Happy New Year! Insights from Kenya.

Hello Rebels!

Happy New Year!

I hope your holiday was restful with time for reflection, good food, and the things that are important to you. I thought of you a lot during the time I was gone. Did you enjoy the Unplugged interviews? They'll keep coming once a month from now on. Some great folks are on deck. Stay tuned.

I've been trying to think of what to say after the profound reset that international travel inspires in me. To keep things simple for today, I'll boil it down to three insights:

1. Time away is crucial. Your daily life and work takes so much of your mental space and energy which can leave you feeling like your stress and manic productivity are "normal." When you give yourself time off, you reconnect to your creativity, your bigger purpose, and your sense of belonging in this world beyond just what you do for work.


2. Your life is on a path. I have a deep connection to a little island off the coast of Kenya to friends I've known since I was 9-years-old. Looking back with the hindsight of 40 years, I can see how our connections have profoundly affected all of us and how our connection continues to make an impact in the next generation. I don't understand why all of this has happened and after 40 years, I trust the journey. That leads me to believe that you can trust the journey you are on, no matter what it is or how you feel about it today. You are exactly where you belong. You can trust that.


3. Nothing matters. Wow. That sounds harsh. Let me explain. Most of what you and I worry about doesn't matter. It's wasted energy. Instead, put that energy where it does matter. Into showing up. Into your relationships at work and at home. Into the impact you want to have in this life. You get one go around. Have fun and make it a good one.

Tom Petty said, "Most of what I worried about never happened anyway." Another reason not to bother with the worry.

I'm not a believer in new year's resolutions (they are a set up for failure), and I'm working on the intentions and themes for what I want to create in 2018 much of which will be inspired by my family's profound journey to Kenya.

What is your intention and theme for what you want to create in 2018? Hit reply to this email and tell me all about it.

I'm excited to be back with you all! Here's to a great rebel-y year!

Christina

Do you love the Unplugged Newsletter and Video Podcast? You can share it! Forward this link (http://unplugged.thecorporaterebelseries.com/) to your friends and colleagues so they can subscribe.

What Do Rebels Wear at Work?

Happy New Year, Corporate Rebels!

You’re going to notice something different today. I’ve invited my dear friend, Nancy Dilts, to write today’s newsletter.

Nancy is a style consultant. She and I have had many lively conversations about clothes, body image, and feeling your best in YOUR body and YOUR style. It occurred to me that she has a thing or two to say about style for rebels. So, I invited her to share her wisdom with you. What you are about to read will liberate your sense of fashion and connect you to what makes you feel good so you feel more confident at the office. You are no longer limited to tan pants, straight hair, and button shirts (unless you love them).

Please give a big Corporate Rebel welcome to Nancy!

Talk to you next week.

Christina

Happy 2018!

It's a new year – time for fresh starts, embracing goals, and being who you want to be.

So, what are you wearing? Not the red carpet question, "Who are you wearing?" (eye roll), but what are you wearing? Because, get this – fresh starts, goals, and you being you are affected by your clothes.

For all genders alike, the clothing you wear is a significant factor in how you feel about your physical self. And it both reflects and impacts your emotional wellbeing. Psychologists call this "enclothed cognition." Another more informal term is "ensemble empowerment." Corporate rebels could call it "rockin' my rebel."

The bottom line is this: what you wear affects how you feel. It can change your mood, determine your level of confidence, and impact how successful you feel. It can alter, positively and negatively, your body image and your feelings of self-worth.

Wearing clothes that suit you – meaning they fit your body well (no matter your body type) and reflect who you are in your life right now – feels good. They help you to feel authentic and confident about your appearance, and that confidence shows. It sends a message to you (and, bonus, to others as well) that you care about yourself – that you are being intentional in showing up in the world as your best, true self.

I know firsthand that when I don't dress intentionally for the day, I feel worse. I feel less confident, I'm less productive, I have less energy. Dressing intentionally, even when it's very casual, changes my whole outlook on the day and on myself.

