the fact I hadn't done a course in journalism.
Why didn't I think of that back when I was filling out my CAO? Why do I do everything arseways? What is life?
After spending a worrying amount of time glaring at my graduation photo, I decided to use my research in contemporary media and women in modern society to navigate my way into a writing career.
And I managed it.
Look, I’m (obviously) by no means a Steve ’I dropped out of college at 19’ Jobs, not lest because… what is a computer?
But while I spent years agonising over my decision to first defer, then drop out and finally return, ultimately my haphazard, ‘what in the name of Jaysus am I doing?' approach worked for me.
Yes, I graduated long after my friends, yes I entered the workforce years after them as well, and yes, the kids doing their Leaving Cert today were in Junior Infants when I was doing mine, but the advice still stands.
Your future isn't determined by your Leaving Cert, nor is it even determined by the first course you choose, or even the second.
You'll get where you're meant to be eventually… even if your chosen poet didn't come up today.
You wake up every weekday morning with dread, and sometimes your issues can spiral into a knotted web if they don't become resolved.
So much so, you think the best thing for you is to quit.
But, hold your horses. Don't do anything rash and have a long sit-down with yourself before you make any major life decisions.
We totally get that it can feel like you're falling into a deep hole, but rather than trying to escape, ask yourself this question (while you have a bag of chocolate in one hand and a glass of vino in the other):
'What exactly is making me miserable?'
New York Times bestselling author and happiness guru, Gretchen Rubin, says that this question might seem quite obvious, but it can often be overlooked.
"This sounds so obvious," she told Business Insider. "But I've found over and over, it really helps people."
According to the guru, you need to go through every aspect of your job with a fine tooth comb until you hit the exact thing that's making you unhappy.
"You're walking in the door in the morning and you're thinking, 'Oh, you know what? I don't like this anymore. This is a drag. I don't want to be here,” explains Gretchen.
"But there are a lot of reasons that that could be true. And the solutions that you would try in order to fix the situation would be really different depending on what the problem is."
So whether it's your working hours, a tricky co-worker or your salary, try to tackle the problem on a step-by-step basis.
“Once you actually pinpoint the precise nature of what's driving you crazy, it's often a lot easier to fix it than you think."
Talk to that disgruntled colleague; see if you can work flexible hours or talk to your boss about bumping up your salary.
Along with her sister, Fiona, Rebecca Jeffery, 32, is the owner of Fi & Becs Design And Marketing.
The business provides branding, design, copywriting and websites for businesses and has worked with the likes of Mothercare, Matalan and the Lake District hotel chain.
Last year, Rebecca starred in series 12 of BBC’s The Apprentice – making it through to week six of the reality TV show. It’s an experience she describes as “whirlwind”.
A native of Manchester and a mother-of-one, she is passionate about her business, but insists that women don’t have to sacrifice their domestic lives in order to succeed.
“I was always told that if you’re nice in business you won’t get very far – and I’m happy to disprove that," Rebecca tells SHEmazing when she sits down for an exclusive chat.
"I did the whole corporate world thing before I was a mum – I had the long commute and the office hours. But starting my own business with my sister allowed me to step away from all that."
"And just because I have a young child doesn’t mean I’m not still really ambitious – we’re passionate about what we do."
Giving an insight into her working day, Rebecca explains: "I work from 9am to 3pm and then I take time off to play with my son and we have something to eat and do the bedtime routine. Then from around 7pm or 8pm I hop back on the laptop and work for a couple of hours."
Acknowledging the work / life balance familiar to most working mothers, Rebecca explains: "It’s about juggling and swapping things around. My own business allows me to do that."
"Even as the workload has increased and the client-base has grown, that is still the way that I work. Now Fiona and I have around 120 clients and some of that business – like Mothercare and Matalan – came to us specifically because we understand their target market.”
"I would never apologise for being a mum; I’d never sacrifice the time that I have with my son," she adds.
Reflecting on the weeks she spent in the boardroom in front of Lord Sugar last year, Rebecca explains: "I’ve always been a massive fan of the show but I don’t think I thought I’d be the stereotypical contestant. I’m not mouthy, I don’t like to shout, I’m not angry.”
