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Check out these inspiring & motivating articles for the working woman. We discuss searching for work, struggling at your job, changing careers, work-life balance & more. #gritandgracelife

The Write Way Out of Writer's Block

The Write Way Out of Writer’s Block

Oddly enough, this article bloomed from a very frustrating stint of writer’s block. As a graduate student, aspiring journalist, and regular writer for The Grit and Grace Project, the onset of writer’s block is quite possibly my worst nightmare. I want to write for a living and am paying thousands of dollars for an education that is designed to teach me how to write better. Yet, I’ve been struggling to hit the keys on my laptop for about a week now. So, in my effort to make lemonade after being served a very rotten vat of lemons, I decided to work with my block by writing about it. There are a few small tips and tricks I’ve implemented over the years that […]

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So You Want to Be Your Own Boss? 4 Things You Should Know

So You Want to Be Your Own Boss? 4 Things You Should Know

You want to own your own business, become the boss with a goal of finding success and independence from another’s day-to-day expectations. From Shark Tank to house flipping, from launching your Etsy product line to joining a multi-level marketing company, there seem to be a million ways to gain that independence. I have heard the phrase often and excitedly stated: “I’m going to land a business.” Having owned several businesses, I can say there absolutely is a level of independence and control to be found in being your own boss. But if you think “the buck stops here” is merely a phrase of importance, you miss the reality that it is also one of responsibility. There is so much more to being

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How Self-Awareness Will Make You Successful

How Self-Awareness Will Make You Successful

“What do you want, Jen?” I thought it was a dumb question. I didn’t have time to think about what I wanted. I was leading a rapidly growing organization, overseeing a multi-million dollar building project, and writing my first book. There was no time to think about what I wanted. There was barely time to do everything I needed to do! My husband’s question triggered an avalanche of emotions that took me months of counseling to crawl out of. What emerged was a realization of how disconnected I had become from myself. I was lacking self-awareness and it was impacting every area of my life. Emotional intelligence expert and psychologist, Daniel Goleman, defines self-awareness as, “having a deep understanding of one’s emotions,

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This is How Two Women at GM are Crushing Stereotypes

This Is How Two Women at GM are Crushing Stereotypes

On September 1, Dhivya Suryadevara will take over as General Motors’ very first female Chief Financial Officer in the company’s 110-year history. She will supersede Chuck Stevens whom has been with the company since 1978 and has held the current CFO position since 2010. Not only will she hold a position never before seen by a woman there, but she follows CEO Mary Barra onto a short list of dual female CEO/CFO’s within the corporate world (the other being the Hershey company). A Woman of International and Domestic Grit Dhivya Suryadevara is not lacking in her experience with GM. Arriving at the North American Fortune 500 company in 2005, she was soon recognized as Forbes top 40 under 40 in 2015—a major

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

How Can You Raise Great Girls? Darlene’s Daughters Tell All – 054

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreAre you trying to raise confident, capable daughters but feeling unsure about how you’re doing? Every mother feels that way! Darlene Brock, in her new book, Raising Great Girls, takes a look back at the years she raised her two daughters. By breaking down the roles, this mom took on doable jobs, and she shares what she learned. Since today is the official book release date, we wanted to celebrate by inviting her daughters to join us for this fun episode. You will hear firsthand from Darlene and her daughters the successes and failures that led to them becoming the adults they are today! Julie interviews Darlene, Loren,

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10 ways to make the most of your maternity leave

10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Maternity Leave

I just completed my third maternity leave, and I wish I could tell you that I’ve got it all figured out. I feel like I should be able to create some Pin on Pinterest that charts the course for the best maternity leave, but all three maternity leave experiences were very different. I believe maternity leave can be one of those transitions in life where we look back and say, “I wish,” or, “I miss,” or, “If I only could’ve.” Parenting, in general, is full of those “if” moments (and even regrets), and maternity leave often falls under the same umbrella.  Most of the time you’re just surviving, and that’s okay. For several weeks you walk around in a fog and then

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Facing Broken Dreams and Finding a New One

Facing Broken Dreams and Finding a New One

When I moved to the east coast of Canada, I didn’t know a soul. It was a big move during the most difficult time in my life. I was a stay at home mom, doing little things to make ends meet and homeschooling my kids. It wasn’t easy, but slowly we began to make friends. One friend, in particular, owned a home decor store in town. I’ll never forget the day I asked if she would consider hiring me. I was shaking and stumbling over my words as my nerves took over. I could just feel my fair skin explode into a brilliant lobster shade of red which I could not hide. Although I had little confidence in myself at the time,

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Practical Ways Women Can Thrive in the Workplace – 052

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreDid you know that the majority of women in America today are in the workplace? Of course, you did; you’re probably one of them. Something you may not know is, there’s a difference between how the genders approach challenges at work. How can we thrive as women in the workplace? What does it look like when we apply both grit and grace? With these thoughts in mind, Darlene and Julie discuss the common issues we face in our jobs, as well as, how to find the balance between work and home life. They share laughs over their least and most favorite jobs and admit their pitfalls as

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5 Lessons Every Woman in the Workplace Should Learn