(Source: Deviant Art)

Rockin' Your Rebel

As a wardrobe consultant who specializes in practicing sustainable consumerism, I know a thing or two about being a rebel in my field. Not many wardrobe and image consultants are thinking about environmental and human rights impacts in their practices. A large part of my work with clients is to help them embrace their personal style sustainably, using three strategies:

1. Making your existing wardrobe as functional as possible

2. Shopping new-to-you (second-hand)

3. Shopping ethically when purchasing new clothing

Practicing sustainable consumerism is also a great way to explore "rockin' your rebel" at work – you can find high quality new-to-you items at consignment stores that express your personal style, and experiment with new styles, without breaking the bank.

Depending on your work environment, there are certain codes, levels, and rules – spoken and unspoken – for dressing. When those parameters don't mesh with your authentic self, or you are unsure of how to meet them, that can impact your interpersonal relationships, confidence levels and productivity, ultimately influencing your performance and satisfaction at work. Who knew an item of clothing could do all that?

Think about it – clothing is a large part of the first impressions, and ongoing impressions, we have of the people around us. This is exaggerated in the workplace. It's important to find the balance in dressing appropriately for your work context and not feeling like a faceless cog in the machine.

I talk a lot with my clients about dressing intentionally. Thinking about what you are wearing instead of grabbing the first available item that you've worn 10 times already this month can transform how you feel. Dressing intentionally also allows you to express your personal style.

If you are thinking about what you are wearing, you can select that gorgeous sparkly necklace you love and feature it with the neckline of your top – or – pair the amazing new mechanical watch you received at the holidays with a purple pocket square in your sport coat pocket.

Ask yourself the following questions the next time you dress for work:

Did I think about what I'm wearing today, or just throw it on? Taking a moment to consider how your clothing makes you feel, and responding accordingly, can transform your day.

Will I be taken seriously? Dressing intentionally with both professionalism and authenticity in mind makes all the difference in how you are perceived. Authenticity not only helps you feel like yourself, but also makes you feel real to others.

Am I appropriate for the context of my day? Think about the "who, what, and where" of your day and dress accordingly. A day with the boss or a client is much different than a day at your desk.

And most importantly: What does my clothing say about ME? This is where personal style comes in. It's important that you feel like your clothes reflect your authentic awesome self, whatever that might be. Accessories, color, patterns, textures, and statement pieces can all do that for you.

How will you dress for work tomorrow? Have fun expressing your personal style!

Cheers,
Nancy

P.S. Want to know more about how to rock your rebel at work? Sign up for my free bimonthly e-newsletter NDWC updates and receive the FREE download created just for Corporate Rebel followers – Rockin' Your Rebel: Personal Style in the Workplace for tips on how to feel both authentic and professional in your workwear. Sign me up here!

Nancy Dilts, founder of Nancy Dilts Wardrobe Consulting, brings her passions – personal style, positive body image, and the environment – together to help her clients feel great about how they look, using an economically and environmentally sustainable approach. Nancy has an MA in Environmental and Resource Policy and, before launching NDWC, spent close to 20 years working in the field of environmental education and outreach raising awareness about environmental issues and teaching about how our behaviors impact the environment. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband, daughter, and dog, and is certain she will one day find a way to incorporate her other passion – chocolate – into her business model.

Contact Nancy to book a Wardrobe Consult, Personal Shopping session, or service package.

Hungry to play a more strategic role at work?

Read time: 1:56.87 minutes

I coach MBAs in career planning and leadership development at the University of Minnesota. If you are an MBA or one of your friends is one, you know they are determined to advance their careers as fast as possible. When I worked in Human Resources for a major medical device manufacturer, MBAs would come into my office on a somewhat regular basis and say something to this effect:

“I’ve been here for 6 months. How come I haven't been promoted to vice-president?”

