Professionalista recognizes Mondo Guerra, one of the most talented designers on Season 8 of Project Runway. Not only is Mondo a monster diva and creative force winning several challenges, but he has displayed amazing growth as a professional and a man.
This week we learned that Mondo has been HIV positive for 10 years - a fact that he has kept to himself and from his family. He decided that he needed to open up to keep growing and shared this news on the runway. The challenge was to create your own fabric and then design a garment. M created a vibrant plus-sign-themed print that he made into eye-popping pants that I would NEVER wear but looked fabulous on the model, paired with a complementary print halter blouse, and a jacket.
Another way Mondo has shown personal growth is by changing his opinion of Michael C., one of the other designers who was initially disdained by all for both his design and demeanor. Mondohas apologized to Michael C., him know that he was wrong to make a snap judgment.
Most of us working folk get up every morning, do what we need to do to start the day, get to the job, work (in theory), get back home, eat dinner, kick back (?), spend time with family, read, watch the tube, go to bed and then start over. I generally manage all that quite well. Until September rolls around. For anyone who has never lived in the Northeast, September is the month when, all of a sudden, you go out for your morning run at 5:20...and it's pitch dark outside. And you wonder to yourself, "How the heck did this happen?" It's the month that you arrive home from work and it's almost dark out. And you think to yourself, "Wow. I guess I won't go for that run." And to top it all off, it starts cooling down. It become down right chilly. It's dark and cold. And rainy! So you think to yourself, "Hey! It's cold and rainy. Guess I wont go for that run." And then a sunny day comes along and the foliage is spectacular and you all think, "Ah, this is why I live in Vermont. I am so blessed/fortunate/deranged." And then you wake up the next morning to scrape frost off our windshield so you can go to work. Meh.
But what I'm getting at here is that I even handle all of the bleh weather and cold. But if you combine that with a downward dip at work, watch out! Something goes wrong. Or a project flops. Or you have a misunderstanding with a co-worker. All of a sudden getting through the day is exhausting and trying. There is no joy in mudville. There is only nashing of teeth, tearing of hair and lots of wailing.
Here's to all the professionals out there who feel this way on a regular basis, or who actually live with serious depression, but keep dragging their butts through the day accomplishing work, creating success and not bringing everyone down with them. Here are a couple tricks that I use:
Make-Up! Slather it on. Haven't used that bright lipstick yet. Now's the time. If you look drab you are likely to feel drabber. I'm not talking about making yourself look like your nana when she used to put lipstick on her cheeks for blush and then seemingly rub the same lipstick all over her teeth. Just kick your make-up up a notch - but keep it professional.
Guys: Don't do the above.
Buy one new thing. Just one. A new shirt, blouse, jacket, shoes. Something that pops and makes you glad to wear it. "Well, hello, cranberry-colored pattent leather shoes! How you doin' today?"
Get a new hairstyle. Guys - here's one for you: if you're losin' your hair, get it cut SUPER short. Girls, if your long hair is making you feel drawn and wan, cut it off. Hair grows. And as I need to be reminded over and over again, I do not look like Pat from that old SNL skit when I have short hair.
Oooh, it's 5:47. I think I'll have a glass of Chardonnay!
I think I need a pair of cropped black pants and a colorful scarf to go with my faux military jacket. I'm open to other suggestions (don't bother to mention camo). Oooh, and I could carry my faux leopard purse. I like where this is going...now if I just had somewhere to go. I love all my dear friends so very much but I think I need more friends who put on lots fun soirees where all I have to do is look moderately attractive, hold a glass of wine (um, and drink a glass of wine) and use my gift of gab.
I'm a lucky girl. I was born to older parents. By the time I came along, my bro and sis were around 17 and 18 years old. Before I was even aware that life existed beyond me (well, I'm still working on this concept...), my brother was in college and my sister was living in an apartment and working her first job. I had nothing but undivided attention from my parents and a great deal of love and support from my siblings. Life was good. Life has been good being the youngest. Really, I can't complain. It was great having older parents who were more secure in their life situation and parenting skills.
