Author: Abby Phillips

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5 Ways to Stay Engaged From a Distance

Featuredby Abby Phillips2 Comments on 5 Ways to Stay Engaged From a Distance
5 Ways to Stay Engaged From a Distance

I love working from home. It’s a luxury to take my dogs for a walk on my lunch break, wear comfy pants all day, and throw a load of laundry in the washer on a brain break. In fact, I’ve never worked in an office. Working from home (WFH) is all I know. In today’s job market, hybrid and fully remote positions are the norm. While I’m certainly pro-WFH, I’ll be the first to admit it has its challenges, and poor Wifi connection isn’t the only one.

Without face-to-face interaction and office camaraderie, it’s easy to feel isolated and disconnected from the company and your team. But one thing is for sure, feeling like you’re on your own island isn’t good for anyone.

Of course, a healthy team culture is the key to staying engaged from a distance. Here are some ways to make that happen.

1. Establish Clear Expectations

From the start, clear expectations around communication, guidelines, and protocol are imperative to a remote team. What are the working expectations? Are hours flexible? How will meetings run? How often will the team collaborate and connect?

Establishing the functionality of a workspace is the foundation of good engagement across remote teams. Clear expectations should lay out the culture of the team and ways to seek personal and professional community. Regular virtual meetings with managers are a great way to discuss individual progress, provide feedback, and address any concerns while offering a continued stream of communication surrounding expectations.

2. Get Connected

Anyone who works from home in any capacity has most likely felt some sense of isolation. Some thrive without daily interactions, but I’m not one of them. In my opinion, the best morale booster is a face-to-face (or screen-to-screen) connection!

We spend approximately 40+ hours per week with our coworkers in any given capacity. Whether it’s brainstorming topics, building out plans, or sharing a coffee together, make the most of it! Here are some ways to get and stay connected.

  • Hop on a call – Schedule regular video calls with your team to maintain face-to-face communication and connection. It can be regarding work, but it can also be for fun!
  • Send a chat – Death by meeting is real. Take advantage of the various forms of instant messaging or chat tools for real-time communication and collaboration. Send a Teams or Slack message to your colleague to connect on various topics.
  • Hop on office hours – Establish optional virtual office hours as a way to check in and discuss topics as needed.
  • Enjoy social hour – Work doesn’t always have to be so monotonous. Create virtual social events, such as happy hours, coffee talks, or themed meetings to foster team synergy and connection.

3. Take a Break

Staring at a computer screen all day is physically and mentally draining. Take a much-needed break to let your brain rest and recharge, even if only for a brief time. Whether you fold laundry, take your dog for a walk, or just sit on your couch, brain breaks are the best way to avoid burnout, boost productivity, and maintain your mental health.

In fact, those who take breaks at work experience physical and mental benefits, including fewer headaches, eye strain, lower back pain, higher job satisfaction, and lower rates of burnout. A healthier, happier you is just a few brain breaks away.

4. Set a Routine

For many work-from-homers, routines are necessary to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

One of the many benefits of working from home is the time you are given back in your daily schedule. More time to exercise in the morning instead of sitting in traffic. More time to eat a healthy, hearty breakfast rather than a drive-thru sandwich. More time to spend with family, read books, and enjoy the outdoors. Just more time.

A constant and flexible routine allows you to engage colleagues and resources during working hours so you can enjoy more “you” time!

5. Stay Organized

While communication is of the utmost importance, so is organization! Without organization, working collaboratively with a virtual team can get messy and confusing. If your home office lacks storage like mine, organization can be a challenge. However, project management tools are here to save the my-office-is-so-cluttered-I-can’t-think-straight day.

Project Management software, like Trello, Monday.com, and Asana, keeps track of tasks, project progress, and collaboration across teams. It’s a game-changer for collaborating and staying organized on projects while working remotely. The best part? There are some great free options!

It’s no surprise that working from home can present a unique set of challenges. While it may feel like you’re off on your own island, you can have a meaningful company experience from afar. With the right tools and strategies, it’s possible to maintain productivity and stay engaged with your remote team. Who would trade that for a commute to work anyway?

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33 Marketing Terms You Need to Know

Featuredby Abby PhillipsLeave a Comment on 33 Marketing Terms You Need to Know
33 Marketing Terms You Need to Know

I remember feeling like a million bucks walking through the doors of my very first marketing meeting. It was the very first day of my very first Marketing job—coffee and confidence ran through my young, eager veins.

