Work Smarter, Not Harder.... Part 2

We love it!!!! This is the time of year when most people seem to be the most focused...use your energies to jump-start that project you've been too lazy to begin. Don't let sloth thwart the big plans and goals you have for yourself. And DEFINITELY don't let anyone else's baggage bring you down!! That being said, see the below article and read principles that can be applied to any aspect of your life...treat others how you want to be treated and great things come to unselfish people!!

Avoiding these seven deadly sins will also help individuals balance their "whole life" and assure they are ready to take on new workplace challenges as they are presented -- and execute them well.


Peter Drucker, the famed management author, guru, and teacher said it best: "Lifting a person's vision to higher sights, is the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard." Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes.

Seven Deadly Workplace Sins
At least seven "deadly workplace sins" detail key emotional offenses professionals should avoid at all costs to better assure upward career mobility. A few common sense tips will help aspiring pros get on the path to the ever-elusive paycheck promise land.
Pride
First, there's pride. Far too many who experience "workplace wins" take full credit for these achievements, regardless of any support or assistance received in the process. What often goes unrecognized is that people around, and especially below, the serially solo-successful resent the egocentricity, and may actually begin to actively undermine that person's efforts in the future. While one's pride wants all due recognition, a team philosophy can build the grass-roots support that can fast-track a career. Indeed, a dose of acknowledgment of and appreciation for one's peers and subordinates, so they may share in some of the glory, can go a long way to foster one's long-term success.
Envy
Moreover, while it's OK to recognize other individuals or organizations as they achieve, lamenting "what should have been yours" can be destructive and can adversely impact your own ability to focus on the job tasks at hand. Becoming envious of others in the workplace can sabotage your self esteem, which is one vital characteristic of every successful worker or executive. Rather than being envious, let the accomplishments of others become motivational fuel for your fire in working toward your own successes.
Anger
Anger is another motion that needs to be held in check. Begetting nothing but disagreement, dispute, tension or conflict, anger provides no benefit in the workplace. There is simply nothing productive about anger, which impairs one's objectivity, poise and self control. Don't let a bout of righteousness damage your reputation and image in the workplace. It's fine to feel passionately about your job or a project at hand and to disagree with others, but learn how to channel those emotions into actions that will work to your benefit in the eyes of others -- especially your superiors -- rather than against it. Those prone to angry outbursts rarely get promoted; they are seen as being poor leaders who cannot inspire or motivate others.
Short-sightedness
One's selfish desire for "more, sooner" is what motivates many in the Western culture to achieve their career goals. But taking this notion to the extreme can and will be self defeating as core values become misguided and life becomes unbalanced in the process. The road to success requires a long term approach in all aspects of one's job duties. Those laser-focused on quick, short-term gains may do well for the moment, but will be ill-prepared to take things to the next level.
Complacency
At the other end of the spectrum, sloth, or simply put, complacency and laziness have no place whatsoever in the workplace -- especially for those with high aspirations. Expecting one's past achievements and successes to carry them forward in their long-term career is imprudent. Today's uber-competitive global marketplace ensures that only those who continue to grow, evolve and make fresh contributions of value will succeed. In a global environment where outsourcing is becoming a norm, everyone at all levels of the employment "food chain" is now replaceable. So treat every work day and every project as if your job, and your future at large, depends on it. It very well may
Imbalance
Many individuals move up the corporate ladder so fast that they actually end up failing as a consequence. More isn't always better -- especially if you're not ready for the challenge at hand. It's important to ensure that you are not only professionally ready to take on a new and bigger challenge, for which expectations are equally bigger, but also that your personal life is ready for the new demands and strains to be placed upon it. Achieving career success also includes maintaining a life balance, and a misplaced professional desire can create a backlash both at home as well as amid peers for your perceived obsessiveness.
Lust
At times this can spill over to lust. An overly intense desire for what others have achieved at work, or being chronically dissatisfied with one's own status, is a surefire career killer. Spending an inordinate amount of time fixated on what you don't have rather than what you do will foster a bad attitude and negative overall demeanor.


