May 16, 2012

Beyond Business: According to Tyra

This business post is actually a condensed repost of one put out by Tyra Banks (yes, that's her jumping to the left).

Now, I’m not really a big fan of Tyra (I mean, she’s cool), but the tips that she gives below are pretty spot on. They give advice on how to become 'CEO of your own life.' It’s cheesy, but it's actually a pretty cool concept. It’s about taking control of your life, your ‘business,’ and setting out steps for the success of you.

She breaks it down, “Whether you’re just gettin’ started, or makin’ your way up the career ladder, the first step to your success is to become CEO of your own life."

"By that I mean, take control of everything you do – from how you present yourself to who you surround yourself with to how you interact with friends and coworkers."

She lists things like ‘make a good first impression,’ and ‘dress to impress,’ but my favorite ones of hers are below. (Note, these are all in her words - can't you just hear her speaking when you read these??)

Make a Plan
Now, how are you going to make your dreams a reality without a plan? No matter if they’re teeny weeny changes or big goals down the road, start small, think big! Set goals and make some serious timelines that you hold yourself to. You should set daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. Get off track? Regroup and re-goal. That big plan looks big now, but with your mini milestones you’ve planned out and big picture thinking, you’ll reach that end goal with some hard work and serious sweat.

Build Relationships
The key to each industry is networking. Every single person you meet in life could help you on your path to becoming a CEO. Get out there! Go to industry events, do your research, meet those important people!

Practice Humility
I’ve noticed that all the super-successful people I’ve met have one thing in common—they are amazingly humble! Be modest about your accomplishments and give credit to the people who have helped you along the way.

Get Organized
Let’s be real—if your stuff is a mess, you‘re gonna feel all over the place. Take a day or two to sort through your things—donate whatever you don’t need and find a place for the things you do. Then, use a label-maker to clearly mark where everything goes.

Budget
No matter how big or small your bank account is, you need to run your financial life on a budget. Start by spending a month writing down EVERYTHING you spend (down to every latte). Then determine which expenses are necessities (rent, food, etc.) and deduct from your overall income. What remains can be divided into spending money and saving money. Don’t rack up credit card bills on unnecessary purchases – reachin’ those big goals needs serious planning on all fronts – and money is one of the biggest!

Manage Your Time
Whether it’s a business lunch, a night out with friends or a dentist appointment— all those appointments are right there in my datebook. Bein’ on time and accountable are two of the most important traits a CEO can have. Set up that iPhone calendar, organize your Blackberry, or go old school and buy a new planner every year!

Stay in the Know
If you want to be successful in a certain field, you have to stay up to date with all the latest news! Set up Google Alerts for all your topics of interest. I follow all kinds of companies and people so I don’t miss a thing.

Click here to read the full article.