“But I knew I had a unique business model that was working really well. I thought ‘well, that’s what I can bring to the show’. And I knew it would bring some publicity to my business also."
With a nod to the production team who saw Rebecca's USP, she says: "I like that the producers picked me because I’m a bit different to the standard."
"But then, the working world is changing too. There are more mumtrepreneurs, more people – not just mums and not just parents – want that flexible approach to working-life. There is a stronger desire for work-life balance.”
Perhaps in keeping with her attitude to work and motherhood, Rebecca's little boy was by her side when she got the call inviting her on the show.
"I was there desperately trying to give him a pack of crisps and an apple and stick on the TV to keep him quiet while I acted professional. I was flabbergasted and very excited," she remembers.
Vehemently dismissing the notion that you have to be cut-throat to succeed in business as a woman, Rebecca insists the idea is an archaic one.
“The one thing I would say to other women – and I’ve learned this from having my own business and from being on the show – is that you have to be yourself."
"There is no point in me trying to be some hard-nosed combater because that’s just not who I am. I’m warm and I’m friendly and I’m nice to people; that doesn’t make me a weak businesswoman.”
Rebecca accepts that her appearance on the show conflicted with her desire to spend time with her son, and admits her performance at points did reflect this.
“I had set my whole life up around my son I’m not used to being away from him and it was difficult. I hated thinking of Ollie being unhappy and knowing that my absence was the cause of that was heartbreaking. Even sometimes doing the tasks, I felt a little bit like a lead balloon; just distracted."
"I’ve travelled for work before – but this was different and harder. So being back with my son now and immersed in the business is definitely a very bright silver lining and I’m proud at what I’ve done both professionally and personally.”
Carla McQuillan is a hairdresser and a native of Dublin.
Last year, she founded The.Space salon in Drumcondra alongside her business partner and best friend, Nadine Quinn. Also a former model, Carla collected numerous trade accolades before kickstarting her own business.
Still just 28, she wants to evolve the hairdressing industry – drawing on time spent in the likes of Paris and New York to in order to bring added extras to the average salon experience.
"I finished my Junior Cert in 2003 and that summer I was desperate to earn my own money. At the time, Transition Year wasn’t compulsory in my school, so I seized the opportunity to get out and work," Carla tells SHEmazing as she reflects on her professional journey.
“The best part of a year and a half later when it came to returning to school for my Leaving Cert I just couldn’t face it – I felt immersed in all things hairdressing by then and didn’t fancy diving into homework, classes, and study," she explains.
“My dad, Patrick, had different views, however. He knew I was smart, a hard worker and good at what I did – but he also felt that getting my Leaving Cert and progressing on to college and all that was the best road to take.”
Determined to make it in the world of hairdressing, Carla found herself confronted with conflicting advice, but insisted on paving her own way.
"I thought I knew everything back then!" she laughs. "And no one, not even my lovely dad, could tell me otherwise. In the end – of course! – I got my own way.”
Hired by House of Colour, Carla recalls: “I was trained in everything and anything; that all still stands to me to this day and at the time it made me a really good all-round hairdresser who could become passionate about all aspects of the trade."
"While there, we were encouraged to take part in competitions and exhibitions; it was something that pushes you outside your comfort zone and truthfully it was invaluable.”
“On one level, competition work is pretty ugly, but it’s also technically brilliant. You hone your skills rapidly because you have to. I soon started picking up awards, and eventually settled on my winning formula."
Carla credits her early days on the salon floor with her ability to navigate potential pitfalls within the industry.
“It was an insanely busy time between working in the salon and all the competition stuff, but being manic even now doesn’t faze me," she tells us.
"It’s something I say to junior staff today; don’t get overwhelmed – just focus on you and the client you have in front of you. And that was me for ten years – during that time I set myself very clear professional goals and made sure I achieved them.”
Having proven herself over the course of a decade, Carla decided she needed to spread her wings, saying “Eventually you do get to the end of the road, and I decided to take the plunge."
