How Does She Do It? | Practical Insight & Honest Perspective on Being Grown

It is pretty common for people to think about what they do in their jobs on a daily basis and whether they are fulfilling their purpose and potential, or are passionate about the work they do. In this episode, Tiffany talks about passion, purpose (or other names people have for the same), the internal conflict they create when we think about our day jobs, and how we can try to bring them to the work we do every day.

Today’s episode was inspired by an article I read by Dr. Martha Beck in O Magazine that started with the question What are the best gifts you can give yourself? This is the time of year when many of us focus on giving to others, typically in the form of gifts, time, or service.  It is great (and important) to give to others, but Dr. Beck’s article got me thinking about gifts we should give to ourselves during this holiday season, and all throughout the year. Gifts For You * Acceptance * Protected time for you * Reminders about what is going right in your life * Deliberate actions * Patience Just My Thoughts In the spirit of sharing positivity here is a cat video that makes me smile.  It will likely make you smile, too. Join the Email List! Click here to join the email list and get exclusive content and show announcements! #AskTiff or Share Feedback! If you have a question you would like answered on the show, a topic suggestion, or feedback, please send an email to tiffany@howdoesshedoitpodcast.com, or leave me a voicemail here.  Or connect with me on the twitters – @howdoes_shedoit, or @tiffsouth! (Ask.fm account coming soon!) If you are enjoying the show so far, don’t forget to leave a rating and write a review!

In this first #AskTiff episode, I answer 4 listener questions about making friends at work, new job opportunities, speaking your mind at work, and being new to the dating scene.  Check it out! Join the Email List! Click here to join the email list and get exclusive content and show announcements! #AskTiff or Share Feedback! If you have a question you would like answered on the show, a topic suggestion, or feedback, please send an email to tiffany@howdoesshedoitpodcast.com, or leave me a voicemail here.  Follow the show on twitter @howdoes_shedoit, or me on @tiffsouth. If you are enjoying the show so far, don’t forget to leave a rating and write a review!

2015 is coming to a close, and the interwebs will soon be filled with reflections, talk of “new year, new [me],” and resolutions and such. I listened to an episode of Behind the Brilliance with Lisa Nicole Bell, and she posed some questions that got me thinking about how to finish out the rest of the year and continue progress into 2016.  Based on one of her questions, I share 9 things I think we should stop doing as we work to achieve our goals. From The Show The Email List Click here to join the email list and get exclusive content and show announcements! Just My Thoughts Adele’s new album drops on November 20th and I am too hype.  I came across this link with some previews of the tracks.  #hello The Countdown Until Jan. 1 In case you want to be reminded of the days left in this year (there were 44 when I recorded this episode). Complete Quote from Marianne Williamson Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. If you have a question you would like answered on the show, a topic suggestion, or feedback, please send an email to tiffany@howdoesshedoitpodcast.com.  Follow the show @howdoes_shedoit. And don’t forget to share, rate, and review!

I came across an article on Thought Catalog that listed 10 things the author (Natalee Brown) thinks women over thirty are too old for.  In this episode, I highlight two of Natalee’s points, and share 5 things I think we are probably too old to do: * Lack self-awareness. * Put others above yourself. * Get used at work, and not use work to move your career forward. * Play the victim. * Make decisions based on what other people want for you. Like the Show Page on Facebook! And sign up for the email list to get exclusive content, announcements, and more!  Check out the Facebook page, and like and share with your networks.  And stop by and leave a comment or two! Just My Thoughts Between the trial of Daniel Holtzclaw and the resignation of the president of the University of Missouri in the face of increased pressure, race, power, racism, and intersectionality make their way into the headlines again. If you have a question you would like answered on the show, a topic suggestion, or feedback, please send an email to tiffany@howdoesshedoitpodcast.com.  Follow the show @howdoes_shedoit. And don’t forget to share, rate, and review!

If you are in your mid-twenties or older, there is a good chance that your Facebook and Instagram feeds have lots of pictures and stories related to engagements, weddings, pregnancy, already born babies, and growing children. Last week, Facebook reminded me of a blog post I wrote 2 years ago (you can read it here) about all the pictures and statuses about engagements and pregnancy and wedding and such, and it was interesting how so little has changed. In this episode, I talk about how these milestones happening for my friends and colleagues have been impacting me and my feelings related to children and babies. And boos and husbands. This week’s Just My Thoughts touch on Spring Valley High School, Raven Symone, and why, oh why, we find yet another police officer doing the most. Announcements The email list is live! If you want to be among the first to know about resources, events, or other news related to the show, please sign up here! If you have a question you would like answered on the show, a topic suggestion, or feedback, please send an email to tiffany@howdoesshedoitpodcast.com. And don’t forget to share, rate, and review! Follow me on twitter @tiffsouth and the show @howdoes_shedoit.

I had the pleasure of speaking at TEDxVillanovaU on Friday, October 23, 2015.  I shared the stage with 9 other people who talked about topics including racial bias, stories of Black women who lived prior to Emancipation, biogas, and caregiving for family as they age.  I am happy I didn’t miss out on this opportunity and was able to be part of a larger community of people who took the risk to share their idea worth spreading.  And I looked cute! Here are (only) 5 lessons I took from the experience: * Courage comes after you do the thing you are afraid of. * The energy you put forth is the energy you receive. * It is okay to want support and affirmation for others. * Learn to accept compliments and feedback without qualification * There is Value in Vulnerability. If you have a question you would like answered on the show, a topic suggestion, or feedback, please send an email to tiffany@howdoesshedoitpodcast.com. And don’t forget to share, rate, and review! Follow me on twitter @tiffsouth and the show @howdoes_shedoit.

