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one year and one hundreth.

Friday, January 31, 2014

Today is a pretty exciting day for me because I am celebrating two big accomplishments. Today marks my 100th blog post and one year as a full time associate! Both seem crazy to me that they are already here. How have I already been blogging long enough for today to be my 100th post? How have I been out of college long enough for today to be my one year working at my first real job? Today, I'm talking about things I've learned over the course of each.

Lessons From My First Job


//Pretty Little Interns out celebrating after we got our job offers!//

1. Work is way more enjoyable when you like the people you work with. 
Above is a picture of a group of girls who I interned with the summer before my senior year of college. Obviously your first priority at work should be to work. However, the day goes by much faster if you have someone to chat with, email fun links to, and meet up with for lunch! I'm lucky enough to have interned for my current job with some pretty amazing people and to work with great people now. Can you imagine how boring work would be if you didn't have a single person to talk to?!
2. Be on time and don't skip out of work early.
I think this "rule" definitely loosens up the longer you've been with a company, but in your first year you most likely haven't earned the right to work 9:00-4:30 each day. Yes, there are days when we all are running behind or need to leave early. Just don't make it a habit. My manager said something one day that stuck with me: "I want to impress my boss so I want to be here before her and later than her each day." This is not honestly always possible for me, but I do make sure to be to my desk on time and to stay until five. (Okay 4:50 because I want to beat traffic ;)).I never thought this is something other people noticed, but as soon as he mentioned it I started noticing it, too.
3. "Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude."
Zig Ziglar (and my high school marketing teacher) knew what he was talking about with this quote. Your attitude is more important than your skill set. Anybody can be trained to do anything. If they actually want to do it is another story. A hard working person, who is still learning, is of greater value to a company than a person who is rude, smug, or lazy but very smart. Consider the two... who would you rather work with?

Lessons From My First Blog



1. It takes way more time than you think.
When I first started this blog, I was expecting it to take maybe an hour or two out of each day. (Ha!) I could honestly spend 8 hours a day brainstorming ideas, taking pictures, writing blog posts, networking, etc. It's not exactly possible with a full time job, though! I think I do a pretty good job of managing my time and making sure I'm not constantly staring at a computer screen, but I feel like I could always do more!
2. You need to be present in the blogging community.
No matter how much we all wish it could happen, readers do not just magically find your blog. If you want people to know you have a blog, you need to promote yourself and comment on other blogs to get your name/face out there. Also, if people are taking the time to come to your blog, have the courtesy to respond to their comments either on your own blog or on theirs. Someone is taking time out of their day to read and comment on your blog. They won't keep that up if they never hear back from you!
3. There is always, always something to learn.
I knew that blogging would be something new to learn, but I was not expecting to feel behind in my learning! I feel pretty tech-savvy, but the amount of time it took for me to figure out how to install a "Pin It!" button on my blog was embarrassing. Now I'm looking into growing my blog and the things I want to do are overwhelming to say the least. I have learned a lot from the book, Blog Inc., but after reading it I have a huge list of things to do and learn! In addition to this, don't be afraid to reach out to other bloggers you look up to. If you have a question, someone out there can answer it! I have reached out to some of my favorites in the past with questions and all have responded! Use your resources ;).

AND LASTLY (what you're all probably here for) THE WINNER OF THE BRINA BOX GIVEAWAY IS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations, Emily! Check your inbox later today for more information!

Thank you all for reading this super text heavy post. I promise to be back with outfits on Monday ;).
Have a good weekend!

I would love it if you would follow me on GFC or BlogLovin'!
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48 thoughts

  1. great pictures! you all look so chic ;)
    very nice blog by the way :)

    kisses from Russia,
    Juliet
    RUSSIAN DOLL

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  2. The pictures are great! Congratulations to you! :) 100 posts seems so far away for me! And I am excited to be working! Although it's way ahead!
    Thanks for the tips!

