I frequently talk about the importance of personal empowerment. I also believe there’s a correlation between empowerment and motivation.  Successful employees tend to be motivated employees and these motivated employees also tend to feel empowered.  My focus on empowerment is all encompassing in that it straddles the personal and financial realms of our existence.

Where do we go from here?

Well, the first exercise…(which is also a somewhat simple one) is to define what motivates you? The second exercise is to determine how your motivation can result in empowerment. This is applicable to your personal and business relationships.  Ok, I said this exercise was somewhat simple, but in reality this exercise of self reflection is challenging for many.

I’m going to attack and define the concept of motivation in the next post….How do People define Motivation?

I have a tremendous disdain for humidity & the thought of being in it invokes feelings of anger & extreme discomfort.

It was tremendously humid that night which contributed to profuse sweating. (I don’t make it a habit to share that w/ others but I need to illustrate my point). There needs to be more emphasis on fashionable pieces that also address climates. For example, I love linen as much as the next person but the last thing I’m wearing is Tommy Bahama. It would automatically age me 25yrs and I’m in no rush to be older. I was asking for trouble by wearing a super 150, light gray wool/cashmere blend suit that night. I have no on else to blame but global warming & myself.

In other words, I should have used wisdom and worn a cotton/twill suit in a dark color. Khaki may not have been appropriate for evening wear. I should have also worn a cotton/linen blend shirt. The blend of cotton should be enough to provide structure to the shirt, and the linen helps with breatheability. Whether or not I should have worn a tie is debatable, but for many of you who know me, I most likely would have worn one.

My trousers would have been flat front w/ a slight tapering to the ankle for a sleeker and more fitted appearance. Thin cotton socks (some athletic socks that wick away moisture would also work). My shoes are just as important as the suit. I nice buck, or loafer would have appropriate in dark color that’s comparable to the suit.

For example, black shoes for black, navy (yes, I said navy), and gray suits. While brown shoes/loafers for gray, khaki & light colored suits. A neatly folded cotton pocket square that is within the same hue or color family of my garments would have completed the look.

For a while, I had lost my focus and this recent experience has rejuvenated my created juices. I’m currently working on a bridge line under a different brand name that addresses our current economic times and the need for quality and attention to detail.

As for “Sweating to the Oldies”, I won’t make that mistake again, We live and we learn. Then again, maybe I’ll just fly north for the summer. I hear Iceland is beautiful in July.

“What does Black Tie optional mean?”

If you receive an invitation with “Black tie optional”, you should expect to attend a sophisticated event. Even though “optional” is in the invite, men should wear a tuxedo; however a dark suit is also acceptable.  A good tuxedo can be rented from a formal wear store however every man should eventually purchase a custom made tuxedo.

The Tuxedo Construction

1. Jacket

Your jacket can be either single or double breasted. Not too many people can successfully pull off a double breasted jacket. My suggestion is a single breasted, one button and double vent jacket is both classic and debonair.

2. Shirt

Your shirt should be white and not color variations of white (i.e. mother of pearl or dingy). A classic white dress shirt or tuxedo shirt should suffice. I am a fan of French cuffs with great cuff links, as it contributes to the elegant nature of the event.

3. Trousers

Classic tuxedo trousers should fit well in the waist, seat and upper thigh. There should also be a single break at the bottom; however I sometimes wear my trousers without a break. The trousers can either be pleated or flat front depending on your body type and preference.

4. Tie

You should wear a black bow tie with either tuxedo or classic dress shirts. On the hand, you should only wear a long black tie with a classic dress shirt.

5. Shoes & Accessories

Your cuff links should make a subtle statement. In other words you can lose the ostentatious cuff links you bought in a truck stop. Focus on a solid & stylish cuff link that draws good attention to your exposed French cuffs. Purchase nylon black dress socks to wear with your 8-10 holed black lace ups. Be sure to polish them. You don’t necessarily need to rent those shiny patent leather shoes. If you wear them, people will be giving you their keys and asking for more hors d’oeuvres.

A classic black or white neatly folded pocket square should complete your look. Love those handkerchiefs or pocket squares worn by movie stars in the 40s.

This is merely a basic guide to determining what to wear to a black tie optional affair. Life is hard enough; your wardrobe shouldn’t have to be.

Ebong Eka

What is the song you heard during your first kiss? Your first dance? Your first job? What song reminds you of when you were fired from your first job? The theme song of a vacation… Everytime I hear Will Smith’s “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It”, it takes me back to 1998 and spring break in Panama City Beach. I remember slow dancing to Pearl Jam’s “Black” in high school with my first girlfriend. When I moved from Buffalo, NY to Washington, DC, I wore out the album “Is This It?” by The Strokes.

I can go on all night, but the wonderful thing is most people have similar experiences. Life is like a puzzle with a multitude of pieces, one of which is music. Everything in Life Has a Soundtrack!

What’s yours????

I recently listened to a Podcast from Venture Voice “Entertaining Entrepreneurship” about Technorati’s founder Doug Sifry. A very informative podcast.

This post is PRIMARILY for the Technorati Aunthentication Process. So I have nothing more to add.

Technorati Profile

Local governments try to mitigate traffic congestion by iintroducing HOV lanes. The same local governments also make a barage of money from the HOV infraction tickets issued EVERYDAY!

With that being said, the thought of carpooling is somewhat attractive. Mr. Joe Smith, Corporate Suit guy, his wife and their 2.5 kids live in a nice house 10 miles out side the beltway. Mr. Smith, however, works in Downtown DC. Metro Opens Doors, but you’ve already read my previous blog on that subject!

The carpooling advocate would say “So what you’re telling me is that I get to wake up early, wait outside for someone to pick me up, and get to work without having to drive? Where do I sign up?”

What the average person says: “So what you’re telling me is that I get to wake up early, wait outside for someone to pick me up, listen to a radio station that sucks or worse listen to a driver who won’t shut up…just so I can save gas money & parking?”

No thanks, I think I’ll pass.

It’s Bollocks Really…..
That is the basic point of this site. Long story? Not really. Listen to my podcasts. Subscribe to itunes and receive weekly updates for the podcasts. People who join will receive newsletters from me. Now why do you care? I don’t know. I think i bring humor, joy and jokes. More important, I want visitors to figure out how to enjoy your lives.

The day you realize that you know more than others give you credit for, you’ll realize the amount of power you can yield. That’s the most important thing because you can only enjoy your life once.

Ebong

info@ebongeka.com