I Met Gabby Bernstein! Win an Autographed Copy of May Cause Miracles!

Amanda Abella — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:00:15 +0000

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of going to see one of my sheroes speak live and in person. On Thursday night I went to The Standard on Miami Beach for Gabrielle Bernstein’s May Cause Miracles Book Launch Event.

If you’ve been following the blog for a while then you know I am a huge fan of Gabrielle Bernstein and her work. I have been following her for a little over a year and can testify that what she teaches about spirituality, positive psychology and meditation actually works!

I use her tools, techniques and teachings on a daily basis and have truly seen miracles occur - from managing my day job and having abundance to this blog becoming a major vessel for an empowering message. And, if you saw my Kick Ass Books for an Awesome 2013 video then you know that her teachings helped me have the easiest breakup recovery ever.

It is her work that helped me not only witness, but stop playing crappy records in my head. I now notice when I have thoughts like “My job blows”, “I’ll never make enough money”, “My ex is an asshole”, “I suck” etc. etc. Now instead of getting caught up in them I disengage and choose to see love instead. This kind of perception has literally created a better outward experience and has certainly helped me better deal with life’s occasional obstacles.

Gabrielle Bernstein has taught me and countless others how to live in an empowered love filled way. Following her work has literally changed my life for the better and I am constantly sharing these tools with you all because I whole heartedly believe in their power. (By constantly I really do mean constantly. You can read about my journey following Gabby here, here and here.)

So as you can imagine I was pretty excited to see one of her lectures live instead of on Vimeo. And I was certainly completely ECSTATIC when I got to meet her!

I met Gabby Bernstein! Squeal!

Autographed copy of May Cause Miracles and a pass to enjoy The Standard Hotel & Spa. Miracles indeed!

Seriously, dream come true! It's moments like this that make me realize how grateful for everything. If it wasn't for writing this blog that constantly forces me to look inward, take care of my side of the street and most importantly serve others, I may have never stumbled upon this incredible teacher. And I certainly wouldn't have had the balls to hand her a business card (Yes, I did do that. Make that two best selling authors I've slipped my business card to!)

You know what else makes me feel grateful? This beautiful setting on the water. I am so blessed to live in such an incredible city!

Getting ready for Gabby on the Bay!

I know a lot of you already follow Gabrielle Bernstein, but for those of you who don't here is a rundown of some of my favorite lessons:

Forgiveness is the bedrock of a happy life.

Relationships are assignments.

Gratitude is the only attitude.

Focus on the content instead of the frame.

Treat your romantic relationships as more brotherly and treat your friendships as more romantic (Good one!)

The Universe has your back.

Win an Autographed Copy of May Cause Miracles!

Since I purchased a VIP ticket for the event I got an EXTRA copy of Gabby's latest book, May Cause Miracles. And guess what? I got her to autograph it for you! Just use the Rafflecopter widget below (you may need to click refresh) to enter! I can't wait to share this amazing guidebook with one of you lucky readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

awesome and unique workouts to stay in shape. In fact, one might say it’s become somewhat of an addiction, and thanks to groups like LocalLEVO I’ve had the amazing opportunity to discover fabulous workouts in my local community.

This time we had the absolute pleasure of checking out Pure Barre Miami with a class led by co-owner Jessica Alier.

(Sorry boys, but I’ve got another awesome post for the lady readers!)

The Levo Ladies had met Jessica before at our Influencer Dinner in October, and we thought Pure Barre would be perfect for one of Levo’s signature #netWORKOUT events. Their mission of bettering the lives of women everywhere is totally in line with The Levo League, so it was pretty much a match made in heaven.

And so, on Friday December 7th, Local Levo Miami held it's second #netWORKOUT event at Pure Barre Miami. We had such a great time that I just had to share it with you guys! After all, I know many of you are aspiring wellness gurus who are also looking for great ways to stay in shape.

