Latest Article Get our latest posts by subscribing this site

Does The Early Bird Really Get The Worm?


Question: Does the early bird really get the worm? Several studies have been conducted regarding the link between early risers and success in the workplace. In fact, I recently read an article discussing the habits of some of the most powerful women in the world. Each of the women discussed in the article wake up before dawn, work out, and then head off to work. While reading the article, I immediately began thinking about my own personal habits. I typically wake up at 7 A.M. every morning during the work week. If I’m feeling really inspired, I may wake up at 6 A.M. and head to the gym for an hour…this doesn’t happen often! But this article got me to thinking whether I would be more successful if I woke up before dawn instead of 2 hours later. Am I cheating myself professionally?

As the article continued, it cited a 2008 University of North Texas study that observed that students identified as “morning people” typically earned higher grades. The article also cited several other studies that seem to indicate that early risers tend to perform better in the workplace. Interesting! But why is it that early risers perform better in the workplace? I’ve discussed this issue at various times with some of my colleagues. One of my early riser colleagues argues that getting in the office at least an hour earlier affords her the time to get work done while the office is still quiet, which translates to higher productivity in the morning. Another early riser colleague noted that waking up early allows him to work out in the morning before heading into the office, which clears his mind and makes him more alert throughout the day. Yet another early riser colleague of mine states that waking early simply give her an extra couple of hours to “catch her bearings” so that by 9 A.M. she is fully awake and ready to go….which she believes gives her an edge up on those who are just getting started at 9 A.M.

While these are each valid arguments in favor of waking up early, do they answer the question at hand: do early birds really get the worm? I can personally vouch for each of my early riser colleagues…they are all very successful in their respective fields. And not just successful…they are superstars! So maybe early risers do have an edge!

In my experience, I do tend to be more productive at work when I arrive at least an hour before the actual work day starts. I focus more because I am less distracted by the customary hustle and bustle of the office. In fact, I come up with my best ideas during this time. Given all of these benefits that stem from waking up early, you would think that I would do it more…this is something I definitely need to work on! I would hate to be cheating myself out of a more beneficial and successful career.

While I am not completely prepared to conclusively state that the early bird does in fact get the worm, I do think it is an experiment worth trying. After all, as professionals we should always look for ways to improve upon ourselves. With all of this in mind, my questions to you all is:

1. Are you an early riser? If so, how has this character trait been beneficial to you and your career?

2. If you are not an early riser, would you be interested in experimenting with waking up earlier to see if it improves your job performance?

As number 2 appears to apply to me, my answer is YES! But let me know your thoughts!

To see the article discussed in this post, Click Here!


Building a Professional Wardrobe...The Basics!

Greetings Divas! And welcome to another work week. I trust that you all enjoyed the long holiday weekend filled with turkey and shopping. While I did enjoy the turkey, I refrained from partaking in the shopping festivities. I’ll wait while you all gasp in surprise…… Instead of shopping this weekend, I seized the time afforded by the long weekend to go through my closets and gather items to contribute to the clothing drive at my mother’s church.

As I sifted through my professional clothing, I found myself thinking back to my first job out of law school. Specifically, I remember what my professional wardrobe looked like…quite pitiful! I think I had just enough pieces to make it through my first two weeks, which required me to repeat certain pieces more than twice. I remember speaking to my mother, who gave me great advice on how to build my professional wardrobe. She advised me to purchase certain items each time I received a paycheck for the next six months. I listened, and I slowly began to build a great professional wardrobe. I started out with the basics and progressively built upon these staples. It was the best advice…thanks Boss Lady!



My wardrobe has come a long way since I first entered Corporate America, but I always make sure I have the basics. In fact, many of the items I purchase now for my wardrobe continue to build upon these staples. In the spirit of sharing, I thought it would be a great idea to prepare a few post discussing the act of building a professional wardrobe. Now, I don’t claim to be a fashionista, but I do know that there are a few things that every Professional Diva should have in their repertoire. In the spirit of sharing, here are the 10 basic staples every professional woman should have in her closet.





1. Complete Suit – Every Professional Diva need a complete business suit in Navy, Black, or Charcoal Gray. This suit should include a blazer, matching pants, and a matching skirt. This gives you the option of wearing a pants suit, or a skirt suit. If possible, try to snag the type of suit that allows you to wear the skirt and the pants as separates so that you can pair them with a shirt and/or a cardigan. Try to go for a suit made of light wool material, as this is the most versatile for the different seasons.







2. Sheath Dress – An impeccable sheath dress in a solid, neutral hue is a must! Try to score one in black, brown, or gray, and be sure that it fits your form without being too tight. Also, a great sheath dress transfers well from day wear to nigh wear. By day, pair your dress with a blazer and classic pumps…by night pair your dress with colorful accessories and funky shoes. In either event, you’re good to go!







3. Black Skirt – Easy pick! Whether it is a pencil cut or an A-line, be sure to select a skirt that is knee length and made of light wool material. The best type would be one that you can pair with cardigans and button-down shirts.