Above all, one's overall "presence" in the office plays a big part in who gets promoted and who doesn't. No matter how ambitious, it's prudent to be present and make the most out of your current position at this moment in time. Organizations recognize and reward those with a good attitude who make the most of a situation. Winners recognize other's success with sportsmanlike conduct, while at the same time exhibiting an air of confidence that they, and their team, will realize their own great achievements.

John McKee, founder and president of BusinessSuccessCoach.net, is the author of "Career Wisdom - 101 Proven Strategies to Ensure Workplace Success" and "21 Ways Women in Management Shoot Themselves in the Foot

Copyrighted, Forbes.com. All rights reserved

Critic's Corner
"When to know you are not wanted"
This personally happened to someone I know. They tried to enter a certain establishment downtown close to College Street on a Friday night(we won't name any names, but the old MYTHOS) only to be turned away each and every time. The excuses are so weak. Examples: horizontal lines on shirt that represent hip hop, the short sleeve coming down to elbow, pant's legs too long, and the list goes on.......How hard it is for a neat urban man to enter into the establishment? Is the money not good enough or is it our culture? Email us and give us your experiences in Uptown Charlotte's hottest nightspots.
When culture clashes.........


Word of Week
caterwaul \KAT-uhr-wawl\, intransitive verb:
1. To make a harsh cry. 2. To have a noisy argument. 3. A shrill, discordant sound.



For those of us keeping count, it's now Hillary-3 (NV, NH, FL), Obama-2 (IA, SC).

Super Tuesday is next week, February 5, unfortunately NC is not participating; 24 other states will be holding primaries or caucuses on that date. Keep yourself informed, no matter who you find yourself endorsing...




PS Preferred HOT spots

Check out the only spot in the city that features poetry and a live band every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. JC the poet, of Touch One Productions, has been putting on this show for the last 7 years and is one of the best-known performers in Charlotte. Check out the website, www.touchoneproductions.com, and don't forget to go down to the Wine Up on 3306 N. Davidson Street, we promise you won't regret it!

$20 ROLLER SETS!!!! Ladies come out to the all new "Relax Experts". They are now open!!!!!!! Located 4820 Monroe Rd (Eastway and Sharon Amity). This classy salon has all the upgrades including Wireless Internet on the property. Special for the first week of February: "BRING A FRIEND AND RECEIVE 1/2 OFF YOUR SERVICE" (only for equal or greater value) Call Darrin at 704-309-0648.

Wednesday, January 30th

Black Business Network @ Allure - 1508 Mint St - "Female Entrepreneur in the Queen City"

Thursday, January 31th

Thirsty Thursdays @ Rustic Martini - 616 N Tryon - 616 N tryon steet by 9th

Friday, February 1st

1st Fridays @ Jillians - 200 E. Bland - BlackOut party hosted by Mya with DJ Magic

Monday February 4th

Martini Mondays @ Allstars - Albermale Rd

P.S.....What you crave, not just what you want!!!!!

"Work Smarter, Not Harder"...

The best way to get ahead in this life is to concentrate on what the title says…Whether you are motivated by monetary, spiritual, physical, or mental health, (or all of these combined), then this is what you need to do, if you haven't already. For us who work for other people (for now!), the following article is a way to focus energies in a positive and linear direction to stay one step ahead of the game.



Working Smart: How to Get a Raise in Three Months
The 12-Week Challenge to Getting the Salary You Deserve
By Erin E. Whitlock


Money is often a touchy topic because there's a lot riding on it. It could be that you don't want to seem confrontational, or "rock the boat" with a supervisor. But demanding what you're worth plays a significant role in being compensated according to skill level and workload. We're here to help by offering challenges every week for the next 12 weeks, to get you closer to earning the raise you deserve.

Week 1.Arrive early and leave late: Head in 30 minutes to an hour early each day to give yourself the chance to organize your workload, meditate, and send out or return important e-mails (Hopefully one to your boss, so that she will recognize the time stamp!). Work in breaks around your daily objectives rather than focusing on how much time you can be away from your daily tasks. Stick around after close to tie up loose ends, file documents, or perform other tedious office tasks that can often get pushed to the backburner.

