Making the Most of Your Time

Hello Cuties,

Everyday we are all given the same 24 hours, no one gets to cheat and get 25, we all are given an equal chance to make the most of what we are given. How are you going to make the most of today?

I really was not sure what to write about for today, but after doing some soul searching on Pinterest I decided this was a good topic. This does not only pertain to being productive, it also means making a life you love and working on that everyday. We are not promised a tomorrow, therefore we should make each day count.

In life we have responsibilities that can often overwhelm us and cause us to become stressed and clam up. We then fall into routine and the days start to be wasted.

A new semester is upon us and that means our deadlines and responsibilities are about to be filling our schedules. I want to encourage you to work at making everyday productive and worth your while. Set goals, make a bucket list and use an agenda; this will give you motivation and keep you on track. In my last post I shared one way I stay inspired and display my goals and that is by making a Vision Board. I also love using my agenda to organize my thoughts and deadlines, and I always keep a notebook handy for bright ideas. These things keep me inspired and motivated to stay productive.

Here are my tips to making the most of your time:

Make a Bucket List: Make this a small scale bucket list, what things you want to do by the end of the year, not just the end of your life. Take adventures with your best friends, take adventures alone and take time to find who you are and who you want to be. Make time for yourself.

Set Goals: What do you want to have accomplished by the end of the year? What do you want to have accomplished by summer? What is your ‘big’ goal for the year (Internship, new job, etc.) Make these goals realistic and obtainable.

Use a Planner: My planner is my life saver, a lot of people do not use a planner or agenda and I have no idea how. It keeps my responsibilities in one place, I know when all my deadlines are and I can have a visual of them. I suggest this to keep track of all your activities, it’s not the fun part of this whole time saving thing but it will help you manage your time.

Make a To-Do list: Lists aren’t for everyone but I personally like to make them to see what I have to accomplish in a day. This helps me be productive. The best tip in the book is always starting with your biggest task in the morning then working down the rest of the list throughout the day. Lists help you stay on track and accomplish more, therefore saving you precious time.

| Check out Team Boss Babe on Twitter & Instagram for some more amazing inspiration |

These are just my personal favorites to making them most of my days and time. This month my list of to-do’s is quite long, from building up my resume to finding a internship, I know I will be using these all to make each day count. Thank you all for reading today; I know this post was a spur of the moment for me, so I hope you still enjoyed reading it. Happy Wednesday!

Take a chance this week.

xo, Lyss

 

 

#GirlBoss [Kim Kaye]

Hello Readers,

I apologize for being absent for the past couple of days, it’s nearing the end of the semester and my schedule is beyond crazy these days. I hope you are all still out there and ready to read the NEW #GirlBoss.

This #GirlBoss is a real BOSS. She not only runs a successful company of 30 years but she is also a dedicated family woman. She devotes her life to God, her family and Champion Cheerleading; her way of coaching has been admired for many years and I was honored to have the opportunity to work for her. Let’s learn more about the amazing Kim Kaye!

1. What’s your story?

After my team won the state championship in 1985 (Class A/Div 1) many coaches asked me how I trained my team to do such incredible stunts and great tumbling (first team in Michigan to do basket toss tuck and first team to throw all back handsprings!). The camp I was taking my team to was going out of business and several close friends encouraged me to start my own company. After much prayer and talking with my husband, I took a giant step of faith. That was 30 years ago and God hasn’t closed the door yet! Our first summer we trained approximately 600 athletes. Now, we train over 5000 athletes every summer.

2. What inspires you?

I am inspired by people who overcome obstacles and prevail even in the face of adversity.

3. Do you have any role models?

Any woman who is putting God first and making an impact on others lives. Those are the women I aspire to be like.

4. What’s you daily or morning ritual? 

I start each day in prayer and then a devotional and reading my Bible. There is such a difference if I do not start my day with God! Then I make a healthy smoothie of power greens, organic fruit, Greek yogurt and flax-seed.

5. Favorite quote?

My favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’!”

