Five takeaways from another year #behindthehourglass

While the pandemic and other factors have impacted our lives in and out of the office, Hourglass Media continues to meet opportunities right where they are. 2021 was no different. While we had a banner year and have met nearly all of our goals and objectives, we have learned just as much from our missteps (if not more, as it usually goes).

Here are five takeaways as we wrap up another year and look toward 2022.

Should You Go To Grad School as a PR Pro?

This week is the second part of our New Professionals series. As someone who was once a new professional myself, I struggled to find answers to these pressing questions. I want to ensure that you don’t have to spin your wheels like I did! While I don’t have all of the answers -- or even ones that will resonate with you -- I do hope that something will spark interest, action, or understanding for you along the way. This week, we’re delving into the deep waters of grad school and if it’s for you -- or if you should keep that $20K or so in your pocket.

What I Learned During My First Five Years in Business

In March of this year, Hourglass Media turned five. Five years of blood, sweat, tears, sleepless nights, wins, losses -- and everything in between. Five years of this crazy ride I started as an official LLC side venture to protect myself as a communicator. To celebrate these five years (well, more like five-and-a-half at this point!) and to share more of my story with you, here are five insights I carry with me from each year of business.

Goal Setting for a New Decade

I know you haven’t missed this semi-breaking news: It’s the beginning of a new decade. Do you have a full-fledged plan or are you trying to figure out what you want out of this next 10 years? If you’re anything like me, you’re probably a mix between the two. There are several things I am clear about, such as where I was Hourglass Media to go within this span of time. On some personal aspects, however, I am not so clear. (Planning everything in great detail would be boring, would it not, my fellow perfectionists?) Here are some ways you can start setting goals for this new decade.

Four Ways to Organize Your Goals

I’ve found that streamlining my goals based on my life mission of living what I love despite anxiety and fear is what really helps me. If I am focused on achieving goals and objectives centered on what is in my purpose-driven heart and mind, then I can be a better version of myself in 2020 and beyond. Here are four ways that you can organize your goals lists while you’re still in the New Year’s Resolutions mindset.

Five Lessons I Learned in 2019

2019 was an up-and-down rollercoaster ride. With each success, a failure appeared to meet its match. Overall, throughout layers of silver linings, I see 2019 for what it is: a season of recalibration and resilience. I’ve released deeply personal writings that have revealed next-level heartbreaks. I’ve worked with amazing clients and partners. I’ve been desk dwelling too much and not exercising enough. I’ve created some business items that I am immensely proud of, and there’s more where that came from.

Creating An Inspiration Board to Remember Who You Are

For the past two years, I have created my own inspiration/vision board. In the past, I would put all of the magazine clippings, brand tags, photographs, master list of goals and all other keepsakes in a folder or spread throughout my office. Last year, I craved clarity, so I placed my goals in categories and used items to create flaps that would reveal my set of goals per category. I know, I know. How perfectionistic of me. If you’re interested in creating your own inspiration board, here are some tips to help you get started.

Five Ways to Incorporate a Digital Detox Into Your Daily Routine

With the 24/7/365 news cycle and supplemental phone/social media/Netflix addictions, it could be hard to step away from the life you’ve created online. Most of us check our phones at least 200 times per day, no matter our occupation. Here are five ways you can take a break from all things digital, whether it’s for a nice, relaxing evening, weekend or an even longer stint.

SMART Objective Setting in the New Year

It’s the start of a New Year, and you’re probably hyper-focused on your goals and objectives for 2019. In today’s world, Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Expectations (ROE) drive PR professionals and the C-Suite to want to learn more in the Evaluation phase. That’s where SMART objectives come in.In the world of public relations and other industries goals are comprised of SMART objectives, which include: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timebound.

My Journey to Becoming A #GirlBoss

From creating epic short-story compilations at age nine and cultivating her public relations career to finally publishing her first book in 2015, Hourglass Omnimedia CEO Kaylin R. Staten is her own brand of PR, writing and storytelling #GirlBoss.