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'!
Lessons From My First Job
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'!
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 f...
