The Source

A few weeks ago, my social media feed was full of #TopNine posts, images of highlights from friends' 2018, and words of excitement and enthusiastic anticipation of everything a new year brings, or MIGHT bring. Don't get me wrong, I look back on a year gone by, but my sentiments lean more toward, "whew! I survived another one!"   

No matter the season, it's always a good time to talk about financial health. So many of us face uncertainties both professionally and personally, and having a grasp on your spending, saving and investing can provide a level of peace in even the most difficult of times.    

Liz Spratlin's career shift from politics and public relations to successful retail owner might not have been the most obvious path, but when it came time for a change, she did what so many are too intimidated to do: jumped in with both feet. We are so proud to have her experience - and style - on our Advisory Panel.   

We’ve reached the time of year when we’re supposed to pause and show gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Whether we truly find time to do this in between crazy family gatherings and excess turkey is another matter altogether. In the week leading up to Thanksgiving as you hopefully wrap up some loose ends in the office before a few days off, there’s no better time to pause and specifically reflect on what you’re thankful for professionally.    

Expert advice usually tells you to share your emotions and not keep problems bottled up. You’ve probably also heard that having a trusted friend you can talk to is a good thing. Don’t misunderstand – these are definitely all positive things. But what does this look like within the workplace? Are venting coworkers cathartic? Or problematic?    

Like every other aspect of our professional lives, sick days also come with unspoken etiquette. We can all name coworkers who have broken these implied rules and not let anyone know they were sick, leaving everyone wondering where they were. Or even worse, those who refuse to take a sick day and end up getting the rest of the office sick.    

There's a meme circulating on social media that reads, “Behind every broke Millennial, is a Baby Boomer who makes 6 figures but can’t open a PDF.”It's humorous commentary on what is becoming a notable issue for almost all companies – accommodating generational differences.    

The Source is no stranger to the issue of time management. This topic, along with work-life balance, is one we get frequent inquiries about, and they definitely go hand-in-hand. You cannot obtain work-life balance without a good grasp on time management.    

I am a classic over-thinker. Just now, as I write this, I'm looking back at nearly every word I've typed and will likely re-read the post a good eight or ten times before I click "publish." Maybe it's because of my communication background, but I tend to overanalyze each word I write. Never is this more obvious and daunting as in an email. Women tend to be more self-deprecating in these messages, concerned we'll sound arrogant, bossy, or impolite.