Unplug Recharge Vacation Tips for the Technology Addict

Unplug Recharge Vacation Tips for the Technology AddictUnplug Recharge Vacation Tips for the Technology AddictUnwind during your time off with a tech detox.Hello, my name is Amanda and I suffer from SSA Smartphone Separation Anxiety.Okay, maybe I made that term up. But even when the Blackberry first came out, people referred to them as crackberries because they were so addictive. As the technology has evolved, the addictive nature of these devices increased as well. Now instead of just a smartphone, we also have feather-light laptops and tablets vying for our attention when were away from our desks.If youre like me and suffer from SSA, then you know how difficult it can be to put your devices down when youre away from the office. In fact, a survey by CareerBuilder found that 30 percent of workers planned to contact the office while on vacation. Here are three tips to help you unplug from your electronics, enjoy your time off and truly relax.Tie up loose endsStart preparing for your time off well in advance. Communicate your vacation plans to your team at least two weeks prior to your departure date so they can plan accordingly. Identify and train, if necessary, a point person for any major projects or weekly activities which need to be covered in your absence. Set up your out-of-office messages for your phone and email, detailing a point person for inquiries, and articulating communication expectations.Open one windowIf its absolutely necessary, choose one specific window of time each day to check in, taking time zones into consideration. Define which issues should be considered urgent with your colleagues and ask them to flag those emails with a specific subject line. This way you can quickly skim your inbox and identify which emails require your attention immediately. If you think of an idea or something you want to address after your time off when youre back in the office, write it down in a notepad or on your smart device.Document the item and quickly ret urn to your vacation.Lock it upIf you have a work-issued phone, turn it off and leave it at home or in your hotel safe. Unless youre in the middle of an important project, theres little reason to carry the phone around all day. If your personal phone is used for work purposes, change the settings so you wont receive work emails or simply set it to airplane mode. If you cant see the emails coming in, youre less likely to jump back into work mode.If you take these steps to unplug during your time off, youre sure to reap the benefits of being fully recharged and more productive when you return to work. Click on the following links to learn more about setting boundaries with your smart devices.

