Jay Z - Swagger celebrity

Jay Z

December 4 1969

Long before the likes of Kanye West and Lil’ Wayne even came to fame, Jay Z already put out a collective string of successful albums. In his decade long career, the American hip hop artiste has 11 albums to his name, and has sold a staggering 26 million albums in the United States alone. For his music efforts, Jay Z also has several Grammy awards in his bag. His debut album of 13 years old, Reasonable Doubt, ranked at #248 in Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Album Of All Time”.

The Reasonable Doubt era began humbly enough. Jay Z wasn’t one of the lucky hip hop musicians who got it easy. No record company would offer him a professional debut album. What’s a man to do then? Trust Jay Z to rise to the occasion. Along with Dame Dash and Kareem Biggs, Jay Z established Rock-A-Fella Records. In 1996, the Reasonable Doubt album was released. Commercially, it was no fanfare, having only reached number 23 on the Billboards chart, but it was critically well received.

It wasn’t 2 albums later that Jay Z scored his first megahit. His 1998 offering, Vol.2 Hard Knock Life, saw great commercial success. The album was certified 5x platinum and has sold over 8 million units. It was with Hard Knock Life that Jay Z earned his first Grammy win for Best Rap Album. The title track, Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) was certified Gold in 1999.

Through the nineties, Jay Z remained a strong force in the hip hop music industry, releasing one successful album after another. In the millennium, taking on the role of a mentor, he sidestepped in his career to help other aspiring stars carve a name. The project was named The Dynasty: Roc La Familia and its main purpose was to introduce these new artistes to the market.

That following year, Jay Z released what would be his unrivalled masterpiece in the many years to come. Till this day, The Blueprint is widely recognized as one of hip hop classic albums. It received the 5 mic review from The Source magazine, a highly circulated hip hop publication. And it is unsurprisingly so. Jay Z’s sixth album saw collaboration with famous rapper Eminem, and Kanye West had a hand at producing four of the album’s tracks.

For the next 3 years, Jay Z released 3 more albums; The Blueprint: The Gift & The Curse, The Black Album and Collision Course, which saw collaboration with him and rock band, Linkin Park. All 3 albums were well received by hip hop fans and critics, cementing Jay Z’s status as a hip hop mogul. The Black Album was his last before he announced his retirement from the industry, but as we all know it, true talents never stay away for too long.

His sabbatical ended when he dropped his comeback album in late 2006. Titled Kingdom Come, the album debuted at number 1, having sold an impressive 680,000 copies in the first week alone. This is a remarkable feat considering that sales in the music industry were in a slump. In 2007, the Jay Z-Rihanna collaboration song, Umbrella, arguably the biggest hit of the 21st century, reached number 1 on the Billboard charts.

Unlike some of his hip hop counterparts who have been known to squander their money away, Jay Z is unconventionally financially savvy. Not only does he enjoy immense success in the music industry, he has a strong footing in the business field as well. He was previously the CEO of Def Jam Recordings and Roc A Fella Records. Today, he helms The 40/40 Club, an All-American sports bars and co owns New Jersey Nets, a professional basketball team. This is a man who not only raps about swagger but is the walking epitome of it.

In 1999, along with his Roc-A-Fellas partners, he founded the urban clothing line, Rocawear. In 2007, Jay Z sold the rights of the enterprise to Iconix Branding Group, raking in $204 million in the handing over. Of his entrepreneur forays, Jay Z remarks that all of his brands are personal to him and he is emotionally involved in it. Instead of lending his name just to reap in the profits, Jay Z takes pride in all of his work.

Proving himself to be a very smart businessman, Jay Z is reportedly signing a deal with Live Nation for a swopping $150 million. This contract is one of the most lucrative contracts ever offered to a musician. Once finalized, Live Nation will contribute to Jay Z’s entertainment ventures, which include a record label, talent agency and a music publishing company. This is a far cry from Jay Z’s humble days, when he couldn’t even get a professional deal.

They say that behind every successful man is a woman. For an established man like Jay Z, this woman happens to be another renowned hip hop artiste. Jay Z is blissfully married to Beyonce Knowles. Unlike most other high profile celebrity couples, Jay Z and Beyonce have managed to keep their private lives out of the tabloid news. Preferring instead to lay low about their relationship, Jay Z and Beyonce did not trumpet their holy matrimony in early 2008. Keeping silence on their relationship, Jay Z says, has helped in their relationship.

Enjoying success in both family and career aspects, Jay Z is definitely one swagger man we all wish to become!

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Make a SWAGGER presentation

Presentation is one of the many heart-racing moments we experience during our working lives. Even the most conceited attention seeker can shy away from the spotlight when the need to stand before a crowd arises. The possibility of being subject to caustic remarks deters anyone from taking centre stage. The intimidating presence of your CEO towers over you and the unforgiving looks on your team mates when you make a blunder only aggravate the situation. All this doesn’t bode well for you if you’re looking to impress your office crush.

And so you take the back seat. You decide that you do not want to put yourself under the unnecessary scrutiny. You gratefully thank your partner for stepping up and volunteering to present your ideas to the boss. You relegate to being the resident PowerPoint tracker, decimating your job responsibility to literally clicking the mouse. Newsflash: no one cares about the guy who is the PowerPoint clicker or the girl who parades with the visual aids.

