The Struggle is Real: Financial Independence Strategies for Young Adults

We all know at least one person that can walk into a room full of strangers and emerge with a group of new friends. They’re so good at attracting people, building trust with them, and turning others into fast friends. This is someone that is charismatic, friendly, and great at building instant rapport.

Having rapport with someone means you understand each other's feelings and communicate well. This happens over time as you build a relationship with them. The frequency and proximity allow you to establish trust and you slowly get to know them better.

But with some people, this happens quicker. Have you ever walked away from a conversation and felt instantly connected to the other person? Maybe meeting them felt natural and easy. It’s likely that’s because you were able to build rapport quickly.

I have no bulletproof method for getting this right a 100% of the time but I have noticed things in myself and others that have really helped. I want to share a couple of ideas and habits that you can put into practice especially when virtually connecting with another person for the first time.

Key Takeaways:

• How online networking is different than in-person
• Why building rapport is important
• 10-minute preparation guide
• Using video to your advantage
• How to make a good first impression with a strong start
• 3 tips for cultivating an amazing conversation
• The power of a smile
• The art of active listening
• How to share more
• Reminding yourself that you’re worthy

Mentions:

7 Ways to Discover Great In-Person Networking Events Worth Going To: www.tsirpodcast.com/108

The Secrets to Throwing a Great Networking Party: www.tsirpodcast.com/110

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

We’ve all been to one: loud music, people huddled in clicks, and little to no guidance from the host. I’m talking about poorly run networking events. The kind of events that spike the anxiety of us introverts and solo attendees.

But nobody wants to throw a bad event. The host wants to make sure everyone is having a good time and leaves having made meaningful connections. The problem is that nobody taught us how to throw a great networking party.

That was until Nick Gray wrote The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, a step-by-step handbook that teaches you how to build big relationships by hosting small gatherings.

Nick is a firm believer that hosting these simple, lightweight gatherings will accelerate your network. And he’s given us the playbook for how to do just that.

In this conversation, we cover how to make sure people show up, 4 secrets for hosting a great event, and how to politely kick people out at the end of your party. Nick also gives me an answer for the perfect number of attendees and the best day of the week to host your networking party.

And actually, since this recording, I’ve been to two cocktail parties that used Nick’s book to host their event, and they have both been far superior to the typical networking events. But they weren’t flashy events with paid bartenders, catering, and a DJ, no they were well-run events and a great use of my time. I met a lot of incredible people and left feeling excited to continue those conversations.

If you want to expand your network and know how to throw a simple yet amazing networking event, this is the episode for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Why hosting consistent, small gatherings is the ultimate networking tool
• NICK: 4 secrets for hosting a great event
• The importance of name tags even when you know everyone at the event
• How to run icebreakers and an easy example to use at your event
• Why you shouldn’t host dinner parties
• The perfect number of attendees to have
• How to politely kick people out
• The perfect day of the week to host your networking party
• Nick’s recommendation for event-hosting platforms
• How to ensure people show up to your party
• When to send and what to include in your reminder communication

Mentions:

Nick’s event hosting platform recommendations: Partiful (https://partiful.com/) and Mixily (https://www.mixily.com/)

More of Nick:

The 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to Build Big Relationships with Small Gatherings: https://www.amazon.com/2-Hour-Cocktail-Party-Relationships-Gatherings-ebook/dp/B0B2KW6T7J

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickgraynews

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

I could make a case that any interaction with someone else could be considered networking. From your friend’s parent to the barista who handed you your coffee this morning, anyone could be someone that changes the trajectory of your career.

I’m all about embracing some of the serendipity of relationship building, aka networking, but this series is bringing intentionality into this effort. We are going to be talking about purposely meeting people and the ways that you can do that.

I don’t know about you, but COVID really made me appreciate in-person interactions. I do really like the convenience of virtual networking, but sometimes it feels satisfying to put on some nice clothes, get out in the community, shake some hands, and meet some people in real life.

