Learning fashion, new Facebook, advice, and free stuff

*Weekend 4Cast*

4 things I’m dying to share with you that can’t wait until Monday

1 – How do you learn fashion? – 

I’ve been getting a lot of questions/comments about my fashion lately both online and in person and have been thinking about how I learned my fashion. I didn't always have a great fashion sense and realized recently that I really started after a big research project I did which elucidated what tabloid communication about Britney Spears (this was in 2008) elucidated about our society’s perception of women. I do not recommend reading these magazines but seeing and reading about how fashion worked helped me understand what colors worked well together, how to keep it simple but interesting, and what worked and didn't work about an outfit. You can easily do this by looking up pictures of fashionable outfits online. Learning anything is all about exposure. 

Growing up in a lower class family “fashion” was something that seemed elusive – only for people who could afford it. But really, once I started learning what fashion was (and some of the artistic principles behind it) I was able to copy what I saw by shopping at thrift stores, H&M, and anywhere I could find a great deal. Fashion should never be the most important thing about you - but I found it truly fun and interesting and it has started a lot of great conversations that end up going much deeper than clothes.

I share this with you because a lot of students will say to me “wow I love that outfit I could never pull that off” or “I just love your clothes I wish I had style.” So I’m here to tell you that you can learn this! Because never forget you can learn anything. And the best way I’ve learned pretty much everything in my life has been to observe, ask, learn, copy what I learn has already worked for others that are successful, and then add my own unique twist as I continue to learn. You can do this with anything. 

2 – New Facebook –

What do you guys think of this new Facebook bar on the right? It is driving me crazy and stressing me out.  When I think about how much Facebook has changed and accelerated in the past few years it truly blows my mind. We are literally in the midst of a social media revolution and it has changed and will continue to change everything. How does it play a part of your life now? Are you using it to the best of its potential? How will it affect your future goals/job? See for yourself the impact of this revolution in this short and really cool video:

3 – Ask –

So few students are asking for help yet so many are falling behind, struggling with so many things, and even dropping out. Almost every day you should be asking someone for help or advice. Who will you ask today? Their advice could change your life. Trust me. (and if you aren’t sure who to ask start with me – advice@communitycollegesuccess.com). 

4 – Free stuff –

I realized today after speaking at UCF to first generation students and seeing their incredible program for 1^st Gen’s that at no other time in your life will people by dying to help you with your success (unless you continue to interact with me after you graduate ;) as much as they do in college. In higher ed there are so many dedicated people who have developed programs and are begging you to show up, participate, and find success in your life. Once you graduate that will be gone.

In college there are so many programs and services with the sole purpose of helping you succeed. Why aren’t you taking advantage of every single one? (e.g. career center, student life, multicultural services, free tutoring, clubs/organizations, etc.). At no other time in your life will people care so much and try so hard to help you reach your goals in life. You’ll be amazed at what happens if you just show up.

Have a great weekend! 

What Fighter Pilots Can Teach Us About College Success

I just started reading this fascinating book called That Used to Be Us by Thomas L. Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum and in it they cite a concept from the U.S. Air Force that they use as a framework for what America needs to do in order to rise above its challenges.

And the framework they cite struck me immediately as exactly what college students must do in order to succeed. A huge light bulb went off in my head and I thought - whoa - this is big. 

U.S. Air Force officer John Boyd designed a framework called the “OODA loop.” OODA stands for “observe, orient, decide, and act” and Boyd said that whichever pilot had a faster OODA loop would be the one with the competitive advantage – the one that would win…or rather…survive.

The essential concept is that in a fast-paced environment you must observe your environment, orient yourself around what you observe, decide on a plan of action, and then follow through.

And both college and the world we live in today are fast-paced and high stakes environments in which you must make strategic moves in order to be successful. 

The OODA loop provides a perfect framework to help you successfully navigate your college flight. The key is to follow the stages in order, not to dwell on one too long, and to remember it is a loop, you must always reevaluate because both you and your environment will change often.  

Isa's College Flight Strategy

OBSERVE: Observe your life experiences and what you want to make better or different. Read a wide variety of books and news and note the trends going on in the world. Note the problems in the world that you could help solve. Now observe what you are good at. What talents do you have?  What tasks do you enjoy the most? What do people compliment you on? What are you most proud of so far in your life? What skills do you enjoy using?

ORIENT: Once you mesh your best talents and skills with a passion or a problem you see in the world it’s time to position yourself to best achieve your goals. You must notice what is going on in the world and how you are a part of it. You must position yourself in clubs, organizations, and activities that give you more exposure and more experience in what it is that you want to contribute to the world.  You must do well in your classes and have the best possible credentials to position yourself to be ready for the best opportunities when they come your way. Because you never know when something will come fast. You must be ready or you will miss out. 

