This Is Not The Career I Ordered™ Blog
Savvy Professional Career Wisdom by Caroline Dowd-Higgins
This is Not the Career I Ordered is read by thousands of careerists around the globe. With savvy tools, inspiration, and resources, this timeless book empowers you to enjoy your career, and love your life!
Honor the Introverts and Give Them Space to Be Heard

Western culture favors gregarious extraverts in the world-of-work. They speak up, think quickly on their feet, and rarely hesitate to share their point of view when interacting with colleagues and stakeholders. The perception of extraverts is not always based on the content, or the quality of the information shared, but the style with which it […]
Establish a Gossip Free Workplace

I read a fascinating New York Times article by Shayla McKnight who shared a story about her job interview with an online printing company. The Human Resources Manager was clear about the no-gossip policy and no office politics rule before she was even hired. While McKnight thought the policy was refreshing it also seemed hard […]
10 Ways to Stay Sane & Active While Social Distancing

Original Article written by Julie Singh of TripOutside.com. There’s no denying that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has put a stop to almost all outdoor activities. With increased home quarantines and social distancing measures, cancelling outdoor adventures has become the new norm. This may leave you bored, anxious, and searching for ways to stay fit. We feel […]
Maintain a Social, Positive Workplace Amid Coronavirus

This piece first appeared in Compliance Week. Author Jaclyn Jaeger is an editor with Compliance Week and has written on a wide variety of topics, including ethics and compliance, risk management, legal, enforcement, technology, and more. I am grateful that she allowed me to share her piece with my global audience. Companies all around the world right […]
Be Financially Savvy – Even During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Whether you’re struggling to manage your money in a time of crisis, or you’ve just received your largest raise to date, any minor change to your finances can be a major lifestyle adjustment. It’s understandable to not make the best spending decisions with your money, especially when enduring such trying, uncertain financial times. No matter […]
Sleep: A Necessity for Good Health

We often put our own well-being to the back of the proverbial back burner in order to get ahead, but over time all this does is set us back. It’s estimated that nearly a third of the working world is sleep deprived, which may equal meeting short term deadline goals, but it doesn’t take long […]
Optimistic Options in Light of COVID-19

The stress of the COVID-19 pandemic is palpable. There is a clear emotional wake of distress, fear, and anxiety from the unknown of the foreseeable future. While we all need to be vigilant about social distancing, proper hygiene, and protecting the most vulnerable populations, here are a few optimistic ideas about how to reframe the […]
4 Tips for Managing Your Professional Reputation

In business, your reputation is one of your most important assets. Whether it is your personal reputation or that of your business, allowing public perceptions of you to disintegrate and degrade will ultimately come back to haunt you. On the other hand, an entrepreneur with a solid reputation has the world at their feet. Below […]
The Brave New World of Open Concept Offices

For the first time in my professional career I find myself in an open concept workplace. I have a cozy workstation with an electronic standing desk that I can raise and lower with a push of a button. I can access multiple focus rooms or team rooms to take phone calls, engage in noisier meetings […]
On the Move In 2020: Make the Most of the Year

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly time flies. No sooner have we finished celebrating New Year’s, than we’re preparing for the wearin’ of the green! Before we find ourselves singing Auld Lang Syne to 2020, let’s make the most of what this year has to offer. Here are 3 tips for doing just […]
3 Life Lessons from Ruth Bader Ginsburg

I subscribe to a Fast Forward briefing online written by Melanne Verveer, Kim Azzarelli and Sharon Bowen, whom I first heard speak at a TEDWomen event. They also host a wonderful podcast: Seneca Women: Conversations on Power and Purpose, which I highly recommend. Seneca Women is a global leadership platform centered on the principle that […]
There is No Mind Reading in The Career World

Gone are the days when working hard was enough to earn recognition or a promotion in the career world. Take control of your career trajectory and design your unique path. In addition to mapping out your career future, be sure to tap the wisdom of those who can empower you to achieve your goals. Keeping […]
Resources for Leaders Looking to Improve Their Management Skills

Continuous development is vital for everyone across the corporate landscape who wants to keep improving and growing as a professional as well as an individual. It’s particularly important for leaders, be they supervisors just starting out in a leadership role or experienced managers keen to drive their team towards greater achievements. For all of these […]
Be Your Own Valentine: Love Who You Are

It’s the time of year for cards with red hearts, chocolates, and flowers as Valentine’s Day approaches. It causes anxiety for some who are seeking affection, and bliss for others who are celebrating their love with someone special. This Valentine’s Day I encourage you to see it through a different lens. By all means celebrate […]