COVID did get me out of practice in this area though and in the meantime, I moved cities and started working virtually so I lost touch with many of the in-person groups I was a part of.

I’m ready for that to change and I’ve created a list of 7 ways to find in-person networking events.

In today’s episode, I am going to share that list with you with the goal of getting you excited and inspired to get back out there and check out some events in your local community. Don’t take this episode as a checklist but more as a menu. Pick one or two pathways that you feel drawn to. Each of these will provide many options for events that will fit what you’re looking for.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of networking
• Popular event sites to find networking opportunities
• Local community organizations that might be hosting in-person events near you
• How you can tap into your alma mater network
• How to network and support a cause at the same time
• How to use LinkedIn and Facebook to find networking events
• What are YP groups and how to affordably join them
• How to ask friends and colleagues about networking events
• It’s normal to be nervous when attending in-person events

Mentions:

Email Management Tips for Young Professionals Overwhelmed by a Cluttered Inbox | E102: www.tsipodcast.com/102

3 Tips for Managing Your Work Calendar Like a Pro | E104: www.tsirpodcast.com/104

A Guide to Creating a To-Do List That Actually Works | E106: www.tsirpodcast.com/106

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

I’ve never felt like I’ve had style. Honestly, I’ve always felt a little intimidated and lost when it comes to fashion.

With that in mind, I didn’t put a lot of emphasis on it. I opted for safe and affordable options versus clothes that I felt comfortable and confident in. I don’t think that’s entirely the wrong perspective. Personal style isn’t something that everyone cares about but I do want to make a case for it.

For better or worse, your outward appearance does say something about you. It impacts first expressions and is an extension of your personality. Most importantly, it impacts how you feel about yourself. The right piece of clothes at the right moment can help me break out of my shyness, feel more confident, and channel the energy I want to display.

All of this is especially true when it comes to dressing for work, a place where first impressions, outward appearance, charisma, and confidence play a huge part in success and career growth.

So let’s say you decided this is important and you want to put some focus on it, how do you go about finding your personal style? 

Well, I don’t have the answer for you but Parke Ballantine does. They are a creative director, fashion stylist, and model. I met Parke through my girlfriend Gaby after they did a stunning photoshoot together and luckily they were nice enough to share some fashion advice with us.

In this conversation, we talk about how to get started if you just aren’t sure what your personal style is. Parke shares styling tips like the rule of thirds, how to incorporate color, and how to be fashion-forward when it’s hot outside. We also have an important conversation about the balance of sustainability and affordability.

Key Takeaways:

• Where to start if you aren’t sure what your personal style is
• Applying the rule of thirds to fashion
• How to incorporate color into your wardrobe
• How to use accessories as your statement pieces
• How to be fashion-forward in the summer heat
• Balancing sustainability, affordability, and being fashion-forward
• Where to donate or swap your clothes
• The power of people

More of Parke:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parke.ballantine/

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

To-do lists help you remember what needs to get done, they create order, they set priorities, they relieve stress, they help you delegate, and they track your work progress.

I could go on and on about the benefits of to-do lists but I am confident you already know this.

I’m not one to prescribe a specific method for managing your to-do list but if you are looking to implement a system or overhaul your current, there are some elements that you should consider.

Today, we are going to talk through those elements, I will share how I personally handle each, and I am going to leave you excited and ready to manage your to-do list like a pro.

Key Takeaways:

• Digital versus analog options for creating a to-do list
• Using a list versus a calendar
• Should I have 1 master list or multiple to-do lists?
• How to handle recurring tasks
• 3 tips for successfully completing your to-do lists

Mentions:

Email Management Tips for Young Professionals Overwhelmed by a Cluttered Inbox: www.tsirpodcast.com/102

3 Tips for Managing Your Work Calendar Like a Pro: www.tsirpodcast.com/104

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Do you ever feel like you’re living in Groundhog Day where the events yesterday, feel like today, and you’re probably going to have those same feelings tomorrow? The weeks are moving fast yet you don’t feel like much is changing?