"I went freelance, spending time in the likes of New York, and a couple of Australian cities, as well as working with celebrities, on weddings, and fashion shoots."
"I suppose because I was so busy, people kept on telling me that I needed to open my own place – clients were telling me to do it, but so were people I really respect in business circles.”
Recalling the advice she received at the time, Carla remembers: “Johanna Mc Aleese, who owns and founded Starla dresses, told me I was mad not to."
"A couple of years ago she gave me the whole pep talk. She gave me contacts to meet, and reiterated that as rents were so low then, that it was perfect timing.”
“But I did need a business partner – someone to carry the load with me and to complement what I bring to the table. Truthfully, Nadine Quinn was the first and only person I considered," Carla reveals.
"She was working in a freelance capacity at the time too, but I approached her asked if she’d be interested in coming on board – thankfully, she jumped at the chance.”
Embarking on the venture wasn't free of concerns as Carla fended off well-meaning advice against mixing business with friendship.
"Enough people tried to put us off setting up a business with a friend. We’re completely confident in each other, but everyone from our solicitor, to our accountant, to family – all with the very best intentions – tried to say: “Are you sure? Partnerships can go very wrong in this industry.”
“Of course it was scary, but it all also felt right. Actually, initially we kept things very much in check."
"We thought we’d pool our resources, get maybe one more person on board; we just didn’t want to get too overwhelmed. We wanted to build from the ground up and test the waters before taking the plunge.”
“Both Nadine and I are absolute perfectionists too, but we’re savvy enough to celebrate each other’s strengths and talents, as well as our weaknesses."
The turning point in Carla and Nadine's journey came when they found the spot which would soon become The. Space.
“A big milestone for us was finding our salon in Drumcondra. Moving that bit out of the city centre made it more affordable, but – more importantly – we were filling a massive gap in the market."
"There is a really young, hip, vibrant population around there and we quickly realised a modern salon was what they were crying out for.”
“We opened last spring, but a year ago we started getting the show on the road. Not every plan we’ve had, or every concept we’ve explored has panned out, and yes, it is high-pressure stuff, but we’re learning as we grow.”
Giving an insight into the dynamic which exists between the pair, Carla explains: “For our business, we role play and try to think ahead as much as we can – and that’s how we end up with our very best decisions."
Carla maintains that drawing on time spent abroad has done much to strengthen the appeal of the business.
“We try to be as creative as possible in everything we do – we both draw on our experiences travelling and working abroad too so that our clients have something completely fresh when they come into us.”
"That’s actually my mantra: forgot about what everyone is doing in Ireland and let’s kick-off a fresh perspective. So we hold yoga in our salon on Sundays. We hold events too. And everything in The. Space is gorgeous!”
There is little doubt that The. Space has far exceeded the 28-year-old's expectations – a fact she happily celebrates.
“We now offer services we didn’t at the beginning: makeup, and nails, for example. We started with three people and already we’re up to a dozen."
"Truthfully, ambitious as I am, that’s not something I anticipated. We’re open until 9pm a couple of nights a week to deal with demand. On Saturdays we’re out the door.”
And like any astute businesswoman, Carla is reluctant to move too swiftly until she's properly 'perfected' The. Space.
“Of course, we also definitely want to expand but I believe that it’s important not to move onto your second project before you’ve perfected your first."
"And that’s where Nadine and I are at now. I really feel so at home at The. Space – which is just as well as I spend more time there than I do in my house!“
Amanda Thomson is the founder and CEO of Skinny Prosecco and Skinny Champagne, a range of reduced sugar bubbly.
Based in Winchester, a little outside London, she is a former television and radio broadcaster with the BBC.
Amanda was inspired to develop her brand after spending time at numerous media events, where plenty of junk food and lashings of sweet wines were rife.
And so, eight years ago she packed up everything – moving to Paris with her husband, Ian, and two young children in order to hone her new-found trade.
Skinny Prosecco and Skinny Champagne arrived in Ireland last year and is now available in Brown Thomas and online via the Wines Of The World website.