Top Right: Co-owner Jessica Alier leading the class! Bottom Right: Levo Ladies rockin' it at Pure Barre Miami!

What is it?

Pure Barre is a total body workout that uses a ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music. And when I say total body workout, I really mean total body workout! Abs, arms, legs, glutes and all!

What’s really cool about Pure Barre is that it’s easy on your joints because it doesn’t involve any bouncing or jumping. They also have stretches in between strength sections to create lean, long muscle without bulk (awesome for people like me who get real tight, real fast.)

Best of all, Pure Barre is great for all kinds of body types and ages. It’s also safe enough for people with injuries and get this - they even have modifications for each trimester of pregnancy! Simply put, Pure Barre has really done it’s homework to make sure that any woman can do the whole workout no matter what they have going on!

You can check out the video below for a cool break down of the entire technique (plus exercises you can do at home!):

Quick History

Pure Barre is over a decade old and was launched by Carrie Rezabek Dorr in Detroit back in 2001. Since it became such a hit they started franchising in 2009. They are now 100+ strong and growing! Pure Barre Miami, for instance, just opened up a few months ago while others are popping up all over the U.S.

What kinds of promos are there?

Pure Barre has awesome promos for new students, new moms, brides and their bridal parties, and college students. They also have other events and promos throughout the year - including retreats!

Aside from providing stellar fitness classes, Pure Barre is a full blown lifestyle company dedicated to improving the lives of women. They have skin care products, DVDs, at-home barres, nutrition bars and more. Above all, Pure Barre strives to create a sense of community among women - something we could all definitely use as we hit the different stages of our lives!

Click on the image below to learn more about Pure Barre:

Connect with Pure Barre & Spread the Love!

Pure Barre Company:

Website: www.purebarre.com

Facebook: facebook.com/PureBarre

Twitter: @Pure_Barre

YouTube: PureBarreCompany

Tweetable: @PureBarre is a hot workout that’s all about empowering ladies! Check out a studio nearest you! via @amandaabella Tweet Buffertweetable text

Pure Barre Miami:

Website: http://purebarre.com/FL-miami/index.html

Facebook: facebook.com/PureBarreMiami

Twitter: @PureBarreMiami

Tweetable: @PureBarreMiami is an awesome place to get a great workout! Check it out to lift, tone and burn! via @amandaabella Tweet Buffertweetable text

Don't live in Miami? Click here to find a Pure Barre studio near you!

With all the talk lately about student loans being the new sub prime mortgage it can be easy to feel confused about higher education. Questions like: “What major will get me the better job?”, “Is the degree even worth the loans?” or “Is grad school going to help me out?” all come up at least once during our time as students and professionals.

Maybe you decided to put off college over the cost. Maybe work experience came first. Maybe you’re debating about whether or not grad school will get you a better paycheck in the long run. All of these are valid situations that occur daily in the lives of young professionals. Perhaps you may even be considering some of these options yourself.

But where can you find some decent information? The news obviously isn’t helping anymore and schools have been getting in trouble for either inflating employment numbers or doing some sketchy stuff with loans.

Enter the Wells Fargo Community - an online resource for anyone figuring out how to pay for their education.

I have to give some major kudos here. Wells Fargo realized that there was a serious need to help educate people about student loans and higher education. After all tuition keeps going up, fees have increased and student loans have become an animal of their own.

That, however, does not mean that seeking higher education is impossible, which is why Wells Fargo created this community to connect students and parents with information straight from the horse’s mouth. And guess what, you don’t have to be a Wells Fargo customer to join!

Here’s some of the stuff you’ll get just by joining the community:

Links and information to resources that will help you make an informed decision.
Engagement with Wells Fargo representatives to help you come up with a plan that works for you.
Student and parent impressions of college visits.
Access to information from financial aid officers and guidance counselors.
A community where anyone involved in the student lending process can help each other out through message boards, blogs and more.

