Category Archives: Career

Don’t Hide Your Hustle: Katie, Reservation Specialist

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Welcome to Don’t Hide Your Hustle, a new series on Finding Delight that explores the myriad of ways to make a living in 2017. I’m asking folks to share how they hustle over the course of one work-day (which usually extends far beyond a 9 – 5 situation).

Today, I’m starting close to home and bringing you my sister Katie’s story. Her official job title is “Reservation Specialist” but you’ll soon learn that her talents and passions lead her to wear many more hats, even in a single day.

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Hi there!  My name is Katie and if you asked me what I do for a living, I would probably answer “I’m a professional actress and playwright” without blinking an eye.  If we are being completely honest with each other though, that’s not always how I make my living. I also work full time at an Italian restaurant in Downtown St. Petersburg.  My official title is Reservation Specialist (I even have a business card!  Fancy!). Since taking on this position I’ve had to learn how to balance my artistic endeavors while pulling a paycheck in a completely different industry.  It’s a lot, but I thrive on stress.  What follows is an account of a recent Monday where I had to juggle several facets of my career.  Come along with me and make sure you have had a LOT of coffee. 

9:00am – Up and fed and caffeinated.  I don’t have to be at the restaurant until 10am so I usually use this time to look at upcoming auditions, make my to do list, or write.  For whatever reason, I tend to write my best stuff after I just wake up. Today, I also update my acting resume for my auditions this evening.

10:00am – We open at 11:30am so I clock in, fill up my water bottle, put my stuff in the back room, and say hi to the day bartender, Jessica.  I start flipping chairs off  the bar and high tops.  The openers arrive and start cutting lemons and setting up the outside dining area while I check my emails.  I get through as many emails as I can before we open, while Jessica and I watch the morning news on the TV at the bar.  

11:15am – The manager on duty gives me the floor plan for the day and I make a copy of it.  I check in with the servers to make sure they’re ready to go.

11:30am – I unlock the front doors and seat the first few tables.  It’s a slow start today because it’s cloudy and gloomy.  It’s amazing how much the weather affects our business, but it truly does.

12:00pm – 2:00pm – It’s a pretty slow lunch rush today so I have plenty of time to take phone calls and answer emails as they come in.  We are closing in on the holiday season so there are lots of big party reservations coming up!  There are already days that are completely booked, and I have started having to tell people we don’t have room for their parties.  

4:00pm – I go upstairs to the office but instead of printing menus, I have to print my acting resume because I have THREE auditions this evening.

4:30pm – I go back downstairs to gather my things and say bye to my coworkers.  I get plenty of “break a legs!” from all my friends.  I love these people.

5:00pm – I run to Staples to print my new head-shots!  I just got them done (thanks Beth!).  I go home and trim them and my resumes down to 8×10 inches, and staple them back to back.  I have done this so many times that it only takes me a few minutes to do 10 of them. 

6:00 pm – I drive to Tampa, where my first audition of the night is.  

7:00pm – I audition for A Skull in Connemara, a play by Irish playwright (and one of my favorites) Martin McDonagh.  It goes pretty dang well.

7:15pm – I say a hurried goodbye to my friends who are also going in for the same role and drive back to St. Pete for my other auditions.  

8:00pm – I arrive at USF – St. Pete’s campus and check in for my St. Pete Shakespeare Festival auditions.  I’m auditioning for Ophelia in Hamlet and Viola in Twelfth Night.  Two different shows.  Two different directors.  Lots of words.  I read a lot of scenes with some of my favorite people and I’m the last person of the night to be released.  

9:30pm – I arrive back home, feeling great about my reads.  I say hi to my two roommates and get out my music binder.  I’m playing in the pit for Blake High School’s production of Full the Musical and I need to make my script and music a little neater and easier to read for rehearsal tomorrow.  (Oh yeah, and I wrote Full.)  I’m pretty hyped up from all the audition adrenaline, so I work on music until my eyes start to slam shut.  

12:00am – I set my alarm for the following day, which includes work at Bella, Full tech rehearsal at the high school, and helping my friend plan her wedding. Because why not.

Thanks so much for sharing your hustle, Katie! Do you guys have any questions for her? Do any of you balance creative endeavors alongside a 9-to-5?  