“When I announced that I was packing up and moving to France to learn how to source and develop a range of low-sugar sparkling wines – most people thought I was pretty crazy," she tells SHEmazing! when she sits down for an exclusive chat.
"Firstly, I had a good job as an arts journalist in the BBC – not to mention two small kids and a husband to consider. But I was passionate about making it all work," she explains.
"That and I didn’t have a choice," Amanda laughs. "I’m not from a mega-wealthy background and I didn’t have an unlimited cash-pile to draw on."
"For me, Skinny Prosecco and Skinny Champagne was always very much a business decision, albeit one with lots of passion behind it and one that I feel was destined somewhat: my mother, who raised me by herself, was a trailblazing health food entrepreneur."
"Long before it became fashionable, she was singing about the benefits of healthy fats and the dangers of excess sugar," Amanda tells us.
Reflecting on the concerns raised by those close to her at the time of her career change, Amanda insists she knew their fears had little grounding in reality.
“I have a real galvanized spirit too; it sounds like something you’d hear on The Apprentice, but failure wasn’t an option for me when it came to the Thomson & Scott Skinny wines."
"And certainly, I put a lot of pressure on myself to get it all right from the very beginning. I was fearless too; I went into plenty of meetings and was the person asking stupid questions. But you learn and you keep going.”
Like any entrepreneur, however, Amanda came up against her fair share of obstacles before hitting it big.
“It's not always been easy. Because the Champagne region, for example, is so strict about what is and isn’t classified as a Champagne, we had to get numerous elements signed off on before releasing our Skinny version."
"Little things can really hold-up a business. We initially did a soft launch in London; it’s an incredibly tough market – but if you can make your product work there, you’re probably on to a winner."
With numerous teething problems behind her, Amanda eventually saw the fruit of her labour when her brand made it into two of the best-known department stores in the UK and Ireland last year.
"The turning point came in April when Skinny Champagne and Skinny Prosecco landed in Selfridges and it quickly sold out. We haven’t looked back since. We’ve now officially launched in Ireland and have arrived in Brown Thomas too."
There is a juxtaposition at work in Amanda's business – an element of her journey which she ultimately considers a strength.
"A big part of our success is definitely our start-up mentality that we’ve transferred into a very traditional arena; we listen to our customers and respond fast to their demands."
A photo posted by Skinny Prosecco (@skinnyprosecco) on
"The wine-industry is very time-honoured and prestigious. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s full of older men in suits, but it can certainly have that appearance when you’re trying to break into it.”
Walking the line between wine aficionada and everyday consumer, Amanda adds: “I know the industry now – and at the end of the day, I also really love wine and appreciate it. But I know what it’s like to feel totally overwhelmed by the choices on offer in a supermarket, or to be confused by a long wine list in a restaurant.”
“On one hand, you acknowledge that sommeliers are incredibly talented people, but on the other, they don’t necessarily seem like they’re going to get the party started when they pop over to your table at a fancy restaurant," she laughs.
Honing in on a failing in the traditional market, Amanda sought to fill the gap, saying: “It’s not difficult to see that much of the wine businesses has lost touch – it’s not appealing to younger people for one."
"Ironically, however, Thomson & Scott discovered that that traditional approach really helped our brand and the concept of a lower-sugar wine. Because we are being really upfront about our produce – stating clearly that it’s low-sugar, vegan and organic. There is no cloak-and-daggers approach with Skinny wines.”
“And that approach is all backed up by what it fundamentally a great, delicious, product that we’ve wriggled into a great price-bracket. That gets word-of-mouth recommendations going and keeps people who try it coming back for more.”
Turning her attention to the future, Amanda plans to bring Skinny Prosecco and Skinny Wine to an international audience.
“From now on, we’re going to be spending a lot more time in Dublin and Ireland in general. Otherwise, going forward, we do have some deals internationally in the offing – the US being one area in particular we’re looking at closely.”
Have you got the world’s next big business idea up your sleeve? Or maybe you reckon you could give Richard Branson a run for his money?
Well now’s your chance to make it happen.
Enterprise Ireland have launched a €750k Competitive Start Fund, especially designed for female entrepreneurs.
