Happy Friday – hope your week was full of good times and crazy days.
This is now a tradition – every Friday I’m sharing a few things that I’ve found this week that have inspired me, that I’ve found useful, that I’ve found interesting or have made me laugh.
And hopefully they’ll have the same impact on you too!
Here we go.
So last night I went to see Cavalia – it’s like a cross between Cirque du Soleil and a horse jumping show. It was described as a “magical experience between man and horse” -and it was, well, interesting. Anyway, it finished quite late, and by the time I was home and in bed, in was 12am!
Now, I LOVE sleep. Give me 8 or 9 hours and I’m sitting pretty.
But what do you do in those situations when you have had limited sleep – and you need to feel energized?
I’ve tried caffeine – and while it does give you a quick energy boost – I need something that will keep me refreshed for the long hall.
I need to be on my game today – so I’ve done a little research and discovered 6 tips on how to feel energized without sleep.
Networking.
It’s an important skill to have. But some people *cough-myself* find it challenging at times.
Why? Well some people have an introverted personality – and find that they work better with people in small groups, rather than big groups. Big groups can seem overwhelming, intimidating and tiring. And trying to network amongst a big group of extroverted personalities (v common in business) – no way!
If that sounds like you and you want to succeed in business or in your career – you need to get over this.
Dutch courage is outta the question. Sorry.
This weekend I got LOTS of exercise in – ran for over 10k on Saturday and went on a blogging bike ride with Katherine (Through My Looking Glass) and Jess (Live Healthy Simply). I’m not that fit and sporty person – but I’ve been pushing myself lately to just do a little bit extra each time and I’m noticing the difference!
This weekend – I’ve also been trying a new thing – meditation. I’ve always been skeptical about meditation – I tried it a few times when I was younger but it always just left me feeling bored or sleepy – so to be honest, I wrote it off as being new age nonsense!
At our last Live Aspire Blog event I met a few ladies who either teach or practice meditation – and in particular, Mish from Meditation with Mish inspired me to give it a another go. She has a few meditation podcasts on her blog – so I listened to a couple and tried it again.
Wow.
Yo yo homey-g’s!
Happy Friday!
Hope you’ve planned something nice for the weekend. I’ve got lots of dinners, coffees, a bike ride and a run planned – the perfect combination of eating and exercise. Last week when I ran the Nike She Runs 10k I remember running past a sign which said, ‘She runs because she likes dessert’. That I do. That – I – do.
Last week I listed out what I’ve found that has inspired me, that I’ve found useful, that I’ve found interesting or that has made me laugh (because it’s pretty much the weekend anyway).
I feel it’s a good format to follow – we’re all really busy to seek out articles for our own professional and personal development – so I think it makes sense to share what I’ve discovered and share the love!
Here we go!
I first met Ainslie Young (on the right) at the inaugural Live Aspire Blog event back in February this year.
She was starting a handbag label with her sister Meredith called ‘Young The Label‘.
Not only are the handbags gorgeous – they are also extremely versatile. They are designed especially for travel – because we all know how hard it is to find a large, good quality travel bag that is the right balance of fashion and function.
I’m amazed at how Ainslie and Meredith have launched a high quality product at such a young age. Both sisters will be speaking at the upcoming Live Aspire Blog morning tea on 26 May in Sydney – so if you’re around, definitely come too! Get your ticket here.
Ainslie has graciously agreed to an interview. I’ve asked her LOTS of specific questions here, so if you’ve ever wondered about how to launch and market your own product, while still retaining a personal life – then read on.
I was talking to someone the other day – and they mentioned that they did not see a reason why women’s only groups should exist.
They felt that there was no inequality between men and women – only perceived inequality and barriers. The reason that there are not a lot of women on boards or in powerful positions, is because they don’t want to be there.
They disagreed strongly for the need for a female only group – which means Live Aspire Blog, a group for female bloggers and entrepreneurs, would be gone.
They felt that having such a group in effect, discriminates against men. They believe it is counterproductive – doing the very thing which it is trying to fix – which is widening the gap between men and women and reinforcing gender stereotypes.
To be honest, this is something I have considered.
I have a brilliant interview for you. If you have a blog or a business – or you want to start one – you need to read this.
Christina is the Director of Romance Media and the Editor of Hair Romance - a site that’s ALL about loving your best accessory – your hair!
She is one of the speakers for Live Aspire Blog, the female blogging and entrepreneur event happening in Sydney on 26 May 2013. Check out more info here or watch an uber cool video about it here.
She is a very inspirational woman and has accomplished a lot in such a short time. She was voted in the top 50 Bloggers by Kidspot and was named one of ProBlogger’s Top 15 Bloggers to watch in 2013.
She has kindly agreed to share how she got to where she is today. There are a whole truckload of gems in this interview – so read on and enjoy!
So Live Aspire Blog is less than a month away! Woohoo! So excited for it.
I recently profiled the other half of Live Aspire Blog, Jessica from Live Healthy Simply, in this post I did last week. It’s a new series called ‘How She Did It’.