Recruiting, Hiring, Managing Millennials

Recruiting, Hiring, Managing MillennialsRecruiting, Hiring, Managing MillennialsEven as members of Generation Y and Generation Z become commonplace in the workplace, unterstellung employees continue to perplex managers. Despite your best efforts to be successful at finding, hiring and managing millennials, many of unterstellung professionals may already be laying the groundwork for their next career move.Businesses of all sizes have difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled talent, regardless of demographic group. This has been an ongoing theme in the eight annual surveys of financial leaders conducted by Robert Half and the Financial Executives Research Foundation (FERF).How are other companies dealing with recruiting, retention and compensation challenges? Download the Benchmarking report to find out.When it comes to millennials, the challenge may be even greater because they arent taking a one-size-fits-all career path to become tomorrows leaders. Financial leaders often see thi s generation as being job hoppers who have too little drive for working long hours and too much reliance on technology.But how about looking at the glass as half full? Arent strong big data skills, appreciation of work-life balance and trying different jobs to broaden ones skill set all good things?Clearly, millennials - those born roughly between 1980 and 2000 - are unique from their predecessors in many ways, and they may require a modified management strategy as a result. Follow our six suggestions to improve upon your plans for finding, keeping and managing millennials.1. Learn what makes them tickAs a group, millennials have been widely studied. They are highly educated with a diverse range of talents, and they tend to gravitate to jobs that align with their personal beliefs.While there are always exceptions to generalizations about any group, here are some conventional observationsTheyve been affected by the Great Recession and its aftermath, along with the explosive growth of student debt.They tend to change jobs mora than older generations, perhaps because theyre settling down and starting families later.Theyre part of the first generation in history to be immersed in technology throughout their lives.They stand out with their problem-solving skills, curiosity, confidence and interest in personal and professional growth. 2. Offer a variety of challenging assignmentsThis generation derives a sense of purpose and satisfaction from new experiences, which give them opportunities to apply their skills in different ways and make them more well-rounded employees. Vary the projects they work on, as well as the teams they work with, so theyre constantly learning new techniques and methods.Make good use of their energy and enthusiasm from day one by offering interestin g and high-profile projects that match their abilities and leverage their strengths. Encourage fresh thinking by letting them bring new ideas to the table and helping them to feel valued by management. Find opportunities for them to collaborate on assignments with more experienced staff members, which will build camaraderie with the different generations in your accounting and finance department.3. Provide regular feedbackMillennials are accustomed to, and appreciate, steady feedback and guidance from authority figures, says Syed Hussain, vice president of Robert Half Finance Accounting. Make sure they know theyre on the right track, he adds, or offer course corrections by giving them the feedback they thrive on, via email, informal chats and even weekly recap meetings.A Generation Z survey shows these employees often prefer face-to-face interaction with their managers. Thats why you should provide frequent performance appraisals, encouragement and career counseling. You should tak e a sincere interest in your workers job satisfaction and career growth, and maintain an open-door policy with them.Once you understand the professional goals of your millennial employees, you can reward their good work in meaningful ways. With millennials, that may include an increase in salary or benefits, scheduling flexibility, training opportunities, choices of location, enhanced work space and travel opportunities.Read about Employee Retention 4 Ways to Keep Top Talent Happy and Loyal.4. Offer professional development, trainingMillennials rank opportunities for professional growth and job title higher than Generation X or baby boomer employees, says Hussain. To improve your recruiting and retention while reducing millennial turnover rates, provide opportunities to obtain professional certifications. Engage them in conversation about their desired career paths, and discuss their level of satisfaction with their work at your organization.Robert Half research shows businesses are offering professional development resources to help their millennial workers prepare for leadership positions. CFOs said their organizations most often provide onsite training (60 percent), opportunities to attend conferences, seminars and webinars (57 percent), and mentoring programs (55 percent).This generation places a lot of value on skill development. If millennials feel they arent receiving adequate opportunities to maximize their skills or acquire new ones, it can drive them to job hop. By offering regular training and professional development opportunities, you will inspire your employees to learn, help them grow professionally and establish roots in your organization.Put all the pieces together with The People Puzzle Building and Retaining a Talented Accounting and Finance Team. 5. Check in regularlyYou should touch base often with staff members. Many of the professionals in these generations want to work for managers who take a sincere interest in their job satisfaction and career growth, and who maintain an open-door policy.Of course, despite your best efforts, you may not be able to retain some of your Gen Y and Gen Z team members as long as youd like. When millennial workers do move on, invite them to an exit interview. Ask them what they enjoyed most about working for your organization, and even more important, what they didnt like. Their insights can help your firm become more effective at recruiting and retaining talent, in general.6. Offer flexibility when managing millennialsMillennials value work-life balance. You may need to rethink the employee benefits youre offering when formulating your recruiting and retention plans. In addition to competitive salaries, consider perks such as telecommuting, flexible hours, comp time and more vacation days.In s pite of the air of mystery surrounding this generation, millennials can be catalysts for change. They seek out roles in which they can develop professionally, and they are technologically astute. Once you know what makes them tick and the work scenarios in which they flourish, youll have an easier time recruiting them, managing them and retaining them.Then, as baby boomers retire, and millennial employees take on a growing number of leadership roles in the workplace, youll be glad you worked to develop this next generation of managers.Editors note This post was first published in 2015 and was updated recently with current information.