15 women with early stage start-up companies will be eligible to receive up to €50k in equity funding.
The Competitive Start Fund (CSF) aims to propel the growth of female-led, Irish start-up companies, which have the potential to employ more than 10 people.
The fund will enable those companies to reach major commercial and technical milestones, while also assisting in the delivery of the product or service to an international consumer base.
10 of the successful applicants will also be invited to participate in Dublin BIC’s INNOVATE accelerator programme.
The 12-week, interactive programme will be held in the Guinness Enterprise Centre and aims to prepare participants for potential investments and expansion.
Sarita Johnston, female entrepreneurship manager at Enterprise Ireland, had this to say about the growth on female-led start-ups in Ireland:
‘’Working with ambitious start-ups led by women is a key focus for Enterprise Ireland, we have seen a major leap in female-led early-stage companies since the commencement of our initiatives in 2012, from 7pc of high potential start-ups to 20pc in 2016’’
Budding entrepreneurs have until 3pm on Wednesday May 17 to apply.
OK, so being fired is one of the things we fear most in life – but it's not the end of the world.
In most cases, it's a chance to rethink the road you want to take in your career, and sort out your priorities.
Career consultant, Sherridan Hughes, spoke to Marie Claire about what to expect and how to come out on the brighter side of being sacked.
Start asking yourself questions
Sherridan first urges you to ask the question 'was it really my fault?'
"Was there something else going on e.g. cutbacks were necessary, or perhaps you were simply made the scapegoat for someone else’s failings?"
However, if you honestly feel like you just weren't up for the job, then comes the tough questions.
"What were you weak at? What did you do less well? Could you have asked for help sooner?
"Could you have asked for training, researched online or put yourself through a course? Is that worth doing now?"
Asking yourself these questions will help you figure out whether you want to go back into the same type of work, or look into a different area.
We all know that even if we love our jobs, sometimes going into the office can be an absolute drag.
However, that's completely different from dreading the work you do everyday, which brings Sherridan to her next question – "Were you even right for the job?
"Did you enjoy the work and feel that it was playing to your strengths or did you feel out of your depth and stressed, or alternatively, bored and demotivated?"
Now it's time to think positive
If the job wasn't suited to you, or you felt out of your depth, then it's probably best that you are out.
Think of this as your lucky escape and your chance to find something better suited to you.
"Do not be ashamed or embarrassed. It’s best to make light of it and try to laugh it off with friends and family.
"No one is allowed to give a bad reference; they should just write ‘ this person was employed as X from X to Y dates'.
"Let go of resentment and bitterness because it will eat you up and you do not want them to have beaten you. Determine to show them what they have lost!"
Be prepared for the next job you walk into
First of all, don't doubt yourself. Once you've thought everything through and know what your next step is, don't be shy when applying for new jobs.
But Sherridan warns that you might have to put a spin on it when being interviewed for another role.
"You cannot admit that you were fired because few employers will want to risk giving you a try, even if appreciating your honesty.
"Try to think of a reason why you have left (perhaps with no job to go to). If you change location, role, organisation or career, this should be easier to explain."
So, instead of saying out straight that you were fired, you could say that you had aspirations for a new, better suited role.
"You could also complete a project or take a gap activity to cover your tracks," Sherridan explains.
Oh, and while we have you; don't forget to have your say in the inaugural SHEmazing Awards this May! It's time to vote, and you can do it right here!
We get that working a full-time job can leave you feeling exhausted for the majority of the week.
You have the best intentions to go to the gym after work, but the minute the clock hits 5pm, all you want to do is go home and take a pre-dinner nap, amirite?
So, if working a 40 hour week comes in between exercising, here are a few simple steps to add a workout into your daily routine:
Commute to work? Turn it into an exercise session
It's totally possible to turn your morning commute into a small workout.
If you live near your work place, cycling or jogging into the office is a great way to start off your day with cardio and elevate your heart rate.
Oh, and you're not off the hook even if you have a fairly hefty commute! Either park your car a few minutes away so you can walk to the office at a brisk pace, or get off your bus/Luas one or two stops early, so you can exercise the rest of the way in.