It wasn’t even 5 minutes into the meeting when my I’m-a-girl-boss-marketer bubble popped. I had no idea what was going on. An extreme sense of panic came over me faster than the coffee I downed a few hours prior. 

What am I doing here? They surely hired the wrong candidate. I don’t know anything. I am so underqualified. 

Words like ROIs and MQLs were among the many that surely put a look of confusion on my face. Instead of nodding and pretending to know what was going on, I started jotting down notes. Not just any notes, though—I started a running list of unknown terms and looked them up immediately following. A marketing dictionary, if you will. 

Since then, the list has grown significantly. And with that, so has my knowledge of marketing. 

If you have ever been a Marketing deer in headlights like me, here is my gift to you. Print it out, save it on your computer, add to it, or recite it before bed — you might find you enjoy the peace of mind of knowing the difference between CTA and CRM. 

  1. 1-Pager: Also known as a Sales Sheet or Flyer, a 1-Pager is a 1-page document that highlights information on a given topic. It is often a product or solution sheet for a specific brand. 
  1. Analytics: Data points that identify and track trends in activity to bring purpose and understanding to marketing efforts. 
  1. Blog: A low-cost form of short or long-form content that boosts brand awareness, increases website traffic and engagement, and builds trust and credibility. 
  1. Bounce Rate: A metric used to measure engagement across the web and email. Bounce rate refers to the number, or percentage, of users who immediately leave or “bounce” from a webpage without taking any action while there.
  1. Call to Action (CTA): A CTA is a suggested action for audiences to take, often on websites, emails, and other forms of content.  
  1. Case Study: A form of content that showcases a real-world example highlighting the benefit of using a brand’s product or service. Case studies are used by marketers to show how a brand provided a solution or made a positive impact. 
  1. Content Marketing: A marketing strategy focused on creating and sharing quality content to target audiences to produce leads and build brand awareness. 
  1. Content Management System (CMS): A software or platform used to manage the content lifecycle, including creation, editing, and management. A CMS streamlines the process of content creation and allows for a simplified approach to managing content. 
  1. Conversion Rate: The metric used to track the percentage of users who complete the desired action, like responding to a CTA. Marketers desire high conversion rates because it represents how effective marketing efforts are. 
  1. Customer Journey: The interactions and experiences customers have between the first touchpoint and the purchase time. This process helps understand the customer better to improve the overall customer experience. 
  1. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): A CRM is a tool used by marketers to measure the relationship lifecycle with clients and prospects, including interactions and meetings. A CRM allows companies to grow their business through relationship building/tracking.
  1. Brand Awareness: The familiarity an individual has with a specific brand or product. Brand Awareness is an important measure in marketing, as it is how clients and prospects recognize your brand, which influences buying habits. 
  1. Demand Generation: A marketing strategy used to generate demand and awareness for a brand. Demand Gen builds revenue by driving high-quality leads.  
  1. eBook: An eBook, or an electronic book, is a digital, downloadable content piece often available in PDF form that provides relevant information on a given topic. An eBook provides in-depth resources to readers and allows marketers to position their brand as trusted thought leaders within an industry. 
  1. Editorial Calendar: A tool used by content marketers to plan, schedule, and organize content over a period of time. 
  1. Gated Content: Content that requires specific or personal information to view. For example, it may be required to enter your name and email in a lead capture form to access an eBook on 2023 Content Marketing Trends. Gated Content is a strategy used in lead generation to identify prospects and increase leads. 
  1. HTML: HyperText Markup Language, or HTML, is the language of the web. With HTML, marketers can provide a customizable experience to viewers on different mediums—emails, web, etc. 
  1. Inbound Marketing: The strategy marketers use to attract prospects through the use of valuable digital content and experiences. 
  1. Infographic: A form of visual content used to make content more digestible to target audiences.  
  1. Key Performance Indicators (KPI): Specific goals set by individuals and teams to track numerical metrics throughout a specific time. KPIs show trends in marketing to highlight how marketing efforts impact engagement. 
  1. Landing Page: A webpage users “land” on after being directed from another source to convert visitors to leads and eventually sales. 
  1. Marketing Automation: Software that manages and automates marketing tasks for a company, including campaigns and activities. Marketing automation improves efficiency across teams, essentially bringing in more revenue. 
  1. Marketing Plan: The outline or roadmap of a brand’s marketing strategy and the action steps needed to obtain certain goals over a period of time. 
  1. Marketing Qualified Lead (MQL): A lead generated by marketing efforts that are likely to convert to a sale. MQLs are often generated through completing forms on websites, downloading gated content, signing up for webinars, etc.
  1. Organic Marketing: A cost-effective marketing initiative used to drive traffic without paid media. (i.e. blogs)
  1. Paid Marketing: A marketing initiative that used purchased advertising to target specific audiences with marketing campaigns and materials. Paid Marketing is a quick and effective way to promote your business and build brand awareness.
  1. Personas: A marketing persona is a fictional depiction of a brand’s ideal customer. Personas humanize customers to tailor content to the specific target audience(s).
  1. Return on Investment (ROI): Marketing ROI is the calculation of how much revenue marketing efforts contribute. It is calculated by subtracting marketing costs from sales growth and dividing it by marketing costs. Essentially, ROI justifies marketing efforts. 
  1. Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS is a method of offering a platform or tool through a digital format via the web. MailChimp, HubSpot, and Salesforce are examples of companies who offer SaaS. 
  1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): The science of using content, keywords, links, and more to improve a website’s search optimization in major search engines. The purpose of SEO is to drive traffic to a company’s website. 
  1. Subject Matter Expert (SME): A Subject Matter Expert, or SME, is a person who specializes in a specific subject or industry. SMEs are important to marketing teams by contributing knowledge and expertise to content development and marketing strategy. 
  1. Webinar: An online event hosted by a company to inform, educate, and/or entertain audiences. Webinars are a low-cost marketing initiative used to build brand awareness and credibility, often converting to sales. 
  1. Whitepaper: An in-depth, informational document on a specific topic that addresses a problem and offers a solution. Similar to an eBook, a whitepaper is a long-form content piece used by marketers to highlight the benefit of a solution and encourage sales.