DECIDE: Choose a major. Choose a direction. Choose a passion and a focus. Write down your goals and make a plan to achieve them. And remember that this is a loop. You can always re-orient after you’ve observed more about yourself and your environment. But you must decide something in order to move forward.

ACT: Look at your goals and your plan and start acting on them today. Find mentors who have done what it is you aspire to do. Ask them for advice. ACT on their advice. Learn everything you can about what you want to do. Get inspired. Do things no one has done before. Be a leader.

Are you flying in the right direction? Are you even up in the air yet or are you still observing the skies, afraid to rise above? 

Or are you stuck? Are you too afraid to decide? Too afraid to act? Or have you acted and are you too afraid to start over again in a way that might lead you to a new, seemingly scarier action?

Now more than ever it is time to get on the right course. If you don't - your dreams and your future could pass you by, leaving you lost and alone and wondering why your life feels so devoid of any passion, joy, or fulfillment. The good news is - you are the pilot of your own life. 

We live in an incredibly fast-paced society, and as Thomas L. Friedman says, “the Age of Average is over.”

Do not get comfortable with average. You are more than average. FLY above average.

What to wear to college (Ask Isa)

In the vlog below I answer questions I've been getting on how to step up your fashion in college. Blog has been moved to a new night - Monday night! Keep sending your questions to advice@communitycollegesuccess.com and email or Facebook me pics of your favorite college outfits! Enjoy and I'll have more for you tomorrow :)

Overcoming your deepest fear

Weekend 4Cast

The 4 things I’m dying to share that can’t wait until Monday

1 – Afraid to fail….or afraid to succeed? -

I heard this quote in an audio book I’m listening to right now (Stephen Covey’s The 8^th Habit) and it was exactly what I needed to hear at the moment. One of the most powerful quotes I’ve ever encountered:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?...

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you...And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. - Marianne Williamson (bold mine)

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“Do not get comfortable with average. You are more than average. Rise above average.” – Isa Adney ;)

2 – My favorite professor –

It seems tests are in the air and many of you are managing relationships with professors and figuring out where you stand after that first test. Having great relationships with my professors in and out of the classroom directly led to my winning the $110,000 Jack Kent Cooke scholarship and getting straight A's and 100's on tests/essays (and not because they liked me or because I was a super genius...but because I asked for their help early and often and took their advice).

How many conversations have you had with your professors so far this semester?  If you haven't started yet, I recommend starting with my fav – The Chatty Professor. Like her on Facebook. Read her blog. And unlock the door to opportunities and insights that only your professors can bring. 

3 – Win a FREE Samsonite backpack –

If you haven’t yet be sure to enter to win in the top right-hand corner. It is the famous Samsonite Tectonic backpack I wrote about a few weeks ago. I decided to give one away and was just going to buy it myself and send it to the winner and then Samsonite said they’d send it/pay for it themselves! How cool is that?! Enter for your chance to win. Contest will end 9/30.

4 – You you you you you you you you you I wanna talk about YOU :) –

I want to know more about you. As I’ve been getting paid speaking gigs and as I’m writing my book I’ve been thinking deeply about what you really need and really want. I know I have tons of information that will help you in your life, but I also know it will never help anyone if it doesn’t address your true concerns, your true goals, your true needs. 

I’ve learned so much by talking to students every day in my job and at my speaking engagements, but I want to know more. I want to know you. You taking the time to share where you are in life right now will not only help you in the reflective process, but it will help countless others who were too busy to share what college students need. Please tell me more about you in one of three ways:

• Fill out this quick 10-question questionnaire about you
• Tell me your current goal(s) for your life and what you feel sometimes gets in your way at advice@communitycollegesuccess.com

And as always keep sending any question/scenario/life situation you’re dealing with to advice@communitycollegesuccess.com. Some questions will end up on the vlog (anonymously and with your permission of course) and all questions will be answered personally.

I hope you know how much you inspire me. Every single day. I couldn’t do it without your dreams. Your honesty. Your hard work. Your dedication. 

Thank you so much! Have a great weekend. Do something relaxing. And sleep. Please sleep all my procrastinator students who have been putting off sleep to study. You know who you are ;) 

I want to know about YOU :)

So I'm always talking about my stories on this blog but now I want to know more about you. What is really important to you in your life right now? What are you going through? What might you need help with? What has worked well for you? What hasn't?

I'd really love to know your thoughts. Please fill out this really quick 10-question survey I made (your answers will be anonymous) and let me know what you're dealing with so I can better serve you. I may be contacting some of you to even be in my book!

I know you're incredibly busy so taking time to complete this survey means the world to me. Thank you SO much :)