Overall it’s a nifty little place where you can find real time information on the student lending process. Should you decide to continue your education you also have access to people who can get you started right away.

Paying for higher education is not something that should be taken lightly. With that being said I’m glad companies like Wells Fargo are creating communities where people can connect, share and get the information they need.

Whether you’re entering college, going back to finish your degree or considering grad school it’s important to make the best decisions for you and your money. For more information on how the Wells Fargo Community can help check out the video below:

Are you planning on going back to school?

Where do you find information about student loans?

Let us know in the comments!

For more information about the Wells Fargo Community, please visit Wells Fargo Community's site. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. #WFCommunity #spon

In the Meantime. It's mostly about romantic relationships and how to get through them when they don't work out, what you can learn from them and how to enjoy the in between stages; but soon after finished reading it I realized that the meantime can refer to much more than just relationships - it can refer to your career, a business, cultivating a healthy lifestyle or your Quarter Life Crisis.

The fact of the matter is that the meantime is any time you feel like you're in the between stages of something. It may be that stage when you know you're on to something and you're scared shitless. Or, it may be the time between relationships. It may be that time you're hustling to finish some big goal.

I then noticed how I'm in a lot of meantimes. I recently got out of a relationship, I'm in the between stages of getting my coaching certification and running a business, I just started eating really healthy, I'm still in the first stages of my career and my blog is constantly in the meantime as I learn about online marketing and creating streams of income.

You may be experiencing some of your own meantimes as well. Moving back home into your parents' house (been there). Job hunting (been there too). Getting out of debt. Finishing school. Grad school applications. Relationships (Haven't we all been there?). The list goes on and on.

It turns out that life is full of meantime experiences, and sometimes we get caught up in them and panic.

So how do we deal? How do we go from one stepping stone to another without completely losing our footing?

Step One: Become the witness.

This is probably one of the hardest parts in regard to moving on during meantime stages. While it's great and very healthy to let out your emotions, there's a difference between release and attachment.

We have to actively practice becoming the witness of our thoughts. Granted, we can't always do this and we gotta cut ourselves some slack every once in a while, but for the most part we can catch ourselves when our minds are fabricating some crazy stuff.

Do any of these sound familiar?

"He/She hasn't called. They obviously don't care. What an asshole. I'm not worth it." (Can't they just be busy? And I don't know - maybe just be human and dealing with emotions too?)

"I can't start my own business because I'll fail." (And what if you don't fail? What if at the very least, you created an extra source of income if not a full time gig?)

"If I don't have my life figured out by x date I'm doomed." (Really? Are you going to actually die? I think not.)

"Although I hate my boss and my job, I can't leave because then what will I do?" (Find another job. Figure it out. The same thing people who quit their jobs have been doing for ages.)

"I'm stuck here." (You're only stuck if you allow yourself to be stuck.)

And on and on and on.

If we take a second to just witness our thoughts instead of totally getting caught up in them we can see how ridiculous they really are.

Step Two: Strength in numbers.

As of late my best friend and I have been having what she calls "anger spirals." We both just got out of romantic relationships and have been dealing with the aftermath. While on the one hand we're dealing with hurt and anger, we're also completely excited by the wealth of opportunity laid out before us. The combination of these two extreme (and polar opposite) emotions have left us both feeling very overwhelmed and anxious.

We're both in a major meantime stage. Fresh out of relationships and onto something big in respect with our own lives and careers. We're young, ambitious and hard working; but we also know there's a mountain of stuff we need to get done on this big blue marble if we are to reach our goals - all while we try to move on from pain and love ourselves in the process.

Enter anger spirals. And overwhelm. And Gchats where we hold ourselves accountable and call each other out on our ridiculous spirals.

My point is there's strength in numbers. Not in the sense that misery loves company, but that an outsider can call you out on your shit.

Confide what you're feeling to a friend. Let them call you out. And if need be, go through the meantime stage together.

Step Three: Find the opportunity.