If this is the case you might be in a rut. If I’m being honest, I’m coming out of a period of my life where I’ve felt like I’ve been in a rut. I’ve had my head down, hard at work. I’m really satisfied with most of the elements of my life right now but I have this underlying feeling of unease. I don’t need to blow anything up but I’ve been looking for some change.

Luckily, Les Alfred came into my life at the right time. This conversation gave me some ideas for embracing more spontaneity, mixing up routines, and busting out of my rut. Implementing her practical advice has me feeling like I’m headed in the right direction now.

Les is the creator and host behind the wildly popular podcast, Balanced Black Girl where she covers various aspects of wellness with approachability and care.

I’ll be honest, I became a bit of a superfan after binging her show in preparation for this conversation and one of my favorite series she did was all about leveling up. The first half of this conversation we talk about practical tips for busting out of a rut but as we enter the second half of the episode, we talk about so many implementable concepts like time audits, your confidence account, and creating a brag file. I think all 3 of these concepts will level up your career so stick around until the end.

Speaking up that, hit the follow button on your podcast player right now. We are finishing up the managing the things at work series next week with an episode about conquering your to-do and we are going to follow that up with a series on creative ways to expand your professional network. So if that sounds like content that you need right now, hit the follow button so you don’t miss out.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with…the Leo, yogi, and the creator of Balanced Black Girl…Les Alfred.

Key Takeaways:

• Why social relationships are harder to control than other elements of your wellness
• How to embrace more spontaneity as a regimented person
• How to bust out of a rut by making small changes to your routine
• Creating a list of scary goals
• The lethal combo of having a 9 to 5 and being a small business owner
• How to perform a time audit
• How cutting things from your routine can be a great thing
• The importance of being hard to manipulate
• Why confidence isn’t a feeling but an action
• How to make deposits in your confidence account
• The importance of creating a brag file at work

More of Les:

Balanced Black Girl Podcast: https://www.balancedblackgirl.com/podcast

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

For all the ways we depend on them, it’s kind of amazing how little attention we tend to pay to make sure our calendars are working for us.

Your calendar can set your day-to-day priorities but without intentionality, that will fall to other people’s priorities. This has been really evident for me in 2023. It crept up on me but meetings started to take over my day. I was jumping in and out of meetings all day long only to look down at my to-do list getting bigger, not smaller.

This was all out of good nature. I thought by keeping my calendar as open as possible and making myself available to anyone even on short notice, that I was doing my part at work.

This could be the right approach especially if you’re in a service-based role where most of your work is done through customer interaction. But if your job depends on you completing work and projects, this can be a problem.

Have you heard the saying, “Show me your calendar and I’ll show you your priorities?”

Calendar management is the systematic process of organizing meetings, events, and tasks. It includes creating, scheduling, and accepting meeting invites along with resolving conflicts. A good calendar management process also includes guiding principles to help shape your day and maximize the return on investment you can get from your time.

So how can we use our calendar to maximize our output? What principles should I consider as part of my calendar management process? Today, I will give you 3 strategies I’ve been trying in 2023.

Key Takeaways:

• What is calendar management?
• How to protect your focus time
• How to aggregate your meetings into blocks
• 3 questions to ask yourself each Monday to prepare for the week
• How to find “doubles” in your day

Mentions:

E102 - Email Management Tips for Young Professionals Overwhelmed by a Cluttered Inbox: www.tsirpodcast.com/102

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

I remember being on fire for the first few years of my career. I was learning so much and every day brought a novel problem to solve.

Boredom wasn’t even a thought. I didn’t quite understand why people felt stale in their careers.

And then things started to slow. What was once a unique puzzle to solve, turned into an ongoing job responsibility. My job was filled with less learning and more…work.

Finding a balance between being comfortable in your role and stretching your limits is challenging. This can be especially challenging for those of us who find a lot of satisfaction and purpose from stimulated work.

I don’t want to be wishing it was Friday afternoon. I want to be excited for Monday. I want that same feeling of excitement from early in my career. But continuously cultivating that energy takes intentionality and some proper planning.