6. Career or life advice for other women? 

Do what you’ve been called to do but don’t do it halfway. Be extraordinary and always give more then what is expected. You WILL make mistakes; learn from them, move on, and don’t beat yourself up over them. Be willing to serve others, that’s where the greatest joy comes from.  Understand that you will never please everyone yet be able to say at the end of each day “I gave my best”!

Working at Champion and being able to impact young girls lives is a life changing experience you do not find in every job. Kim is such an inspiring woman to work for, she is a very smart coach and business woman. Her camp is the best one in Michigan, no doubt. It’s not only about the techniques and stunts you learn, but the “camp” experience you are given. She pairs up with some of the best in the business to bring you the ultimate experience.

Working on Champion staff went beyond the normal 9-5, it was a lifestyle. You learned to make an appropriate image for yourself in social media and life. You wanted to represent the company well, but also yourself. These girls that attend the camps remember you forever, you’re a celebrity to them. I still remember my private coach from when I went to camp my Freshmen year of high school. This company leaves a mark on you no matter what.

Being able to use Kim for this post was very exciting for me because I recalled the times she inspired me and I wanted to share some of her wisdom with all of you. If you know the woman, you know that she is kind, bright and driven.

Check out Kim’s thriving business as it reaches its 30th year: Champion Cheerleading

Wednesday Inspiration from me:

This morning I spent time dancing around my campus, literally. It was an assignment for my dance for fitness class and at first I was intimidated but then it was a super empowering experience. That is why I wanted to share this little quote with all of you because if you keep your mind curious and continue to explore the earth that is given to you, you will find that it has so much to offer. I hope you stay curious and push your limits in life.

Thanks for reading the 3rd post in the #GirlBoss series, I hope you are all loving it as much as I am. I have really enjoyed reaching out to these women and learning more about them. So, continue to share these posts if you do like them, subscribe below as well.

Happy Wednesday.

xo,

Lyss

Work, Work, Work

Hello Readers,

I haven’t been able to post a little inspirational post for you in awhile, so here it is. I have been really busy with school, working every weekend, study abroad requirements and networking for my blog. This has been so draining at times, there are just days I completely lose my motivation and basically accomplish nothing. That’s okay sometimes, but also damaging other times.

Although my schedule has been jam-packed, I enjoy being busy, I actually prefer it and I have definitely been busy lately. But, I have to say I am so happy with my life right now. I am truly doing things I love. As many of you know I quit a sport I loved after 9 years of participation, and I thought I would be lost, but I am completely found. I have been able to mold into a person I want to be, there has been a few bumps and breakdowns but ultimately I have never been more excited about life. I have been filling my schedule with meetings and work shifts, but I have also been able to reach my highest number of viewers which means a lot to me.

Anyway, all this rambling leads me to a very fitting quote to those busy people out there:

“Nothing will work unless you do”

This could not be more true; we often sit here and wish we could do this or that, but we never do. At first my blog was a little bumpy, I kept looking at other fashion blogs saying I want that, well guess what? I finally changed that and worked to reach out to local designers, artists and fashion schools and so far it looks like I am making amazing connections. Without the pride to stand up and change my perspective, I wouldn’t be bringing you guys great stories. (not to toot my own horn, but really!) I already love the direction my blog is taking after one event. I have another interview today with two talented local designers and artists that own their shop. (Post next week!) They are going to be featured in Grand Rapids event called Art.Downtown.

The point of this quote is to remind you that to see results you have to work your ass off, not just sit back and think everything will come to you. I can tell you right now it will not. You have to work for it, pull some strings and make some changes. Back to my quitting example, I had to give up something to achieve something else. My blog, and my life, would not be where it is today if I was still a cheerleader. Although that may not be a bad thing, I could not be happier to be where I am.

I am working on creating a blog with great content and also working to study abroad for six weeks this summer. The process is not always fun but the process is where you get your hands dirty and the work factor comes into play. Nothing is going to end up how you want them to unless you are willing to get your hands dirty in the process. So, for all you busy people out there: keep working hard toward your goals, give yourself a mental break when needed but always remember, nothing will work unless you do. 

