For Anyone Who Wants to Learn More to Earn More
I’ve been a woman in the tech industry for decades, much of that time spent in Silicon Valley. I’ve worked with hundreds of tech entrepreneurs and CEOs, almost all males. Early on, based on those experiences, I came to the conclusion that the only glass ceilings that exist are the ones we create and place over our own heads.
Let’s face the realities. Here is how a woman can become a leader in a man’s world. Read more
We only have so much time in this life. That’s a fact.
Most of us also have some life-long goals, things we want to accomplish before we aren’t here anymore.
The obvious challenge is to meet those goals sooner rather than later because none of us know when our lives will end. That’s the big picture.
The day-to-day picture is that there are obstacles to be overcome before we can meet our goals.
The most difficult obstacles are those we create ourselves. Every day contains several tests that we have to pass, and if we don’t pass them, we will be tested again and again.
Procrastination and rationalization are at the top of the “toughest obstacles” list.
Let’s look at the cause of each and then the cure. Read more
On one hand, I have clients who run solid companies and treat their people and customers well. On the other hand, I have friends of all ages who are working at or trying to get jobs at companies that are . . . well, crazy. Nonsensical. Chaotic. It’s often the largest companies that get this way, and it’s too bad.
Why does this happen? How can you make sure you are going to be working at a company that does things right?
What does “doing things right” even look like? I would be surprised, in the course of your academic studies, that anyone ever talked about this. But it’s really important! After all, you are going to spend a large portion of your day working somewhere, for years to come, and if you’re constantly fighting against chaos, you’re not going to be a happy camper.
I sincerely believe that our working lives should be as satisfying and soul-enriching as they can be; there is nothing better than spending the bulk of your day doing what you love to do, with people who support your efforts whole-heartedly. Read more
Finally! Graduated! Now what!? If you want to make a living, you are going to be working for a business, even if it is a non-profit business. Too bad it’s not a subject that they cover in school. Which is why so many people search for “how does business work” and “how to understand business.” It’s a mystery.
And don’t think you can learn it from movies and TV shows, which tend to reflect show business, not the majority of businesses. I’ve spent some years in the entertainment industry, and found it to be more ego-driven and cutthroat than many other industries. What you see on your screens doesn’t reflect the reality of most businesses. Read more
Your work life and your personal life are filled with decisions. In fact, it’s probably the activity we undertake the most, if you consider that we make decisions constantly throughout any given day. I’m going to share some decision-making skills that will help you become an effective decision-maker.
There are many reasons this is important.
If you work inside an organization and you make good decisions at work, your managers will take notice and start thinking about promoting you.
If you own your own business, your business will grow faster, and those who work for you will enjoy it.
If you learn how to make good decisions in life, you will have very few regrets. Why is it so important to reduce regrets? Because a regret is something that sticks with you the rest of your life; it is something you can’t change, but wish you could. Read more
At any given moment, working in front of our screens, we have a choice: Distraction or production. The choice you make, dozens of times during the day, will make or break your life; will send you higher or keep you down. If you are looking for a productivity formula, welcome. One simple change will take you to new heights in terms of work productivity.
This is particularly important now, as a worldwide disaster is also a worldwide distraction. We are so connected that we know when they run out of toilet paper in a store in another country, as it is happening. Politicians are arguing, the press is commenting, people are sharing their own experiences, and charts and graphs tell a terrible story. No one knows how this will turn out.
That’s a lot of uncertainty and information to process. Read more
“These are the times that try men’s souls.” – Thomas Paine
What is your dream? Where are you going? What do you want to accomplish before you leave this earth?
These are questions that you don’t ask yourself much as you navigate through your everyday life. But as you get older, and the time you have left gets shorter, you get more serious about it. Or, you just give up. Read more
I’ve come to define jerks simply as people who make life more difficult for other people. Kind people—the non-jerks in the world—do just the opposite. They endeavor to make life easier for others.
Working with jerks is a painful mess that is never fun nor rewarding; makes you want to give up; frustrates the heck out of you; and keeps you from doing your best work. In short, working with jerks makes kind people unhappy.
There is really only one, very short piece of advice I have to give you about how to work with jerks:
Don’t. Read more
You’ve decided to start your own business. Great! Welcome to the club, populated with some of the most interesting and kind people you’ll ever meet.
Here’s what no one else will tell you when you search for advice about “how to start a company” or “how to become an entrepreneur”:
CASHFLOW IS KING. From now on, you will never have enough money to grow as fast as you want to. There will be nail-biting days, every month, where you need to pay for something NOW, and that big check you’re waiting for hasn’t yet arrived.
OK, everybody. Listen up. I want you to succeed. Big time. I want you to figure out what people want, what you can provide, either working for others or for yourself, and then go for it—and succeed. I want you to realize your dreams, feel good about what you’re doing, and live a full, love-filled life. These are my official tips for millennials to succeed in the workplace.