If you want to get ahead in the company, public speaking is your golden express ticket. Take a cue from your rock star colleagues – they put themselves out there because it is the only way they can get talent spotted in a multitude of people. There is an unspoken admiration for someone who dares to speak before a crowd.

Contrary to mid wives’ tales, the skill of public speaking can be honed. No one is ever born eloquent. Social butterflies, though glib in nature, aren’t necessarily the best presenters in the industry.

1) Put on a show

Bored and uninspired expressions, having people fidget or leave their seats can be all distracting to you. These reactions can impede your presentation because you know you are losing your audience’s attention. And so your defensive instincts go into overdrive and you decide to hasten your presentation. You forget your words, you stammer and you leave out a good chunk of your presentation.

Sustaining interest and keeping all eyes intent on you is no easy feat. You need to garner attention right from the get-go. Excite your audience in the first 30 seconds – make them sit up and go, “this is worth staying awake for”. This is the time to get creative.

The best presentations were never just about reciting a carefully scripted speech and synchronizing your words with your PowerPoint tracker. Instead of sticking to the hackneyed routine of Microsoft PowerPoint, you could kick off your presentation with a video. If it is one important presentation that would determine the course of your career, it is probably best to outsource the making of the video to a professional vendor.

If you do not have the resources, fish out your camcorder and put it to good use (other than limiting it to the bedroom). Address the important points of your presentation in the video – the key message, etc –

If you want to go all out, you can even perform a live skit. Make sure you are well-rehearsed on the day of your performance and rock out! However, be mindful that this is only the start of your presentation; the purpose of the video or skit is to enthrall your audience –ultimately, you want to keep the gems for the actual presentation.

2) Make them laugh

Unless you are in the stratosphere of Barack Obama, chances are people won’t be listening closely to every word you say in an hour long presentation. A few of them would also doze off in the middle of your speech. What better way to wake them up than a sudden roar of laughter? When your audience laughs with you, it only means one thing: they agree with what you are saying and they are enjoying your presentation. More often than not, the part of the speech that resonates best with them is the part you have amused them.

Humor is indeed pivotal to a good presentation. However, this doesn’t mean you should be rummaging through archives of Chris Rock’s monologues and quip about black people when you are trying to do a sales presentation. The funniest jokes are the ones that are the simplest. They are not contrived nor forced. Relate to your audience the things you have observed during your time with the company; the unique work culture etc. Make a casual witticism about management if you will. Talk about work idiosyncrasies but be careful not to cite any names. You will have your audience nodding their head in unison in no time.

3) Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse

Even the most charismatic person cannot deliver a good presentation if he decides to just “go up onstage and wing it”. Remember, when you make a presentation, you are either trying to promote something, sell an idea or push a message. It is very different from speaking in a social setting. If you are ill-prepared, you cannot speak with authority when discussing a subject matter.

Rehearsing is also of paramount importance when it is a team presentation. A lack of preparedness is evident when teammates interrupt each other or cut short each other’s allocated portion. It also disrupts the audience’s train of thought when the team needs to pause for one member to jump back to the previous slide to make his point. Everything is thrown into disarray and your team’s efforts would go down the drain.

A presentation that is polished and executed well on cue is likely to rave the audience.

4) Visual aids

And by that, we don’t mean for you to line all the eye candies in the centre. Visual aids engage the audience and help them grasp the concept you’re trying to sell. You can verbally brag about the threefold increase in sales when you were at the helm, but that point would be put across more effectively when it is depicted in the form of a chart. Don’t leave your audience to their imagination; show them.

Break the monotony of words by including pertinent pictures in your presentation. Make it colorful and dazzling!

How to be a Swagger Mom

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Herald the new generation of mothers. Swagger moms - not to be confused with soccer moms - are a new breed of women renowned for their sharp maternal instincts and awe inspiring work ethics. They are the ones who truly have it all - a rewarding job and above all, a wonderful family. They are the anti-thesis of a traditional docile woman. Instead of relegating to mundane household chores, they relish in taking on responsibilities, be it to their children or work.

Anti family detractors often present an either/or proposition and take the glass half empty stance that one cannot possibly juggle well between both family and work life. These women defy all logic and rise to the occasion. It is definitely no breeze walk in the park; moments when you feel like you are stretched thin are the moments you just want to give up.

Some career minded women also have doubts if they are the make of a good mother. The truth of the matter is the inherent qualities that made you a successful woman in the first place are all the qualities you need to be a good mother. While there are many privileges that you might have to relinquish when you take on the role of a mother, you don’t have to sacrifice the little bits of you that define who you are.

Swagger Essentials is here to tell you how to become the best mom in the world!

Being there even when you’re not

Missing out on your kid’s important events such as his first day in school or her first stage performance due to work commitments can be a guilt trip. Indeed. We all know how difficult it

is to make time for family when you have a full time job. You can plan your days down to the last detail and all the efforts would be for naught if your ass-of-a-boss decides to live up to his name and calls for an emergency meeting.

