When I researched female lawyers in pop culture to talk about today, the third search-engine result detailed the “25 hottest,” with the website finding them “guilty of being gorgeous.” Ugh, no! The great thing about being a lawyer in real life is that if you don’t know your job—you know, the law—then you aren’t going to be doing it for very long. And being great at lawyering has absolutely nothing to do with how attractive you are, thank goodness. TV’s Clair Huxtable and Diane Lockhart may make the gig appear effortless, but today, we shout, “All rise!” for the real-life lady lawyers who discern some serious legalese in order to be our voice in the courtroom.

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When you woke up this morning, what were the first three thoughts that crossed your mind (aside from, “I need more sleep!”)? I’m noticing a pattern with my morning thoughts, and I don’t think I’m alone in this. My mind chaotically ricochets from one task I need to accomplish to the next. I need to Google, “How to clean my ice machine.” Also, that major project is due tomorrow. I wonder if I should dye my hair again? No answers rapidly appear because I’m quickly on to the next question. Today, let’s challenge ourselves to a to-do-list test of sorts. With every to-do-list thought that arises in your mind, cognitively complete the task right away. Check it off your mental scroll and take a moment to notice how much lighter you feel.

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A few years ago, a grad student studying the field of management conducted a telling experiment. In a simulation, she had men and women both negotiate for a starting salary. The results were shocking: Women asked for about $7,000 less than the men. But what’s more interesting is that when women negotiated on behalf of a colleague, they asked for more, essentially closing the pay gap. Even though we steadfastly advocate for our colleagues, we ladies have a tough time asking for what we’re personally worth. We’re concerned about our reputation hitting a nosedive if we go into a negotiation swingin’. Instead of panicking about your salary negotiations, ladies, approach the situation like you’re solving any other problem. And think about the other people your salary may be supporting in order to tap into that savvy negotiator within!

The post Elizabeth Gore and Carolyn Rodz: She’s Advocating for Female Entrepreneurs appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Have you ever worked with someone you just know never shared anything when he was a kid? He could never participate in the relay race on Field Day because he couldn’t bear to let go of the baton. While that’s super annoying in elementary school, in your adult career, it can be downright unbearable to deal with a selfish co-worker. His version of collaboration is telling you you’re doing it all wrong. How infuriating! Today, instead of stooping to that dude’s miserly level and scheming your evil plan for his demise, brainstorm some go-to coping strategies and share those tips with your friendlier colleagues. I’m sure everyone will be grateful for you sharing.

The post Alison Martin-Books: She’s Passing the Torch appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

When you think of beer, you probably imagine bars and baseball games. But the sudsy stuff is much more ingrained in our culture than you might think. All the way back in the 5th century, it was mead, a honey-based beer-like beverage, that brought about the term “honeymoon.” Yep, seriously. Calendars revolved around lunar phases then, and during the first moon of a newlyweds’ marriage, the couple would indulge in the luscious honey beer. Sounds like the perfect way to start a lifelong adventure together, right? What interesting stories have you amassed—with or without your better half—from your personal history of sipping a pint—or three?

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“Help!” urges my friend’s kindergartner. She hands me a toy with so many components, I’m not sure what to do. Buttons and lights and what I think might be wheels have me stupefied, leaving her impatient and grabbing the gadget from my hands so she can fix the problem herself within minutes. Yeah, so, a 6-year-old is smarter than me. Cool. Once I brush off my damaged ego, I realize I’m actually thrilled. She’s part of a generation that could solve some of the world’s most monumental problems with her remarkable STEM skills.

The post Laura Weidman Powers: She’s Empowering Minorities in Tech appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Do you have a memory of a time when you were super close-minded? Let’s be real: If you’re like most of us, you probably have a dozen of them. There’s nothing funnier than seeing a 10-year-old think so black and white about a subject, all the while knowing she will better understand the shades of gray later on. As we get older, we learn being insular just isn’t cool. You close yourself off to getting to know some really astounding people and gaining some marvelous knowledge. Today, embrace open-mindedness. Give someone new a chance, like that over-the-top server at your favorite lunch spot or your relative known for her questionable social-media opinions.

The post Jen Hatmaker: She’s Crushing Stereotypes With Moxie appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Has anyone ever told you that when you walk into a room, you just shine? Yeah, me neither. But we’ve all known women who do. Maybe it’s just a shimmer or maybe it’s out-and-out Florida-style rays of sunshine. One definition of shine is “to be bright by reflection of light,” and that’s something we can all exemplify. If you feel self-pity or defeat, chances are Debbie Downer from IT will plop down beside you during lunch and make things worse. As hard as it is some days—especially if you can’t avoid the Debbie Downers in your life—shine bright, girlfriend! And by doing so, you might just attract even more positivity.

The post Ashley LeMieux: She’s Brightening the Future for Inner-city Kids appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

If you’re a millennial, when someone calls you—you know, like on the phone—you’re straight up startled. What could they want? Did they accidentally butt dial you? Should you answer? By the time you go through the complicated inner dialogue, voicemail picks up the call for you. But you’ve missed the chance for real, stimulating interaction. If the only phone communication that’s part of your day comes in the form of a tedious conference call, it might be time to reconsider your phone phobia and dial up a friend. It may be awkward at first, but you’ll soon find your rhythm and be thankful you can give those texting thumbs a respite.

The post Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman: She’s Your Podcast Bestie appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

OK, y’all. There’s something I’ve got to take a stance on. It’s controversial. There are many opinions, but let me just tell you now, mine is the right one. Here goes: It’s OK to eat dessert for breakfast. Yep, you heard it here first. I’m a lifelong ice-cream connoisseur and am tired of it getting a bad rap. After all, a couple scoops of ice cream only amount to about 150 calories, which is about the same as your morning latte and about one-third as much as that blueberry muffin you love. Something tells me I’d hit snooze less often if a hot-fudge sundae were waiting for me at the breakfast table. Who’s with me?

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