Thank you all for reading this little quote, I know I talked a lot about myself, but I just wanted to give an example of how working hard for something can show results. Feel free to share your stories with me in the comments or on Twitter. I’d love to hear your accomplishments. Also, check out the Color of the Year event under my News tab above, I’ll be covering this event in April. I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and rest of the weekend.

TGIF.

xo,

Lyss

#GirlBoss [Wendy Miles]

Hello Beautiful Readers,

I am starting a new series on my blog called #GirlBoss, where I will highlight a different woman every week [or every other week]. These women are women who live a life that inspires and empowers others. They are women that are hard working and set examples to women around the world. I cannot wait to begin this segment of my blog, I think it will not only be inspiring but hopefully motivating to other women. I hope you all like it as well, let’s get started with our first ever #GirlBoss.

Our first #GirlBoss is the beautiful and inspiring Wendy Miles from Hawaii. Let’s ask her a few questions…

1. What’s your daily life like? Share a little bit about yourself.

Aloha! I am a Wife to Brett Miles, Mom to Emmalynn Miles [& my puppy, Remington], Army Nurse Officer, & now Health & Fitness Coach. My main hobby is being with my family, & watching Miss Emmalynn grow into this beautiful, smart toddler! When I am not at work or with my family exploring this beautiful island of Hawaii, I am working with others to help them reach their health & fitness goals! I am passionate about living a healthy lifestyle & helping others. Of course, as a Health & Fitness Coach, I want to inspire others by working just as hard as them [if not harder] & show them that it is possible to find ways to be healthy when you are busy or lacking on money. Everyday is a new adventure for me as I learn more about myself through personal development books & learning to balance everything that is important to me in life.

2. What inspires you?

EVERYTHING! I literally have changed so much in the last couple of months in terms of thinking positive & seeing the good in people. Reading personal development books really help me focus on building my confidence, because I am constantly growing personally & professionally. I have come to the conclusion that I would rather be respected than liked! This has been a process of development that I know I will continue to work on forever. Nothing is worth getting so upset about that you can’t concentrate on all the good in life. Positive vibes will spread like wildflower- & it is important to remember that leadership traits are not something you are born with, but something that you can learn, change & grow as time goes on! My husband has been my biggest fan in anything & everything I do. He stands by me & encourages me to be a better person. He has currently lost 77 pounds with a full time job & working as a real estate agent then with our move to Hawaii, I couldn’t be more proud of him sticking to his goals. He is the most fantastic father & husband. He continues to push me to reach my goals & supports me everyday. BUT ultimately, my biggest inspiration/mentor is the vision God gave me for what was possible if I let go of my excuses & simply got to work!

3. What is a morning or daily ritual you have?

We all have the same 24 hours in a day & the same 7 days in a week. I can tell you that I am not superwoman… I WISH!  I definitely make decisions each day about what is most important based on what I need to accomplish for the day.  I can’t humanly do it all and be everything to everyone so I pick what is the most important and I just accept that this is what I can do!  Every night I go to bed and tell myself, I couldn’t of done a fingertip more!  That is ENOUGH for me! Ask my husband, I wake up at the crack of dawn & I go to bed late.

Work Days:
0400 Wake Up, Work out, Get Ready, Eat Breakfast
0620 Head to work until 2000 [8:00pm-ISH because depends on my patients that day]
Shower, Dinner, Talk to my Family, Put Emmalynn to bed & work on some Coaching work, Bed.

Home Days:
0500 Wake Up [Usually], Work out, Get Ready, Eat Breakfast, Clean the House, Coaching work.
Then – Spend the day with my Family [Hiking, Shopping, Driving around the Island, Beach, Park, Walks, etc]
Home to cook dinner, Movie/TV, Coaching Work, Bed.
Boring, I know but on Brett & I have off we usually wake up work out, eat then we become tourist here on the island & go to the beach or hike!