    Relationships.College.Love

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  3. I love reading this :) Congrats on your 100th post and year as an intern!! I cannot imagine having a full time job when I finish uni ( and it is looming closer and closer! )
    I've only recently started blogging and reading this was really helpful :) I know you're super busy but I would appreciate it massively if you were able to have a glance over my blog and give me some feedback on how to improve it (atouchofellie@gmail.com)?
    Thanks very much!!
    atouchofellie.blogspot.co.uk
    xxxx

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  4. Nice pics!!
    Marina
    http://www.maridress.blogspot.it/
    https://www.facebook.com/maridressfashionblog
    http://www.bloglovin.com/maridress
    https://twitter.com/maridressblog

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  5. Darcy you look beautiful in that color it makes you glow. Great motivation list for work and great advice for any blogger not just beginner and so true it takes hard work, respect and humbleness to get where you want to reach. Have a awesome weekend.
    http://tifi11.blogspot.com

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  6. those tips are so true and so helpful ! Good for you girl!
    Xo, Ellen
    www.askawayblog.com

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  7. Oh, I totally agree that work is better if you're working with people you like! I love my job - in large part because I love my coworkers! Congratulations on 100 posts :)

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  8. Congratulations what a huge accomplishment!!!!! Thanks all the blogging tips I couldn't agree more!

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  9. this is SO true. i would much rather hire someone who is willing to learn and has a great attitude than someone who is qualified but is lazy.

    kathy
    Vodka and Soda

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  10. Congratulations on these big milestones! Your blog tips are right on point (and were very good reminders for this Friday morning). Have a lovely weekend!

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  11. Congrats on both! It is so true that blogging is very time consuming. It is basically like a second job for me but the hard work pays off.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  12. loved seeing what you've learned! and congrats on both milestones!

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  13. congratulations! and beautiful pics xx

    New post on:
    www.tuttifruttibyam.blogspot.com

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  14. Congrats on your 100th post! I feel the EXACT same way about feeling clueless in blog land. I recently started blogging regularly so I will have to check out this book for sure! Have a great weekend!

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  15. Congrats, Darcy! I hope you celebrate this weekend! XO

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  16. Congrats Darcy! Such great accomplishments!

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  17. Congrats on all of your accomplishments! And thanks for the tips, as a new blogger I will take any I can get!

    xo Amanda

    http://strawberrychicxo.blogspot.com

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  18. Congrats on 100 posts, Darcy!! I so so so agree with your lessons learned in blogging. The time commitment...OMG I had no idea. What takes 5 minutes to read can take 5 hours to put together, plus, like you said, people don't just show up at your blog randomly. It can easily take up as much time as you have to give and then some. Thanks for the book recommendation and thanks for your blogging support. Glad to have found each other. :) -Gina
    On the Daily Express

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  19. Congrats, I've loved following your stories through your blog these past 100 posts! I totally agree about the blogging tips, I wish I could take a class on it because there is so much to learn!
    -Alex
    http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com/

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  20. Congratulations on making it this far both in your job and the blog! Your advice is really good, and I think with stepping out of college there is a learning curve (I've been at my first post-college job for a year and half tomorrow). Apparently the vast majority of bloggers give up by month 9 because they aren't seeing the results they want fast enough, but you are going strong and have great content all the time! I love reading your blog and can't wait to see where you go in the next 100 posts!

    http://howtomakehome.blogspot.com

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  21. such big milestones! congrats pretty lady and happy cerner-versary! ;)

    oh and can we please be that tan again plzzzzzz.

    xo mk
    thegoldhattedlover.blogspot.com

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  22. I absolutely loved this post! I 100% agree with everything you said about what you've learned at work. #1 is so important! I had a job once where everyone was just really negative and hated being there and it was miserable. Now I work with lots of fun people and it is a completely different environment!

    Congrats on your 100th blog post! Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am a new follower via GFC :)

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  23. Woo hoo congrats on your one year and 100th post! That's so exciting! And the whole blogging takes longer then you think... you got that right! :)

    <3 Shannon
    upbeatsoles.blogspot.com

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  24. Amazing post, Darcy! And congrats on all of your accomplishments! =D

    http://whattostyle.blogspot.com/

    xoxo,
    Jess

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  25. Congratulations on both these great achievements, I agree with every point you made on blogging, it does take a lot of time, but its worth it. Thanks for your kind words...Wishing you a warm and wonderful weekend!

