Bathing Suits & Menopause

By E, Author of Shmirshky: the pursuit of hormone happiness

Some people get the chills when they hear nails on a chalkboard. I get chills right around this time every year, when bathing suits makes their way to the forefront of conversation again. Bikinis, one-pieces, tankinis, oh my! Southern California's weather is the most temperate in the country, and even I can tell that it's getting warmer. Time to bust out the old box of bathing suits from last summer. Yikes!

My bathing suits must really love me, because no matter how many times I ask them (and by ask I mean stretch), they won't stop squeezing me! The suits from last summer seem to hit all the wrong places. Does anyone else have this problem? I'm over my old bathing suits, and now it's time to replenish the stash of suits via my computer. Last year I had a light bulb go on in my head; I could order bathing suits online and bypass the annoying horribly-lit and too-close-for-comfort mirrors in the department store fitting rooms. The web and my dimly-lit bathroom are the perfect solution for me!

In my web surfing, I came across an article in Good Housekeeping called Flattering, Figure-Fixing Swimsuits for Every Body Type. It is a great resource. Personally, I've had great luck with Spanx bathing suits. They are very flattering because they are designed with tummy control and a fabulous bra with extra padding for an extra lift. The designers of Spanx must be menopausal women! They are brilliant. With my big hat and sunglasses, these bathing suits make me feel like I've just stepped out of a 1960s beach blanket summer surfing movie. When you're trying on suits for this summer, make sure to keep that über critical voice in your head that I call my SUMO at bay. Stuff the sock you just took off in his mouth and have a great time -- no negativity!

Peel off all of those layers (sweaters, leggings, and coats) and take inventory to see if you also need to peel off a few of those extra winter pounds that crept up. Perhaps a tone-up is in order. It is good for your health, which is the most important reason for doing it! While you're toning up for summer, make sure to keep the positive reinforcement coming. Here are some exercises I'm going to try out:

• SELF - 5 Minutes to Flat Abs
• Fitness - Tone Your Arms in 3 Moves
• Kaboose - 10-Minute Routine: Butt-Toning Exercises
• SELF Challenge - Drop 10 - SELF swears this is a no-fail regimen, and even better - it's free!

Of all the suits out there to choose from -- one-piece, bikini, tankini... panini? -- there's one you'll always have, and that's your birthday suit. Maybe talking about bathing suits doesn't have to be akin to fat-talking. I'm going to try to push aside that annoying negative voice in my head (my SUMO), alter my opinion and force myself to thank the summer season for making me think about my eating and exercise habits. After all, we know that our weight and health go hand-in-hand. If you feel that weight has become a recent issue for you, be sure to fill out the Menopause Symptoms Chart and take it to your perimenopause and menopause specialist to talk about your best options in your perimenopause and menopause journey. Keep in mind that symptoms of thyroid disorders are often mistaken for perimenopause symptoms. Keep a close eye on your body and the way you function to ensure that you're always living at 100%.

Let's remember the one suit that really matters this summer. We can do it! Perimenopause and menopause have nothing on us! Be the change you wish to see in the world! To health! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to finish all the ice cream in the freezer (If I get rid of it, I can't eat any more!).

What is your go-to bathing suit season workout?

Ellen Dolgen is the author of Shmirshky: the pursuit of hormone happiness.

Developing Your Leadership Skills

By Debbie Hall, Career Coach

Leadership is the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.”   Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen. Also, a leader is able to successfully maximize the resources to attain the goals of the organization. Leaders must pay equal attention to achieving business results and developing people.

Growing your leadership skills is important at any age whether you are employed or not.  By following some of the tips below, you can increase your self-confidence in all the activities you do every day.  Again, growing and becoming leader isn’t just for climbing the corporate ladder.

Take Charge

If you are working, communicate to your immediate supervisor and their supervisor that you want and are ready for more responsibility and gain their commitment to work with you.

Whether you are working or not, it is up to you to take responsibility for your professional development. Keep a log of your successes and create your own vision.

Knowing what you’re working toward allows you to plan your professional development.

Observe the current company leaders

It is important when looking for a new position, paid or unpaid, to choose a workplace with compatible values to your own and one that reflects your principles.