Such is the reality for a working mom. You hurt when your child gives a disillusioned look or throws a temper. However, there are ways to make up for your nonattendance. Sit your child down the night before and talk to him about the exciting journeys of school. Take the time to pack his bag along with him and remind him where his pencils are kept. The next day, make him a lunchbox that he can enjoy at school.

It is also time to get creative. If you can’t be physically there for her big moment, take a cue from Lynette Scavo (Desperate Housewives). Have your husband or caretaker videotape, or video stream the performance so that you can enjoy it live or at a later time. So when you shower her with compliments, instead of being vague and pretentious (she can even retort “you weren’t even there”), you know exactly what was so enthralling about her performance.

Sink into your maternal instincts

Every female in the world is born innately with maternal instincts. We know this because females are generally better listeners and are more meticulous when it comes to details like

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birthdays and anniversaries. For many of us, it was our mothers who took the time to throw us our elaborate 7 year old birthday party. Our mothers reminded us to wear clean socks every day too.

Your child, be it a boy or a girl, is likely to seek your listening ear than your husband’s when they face problems in school, in their relationships or at work. Hearken to them when they are pouring their souls out to you. This helps to build a better rapport and it strengthens the bond that the two of you share. Dish out some valuable advice and relate to them how you would deal with the problem if it happened to you, but allow them the freedom to make their own choices. This way, you groom them to become independent, thinking adults.

Take some time off your busy schedule everyday for a straight heart to heart conversation with your children. Ask about the day they had, about his girlfriend or her boss - anything under the sun. Show them that you are interested in their lives. Communication is pivotal to any strong relationship and one of the pitfalls that many mothers make is to eschew communicating altogether.

Encourage your child

Every child needs encouragement when they face a bump in their life. Be the guiding light and spur them on. Reassure them that their problems are only fleeting, and that they have the means within them to overcome them. This helps you to know what’s going on in your child’s life too. As a swagger mom, you need to be in the loop. A bad mother is only bad when she is clueless about her kids.

Be a role model

As a career woman, late nights are inescapable and drinking and entertaining clients or bosses come with the job. What kind of a statement would you be making to your kids if you came home, reeking of alcohol and cigarettes? You would be promoting a wrong message to your kids; that being intoxicated is a socially accepted norm. It certainly isn’t a beautiful sight to behold when you are railing at the top of your lungs and retching on your couch. Kids mirror the actions of their mothers, and they grow up thinking that it is okay to indulge in their vices excessively.

If you do need to head out for a couple of drinks, know your limits. Be disciplined. You are no longer in your teens without any cares in the world. You are a mother now, and while mothers should have the prerogative to have fun, you also need to think about your children. Sober yourself up before you set foot in your house. Portray a professional image as you would when you arrive at work in the office. Just because it’s your house doesn’t mean you can come home when your power suit drenched in your vomit.

Insist that your child do household chores

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This is one point that is being overlooked in our society. In this day and age where domestic help is prevalent, many young children grow up not ever knowing how to sweep the floor – many just end up sweeping the dirt from one end to another. Not many young adults know how to whip up a simple meal; instead they stake out at fast food restaurants or call for Chinese takeout. How many of you can say that you know how to fold your own laundry?

Mothers these days are spoiling their kids. They keep their children by their side, as if the umbilical cords were never cut. As Swagger moms, if you want your kids to become successful, you need to inculcate the quality of humility. Teach your kids to learn that they need to work hard to get what they want. They will thank you in their later years when they can easily accustom to the reality of the working world and not get a culture shock of their life. We are also sure you do not want a child who is snob-in-making – someone who gets what they demands. These are the kids who would forget their roots and send you off to an aged home the first chance they get.

Female Celebrity Watch -p!nk

p!nk

September 8th 1979


Singer/Songwriter

There is not a single living artiste who is more dedicated to her art than p!nk. With the release of her 5^th album Funhouse, the lauded singer has impressively surpassed the whooping 30 million mark in total sales record. Funhouse also spawns her first Billboard number one megahit, So What. Adding to her accolades is her slew of record-breaking concert feats; with her boisterous Funhouse tour, she now holds the record of biggest female tour ever with 54 shows in Australia, playing at sold out arenas to her multitude of enthusiastic fans.

A confessional danger seeker, the quintessential American performer has singlehandedly raised the bar of what defines a spectacular live show. Lavish sets, pyrotechnics and confetti consummate a great concert, but it is p!nk’s daring and jaw dropping stunts that will enthrall even the harshest critic. Displaying no signs of acrophobia, p!nk suspends precariously in mid air, taking on the term “soaring to great heights” in a literal sense. As she sings her songs – all of which she has writing credits -, one cannot help but break into a salvo and admire her gusto.

Make no mistake. To all of us at Swagger Essentials, p!nk is not the answer to her reigning pop counterparts. She is dare we say it, a better live performer than Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera and Madonna all added up. She ranks in her own league. Disagree with us? Check out this bootleg video of her Sober performance.

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And that is but a taste of the brilliance that p!nk delivers during her 22 song set. Not even Madonna, the Queen of Pop, has attempted something of this magnitude. While Britney is preoccupied with making sure her sound system works and stays in pristine condition, p!nk chooses instead to sing live and unaided with a backing track. Enthusing and confusing fans at the same time, she hits every note as she practically flies right above our heads, bewildering fans and haters alike. She definitely give the folks of Cirque Du Soleil a run for their money.