Just like my knowledge of marketing, this list will continue to grow and evolve to include more information for marketers like you and me. 

With each new term, strategy, and method I learn, a little bit more confidence runs through my veins. As for the coffee, it’s always been there. 

I’d love to know what terms you think should be added to this list. Comment below and share your thoughts! 

Lifestyle

Bridge the Gap

by Abby Phillips1 Comment on Bridge the Gap
Bridge the Gap

Your early 20s — what an interesting time. 

You’ve either been there, are currently there, or after reading this, you’re unsure if you’re excited for those “best years” coming up. Sorry to pop that bubble!

Who are you during that time? Do you even know? Most people don’t, but I’m pretty sure everyone is trying to figure it out. 

There’s a saying that says, “there are 2 types of people in their 20s: the ones that have it all together and the ones who don’t.” I’d like to add a 3rd person to the equation – the one trying to figure it out. 

Maybe you’re the one planning a wedding, or are you the one who dreads the thought of spending forever with the same person? 

Did you take that corporate job out of college, or are you working a part-time gig with more free time? 

Have you set up roots in your hometown, or did you make the big move to the city you’ve been dreaming of forever? 

Are you all of these? Are you none? 

Aren’t we all just trying to find our feet under us? Just trying to figure out how to make a mortgage payment, a pressure cooker meal, or a game-plan for our lives. Aren’t we all just trying to find ourselves? 

It’s the beauty of your 20s, though. The unknown. The chaos. 

It’s the perfect time to make mistakes, to fail, to fly. Never again will we try and fail so many times and still bounce back like we’re unstoppable.

We’re all just trying to bridge the gap. 

You know, that metaphorical gap from childhood to adulthood. 

We’re not innocent children anymore, dependent on Mom and Dad. We’re not the old, wise ones, either. 

We’re in the gap, and if you’re in your 20s, you’re most likely trying to figure out how to bridge it. 

Let me stop you there – this bridge isn’t like most you think of. It’s not the strong, London Bridge, powering over the city. It’s not the Golden Gate, either. It’s more like a swinging bridge — unsteady, risky, and at times, dangerous. 

It’s full of trial and error. Do you run or walk? Charge ahead or fall to the back? Power through or freeze in the middle? Do you embrace it? 

Your 20s are the time to find yourself — find who you are and what you want in life. It’s the time to find ways to connect with new friends and reconnect with old ones. The time to take your life by the reigns and guide it wherever you want to go. 