4. Black Pants – Another easy pick! Be sure to choose classic, straight legged pants that fit comfortably. As with the other staple pieces, select a pair of pants made of light wool material. Like the classic black skirt, your pants should pair well with cardigans and button-down skirts.






5. Button-Down White Shirt – Your shirts should be white, crisp, and have a collar. It should also be made to fit a woman’s body, and should be one that can be worn under a suit and paired with skirts, and pants. And be sure it is made from good material, like cotton.







6. Black Blazer – The perfect piece that provides a variety of options, the black blazer should be a staple in the Professional Diva’s wardrobe. The blazer can be worn with dresses, skirts, pants, and jeans, which makes it the perfect accessory. Choose a blazer that is versatile and that fits comfortably.










7. Quality Blue Jeans – Every Professional Diva should have a pair of quality blue jeans in her closet. While blue jeans are not the traditional apparel for the office, there are situations where blue jeans are appropriate. Many offices have a “dress-down” or “casual” day where employees are permitted to wear denim. When these opportunities arise, you should have a pair of quality blue jeans that are neat and non-offensive. Your jeans should pair well with a blazer, a button-down shirt, or a cardigan.







8. Classic Trench Coat – You have to have it! Every Professional Diva should have a classic trench coat to wear with her business apparel. The trench coat is the perfect accessory to complete your look and keep you warm. Try to snag one in tan, black, brown, or gray, and be sure that it fits over your clothing comfortably…not too big, not too small.





9. Classic Black Pumps – Black pumps are the go-to shoe for the professional woman, as they often match well with basic professional attire. You should score a pair that is high-quality and comfortable. Your pumps should be closed toe, and should have a 2 to 4 inch heel.





10. Set of Pearls











What are some of the staples in your closet? What item(s) would you add to this list?

Martini Thursday...Thanksgiving Edition!!!

Gingerbread Martini



Happy Thanksgiving Divas and Gents! I trust that many of you are preparing for a great meal with family and friends, so I’ll be quick! I wanted to share a recipe that I discovered last year at the Outback Steakhouse in San Juan, Puerto Rico (I’m sure they serve it in all the locations!). Outback’s Gingerbread Martini was amazing! So amazing in fact that I had two! A month after I found the Gingerbread Martini, I started the Martini Chronicles. I held on to this recipe for almost an entire year so that it would be appropriate for the holiday season, and now…its time!



In fact, I have a few holiday recipes that I plan to share with you all over the next few weeks. But first, here is the Gingerbread Martini….courtesy of the Outback Steakhouse!



Ingredients

1 oz Your Favorite Vodka

1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur

½ oz Kahlúa Liqueur

½ oz Monin Gingerbread Syrup

Crushed Graham Crackers

Whipped Cream (For Garnish)

Gingerbread Cookie (For Garnish)

Ice



Recipe

1. Rim a chilled martini glass with crushed graham crackers.

2. In a shaker, combine Vodka, Bailey’s, Kahlua, Monin, and Ice. Shake!

3. Strain mixture into prepared martini glass.

4. Garnish with whipped cream and a gingerbread cookie.



Have a wonderful Thanksgiving guys. Remember to be thankful for all of your blessings. There are so many people in the world who are not as fortunate. Say a special prayer for them at the dinner table today.


As always, Drink Responsibly!


Go Diva! It's Ya Birthday!

Blessed! 

I am so blessed to be alive to see another birthday. On this day marking the 31st anniversary of the day I was born, I want to thank God for blessing me with life, health, love, family, and friends. What more can a Diva ask for! 

In honor of Pro Diva Day my birthday, here are some of my favorite birthday tracks...let the festivities begin!




Stevie Wonder
Happy Birthday
 

50 Cent
In Da Club
 

R. Kelly
It's Your Birthday


I'm Being Featured!!!


Greetings Divas and Gents! Just wanted to let you know that I'm being featured today over at Livin Life With Purpose! Special thanks to Angela (@aejohnson3131) for asking me be featured on her Women Game Changers Series. Please show her some love, because her blog is FABULOUS! Thanks in advance!


Professional Diva Must Haves...


Mary Kay's Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

Divas, how many times have you come home from a night out, and you were too tired to even think of taking off your makeup? So you don’t, and what results is a face full of clogged pores and makeup stained pillows. I have been here more times than I can count. I love wearing makeup, especially when I'm at work or out at a special event. I especially have a sweet spot for eye makeup of the waterproof variety. You know the kind I’m talking about right? The extra black waterproof mascara…the mineral eye shadow guaranteed to stay on through a night of partying…the black kohl eyeliner that makes your eyes pop…you’ve been there…I know!  

The problem with this is that quality eye makeup is often difficult to take off with your average face wash. Here's where Mary Kay's Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover comes in handy. This remover is oil-free and hypoallergenic, and it gently removes all types of eye makeup...including the stubborn waterproof makeup that looks so good in those Facebook pictures. I personally use this product to remove my eye makeup. It is easy to use, and doesn't leave a greasy residue like many other removers. It also removes eye makeup gently, which is perfect for preserving the delicate skin around your eyes…double win!

If you are interested in learning more about this product, check out my website HERE! In the spirit of sharing…..!

Have a great week!