We do not know how she does it, but we know this much. She must feel a fervent passion for her work to continually want to outdo and outshine herself. p!nk has all the traits of a swagger woman. This is a woman who is motivated and driven and doesn’t stop at being second best. While her line of work would greatly differ from that of ours, we should emulate her hardworking attitude and channel our positive energy into giving our best at work.

Even her offstage persona is remarkable. When you sit her down and take away her intricately designed set, p!nk remains her feisty self. She is not one to shy away from self-deprecating humor and we find that quality of hers to be very appealing. She speaks confidently and is often opinionated. In an exclusive interview with popular blogger Perez Hilton, she addresses the lesbian rumors not by taking a defensive stance, but by declaring she would have no qualms about declaring herself a homosexual if she was one. We are hooked.

p!nk is also a woman you don’t want to trifle with. She stands up for her own beliefs and has never been known to repress her feelings. An active PETA activist, p!nk recently called out on hotheaded Kanye West for his frivolous “they need more fur in this show” comment at the Stella McCartney’s Paris Fashion show. Guess she wasn’t pulling our socks when she sings, “I wanna start a fight!”

So whether it is her onstage performances or her unique personality, p!nk is a star in her own right. She is an immensely talented person and we revere her!

How to be a Swagger Dad

They call it the moment when boys become men. Whether it is by the will of a broken condom or the result of a meticulously planned pregnancy, fatherhood can be a very rewarding experience. Drawn to their intrinsic swagger values, boys begin their transition into young, responsible men when they take on the challenge of being a father. They rally their confidence when they need to make decisions and they speak with authority when the occasion rises.

Becoming a father entails a lot of work. Your world changes. You have given life to an actual human being. You are no longer caring for yourself - and your wife, naturally – and you begin to prioritize your child’s needs before yours. Fathers are also the first predominant male figure in any child’s life. Your son will turn out to be the splitting image of you as they try to emulate you in every way and your daughter will benchmark future boyfriends against you.



Being a father is the most gratifying job one can ever have – ask all the Dads around; they can attest to that. Look at Will Smith and Bill Cosby. They are both successful moguls, and having a family consummate their lives. Yet it can also be a flummoxing period as you trek into unfamiliar territory. Swagger Essentials is here to tide you over. Do you aspire to be your kid's superhero? Do you want your kids to look up to you in admiration? Here are some simple tips that will help transform you into a bona fide Swagger Dad!

Be the father you always wanted to be

Lead by example

To a child, a father is the epitome of well, everything! Through his innocent eyes, he perceives all of your actions and behaviors as permissible. If you have a habit of public spitting – which we hope you do not because that is NOT swagger-like -, he will grow up thinking that regurgitating his mucus to the earth is a healthy habit. If you wish for your child to grow up and be a successful member of the society, you first need to get over your sloppy self.

Through the way you behave in various circumstances, you inculcate swagger qualities in your child. Your daughter takes after your mannerism; she observes the way you gesture and speak confidently in a social setting. If you’re a contentious one and you pick a fight whenever you can, your child is likely to become a bully in future. So start displaying the right and positive attitude!

Be affectionate to your wife and children

A good father should torch the family spirit. Children who grow up in a home that is brimming with love grow up to become open minded and amiable social butterflies. They are more comfortable in social gatherings than those who suffer abandonment issues. You certainly do not want your kid to become rigid and void of emotions, do you?


No, we don’t mean for you to start fornicating with your wife in the presence of your kids. Witnessing his parents in the middle of a sexual romp will scar any child for life. When we say affection, we mean non-dirty flirting such as a gentle peck on the cheeks or holding hands. What better way to teach love than to spread love? Spend some quality time with your family; show them that they come first.

Let your children choose the way they want to live their life

Do you remember the heated debate you had with your parents when you decided to do something unconventional? Do you remember how much you hated them for depriving you of the chance to follow your dreams? You might have hopes and big dreams for your children – you want your son to be a hot shot lawyer and you want your daughter to be a teacher – but those are YOUR hopes and dreams. It isn’t necessarily what THEY want.

Allow your children to tap in their full potential. Do not lay out their paths for them. Who is to say your daughters cannot enjoy success in a modeling career? Say hello to the likes of Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, who earn more zeros in a month than you ever will. There is no use in making your son pass the bar when he is better off swinging off it – and by that we mean dancer -. A good father advises, but does not restrict. To be a swagger dad, you need to discover your child’s innate talent and prepare him for greatness in every way possible.

Fatherhood is both an exhilarating and daunting journey. It is definitely no easy ride, but some people find true meaning in their lives after having a child of their own. Remember, the way your child behaves has a lot to do with his upbringing. If he turns out to be either a slob or a snob, you take the blame. If he is a well respected man, people will know who should take credit.

Achieve Happiness in Life

For even the best of swagger peeps, happiness may be a transient feeling; it comes and goes but it never lingers. Going on about their lives perfunctorily, they take to their Facebook statuses and blogs to voice their rants and displeasure. A simple “my life sucks” update generates comments from like-minded companions; “yeah? Join the club”. Stress that comes with the job – or of not having one, for that matter -, estranged relationships and unfruitful endeavors can all be attributing factors that abate one’s enthusiasm toward life.

