For the past several years we’ve researched countless topics ranging from reflective to what’s trending to celebratory. We’ve explored the importance of unity in a workplace; the ability to express thoughts, ideas, dreams. And it is here, on our blog that we’ve been able to not only do that amongst the Worx team but have the privilege of sharing our passion, our expertise with you; our friends, family, clients and supporters. In every word that we type, we talk about branding, entrepreneurship and work culture. As faithful readers, you’ve inspired us to keep going and with our recently launched new website, we’ve also released a new blog, where you can continue to read the same content that gives you a glimpse of who we are, what we do and why it – branding – matters.

This year we’re focusing on staying focused… and are super excited to see what the virtual blank pages of 2016 have in store for us! We have much to learn and are thankful to pass on everything we pick up!

Visit our new blog today! http://worxgraphicdesign.com/blog/ 

My perfectly imperfect morning

I read a lot of articles about business, how to find balance and lists on how to achieve success through bulleted lists. I love reading how others have found success in life and business and how I might be able to adopt some of those characteristics in my own journey. I've seen a lot of articles lately about wearing the same outfit every day but never felt interested in reading them. The concept didn't appeal to me, and still doesn't. But for some reason, I kept thinking about it. So, I finally read about it.

In a nutshell, many professionals are adopting the concept of wearing the same outfit every day to eliminate stress, having to make one more decision in the day and to simplify and streamline their life. Can't say I blame them! But after finally reading these articles, I'm at peace with my perfectly imperfect morning. What I learned is that everyone's routine to success is different. How I start my day is different than yours, which is different than your neighbors and your coworkers. I may not start my day the same way Oprah or Ellen does, but that doesn't make me any less successful.

There is so much information available to us. My advice; do what makes sense for you. Do what empowers you to start your day off right. Does that mean wearing the same outfit every day like Zuckerberg? Go for it! Does that mean laying your cloths out the night before to eliminate the morning “I have nothing to wear” routine? Could be. Everyone has something they can do to improve their morning routine. What can you do to eliminate those stressful parts of the hour between when the alarm goes off to when you set off to work?

My mornings are unique. Secret fact about me is I actually despise routine. I like getting things done, but to do the same thing the same way every day drives me up the wall. So, in case you're reading this to get inspired on ways to improve your mornings, here's some unfiltered and imperfect ways I get my ass to work.

• I set my alarm for 15 min before I actually wanna get up so I can hit my snooze two, sometimes three times. Those extra 9 minutes are glorious! Feels like a Decade’s worth of sleep!
• I make sure my mascara is cleaned up, throw on some shoes and walk Kandon to the bus stop with my hubby. On the way back to the house we laugh about how the parents walking home look like a scene from the walking dead.
• I grab my morning coffee, that I'm super picky about and go back to my bed. My bed understands me. It's warm and those pillows are like warm clouds. I snuggle back in, drink my coffee and jumpstart my day with articles, shameless scrolling through Instagram or weather surfing.
• At 8:30, I convince myself that I need to leave my warm fortress and start to get ready. I never get ready the same way twice. I just do what my gut tells me to do. Sometimes I get dressed first. Other times I put on my makeup first. Sometimes I forget to brush my teeth and have to march my rear end back up the stairs. Routine may be your thing. It may not be. Either one is ok.

I was finding that each day, I didn’t have any downtime in the morning. I was jumping out of bed at the last second to get ready for work and felt rushed all of the time. I hated that feeling every day and decided to change it. My solution was to get back in bed (best decision I ever made). I allowed a little more time in the morning to get ready and was able to slow down and start my day off relaxed, not stressed.

I don't have a magic solution on how to get up earlier, how to minimize morning stress or how to build a routine. What I can tell you is to do what is best for you. If you're freaking out every morning, you have an opportunity to change that. If your routine is working, keep doing it. Just because you're not getting ready the same as the top CEO’s of the world doesn't mean you can't be as successful as they are.

How to Stay Hired

We have all been there. Sweaty palms. Crinkled resumes. Scuffed shoes. It’s job interview day and despite sticking those germ-infested hooves in our mouth during an intense question, we snagged ourselves an illustrious position at our dream job. 

You see, several years ago, that was me. I remember what I was wearing, the weather, a few of the interview Q&A's.

After a while I got comfortable with everyone and work life proceeds. The mantra practice makes perfect fueled me through the day. However, a nagging question snuck in, how do I keep the dream alive? How do I stay hired?

