Lessons in Management

Things have been pretty awesome at work lately. I think that I am starting to learn about the kind of manager that I want to be and I'm finding a consistent rhythm with it.

I have recently challenged myself to work on my level of composure for the next few weeks. My assistant asked me the other day if I had been okay the past couple of days. I was shocked that he would think I wasn't okay and I quickly responded that everything was fine. I later followed up with him and he said that I seemed a little stressed out recently.

I took this as a sign that I needed to work on my composure at work. My job is very stressful and I will always find upsets throughout the day but my team needs to know that I have everything under control and I need to do a better job about demonstrating that everything is okay so they can do their job without any concern.

To work on my composure I am learning how to respond differently by gaining all information before making a decision, taking some breaths if I feel stressed out and looking at the big picture instead of the moment that is causing stress.

I feel like this week has been better and I feel that I'll be able to improve on this skill throughout my management days.

Here are some pictures from a recent hike.

Living With Intention

Life is surprising and I found myself sitting in a classroom when a force struck me and I realized what I needed to do to live and work towards my personal treasure. It became clear that there are certain things that I need to do so that I will be able to have the right mindset to allow myself to reach my goals and live happily.

For me these things include actively reading, connecting with nature, being sporty, eating delicious, clean food and dancing/singing at least once during the day. I find that as long as I incorporate these aspects into my life then I usually have minimal days where I find myself unhappy and questioning where my life is going. In a way these aspects are what makes me, me. Everyone has certain things that they must incorporate into their lives to add utility.

Find what makes you, you. Find a couple things that add happiness to your life and make a plan to bring these into your every day. Don't make them unrealistic (never allowing yourself to enjoy a rich, chocolate mousse). Don't make them dependent on other people (working out with a friend). Make them all about you and what makes you happy. Bring them into your life so that you can smile a little more, encouraging others in your life to do the same.

If you are in a relationship then I encourage you to find things to do with your spouse/significant other each day. This can include a 2 minute phone call to talk about something that inspired you that day. Or maybe a 20 minute walk outside to connect with each other. Or maybe it is just a routine kiss each night before you fall asleep. It may seem silly, but these routine actions will bring you and your spouse/significant other closer together. Just make sure that it is something that adds happiness into the relationship and make sure that both people are on board. Make sure that it happens consistently so that your relationship will have a daily reminder about how special that person is in your life.

I mentioned in a recent post about living with intention. I believe that the words above describe how to begin living with intention. The first step is to incorporate things into your life that encourage you to live the life you dream of. After a while you will feel confident about where your life is headed and you will be able to bring more intention into your life by doing things to give back to others.

Here are some pictures of downtown Seattle during my week working at corporate.

Yes, this is in a downtown plaza at night

The Girl With The Glow

The Girl With The Glow

Most of us go through life finding things that inspire us and then we create goals to get closer to these inspirations. We define ourselves by interacting in social clubs or dressing our lives according to what we feel best displays our sense of mind. If you are very lucky, you will meet people who naturally bring out the qualities in yourself that you continue to search for a way to release. Interactions with these people are natural and allow you to be yourself without thinking about it. Most importantly, these interactions inspire you to be who you are inside and if you are extra lucky, these people will understand your qualities and inspire you to excel in them.

You become unlucky when these people are removed from your life. You find yourself searching for a way to have that self clarity and inspiration, but realize it doesn't come so easily. Little by little you will find yourself again. It is the challenge we must all accept so that each of us can grow closer to the things that inspire us the most.

I went for a run this morning and was finally able to find my true self again. I came upon a hidden park and started swinging. I ended up swinging for over 30 minutes and in that time I smiled as I watched the sun shine down on the trees. Doing this made me feel so connected to nature and to myself. My mind suddenly stopped attacking myself for not being "like everyone else." I knew that I would always be the girl who stopped to swing or who dances through her house. I knew that I would always feel things more than the average person and that sitting down to enjoy a meal and discussion with someone will mean more to me than any piece of jewelry ever will. I felt confident in all these things that make me Karli. It helped me to see that I need to follow this feeling and create moments to experience this confidence again.

We are all beautiful in our own ways. I encourage everyone to find time to have these moments. They can happen anywhere, doing anything. Some of you might enjoy these moments when you are alone. Some might enjoy them more with another person. You could find yourself while watching TV, working out, painting, hiking, etc... It doesn't matter because it is for you, and only you.