Young enough to create your narrative and old enough to make it happen. 

But here I am, 22 – the early stage of that awkward waiting period. I’ve figured a few things out, but others, not so much. 

Yet, in the midst of the chaos and unknown, there’s peace. A kind of peace where I don’t need to have it all figured out. A peace that allows me to fail and start over – however many times I need to. It’s peace in the waiting. 

It extends far beyond your early 20s – it’s more of a lesson learned on how to keep going in the midst of crazy. 

Maybe that’s what your 20’s are all about. Looking to find yourself and embracing whatever comes your way. Serendipity, if you will. And overall, it’s about finding joy in the journey! 

Whether the bridge is wavering and unstable, just as your 20’s (or 30s, 40s, or 50s) sometimes are, finding peace in the waiting and joy in the journey is what bridging the gap is all about. 

Job

Into the Thick of It: Starting Over After Getting Laid Off

Featuredby Abby Phillips3 Comments on Into the Thick of It: Starting Over After Getting Laid Off
Into the Thick of It: Starting Over After Getting Laid Off

Apparently, it’s lay-off season, and I’m the latest victim of this brutal storm. 

The world of business has always been cut-throat, but I had no idea it would happen so soon in my career. But you know what they say, there’s a first time for everything! 

Ha — can you tell humor is my coping mechanism? 

I’m sure you’re familiar with lay-offs, but has anyone ever told you getting laid off sends you down a grief spiral? 

Sadness, disbelief, anger, despair. Yes, you feel them all, and sometimes all at once. 

It’s a weird thing really. You always hear about companies facing financial distress, but never think it’ll be you getting the boot. You work so hard, you go above and beyond personally and professionally, and you have such loyalty to your company. You never think it’ll be you until it is. 

Not until you get the phone call at 9:30 am on a Tuesday and your world stops for a second. 

How can a 60-second call end so much? 

“Your position is being cut.” Disbelief.

Your team of rockstar professionals-turned-friends will never work together again. Sadness. 

Oh, and you’ll no longer get paid either. Panic.

All of this gone in a 60-second call. Anger. 

How am I already back to this point again? 50 job applications sent. Exhaustion. 

Another rejection email? Despair. 

And suddenly I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place; Unsure what my next move is or where to go. Young enough to start over, but waiting for a sign to lead me.

Clearly, I’m still in the thick of it — grieving the loss of a job I loved, oh so much. 

It’s a process I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But, in a way, I’m grateful for it. 

Here are 3 tips on how to stay successful after getting laid off:

1. Keep a routine.

Do your best to not fall out of your routine. Instead, replace it with new, beneficial, and productive activities. Use this time to make yourself better than when you started.

2. Network like no tomorrow. 

Find connections through your connections. Someone can introduce you or vouch for you. Give them the chance and nurture those relationships. Don’t stop once you find a new job, either. Always continue to build your network.

3. Set goals for yourself.

Create daily, weekly, and monthly goals for yourself. Get them done. Make new goals. Do it again.

I’m holding out for the hope that something much better is just ahead. Sometimes God pushes us when he knows we wouldn’t take the steps ourselves. 

Though it hasn’t been long, this “vacation” has given me time to reevaluate and appreciate what’s around me. 

  • My supportive and loving husband. In a scary time like this, I’ve never felt so safe and supported. 
  • My family and friends. I truly have the best support system around me. Whether helping me find jobs, looking over my resume, or grabbing coffee because it’s been too long. 
  • The little things: putting some extra love into my garden, daily workouts — sometimes even 2, treating myself to Starbucks (everyday), and having time to write again. 

Who knows, maybe that’s what I needed. 

This story isn’t finished yet. It never will be, but my next chapter is coming soon! 💗

Lifestyle

2021 THROUGH MY EYES

Featuredby Abby Phillips1 Comment on 2021 THROUGH MY EYES
2021 THROUGH MY EYES

2021: A year of the good moments, the “eh” moments, and all the other moments in between. A year of firsts. A year of excitement and new beginnings. A year of loved ones lost and loved ones gained. A year of growth in places I wasn’t expecting. A really great year. 

JANUARY:

Celebrated the new year with sweet friends. Planned last-minute details for the wedding. Started my last semester of college. 