P.S. Are you a hustler willing to share your story? Let’s chat! I would love to know how you’re making money while following your dreams in 2017. Shoot me an email — ebeth.berger@gmail.com. Thanks!

My Notebook System

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notebook system

Do you have a system to keep track of all your to-do’s for the day? It may seem like a no-brainer to some folks out there, but once I developed a set-up that worked for me it was a game changer.

As you can see above, I devote a full page to each day. I borrow elements from the bullet journal system, but it’s a WAY scaled down version. Each of my tasks are given a tick box that I check off as it gets completed. If I didn’t complete the task it gets an arrow so that I know to migrate it onto my list of to-do’s for the following day. If an item no longer needs completing for whatever reason I give it a strike-through.

In the middle of the page are my notes. These are items I encounter through out the day that I want to return to and investigate further when I have more time. This little section is instrumental in keeping me focused on the task at hand. And I don’t forget about things that may be useful or interest me later. Sorta like leaving myself little breadcrumbs in the form of bullet points!

And finally, something I started in 2016, a MANTRA! I kicked off the new year with Yoga with Adriene’s Yoga Camp. The challenge included 30 yoga videos to be done every day for 30 days and each one came with their own mantra. I found these daily affirmations wildly helpful and inspirational in January so I figured, why stop here!? When I sit down with my list at the beginning of each day I find a phrase, quote, or affirmation that I can focus my thoughts towards in the coming hours.

I also borrow The Monthly Log or Calendar Page from the Bullet Journal method. That’s where the Bullet Journal similarities end. For me, keeping an index (a key Bullet Journaling component) just feels too cluttered. The full Bullet Journal system, though I tried and enjoyed it for awhile, just isn’t for me. And ya gotta find what works for you. I love my system and love that it’s adapted over time to keep me productive and my brain-space uncluttered.

OH! And for forward-planning (ie. weekly and monthly planning as opposed to daily to-do’s) I use a mini-binder planner from the Target Dollar Spot. I just started it at the beginning of April and have been trying my hand at planner decorating…..totally something I never thought I would get into but I’m absolutely loving it. Perhaps I’ll post some pictures at some point if y’all are into it.

How do you stay on top of your daily to-do list? Do you keep paper lists or are you totally digital? Have you ever tried keeping a bullet journal? Into planner decorating? Tell me everything!!! 

5 Tips for Writing Killer Emails

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5 tips for writing killer emails

There’s a fair few things I’ve learned over the years out in the rough real world. Nobody seems to have a working knowledge of basic traffic laws the moment they have a license in hand. After a certain age, going without specific foods can be considered a hobby. And, generally speaking, people are really bad at writing emails. Like, painfully bad. Over the years, I’ve witnessed some doozies. From over zealous “Reply All” users to simple task management turning into a tome rivaling Moby Dick. Not to mention the spelling errors, grammatical nightmares, and misinformation. Thinking this would be a fairly easy way to stand out at any job, I took it upon myself a few years back to take email writing seriously. Here’s the method to my madness…

1. Make the subject line work for the reader. I would wager a guess that most email recipients treat their inboxes pretty similarly. After receiving an email you either deal with it’s contents immediately OR you read/skim and let it hang out in your inbox until the stars align and you feel like responding and/or performing the tasks requested therein. I would say most of us treat our incoming messages as a sort of “To Do” list. So, keep this in mind when typing that dreaded subject line. If an email titled Hey there is hanging out in your boss’ inbox, chances are every time they glance over the days messages they won’t associate a response or action with this item. However, a message called Mockups needed for next step will alert them to what you are after AND that it’s time sensitive.

These more specific subject lines will also come in handy if the reader sorts their messages into folders after responding/completing. They will be super easy to locate after the fact!