I am going to profile two of the next Live Aspire Blog speakers later this week, revealing some of the secrets to their success. Stay tuned! If you haven’t already, make sure you get your ticket for the Sydney based morning tea here.
If you want to know more about the event, check out this video that Jess and I made this weekend.
Disclaimer: It’s a little cheesy (ok, a lot) – but we hope to get the point across – that it’s a great event if you’re a blogger or entrepreneur, or aspiring to be.
Take a look after the jump.
We’re continuing with the alliteration this week with Friday Fun – don’t worry, it won’t become a regular! I am more imaginative than that…I think…
I thought I’d share a few things that I’ve found this week that have inspired me, that I’ve found useful, that I’ve found interesting or have made me laugh. Let’s get it started (uh, huh – woohoo, in here);
Something I’ve found interesting: This video created by university students reverses the sexualization of women in the media and puts it back on men. I’ve seen those ads before – but I haven’t seen them be re-created with men in the starring roles – it’s quite ridiculous – but strange how the objectification of mostly just one gender has become mainstream.
Ok so it’s Thursday, so it means it’s time for some alliteration.
Thankful Thursday.
The day where I recognise and appreciate what I am thankful for.
On the top of my list this week? Well, you’re gunna think I am silly, but if you’re a new blogger you might actually learn from this – how to get rid of spam.
One of the problems with having a WordPress site (or I guess, any site with a commenting function) is that you can get targeted by spammers. I was a victim BIG time. In fact – until this week, I had over 3000 spam comments sitting in my approval queue.
It’s mid-week and sometimes you need a little jolt in your system to keep you inspired and motivated for the rest of the week.
So how do you find inspiration to keep on putting in your all?
Well, you could look at these motivational quotes for a Monday morning or check out this post on inspiration for a Monday. Even though it’s not Monday, they’re still pretty applicable.
But if that’s not enough, you need to follow these tips.
I’d like to introduce to you a new series on The Aspirer, called ‘How She Did It’.
‘How She Did It’ is a series of interviews of women who are ‘rising stars’, either in business, or in the corporate world.
To start with, I want to focus on one of my most closest and dearest friends – Jessica Nazarali. She started her blog, Live Healthy Simply, while working full time in the corporate world and has since transformed it into a thriving health coaching business. She has many other projects on the go too – one of which includes Live Aspire Blog, a company which I manage with her, that runs events for bloggers and entrepreneurs (and those aspiring to be). You can check more about it here.
Jessica has achieved a lot in such a short space of time – so follow the jump to find out how she did it.
Here we go.
How do they do it?
Ever wondered that aloud when you look at women with their own successful business?
I thought that about my friends, Meredith and Ainslie Young, sisters and co-founders of the travel-inspired handbag company, ‘Young The Label‘.
I also thought that when I met Christina Butcher, author and founder of Hair Romance, an online site that provides tutorials, tips, tricks and beauty advice to help you to love your hair.
So? I asked them to spill all their secrets.
Well, not all of them, but they have agreed to speak at the next Live Aspire Blog event!
So last weekend the second Live Aspire Blog was held.
You can check my run down of the event here, Live Healthy Simply’s overview here, Through my Looking Glass’ wrap up here, and Through Beauty Eyes’ summary of it here. Savvy Sassy She has posted about it here and Tegan Westra has posted about it here this morning too.
I’m so glad everyone took something away from the event, and found it both positive and enlightening.
It was a great event for bloggers and entrepreneurs, and those aspiring to be. Connie Chapman and Alison Morgan spoke about the process of transitioning out of full time work into their own business. It was inspiring!
If you missed it, you should check out our other dates here. Pop them in you diary and subscribe to my newsletter for more detail soon!*
*More detail might be coming out as soon as Monday. ;)
But now I could use a favour.
Best motivational quotes for a Monday morning : Sometimes, just sometimes, it can be hard to get out of bed on a Monday morning.
You've had a fab weekend, or it just didn't seem long enough, or y...
How to be proactive at work even when you’re super busy : Happy Monday! Hope you had a restful w/e and are ready to rock it this week.
I sure am. I'm getting more and more excited for the next Live Aspire ...
The company you keep – why you need to surround yourself with positive people : You need to surround yourself with positive people.
Why?
Glad you asked.
According to this article;
"One of the most important decisions w...
8 ways to make work so much more fun (that you’ll be giddy at the prospect of a Monday) : Whether or not you love your job, occasionally there are times you wish you were instead playing in a giant ball pit, with your own DJ, your BFF's and...
How She Did It – Ainslie Young, co-founder of Young The Label : I first met Ainslie Young (on the right) at the inaugural Live Aspire Blog event back in February this year.
She was starting a handbag label with ...
The Aspirer is an online career resource that provides advice, opinion pieces, reflections, and lifestyle information for young, ambitious Australian women. We aim to connect, coach and educate. From undergrads to budding entrepreneurs, to happily employed young professionals, this website is a resource for those working towards a goal, dream job or business.