FEBRUARY:

Had 2 bridal showers. Got really excited to marry my guy. Partied with my best friends at my bachelorette weekend. Started the countdown to wedding day.

MARCH:

Rescheduled move-in to our house. Stressed about that. Stressed some more before March 27th. Married my best friend. Stopped stressing about the wedding. Started stressing about my husband’s laundry dilemma. 

APRIL:

Lived in an Airbnb for a few weeks. Loved it. Finally moved into our house. Spent a lot of money and time making it a home. Worth every penny.

MAY:

Graduated college with honors. Started my first big girl job while working from my home office. Grieved the loss of my grandmother. Still am.

JULY:

Watched fireworks. Went to the lake. Cut off all my hair. Went to the lake again. Started gardening. Turned 22. Act like I’m 42. Not sure how I feel about it.

AUGUST:

Drove to Millidgeville to pick up our Craigslist puppy, Olive. Fell in love with said puppy. Made her an Instagram. Turned into a crazy dog lady.

SEPTEMBER:

Decorated for fall. Watched Olive grow up fast. Went to the Braves game. Baked a lot. Ate a lot. Saw Lauren Daigle in concert. Spent a lot of time with friends and family. 

OCTOBER:

Explored some new trails with Olive and Tyler. Continued our tradition of recreating our first date. Dressed up and handed out candy to our neighborhood kids. Got really excited about that. Accepted that we have old souls.

NOVEMBER:

Decorated for Christmas. Had a puppy play date with my best friends. Celebrated Christmas early with my siblings. Woke up at 5 a.m. on Thanksgiving to run a 5k with my sister. Realized how out of shape I am. Realized how crazy we were. Realized how thankful I am. 

DECEMBER:

Baked some cookies. Shopped until I dropped. Left the country for the first time. Didn’t get my passport stamped but left with some amazing memories. Celebrated the holidays with friends and family. Kept old traditions and made new ones, too. 

It’s been a year of growth and love. I’m so grateful for the blessings in 2021 and can’t wait for what’s to come in 2022. Happy New Year, friends!

Lifestyle

20 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT THANKFULNESS

Featuredby Abby Phillips3 Comments on 20 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT THANKFULNESS
20 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT THANKFULNESS

Why does time seem to pass faster as you get older? It feels like just yesterday when we were celebrating Thanksgiving, but somehow a year has gone by and here we are again, watching the trees shed their leaves and the days get shorter. Patiently anticipating the family gatherings and delicious food we are sure to see in a few short weeks. 

Each year on Thanksgiving, my entire extended family would go in a circle and share what they were thankful for. There is no moment I dreaded more than when the circle inevitably came to me. It was at that moment when I had to conjure up some ridiculous answer to what I was thankful for. Thinking back, I can’t really remember what I shared, but I’m sure “chocolate” was my answer for many years — it still is. 

If only I could go back and tell my shy, childish self that there is so much to be thankful for. Not only on that day but every day! 

As we prepare for this season of thankfulness, let’s remember all we have to be thankful for. Here are some of my favorite times the Bible mentions thankfulness:

  1. Colossians 3:16-17 

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

  1. 2 Corinthians 2:14 

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 

  1. Psalm 79:13

“But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.”

  1. Hebrews 12:28

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,”

  1.  Colossians 4:2

“Continue steadfastly in prayer,  being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

  1. 1 Chronicles 16:8

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!”

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:4

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,”

  1. Psalm 107:21

“Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”

  1.  Psalm 86:12

“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.”

  1. Philippians 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:15

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”

  1. 1 Timothy 4:4-5

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.”

  1. Psalm 95:2

“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”

  1. Ephesians 1:16

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,”

  1. Psalm 136:1

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

  1. Colossians 2:6-7 

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

  1. Jeremiah 30:19

“Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of those who celebrate. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will make them honored, and they shall not be small.”

  1. Ephesians 5:20

“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

  1. Revelation 7:12

“saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

I pray you find yourself surrounded by many blessings and love during this season of thanks. Whether you are thankful for macaroni and cheese or another year with your loved ones, give glory to God for all your many blessings!

Lifestyle

YOUNG WIFE, OLD LESSONS

Featuredby Abby Phillips1 Comment on YOUNG WIFE, OLD LESSONS
YOUNG WIFE, OLD LESSONS

It feels like yesterday when Tyler and I said our vows and sealed the deal with a kiss. I still get butterflies in my stomach when I think about that perfect March day. Somehow, I blinked and five months have passed since then. FIVE!