To quote the Alchemist, “In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left you.”

Start living with intention.

Some pictures from my morning run

HUGE Trees! 

The Park

SQUIRREL! 

The Swings

My View From The Swings

--The Girl With The Glow

Finding My Management Style

Hello!

I first want to share another one of my mornings. I woke up at 4:00 AM on Saturday and had a light breakfast of steamed cabbage and egg whites with some coffee. It was crisp and chilly outside, so I took my breakfast outside to enjoy the morning with nature.

I wanted to write about what it has been like to find my leadership style.

In my training prior to management I was told that I needed to prove myself right away and establish trust with my associates. To do this, I got to know my team on a deeper level by asking questions about their families and life outside of work. I also worked along side them at least once a day to show that I was not above their work. Now a few months in, I am  experiencing difficulties.

After I learned more about the process I was able to understand when people were not following the rules. It was finally time for me to enforce rules. My leadership began with questioning people when I saw them purposely doing things that they weren't supposed to be doing. I always gave benefit of the doubt, but when I began seeing it over and over I started getting firmer with making sure rules were being followed.

The atmosphere of the shift was still fun, but my team began to realize that I hold myself and everyone around me to a higher standard. Some recent feedback from my superior suggested that I become more understanding of associates who don't have the same level of importance in the job that I do. I think this is wonderful feedback and I am definitely going to start looking for ways to be more accepting and understanding if someone is having an off day.

A few new managers that I had met at a leadership conference were in town the other day for a conference at corporate. We all met for dinner and I asked them for advice as I was feeling upset with my management style. They gave me incredible feedback. They said that I needed to stop making it so difficult and start being more of "myself" by bringing a light energy into the workplace. They then told me stories of their mistakes and accomplishments.

I now feel a sense of relief when I realize that other people are also going through this. Taking a step back from everything, I realize that I am still creating my management style. It is okay if I change the way I do things because I am still learning how to do it the right way. Most importantly, I need to remember to just be myself and continue to bring my energy into the shift.

On a more positive note, one of my associates asked to have a meeting with me the other day. She is interested in pursuing a higher position and wants my guidance. My heart raced as I saw an opportunity to help someone make a difference in their life. I have already started putting together a plan of how I can help her develop herself as a leader.

These interactions make me feel like I am in pursuit of my lifelong goal of always wanting to be a sense of inspiration to everyone around me. It also makes me so excited to be a mom and teach my children how to help themselves and to help others.

Karli

Hello Again

Happy August! 

I haven't been proud of my life the past few weeks. I haven't been taking care of my needs in order to have a stress-free work week. On the weekends I spend time running around, trying to find something to ease my stress and end up getting sad when I realize the weekend is over and I still haven't allowed my mind to relax. My eating and workout routine has been inconsistent and unhealthy.

I'm so happy to say that this morning seemed to be a turning point. I will be working days this coming week so I woke up this morning around 5:00 AM and went for a run. After my run I spent time enjoying coffee and researching some fresh recipes. It felt good to create an atmosphere where I felt in control and relaxed. The song, Hello Again played in my mind as I sipped coffee and watched the sky become brighter as the sun rose. It's been a while since I've been able to enjoy a morning like this.

I often have to take a step back and remind myself to stop being so hard on myself. It is such a blessing to have a natural motivation which inspires me to work hard, but sometimes it can be too much and I forget to tell myself I'm doing a great job. I am going to try to be better about my healthy routine so that I can have more moments like the one pictured above. It is in these moments that I connect to myself and relax, allowing for my self motivation to become inspiring instead of hurtful. 

Hope everyone is having a great day. Is it just me, or is anyone else getting excited about Autumn coming? I have already started researching pumpkin spice recipes.

Karli

Recent Moments

Hello!

Life has been so incredible this past month. I am finally fitting into this city and staying busy. Work is great and I have a couple posts about my experiences with being a night- time manager that are coming soon! 

There are a bunch of posts that are almost finished. I just have to make time to edit them. My phone is so full of pictures so I decided to post some of the recent moments from my Seattle life as one big blog post and to share some of my recent moments. 