Martini Thursday!!!

Cherrytini



Happy Martini Thursday Divas and Gents! I don’t know about you all, but I am anxiously waiting for the weekend. I have a lot of things I need to catch up on, and the weekend is perfect for catching up. The weekend is also a great time for you all to try a new martini…courtesy of the Martini Chronicles of course! This week’s martini is inspired by Kriek. What is Kriek you ask? Kriek is a style of Belgian beer made from fermented cherries. I have never been a fan of beer. In fact, I hate beer and never consume it. However, last weekend in Brussels I had the opportunity to taste Kreik…I was pleasantly pleased! It has a sweet cherry-ish flavor to it, and barely tasted like beer. I was happy!






In true Pro Diva fashion, I started thinking of a martini recipe that would capture the essence of Kriek…I failed. But I did solicit the help of one of my loyal readers, Angie D., to help me create a cherry-inspired martini. I conjured up 3 different recipe combos for Angie to try, and asked her to try each and select the recipe she preferred the most…she chose recipe #2! As such, Angie and I present the Cherrytini! Thanks Angie





Ingredients

3 oz Cherry-Flavored Vodka (Smirnoff is a good brand)

2 oz Cheri-Berri Pucker Schnapps

1 oz Sprite (Or other lemon-lime flavored soda)

Maraschino Cherries (For Garnish) 

Ice



Recipe

1. In a shaker, combine Vodka, Schnapps, Sprite, and Ice. Shake!

2. Drop a few Maraschino cherries in a chilled martini glass.

3. Strain mixture into martini glass. 



How is it? Special thanks to Angie for her help! It gets expensive trying out different types of recipes, so I appreciate my readers for offering to try out recipes for me. If you are interested in trying out a recipe for the Chronicles, please email me at TheProDiva@gmail.com, or shoot me a message on Twitter (@TheProDiva). 


A Professional Diva Rant...


Please let me apologize in advance for the rant that is this post, but I really have to get this off my chest. Especially since I’m sure some of my fellow Professional Divas may have experienced the same frustration…but let me back up a bit and explain exactly why I am frustrated.

As I may have mentioned before on the Chronicles, I work out not only to get and stay in shape, but also to relax. It’s the one time during my hectic day when I can listen to my music, zone out, and get in some heart-healthy cardio. I generally like to work out in the gym because I like using the treadmill, the elliptical, and the weight machines. I currently have memberships to two gyms: Planet Fitness (which I love!) and Club Metro (which I hate have issues with!).

Let me discuss Club Metro for just a second.  There are a few things that I can get past when it comes to my membership at Club Metro. I can get pass the overly-crowded parking lot full of the cars of folks who are not even in the gym. I can get past the blaring loud music that resembles a night club…I mean so loud that you can’t hear the person standing next to you if by chance they are speaking to you…I can get past that. I can also get past the fact that out of the 20 treadmills in the place, only 10 really work…as long as I get a machine, I can get past that. What I absolutely cannot get past are the various men hitting on me at this gym. And it’s not just me! These dudes hit on many women at this gym, many of whom are receptive to their advances. I, however, am not one of them!

Picture it…you got your headphones on cranked up to your favorite work out tunes…you just hit the 2 mile mark on your running program and you’ve got 1.1 more miles to go to make it a 5K…you can see the end of your work out in sight…and then BOOM! You’re interrupted by a guy tapping you on your shoulder trying to get your attention…work out officially ruined!

I can’t tell you how many times this has happened to me at this gym, and it irritates the hell out of me! First of all, whenever I go to the gym I am usually working within a very tight time frame. I like to get in, work out, and get out. I don’t socialize with anyone…I walk in with my headphone on, and I leave with my headphones on. That may sound a little stuffy and stank, but it is what it is! Going to the gym is MY time to let of steam, and I am not willing to give it up…especially to some guy spitting weak game…or any game for that matter! You don’t see me strolling over to the weights section where all the dudes hang out admiring their own muscles and interrupting their sets to ask for their digits do you? So why bother me!

Now I know what you all are thinking, and the answer is NO! I am not emitting anything that would vaguely make these dudes think that I am amenable to their advances; as I said before, I am quite antisocial when I go to the gym. Maybe it’s the fact that other women go to this gym to flirt more than to work out…maybe these guys think that I am similar to the masses. If this is the case, please note the following:

1. If I refuse to remove my headphones from my ear when you tap me on my shoulder, then I am not interested.

2. If, when you approach, I immediately stop working out, walk out of the gym, get in my car, and drive off, then I am not interested.

3. If I turn my head in the opposite direction while you are speaking to me, then I am not interested.

4. If I tell you I’m married and my husband is trained in mixed martial arts and real swole, then I am not interested…and you may get your butt kicked!

The moral of this rant is that I enjoy going to the gym to work out and zone out…it’s my ME time! I am not interested in being hit on while I hit the elliptical. Just leave me alone why don’t you!?

And I’m spent! Has this ever happened to any of you? Please say I’m not alone! Please say this rant was not in vain! Sigh…Smooches!


 
Copyright © Professional Diva - All Rights Reserved
Proudly powered by Blogger