clout
/klout/
Get Your F*** Clout Up!
This season is all about you. Its time you up your clout and take advantage of these four years, especially if you’re in college, to build your brand and grow as a person. A person with clout or respect isn’t always someone with a ton of money or the CEO of a multi-million dollar company. It’s a person with a vision, a person who has worked to earn the respect of their peers, a person who is influential and most importantly it is a person who has worked hard.
Jay-Z, Warren Buffet, Oprah, and former President Barack Obama are just a few people who might come up when discussing ones wealth and ability to influence. But, next time you think of such a list I want you to be able to add your name so here are a few tips that will help you make the appropriate life changes.
INTERNSHIPS AND YOUR CAREER
For college students internships are very important and honestly companies love interns. For them it’s a way of getting young and hungry college students to do work for less than half the price. To us, it’s a way to learn the in’s and out’s of the field we want to be in. Internships are great résumé builders as they are a credit to what you can do when applying for that dream job. Also, internships help you determine what career path you want to take. It’s okay if you end up interning somewhere that you hate. Get the money and the experience and scratch this off as something you now know you’re not interested in.
Another important tip is taking jobs that contribute towards what career you want to be in. Whether it be a retail job or a nanny job. These jobs help in some way, whether it be strengthening your time management skills or team working skills. Whatever it may be, everything is a resume builder and don’t forget, fluff up your resume as much as possible!
And if you are able to land an internship and work at the same time, get it girl! Just remember to do your best all the while making genuine and credible connections. Connections are important!
On to the fun stuff/tips…
CONFIDENCE & LOVING YOURSELF
I know, I know. You’ve heard it a million times over, but it’s true, confidence is key. The first thing a person meets when you approach is your confidence. And I’m not talking about the overly confident cheerleader that everyone had a crush on in high school type of confidence. No, I’m talking about working on gaining your grown woman, determined, “I know I got this”, focused confidence. Nothing can stop a confident woman. Being confident in everything that you do will go a long way.
Everyone has at least one thing that they’re ashamed of, wish they could change or don’t really love about themselves. It may be internally or externally. Loving the littles gems that make you unique is a big part of upping your clout. You must work to love these things about yourself because it will show in your confidence when meeting new people and especially when you’re interviewing for that big job/internship you want. (Not to mention, the boys will flock!) This is not something that will happen overnight but working at it will show and you’ll be happy you did because then no one will be able to down you because you’ll be UNSTOPPABLE!
ERASE DISTRACTIONS
You’re getting older and it’s time to start weeding out the people in your life. Not everyone can go on this journey with you and that’s okay! Take some time to look at those surrounding you. Are they contributing to your growth or holding you back? Are they elevating themselves as well or are they stagnant? It is important to ask yourself these questions and make adjustments. I’m not saying that everyone has to go but maybe you need to take a step back from them and place a little distance in-between. Erasing distractions also applies to bad habits. Work to adopt new and advancing habits. It could be as simple as drinking more water or giving yourself time away from social media sites. You’ll thank yourself later.
These are just a few tips to get you started. Apply these tips to your life and watch your clout grow. Remember, it’s okay to take a season (or a few) for yourself!