As we have already established in our previous article, Happiness at work, happiness is the key to success; a point that is not even moot. Leading an uninspired life can be detrimental to all aspects in your life. You lack the motivation to excel at work, and when you come home to your family, you neglect the needs of your spouse and children. Such behavioral patterns are indications of a deeply rooted sense of unhappiness. A swagger person should never allow himself to become an insipid personality.

Swagger Essentials is here to imbue you with the spirit of joy. If you are cynical about this, we implore you to ditch the attitude and trust us on this one. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Tackle your problems head on

More often than not, rancor rankles not because of a single problem, but from the cumulative effect of many troubles. You might find yourself in a financial predicament when you allow your debts to snowball. You might have been procrastinating on your work and you are now living on borrowed time. Being overwhelmed with external factors can sometimes cloud your judgment, and you begin to make one mistake after another. That’s when the unhappiness sets in.

Believe it or not, as terrestrial swagger men and women, we are all genetically engineered to be sharp thinkers and problem solvers. You already know the means and ways to resolve your problems; you are not as helpless as you think you are. So cease your whining and take charge, pronto. If need be, make a list of the things that require your due attention and strike them off as you see to it. Solve your problems one at a time, and you will begin to feel an immediate sense of relief.

Be thankful

To be a swagger person is to be driven and ambitious. Yet sometimes, in our relentless pursuit of ambition, we can get overly zealous. We get upset when we fail and we dwell on each unsuccessful venture. When we do get ahead, we become greedy and we want more. We lose sight of what is truly important: happiness and living a meaningful life. It is a fine line between contentedness and complacency, and many people tend to mistake the two.

Being contented and settling for second best isn’t necessarily sloppiness. It is about being thankful for being gifted with the opportunity to pursue your hopes and dreams, where many others are bereft of the chance. It is extending your gratitude to your mentors and bosses for allowing you to tap your full potential. It is thanking your Higher power, be it God or any other spiritual beliefs that you have, for all the people in your life.

Have you given thanks yet?

Companionship

Human beings build rapports for a simple reason. We all need companionship. We all desire intimacy and we need someone to hold us when we get upset.Loneliness can give rise to unhappiness. When faced with adversities, having someone to hold our hands and walk us through our obstacles can be comforting.

Has the revelation that you’re living a solitary life ever hit you? That must have been one of the lowest points in your life. You can have all the success in the world and all that would have been for naught if you had no one to share it with. One of the most painful feelings is returning from work to an empty house. No man is an island and it is certainly true for us. Swagger Essentials’ advice is to go all out and meet friends, acquaintances and make meaningful relationships along the way.

Remember, the magnitude of happiness is often multiplied threefold when you share it.

Know what it is that makes you happy

The only way to be happy is well, to actively seek happiness! Only you will have the answer to true happiness enlightenment. Do whatever that floats y

our boat. You don’t need a major overhaul nor do a 360 career switch to be happy; we are not advocating that you irrationally tender your resignation letter today. We’re saying if you have a talent for music, form a band and rock out

in your garage! If you have an affinity for design, take up part time art classes. Why attenuate your desire when you know you have a knack for something? Make it a point to indulge in your hobbies at least once a week.

The only factor that is going to restrain you and hold you back is your own skepticism. There is no harm in a little entertainment and enjoyment.

Think positively and cultivate optimism

They don’t call life a bitch for no reason. When life throws you a bone, what do you do with it? It is likely that you will fail a thousand times before you succeed – the question is whether you have the tenacity to endure through the hardship. Will you fight or take flight? Your will and determination will be put to test each time you fail. It is in these moments that you need to inhale positivity and be optimistic about your future.

Each mistake that you make in life, whether it is in your job or in life situations, is a valuable lesson to take home. To err is human, as the saying goes. You can choose to wallow in self pity, or you can choose to delight at the fact that you learnt something the hard way. All your missteps will only make your success in future all the sweeter.

With that, we leave you a very famous and motivational quote by Benjamin Franklin: “I haven’t failed. I’ve found 10000 ways that don’t work”.

Goldfrapp - Happiness

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Happiness at work

To quote the late Albert Schweitzer, “success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success”. Indeed. We know of a multitude of people who are well respected at work, garner an enviable monthly income but remain very, very miserable. Working as an incumbent slave, they begin to feel a void in their life as they ponder over their foregone years. Inundated with a truckload of work to do, they yearn for a hole to burrow themselves into.

All that drive and passion could change in a wink of a few years. You report for work, knowing you are just going through the motions and that your efforts are only half hearted at best. Resentment festers and these combined factors can hinder your work performance.

When was the last time you worried frantically about things? Do you constantly feel exasperated when you are at work? Have you sighed in dismay and can’t even bear to look at your incompetent colleague? Do you sing a lament for your own plight? Are you constantly running around thinking it’s the apocalypse, unleashing your anger at someone before you are bereft of the chance? Do you find yourself inhaling heavily when you are yelling at someone?

Do you hate your work and most importantly, has your job made you hate yourself? Happiness seems to be an elusive state of mind.