Within the organization observe the company leaders to see what qualities they possess that garnered them the positions they have and look at your position to determine how you can begin to demonstrate some of those qualities.

 If you are applying at a new company, research that company to understand their mission and values and incorporate those skills into your resume.

Be a Leader now

Volunteer to lead a project or a committee while in your current position. This can be at work but also consider doing this for your church, school projects, or any place you volunteer.  This will allow you to demonstrate your leadership competencies and build leadership skills to supervisors and peers.   

 Prove yourself as a person who can get things done by taking initiative. 

Cover for the Boss

Offer to cover for your boss while they are on vacation or out of the office.  This is an excellent way to demonstrate leadership and have it be visible to others.   If your organization requires a peer to sit in, then offer to handle non-personnel tasks.

If you are not working consider stepping in when a committee chairperson or other volunteer leader is not available to lead a meeting or activity. Encourage others toward the goals.

Know what counts

Demonstrate you’re ready for a leadership role by conveying that you are more interested in the role than the title.  You want to demonstrate you are ready for the challenges of the new position and want them regardless of whether this is a paid or volunteer position.

Leadership is not about “power” – this type of leader ends up being despised. 

Coach others & be a Mentor

Offer to coach/mentor new employees joining your department or that are new to the company.  If you enjoy being a mentor, volunteer to mentor a youth or recent college graduate.

Take risks

Set “stretch” goals that enable you to develop new skills.  These stretch goals can be related to a current position but also any other activity you might be interested in.  Take this blog as an example, it’s my first time to write one and is a stretch goal for me.

You need to appear confident meaning a willingness to learn on the job instead of waiting until you know everything before taking on a challenge. Always be decisive and to the point and take authorship of your ideas.

Be a Problem solver

Great leaders are innovative and proactive.  Look at problem areas wherever you are and once you come up with a solution bring that forward in win-win manner.  When part of any group looking to solve a problem, you want to help to create an atmosphere of collaboration and openness.

Find a Champion

It is important to find a champion in the organization who will promote you internally to higher level management. The person you select should be in a secure position within the organization.

Join a professional organization and attend networking events
By joining professional organizations and attending networking events you grow your personal network of professional contacts that share your same interests.  The people you meet can help you secure your next position.  Look for Industry specific groups and check out Meet-up.com and LinkedIn.

Volunteer

Volunteer at an organization that can leverage your skills and where you want to go with your career.

Personal Advisory Board

Establishing your own personal advisory board enables you to obtain assistance from several people. Identify the skills you need to acquire or improve in order to achieve the career goals you developed. Tips for selecting your advisory board:

• Select people you trust.
• Clarify each person’s expectations for the relationship and communicate how long you expect them to stay involved.
• Keep in mind that the relationships you form with the advisors are meaningful and strategically important.
• Understand what your mentors need for the relationship to be mutually rewarding.

It is never too early or too late to improve your leadership skills!

For more tips, check out the FREE course, Developing Your Leadership Style,  on www.wehelpwomen.com 

Financial Tips for College Freshman

By: Renee Hanson, Private Wealth Advisor

Financial Tips for College Freshmen

Is your son or daughter about to live away from home for the first time? Here are a few suggestions you can use to help your child get off on the right financial foot.

·         Enroll your child in a personal finance course — Doing so can help him or her learn about basic money management. Even if you’ve been teaching these lessons over the years, the information may carry more weight if it comes from an outside source.

·         Create a budget — To help your child become fiscally responsible, set a budget and discuss your financial expectations for each semester before your son or daughter moves on campus. This will help provide a benchmark for his or her spending.

·         Encourage your child to save — If your child works during the school year, encourage him or her to deposit a portion of earnings into a savings account. This may prevent your child from spending every cent he or she earns, instilling a good lifelong habit.

·         Help your child avoid debt — Credit cards, while appealing, can quickly turn out to be trouble. Encourage your child to only use a credit card when absolutely necessary. Or, purchase a prepaid card and only replenish it at scheduled intervals. That way your child will have an “emergency fund” but also learn to live within his or her means.

·         Set up an organized file for receipts — A system will help your child track what he or she spends and make it easy to locate receipts if something needs to be returned.

·         Purchase used textbooks online — Amazon.com is among the most popular online discount sites for buying used textbooks. In addition to saving money, your child won’t have to wait in long lines at the campus bookstore.

