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Jen A. Miller Consulting

Category: Inspiration

  • How I Maui’d Myself: A Lesson in Flying Solo

    A breakdown at work led Catherine Avendano to a breakthrough in her personal journey

    flying solo
    PHOTO: CATHERINE AVENDANO.

     

    I paused at the door to my office high rise and took a deep breath to combat the palpable dread in my gut. One long deliberate exhale later, I reached for the handle and grimaced as I walked inside.

    Last month I realized that I had hit a critical tipping point—I had woken up too many days in a row dreading going to a work. My old CEO once told our team to use that as a barometer for deciding to stay or leave a job. It had been a tough year: I had worked under four different bosses; I could count 30 people I had seen let go or quit with more on the way; our teams were cobbling their way through the ”are you good enough to make it” tests under the newest executive team; every process and system we’d created seemed to get undone and redone again so that when you looked back at your last 6 months you felt like you accomplished nothing.

    And when you work for a startup, it is a lifestyle, not a job, so the emotional stuff really starts to seep into your skin. We were in a thick muck and I could feel it’s full weight. I was unhappy and considered whether or not it was time to stay or go. I got through 1.5 meetings that morning before our VP of Sales said, “You really are overwhelmed, aren’t you?”

    Crushed that I couldn’t better mask my feelings at work, I returned to my desk and tried desperately to busy myself and not burst into tears of stress, frustration, and spiritual fatigue. “Catherine, go home. You’re not going to solve anything by working harder. Do not cry at work. Get up and walk away,” my good friend told me when I let on how I was actually feeling.

    This was one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten.
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  • Your Single Girl Goals

    A Look at Single Girl Goals revealed by our Pinterest Vision Board Contest

    single girl goals
    PHOTO: Pinterest.

     

    January is coming to an end. Are you closer to your goals for the year? We were amazed by your vision boards on Pinterest. We looked over each and every entry, and a few really stood out to us. Ultimately, the winning board personifies our definition of the Single Girl and exemplifies the qualities through the single girl goals she set for herself. Her tremendous effort in her organization, the well-roundedness of her vision, and allowing her personality to shine through was not lost on us.

    Visit our Facebook page to find out who won (and Like us while you’re at it!).

    We noticed some themes woven throughout many boards. More adventure, more reading, more calm. We are all seeking to be our best selves, and we hope you can continue to find inspiration through our posts. Here are what other superbly single girls are aiming to do this year. February is a new beginning; what do you want to do?
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  • Single Girl Reflection: What Defines Me

    A guided reflection to begin answering the question “What defines me?”

    what defines me
    PHOTO: S-tatement N-ecklaceS.

    Writer. Marketing manager. Jen’s friend. I am proud to be associated with organizations and the central people in my life. When asked who we are, we tend to identify ourselves based on our relations. But what happens when you strip all of that away? What makes you uniquely you?

    We’re nearing the end of January. 2014 is a time to rebuild, a time to strip away the excess and the toxic energy that holds us back and a time to refine our foundation based on who we are and what we believe in. Last year, many people started to question the existing systems that were governing their lives. People quit their jobs. People felt unfulfilled in their day to day. We set our resolutions for the year, but what can we do now to evolve into who we should be for the rest of our lives? I personally struggle with the question “What defines me?” so I’ve put together a list of questions inspired by various sources to break down this equivocal idea and make it more concrete for all of us.

    I’ve found that it’s quite easy to embody the person you want to be. The challenge is to know who that person is. This exercise may be reminiscent of your college English Writing class, but the easiest way to delve in to these questions is to use stream of consciousness. Don’t get caught up in thinking too much about your answers. Just start.
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  • The Power in Power Couples

    The Single Diaries tackles the question of what makes “power couples” unique

    power couples
    PHOTOS: NY Daily News, Fanpop, Salon, NPR.

    As you know, a lady can be “superbly single” whether she’s single or in a relationship. Let’s talk about the ultimate independent women with plus ones: one half of the power couples. Movements by themselves but forces when they’re together, power couples are made up of two stand-alone powerhouses. We love them. We want to be them. So what’s their secret? Here’s our take on the elusive power couple.

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  • 2014: Start with the (Wo)man in the Mirror

    The Single Girl’s Guide to New Year’s Resolutions

    PHOTO: Posh on a Budget.

    Welcome to 2014! As we transition into the new year, take time to reflect on 2013 and consider how you can grow in the coming months.

    A resolution is usually something you set for yourself to make your life a little lighter, happier, and better. In that sense, it’s kind of like a diet. Sometimes you need a quick fix for a special occasion, but in order to sustain a better body you need to change the way you eat on a regular basis. While part of your resolution can include definitive goals, think about shifting something in your life to continue moving toward happiness. Read on for our tips to stay on track throughout the year and to hear about how we’re planning to make 2014 the best year yet!

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