Now, you don’t have to be an MBA to crave a role where you get to set strategic vision, manage a large team, and be included in the exciting and confidential things that happen in those rooms with big conference tables. You don't even have to want to be a people manager to want to play a strategic part in your company.

The question is how do you prepare yourself for a higher-level strategic role?How do you make sure you are the one who is considered for the next promotion? How do you plan your career so you end up where you want to be, no matter the level?

The truth: patience is key.

Also key: visibility, your relationships, seeking new challenges, demonstrating your growth mindset, and finding a mentor.

Here's what I mean:

1. Visibility: Toot your own horn. I know, it feels vain to do so. And you must. No one is paying attention to your accomplishments like you are. Make sure those with the ability to influence your career know what you can do.
2. Relationships: Most opportunities come through relationships, from people who know, trust, and respect you. Make sure lots of people know, trust and respect you by growing and maintaining your network.
3. Seek new challenges: Keep your eyes open for ways to get involved in the hot strategic initiatives for your company. (This is also good for your relationships.)
4. Growth mindset: Be someone who supports change and progress. Never let the words, "that's the way we've always done it," fall from your lips. (I mean this so seriously that I've said it for 2 weeks in a row!)
5. Find a mentor: Work with someone who has a broad perspective, who values what you value, and who is a few steps ahead of you on the career path.

These 5 steps will have you on the path toward strategic influence in your job whether you are a business analyst or a vice-president.

Good luck!

Warmly,

Christina

P.S. Will you do me a favor and share The Corporate Rebel Unplugged Video Podcast and newsletter with your friends and colleagues? Just forward this link (http://unplugged.thecorporaterebelseries.com) to them. I can't wait for you to see the first interview on November 30th! (You don't need to sign up. It will come as part of your regular subscription to my newsletter. Bonus!)

Are You Tired of Change? Do These 5 Things.

If you're anything like me when you were in college, you thought that at some point, your life would stabilize and you'd ride out the rest of your adulthood in peace. If only that were true.

It only takes minutes into your adulthood to realize that change is the name of the game. Here is a short list of examples:

• A new manager

• Aging parents

• Two words: corporate restructuring

• Choosing a partner

• Kids going to college

• Moving

• Changing jobs

• Being promoted

That list alone is enough to make you stop breathing, take to your bed, and ask to be awakened when things get back to "normal."

I received this quote a few weeks ago, and it stopped me in my tracks:

“If you don’t like change, you are going to like irrelevance even less.” — General Shinseki

Well…. yes... I had to admit that it's true. If you look back over various times in your life, change was a prominent feature (even in college). And if you didn't embrace change, what were you going to do? Continue to live in a dorm and eat ramen noodles out of a hot pot? Not an attractive option.

So, if change is the only stability, what do you do to stay sane and prevent overwhelm? Here are five things you can do to maintain your peace of mind in the face of constant change:

1. Expect change. In every situation. If you don't resist change and aren't surprised by it, you will be able to handle it more gracefully.

2. Stay present. Just because change is inevitable doesn't mean you have to worry about it. Just stay where you are and focus on right now.

3. When everyone is healthy and things are good at work, be grateful and enjoy yourself!

4. Plan for change. Embrace the changes in your industry and learn the skills to keep up with those changes. Go to conferences. Read articles by opinion leaders. Never let the words, "that's the way we've always done it" fall from your lips. By doing these things, you'll stay relevant.

5. Change your attitude about change. Start to see change as a grand adventure rather than as a scary future. Start to see it as the path to learning rather than a roadblock to your progress. You have to manage change anyway. You may as well make it fun and useful.

If you do these 5 things, you'll stay relevant and current. You'll have opportunities when things change. You'll be ready to weather change more smoothly. And you'll feel a whole lot better when change inevitably happens.

I hope this helps!

With rebel love,

Christina

P.S. The Corporate Rebel Unplugged Video Podcast starts on November 30. I can't wait! My first guest is a corporate VP who I fondly call the Eternal YES! She will show you how being yourself and living according to your priorities will lead to professional success! You are going to love her. As a Corporate Rebel Insider, you will receive these videos as part of your regular newsletter subscription.