·         Teach your child to cook — If your child isn’t on a campus meal plan and doesn’t know how to cook, sign him or her up for a basic cooking class. You can also work with your child to locate simple and quick recipes he or she will enjoy. Home-cooked meals will be significantly less expensive — and likely more nutritious — than dining out.

You may want to consider monitoring your child’s spending by tracking his or her accounts online. This will enable you to address any minor concerns before they become major ones.

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About Author: Renée A. Hanson, CFP®, CEP®, CDFA™, CFS, is a private wealth advisor with Hanson, Ayala & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Her passion is in helping women achieve their dreams and financial goals, regardless of life’s many obstacles. Renée is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of AZ, CA, CO, GA, IA, IL, MI, MN, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, WI. Please visit: www.reneehanson.com to learn more.

Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.

Dress Professional & Stay Cool

By Diane McLelland, Our Resident Fashionista

Everywhere you look, you see bright colors this summer season. Colors like hot pink, tangerine, and watermelon have been showing up on shoes and summer dresses, and in some cases, together! According to the website www.quora.com, ‘Color Blocking’ is a trend we’re seeing a lot of lately; essentially, it is taking bold, opposite colors (complementary colors) from the color wheel (yes, the same one we learned about as kids!), and pairing them together for a contrast. Now, that’s bold!

Bright pink and orange, or aqua and lime green can make great color combinations. For the ‘faint of heart’, or those who are accustomed to ‘matching’, add a lightweight patterned scarf to your neck or even waist to tie the two colors together. Or, try a pair of espadrilles or platform sandals with multi-colored wedges; they’re big this season, and can be found just about everywhere. Colored jeans are still a huge trend, and are still being featured in most fashion forward magazines.  Many of the fabrics sold today are a cotton blend, affording comfort and durability.

Another big color trend for this summer is mint green, believe it or not! It’s also showing up as a hot new nail color, as are most of the colors mentioned here.

Other colors you’ve probably spotted are bright yellows, hot pinks, bold blues- especially in sundresses, handbags and shoes. A visit to T.J. Maxx, Target, or your local mall will confirm that! Stripes are everywhere, but be sure they’re not horizontal if you’re trying to minimize ample hips or thighs.
Orange is making a comeback as well. Looking for a handbag to make a statement? Make it orange!

Don’t be afraid to experiment with color combinations. You can start by pairing a bright T-shirt or cotton blouse in one of these bright summer colors with a basic white or khaki gauze skirt or slacks, for example.  Those basics will never go out of style. So, stay cool this summer, and try a new bold color you haven’t yet tried!

Love the bold colors, but…Interview and Office Attire= a more subdued and demure look…

While the summer fashions offer great style and comfort, please keep in mind that many offices still require professional attire-and, it’s especially important if you’re seeking employment, interviewing or submitting resumes in person. A sundress is not a professional look, nor is a tank top and gauze shorts, even if they graze the knee. A professional, dark suit or separates (slacks/skirt/blouse combinations in a black, gray or navy) are still required. Skip the jacket if you wish, but make certain your blouse is pressed, and not sleeveless or sheer. A bold, bright tone could appear too casual in a professional environment. Save the fun, trendy colors and casual fabrics for the weekends. That first impression with a potential employer will be a great one if you keep it professional!

About the Author:
Diane has been called fashionista from a young age, acquiring her love of fashion after enrolling in Sears Charm School as a young girl. After earning her degree in fashion merchandising & business she gained experience by appearing in movies, commercials and magazine layouts. She also worked as a flight attendant for 15 years and wrote for a well-known travel publication. Diane currently works with students to provide career advisement and loves to act as a personal shopper on the weekends for her friends and family.

Be Proactive and Avoid the Post-Vacation Job Stress

By Peg McQuarrie, ACC
Certified Professional Coach

Henry Ford said, “Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success. “

You may be preparing for fun in Disneyland in June, hiking in Yellowstone in July, spending time by the lake in August, or lounging at home in September.  There’s nothing like summer vacation when we get to sleep late, rest up, visit new places, enjoy new challenges, and spend time with family and friends.  While I’m guessing that most of us plan well for our trips, there’s more to a successful summer vacation than buying the plane tickets, mapping the roads, scheduling campgrounds, and packing the bags. 

