Author: Ama La Vida

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Don’t Stop Networking: The Key to Career Growth and Personal Branding

Achieving Goals

07/10/23

Ama La Vida

Ready to take your career to the next level? No matter your career goals—getting a promotion, landing a big account, reaching the C-suite, or getting more autonomy and flexibility at work—your network and personal brand are central to that success. Just like the old adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” we’ll also say, “It takes a network to grow a career.” Let’s dispel the myth right now: Networking is not just about handing out business cards and making small talk at events; it is about building meaningful relationships that can open doors and opportunities for you. In this blog post, we will explore why networking is a vital part of your career growth and personal branding. We’ll share practical tips on how to network effectively, even if you’re an introvert or new to the industry. So don’t stop networking just because you landed a job—it could be the key to unlocking your full potential and achieving the success you desire. Let’s get social! What makes networking so important? You’ve heard it a thousand times: networking is a crucial factor for career growth and personal branding. In today’s job market, it’s not just about what you know, or even who you know, but who knows you and what you’re known for. It’s not enough to sit back and wait for opportunities to come knocking on your door. You have to go out there and create those opportunities yourself. But let’s take it a step further. Maintaining your network is useful even when you’re not looking for a job. First, this practice allows you to connect with others in your field, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights that can help propel your career forward. It’s also about building meaningful relationships based on mutual trust and support. So, instead of waiting for luck or fate to intervene, take charge of your own destiny and start intentionally building your network and crafting a personal brand. You never know who you might meet or what doors might open as a result. Embrace the unexpected, step out of your comfort zone, and keep your mind open to the unexpected. What does networking have to do with creating a strong personal brand? Your personal brand needs to go beyond self-promotion and encompass the art of building meaningful connections and nurturing relationships within your professional circle. Our amazing coach John Roccia talks about your personal brand as three spheres of influence: The people who work with you regularly know all kinds of wonderful things about you—the type of work you do, how you add value, why you’re the best person for a given challenge, etc. The further out you go to those other spheres, the less likely it is those people will know any of those things. They don’t get an opportunity to learn all those wonderful details about you. This information gap is precisely why building your personal brand is so crucial to your career success. Your personal brand is everything the people who work with you on a regular basis get to know. Or at least it can be. When you actively engage with others in your company, industry, or field, you have the opportunity to showcase your expertise, unique value, and core values. By consistently presenting yourself professionally and sharing valuable insights, you establish yourself as a trusted and credible resource. Your network becomes a platform for spreading your message, amplifying your brand, and positioning yourself as an authority in your domain. Moreover, by building those relationships, you gain access to diverse perspectives, ideas, and opportunities that can further enhance your expertise and personal brand. The connections you forge can become advocates, endorsing you and opening doors to collaborations, partnerships, and new ventures. Ultimately, your network serves as a catalyst for expanding your reach, increasing visibility, and solidifying you (and your personal brand) in the professional world. Building relationships and expanding your professional network You’re ready to start building your network! Amazing! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you do: Develop connections everywhere you go. While it’s important to network outside your organization, don’t overlook the opportunities to connect within your current company. Building relationships internally allows you to collaborate, learn from others, and showcase your skills and expertise to a broader audience. Additionally, think about connecting with individuals at different levels, not just connections with people higher-up. Lateral connections and relationships with more junior colleagues can be invaluable in the long run, as careers are dynamic and ever-changing. You never know who will become a key contact or influential figure in the future. Give first. When it comes to creating meaningful connections, keep your focus on giving and providing value, rather than solely seeking personal gain. Most people start building their network when they’re in a time of need, and then feel uncomfortable asking strangers or people they hardly know for help, and with good reason! They haven’t built that social capital yet. Instead, by creating relationships and developing a personal brand during the “good times” in your career, you’ll be able to give freely to others. For many people, it’s much less awkward to offer to help than to ask for it. Keep it real. Remember to go beyond surface-level interactions in your networking efforts. Take the time to delve deeper into conversations, ask meaningful questions, and actively listen to others’ perspectives. By sharing reflective and insightful insights, you can create engaging and memorable interactions that leave a lasting impression. These deeper connections have the potential to evolve into mentorships, collaborations, and friendships that can benefit your career and personal growth. Communication plays a pivotal role in networking success. Be clear and concise in your conversations, conveying your thoughts effectively while respecting others’ time and attention. Strive to be reliable and trustworthy. That means following through on commitments and providing support to those in your network. Encourage others in their pursuits, offering guidance, and sharing opportunities when appropriate. Positivity, resilience, and encouragement are essential practices