We are all too familiar with the mental stress that comes with work. All of these emotions can point to severe mental stress. Raising your voices isn’t a healthy form of stress release. Instead of feeling an immediate relief, you are only adding onto your frustration - and wrinkle lines – Getting all contentious and riled up only inches you toward a heart attack.

While you cannot change the macro factors; you cannot supplant your imperious boss with someone amiable and understanding; you cannot magically add zeros to your pay checks, there is one thing you can change. Your mindset. The way you choose to perceive things and take on life can greatly impact your work performance.

Happiness can and will increase your work productivity. When you wake up on the right side of bed, when you choose to feel upbeat and positive, your work efficiency increase threefold. Be the modern day Mary Poppins, except with better clothes. Trust us; you will thank us when your boss appreciates the spike in your work performance.

The root of the problem

In lieu of a negative outpour, take a second to breathe. Find out the root of your problem – why are you so irritable when it comes to work? Is it because you have a non-exhaustive list of things to do? Are you handling more workload than you possibly can? Perhaps it is time to raise your concerns to your direct supervisors. Just make sure that your workload is indeed humanely impossible to juggle.

Ask for feedback

We are all suckers for praises and acknowledgements. Nuggets of happiness can emanate from compliments. Sometimes, a little nod from upper management can spur us on and expunge all thoughts of work suicide. If you know you have done an excellent job, ask for a performance appraisal. If you know you are deserving of it, broach the topic of a promotion. This isn’t conceitedness or arrogance; men and women of swagger know when to leverage an offer.

Chances are your performance review will not be entirely immaculate. There will be areas where you can improve, and you should see it upon yourself to do so. Instead of relegating to sub-par standards, you should strive to be the best that you can be. Be motivated!

Make friends, not enemies

Let’s face it. No one likes the office bitch or the aloof colleague who never RSVPs to office parties and gatherings. Not many of us can fit in incongruously like Betty Suarez. It is human nature to seek companionship. Colleagues are the people we see for the most part of the week and if we don’t see eye to eye with them, we can be in for a long day. Most people keep their jobs not because of the remunerations and work benefits, but because of the friendships and bonds they have forged.

When you receive a compliment at work, you will probably want to share your joyful news with someone in close proximity. That is not going to happen if you have no friends at work. It is often said that time flies when you are having fun, so cavort with your colleagues today! A good merry laugh is a well deserved timeout that is so much more effective than a cigarette break.

Teaching is a renewal of interest

As you climb the corporate ladder, it is easy to lose sight of your own humble beginnings. It is not easy to put yourself in the shoes of a young fresh graduate who has only begun to embark on his American dream. Far be it from us to say this, taking the time to teach these aspiring kids can be a rewarding experience.

You begin to feel the same ferventness you had toward your job when you first started out. Instead of seeing it as yet another time-consuming task, take up the challenge of grooming and nurturing a young talent. You will be pleasantly surprised when you learn something new each time you rehash what you know to your junior staff. A good teacher also earns respect from his apprentice.

A new perspective, a new you. As men and women of swagger, you should never settle for mediocrity. Instead of resigning to fate, why not take matters in your own hands and write your own destiny? Choose the way of happiness and positivity and you will reap the many benefits.

Susan Boyle - a woman of swagger

Susan Boyle

Born 1 April 1961

If you haven’t heard of Susan Boyle, you must be living under a rock. The Scottish singer is undoubtedly the biggest sensation ever to emerge from a TV reality show. Showcasing her flair for singing on Britain’s Got Talent, Boyle sang an awe-inspiring rendition of “I dreamed a dream”, capturing the hearts of millions who watched her. Her video performance was also rampantly circulated in the online sphere, and is ranked the most watched online video, enjoying almost tens of millions hits.

Boyle first took center stage, arm on waist, and made her best model strut entrance. Defying all forms of stereotypes, the unemployed 47 year old neither looked nor dressed the part. Naturally, many in the audience met her appearance with skepticism, and her frivolous antics were frowned upon. Immediately we thought we had another William Hung on our hands.

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When she exclaimed her wish to emulate Elaine Paige and hoped that the show would be her stepping stone to become a professional singer, the judges – and those present – saw her declaration as conceitedness and were cynical. It wasn’t until they heard her big voice that their hostile eyes turned to incredulous ones.

Barely allowing her to finish her first line, the audience erupted into a loud, ebullient cheer that culminated into a standing ovation. Of her performance, Boyle was hailed as the biggest surprise since the show’s inception; that she was a wake-up call to all of us watching: never judge a book by its cover. Her idol, Elaine Paige, personally adulated her performance and gave nod to a possible duet in the near future. She also touted Boyle as the role model for many.

Since becoming a laudable singer, Boyle has appeared on several talk shows including CBS’s Early Show, ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today. Most notably, she appeared via satellite on The Oprah Winfrey Show; you know you’ve made it when even Oprah wants a piece of you. Boyle has successfully conquered America with just one performance.

Yet, the sweet victory of Susan Boyle and the surreal realization of her dreams give rise to a moral calling. Would Boyle have enjoyed such unprecedented success if she was as pretty as say, Britney Spears? Would she have garnered international attention if she was in her perky 20s? Would the media be so fixated on profiling her if she was of chirpy cheerleader caliber?