There may be instances where you need to send a cold email. Subject lines are still important for these first impression correspondences! Here are a few possibilities I’ve found successful…

a. Question concerning [name of their company/business/blog/etc]

b. Trying to connect

c. Quick request

d. Introduction: [Your Name and Company]

2. Keep the message organized, concise, and free from errors. One of the first things we learn about writing is that any good piece should have a beginning, middle, and end. So, why does this go out the window when we log in to Gmail? There are certainly instances where it’s appropriate to shoot off a quick sentence but the majority of the time, your emails should consist of three parts…

Beginning – This is where you provide a greeting and offer some pleasantries. I know you may think this step is a waste of your time but offering a quick “It was so good to see you at the softball game last weekend,” is a great reminder to your reader that you’re a human and not just an annoying pop-up that’s going to add a bullet to their “To do” list. We’re way more likely to extend favors gladly to a friendly, ACTUAL person. This is also where you can set up the nature of your email and provide some context.

Middle – The real point to your message comes here. Make sure, no matter the nature, that you’re providing your recipient with all the information they are going to need to respond, carry out a task, or follow through with a favor. If the message is just a decision provide ample reasoning, if it’s informational provide plenty of context.

End – Here’s where you can clarify next steps and any action items. Provide any important dates or deadlines. Finish everything off with a bit of thanks and, of course, a signature.

Now, don’t get it twisted. Just because your email has three parts doesn’t mean it needs to be super long. As with subject lines, put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Have you ever opened a particularly lengthy email and felt immediately annoyed, even before you started reading? Don’t be that guy. Just get to the point. And then, before you hit send, for the love of GOD read what you’ve written. It will only take a few seconds and you’ll save yourself the embarrassment of any errors.

3. Be conspicuous. Beating around the bush is annoying. Don’t leave it to the person opening up your email to figure out what it is you want or why you need their help. If you’re sending a cold email because you want to pick the brain’s of someone successful in your dream field, tell them why you admire them! Don’t be shy with flattery. They won’t know why the meeting is important to you unless you tell them!! If you’re sending a request for a favor or asking for anything at ALL….just come right out and ask for it. Of course there are times when asking for someone’s help (or money or expertise) can be nerve wracking. But the VERY worst that can happen is they’ll say no. (And then you can move on. And ask the next person.)

britney emails

4. Include a clear timeline. Dates, times, deadlines, and time-frames are important pieces of info. Your hope is that they’ll get added to the reader’s diary, planner or Google calendar. Double check for accuracy and set them apart where need be. Safeguard yourself against email skimmers and BOLD if you feel it necessary. There’s no shame in the bold game, my friends. We’re visual people. And it’s definitely no more obnoxious than your co-worker who includes smiley emojis after every sentence.

5. Know when to respond. Finally, for the sanity of all you work with, think twice before responding. If you find yourself in the midst of a mass email which turns into an email THREAD, ask yourself who needs to actually READ your response. Let’s turn to an example. If you, and your entire company, receive an email from a co-worker about an upcoming meeting, and you want to respond–

“Thanks for organizing this meeting!”

Only the original sender needs to read that message. If you want to respond–

“I’ll be administering a short survey at this meeting so please come prepared to answer a few questions on staff communication practices.”

Go ahead…you can hit REPLY ALL! BUT if you want to write the following to your beloved work bestie–

“These meetings are the literal worst!!!! What a waste of time!!!! I HATE THIS JOB!”

You better TRIPLE check that “Send To” box.

Now, enjoy this hilarious video about what our workplace emails would look like if they were, in fact, real life. Let’s try to do better, shall we?

What tips do YOU have for professional emails? What irks you the most? Would you be more likely to respond to or help a person who followed the guidelines above? Let me know in the comments below!

4 Career Building Tips for the Newly Hired

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Brand-spanking new to the professional world? While writing a flipping fantastic cover letter  and nailing any interview may have gotten you here, the journey doesn’t end there. The reality is, not many people land that pitch perfect job right out of the gate. Most of us have our gaze set higher, looking towards a climb up the ladder. So, for all you hard-working dreamers and clock-punching creatives, whether you’re sitting at a coveted desk or simply paying your rent, here’s my advice to you…

1. Get organized.

Your career path will not trend upwards if you’re a hot mess all the time. This is just a fact. From the jump, commit to trying out as many organizational systems as needed until you find the ones that work for you. Maybe you nailed this down in school or maybe you were too busy perfecting the time-honored traditions of procrastination and cooking outlandish things on a George Foreman. No judgment. Your methods will need to be informed by your current work environment anyhow, so even the most Type A graduate will have to adapt and experiment along with ya. Whether you’re bussing tables or a high powered exec you have to show up on time, keep track of tasks, and execute said tasks in an order that makes as many people happy as possible. For me, these things are accomplished through a combination of this journal method, Google calendar, a meticulously sorted e-mail inbox and lots and lots of spreadsheets. This system (and yes, I call that hodge podge you just read a “system”) took several years and multiple jobs to finally commit to. Take it from me, the sooner you can get yo’ shit together, as it were, the better.