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6 Steps to Build a Meaningful Career

Achieving Goals

07/03/23

Ama La Vida

Life’s too short to settle for a job that doesn’t make your heart sing, right? We get it. You want a career that’s not just “meh,” but downright amazing. You might even call it a “dream job.” At Ama La Vida, we believe that everyone deserves a career (not just a job) – and we’re here to show you how to make it happen. We’re breaking down the key steps and crucial tips that’ll help you build a career that feels like a dream come true. Understanding the Meaningful Career Journey Before we dive into the practical steps, we need to define the concept of a meaningful career and the transformative impact career satisfaction can have on your life. Research has found that when employees find their work to be meaningful, their performance improves by 33 percent, they are 75 percent more committed to their organization, and are 49 percent less likely to leave. These statistics highlight the profound connection between meaning, engagement, and overall job satisfaction. However, despite the impact a satisfying career has on your life, that same study uncovered that only 50 percent of employees find true meaning in their current roles. This suggests that there is a pressing need for individuals to embark on a deliberate journey to cultivate a meaningful career. By understanding the key elements and taking intentional steps, you can shape your professional path towards greater fulfillment and satisfaction. So, what makes work meaningful? We’ll give you a hint, it’s probably not money, benefits or even job security (though those absolutely help!). No, people who find jobs that fulfill their need for purpose-driven work don’t focus on extrinsic motivators to bring them joy in their careers. Instead, they focus on key internal motivators. The big one? WHY. Why am I doing this work? Simon Sinek famously outlined this simple (yet profound) framework for leadership in his book, “Start with Why” (check out his TEDx Talk here). At the end of the day, “meaningful work” is about work that matters to you. With that, we’ll be outlining 6 key steps to chart a career path that feels important and worthwhile for your own life. Step 1: Identifying Your Passions, Values, and Gifts One of the fundamental building blocks of meaningful work is aligning your daily job with your passion, values, and gifts. When you engage in activities that resonate with your values and ignite your enthusiasm, work becomes more than just a job or pay—it becomes a source of fulfillment and joy. In our signature courses, The ALV Career Method and The Career Empowerment Toolkit, members begin their career satisfaction exploration with guided questions, assessments, research, and exercises designed to help them uncover their own personal motivators that serve as the foundation for the rest of the work they do, either on their own or with a coach. To start, however, you can take a moment to reflect on the activities that genuinely excite you, the subjects that capture your curiosity, the parts of your life that feel the most important to you, and finally the activities that come particularly easily to you. All of these together contribute to a feeling of purpose in your work. You might find that your passion lies in areas that directly relate to your current job or industry, or you may discover hidden passions that have been waiting to be explored. It’s crucial not to limit yourself to preconceived notions about what a career should be. Sometimes, the most fulfilling paths are unconventional and unexpected. Some of our favorite questions to consider are: By exploring these questions, you can uncover the factors of what a fulfilling job looks like for you. Think of it like doing research on yourself! And remember, it’s never too late to realign your path and pursue work that you’re passionate about. Step 2: Turn Purpose into Clear Career Goals Aligning your job with your passion, values, gifts, and purpose is a great place to start, but if you don’t take the time to define your goals, it will become very hard to chart a course toward what you want. Instead, you’re left with a hazy vision of the future, off in the distance somewhere. Or worse, watching time pass and wishing you’d made a job change decades ago. When setting career goals, it’s crucial to make them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—SMART goals. This framework helps bring clarity and structure to your objectives, increasing the likelihood of success. For example, instead of setting a general goal like “advance in my career,” you can define a SMART goal like “earn a leadership position within my department within the next two years.” At Ama La Vida, we like to take it one step further. Not just goals that are SMART, but actually EPIC. These are goals that are elevating, practical, impactful, and clear. The key difference here ties directly into ensuring your goals have meaning for you in your own life. Adding this layer onto your goals further ties them into your vision of a career that will have meaning for you. Once you have a clear definition of purposeful work and turned that into an EPIC goal (or goals), you’ll want to take it one step further and make a plan to help you get there. Step 3: Make a Detailed Plan There’s a good chance that to reach a lofty career vision, you’ll need to take more than just one step to get there, and it might take a while. Honestly, even if you’d already rate yourself high on job satisfaction, it’s still important to continue developing your career. Life is unpredictable. You never know when you’ll want (or need) to make a change. By making a plan for reaching your goals, you’re doing the research and work now to be in the best position possible to take advantage of any career opportunities that may crop up. Here are a few things to consider when making a career plan: Developing In-Demand