Don't let your lunch time go to waste
If we're able to fit in a gym session throughout the week, it's usually before or after work. And probably the reason most of us give up on those gym sessions is because you're knackered in the morning and exhausted in the evening.
But, if you work close to a gym, try fit in a few lunch time session during the week. Many gyms have 30 or 45 minute classes, so if you have a gym that's around five minutes away from you, this could work out perfectly.
What about eating, you ask? Pack a protein-filled smoothie to have on the go, or eating at your desk before or after is always an option.
Ever heard of 'walk meetings'?
Yep, instead of sitting in a board room, a studio, or even a coffee shop, try your hand at asking people to go on a 'walk meeting' with you.
If you work in an office, your colleagues will probably look at as if you had ten heads, but coming into the summer months it's definitely an option.
And if you're a freelancer or don't work in an office setting, we're sure your peers would be up for it too.
Deskercise
Believe it or not, there's some moves you can do at your desk that are totally underrated.
For example, if you want to tone your glutes and give you derriere a little lift, you can try this isometric glutes exercise.
While you sitting at your desk, squeeze your bum and hold for 5-10 seconds, and release. Do this until the glutes tire and it'll give you a lift in more ways than one.
Keep it simple and drink ALL the water
We know it can be hard to fit in a workout when you have a million meetings, deadlines and odd jobs to do, but keeping it simple is key.
Choose the stairs instead of the lift/escalator, walk around the office for 5 minutes or go down to the loo so you can stretch yourself out a bit.
And even if you can't fit anything in, remember to drink heaps of water as it flushes out toxins and aids in weight loss too.
Oh, and while we have you; don't forget to have your say in the inaugural SHEmazing Awards this May! It's time to vote, and you can do it right here!
It's one of the hardest things to approach when you're working, and can be quite scary to do if you crumble at the thought of rejection – but sometimes, salary negotiations are absolutely essential.
Looking at various articles, discussion pages, and just general advice from colleagues, there are two major mistakes that people make when trying to ask for a raise.
Either, you'll wait and wait for your management to acknowledge your work (and they won't) or, you go into a discussion, totally unprepared and demand X amount of money, and come out with a less than great result.
To avoid these pitfalls, here are three steps to help you along the way before you go anywhere near a meeting room:
1. KNOW what you bring to the table
If you don't already, keep tabs on your wins and your responsibilities. Whether you keep note on Google Drive or in your ratty TY notebook, make sure you write down and record every major project, task and meeting you do well in.
Then, every few months, go back and see how much you have achieved. This way, you will know what you spend your time on, as well as being prepared for the 'what do you bring to the table?' question.
2. KNOW your market rate
There's no point going in and asking for 40 grand, if everyone else in your field is only earning 30.
Research how much your worth, by using Internet tools such as MyWage, or simply, by asking people in and around your industry.
However, don't forget that these will be ballpark numbers. So, consider as much information as you can, and be honest with yourself.
How long are you working there? How much do you put into the company (in the grand scheme of things)? How large is the company? Where are you based? These questions all need to be asked and considered.
3. Plan, plan, plan
The worst thing you can do is go into a meeting with absolutely no information. Plan your proposal and what you're going to say. Plan an intro and an ending (for both good and bad outcomes).
Make sure you include your data sources and research, and have it all laid out on paper, so everything is clear to both you and your employer.
And be careful not to exaggerate or embellish. If you reach too far, your employer will know this and it could be what tarnishes your whole proposal.
It's going to be a daunting conversation, but if you feel you need to go for it, then GO for it.
If you don't get the answer you were hoping for, ask for a review in three or six months time. And, remember to always follow your conversation up with an email.
Whether your salary increases or not, keep tabs on your work going forward and your progress, so you'll be prepared for salary negotiations the next time they come around.
Good luck!
Oh, and while we have you; don't forget to have your say in the inaugural SHEmazing Awards this May! It's time to vote, and you can do it right here!
As frivolous as it sounds, fashion means everything to me.