Meantime stages can lead to a lot of opportunity, but only if you allow yourself to see it. Lost your job? Start a business. Got dumped? Get fit. Take up a new hobby. Learn something new.

I got dumped and picked up mixed martial arts. I went without a job for months after graduating, so I started freelancing to make extra cash (which I still do). I was overwhelmed by the mere thought of adulthood, so I started this blog. I wasn't digging my first job, so I quit and found a new one that gives me great writing material.

There's always opportunity lying underneath all the messy meantime stuff. You just have to find it.

Step Four: Pause.

I'm one of those people who likes to hit the ground running. My patience runs thin, I like to get things done fast and I forget to take a step back and pause. This especially happens when I'm dealing with emotional stuff. I avoid it. I load up my schedule and keep myself so busy I don't have time to think.

Some of you personal development/ambition junkies may very well be the same way. Always busy, never pausing for a second.

The good news - I at least know my patterns.

The bad news - It's very hard to break patterns. Especially patterns we've been accustomed to for a very long time.

But dammit I am trying! I've almost got my daily meditation practice down packed. I am making sure to put in the time to clear my head, be still and be present. And truthfully, that's when I have felt most at peace during these meantime stages.

I will also be taking a major step back this weekend as take a break from my coaching classes. We need to allow ourselves to rest. It's all a part of self care.

If you find yourself in the meantime, I highly suggest checking out Iyanla Vanzant's book (especially if you're moving out of a romantic relationship). I also recommend taking the time to really take care of yourself, do some exploring and try new things.

You never know what this crazy life will bring us, and sometimes it takes a meantime situation to shed some light on it.

Products Mentioned in this Post:

In the Meantime by Iyanla Vanzant

GMW The Ultimate Guide: Your First Year Out of College I still have a collection of the best posts that made this blog into the popular Gen Y spot that it is. As a result, I'll occasionally post some of my faves from the ebook with a few added twists. Enjoy!

One of the reasons post grad anxiety and quarter life crises occur is because of our fear of the unknown. For the first time in our lives, no one is really telling is what to do and we’re not really sure where our next steps will lead us.

Sure, you’re supposed to find a job. But hey, we inherited a crappy economy.

Sure, you’re supposed to move out. But there’s no work to be had that will give you sufficient funds to do so.

Sure, you could go to grad school. But that’s a lot of student loans and still no guarantee of work when you’re done.

Sure, you could go abroad. But of course that’s not free (or cheap).

Our futures are uncertain, and no matter how many plans we make, a piece will always remain uncertain.

Scary thought, isn’t it?

Of course, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t do the things you want. If you want to go abroad, go to grad school, start a side business, move across the country etc., figure it out and do it. People have been figuring it out for centuries and you won’t be the last ones in this position. However, you will still have to deal with a little uncertainty.

This is where some people prosper while others fail. You can either let it control you and turn into a nervous wreck, or you can take on a new perspective and enjoy the present.

5 Ways to Overcome Fear of Uncertainty

1. Make plans, not expectations.

Expecting a fantastic outcome without actually planning for it is a major faux paus when it comes to this kind of stuff. You only end up setting yourself up for disappointment if things do not match up to your expectations. And let’s face it, when does life ever go according to anyone’s expectations?

Focus on what you can do in order to create the experience that you want. Do you need to save money? Can you start looking for jobs before you graduate? Do you need to find roommates? Of course, sometimes life throws us some curveballs, which brings me to my next point.

2. Prepare for different outcomes.

A true sign of maturity is being able to gracefully handle a situation that does not go your way. Make a list of the different outcomes of your plans, that way if you are met with a curveball, you’ll at least have an idea of how to handle it.

3. Focus on what you can control.

The fact of the matter is that we cannot control everything. I know this may be hard for some of you (including myself) to swallow, but you are only fooling yourself if you think you can control every single aspect of your life.

