Resolutions Vs. Goals

Once again, a new year is upon us. For many this means a new start and a clean slate. Whether you aspire to be healthier, more productive, or simply be a better person than you were last year — there is no better time to start than now.

It is inevitable that some will fall back into their old ways and fail to stick to their resolutions. However, here at Augustus, we strive to be better in 2017.

While many resolutions consist of going to the gym more frequently, reading more books, or eating healthier, it is important to understand the difference between resolutions and goals.

Resolution: A firm decision to do or not do something.

Goal: The object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

Although resolutions and goals are similar, they are also very different. Choosing to make a resolution and failing to stick to it can be very discouraging. That is why here at Augustus we encourage our team members to not just set goals, but to set SMART goals.

SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely.

S – Your goals should be specific. Asking yourself a few simple questions may help…
Who is involved in this goal?
What exactly do you want to accomplish?
Where will this plan have the best chance of succeeding?
When do you want to accomplish this? Do you need to set several times to check your progress? If so, write it down so you can be sure you’re keeping up with it.
Why do you want to accomplish this goal? What is your purpose or intent?
M –   Make your goal measurable to ensure you can keep track of your progress.
A  –   The goals you make for yourself should be attainable and clear.
R  –   Make sure your goals are realistic so you have a sure chance at reaching your goal. You must be willing and able to reach your goal, so don’t set the bar too high!
T  –  Give yourself a timeframe to accomplish your goal. Having a set time to reach your goal will motivate you to work harder within the specified timeframe.


Although it may seem intimidating to set goals for yourself this year, setting SMART goals will make it easier for you to track your progress and reach those goals -- Try it!

Dress For Success

Dressing for success is an important aspect in being a respected professional. Office attire can range from business casual to business professional and it is important to

know the difference!

Below are some tips and examples of what to wear.

First impressions can only happen once, so make it count!

Some general rules for business attire…

For men and women, all clothing should be well fitting, in good condition and wrinkle-free.

Shoes should be neat and clean.

No more than three pieces of jewelry should be worn in the office.

For women, makeup should be natural.

For women, all skirts and dresses should hit at the knee or just above the knee.

For men, shoes and belts should match in color.

However, business casual differs from business professional in several ways.

Business casual attire includes:

Blazers and cardigans

Men can wear nice slacks, khaki pants, while women are allowed to wear casual dresses and skirts

Socks should match and cover ankles.

Men should be clean shaven and facial hair should be neatly trimmed.

No athletic wear is acceptable for business casual attire.

Business professional attire includes:

Suit jackets as well as pants and skirts that match the jacket

Colors should consist of solid neutrals (black, gray, or navy)

Darker colors should be worn on top and light colors underneath.

Women should wear close-toed heels with 1 or 2 inch height.

Men should wear dress shoes with dress socks that match.

Men should also make sure their belt matches their dress shoes.

Men should wear a tie that touches the top of their belt.

Socks should match and cover ankles.

Men should be clean shaven and facial hair should be neatly trimmed.

All front facing pockets should be empty.

No athletic wear is acceptable for business professional attire.

Remember, you don’t need to invest a lot of money on a suit or a new wardrobe. The main thing to focus on is looking your personal best!

 

“The most important thing with a suit is fit, you can buy a $20 suit and pay an extra $20 to have it tailored and look like a million bucks, but if you buy a $500 suit and it doesn’t fit you properly it will have the opposite effect.  It’s not about the money you spend!”  – Erika

 

“My biggest pet peeve is when someone wears white ankle socks under their suit pants, it ruins the whole look.” – Rick