5 Lessons Every Woman in the Workplace Should Learn

There is an education needed for every woman in the workplace—one that has nothing to do with their chosen career. It rests heavily on real-life instruction and will help you to avoid becoming ensnared in those “Oh dear, what should I do now?” moments that happen in almost every workplace. Here are 5 lessons every working woman needs to learn: 1. The Side-Hug The key to successfully maneuvering the side hug (when you see the inappropriate full-frontal hugger heading your way) is to wait until he gets about five feet in front of you, then quickly pivot 90 degrees to your right. He will run into your shoulder or elbow, the most uncomfortable parts of a woman’s body. 2. Dodging the Gossip

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8 Ways to Take the Fear Out of Networking

8 Ways to Take the Fear Out of Networking

For many executives and business owners, networking is a non-negotiable part of marketing and generating leads. When you are passionate about what you do, it can be a key way to spread the word about how your products or services can help others grow their own businesses. If you’re an extrovert, you probably get a little jolt of adrenaline over the endless possibilities for meeting interesting new people and the challenge of persuading some of them to give you their business. But for busy working moms, young career starters, introverts, and exhausted over-achievers, just hearing the word “networking” can make you long to curl up in a ball under your desk. It’s intimidating and draining to constantly generate productive small talk. The

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Skillet’s Jen Ledger Shares Her Faith, Her Fear and Her Strength – 044

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreWhat happens when an incredible opportunity comes your way? Fear? Anxiety? Belief that you aren’t qualified? Well, you’re not alone; that is precisely where today’s guest found herself. Drummer, Jen Ledger, joined the multi-platinum, world-touring rock band, Skillet, at 18 years of age, all the while struggling with feelings that she didn’t have what it takes. Now a decade later, she’s facing her fears again with the release of her first solo EP “Ledger.” In this episode, Jen shares how her fear can derail her, bringing anxiety and panic along with it. Yet, it is in her faith that she finds strength. Whether you’re facing change, challenge,

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

Do You Have to Be a Feminist to Be a Strong Woman? – 041

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreEach week we celebrate what we believe—women are strong, it’s demonstrated in who we are and all we do. But it seems in the current culture a woman’s strength is often considered synonymous with feminism. In the midst of the potentially confusing platforms we just have to explore this topic. What is a feminist today, anyway? Is there value in the movement, what have we learned from it and where do we go next? Has feminism lost the respect for and appreciation of the strength of a man? This week we are discussing what it means to be a strong woman and a feminist in today’s explosive

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

5 Things a Woman Must Do for Success in Life – 040

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreDo you have a purpose in your life? Or avoid the subject because you feel that you don’t? Women who are living this #gritandgracelife can accomplish so many things, but we are often set back by fear or worry, or we compare ourselves to others. In this episode, Julie explores Darlene’s life journey. Sharing five life tips that she followed to get where she is now: having several successful careers, a rich multi-decade marriage, as well as launching two grown daughters into fulfilling lives of their own. If you’re at a crossroads, struggling with your next step, or seeking to discover a passion that is uniquely for

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How to Handle Workplace Criticism with Grit and Grace

How to Handle Workplace Criticism with Grit and Grace

“Every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration. Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought.” -Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman to serve in both houses of US Congress Constructive criticism is one of those things we love to hate. We know that in order to grow and improve we must continually use the lens of those we trust and respect to sharpen us every day. However, when we receive it, that criticism can cut deep into our core and leave us shaken and unsure. But it’s not the criticism that counts, is it? It’s what we do with it. It’s not supposed to just hurt our feelings and then die. The importance is in the work we

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Considering a Direct Sales Business? 5 Things to Know First

Considering a Direct Sales Business? 5 Things to Know First

A few years ago, my husband and I were struggling financially. This is not uncommon. In fact, according to a 2017 survey from CareerBuilder, “Seventy-eight percent of  full-time workers said they live paycheck to paycheck.”1 My family was part of that seventy-eight percent. In addition to living paycheck to paycheck, we were growing deeper in debt. I decided working from home in a multi-level marketing business would benefit us. I loved a line of health products I was already using; they had been helping me feel better for months. So, I looked into the business side of things with a friend who was already earning an income with the company (though I had told her many times before that I never would). I

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How to Build the Workplace Reputation of Your Dreams

How to Build the Workplace Reputation of Your Dreams

So you aced the interview, got the offer of a lifetime, and are about to start the job of your dreams. Congratulations! There is nothing quite as simultaneously exciting and terrifying as starting a new job. There’s just so much new to take in: new office, new colleagues, new desk, new rules. It’s as fresh of a start as it comes. But it’s not without pressure, is it? Especially if this is a dream job or a place you plan to stay for the long haul, building a good reputation among your superiors and colleagues is a must. You know what you bring to the table—with your fabulous ideas, outstanding talents, and brilliant input—but in the modern world, you have to earn your

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This Grit and Grace Life Podcast

How to Have Healthy Relationships with All the Men in Your Life – 036

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreMen—we work with them, date them, marry them but do we know how to get along with them? Part of being a strong woman is appreciating the prospect of having healthy relationships with the men in our life. But in today’s climate, it seems like that’s a challenge! When did men get such a bad rep’ anyway? Whether we’re talking friends, coworkers, neighbors, family or every other dude you do life with; we want to learn to have good connections with them. We respect and appreciate guys for who they are, and we love that our genders are different! In this episode, Darlene and Julie discuss the

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