Quite frankly, while we are enthralled by her vocal prowess, Boyle has charmed us more with her personality. Long before she belted out her big notes, she already swept us off our feet with her confidence. What she lacks in looks, she definitely makes up for in her zany attitude. She took to the stage, having to deal with the dismay and cold reception of the crowd. Any other person would have succumbed to the harsh scrutiny, but not our beloved Boyle.

Instead, she decided to amuse the critical crowd with a little provocative dance of her own. When asked to introduce herself, she did so with all confidence and no stammering. Only a woman of swagger who knows her strengths and self worth can be so mightily confident.

Attesting the fact that she is a very confident woman, Boyle stood her ground when she got off to a rocky start during her semi final performance. Instead of faltering, she prevailed and managed to sing the rest of “Memory” to the roaring applauses of audience and judges. Needless to say, she earned herself a spot in the Final 2 Britain’s Got Talent competition.

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Reprising the song that propelled her to fame, Boyle sang “I dreamed a dream” for her final performance, this time with even more gusto and vocal powers. Her stunning performance came in light of rumors that the stress of winning was getting to Boyle and she was going to quit the show. In the week leading up to the finale, Boyle had a taste of the cruel side of fame when she became embroiled in a string of controversies. Many were afraid that Boyle was going to under perform and disappoint, but a woman who has such immense talents rarely has an off-day.

Boyle sang “I dreamed a dream” on the stage for the second time, inspiring people around the world to dare to live their dreams, as she had. Even though she was tipped to win the coveted crown, she eventually lost to rival dance group Diversity. Being the good sportsman that she is, she congratulated the group and even referred their victory as deserving and that “the best people won”.

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In our books, Susan Boyle is a winner in her own right. She is an inspiration to us; if we remain undaunted and relentless, our dreams can and will come true. It doesn't matter if we are young or old, it doesn't matter if we are pretty or goodlooking, it doesn't matter how long it takes, as long as we want it enough, as long as we keep trying, we will ultimately catch our big break.

Young celebrity watch: Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

Dec 13, 1989

Singer, songwriter

Supplanting Britney Spears as the newest America’s sweetheart, Taylor Swift has become a household name thanks to the massive success of her music. Even before she hits the big 2s, Swift has already set a number of impressive Billboards records. Her self-titled debut album spawned 5 hit singles and was certified 3X multi-platinum. The Pennsylvanian country singer/songwriter was named the biggest selling artist of 2008, with her debut and sophomore albums bringing in combined sales of four million albums sold. Swift is also the first artiste to have two different albums chart on the Top 10 year end album list.

Adding to her slate of accolades, Fearless is the first album by a female country artist to top the Billboard chart for eight weeks. Swift also holds the record for being the first country artist to cross the 2 million mark in the music download industry. In February, Swift’s single, Love Story topped the Mainstream Top 40 chart, becoming the first country song to do so. Love Story is also ranked at the top for being the country song with the highest number of paid downloads.

While Swift is still young, she has an ample amount of experience to boast. Displaying her flair for writing even at an early age, Swift won a national poetry contest with her “Monster In My Closet” piece. By the age of 10, she began penning her own songs and performing them at singing competitions. Citing the likes of Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes and Dixie Chicks as her musical influences, Taylor began developing an affinity for country music. When she turned 11, the young and hopeful star distributed a demo tape hoping to ink a record deal. She was rejected.

When she was 15, RCA offered her a development deal which she eventually turned down. Instead of hopping onto the grand opportunity, she rejected the gesture because the company wouldn’t let her record her own songs – a decision that many teenagers her age would not have arrived at. Even at a tender age of 15, Swift had displayed essential swagger qualities. Not one to relinquish her beliefs just to get a shot at fame, Swift stays true to herself.

Swift upholds a level of integrity, as reflected in her conduct and as well as her lyrical masterpieces. Preferring to write about personal experiences in her songs, Swift has built a fan base that enjoys her raw and emotional lyrics. Her debut single, Tim McGraw, is written about an estranged relationship. Her self-titled album, Taylor Swift, made its presence in the Top 20 in its first week, before going to clinch the number 5 spot on the Billboard Charts. The album remained on the top spot at the Top Country Album charts for 20 weeks, a feat held only by Dixie Chicks and Carrie Underwood. Her subsequent singles from the album, Teardrops from my Guitar, Picture to Burn and Should’ve said No enjoyed tremendous success as well, cementing Swift’s status as a country music artist.

In October 2007, she was the honorary recipient of the Nashville Songwriters Association International Songwriter/Artist of the Year award, making her the youngest artist to be bestowed with the award.

With no signs of diminishing fame, Swift proved she was no fleeting one-hit-wonder when she released Fearless to both commercial success and critical acclaim. The album debuted at the #1 spot that week, with sales of nearly 600k copes being sold. Swift now holds the record for the highest debut of any country artists in 2008. 11 out of the 13 tracks on Fearless also made a dent on Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Perhaps one of the highlights in her music career, her song, Change, was included in the soundtrack to support TEAM USA during the 2008 Olympics. By the end of 2008, she was named Billboard’s Top Country Artist and Hot Country Songwriter of 2008. At the 44^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Swift scooped the Album of the Year award for Fearless, making her the youngest artist to win the coveted award. Almost too premature because she is so young, the Academy gifted her with the Crystal Milestone award for all her amazing achievements.