There are some things which you can control. For instance, let’s say you have moved across the country and can’t find anything because you have a ton of clutter lying around from unpacking. Rather than freaking out because you can’t find your favorite coffee mug, start organizing the space little by little.

4. Become confident in your ability to adapt.

As human beings we are very capable of adapting to different situations. I mean, come on, we’ve been adapting since the beginning of time. The problem lies in that we are not always very confident in our ability to do so.

Ask yourself “What’s the worst that can happen if x, y, and z don’t go my way?” Unless it’s a life or death situation, I’m sure you’ll be fine.

5. Balance.

Ok, this may be kind of out there, but hear me out. One of the biggest problems I had in dealing with the uncertainty of the future is that I spent every waking hour trying to figure it out. If I had to read X Book about running a business, I would stress out about it as if my life depended on it. What eventually ended up happening is I never took any time to relax anymore. Sometimes I thought I had even forgotten how to relax.

Balance is key no matter what stage of your life you are in, but I think it rings particularly true as a 20something trying to figure their lives out for the first time.

The fear of uncertainty doesn't have to control you. YOU are the creator of your own life, and although we tend to forget this, WE are in the driver's seat. WE have the freedom to make our own choices and really design the lives we want to live.

This is an excerpt from the Personal Development and Happiness chapter of GMW Ultimate Guide: The First Year Out of College. If you'd like more inspiring writing concerning life design, personal finance, entrepreneurship, career and wellness make sure to grab your copy today! It makes a great gift for the recent grad or someone who just needs to get their stuff together.

Image via sacrifice_87

The Post-College Guide to Happiness.

As someone who read the book not too long ago I can sit here and tell you it is FANTASTIC! Sharp, witty and above all - tailored to our wonderful generation and our pursuit of true happiness.

Plus - In celebration of his book launch Bryan is also giving away a ton paperback and audio copies of his book. And...wait for it... A KINDLE FIRE! All participants will also receive a free digital copy of this amazing book.

Read on for a rockin' guest post from Bryan himself and for your chance to win some awesome stuff!

The Post-College Guide to Happiness

Bryan Cohen here, guest poster and author, promoting my new book The Post-College Guide to Happiness for The Happiness Blog Tour. I'm giving away free digital review copies of the book and doing a giveaway for paperback copies, audio copies and even a Kindle Fire! Read on and check out the info below the post.

"Taking ownership of your happiness has two aspects: Accepting that being happy is up to you and that you have the ability and power to be happier by changing your habits. Taking 'response-ability': responding to all the events in your life in a way that supports your happiness."

- Marci Shimoff

Owning It

When I was a kid, I remember several instances of playing the blame game whenever I did something wrong or stupid. This continued up through my adolescence and my teenage years, when I blamed everything under the sun for accidentally denting the garage with my new (used) car. Why was blaming such a part of my life? I think it was because I was scared of doing anything wrong or getting in trouble for something. It somehow made me less of a person to accept that I had done something incorrectly. In actuality, of course, accepting blame is a part of life and it's part of growing up. That doesn't mean that we don't all still have the tendency to blame other people for our unhappiness.

Personally, I've blamed my bosses, the weather, my genes, my upbringing and my partner for causing me unhappiness at one time or another. It wasn't until I read Marci's book, Happy for No Reason that I realized how much the blame game was damaging my chance to be happier. Outside circumstances could shift things slightly happier or slightly less happy, but the real determining factor of my joy was what I did on a day-to-day basis and how I reacted to the things I couldn't control.

When I hear a new way of doing things that sounds better than my current habits, I like trying to institute the changes immediately. When I looked deeply into my typical day, I found many habits that were like self-inflicting happiness wounds. I would beat myself up all the time if I wasn't happy with my productivity. To cheer myself up, I'd rely on food or hours of mindless television to get me out of the dumps, which in the long run was just digging me deeper and deeper. I was relatively optimistic, but there were many ways in which I could have responded to negativity more effectively. I saw that there were many opportunities for a positive change, but the most important thing was to start owning my own happiness.

