Professionalism Outside of Work

WELCOME

Hello from Atlanta. Although I really don’t “celebrate” holidays much because I genuinely love working, I’m appreciative of the opportunities to spend time with friends and family. I hope you all are with your loved ones for this holiday and you get to celebrate the way you’d like.

TODAY’S LINEUP

Professionalism Outside Of Work
Ciao Bella Coffee
Independence Vibez
Project Inspire - Talent Needed
What I’m Reading

REFLECTIONS

Pursuit of Purpose

Showing up for your job is something that is preached a lot. However, a question I’d like to briefly reflect on is: Why do we often reserve our highest standards of professionalism for our jobs, and then not extend the same level of dedication and respect to our personal lives?

Professionalism is typically defined by a set of behaviors and attitudes that are expected in a professional setting. These include punctuality, respect for others, effective communication, and a commitment to quality. These attributes certainly help with career advancement, but they are equally valuable in our personal lives.

Yet, I think we often drop the ball when it comes to practicing these traits with our friends and family. Shouldn't the best version of ourselves extend beyond the confines of our jobs?

Just as in a professional setting, our personal relationships thrive on trust, respect, and effective communication. When we bring the same level of professionalism to our interactions with family and friends, we create a foundation for deeper, more meaningful connections. Being reliable and considerate in our personal relationships fosters a sense of security and appreciation that can significantly enhance the quality of our interactions.

Adopting professional standards in our personal lives encourages continuous self-improvement. When we hold ourselves to high standards outside of work, we cultivate habits of discipline, responsibility, and self-respect. This commitment to personal excellence can lead to a more fulfilling and enriched life. Also, the respect we show ourselves by maintaining these standards can boost our self-esteem and sense of purpose.

Maintaining a professional demeanor in personal situations can also contribute to our mental well-being. I’m not saying that you should show up to the 4th of July BBQ tomorrow 15 minutes early with a suit on. What I am saying is that if you practice strong communication and try to have quality interactions, your stress levels should be lower.

This is just a friendly reminder to show up for your people and do your best to follow through with your commitments. Now with that being said, make sure you set your boundaries and you’re not overextending yourself.

TLDR: Make sure you don’t forget to bring the short ribs to the BBQ tomorrow. You don’t want get Unc mad at ya! 😀 

- Santana

LYRIC OF THE WEEK

“He who seeks knowledge, begins with humbleness”
- Buju Banton (‘Til I’m Laid To Rest)

BIZ SHOUTOUT

Ciao Bella Coffee

I love Ciao Bella Coffee. Whether it be because of the coffee or the many amazing events they throw, I believe it’s a gem in Brooklyn. There’s a community feel here that you don’t get in many other places and if you ever want to check out their poetry night, be sure to get the details on their Instagram. Maybe I’ll bump into you on one of those nights.

RUN FOR THE KIDS

Donate Today

In exactly 4 months, I’m running the NYC Marathon. It’s to raise funds for Friends of the Children NY and the children they impact with their mentorship program.

To support my fundraising efforts, you can donate today. Stay tuned for an exciting sweepstakes for those who donate.

MEME OF THE WEEK

PLAYLIST OF THE WEEK

Independence Vibez

4th of July is tomorrow and I know you’re turning to me to virtually DJ your BBQ. I have great news for you old-school Reggae fans: my Caribbean upbringing would never allow me to leave off some of the timeless tunes you listen to in the backyard of your uncle’s house. For the Soca lovers out there, there’s plenty of Machel on the list so you can ‘get wild and wassy’. For everyone else, get ready for some pleasant tunes with a few surprises that’ll entice you to hit repeat. Grab some Malta (Carib for those who know) and dominoes while you play this playlist in the background.

PROJECT INSPIRE

Talent Needed

I’m working on what I’m calling Project Inspire. A collage of projects that span across several artistic disciplines including books, paintings, plays, films, and so much more. I was naive enough to think that I could do the majority of this on my own (foolish thinking). Now I’m tapping into my network for assistance. If you have any of the skills below, please reach out and I’ll talk to you about the details:

• Creative Writing

• Filmmaking

• Directing

• Acting (especially Improv experience)

• Painting

• Graphic Design

• NFTs

• Event Planning

• Musical Talent

WHAT I’M READING

• 26.2 tips for running a full marathon. Feel free to share any ideas for tip #3 and you better believe I took extra note of #15.

• Why everyone should write a newsletter. I’ll write my own version of this article in the future with more reasons. I strongly believe everyone should write their own newsletter and have fun doing it.

• Building strong relationships can help you and those that you meet. That’s why I believe networking is a good idea. Here’s a few tips on how to network like a pro in 2024 by Entrepreneur.