However you enjoy your precious time away from work, if you find yourself leaving for vacation with unfinished business, spending half your vacation checking and responding to email, or coming back to a stressful mess that takes weeks to clean up, you may be wise to apply Henry Ford’s advice at work before you head out for your time off. 

Take charge of the process!

First, take a deep breath, relax, and remember that vacation can be fun, and preparing for it can be fun too!  Imagine the outcomes you want for your vacation.  See yourself on the beach, kayaking the river, hugging Mickey and Minnie; imagine how you’ll feel taking in that Broadway show, resting in nature, connecting with people you care about.  Plan from a place of enthusiasm and expectation, and take charge.

·         Remember that you are responsible to your employer, your coworkers, and your customers in how you manage your time off.  Also, remember you are responsible to yourself and to your family in how you balance time spent at work and outside of work.  Your consideration of all involved can make a big difference in the outcome.  

·         Think back to past vacations, to the times when everything went well as you left work for vacation; when you had fun being on vacation; and when you returned to an orderly workplace and merged back in a positive way.  What did you do ahead of time to ensure those outcomes?  Who else helped make it all happen?  What strengths did you call on?  What resources did you use?

·         Remember back to past vacations when things didn’t go so well.  Maybe you ran out of your office door at midnight, exhausted, full of anxiety about what didn’t get done (or done well); or you felt the need to check your email every day and make calls back to the office, overlooking your family – and yourself – more than once; or maybe you returned to a mess at work that took countless hours to sort out.  What caused this to happen?  What did you do or neglect to do that created these results?

·         After you’ve examined your past actions and results (leaving aside blame of others and guilt for action and inaction on your part), what made the difference?

Be Proactive

Make some time away from work to think ahead.  From your own experience, make a list of all the things you might plan, organize, and do that could pave the way for a relaxing and restorative vacation.  Does your list include some of the following?

·         Let your customers and people at work who depend on you know in advance when you’ll be gone.

·         Create partnerships with co-workers to help each other out during vacations.  Is there a coworker who can field questions and requests from others in the organization and/or from customers while you are gone?

·         If possible, do a little extra work ahead of time on your projects.  Make a list of your projects that are in process and think about how they might be impacted by your absence.  Speak with your team members and supervisor about how things can move forward without you and what can stay “on hold” until you return.

·         Leave your physical and virtual space clean: clear out your email account; file; put away evidence of your projects and leave your desk-top empty and shiny.

·         Make use of the “out-of-office assistant” email function and the incoming voice message on your phone; leave messages letting incoming callers know who to contact in your absence.  (Safety alert: take care who you tell that you will be way from your home.  No need to signal that the house will be empty for a prolonged period.)

·         If you are a sole entrepreneur, seek out others in your line of work who can assist your customers while you are away.  Some years ago, my hairdresser traveled to Australia for an extended period and offered the names of other stylists who she trusted to her customers.

·         If possible, allow yourself an extra day at home before returning to work – decompress, rest, or reorganize your home life a bit after being away.

·         When you walk back through your office door, take one thing at a time, even if everything comes at you in a rush.  Make a list as things come at you, and prioritize.

Go with the flow and enjoy your time away from work

Plan ahead as well as you can, and then let it all go.  Turn off the smart phone and laptop - practice “being in the moment” while on vacation, and just have fun!  While most of us spend the majority of our waking hours at work, each of us is more than the work we do.  Vacation is a time to remember who we are, and to connect with ourselves, those we love, and the whole of our human experience. 

Wishing each of you a happy and safe vacation!

About the Author: 

Peg McQuarrie is a certified professional coach and the owner of WellSprings Consulting.  Her passion is to support others as they step into the successful, meaningful, authentic lives they are meant to live!  For almost 20 years, she has helped individuals and work groups maximize their potential and achieve personal, business, and organizational success.  Her services include individual coaching, specialized coaching for facilitators, team coaching for work groups, and organizational consulting.

Peg earned her Masters in Education from Northern Arizona University and received her coach training through the Adler School of Professional Coaching.  She is certified by the International Coach Federation.   Learn more at www.wellspringsconsulting.com