Being happy wasn't going to be up to someone else or something else, it was going to be up to me. I would have to change if I wanted to be happy. I knew that it would be a long and difficult process, but I also knew that it would be worth it. Several years later, I'm still not where I'd like to be habitually, yet I've made great progress. If I keep increasing the ownership of my happiness each year, I'm bound to have a healthier and more successful life.

Bryan Cohen is giving away 61 paperback and audio copies of The Post-College Guide to Happiness and a Kindle Fire between now and May 7th, 2012 on The Happiness Blog Tour. All entrants receive a free digital review copy of The Post-College Guide to Happiness. Bryan hopes to give away at least 1,000 copies during the blog tour. To enter, post a comment with your e-mail address or send an e-mail to postcollegehappiness (at) gmail.com. Bryan will draw the names at the end of the tour. Entries will be counted through Sunday, May 6th.

Bryan Cohen is a writer, actor and comedian from Dresher, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005 with degrees in English and Dramatic Art and a minor in Creative Writing. He has written nine books including 1,000 Creative Writing Prompts: Ideas for Blogs, Scripts, Stories and More, 500 Writing Prompts for Kids: First Grade through Fifth Grade, Writer on the Side: How to Write Your Book Around Your 9 to 5 Job and his new book, 1,000 Character Writing Prompts: Villains, Heroes and Hams for Scripts, Stories and More. His website Build Creative Writing Ideas helps over 25,000 visitors a month to push past writer's block and stay motivated.

Feel free to follow along with the tour at The Happiness Blog Tour Hub Page or on the book's Facebook Page.

foxybingo; or trips to visit friends elsewhere, I was still a bundle of nerves with no real plans. I was absolutely petrified of the future, but worse, I was petrified of repeating my past.

Does any of this sound familiar yet?

I’ve slowly begun to overcome this fear. Granted, it’s been a huge work in progress. Sometimes I still fall and the fearful thoughts come over me like a tornado. Am I at the right job? Am I doing the right thing? Do I even want a romantic relationship? Am I okay with myself? What do I even believe anymore?

The key lies in facing your fears. Just kicking back and saying “Hello Fear, how are you today?” This may sound somewhat absurd, but if we don’t begin to face our fears we’ll never really overcome them. As a wonderful life coach told me recently, “Have tea with your fear.”

Below you’ll find some tools that have helped me overcome my own fear of uncertainty.

Stop Comparing Yourself

Comparing yourself to others is a sure-fire way to set off a fear spiral. You’ll get a case of what many coaches call the “When I Have’s”. In other words, “I’ll be happy when I have that boyfriend”, “I’ll be happy when I have that job”, “I’ll be happy when I have X dollars in my bank account.”

Guys, seriously, it’s all crap. First of all, you don’t how what a person really has. Maybe their relationship, careers and bank accounts are in shambles. Second, you have to be okay with your own path and your own desires - not someone else’s. Just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean it will for you.

Be Okay With Your Fear

Fighting your feelings will only make it worse. I should know, I’m an expert at this. As soon as I feel some sort of fear or uncertainty coming on I start thinking “Stop it! You shouldn’t be feeling this way! It’s stupid! You suck for feeling this way!”

The truth of the matter is we’re not perfect. Fear, uncertainty and sadness will creep in every once in a while. Rather than pushing it away and making it worse, sit with it. Allow yourself to actually feel so you can release it and move on.

Most of all try and do this without judgment. Simply witness how you are feeling without beating yourself up about it. (Seriously, this one has been a good tool for me!)

Stop Watching the News

I’ve joked about this before in an interview I did with Lindsay Hunt. If you want to start feeling better, stop watching the news.

Don’t get sucked into news segments whose only job is to get better ratings. This is especially true with the 24 hour news channels; they have a lot of time to fill and a limited number of stories, so you’ll just hear the same fearful crap over and over again.