Marriage has been such a blessing.

Half of the time, I feel like we have spent our entire lives together, bickering as we will in 50 years. The other 50% feels like we are honeymooners straight off the plane, giddy with excitement and eager to learn new things about each other.

Both are good feelings; it’s a nice balance.

The past five months have been the absolute best of my life. Not without a challenge, of course. But I love a good challenge!

You learn a lot about someone when you are with them 24/7. Their highs, their lows, and everything in between. Some marriage advice from a newlywed is to find joy in the journey!

Here are some fun lessons I have learned along the way:

  1. Marriage is easy. Living with someone is hard. 

I love Tyler to death! 

I love everything that comes along with him being my husband. I love his friends, his family, his boyish obsession with his Jeep. (Ok maybe I don’t love that.) 

That stuff is easy to love. But I do not love that he leaves the same pair of gym shorts on the bathroom floor, 2 inches away from the laundry hamper. Who does that?!

I don’t love his dirty dishes in the sink when the dishwasher is clearly dirty, either. And unfortunately, I am too stubborn to just put the shorts and dishes away. 

Living with someone is hard. (Disclaimer: coping with my stubbornness is harder. Kudos to Tyler for dealing with that.) 

2. Money is not everything, but it matters. 

Something I have picked up on when talking to most couples is that there is typically a “spender” and a “saver” in every relationship. It maintains a healthy balance. 

It’s important to find balance in your relationship, especially when it comes to your finances.

When Tyler and I went to premarital counseling, money was a topic that was briefly discussed. We felt confident in our financial plans. We figured out what would work best for us and made it happen. 

A lot of arguments can stem from money. I would be lying if I said we didn’t argue about it at times, but a good framework will help lessen those. I think time helps, too. 

Learning what financial balance worked for us was a game-changer. Once we were on the same page, everything else fell into place.

Money is important, but we cannot take it with us. Don’t let it control your life!

3. Say ‘goodbye’ to your selfish ways. 

Let’s be honest, we are all a little selfish. 

The other day I read a post on Facebook that encouraged all twenty-somethings to enjoy their “selfish years.” I instinctively laughed at the notion because how can a marriage work if you are selfish? 

Oh, that’s right, it can’t! 

You can’t always buy things you want and you have to plan things if you want them to happen, but it is so worth it. 

I am so thankful to be spending my selfish years working to be selfless.  Not only is it making me a better wife, but also a better person and Christian. 

Putting others first – isn’t that what we are called to do? 

4. Get ready to schedule.

I didn’t know two seemingly unimportant people could have such hectic schedules. 

For about 5 minutes, Tyler and I thought we were popular. 

This was until we realized all of our time was now being shared amongst 2 full-time jobs, 2 families, and a lot of friends! Not including any time for just the two of us.

Gone are the days where we could make last-minute plans for the weekend. Now, we have to check our family calendar and plan dinner with friends weeks in advance! 

Boy, are we in for a surprise once we have kids?!

Maybe this is a sign we are adults now. Or maybe, just maybe, we are popular?

I didn’t think so either.

5. Can I love someone too much?

I don’t know if it’s the fact that Tyler got me a black lab puppy, or how he surprises me with “just because” flowers, or because he is just so cute, but I cannot get enough of this man! 

(Except when he leaves his clothes on the floor or dishes in the sink.) 

And hey, I guess we are only five months in, but that is five whole months spent loving each other like crazy! 

We are so blessed to have found each other young. I am constantly thanking the Lord for this extra time we spend loving and cherishing one another. 

We may still be in our honeymoon phase, but I hope that love never fades. I pray we still love each other at 50 years like we love each other at 5 months. 

Let’s normalize a forever honeymoon phase! 

Marriage has been the greatest blessing I have ever experienced. I have grown individually, spiritually, and collectively with Tyler. 

In five short months, I have seen a glimpse into what the future holds for two adult-ish kids who are madly in love. A future filled with love, laughter, and many more dirty dishes. (Let’s just pray they are in the dishwasher this time.)

Job

LINKEDIN DOS AND DON’TS

by Abby PhillipsLeave a Comment on LINKEDIN DOS AND DON’TS
LINKEDIN DOS AND DON’TS

If you ask my husband what my favorite social media platform is, he will most likely tell you it is LinkedIn. And since we are being honest, he is not wrong.