Now that she has pretty much conquered the music scene, Swift is looking to other ventures, namely acting, for even more exposure. She first displayed her acting chops by appearing in Brad Paisely’s music video, Online, and later in her close friend Kellie Pickler’s Best days of your life music video. However, it was her primetime television acting debut that has millions of people talking. In March 2009, she starred in the popular CSI drama, attracting some 20 million viewers.

Riding on the waves of her success, Swift has inked a couple of endorsement deals ranging from the National Hockey League to Nashville Predators. L.e.i. Clothing Line has also designed a line of outfits in Swift’s name. Swift humbly states that she will inspire the clothing line with her own style but does not see it as a foray into designing. We found her conviction to be refreshing, because all too often, as part of a self-fulfilling prophecy, celebrities want to have a hand in every industry. But Swift sees no need in that.

On top of being ingeniously talented, Swift lives up to her reputation as America’s sweetheart. Doing her part for society, Swift has an active voice in charity and is known to use her influential status to benefit young children and teenagers. A generous person, she has donated to children hospital and to the Red Cross on numerous occasions. In even more meaningful works, she also took it upon herself to launch a campaign to safeguard children from online predators.

It is always baffling to see a young star come into eminence. Taylor Swift has our thumbs up for being such an exemplary role model to her young fans! For the older generation, we can all take a page from her; we should never comprise our beliefs and continue to work hard toward success.

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Domestic violence

In our last edition, we broached the topic of men being abused by the women in their life. This week, Swagger Essentials will talk about women being the victims of domestic abuse.

In news that shook the nation, famous celebrity Rihanna was reportedly assaulted and put in life-threatening situations by longtime boyfriend, Chris Brown, also a superstar in his own right. Once seen as Hollywood’s powerful young couple, the unfortunate incident shatters the public perception of the dream team. Pictures of a badly battered Rihanna surfaced on the web, upsetting both fans and women rights groups. Fanning the flames, we learnt that the assault wasn’t a one-time affair; Rihanna filed a slew of reports against Brown, shedding light on a haunting domestic violence episode.

Where it was once thought that only “weak” and submissive women would bend to the maltreatment of the male figures, the Rihanna/Chris Brown incident brought attention to a burning realization. Successful women are equally susceptible to abuse as any other woman. Women who are well respected in their workplaces or social groups can actually be victims hiding behind a façade. A woman of swagger can be subject to unreasonable ultimatums and abuse. What goes on behind closed doors is her secret and her secret only.

Abuse can come in many forms: physical, emotional, verbal and even sexual. The antagonist could be a husband, boyfriend or even a son. While the outburst episode is usually only ephemeral, the damage inflicted to the soul is irrevocable. Instead of opening up and seeking help, these women choose to writhe in silent agony. Ashamed and unable to extricate from their predicaments, they cave in to such execrable behaviors because they have no one else to turn to.

Victims of abuse suffer severe repercussions. Over time, the victims begin to believe that they deserve the unfair treatment, and they take the blame upon themselves. They begin to develop paranoia and grow fearful of things. They brink on the verge of depression and they think less of their achievements.

While it is easy to pass judgment as a third party and think that these women are stupid and naïve for allowing themselves to get hurt, we need to understand their plight. Some of these women are in love with their perpetrators. Weighing the pros and cons i.e. “he is a sweet guy, really”, they trivialize the beatings and the abuse. They forgive these men when they apologize profusely and they are hopeful that it won’t happen again. A mother with a son of abusive nature is likely to give in to his demands. Because of her unconditional love, she chooses to forgive and forget and allows her sons his malevolent ways.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, it’s time to listen. To quote Oprah: “if a man hits you once, he will hit you again”. A man who hits you does not love you. A man who hurls verbal abuse at you does not respect you. He is nothing more than a ticking time bomb; his next attack will come the minute his mood undulates.

Only you can make the choice to leave him. Love yourself first. You do not deserve the tormenting pain; no one does. Ending your painful journey can be difficult but it doesn’t have to be a solo trip. Relate your situation to the person you trust the most. Readily available are domestic violence help lines and women shelters, so if you feel uncomfortable talking to a closed one, reach out to these experienced parties for help.

When it is time to leave, it is best that you make a clean exit. Wipe out any trace of communication links; call history, emails, anything that will allow your abuser to track you down. Be sure to retrieve all important documents such as birth certificate and any other dossier.

If need be, you might want to contact the authorities. Men of an abusive nature aren’t likely to take your decision lightly. They will fly into an outrage and go to lengths to hunt you down. If you are unable to “vanish from the face of earth”, seek the protection of your local policemen; ensure that your safety isn’t placed in jeopardy. File a restraining order. Seek refuge at a trustable friend or family’s house.

Once you begin to settle on your new lease of life, it is important that you do not embark on your road to recovery alone. Do not be ashamed to turn to professional help. Counseling is the key to recovery. Talk about how you are dealing with your situation. Know that your past is behind you and that you are finally freed.