4. Favorite quote?

“If you know me based on a year ago then you don’t know me at all. My growth game is STRONG. Allow me re-introduce myself.”
This quote, hits the nail right on the head! I am a totally different person than I was a year ago. Having Emmalynn gave me a new outlook on life. She makes me want to be a better person. I want her to grow up & look to me as her role model. I want her to know that I value my family, my life, & my faith above all else. I want her to grow up being confident, kind & strong & it starts by feeling & acting in those ways myself.

5. Career or life advice?

Be POSITIVE & don’t be quick to judge. You must be ready to face your biggest obstacle to become successful & that is – YOU! It takes getting over yourself & having the willingness to step out of your comfort zone to help others along the way to succeed in anything.

If you want to learn more about Wendy or connect with her personally check out her Facebook page and add her as a friend. Wendy is also hosting a FREE clean eating challenge, like her page to figure out details now. 

>>Add Wendy as a Friend | Follow her page <<<

Wendy attended the same high school as me and we have been Facebook friends for awhile now. I love seeing her posts and she has been inspiring me in my fitness goals recently. I was so happy to reach out to her and have her be my first #GirlBoss because she definitely deserves it, from being an army nurse to a mommy & wife, these are jobs that take a lot of dedication. I really hope you guys check out her page because she is amazing.

This was the first ever #GirlBoss and I cannot wait to continue with these, I hope you all loved reading it as much as I loved writing it. There are so many women out there that go unrecognized for their accomplishments and hard work, I want to help highlight these women and let them know they are inspiring others. I really want you all to share this post and give Wendy some love. Let’s start lifting each other up, rather than tearing each other own. I loved doing this post and there is another one coming for next week, stay tuned. (A.K.A. Subscribe below) Thank you all for reading today!

Monday inspiration: 

Happy Monday.

xo,

Lyss

 

Book Review: “Leave Your Mark”

Hello lovely readers,

 

I recently just finished this amazing book called “Leave Your Mark” by Aliza Licht. The book was the perfect insight to the world of media and fashion. It is more than just a career book, it’s a guide to building your personal brand image. As the books states: Land your dream job. Kill it in your career. Rock social media. This is exactly what it covers in such an informative way. As a college student interested in fashion and the world of PR and marketing, I found it super helpful. It gives tips on creating resumes and cover letters, building a great social media platform and many other things.

I suggest this book to anyone who is interested in social media/PR careers, fashion or just a career in business. Aliza, the author, talks in depth of how she went from a medical student to the VP of PR at DKNY. The book also has a word from Donna Karen herself. It is an inspiring story of how to turn your career around, even if you found you’ve made the wrong career choice. This booked inspired me and made me feel motivated to take control of my career and dreams. This time right now is the prime time to build my network and get my foot in the door.

This insight on the industry made me so much more excited to be in it. I am drawn to the fashion industry because it is constantly changing, Aliza explains that so well in the book. Aliza is a witty and honest writer, she makes this book interesting with her style of writing. She discusses interactions with clients, higher-ups and people of the industry. She gives tips on building your professional image and social media platform. This book will be my go-to for career help, I will probably be reading this book a couple more times in the future. If you are interested in reading this book I will provide some links below, I will also add a link to the authors newsletter site.

If you have also read this book I would love to hear your thoughts on it as well. Share them in the comments below, on Facebook or Twitter. (@Vogue_VanGogh) If you decide to read because of this post, please share that with me too!

Aliza Licht: Leave Your Mark // Aliza Licht: Blackboard // My Twitter

Happy Sunday.

xo,

Lyss

How to Change Your Money Mindset.

Hello lovely readers,

I wanted to address an issue I have recently let consume me, that issue being my finances. Money is always on my mind; how much do I have in my account, I have to pay for this or that and I need to save. It gets mentally exhausting. Recently, I have been trying to save for my trip to France and trying hard to be responsible with my money. Today I received my second parking ticket this semester (seriously!?). Let’s just say the rules for parking are a little ridiculous on my campus. But, this situation made me have a meltdown because just when I feel like I am getting ahead, I get kicked down. College can be tough for the pocketbook but I am here to give you tips on how to reduce the number of weekly meltdowns.