I like to think of LinkedIn as the “professional Facebook” because I am constantly scrolling and connecting with people in my industry.

I love building connections, learning new things, and finding jobs on the free social media platform.

In fact, I find myself serving as somewhat of a LinkedIn ambassador, if you cannot already tell.

But despite how much I love LinkedIn, it shocks me knowing how many young and seasoned professionals are not using it at all, or at least not using it to their full advantage.

Yes, I know.

I know they are missing out on free connections, unlimited content, and potential jobs.

I know they are intimidated and unsure how to use the platform.

I know.

But, fear not, for I am here to share with all you novice LinkedIn users the Dos and Don’ts of LinkedIn.

DOS:

  1. Post content. This is a networking site, after all. Share updates with your network about your promotion at work, college graduation, most recent certifications, the first day on the job, your professional portfolio, projects you are proud of, company awards, job openings, or anything else you would like to share with your professional network. 
  1. Update your profile. Your profile is the first thing your connections and future employers will see– make sure it looks good! Choose a professional profile photo and attractive banner to personalize your profile. Create a relevant and enticing tagline to draw people to your page. Add value to your profile by writing an exciting and relevant “About” section that explains your professional background, goals, and experience. 
  1. Share relevant documents with your network. Include your resume, work examples, and website with your connections to increase your personal brand visibility. Take it a step further by featuring these documents on your profile. 
  1. Find jobs/companies that pique your interest and connect with people who work there. I will argue that LinkedIn has better job postings than any other website I have been on. Visit the “jobs” tab to see the current job postings in your desired search. 
  1. Respond to your messages. Don’t miss out on an awesome opportunity by not responding to a message on LinkedIn. Respond promptly to every message, whether you are interested or not. 

DON’TS:

  1. Do not at any time ever confuse this professional platform with that of a dating site, or anything suggesting otherwise. This is not the platform for finding any connection other than a professional one. 
  1. Do not be afraid to connect with a stranger! The goal of this platform is to help create connections and grow professionally. This would be impossible if you decline every connection from someone you do not know. 
  1. Do not send irrelevant and unrelated messages to your connections (or anyone!) Always keep in mind LinkedIn etiquette and maintain professionalism at all times. 
  1. Don’t be shy-– ask previous employers, coworkers, and clients for recommendations and endorsements to highlight on your profile. 
  1. Don’t post too often or too infrequently. Maintain engagement with your connections, but be sure not to overload them with irrelevant content. Give your connections valuable information they want to read!

We know that networking is absolutely necessary to escalate your career to the next point. LinkedIn serves as an invaluable asset to professionals if used correctly.

Now, log on to your LinkedIn and start connecting. You can start with me! 🙂 

Lifestyle

CHANGING. GROWING. LEARNING.

Featuredby Abby Phillips4 Comments on CHANGING. GROWING. LEARNING.
CHANGING. GROWING. LEARNING.

Change. Something we all are familiar with.

I’m not talking about the change that your dad carries around in the pocket of his Levi’s. I’m talking about the kind that keeps us on our toes– the kind of change that allows us to grow and evolve.

Change is good. But let’s be honest, change can be difficult. In fact, sometimes change can be heartbreaking. In just two months, I have experienced so many changes. I changed my last name, my job title, my address, my priorities, my everything, for the most part. I loved the changes I was experiencing. I still love them.

These beautiful new changes are so exciting. They are the changes we pray for and so desperately long for throughout our lives. We await the changes with arms wide open and greet them so favorably once they arrive.

And then something happens. Of course, how can it not? We experience change in a not-so-favorable light. It is inevitable. The dreaded change that you don’t see coming; You don’t welcome it either. The kind of change that stops you in your tracks and leaves you defeated. I have come to know that change recently.

My grandmother recently lost her fierce fight with cancer. She was 74 years young and put up a strong fight against the odds.

It is devastating to lose a loved one. Somehow the world keeps turning, but how can it, knowing you will never see that person again? One second they are there and alive and the next they are gone. Eventually, that despair in your heart turns into a mental battle in your mind. Mine looked like this:

I will never taste her cooking again.
My bundt cake will never taste as good as hers did.
I will never hug her again.
My children won’t know her.