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July 2023 Tech Backgrounds

Achieving Goals

06/26/23

Ama La Vida

Embrace the midsummer vibes! 🏖️ Ensure a stress-free second half with our latest tech backgrounds and reminders! Download our tech backgrounds to dress up your phone and computer to stay inspired all month long.

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How to Develop a Career Strategy for Long-Term Success

Achieving Goals

06/19/23

Ama La Vida

Here’s a staggering fact: on average, people spend a mind-boggling 84,700 hours of their precious lives at work. It’s why, at Ama La Vida, our particular career strategy emphasizes the importance of finding a job that truly brings you joy. Beyond the bills and responsibilities, your job should seamlessly integrate with your overall life, allowing you the freedom to pursue your passions while earning a living. But here’s where most people go awry: they get caught up solely in career transitions. They focus on a basic career strategy that forces them to obsess over job changes, promotions, and major milestones, forgetting the smaller, everyday choices and experiences that shape their overall career development. At Ama La Vida, we believe in breaking free from autopilot and crafting a comprehensive career strategy that sets you up for long-term success. It’s time to go beyond isolated events and consider how each job or role aligns with your greater career vision, and how you can make the most of it. In this article, we’ll dive into the art of developing a killer career strategy that propels you toward personal and professional fulfillment. We’ll explore proven techniques, share practical insights, and help you navigate the diverse landscape of career opportunities. From career objectives and skill development to navigating organizational politics and embracing experiential learning, we’ve got you covered. Join us on this transformative journey as we unlock the secrets to building a career strategy that empowers you for a lifetime of success. Together, we’ll navigate the twists and turns of the career journey, empowering you to reach your career objectives and attain the personal and professional success you deserve. So, let’s embark on this exciting adventure, armed with a solid career strategy that’ll take you places you’ve only dreamed of. Are you ready? Let’s dive in and begin the quest for lifelong career success! What is a career strategy? At its core, career strategy is the compass that guides your professional journey toward long-term success and fulfillment. It encompasses the deliberate and proactive actions you take to shape your career path, make strategic choices, and achieve your career objectives. A solid career strategy involves setting clear goals, identifying your unique strengths and interests, and mapping out the steps necessary to reach your desired destination. The essence of career strategy lies in proactively shaping your professional trajectory, rather than simply reacting to circumstances. It involves continuous self-assessment, staying abreast of industry trends, and leveraging your unique strengths to make informed decisions about your career path. Having a well-defined career strategy provides you with a roadmap to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, no matter where you are in your career. Your career strategy empowers you to make intentional choices, embrace growth opportunities, and ultimately build a fulfilling and successful career that will adapt and grow with you through the entire span of your working life. When we talk about career strategy or career development, we are referring to the everyday actions that you can take in your job today to lead to a more fulfilling life. When you actively manage your career path, you make intentional decisions about how your career aligns with who you are and your long-term career goals. At Ama La Vida we have an entire course to introduce you to the various levers you can pull to actively manage your career. When you actively manage your career, you’re in the driver’s seat and will find more opportunities to grow yourself personally and professionally. In the course, we share five pillars for active career development. Each module in the program is mapped to one of the pillars, providing you with the opportunity to work through each of them at your own pace. In the next section, we’ll delve into practical steps and effective strategies to help you develop a career strategy that aligns with your aspirations and paves the way for long-term success. Step 1: Develop your own career strategy Creating a personalized career strategy is the key to unlocking long-term success. Your career strategy represents where you want to go in your career. We like to call it a “career curriculum.” Think of it as your customized syllabus, tailored to your unique aspirations and goals. By taking ownership of your career success, you can design a plan that aligns with your passions and values, paving the way for meaningful progress and fulfillment. Discover Your Long-Term Career Goals The first step in programming your “career curriculum” is to identify your long-term career goals. How are you going to define success for yourself in your career? What do you want your career development to look like? Whether that’s landing a particular dream job, building one’s image, working at a particular organization, or doing work that you find personally fulfilling, every single person has their own definition of career success, and they need a career strategy based on those priorities and values. Take the time to reflect on your passions, interests, and values. Consider where you see yourself in the future and the impact you want to make. Explore different career options. By gaining clarity on your long-term vision, you lay the foundation for strategic career planning. Make a Plan Breaking down your long-term vision into specific steps to take you from any past or current jobs to the work you want to be doing is a pivotal aspect of developing your comprehensive “career curriculum” for long-term success. By dissecting your overarching career goals, you can identify actionable components that will guide your learning and development journey, and (more importantly) let you know if you’re on- or off-track. Here are a few popular career strategy tactics you can consider: Outlining all the elements needed to progress your career will give you a clear plan for your career management moving forward. No matter your particular career strategy, you’ll now have career direction for future decisions. When you’re considering a subsequent position, attaining competence in new skills or technologies, or maybe it’s whether to stay