Week 2. Start keeping a daily log Jot down all of your completed tasks, contributions and accomplishments at the end of each day. "When you are ready to talk about your raise you'll have a list of examples," says Walker, including ways you saved time, helped coworkers out of a bind, contributed to team effort, and/or developed a better system. Tracking your productivity will also show you where you need to spend more or less time.

Week 3. Review the company's annual report To get more detailed information about the company's business, finances, management, and a list of contact names, check Freeedgar.com (EDGAR: Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system) for 10-K (annual) or 10-Q (quarterly) reports. Publicly traded companies file those with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Week 4. Join a professional organization Surrounding yourself with others who share your passion or your job title may help you network with those who know of opportunities. Also, staying abreast of trends and new developments in your field will make you a more viable employee. Use the Encyclopedia of Associations through LexisNexis as a reference to find associations relevant to your field. Head to your public library to access the site.

Week 5. Examine the market If your professional association doesn't offer salary surveys, look for specialty sites, like Careercoachrd.com, that address the needs of your industry. Jobsmart.org, Monster.com and Salary.com are also great resources. Whitcomb also advises asking people in your network about salary trends for your position and those above yours: "What's the going rate for someone with my experience at your company? What would a top performer earn?"

Week 6. Learn the higher-ups in your company Knowing who the key players are is a smart and easy way to move ahead. Check company Web sites or popular sites such as Hoovers, Bizjournals, Bloomberg, and Dun & Bradstreet to search general information (board members, higher-level employees, etc.) for free. For a more in-depth look at corporate information, you may have to subscribe to specialized sites, but you can write it off at tax time!

Week 7. Recruit a career coach To assess your professional goals and plan ways to attain them. "Coaches can teach you how to communicate your contributions and accomplishments, and approach your boss with confidence," says Walker. "They can also guide you on how to establish relationships with potential mentors or those who will champion your cause, and how to network effectively at professional association meetings." To find a career coach in your area, visit Certifiedcareercoaches.com, a national database of certified coaches that can help you assess your next move.

Week 8. Enroll in a certification class or training seminar Added skills equal added qualifications. The better your skills (backed by recognized certification) the higher the pay scale you are eligible for. Not only will getting more training win points in your supervisor's favor, it's also a great coup to add to your résumé. And seek training both in and outside your specific job function to round out your skillset.

Week 9. Organize an office-wide function From planning a canned goods drive during the holidays, or forming a team for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-day, management loves to see those who can take charge and successfully organize and shepherd projects. Plus, you'll get your name out to higher-level executives who might not have known it otherwise. Best-case scenario: The person you work alongside for the event could turn out to be a champion for you. Week 10. Volunteer for a new assignment Whitcomb also suggests asking your boss for projects that will give you more exposure in the company. Network beyond your comfort zone—engage leaders from other departments, vendors, customers, and so on. Taking on more responsibility is leverage for asking for more money.

Week 11. Have the talk with your boss Schedule a meeting with your supervisor to talk about a raise. Take important documentation such as certifications, documented praise, an updated résumé, research on the market, etc. Be clear about your professional advancement and its impact on the company's bottom line. "When 'languaging' the topic of salary—keep the conversation centered on value and find common ground," says Whitcomb.

Some sample "conversations" include: Ms. Manager, I'm excited about where the company is headed, and have been looking at my long-term goals at the same time so that I can contribute even more value to the company. In the next X months, I'd like to take on some projects that would expand my scope of experience and allow me to contribute in the areas of ___ and ____. My financial goals are to be making a base of XX dollars plus bonus within that time frame, as well. I have some ideas about how that can be accomplished, as well as the return on investment the company would realize as a result.

If the manager says there's nothing available, ask when there might be money: I respect that reality, Mr. Manager. When does budget money become available? January, you say? I'd be glad to visit the subject now and, provided you see value here, take on my new responsibilities in January.

