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You are remarkable!

Yes, I’m talking to  you.  You are truly a remarkable individual.  Sometimes it takes someone else to remind you of this fact but it is still true.  Look at everything you have accomplished.  Now…all you need to do is stand up and shout to the world (or to those who make decisions regarding your salary and employment) what you have done.  Yep, you guessed it – it is mid-year performance evaluation time.  Time for you to remind your boss of everything you have done so far this year. 

Every time I have an evaluation, I am reminded of a situation over 12 years ago when I was working for a top accounting firm.  My main job was Executive Assistant to the Partner in Charge of the Accounting group but I was also the unofficial leader to the other administrative staff due to my role.  Aside from that, I also served as the back-up to the creative department and did a lot of work on proposals and internal communications.  I never made a big deal about letting my boss know all the special projects I was involved with or the many compliments I received from the other managers and staff regarding my performance.  I thought he knew what I was working on and knew how well I was performing.  Well, I was reminded by the HR Manager during a meeting that I needed to communicate these successes to my manager – a kind of “I DID IT!” mentality.  I learned that I had to be my own cheerleader and I had to take charge of my career because no one else was going to do it.  Years later that lead me to finally go back to school and obtain the degrees that I never thought I had the time to earn. Well, I DID IT! While I won’t tell you that it didn’t take a lot of time and effort – I was still able to do it. 

So if you are dreading your performance evaluation, here is my crack advice when it comes to preparing and attending that meeting:

1. Make a list of your accomplishments or special projects that you have been involved with during the year
2. If you have received kudos from others (in writing), bring copies of those as well
3. Be prepared to talk about what areas you need to improve (we can all improve somewhere)
4. Take feedback constructively
5. Review your goals for the year and make sure you are still on track to complete them
6. Think ahead and determine where you think you want to be in 5 years and start working towards that now.

Shop-aholic…..who me??

Hello…my name is Gretchen and I am a shopaholic. Well, technically after reading information on Illinois Institute of Addiction Recovery – if you meet 4 or more of the behaviors listed then you might have a problem. Personally, I think I only meet 3 so I guess I am okay.  I do, however, receive email after email from my favorite stores and love looking at each and every one.  Not only that, but I just thoroughly enjoy shopping.  Crazy as that sounds…I do!! Whether it’s for groceries, gifts, clothes or other items…I try to find the best deal (or what I perceive to be the best deal).  I am not a big coupon clipper – although I would LOVE to do more of that.  It just seems like a lot of work for potentially not so much return.  As my husband says over and over – if your hourly rate at work is $XX and you spend XX amount of time clipping coupons, are you gaining anything in return?  So far, I can’t say I make a return on my investment.  That being said…I have come across several sites that help to cut down on the number of sites you have to visit when shopping for your favorite items.  One of those sites is Beso.  This site boasts to being your personal concierge.  I would agree…I signed up and enjoy the information I receive.  ShopStyle  offers a similar service.  They boast that the site is like shopping at the world’s best stores.  Another one is Ebay.  For those of you who love to go yard saleing…what better way to do that from the comfort of your own home.  No traffic, no pushing and tons of choices.  I like the fact that you can put in the brand, size and potentially color of whatever you are looking for and the chances are pretty good that someone, somewhere is selling it.  Ask my kids – they get a lot of their clothes this way. 

Another site I came across recently is called Rent the Runway. This site allows you to “rent” a dress for that special occasion or just for every day wear.  Instead of running out and purchasing a new dress that will hang in the closet for the next 10 years – why not rent it for $50-$75?  This site is much like Bag Borrow or Steal where you can rent (or steal) designer handbags.  While I haven’t tried either one so I can’t speak to the customer service side of things – both sound very interesting and certainly worth a peak if you are looking for that one piece but just aren’t willing to pay designer prices.  If anyone does try either of these – let us know what you think.

Welcome...

Come on in, have a seat and relax.  So, why are we here exactly? I have been considering starting a blog for some time.  I had to develop a few blogs during my undergrad and enjoyed posting information that was of interest to other people – but for the most part, only read by my professor and classmates.  Since completing my MBA, I have been thinking about it again.  This time is more about putting my thoughts, ideas, commentary and mindless nonsense out there on the World Wide Web.  Will I have any followers?  Time will tell.  I look at it like a shop opener must when they are opening their doors for the first time – hopefully waiting for the first customer to step across the threshold, and then the second and so on.  I certainly hope as you read my posts you find at least a small bit of information that is of interest to you.  That is my goal – to make this a place where you can come, gain a little knowledge or laugh a little and take your  mind off of the world outside your window, if only for a few moments.  I am sure you are asking yourself – why is Gretchen writing this blog?  Well, to be honest, I find it interesting that I can post my thoughts and others from anywhere in the world can read it.  It is truly amazing how far we have come from Paul Revere riding his horse across the land shouting that the British were coming because that was the only way to let people know.  Now, with a push of a button anyone, anywhere, can know what you think, feel, see, or believe.

More to the point, my reason for starting this blog is very simple.  I have read numerous blogs, surfed the web, research numerous topics and am amazed at the information available.  I am hoping to not only provide my insight on specific topics but also point you towards information that may be helpful or interesting.  I plan to focus on the following topics :

• Career thoughts & tips
• Shopping (where to find the best bargains)
•  Discounts and free stuff available (with no strings attached)
• Organization (tips  & tricks)
• Crafting & DIY
•  Personal commentary

I would like you to contribute as well…whether it’s a simple comment about how much you love or hate the post or if you have additional information that you think others might be interested or that you want me to discuss – please share!! I will make one promise to you…I will do my best to steer clear of political or religious areas.  I am not outspoken in either of these areas but I have my beliefs and thoughts and sometimes, and I am sure you will agree, when you are passionate about something and you write it down, others don’t always feel that passion and want to attack your beliefs. 

Well, thanks for stopping by! I certainly hope you will consider being a follower (a.k.a. an individual who wants some down to earth advice, ideas and information). It’s time to get blogging!!