P.P.S. Will you do me a favor? Please share The Corporate Rebel Unplugged Video Podcast with your colleagues and friends. They can become part of the inside crowd who hears about the interviews first (like you). Simply forward this email, and they can become an insider here.

Is your "mental load" crushing you?

When I awoke at 2:30 this morning, the first thing I thought was, "^%&%$, why am I not asleep?" The second thing I thought was, "Yay! I have a topic for my newsletter." So I got up and got to work (because sleep was just not going to happen.)

The first thing I noticed in those wee hours is that I was strung out. Heart pounding, mind racing, wide awake. I wasn't emotional or freaking out about anything, just jacked up and stimulated in a not so good way. As I got to work and tried to put some organization to what was happening, I flashed back to a summer patio conversation with a jacked up working mom. She described her frustration over what she called her "mental load." Ding! Ding! Ding! Yup, that's exactly what was happening this morning.

People tell me that they lose sleep over their bursting to-do lists and constant running around.

Yes, those to-dos are real.

And something else is going on. It's not just the to-do list that creates the stress. Keeping track of and remembering what needs to be done is what puts you over the edge. Let me show you what I mean:

Here's a partial list of my mental load. See if you relate, Jenntest. Your assignment is to replace my list with your own mental load then read to the end to discover some solutions.

• Make sure the dog gets her daily medicine.
• Children's high school applications including deadlines, recommendation letters, and thoughtful essays. Deal with their desire to play instead.
• Plan meals. Plan when to cook meals. Actually cook meals.
• Make list for upcoming international family trip.
• Write and review copy and graphics for upcoming big project. Deal with the fact that business coach doesn't like the graphics.
• Keep track of and follow-up on business insurance requirements for a corporate master services agreement.
• Help son remember to talk to the teacher and actually re-take his science quiz.
• As the chair of the board, track ahead 5 steps to make sure people in the organization don't freak out over some tricky politics and personalities.
• About a thousand other details and things to remember that wake me up running all crazy at 2:30 am.

I imagine that you have a similar list, and that sometimes your mental load gets the better of you as mine did this morning. And, here are solutions that you can implement in a few short minutes to bring more calm to your mind and space to your day:

1. Release the martyr. Recognize the tendency to believe that all the weight has to be on you. (I don't relate to that martyr syndrome at all.)
2. Stop cold turkey. (Too bad that my coach doesn't like the graphics. I love them. Tell him to pipe down and move on. I love you, George!)
3. Share the love load. A nuance to sharing the love is delegate to people who will actually follow through so you can remove the item from your mental load. (Husband is handling the metrics quiz. Son is reliable to make is own lunch but not yet reliable to push through all the great socializing at school to remember to talk to the teacher.)
4. Outsource. Outsource whatever you can. For free or for money. Hire help (assistants, cleaners, chefs - yeah, dare to dream). If you can't hire it, get your family to do it. Partners can become responsible for birthday parties. Kids can make their own lunches. I've even heard they can learn to cook dinners.)

Feel free to email me at christina@boydsmithcoaching.com and tell me about your mental load or your magic strategy for resolving it. I could use the advice.

With rebel love,

Christina

P.S. I have been working in a big project that will be announced next week. It is a direct response to things I hear like, "I can't possibly make that change," "I'm too old to pivot," "my ideas are too weird to work." A huge dose of inspiration and motivation for your career is coming soon. Stay tuned!

What You Have In Common with 28-year-old Millionaires

I spent this past weekend at a wedding filled with 28-year-old Silicon Valley genius millionaires whose Teslas were plugged into the charging stations in the parking lot of a beautiful local museum.

(My 12-year-old son learned to pick locks, order drinks at an open bar, and dream that one day he would drive a McClaren because by the time he’s old enough to drive, Tesla’s will be so yesterday. Yes…well…that parenting note aside, let me get back to our regularly scheduled program….)