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What is eCoaching and How Does It Work?

Career Discovery

06/12/23

Ama La Vida

Working with a coach can massively transform your personal and professional life, and offers a personalized approach to professional development that can help individuals achieve their full potential. Through communication and feedback, coaches can guide clients to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their values, and their goals. This process can lead to increased confidence, productivity, and performance, benefiting not only the individual but also their teams and organizations. The coaching relationship is a collaborative effort where coaches provide guidance, support, and tools to help clients set and achieve their goals. By working with a coach, individuals have access to a professional who can help them develop their skills and provide valuable insights that can positively impact their personal and professional life. While working with a coach can offer many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks in a coaching relationship. For example, coaching can be expensive, which may make it inaccessible to some individuals or organizations. Beyond all this, coaching can be very dependent on the coach themself. Every coach and coaching program brings its own process and approach, which can make it difficult to measure consistent results. Another hurdle is the difficulty in maintaining progress between sessions, since this part requires personal commitment and consistent effort. Without proper dedication, it can be challenging to maximize the impact of coaching sessions. Despite these potential drawbacks, many individuals and organizations have found coaching to be a valuable tool for personal and professional development. Enter: eCoaching. Why we built an eCoaching platform In our mid 20’s, before we founded Ama La Vida, we were worn out management consultants who knew we were in careers that we wanted out of. We had done all the “right” things: got phenomenal grades in college, landed highly sought-after jobs and quickly moved through the ranks of our respective organizations. On paper, things looked great. But in our hearts and minds, we knew we needed and wanted more, for ourselves, our careers and how we spend the vast majority of our waking hours. We were both coincidentally introduced to coaching, where it promptly changed our lives. As we transitioned out of our consulting roles and into our new passion-filled startup adventure, we noticed many of our peers feeling exactly the same as we had felt – stuck, without hope, and unsure of how to get out and giving in to the notion that work isn’t something you are meant to enjoy. We knew we needed to democratize coaching and make it more appealing and accessible for all who need it. Through coaching, we could activate people to move toward healthier and more fulfilling workplaces. When we started our coaching journey, we quickly realized that there were many people who were stuck and unsure of how to get out of their current situations. We knew that coaching could help, but it was often too expensive and inaccessible for many individuals and organizations. That’s why we built our eCoaching platform. We wanted to create a solution that was more affordable, flexible, and scalable, without sacrificing the benefits of traditional coaching. Our eCoaching platform is powered by trained and certified coaches who have developed evidence-based methodologies that are rooted in adult learning, positive psychology, and neuroscience. This means that our clients