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  26. This is really good advise... I have to agree with the blogging one where you have to be visible in the blogging community and it takes way longer to create a post that anyone realizes :)

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  27. congratulations!
    do we follow?
    let me know and I'll follow you back
    kss
    new post: http://tupersonalshopperviajero.blogspot.com.es/2014/01/oasap-tartan-scarf-for-winter-days.html

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  28. This is awesome! Congrats on both of your big milestones! I love the quote about attitude vs. aptitude! So so so true!! I see so many people who are very capable, but unfortunately, their attitudes limit them from advancing in their careers!
    And amen to all your blogger learnings! I tell people that I feel like I have a second job being a blogger. Most nights I'm up til after midnight reading, commenting, replying, writing. I enjoy it, so it's self inflicted, but it's definitely time consuming! Moreso than I ever imagined it would be! But I'm glad our paths have crossed and honestly can't believe you "only" have 100 posts under your belt! You've always felt like a veteran to me!
    Congrats again!
    morepiecesofme.com

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  29. congratulations on BOTH Darcy! your work ethic should be commended. those are so important to do. i'm glad you mentioned responding to comments in one of your notes above. people get upset if I delete them, but if i comment on all their posts and they never respond on mine i do delete. it takes away from those that do take time out to comment. blogging and a full time job take time.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  30. this is a very cool post. agree with all the things you said, esp. about blogging! i loved it how you shared your experiences and lessons with us!
    have a great weekend! :) xoxo
    Sadia Malik's Blog

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  31. I love your necklace! So cute! Congrats on your 100th post!! Blogging is definitely a lot more difficult than I thought too! Keep it up though! :)

    <3,
    Pamela
    http://sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com

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  32. Congrats!!! And i am so inspired by your words of wisdom!! I shall be on time for work too now!!!! *thank you*

    http://anshul90.com

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  33. I know what you mean about the work colleagues! I am fortunate enough to work in a big company (H&M) and to have the most awesome colleagues ever! It feels like they are more than just that- they are my friends as I do spend time with them even after work! :)
    When I started blogging I thought I was pretty smart too, I thought that the whole thing would be a piece of cake! But, boy, it wasn't. Time management for me is the key, it is tough enough to study full time & work part time, but I still somehow squeeze in time for my favorite hobby which is blogging! :)
    Good luck to you both with work & blogging in the future! :)

    www.callmemaddie.com

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  34. A very big congratulations on your two goals! Well done, that is so great. I hope you continue and get to 200 posts soon!

    Kassie www.styledevoured.com

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  35. First of all, congratulations on both your 100th post AND your anniversary at your job. It's crazy how quickly time flies, but if you love what you do (and it sounds like it), it's going to be even better this year!

    I also just loved reading this post because just about everything you said is SO true....especially about blogging. I seriously had no idea how much time you could spend doing it. It can be frustrating though. I really wish I had more time and knowledge about how to grow the blog and connect with more bloggers. It's definitely a process :)

    xo Jackie
    Something About That

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  36. Darcy, 100 posts is something to celebrate. Congrats!!! By far my favorite post, write more :)

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  37. congrats dear :) have a lovely weekend !! xx
    www.ambifashion.com

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  38. Congratulations dear Darcy :)

    http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr

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  39. thanks for sharing your blogging experience with us♥ love your tips, I agree with all of them!:)

    www.Lorietta.cz

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  40. I know I'm way late but congratulations!
    I agree with what you said about blogging. It's like another full time job! You do have top be an active member of the community as well. You're a doll I have no doubt that your blog will continue to grow!
    -ash
    www.thestylizedwannabe.com

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  41. Congratulations on both of these. I must say I agree with everything you wrote. I have been working full time for 7 months now and I learned so much. It is so true that who you work with makes an incredible difference. I feel lucky that I get to work with people that I've become great friends with.

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  42. Happy 100th!!!! Love this post!
    You are super right about job & blog! And both take so much time! It's not just taking pretty pics (I wish that was it) but it is something I find i think about all the time!!!
    Kat | www.poshbykat.com

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  43. Happy 100th post! I feel like I should give you a hug, or pat on the back...or something... hahah And for your first year at your "big girl job"! :) Both should be celebrated! :) (By the way, I totally reccomend the Naked 1 palette. I love it more than like...anything else. That might just be me but its AMAZING.) :)

    Love Always,
    Elizabeth
    http://thejourneycreatingme.blogspot.com/

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