At the soldering station at the reception, I had a chance to talk to many of these incredibly talented cyber security experts. Let's just say they speak cyber security and live in a world with its own language and culture. They swim in water with words we mere mortals don't understand.

Which brings me around to you. You might think that in the face of all this genius and wealth, one could feel pretty small and ordinary by comparison. And, it struck me that you swim in your own genius, a genius that is hard for you to see because it's like telling a fish that they swim in water.

One man asked me what I do. I told him I’m an executive coach to which he replied, “what’s that?” I explained, “in the way that you get programming and cyber security, I get humans.” He understood immediately and commented that the folks in his company could really use some of that.

What I want you to see is the unique contribution you make. You bring a special gift to society, your community and/or your family every day. Own it, speak it, and learn to recognize the language you use, the things you do, and the water you swim in that is extraordinary to others and hard for you to see because you're the fish in the water.

In the face of Russian hacking and the Equifax scandal, I am grateful there are young hackers and jailbreakers (look at me, using the lingo!) putting their talents to use to protect our data, privacy, and national security.

I am also grateful that you are out there looking after finances or children or the regulations that make medical devices safe or healthcare or the law….I could go on and on.

Here’s an exercise to ground you clearly in your gift: Spend 5 minutes journaling about what wouldn’t happen or what would be left undone or unprotected if you stopped doing what you do every day. Who wouldn’t be served? What risks wouldn’t be mitigated? Whose needs would be sacrificed? Then use that data to stand solidly in your contribution.

What you do may not earn you a Tesla. What I do is certainly not going to earn me a Tesla. And, I’ve said this many times. Your contribution matters. You matter. You are a gift.

I am grateful for you.

With rebel love,

Christina

Ask Yourself This Rude Question to Create Instant Clarity

There's no photo this week as everything I could think of was too gross.

When you're making a decision, popular ways to weigh the options include listing pros and cons, envisioning a blissful future, and worrying about the horrible things that could happen with each option.

There is another way to bring quick clarity to a decision (courtesy of Mark Manson, blogger and life enthusiast). It involves a swear word so if you have sensitive ears or little ones looking over your shoulder, be warned.

You can use this rude question over and over on a daily basis to find instant clarity and motivation. Every single one of my clients answers this question in a fit of laughter at one point or another. 

The question is this: 

What kind of s**% sandwich do you want to eat (for the rest of your life)?

I love this question for two reasons:

1. It is a question that grounds you in reality when you start to spin off into magical thinking (maybe...retirement will take care of itself or maybe…my kids don't care if I miss the soccer game). There is a downside to every choice. It's good to be honest with yourself about those downsides.

2. You get to choose. You always get to choose. You even get to choose your flavor of s*($ sandwich. Not choosing is still a choice.

Here are a small sample of the situations where you can apply this question:

• Let's say you are trying to decide if you will do that thing at work that you don't feel like doing. Ask yourself the question and choose: Would you rather create the boring spreadsheet or face the consequences for not doing it?
• You've been offered a great opportunity that requires you to travel away from home a lot. Would you rather miss the time with your family or miss the career growth?
• You're trying to decide if you are going to take an expensive vacation or put more money toward retirement. Would you rather find a cheaper vacation, not take one, or be behind on your retirement savings?
• For me, I ask this question every time I wonder if I should hang up the coaching gig and get a job (with a salary and benefits!) Would I rather sit my butt down and send the marketing email or have to ask my boss for vacation time?

Nothing makes me do the hard parts of being an entrepreneur faster than reminding myself that I choose, the delicious and the s(*% sandwiches.

I hope this helps!

Loved this email? Want to tell me a story? I'd love to hear from you.

Warmly,
Christina

P.P.S. I am working on something that has been inspired by conversations with many of YOU. Stay tuned. It's cooking right now and will be ready for you in a few weeks.