2. Say “Yes!”

Don’t turn down opportunities to do out of the ordinary tasks or assignments. By simply saying “Yes!” and following through, you’re not only seen as going that extra mile by the bossman or bosslady but you’re also gaining experience in something new and different. This positive approach can be rewarding in a couple of ways. First, you’ll have a competitive edge within your own company. Your employer will know you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone and do them a solid. Others probably said no. You said yes. Points! But more importantly, you could stumble your way into something unique to tout in future resumes and interviews. Want to gloat about the successful execution of a well-attended event? You cant…if you said no to working that weekend. Want to brag about a stellar account you lined up? You won’t…if you didn’t agree to go hand out your business card at that super niche trade show. You get the idea. Not to mention, while it’s easy to get cute and comfortable, doing the same thing all the time is a fast track to work place burn out.

3. Become a regular. 

You probably already have businesses you’re loyal to and acquaintances you call on in times of need (think: photographer, hairdresser, lawyer, real estate agent, portugese speaker, priest). Now, “become a regular” and RE-acquaint in the context of your new position and place of employment. I’m not talking makin’ it rain with your business cards. You might not even have business cards. Just, organically as possible, make it known. No connection is too small, in my opinion; the barista who makes you your double shot every morning, the guy who cuts the grass at your apartment building, your niece’s sunday school teacher, etc. Being someone who “knows people” is a fantastic asset and a really easy way to get noticed. Bluntly put, the more connections you have the more useful you may be to your employer. They’ll need to keep you around (and hopefully move ya on up!!). And these connections can make YOUR life easier, too. Need something catered? I know a guy! Can we add professional headshots of our interns into this newsletter? Hold on, I’ll make a call. Do you think we can raise $10,000 in corporate sponsorships by the fall? I don’t see why not! The idea of professional networking can seem daunting and intimidating, especially for the introverted. But think of how many people you ALREADY interact with on a regular basis. I promise you, each and every one of those people, if given the right context, could be invaluable to you professionally.

4. Go after experience. 

Punching in day after day at a job you’re “qualified for” but not necessarily passionate about shouldn’t limit your pursuit of knowledge. It just means you may have to do a little seeking. You can continue to develop new skill sets and gain valuable insight beyond the confines of your work experience. Take a class, volunteer, ask the person doing what you wanna do if they’ll show you how to do it, pick up a temporary part-time job in another industry, research non-profits that could help you reach your ultimate aspirations. Contrary to popular belief, good things don’t come to those who wait. Good things come to those who work their asses off and never give up. Sometimes just the act of being what you wanna be, doing what you wanna do, is enough to scratch the itch and feel awesome. Some fictional examples: She wants to help people so she goes on yearly mission trips to Haiti. He wants to own a bike repair shop so he joined a co-op that is just that. She wants to be a documentary film-maker so she made a documentary. Some personal examples: After years of competitive speech, I wanted to feel like my voice still mattered so I volunteered at a radio reading service. I wanted to be a blogger so, after staring longingly at blogs all over the internet, I finally just started my own. Sometimes these new skill sets are just what a future hiring committee is looking for…even though you had to find them yourself and they didn’t come with your official, pays-the-bills job.

For me, the scariest thing about entering the working world was I didn’t know what I wanted to BE yet. I still don’t. In fact, I want to be lots of things. I don’t want to close any doors of possibility. But because I’ve let myself seek and grow while still pulling those paychecks, I’m starting to get a clearer picture. Have I loved every job I’ve had? Absolutely not. Have I found ways to do what I love? Yes–within those jobs and concurrently.

Whether you want to move up the ladder in your current workplace or you want to put on your tutu and pirouette your way into a complete career 180, there’s a world of opportunity out there for you.

And I believe in you!