How Women Can Use Online Resources to Be Successful in the Workplace

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Being a woman in the workplace can come with a unique set of challenges, but it can also come with some serious rewards if you play your cards right. Look through these tips and resources, and connect when you need professional expertise!

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"How To Build Resilience" on the Pursue Your Spark Podcast

I'm so very honored to have been featured on the Pursue Your Spark Podcast entitled, "How To Build Resilience".

I, along with 11 other beauteous business owners/entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19, share tips and our own personal experiences to help others. My segment is first, short, and focuses on resume writing and career shifts.

”It’s undeniable that COVID-19 has impacted us all. What differs between us is whether those effects have been mostly positive or mostly negative. In either case, finding the strength, hope, and resources to rise up and prosper during these tumultuous times has left many of us wondering exactly how to build resilience. “

Check it out here: https://heikeyates.com/096-how-to-build-resiliance-multi-guest-interview/

Enjoy!

Why I Almost Didn't Want To Go On Vacation

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For the past week, I have been on vacation.
1) I almost didn't want to go.
2) I completely unplugged from my emails.
3) I almost didn't want to come home.
All true.

WHY I ALMOST DIDN'T WANT TO GO:
The short answer is that I got stuck in a mindset. My mind was on go-go-go mode. I felt like I had too much going on to take a vacation, even though it had been planned for quite some time. I felt I needed to stay behind my desk to accomplish more before I could take "time off". This is when I knew I really need to take time-off the most. I was putting others (and tasks) before my own well-being. I couldn't get through to the idea of relaxing, or relate to being relaxed. We shouldn't get to this point, but when we do-- it's time to unplug and take a step back.

THE PROMISE TO UNPLUG:
I promised myself that, when I set foot on that cruise ship, I was going to stop worrying about work. The only way for me to set work-worries aside is to not check emails. I activated my email vacation auto-responder, stuck to my word, and let myself just relax while on my trip. It worked! I set boundaries and I stuck to what I said I'd do.

WHY I ALMOST DIDN'T WANT TO COME HOME:
The short answer here is that I learned to relax and got used to the idea of "turning it off". I love my home so of course I wanted to return, but being able to breathe and let my mind focus on more light-heartedness made me feel alive. I also love the sun, sand, ocean, meeting people, and learning new things.

I relearned that, the more I go away, the more of me I find.

I found ME again on this vacation. Not that I'm not "me" when I'm not on vacation, I realize I'm just way more "work-me" when I'm not away and I let that Liz completely take over. I'm hardworking, organized, intelligent, educated, calculated, and so on... but I almost forgot how light-hearted, bold, daring, and fun I know I am, too!

Remember that you have to have a life to have work-life balance.

#worklifestyle #worklifebalance#lifecoach #vacation

Crown Bay, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Crown Bay, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Career Change: Weigh Your Options

Have you been thinking about leaving your job for a new position? Have you contemplated switching fields? Ever wonder what it’d be like to change career paths? Do you feel overwhelmed when thinking about a change of scenery? Sit down for ten minutes and give yourself the time to weigh your options. 

Grab a piece of paper and answer the following questions:
-What would be the pros of leaving your position? 
-What would be the cons? 
-How would you benefit from staying? 
-What benefits would come if you left? 
-What have you been interested in doing for a living? 
-What would you never want to do again? 
-What lights you up? 
-What weighs you down? 
-Who could you reach out to that could provide further information to you in regards to the positions you’re interested in? 
-What are your salary requirements? 
-What benefits are important to you? 

Write down your answers and start looking for available positions, according to your work-life preferences. 

It doesn’t hurt to look around! If your gut is telling you it’s time to leave, listen. If it’s only about more money, think harder... 💛 

xx
Liz Strom

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I'm Featured in a Magazine!

I'm featured in a premier holisitc-living publication in Northern VA: Aurora Zen Lifestyle Magazine!

This magazine's team is passionate about bringing their readers life hacks for an organic, holistic, healthy lifestyle. The Editor-in-Chief is a heart-centered small business owner with community in mind.  

The article is about why people don't follow through with what they say they'll do, and how to actually follow-through! Pick up a copy to check out this high-quality publication in Northern VA! Don't live in Northern VA / Washington DC, contact the magazine to have one sent to you (click here).

Aurora Zen Lifestyle Magazine - July 2018 Issue

Aurora Zen Lifestyle Magazine - July 2018 Issue

Take To Nature

When you're feeling all over the place, going into nature brings a sense of simplicity, allowing space and time for clarity. Without societal and materialistic pressures, you'll better understand what brings you balance, joy, and calm--- as well as what causes you pain, shakiness, and fear. It all helps you to know yourself, and the world around you, better.

No distractions.
No artificiality.
No pushiness.

Just you, fresh air, nature, and time to gather your thoughts.
Clarity will certainly come.

xx
Liz Strom

Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico: "Las Salinas"- Pastel hypersaline lagoon | August 2017

Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico: "Las Salinas"- Pastel hypersaline lagoon | August 2017

Creating An Amazing Life

There will be difficult times in life, and there will be amazing times. You have to create as many amazing experiences as possible, with others who want to make life as equally as amazing. 

Plug in those things in life that help you feel the way you want to feel, with those who will say "YES!" to the journey.

You will go through difficult times again, but amazing experiences lay on the other side of those downtimes--- especially if you've created your life to feel that way.

Go get it, with those who also want it!

P.S. A huge shoutout to my girlfriends who helped me to create this experience! Life can feel heavy, but it feels lighter with great friends! 💕

"Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff." -JonKatz

Photography by Virak Chhang | Kimpton Rouge, Washington D.C. | August 2017

Photography by Virak Chhang | Kimpton Rouge, Washington D.C. | August 2017

Joy

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” -Thomas Merton

Passing through CityCenterDC, replicating a moment in time, made whimsical by the great Kristy Yang, whose photography art is being featured for the FotoDC Style Exhibition (on exhibit through August 2017). 

This particular photo was a result of a no-stress, just for fun, last minute photoshoot I wanted to have. Why? Because I had dresses. That's it! I took the opportunity to do what I believed would bring joy, contacted Kristy Yang in hopes that she would agree to hire her for the afternoon for some fun, and we enjoyed a few hours of sunshine at THE John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, lovingly known as The Kennedy Center, in Washington DC.

Little did we know that a result of our fun afternoon would be recognized by many Washingtonians, via FotoWeek DC's Style Exhibition AND The Kennedy Center's IG page. Her work is stunning, and it absolutely deserves the recognition (and then some).

We did what brings us joy, and it resulted in more joy.

What brings you joy? What will you do to feel the way you want to feel?
Get it on your schedule, and be prepared to enjoy a life full of moments that keep on giving.

This particular moment was captured by my aunt, Xuan, another photographer artist! 

www.lizstrom.com

What Lifts You

We give meaning and emotion to what we see, likewise to the things we hear: art, music, actions...

People's words are *just* words. We are the ones who give them meaning. You can't be offended if you refuse to be offended. You can't be uplifted unless you refuse to be uplifted.

If something/someone makes you feel offended, address what it is that is truly bothering you--- and move through (& past) it.

Look for, and absorb, that which propels you forward and uplifts you.

www.lizstrom.com
Artwork: @kelseymontagueart
#WhatLiftsYou
Mott Street, NYC, 2017

Powerful Beginnings

Greet each day like you would a loved one. Your intentions are powerful; they set the tone/vibration for what will come. xx 💋

www.lizstrom.com
Photography: Kristy Yang Photography
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts