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Archive for the ‘Career’ Category

Trading a Career for Mommyhood: 5 Power Tips

Friday, February 10th, 2012

By Guest Blogger Brooke Menoni

I used to think I had the life. I was a Fashion Director for a national magazine, had private drivers, hair and spa treatments that were paid for, a closet full of designer shoes, front row seats to New York’s Fashion Week, celebrity filled parties and a pay check to match.

But, although from the outside my life seemed exciting and glamorous, it was filled with anxiety, stress, sleepless nights, and a constant need to prove myself to a group of people I cared little about. I knew deep down that this was not the path I was put on this earth to travel and I continually lived in angst trying to figure it all out.

About two years ago, while pregnant with my daughter and a 10 month old at home, our company announced that, due to the economy, our magazine would cease publication that week. While my counterparts around me cried tears of fear and grief, I felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders.

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What Every Woman Should Have…

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

I have to thank my good girlfriend Allison who forwarded this to me. It is said to have been written by Maya Angelou. She has denied the claim.

I love sharing good wisdom every few Wednesdays. I think this is powerful.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own even if she never wants
to or needs to…

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Why Madonna Didn’t Stand A Chance

Monday, February 6th, 2012

I love Madonna. I have loved Madonna from the moment she burst onto the scene in fishnet stockings, too much hairspray and a bad die job.

If my IPod playlist isn’t enough proof, well frankly, I don’t know what is.

So you can imagine how excited I was to see Madonna perform the halftime show at the Superbowl. In fact, I love Madonna so much, I went to her concert in Montreal a few years ago with my girlfriend AND my barf bag. I puked for nine whole stinkin’ months throughout both my pregnancies, and I would throw up any time, any place. But when I heard Madonna was coming to Montreal, I just couldn’t miss it. Not even if it meant dancing on my feet for 3 hours, 9 months pregnant, 40 pounds heavier, with my barf bag in my purse.

But, let’s return to halftime at the Superbowl. I left my house at 5:30 last night for a “girls” dinner when too much testosterone walked through the door after hockey practice at 5. There were big men and little men. It involved the Superbowl, Dominos Pizza, a lot of chicken wings, and a ton of junk. I decided to put on my “awesome” mom hat, and buy the kids junk galore for a change, since I’m usually the killjoy who puts out tangerines and vegetables. Dads Oatmeal cookies are generally as rough as it gets around here. But anyhoooo, I got gummies, jellies, kettle corn sweet n’ salty popcorn, chips, swedish berries, etc… Let’s just say, my boys were proud. After all, didn’t we learn on the last blog that if you were making a Superbowl party, to keep the foods colorful. ;)

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10 Lessons From 10 Years in Business: A Mompreneur’s Tale

Friday, January 27th, 2012

By Guest Blogger Virginia Champoux-Sokoloff

When I was young, no one told me what to expect out of life. They’d just say life is filled with ups and downs, so you gotta learn to roll with the punches. Good advice? Maybe. But what if all you needed to do was invest in what you have, trust your gut, go after what you want, and have fun doing it?

I graduated with a degree in Communications. I then climbed the professional ladder and landed a high pressure, demanding job in Public Relations for the International Air Transport Association. In the midst of it, I met an amazing man and got married.

From the very moment my husband Jay and I decided to share our lives together, we were faced with serious decisions. Jay suffers from cystic fibrosis, so a regular 9-5 job would be difficult since he would likely spend lots of time in the hospital. It then became our priority to shape our life in a certain way, so that we could deal with unexpected hospitalizations.

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Erica Diamond’s 5-Step Career Tune-Up on Canada AM

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Is your career in in a rut? Are you stuck in a dead end job?

It’s January– the time we make resolutions, commitments, and set our career path on the right track. Now is a good time to take a hard look at your current job situation. If you’re truly unhappy in your current situation, make the firm commitment to yourself that you will make changes and take action. Now is the time to get off the fence.

Here is my 5-Step Career Tune Up from my segment yesterday morning on CTV’s Canada AM (click on image to go to link).

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The Top 5 Regrets

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

By Guest Blogger Bronnie Ware

For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.

People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learned never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal.

Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.

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How To Make A Vision Board

Monday, January 9th, 2012

Welcome back to WomenOnTheFence.com!! It’s a brand new year. And a brand new year, means a brand new start. There is no more perfect time than NOW to make your vision board, and put your plan into action.

Yes, 2012 is about ACTION. This year, we’re not just talking – we’re walking our talk. And it’s gonna be powerful. This year, we’re DREAMING BIG.

I frequently mention a vision board on Twitter and Facebook, and many of you ask me about mine, and how to make one. I would post own my vision board for you to see, except I’m kinda superstitious, and feel like my vision board is like a birthday wish. You know, you cover your eyes, make a wish, and only if you tell no one, it will come true? Yeah, that sorta thing.

But, I have been using a vision board (or dream board as it is sometimes referred to) for a while now. And I refer to it OFTEN.  At least once per week to make sure I’m still keeping my eye on the prize, and chasing the dream. My vision board organizes my thoughts, and reminds me why I wake up in the morning. And when I do look at it, I feel enthused, charged, positive and proactive.

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