So, after my miniature meltdown I found an article about your money mindset and it really helped me come to a realization. Money situations, especially for college students, can be very difficult. We are young, we want to explore and adventure but we are limited to our means. Our money mindsets can really effect our happiness and positivity, how we feel and think about our finances is important. Our thoughts often control our actions, developing a negative money mindset can create a barrier between you and your financial health. It can keep you in a place of stress and anxiety, as well as keep you from achieving goals.

But, no worries readers, if you are finding yourself in a bad money mindset I have tips for you.

Recognize self-sabotaging thoughts.

Being self aware of these negative thoughts can be hard, they are easy to blurt out on a daily basis. Discovering these thoughts and stopping them quickly is the first step toward changing your mindset.

Examples of these thoughts could include:

• I’ll never get ahead
• I don’t make enough to save
• I can’t afford that

Reflecting on these thoughts or phrases you may have said previously is important to evaluate your personal views on money. How do you react to things such as bills or surprise financial needs? Make a note of these types of feelings and reflect on how it could be affecting your actions.

Appreciate what you have.

I have discussed this topic before, it is easy to look at what others have and get discouraged; but, it’s important to evaluate what you have and be grateful for that. You’ll never have enough if you constantly look at what others have. Being appreciative of what you have is the best way to shake negative thoughts. We all have so much to be thankful for and while we may sometimes recognize this, when it comes to money and budgeting many of us tend to take a restrictive view that can bring us down.

I find myself constantly struggling with saving and paying for school. I use student loans for now, but on top of that I have to pay for bills, books, groceries, etc. Today, I realized that the more I really worry about these things I can not really change, the more I will find negative thoughts in my mind. By trying to look at the positives in these situations, I can release my stresses and accomplish more. College is an amazing opportunity and worth every penny. So, rather than looking at all the wrongs, try to see the rights.

Set goals for what you want.

By laying out where you want to spend or save your money, you will be able to keep track of your money better. This can work like setting goals; figure out why you want/need money and determine when you will have it by. This concept was discussed in the original article I read, organizing these goals are a great way to see what is possible. It is a simple strategy, but most people don’t take time to reflect on their wants/desires and create a plan to get there. I have not yet tried this, but I constantly write out goals and this will be an addition to my plan.

Stay educated.

Being aware of ways to save money and budget can really help relieve your financial stress. I have been trying to implement this technique into my life, I will tell you it is difficult to do so. Although I have recently got a new job in retail and I am hoping to have a more steady income to create a budget. You can also research ways to save money, make money and set up a budget. There are many books and articles out there as well. Staying up to date on your changing circumstances is also important. There are many resources out there available to you.

How will you change your money mindset?

I hope this piece can help you in some way, that’s always my goal. I am always learning with you too, I am looking to implement these into my life. It is easy to let money control your life, but the more you let it consume you the more negativity and stress you will find yourself accumulating. Try to free your mind from your financial stresses, it is one thing to be aware and responsible of your money but do not let it stress you. In the end it’s not about the money you have but it’s about the experiences you have. Save your money where you can but do not let it hold you back from living your life. If you are like me it may take you longer to reach this life, but through hard work and passion you can be anything. Do what makes you happy and the rest will come. Thank you for reading today, please share if you liked this post.

Happy Wednesday.

xo,

Lyss

Pretty, Young & Motivated {Career Tips}

Hello Readers,

Today I wanted to bring you some career advice; although I am a young soul I feel like I know my stuff. I have read a couple books, participated in DECA and had a fair share of jobs. Take what you want and leave the rest. I hope it will be helpful for you.

Below, I have some tips that I have extracted from either a book or my personal experience. These are my tips on ways to rock your career, get the most out of every opportunity and stand out. If you are in college, like me, you cannot “rock” a career yet but that doesn’t mean you can’t rock the college game. Our career in college is part-time jobs, internships, scholarships and studying abroad; and of course our curriculum. So, let’s get into the details.

Shake hands: The hand shake is still important to any formal meeting. It applies from when you are meeting your professor for the first time to a job interview. I know my generation has used it less and less, but it is an important aspect to an interview or formal encounter. You should shake someones hand in the beginning of the meeting and at the end, especially if you are just meeting them. Making good (non-creepy) eye contact is also important.