10 of My Favorite Recent Moments--

1. Discovering Yogurtland in Redmond.

2. Exploring Bothell's historic district.

3. Girl time with Ramya.

4. Locking my keys in my car and watching someone break into my car to get them out.

5. Exploring downtown Seattle at night.

6. 60 degree weather in the summer (and wearing sweaters in July).

7. Planning my upcoming weekend trips to Portland, Leavenworth, Canada and Hawaii.

8. Awaiting the arrival of Amazon friends I've met at conferences, who are coming to Seattle for training.

9. Local kombucha

10. Filling my home with fresh flowers from local farmer's markets, which seem to be EVERYWHERE.

15 of My Favorite Recent Pictures-- 

Dinner in Seattle

A Mini-Table and Chairs at local restaurant

Dessert

At a bus stop

Salmon Bake

A Seattle Beach

Sandcastles and Sail Boats! 

At the beach

Beachin'

At sunset

Traditional tea time at an authentic tea room

In a Seattle Bathroom

Roosters and Toddlers! 

The Paris Wife

Reading before my roommate met me for girl's night downtown

This weekend was incredible. Last week I read The Sun Also Rises, which lead me to read The Paris Wife. This book is a fiction novel, based on truth that explains the story of The Hemingway's marriage through the eyes of Ernest's wife, Hadley. I flew through the pages, delighted by the sassy, true love they shared. Ernest- particular, excited, spontaneous, outspoken but always quiet about things he found too emotional to discuss. Hadley- strong, supportive, faithful, loving mother and never feeling the need or ability to dress in the popular styling of Coco Chanel. Their love seemed to appear instantaneously and they seemed to be happiest when they were alone enjoying a drink, skiing through the mountains or spending time with their son.  Hadley would have been happy living in a small country home, supporting her husband and child. But Ernest became too much for her dreams to handle and the marriage fell apart after months of her trying to live with the reality that her simplicity wasn't enough for him. I am now reading A Moveable Feast, which Ernest wrote later in life about his early time in Paris. A time which included Hadley. I'm very excited to read his version of their story.

An afternoon of soup and reading

I deleted my Facebook about a month ago and have not once wanted to reactivate it. I recall this month and realize that I've read 4 books since I deleted the account. With the completion of these books comes a more fluent French accent, more hikes, new friends, weekend getaways and much more excitement. As I walked through a crowded street tonight, on my way to a coffee shop with a book in hand; I wondered what my Facebook status would read. I then smiled, knowing that my life is so enriched and that I don't have to share it with anyone for it to be true. My smile beamed even brighter as I couldn't help but feel a bit mysterious.

I have spent the past few days thinking of deleting this blog. One of my goals is to be more reserved and to myself. I feel hypocritical wanting to be reserved and mysterious but posting my thoughts and adventures for the world to see.

After the coffee shop closed I came home to sit in my Karli-themed living room. I didn't keep track of time as I flipped through each page, bringing me closer and closer to the back cover. When I reached the end it was 03:00 and the city seemed to have fallen asleep while I was engrossed in the pages. I looked around my home and didn't see any trace of electronics. It made me happy to know that I could always come home and disappear from the fast paced world we live in.

It is now 03:45 and I will research my next weekend getaway before I go for a sunrise run around the lake. I can't help but think of how wonderful my life is and how proud I am for making it this way.

A funny selfie of my cute Friday night outfit.

C'est la vie,

Karli

My Seattle Home

This week was very demanding. After much deliberation with myself, I decided to spend my Thursday staying at home to rest, cook and clean so that I could enjoy the rest of the weekend. I set the oven to 350 and baked some broccoli, cauliflower and green beans while I prepared a lovely salad and some chicken. I used the yellow curry sauce and sprinkled turmeric from Trader Joe's to add some flavor to my cauliflower.

After cooking, I cleaned my entire house and finally went through the pile of mail that has been stationed on my desk for far too long. I was quite proud of how great my house looks, so I decided to share it with everyone back home. Here are some pictures of my Seattle home. I love the natural, yet classy feel. It seems to fit me.

Bathroom

"Sometimes you just have to go for it"

Painting by my Mom

Can't wait to read by the fire! 

Living room

Karli's bookshelf

Painting by my mom

My balcony view

My bedroom

My creative area

Kitchen 1

Kitchen 2

Dining Room

Rocks and wood from hiking

My Bonsai!

Karli