Today’s guest, Carla Fowler, will give us ideas on how to reenergize your work. She’ll share questions you can ask yourself if you are feeling bored, what are the components of a good project to get you excited again, and why all of this is important. 

Key Takeaways:

• How to create a “Relive your year” practice
• The importance of continuous growth in your work
• Signs that you’re moving toward career stagnation
• How to drive your career growth
• Questions to ask yourself if you’re feeling bored at work…and what to do about it.
• How to create learning projects to elevate your visibility and develop your skills
• The importance of learning milestones
• Performance discounting
• How external projects and challenges can build momentum for other areas of your life
• How do we keep growing and exposing ourselves to new things?
• Looking for “doubles” in your life

More of Carla:

www.thaxa.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-fowler/

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

Between reading through messages, crafting the right responses, and keeping tabs on the emails that require follow-up, staying on top of your inbox can feel like a job in itself.

Email can be a pain but it is a critical component to most knowledge-based roles that many of us college graduates step into after graduation.

Until I started working in the “real world,” I didn’t know this though. And the thing that blows me away? College never taught me a system for efficiently managing my email. It was something that I had to learn on my own.

I don’t want you to be in the same boat. In this episode, we are going to learn a system you can implement right away that will have you spending less time on email and more time on the projects that really matter.

Level up your email management game by tuning into this episode.

This episode is part 1 of a 3-part series all about managing your work which includes email, calendar, and project management.

Key Takeaways:

• How much time the average worker spends on email each week
• How to make inbox zero work for you
• The 3 categories for processing your email
• The golden rule that has saved me hours each week on email
• What to do with each category of emails
• How to set up action-based folders that keep your primary inbox clean
• A tip for non-urgent emails out of sight

Mentions:

Workers Now Spend Two Full Days a Week on Email and in Meetings (WSJ): https://www.wsj.com/articles/workers-say-its-harder-to-get-things-done-now-heres-why-2a5f1389?mod=hp_lead_pos13

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/

When I was in grade school, my dad and I were up in Detroit for a track meet. We thought it would be fun to cross over into Canada. Although technically, it was the first time I had left the United States, it wasn’t until a week after my college graduation that I took my first real international trip.

I did a 4-city stop in Europe and I caught the travel bug. I’ve made a few more trips to Europe, traveled in South America, and expanded my adventures in the United States.

Although I’m not going as far as to say it’s a requirement for a happy life, there are so many benefits of making traveling a habit. It can be a release from the day-to-day grind that life can force us into sometimes. You meet new people, make unforgettable memories, and even improve your communication skills. But what that first trip really did for me was expand my horizons and become more mindful of other people’s cultures and values. I can confidently say that I am a more sympathetic and open-minded person because of traveling.

You don’t have to quit your job today and travel the world, although today’s guest would have a thing or two to say about that but I’m hoping after this conversation I’ve convinced you to pick a spot you’ve always wanted to travel to and book that plane ticket.

Renee Bruns took this piece of advice to heart. She created a career sabbatical to pursue what we’ve all wanted to do at some point in our life: break a Guinness Book of World Records.

Renee is now the record holder for the most amount of countries visited in one year in a wheelchair. In 2022, she visited 66 countries bringing her all-time total to 117 countries including all 7 continents.

In this conversation, I challenge her with 5 common reasons many of us don’t travel. She fires back with reassurance and tangible advice for overcoming these excuses.

Key Takeaways:

• 5 surprising reasons Americans don’t travel
• Ideas for low-risk, high-reward places to travel to
• How to get by without knowing the language
• How to find affordable transportation
• Travel money saving hacks
• The benefits of hostels
• How to ask for a sabbatical at work and offer creative options to your employer
• When it might be time to leave your work to travel
• Why you shouldn’t be afraid to travel

Mentions:

www.HostelWorld.com

www.couchsurfing.com

More of Renee:

www.reneebruns.net

More of The Struggle is Real:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tsirpod/