How to be a #Girlboss

  Do you ever feel like you are caught up in the motions? Like the days and the weeks are passing by, but it all blurs in to one?

It can be easy to get caught in a rut. After a year of massive changes, where I was constantly working towards a goal - new career, new job, new city - suddenly everything stopped. Don't get me wrong, I've been keeping busy! My new job is keeping me on my toes... I'm five months in there's always something new to learn, people, politics and a long list of things to do.

What's this got to do with being a #Girlboss, you ask?

I've decided it's time to kick the rut. While everything is ticking along nicely, I can't help but feel like something is missing.

It's so easy to fall into a trap of being consumed by the little things in life, but not prioritising the things that make you happy. To consume and not create. Social media and technology makes it so easy to disconnect from our surrounds, but what is it helping us achieve?

While I was focusing on the big changes going on, I had forgotten about all of the little things that make me feel like, well, me! From blogging, to getting out and meeting new people, lately life has been a bit more like work, sleep, eat, Netflix, repeat. Bleh.

Something had to change. Looking for a dose of inspiration that my Instagram feed couldn't provide, I picked up one of my favourite books, #Girlboss by Sofia Amoruso. Sofia is the ultimate girlboss, and if you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it.

Ready to break out of a rut? Or just need a little inspiration to hit your next big goal? Here are some of my favourite tips from #Girlboss to get us on track!

"You don't get what you don't ask for"

Standing up for what you want can be tough, particularly if it means going out on a limb to ask someone to help or for a favour. #awkward

When I was looking for a new job, I thought I had to do everything myself. I was working myself to the bone, trying to make opportunities happen while working long hours in a job that made me miserable. When a friend's boss pulled some favours for me to get me an intro and mentioned my name at a company where I was interviewing, I was horrified. I felt like I was cheating and that I wasn't worthy of the help.

Well, guess what. I was wrong. So wrong! It's something I'm working on. Last week I put my hand up at work and asked for some help to overcome a challenge, and you know what... I won't hesitate next time.

"A #Girlboss knows when to throw punches and when to roll with them"

Remember the fable about the boy who cried wolf? I can still hear my Mum telling me the story as a child, and I was thinking about the wisdom of this recently. This lesson growing up, combined with my years in the law (and dealing with the workplace politics that came with it!), really taught me to always take a step back from a situation before acting.

Sometimes your power comes from picking your battles. Sometimes we got to roll with the punches, but just remember, this doesn't mean that you are being defeated. Pick yourself up and know that you are moving forward, and doing what's right for you. Thanks Sofia.

Everyone should tap into their entrepreneurial spirit

We are living in a society that worships entrepreneurs, and sometimes it feels a bit disheartening working at a big corporate.

While you may not be ready to throw in your job yet to follow your passion, hell you might love your job and be set on climbing the corporate ladder, this doesn't mean that we can't foster some of the entrepreneurial qualities that make some of our founders successful.

Start thinking outside the box, create great rituals and find new ways to solve old problems - just like your favourite founder would. Make it a habit to always learn new things and challenge yourself.

I think everyone should tap into their entrepreneurial spirit. However, I don't think everyone should be an entrepreneur. Harvard Business School professor Howard Stevenson famously defined "entrepreneurship" as "the pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled". I give a "hell yes" to that definition - you should take that spirit with you to whatever job you're doing or whatever project you're undertaking.

'nuf said.

Pick and choose the advice your given

Yep, even the advice on this blog!

I feel like this piece of advice is very fitting to finish this post with. These days, people throw information at us from everywhere. I love it, but it can be addictive.

You need to put a filter on all of the noise. Why implement a "super charged amazingly awesome highly productive morning routine" if getting up at 5am after working late just makes you angry all day? (yep, that's me) The piece of advice that’s suited to someone who is 20 years into their career may also not be great for your first day.

And on that note I'm off to put my #Girlboss pants back on. See you soon!