have access to a framework that is repeatable and provides consistent results. Our platform uses reflective questions and thought-provoking ideas to help clients gain insight for themselves, rather than just providing a series of training videos. With our eCoaching platform, clients have access to professional coaching tools which can provide guidance, support, and insights to help them set and achieve their goals. They can embark on a self-reflective journey and reach their own insights, feeling completely in control of their ideas and solutions. Our platform is an online platform that mimics the experience of working with a live, human coach. It’s composed of predominantly coaching-based questions and is also enhanced with coaching videos, insights, activities, tips, resources, and challenges. Our eCoaching platform is the perfect solution for those looking to benefit from the power of coaching sessions without breaking the bank. What is eCoaching? Let us be clear: our eCoaching is not distance coaching. Distance coaching implies that you’re meeting 1:1 with a live, human coach virtually or remotely. While our coaching memberships do include 1:1 virtual coaching sessions, that’s not what we’re talking about here! Intead, eCoaching is an online platform that mimics the experience of working with a live, human coach. This innovative technology-based solution was developed by Ama La Vida’s trained and certified coaches. We used the principles, models and methodologies developed by the International Coaching Federation and those applied in our everyday, live sessions with our clients. How does eCoaching work? Our eCoaching tools are composed of predominantly coaching-based questions. This is what’s called a “coaching approach” and it’s designed to help you explore and unravel your thoughts, feelings, desires, actions, goals, and what’s been impeding your progress. This question-based coaching approach empowers the user to embark on a self-reflective journey. You reach their own insights and feel completely in control of their ideas and solutions. The program is also enhanced with coaching videos, insights, activities, tips, resources, and challenges. These extra tools give you a fresh perspective and new ways of thinking to ensure you continue making progress. The platform and its programs were developed using evidence-based coaching models and methodologies. They are rooted in adult learning, positive psychology, and neuroscience. Let’s dive into these a little deeper. Positive Psychology The eCoaching process focuses not on what was or what is, but instead on what could be.  In every eCoaching module, individuals are prompted to understand obstacles, develop solutions and commit to new ways that they can apply these solutions to increase their fulfillment and performance.  The focus is on extracting potential for the future, not only identifying potential, but also devising application-based strategies to reach it. eCoaching also helps individuals to transform negative thinking habits and reappraise ‘problems’ to identify solutions. The individual is

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June 2023 Tech Backgrounds

Achieving Goals

05/29/23

Ama La Vida

It’s finally summertime! 🌞 Enjoy your June with us with our latest tech backgrounds! Download our tech backgrounds to dress up your phone and computer to stay inspired all month long. Download this desktop version Download this desktop version Download this mobile version Download this mobile version

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Coaching and Mentoring: Which do I need?