Be educated: Where are you applying? When did the establishment open? Who is the current CEO or person in-charge? These are things you should know prior to an interview, and this trick could help set you apart as well. This works for scholarship purposes too. Who are the people you are asking for money? What is their family like? Knowing these little facts can help the essay process and your chances of receiving the scholarship. Know what you are applying for, be educated.

Be a peacock: This does not mean in a cocky way, but in a put yourself out there kind of way. My biggest pet peeve is when college graduates complain about wasting their time and money because they don’t find a job. Well, what did they do to put themselves in their desired field and make a name for themselves? Probably nothing…Take any opportunity that would build your resume or help your future career. Big or small, they will make a difference. When you take on something like an internship, do not be a zombie intern. Explore every aspect of your position but also explore other departments. Absorb all that you can and make sure before you leave the boss knows your name. Make a connection!

Network,network & network: This relates to the one above; you cannot complain about no job if you haven’t even reached out to anyone. Build a social and professional network. This can consist of professors who have made an impact on your life, peers and old bosses. Anyone who could put you ahead of the game. These are also the people you should be able to call when you are looking for a job and need in on a particular industry or even just for a reference.

Professionalism: The pant suit is not dead, well maybe fashionably, but in the sense of professionalism you need to look presentable in formal situations. I’ve already experienced informal and on-the-spot hiring where I had no time to prepare, but if you are asked in for an interview dress professional. Professionalism also extends beyond dress code; attitude, body language and grooming are also factors to having a professional look. Talking about a hook-up or bad mouthing another company in an interview or professional setting is not acceptable. There is a time and place for gossip, and it’s not in an interview. Sitting up straight, smiling and not fidgeting are great ways to look engaged in a meeting or interview. I could go on for hours about how important professionalism is but I’ll just stop here. Just be presentable and know your stuff.

Image: Social media consumes our society today; social media can be good and bad. What image are you portraying through your Facebook or Instagram?  I’m not saying you have to keep everything private and hide your life, but if you don’t want your grandma to see it maybe don’t post it. The biggest thing I see in my generation is posting pictures with alcohol (most of which they are under-aged), which may not seem like a big deal. But, consider this: When you are going to an interview or even building your professional network, do you want that picture to be the representation of your image? Image is important in a professional environment. You may be this care free college student right now who gives zero f**ks, but the day you get turned down for a job because you posted a pic in 2014 of you doing a keg stand or whatever, you may rethink your old mindset. Image is not the number one deciding factor for a job but keep it classy for yourself. What you put out there, whether it be on social media or even in person, people remember that. First impressions are lasting, clean up you image and your future self will thank you.

Stellar resume: I have to be honest here, my resume is still a diamond in the rust but resumes are like first impressions before first impressions. Make sure your resume is well-tailored and to the point. I was always taught to keep it to one page, then include a reference page if needed. Once again, I am still working on perfecting mine but do not go with out a good resume all through college. Remember, these are what a future employer sees before they actually meet you; make it clear and concise.

These are all really great factors to get on track to a successful career, being aware of these skills is important for your professional life. I also find these skills rewarding, being able to rock an interview with no doubt is an awesome feeling. These skills can also set you apart from your peers. I am still learning to apply these skills too, being a young adult in a society that doesn’t actually know a lot about professional skills is sad. Another side note to standing out is being yourself, don’t try to fake it. The only time you can fake it is when you want to act like you have your life together, fake it till ya make it. That quote is true to a certain extent but being yourself will pay off in the end. If you pretend to be someone else then you may be compromising your own values. You also wouldn’t want someone to hire you believing you are one way when you are not because this could make the job not truly fitting for you.

Overall, just make sure you know some professional skills. Do not forget about the little things that make you stand out and look professional. I wish you the best in all your future endeavors and I hope these tips were some what helpful. Thank you for reading today. Please share. Feel free to connect with me on social media as well, I’d love to hear from you guys.

Happy Thursday.

xo,

Lyss