If you feel the incessant need to be in the know simply ask someone what the day’s headlines are.

The aforementioned are three things that have really helped me overcome the fear of uncertainty that was my Quarter Life Crisis.

Do you have anything that has helped you? Feel free to share in the comments section!

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The Run Down:

Last weekend I finished reading The Work Revolution by Julie Clow. The whole book is about how companies can create new management systems that incorporate freedom and creativity into the traditional view of work.

To give a gist of some of the ideas behind this book I've compiled a list of some of my favorite ideas that Clow puts forth:

1. People have different skills and different energy levels - use them efficiently.

2. Micromanaging sucks the life out of people.

3. Current systems in older companies just waste a hell of a lot of time.

4. Creativity in the workplace should be embraced.

5. Crappy managers (A.K.A. Fire breathing dragons) need to get axed immediately.

6. Employees work better when you put the power in their hands.

And finally...

Work doesn't have to suck.

There's a quote in the book that really resonated with me. In fact, I think it's an utterly brilliant quote for our entire generation.

"Frankly, for whatever musings there might be about gen Yers being 'entitled', that attitude has led to their absolutely having no patience for the ridiculousness of corporate lives, and they are opting out, in droves. They are optimistic that they can do things they are passionate about, and can make money at it. Fortunately, what starts in the younger generations spreads upward to their elders, as evidenced by the former's immediate Facebook adoption by older age groups. We all need to become more entitled. We need to insist on a work life that is fulfilling and fun."

And so I'm sitting here typing this up with one message in mind:

Get ballsy. Get entitled.

You already have the drive. You already have the passion.

Now all you need is the balls. And just enough of a sense of entitlement to push you.

For those of you who want to quit your own jobs and start your own business. For those of you who want to move up in your current job. For those of you who want to move half way across the world. For those of you who want to follow your creativity. For those of you who want to make money doing what you love.

Strap on your cojones and go after it.

No one's going to create a work revolution for you. You have to take part and create it for yourself. Perhaps you won't change an entire corporate culture, but you'll at least change the way you live your life in conjunction with your work.

We've got one life to live. Live it and work it well.

Facebook Fan Giveaway

Since my Facebook Fans are so supportive and engaged I'd like to show them a little love by doing a giveaway just for them! One lucky Facebook Fan will receive a free copy of Julie Clow's The Work Revolution so they can start creating a work life of their dreams.

All you all have to do is answer one simple question:

What does a work revolution mean for you?

Become a fan, answer the question and the winner will be selected via Random.org on Monday April 23rd.

Graduate Jobs, an independent UK based website that both small and large organizations use to post their jobs for college grads. They also allow candidates to make profiles and search for jobs that match their background. Pretty nifty, right?

Jonathan is a recent Business & Management graduate who now works as a Marketing Executive at Graduate Jobs. He has a passion for all things digital and social media as well as an addiction to tea. This week he focuses on common Gen Y stereotypes and how to overcome them. Enjoy!

Overcoming Gen Y Stereotypes

Generation Y reaches one of the most critical stages in their lives leading up to and during their twenties. Generation Y can usually be defined as those born between 1982 and 2003 whilst also being the largest segment in terms of numbers, estimated to be around the 70 million mark. Typically, Generation Y have many stereotypical characteristics. This may cause some issues when it comes to finding a graduate job or even within the workplace, but are there ways around this? This post will tackle some of the most common stereotypes that Generation Y face.

The lazy and uncommitted generation

This is one of the most common stereotypes that Generation Y gets accused of. In actual fact, research conducted by Kenexa High Performance Institute last year showed that out of those who were surveyed, 31% of 27 year olds said they were considering leaving their organization, but the research also showed that in 1990, 31% of 27 year olds were also considering leaving. According to these results, it is clear that Generation Y’s level of commitment is very similar to that of previous generations.