Let me start by saying this: I am just a woman who likes cupcakes, cookies, and rice, and still wonders why I don’t have abs. This week’s Just My Thoughts was inspired with this Upworthy article about a letter writing campaign titled Dear Black Girl  by The Beautiful Project, a non-profit based in North Carolina.  The project asked black women to write letters to inspire and encourage young black girls, which they have started posting on their blog.  I read one and was amazed at how another woman’s reflections and experiences could mirror my own. In this episode, I share my struggles with trying to eat healthy, why I care so much (for starters, I follow way too many healthy recipe and fitness accounts on IG), failing the #Whole30 by lasting an amazing 12 days, some of the benefits, and how I am trying to make sustainable changes.  I am hoping to: * Make a daily commitment and conscious decisions about what I eat at each meal. * Meal plan. And I don’t mean the 37 tupperware containers filled with pale chicken brand of meal planning, either. * Do what is best for me and my goals, after doing research and seeking insight from others. Here are 2 articles I referenced in the show: Tom Rath on Eating Healthy James Clear – Sticking to Healthy Habits If you have a question you would like answered on the show, a topic suggestion, or feedback, please send an email to tiffany@howdoesshedoitpodcast.com. And don’t forget to share, rate, and review! Follow me on twitter @tiffsouth and the show @howdoes_shedoit.

Over the past few days, I’ve had a few different conversations centered around pursuing different career directions and redefining success.  I share some steps I took to leave my first job and some things to think about if you are considering making a career change. This week’s Just My Thoughts goes out to Raven-Symone and her remarks about not hiring people certain types of names. I also answer my first listener question in my new #AskTiff segment (yay!). If you have a question you would like answered on the show, a topic suggestion, or feedback, please send an email to tiffany@howdoesshedoitpodcast.com. And don’t forget to share, rate, and review! Follow me on twitter @tiffsouth and the show @howdoes_shedoit.

If you can’t tell, I like to reflect on my experiences and figure out what I’ve learned.  I have had 3 jobs in less than 5 years (fitting in with the millennial average) (and no, I was not asked to leave any of them). With each job, I learned about the bigger picture of my career and took away some things I think are applicable no matter where you are in your job or career journey.  Here are the gems: * Remember your value. And be able to articulate it. * Treat people the way you want to be treated * Professionalism should be part of your personal brand. * You are going to make mistakes.  These mistakes (probably) won’t end your career or bring your company down. * Working hard isn’t enough. * Sometimes, you need to walk down the hall or pick up the phone. * Networking is more than showing up to events and collecting or handling out business cards. * Your career development must be deliberate and intentional. * Learn to anticipate needs and develop solutions. * Trust yourself. I also share information about creating a “running tab” to keep track of the progress you make at your job, and even outside of work.  Some categories I include in my running tab are: * Skills gained (divided up by the jobs I’ve had) * Awards and recognition * Presentations and panels (and even articles published if you are that fancy) * Volunteer Activities * Goals (what do you hope you learn or accomplish where you are?) If you have questions about creating your running tab, have a question you would like answered on the show, or have topic suggestions or feedback, please send an email to tiffany@howdoesshedoitpodcast.com. And don’t forget to share, rate, and review! Follow me on twitter @tiffsouth and the show @howdoes_shedoit.

This week, I introduce my first segment (yes, I feel fancy) called “Just My Thoughts” and talk about how I almost missed out on being selected to give a TEDx talk.  I learned a few things about not counting myself out of opportunities, and taking steps toward my goals, even as I experienced fears that were not based in reality. Just My Thoughts On each episode, I’ll share my thoughts on something – an experience, a news story, a random rant about work or life or my hair – I came across between episodes. This week, an episode of This American Life featuring Nikole Hannah Jones, a reporter at The New York Times Magazine caught my attention.  The two-part story covers school segregation and integration.  The story reminded me of living and going to school in Hempstead, New York.  I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything, but it’s amazing that in 2015, we are still talking about inequities in education. Some TED Goodness I will be speaking at TEDxVillanovaU in October (yay!), but until I can share my talk, check out a few that I enjoy.  I have several more recommendations, so let me know if you’re interested! And here are few TED talks I enjoy: The Danger of a Single Story – Chimamanda Adichie A Child of the State – Lemn Sissay The Power of Vulnerability – Brene Brown And check out NPR’s TED Radio Hour, a podcast that connects various TED talks around a common theme, and shares interviews with the speakers. Feedback, Questions, and Suggestions  If you have topic suggestions, questions, or feedback, please send an email tiffany@howdoesdoshedoitpodcast.com.  I’m considering setting up voicemail on the site, and maybe an ask.fm, but I’ll let you know how that goes. Be blessed!

I turned 30 in May (sometimes, it still doesn’t feel real), and I spent some time thinking about the lessons life taught me over the last decade of struggles and successes.  Very quickly, those lessons are: * Focus on the journey, not just the destination. * Love yourself, first. * Asking for help is a strength. * Real friends stretch you, support you, and make you better. * God is good, and faith is necessary. * Success means different things to different people. * Be able to articulate your value * Actively reflect on your experiences emotions. Check out the show, share your thoughts, subscribe, and tell a friend! Send any topic suggestions, feedback, or questions you’d like covered on the show to tiffany@howdoesshedoitpodcast.com. Be blessed!