Achieving Goals

05/15/23

Ama La Vida

When it comes to personal and professional development, coaching and mentoring are two of the most common approaches to help individuals reach their goals. However, while these terms are often used interchangeably, there are significant differences between coaching and mentoring that make them better suited for certain situations. Whether you’re a high-potential employee looking to advance in your career, an organization seeking to develop your employees, or simply an individual looking to grow personally and professionally, understanding the differences between coaching and mentoring can help you choose the approach that’s right for you. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between coaching and mentoring, and how each can benefit your development goals. How are coaching and mentoring different? While these two terms are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences between them. Coaching is a collaborative relationship with a certified coach who is trained to help you achieve your goals efficiently and effectively. On the other hand, mentoring is a relationship where a seasoned individual shares their personal experience to guide and advise you on your career journey. Understanding the differences between coaching and mentoring can help you determine which approach is best for your needs. Let’s take a closer look at the key differences between the two approaches. What is a mentor? Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash A mentor is someone who has experience in a specific area and is willing to share that experience with others. Mentors are typically individuals who have achieved success in their careers and are now seeking to give back by helping others reach their potential. They can be a valuable resource for those looking to gain insight into a particular industry or role. The goal of a mentoring relationship is to help the mentee gain skills, knowledge, and confidence, and to provide guidance and support in achieving their personal and professional goals. What is the mentor and mentee relationship? A mentor and mentee relationship is a mutually beneficial and development-focused relationship between two individuals where a more experienced person (the mentor) provides guidance, support, knowledge transfer, and advice to someone with less experience (the mentee). The mentor’s role is to share their experience with the mentee, to help them develop specific skills, and achieve their personal and professional goals. The mentee, in turn, benefits from the mentor’s guidance, feedback, and support, gaining insights and perspectives that can help them grow and succeed in their careers and personal lives. This can be a formal or informal arrangement and can last for a specific period or continue over a longer period, depending on the goals and needs of both parties. While organizations may establish a mentorship program for their high-potential employees to increase employee engagement and knowledge transfer, it is also possible to find mentors through your own personal and professional network. How can mentoring help your career? Working with a mentor can also provide a valuable networking opportunity. Through it, mentees can gain access to their mentor’s professional network and senior level executives, which can lead to new opportunities and connections. It also can provide mentees with a sense of belonging and support through the mentoring relationship itself, as well as the connections within the industry. This can be especially helpful for individuals who are new to a particular field or who are looking to make a career change. A business mentor can also provide mentees with a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help them navigate the often complex and challenging world of work. Mentors often act as role models by sharing their own experiences. They can also help mentees develop new skills and perspectives, and provide them with valuable insights into the industry or the organization’s goals to ensure that mentees are moving their projects or careers in the right direction. In addition, having a mentor can help boost a mentee’s confidence and sense of self-worth. Just having someone who believes in them and their abilities can make a significant difference in the way someone feels about their current position and skill level. This can be particularly valuable for individuals who are just starting out in a new career, or who are feeling unsure about their current path. Not only can a mentor provide encouragement, praise, and recognition for your achievements, but they can also provide you with constructive feedback and guidance on how to improve your skills, knowledge, and performance in your field. This feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as areas for improvement, which can boost your confidence in your abilities. It’s also worth noting that working with a mentor is not always a one-way street. Mentors can also learn from their mentees by gaining fresh perspectives and new ideas! Whether the pair are in complementary roles or in the more traditional junior-senior partnership, the partnership can and should be mutually beneficial. Ultimately, mentorship can be a rewarding experience for both parties, providing valuable learning, growth, and connection. As you are building your professional network, it’s a good idea to keep your mind open to building connections with multiple mentors, as each one will bring their own specific skills and expertise. What is the role of the mentee? To get the most out of working with a mentor, the mentee is responsible for seeking advice, asking questions, and being open to feedback and suggestions. They should also come prepared with specific goals and objectives they want to achieve, and work collaboratively with their mentor to identify strategies to reach those goals. A mentee who is engaged and committed to the process is more likely to experience success and personal growth through the relationship. Communicate openly and honestly with your mentor, ask questions, and be receptive to feedback. Remember that mentorship is a two-way street, and both parties need to be invested for it to be successful. Finally, showing gratitude and appreciation for your mentor’s time and effort can go a long way in building a strong and lasting relationship. What is

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May 2023 Tech Backgrounds

Achieving Goals

04/24/23

Ama La Vida

It’s May! Honor Mental Health Awareness Month with us with our latest tech backgrounds! 💓 Download our tech backgrounds to dress up your phone and computer to stay inspired all month long.

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