Nevertheless, members of Generation Y may well find that simply quoting statistics is not enough to debunk the myth. Another way is to demonstrate your level of commitment within your employment history. As a graduate, you may not have a lot of previous jobs but I remember having a particular part-time job for five years whilst in secondary school and sixth form. This shows that I was committed and willing to earn money at a young age. If you are proactive during university, regularly contributing to a society or Students’ Union for example, and have completed internships, this will also show an employer that you get yourself out there, that you’re not afraid of hard work and, most importantly, demonstrate you are not the stereotypical student.

Unrealistic expectations

This is quite a damaging stereotype. Some may believe that all Generation Y feel they are entitled and special, and expect to be able to go into a new job and change everything. To overcome this, take some time to absorb the business processes and find out the reasons behind them before proposing any changes. At the same time, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions, as long as you do so in a respectful manner. If you feel you have ideas that may improve the day to day running of the business, create a case with your line manager but be prepared to back yourself up with relevant findings and evidence. Over time, you will have more opportunities to really contribute and get stuck in, just don’t become a bull in a china shop.

Needing constant feedback

There is a simple way to overcome this stereotype. When applying to a graduate job, give examples of when you have had to work independently. This will tell the employer that you are able to complete tasks without needing constant supervision. At the same time, make sure you include team work examples, as they are likely to be looking for that too. In the workplace, the best way you can avoid annoying your manager is by asking how they prefer to communicate feedback before unexpectedly turning up in their office. This means that you know what level of feedback you can expect. If you feel you are not getting enough feedback, consider negotiating monthly sessions with your manager to discuss your progress. Just remember that flexibility is key.

Overall, the stereotypes that are given to Generation Y are just that; stereotypes. The only difference there is is that Generation Y have simply grown up in a different environment with different tools and a different society, just as other generations will in the future. Unfortunately, stereotypes do exist and you will encounter people who blindly believe in them. Take pride in turning these stereotypes upside down and proving them wrong!

Millenial Maverick Interview with Jana Schuberth where we discuss how to love work now. Also make sure to read about some awesome online networking tools that are sure to help you with your career.

Now, as for the other stuff...

How to Not Miss Life While Working - YouTern

This is super important - probably more important than any other article on here! This is a lesson I had to learn the hard way last year. If I'm not careful I kind of turn into a work-a-holic. I found myself making excuses like "I'm just too tired from working" or "I can't have a lot of work to do" whenever cool stuff came up. Needless to say, although the fruits of my labor were showing, the only place that got me was sick and stressed. This year I've made it a point to take better care of myself and take steps to actually enjoy my life instead of spending it working.

Everybody Starts Somewhere - Life After College

This is also incredibly important to remember whether you're working for yourself or someone else. Many of us are just starting our adventure in the professional world and are so ANXIOUS to already have it all figured out. Get over it. No one has it figured out at first and everybody starts in the same place: somewhere.

(P.S. Those of you who are subscribed to the email list received the Start Somewhere Challenge this week! If you'd like cool personal development challenges sent straight to your inbox make sure to join the email list!)

5 Skills That Will Drastically Improve Your Professional Street Cred - Brazen Careerist

Great article that discusses some skills you'll need in this job market. The best part? I'm sure most of you already have some of these!

Do You Have Unrealistic Job Search Expectations? - Brazen Careerist

This is the latest post I wrote for Brazen Careerist which was inspired by all the young college grads I interview every week. It's great to have big dreams, but make sure you know what kind of market you're dealing with before you come off as unrealistic and unhireable.

Strategies for Job Hunting in Our Current Economy - Corn on the Job

A very valuable resource for any of you who are just beginning your first job search or looking to change jobs. Remember, it's not mom and dad's market anymore!

How to Find the Right Job for Your Personality - Classy Career Girl

Great article about finding a job that you will LOVE! Despite the current state of the economy, it's still important to try to find a job you actually like. After all, who wants to spend 8 hours a day hating their job?

Hope these inspire you! Happy Friday!

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