And now I’ve planted it in your head…

Be On Time: Punctuality is equivalent to reliability. Not only should you be on time to plopping your fine rear anatomy at your desk in the morning (seriously, how many traffic jams can your encounter in a week. Seriously.) but you should be on time with handing your work into your boss and to your clients.

Be Honest: Own up to your mistakes. While it is a globally known fact that America is in crisis mode for an ever-growing debt, (you didn’t really think that was was a national secret, did you?) that is not the only deficit we own. We are deficient when it comes to taking responsibility.

Be Likeable: What does that even mean? If your coworkers grimace when you talk, that’s a strong indicator you are on the wrong spectrum of likeability. If you extend a BBQ invite and 80% of the office shows, you’re on the right track. Listen to people, share your food (be respective to food allergies and try not to get people severely harmed) and respect boundaries.

Be Open: Whether it’s opening up to others, being open to ideas or critique or helping others open up, shutting down means you lose out. Allow people to explore alongside you.

Be Proactive: Don’t wait for someone to ask you to do something. If you see the water is about to run over the sink ledge, for Niagara Fall’s sake, get up and shut it off even if you didn’t leave it on. A cautious person with a good set of eyes in the future who has the team’s back (quite the visual) is always an asset.

Be Versatile: Let people know about your multi-faceted skills and your willingness to use them whenever, however, and wherever needed. This may be your dream job in an illustrious team, but it takes many moving parts to make mighty things happen. Moreover, it takes all kinds of special too.

So finally, how to stay hired is to be hired. While being on time is essential, don’t just show up because it’s your dream. Be hired. And stay hired.

Here’s to many more years at Worx…because it just Worx for me.

Empire State Of Mind

Do you look at the glass half empty or half full? It’s a powerful idiom that could explain a lot in terms of your current lifestyle and how the world is working for you.

It’s hard to have the “I’m going to go out there and change the world” attitude. Before you can change the world, a country, a town, a group, a person, it has to start within. Once you change the way you think, everything else on the outside will reflect to complement it.

Success isn’t something you simply fall into, success comes with patience, dedication and consistency. Ultimately however, we are directly responsible for what happens in our lives. There are ways which we can be proactive, starting with our changing perspective. Successful people go against the grain and often combat pessimism with optimism and instead of embracing excuses, embrace solutions. The trick is to take action.

There are tough scenarios that we’ve all faced, but the way we respond is the test of our greatness or a glowing example of our capabilities. It’s very easy to fall into a negative rut. If the negatives outweigh the positives, you find yourself blaming others, you haven’t seen self-growth in long time, you tend to set low expectations to avoid disappointment; then it’s time to step back and reevaluate your perspective and transform that negative energy to a positive, thriving force.

The goal is to have an empire state of mind, and no, I’m not just talking about the Jay-Z song. It’s about creating a mentality of taking control of your own life. Here are some steps you can take to develop a healthy mindset and successful you:

Be open-minded

Being open to different perspectives, suggestions, and scenarios make for a more enriching life experience. Take a leap into the unknown, others have already jumped and will catch you when you do.

Look at the glass half-full

Life is really about perception. The cup is the same, just as your life. Are you embracing the positives or harboring the negatives? If you choose to look at it with an optimism’s mindset, you are choosing the route of self-growth. It’s difficult, and life always challenges us, but like billionaire shark, investor, entrepreneur and business leader Robert Herjavec said: “Tough times never last; tough people always do.”

Learn something new

This should be a goal you set for yourself whether it be big or small achievements. Pick up a new hobby, learn about someone else’s culture. Knowledge builds your arsenal of self-worth and expands your skillset.

Strengthen your circle

You are as strong as those around you. Don’t hinder yourself by playing the blame game, it doesn’t benefit you or help the situation. Instead, take responsibility and learn from your mistakes. Strengthening your circle also means sharing news and tips and tricks, spreading positivity and support. You will find that when you invest time and sincerity into others, it is a lifelong investment that will pay off.

Stop wishing

How many times have you caught yourself saying “I wish I could do that” or “I want this, but I don’t have time.” Wishing doesn’t change anything, it’s only delaying your process to greatness. Make goals and take appropriate actions to get there. It’s even better if they are equal parts heart and head. Be logical without a defined line for the future.

Don’t fall back into the same patterns

Once you’re into the swing of things, keep going! Every now and then won’t change lives, consistency will.

Today could be the day that you head in a new direction. Tomorrow could be whatever you choose for it to be, but it’s up to you to unlock its unlimited potential.

What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us, and when you bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen. -Henry David Thoreau