My mom is almost exactly 40 years older. Some 85 year olds are spry and active. My mom is not one of those. She's 99 lbs of frail and fragile bones. Oh, she can still be feisty - especially with her Physical and Occupational Therpists at the rehab center. And thus I come to the heart of the matter: these health care professionals are amazing. They are kind and gentle - but firm and consistent. They look mom in the eye and explain things to her. They joke around and are for the most part extremely genial. Working with sick people would be a major downer for me - but these professionals are obviously built from different clay. I'm thinking of the OT who my mom said was lying (there's some paranoia going on): she just kneeled down next to mom and held her hand and listened and then gently explained again. Or the physical therapist and nurse who transfered mom from wheelchair to bed all while talking to her the entire time. Or the nursing assistant who always brings my dad a cup of coffee.
My mom is frail and feisty and failing. I am so thankful for the outstanding health care professionals who are giving her the most intimate and gentle care possible.
I gleen that a lot of stylists don't dig Victorian Beckham's clothes. As a common workin' girl, here's what I think: her line is often lady-like, tailored and refined. Her spring/summer 2010 line seems workable for many body types (petite, long-waisted, voluptuous, boy-hipped) and can be rocked by girls-on-the-town and women at work. Consider.
I work in a dog-friendly business located in a dog-friendly building. The people who work there are dog friendly. There is no better friendlier work environment to bring a dog (unless you maybe work in a field or at the beach or some other place that is like dog heaven). You'd think that I could have a dog that would fit into this atmosphere because, well, it's dog friendly. Do you understand?
My first attempt at combining dog and work was with our adopted Rat Terrier Rudy (aka The Rat Terrorist). For about four months I faithfully brought Rudy in and tried to get him to fit in with the other dogs (the friendly German Shepherd finally had to chomp his ear and put him in his place). And then he pooped in the boss's office a couple times (just because Rudy had to establish that HE was the alpha dog). Finally, he attacked the boss's dog, a quiet old black lab in the last months of her life. Before I got fired, I made the switch and Rudy got to stay at home in his cage with a peanut-butter Kong. I think he was just as happy.
Not to bring you down but we had to "put Rudy down" (Ugh) several months ago. We were all kind of sad without a nasty little dog. Except for the cats. The cats were very happy. But since we never listen to the cats, we adopted Ginny. She's half Rat Terrier/half Chihuahua. Small: she's 12 lbs. Cat friendly. Not a nipper or a big yipper. Everyone at work adores her. She sits on the boss's lap and kisses him. She lets everyone rub her belly. She doesn't attack the other dogs. Bliss.
Naturally, Ginny is now banned from the office. "What?!" you say? How can this be. When the FedEx man came to drop off packages on Monday, she got kind of worked up and when he put his booted foot out (which I am sure he is taught to do around nasty little dogs), she bit his shoe. Bit his shoe!
Why can't I choose professional dogs? I think it's a character flaw of mine.
Summer is coming to an end (well not really because the heat is still blazing) and I figured I might as well wear all of my pretty dresses before the windy, cool weather arrives.
I adore Karla of Karla's Closet. She loves to buy vintage clothes and alter them and rock them with everyday pieces or something second-hand couture. She rocks a great pixie cut (so awesome on women with little faces - or, of course, those with an oval face (curse my square jaw and round cheeks!). Follow her! http://karlascloset.blogspot.com/
08/30/2010
All the best professionals do it.
I'm sure your mom did it. A favorite teacher? He did it. Your most-respected supervisor ever? You know she did it. Let's do it!
I am talking about complimenting; sharing of praise; thoughtful commenting. To say something positive about someone's work costs nothing. It's hardly even an effort. Try this: as you're walking by a co-worker who took one for the team and wrote the committee report say, "Hey, Dorcas, that was a great report you wrote. Thanks for doing that."
If you're a boss and have an employee who works hard, even if he has not done something spectacular recently, at the end of a weekly meeting say, "Hey, Chuck, I appreciate your work. Keep it up!"
There are many articles in HR, training and management magazines about the entitled generation - those Gen Y'ers who have supposedly grown up on praise just for the sake of praise - praise that is not merited. But here's what I think, if this is true, so be it: throw 'em a bone. "You'll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" the old idiom goes. You don't have to give them an expense account, a logo tote bag or an extra .5 hours of CTO time. You just have to make them aware that you care that they are working at your company.
Now you'll have to go excuse me while I go tell my 18-year-old what a great job she is doing sitting in the sun reading a book and my 15-year-old son how amazing he is at sitting in his air-conditioned room listening to music.