I'm so excited for tomorrow's Emerging Leaders Session! I read the book review last weekend on Positivity. As I was reading it, I was giddy with anticipation. The sheer thought of increasing my positivity, increased my positivity! Being aware of your mood, your feelings, and what you are giving off to others really flips a switch inside.
I decided to take the positivity self test once at the binging of the week and again towards the end. It is fascinating how being aware of your own positivity levels, can really alter your state of thinking as well as productivity. I wonder if that's why I have the energy to write this blog entry now! :)
This session comes at such an opportune time; not only because it's our busiest time of year at iMentor, as we're matching thousands of High School students with mentors and launching numerous large scale events (7+ in 3 months just at my school) but for life in general.
A long time ago, I used to think positivity was limited. Example: if I spent all my positive points at work, I wouldn't have enough left over for my personal life. So you had to spread them out. How in the world I did that I'm not sure.
I don't want to trudge around at home being negative and as we spend the majority of our time at our respective work places (typically 30 % - 45%) I don't want to be negative there either. I fancy the thought that positivity breeds more positivity and can create boundless positive reactions and cause us to flourish in our lives and professions. It can be hard at first to uplift your own spirit and bring positivity to everything you do and to bring others with you but once you start it's hard to stop! I can't wait to hear every one's thoughts on the positivity ratios and hopefully Yael has some great tips on how to boost our own ratios!
Sending Happy Positive thoughts to all my fellow Emerging Leaders tonight!
See you in the AM,
Rossdlyn Palacio
Friday, October 19, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Mentors - Lessons Learned
Without the encouragement of Emerging Leaders, I probably would not have sought out the two women who have now become incredible mentors in my life.
I first had the great privilege of meeting with a strong, candid and independent woman who works as the Vice President of Administration for a private foundation focused on science research. She was the first person I have met in my parent's generation (age 65+) who gave me this advice: life is too long - not too short - to stay at the same job for years and years. take risks, leave if you're unhappy and try something new. don't let anyone tell you that in order to have a successful career you need to have worked at one place for 10+ years. Her fresh perspective was incredibly inspiring to me - and she was living proof of her own advice.
My first mentor recommended that I also meet with her friend. She is the President/CEO of a historic girls-focused national non-profit. She too was incredibly open and honest, and I was struck with how down-to-earth she was even in such a prominent professional role. The questions that she asked me and the responses they solicited made it crystal clear how much my supervisor has invested in me as an employee. Our conversation inspired me to go straight to my supervisor to thank her again for supporting me, advocating for me and offering me so many important opportunities - including the Emerging Leaders program.
Lessons learned? Seek opportunities that interest and challenge you - and take them. Don't turn them down because they don't fit into some prescribed path. Invest in your employees and remember to thank those who invest in you.
- Julia FG Smith
I first had the great privilege of meeting with a strong, candid and independent woman who works as the Vice President of Administration for a private foundation focused on science research. She was the first person I have met in my parent's generation (age 65+) who gave me this advice: life is too long - not too short - to stay at the same job for years and years. take risks, leave if you're unhappy and try something new. don't let anyone tell you that in order to have a successful career you need to have worked at one place for 10+ years. Her fresh perspective was incredibly inspiring to me - and she was living proof of her own advice.
My first mentor recommended that I also meet with her friend. She is the President/CEO of a historic girls-focused national non-profit. She too was incredibly open and honest, and I was struck with how down-to-earth she was even in such a prominent professional role. The questions that she asked me and the responses they solicited made it crystal clear how much my supervisor has invested in me as an employee. Our conversation inspired me to go straight to my supervisor to thank her again for supporting me, advocating for me and offering me so many important opportunities - including the Emerging Leaders program.
Lessons learned? Seek opportunities that interest and challenge you - and take them. Don't turn them down because they don't fit into some prescribed path. Invest in your employees and remember to thank those who invest in you.
- Julia FG Smith
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