It's not just about buying the latest trends or keeping up with fashion designers; for me, it's about owning who you are and making that known to the world.
It showcases your personality, alludes to your nature and hints at your own idiosyncrasies. It's telling the world who you are without saying a word.
Since I was young, I always had an eye for the latest trends. I would style my uniform up to stand apart from the other school kids. I cut and sewed my clothes so they would be more 'me'.
The fashion industry faces quite a bit of backlash sometimes. People think it's not important and not something to worry about. But, I worry about it.
Whether it's going to work, a press event, a party or a dinner, I curate outfits in my head for every occasion – sometimes weeks or months in advance.
If I'm not in a good mood, my clothing choices will reflect that. If I want to be a BOSS in work, I dress to make me feel empowered.
And people will call me shallow and materialistic as a result.
I began my career in fashion, working with various stylists in and around Ireland. And some of the first reactions I received when I told people were, 'You? Working in fashion?'
They didn't think it was a real job. They didn't understand what it meant to me to be working with top stylists in the country.
I worked on photoshoots, campaigns, fashion shows and TV shows. I styled regular men and women as well as models and TV presenters.
And the more I worked, the more I realised what an amazing career it is.
But as brilliant as it is, it's also hard and takes a lot of effort. You'll be up at the crack of dawn to head to a photoshoot. You'll be on your hands and knees all day, pinning, cutting and taping clothes to make them look perfect.
And while you may be tired and ready for bed, the minute the creative minds of the stylists, photographers, make-up artists and hair stylists come together, you get a rush of total achievement.
Some of my favourite fashionistas in Ireland, like Courtney Smith, Brendan Courtney, Darren Kennedy, Louise Cooney, Louise O'Reilly and Anouska Proette Brandon, worked their asses off to get where they are.
Whether they're stylists, bloggers or models, it's a tough industry and not something to be dismissed as whimsical or frivolous.
For me, fashion means creativity, it means diversity, it means change, it means hard work and it means owning who you are.
It will forever be an expression of each and every individual.
Oh, and while we have you; don't forget to have your say in the inaugural SHEmazing Awards this May! It's time to vote for your favourite style icon, and you can do it right here!
Whether you are still in college, just starting off on your career or you’re looking for a leg up in the industry, having a mentor is totally invaluable.
Finding someone who works in your desired field will stand to you in your future.
Also, having a person to show you the tricks of the trade is so much better than trying to figure something out from a textbook.
So, if you feel like having a mentor will benefit you and your career, here are a few tips on how to find the right person for you.
Research your field and the people who are in it
Research various companies, freelancers and professionals who you look up to.
Then, create a list of who you feel would be a good fit. This regards both personality and their line of work.
Make ALL the contacts
Start emailing your desired mentors with a polite message. Explain why you are contacting them, and what you wish to gain from a mentor.
Be straight from the outset with them and make sure you clearly describe what kind of mentor you’re looking for – whether it’s someone to email and ask questions or someone you want to work alongside with on a weekly basis.
Social media is a great intro
Follow people who you look up to on social media. Like their posts and interact with them. Don’t be scared; this is showing your interest in them and their career.
And when you do email them, your name will be familiar from popping up on their social media channels.
Meet up
When you find someone happy to be your mentor, make sure you both meet for a coffee as soon as possible.
Meeting them face to face will set the tone of your relationship and give you an inkling into whether it’s the right fit.
Stay in touch
Whether you meet up one a week or once a month, always stay in touch. The closer you get, the more they will trust you and recommend you to other people in the industry.
Show them your strengths and your work ethic and always have their back. Trust is a major element of climbing the career ladder.
Network, network, network
Networking is one of the most important things when it comes to your career. Whether you’re in business, fashion or food, knowing people and having good connections in your field will stand to you for years to come.
Ask your mentor if you can go along to events with them. Meet the who’s who of the industry and make sure you introduce yourself to everyone.
Follow anyone you met on social media the next day, so the connections you made won’t be lost.
Finding a mentor and networking will always stand to you. Be your best self in front of these people and show what you can bring to the table.
This will be one step in your career that you won’t regret.