If there "isn't money in the budget" ask:Mr. Manager, What would you need to see from me in order to help you find the budget money? What kind of response, what kind of ROI, what kind of accomplishments would help free up money?
Basically "PS" suggest if the company doesn't have any money, find another company!!!!

Week 12. Reassess the situation Even if you've presented your case, and it was met with resistance, keep the doors open for continued conversation by asking permission to revisit the subject at a future date. After agreeing on a meeting time, Whitcomb says to mark your calendar to remind you about following up with your manager. Plot out weekly check-up times to meet with your career coach to make sure you're on course with progress. "Creating momentum is critical," says Whitcomb. "Your ability to persevere will be a sign to your manager that you are, indeed, ready for more responsibility."

Stay Fly Tip of the week
Be confident in your own style. Don't let others change you!!!!!


"PS" Preferred Spot
Friday
Legacy of Black Women Short Film Festival - Spirit Square
131 N. Tryon Street - $15 or 2 for $25. Event begins at 7:00.

Saturday
Jones vs. Trinidad Fight Party - Club Eclipse
3746 n Davidson st - 21 and up

Sunday
Swagger Sundays - The Sunset Club
South Blvd - Ladies free before 10:30 - 21 and up

Monday
Martini Monday - Allstars Bar and Grill

Wednesday
R&B live - Allstars Bar and Grill

Thursday
Martini & Heels - On The Roxx
14021 Conlan Circle, B-6, Charlotte, NC - learn to make your own Martini

Entertainment Blast
Our condolences goes out to Usher due to the loss of his dad. He was a substance abuse user. Usher and wife was at his side in the hospital when he died.

P.S Word of the day

upbraid \uhp-BRAYD\, transitive verb:
To scold or criticize harshly.


Coming soon............Thursday afterwork social that is like no other........


Featured Real estate leasing/selling agent:
Erica Strong
704-400-7748
http://www.elderbroach.com/


P.S. We give you what you crave not just what you want.......................

Rethink, Refocus, Redo!!!

It's finally 2008, and Happy Belated New Year to all of our people!!! We really appreciate your readership, support, and ideas, so keep it up! The time has come for everyone to re-evaluate their lives and determine if you are on the right course. Reflect on this past year. Did you accomplish all of your goals? Did you make sure you handled everything correctly? Did everything always get paid on time? For most people, the answer is no. The beginning of the year is always a great time to get your affairs in order and start on a new course, especially if the last one was not particularly successful for you. Don't just concentrate on new (sometimes repeated) resolutions that usually do not last long. Think and focus on SOLUTIONS...that will keep you on a steady path to where you want to be!

The Stages of Change

New Year's is "an excellent time for change," says Prochaska, coauthor of Changing for Good (William Morrow and Company). It "represents a new beginning" and brings with it a sense of "getting down to work" after the holidays. The problem, he explains, is that people equate change with action. Yet action, he believes, is only the fourth stage in the process of change.

Action cannot take place, Prochaska argues, unless it is preceded by the following:

• Precontemplation—feeling that the situation is hopeless or denying that there is a problem.
• Contemplation—accepting that there is a problem and beginning to think seriously about changing it.
• Preparation—developing a firm, detailed scheme for action.

In other words, there's no such thing as making changes cold turkey, even when people think that's how they've accomplished something.


P.S. Preferred Spots

Friday, January 11

Do It Free Friday, Buffalo Wild Wings (University) featuring Good Look Entertainment and Swagger and Company, FREE admission all night.

The Underground Soul Tour presents...Soulganic, Tempo, Charlotte, NC, $10 advance, $15 at the door.

Karaoke Fridays, The Other Woman Sports Bar, 7200 Albemarle Road, Charlotte, NC, FREE admission.

Saturday, January 12

Profiles @ Tilt, Tilt on Trade, Charlotte, NC, presented by Double F and The Funklabb, ladies FREE all night.

The Black Winter Party, Presto's Bar and Grill, 445 W. Trade Street, all Capricorns FREE before 11:30.

Sunday, January 13

Allen Iverson and the Denver Nuggets bring Club AI, Jillian's (Uptown), Celebrity Pre-Game Party.