During these thoughts and feelings of grief I picked up the book, The Fight to Flourish, by Jennie Lusko. Jennie lost her 5-year-old daughter, Lenya, and did not think she could continue to be a good mother, wife, or Christian. With the help of the Lord, Jennie was able to fight to flourish and uses her story to encourage others to do the same. She shares hope and encouragement with readers when she says, “God loves you. He cares for you. He is with you. He will fight for you. Your part? Believe Him. Trust Him. Keep your hands up in surrender, and just keep walking. When you come up against the impossible, when you feel like you’re losing the fight, when you’re so weary you can’t lift your fists to protect yourself, look up. See that God is there, and watch Him fight for you.”

What a beautiful way to think and believe. God’s got this. He always has and always will.

In our broken world, it is so important to remember that the key to overcoming unwanted change is trusting in the Lord. 

I can now see how God was working in my life leading up to my Grandmother’s passing. Thankfully, I was trusting in the Lord’s plan and can now see his work before my eyes. Here is the “God Wink” he gave me:

Randomly and without reason, Tyler and I changed our October wedding to March. There was no true reason we chose to turn our engagement into six short months following a relatively short time dating. I could argue that the venue fit us in so perfectly for a late March wedding, but what really happened was Jesus. I didn’t understand that until now. If it wasn’t for God uprooting our previous plans for those he had for us, Grandma wouldn’t have made it to the wedding. She wouldn’t have been there with us to celebrate.

A crazy, unfounded, irrational decision to move our wedding up a few months was not my decision or Tyler’s decision, it was God’s.

That is the beauty in the journey. When you are least expecting it, God swoops in to change your plans for the plans He has for you. Thank you Jesus for that gift!

Finally, I felt peace, and alongside it came joy. I remembered that while I may never see her again on this Earth, I will see her again someday! What a victory that is. When you open your heart and mind up to Jesus, grace and peace and joy overflow from you.

One day we will meet again and that will be such a joyous celebration! Without Jesus that wouldn’t be possible. Without Jesus, change would have certainly consumed me. Without Jesus, change would not be worth it.

Once I remembered this, I popped her bundt cake in the oven, grabbed a cup of coffee, told Alexa to play Elevation Worship, and sat on the kitchen counter and thought of my favorite moments with her. I felt at peace remembering her this way– with a cup of coffee and one of her best recipes, even if it wasn’t as good as hers.

Job

THE COLD, HARD TRUTH: I DON’T LOOK GOOD ON PAPER

by Abby PhillipsLeave a Comment on THE COLD, HARD TRUTH: I DON’T LOOK GOOD ON PAPER
THE COLD, HARD TRUTH: I DON’T LOOK GOOD ON PAPER

The months leading up to graduation are an awkward time. There are those select few go-getters who somehow secured a job post-grad and then there are those like me: successfully received 20 rejection emails in a single day. Can I put that on my resume? 

However, I have figured it out for myself and here it is…

I don’t look good on paper.

There, I said it. It is harsh, it is true, and it is not what a recent or almost college graduate wants to hear (especially when applying for jobs!)

Now, don’t get me wrong. I did not spend college maxing out my credit cards and skipping class; although let’s be honest, there was some of that. I spent my time working 30+ hours a week while going to school full-time, being active in greek life, writing for the school magazine, and oh— having a life, too.

Somehow in the past four years I missed the lesson on how to get a job. Here is where I went wrong:

I worked to make money, not to gain experience. 

What I did not realize was that I needed relevant work experience throughout college. While I may have no debt or student loans, I have three years of experience in a field that will not help me get a job in Marketing or Communications. 

And there it is— I don’t look good on paper. 

Now, in the meantime, here are some helpful tips I have found while figuring out the job market:

  1. Design a good resume. Post it everywhere. Send it to everyone. The more people who see it, the more likely you are to get a job. 
  2. Invest time in building your professional social media, aka LinkedIn. Don’t be afraid to connect with strangers— that’s the whole idea of networking! 
  3. Apply, apply, apply! Try to not be discouraged by the few (or dozens) of rejection emails. The more applications you submit, the more job opportunities available!
  4. Apply for jobs where you are under-qualified. While you may not get the position, you can build a connection or have your resume on file for the future. 
  5. Create opportunities for yourself. While I may not meet the “5+ years of work experience” requirement, I can offer experience of my own; hence, starting a blog. 

Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog! Have any tips for me? Let me know below!