The Meaning of BOLO in Law Enforcement

The Meaning of BOLO in Law EnforcementThe Meaning of BOLO in Law EnforcementWhen you hear a law enforcement officer talking about a BOLO, odds are that he doesnt mean a kind of whip or a southwestern-style tie. In law enforcement terms, BOLO is an acronym that stands for be on the lookout. BOLOs are issued to assekuranzpolice officers based on specific criminal intelligence. Theyinclude information on all sorts of illegal activities from reckless driving to robbery and even homicide. BOLOs usually include details about a crime suspect such as estimated age, race, height, and weight. They might also give vehicle and clothing descriptions to officers when these things are known and are applicable. Other Terms for BOLO Law enforcement officers are known for talking in codes and slang. In fact, it can sometimes seem like theyre speaking anentirely different language. BOLO is one of those slang words that can bring about a bit of confusion. Its more accurately called an All Points Bul letin or an APB. ansicht information bulletins are sent to police officers across all points of jurisdiction and sometimes into neighboring jurisdictions or even across the country. It depends on where a suspect was last seen and where he was believed to be headed. Another term for BOLO is Attempt to Locate orATL. ATLs might also include information about criminal activity or suspects, but BOLOs are usually only called attempts to locate when officers are asked to check on someones welfare as opposed to being alertedto a potential arrest situation. Amber Alerts are forms of BOLOs that are issued when a child is kidnapped or missing and is believed to be in danger. When Are BOLOs Issued to Police Officers? Police dispatchers issue BOLOs when a crime has been committed and they have information that could lead to finding evidence or to an arrest. This information can come from the original 911 caller or from other officers as they arrive at the scene of a situation. BOLOs are also issued when theres concern for an individuals or a potential victims welfare or safety. This is particularly true if it looks like it might be a missing person case. A BOLO might also be issued when a disabled adult or elderly person has gone missing, such as when an individual suffering from dementia has wandered off. What Does an Officer Do When He Gets a BOLO? Law enforcement officers keep theireyesout for the person, suspect, or vehicle cited in the BOLO when they receive such an alert. Depending on the nature of the BOLO - especially ifsomeoneis in danger or if the police are looking for aparticularlydangerous suspect - they might passively or very actively look for the person. When they locate the person identified in the BOLO, police officers can hold himtemporarilyto find outwhether he is, in fact, the suspect in the bulletin. If the BOLO is criminal in nature and when officers can confirm that the individual is indeed the suspect, they will most likely arrest him. Of ficers will simply make sure the person is safe when a welfare-check BOLO is issued, such as by escorting him home again.

Money Laundering Job Scams

Money Laundering Job ScamsMoney Laundering Job ScamsHave you seen job listings that ask you to process payments or handle funds transfers for an employer? It sounds like an easy job, but it probably isnt a job at all. It is likely a scam, and one that could end up implicating you in a crime as well. These types of fake job postings are usually scams, so think twice before you apply. Legitimate companies handle payments, credit cards, and money transfer transactions directly online. There is no need for a third party to be involved, and you should never use your own bank account to conduct financial business for an employer. How Money Laundering Job Scams Work How do these scams work? Money laundering scams are some of the fruchtwein common online job scams. Structuring is the practice of obscuring the origins of illegally obtained payments. The money is passed through a number of financial institutions in amounts small enough as to not attract the attention of regulatory bodies. Individuals are hired, often unaware that they are committing fraud, to move relatively small amounts of cash through their personal bank accounts in the guise of processing payments. Some things that could tip you off that something is amiss Money launderers post jobs online offering lucrative work from home opportunities.They send out emails saying they are hiring employees to help process payments or transfer funds.They promise a percentage for you to use your personal bank account to collect payments and transfer them to the company.Very often, the fake employer says he is from a foreign country and thus cannot transfer funds himself, which is simply not true. Legitimate foreign companies do business in the U.S. all the time. Other Types of Fraudulent Financial Job Scams Money laundering is just one way that fraudulent employers can prey on job seekers looking for simple work from home jobs. Shell companies can be set up by individuals who counterfeit checks or cash and nee d to circulate it through legitimate accounts, again in amounts small enough as to not be flagged as suspicious by a financial institution. Identity thieves can use the personal information you supply when applying for a bogus job to hack their way into your accounts. A few things that should indicate that you need to do some research and verify the legitimacy of a company You are asked to use your personal bank account to move what are actually stolen or bad checks, and have you keep a percentage of the money for yourself. When you deposit a bad or stolen check, you are liable to the bank. elend only will you have to pay the bank, but, because the money being transferred is typically stolen, you could be arrested for committing theft.An employer hires you for a fake job, but says he can only pay you via direct deposit. He will then ask for your account information and personal information. Rather than paying you, he will use this information to access your account. How to Avoid Money Job Scams Remember that you are in control of your job search. Take the appropriate steps every time you apply for a position. If the job looks too good to be true, be diligent in your research before you apply- because it may indeed be a financial scam. Money laundering, counterfeit, and fraud are crimes- and you can be held responsible for taking part in them, even if you werent told by your employer that what you were doing was illegal. Ignorance does not guarantee your innocence. Keep in mind Thoroughly research companies before applying, especially if the job description includes third party money transfers.Be aware that no legitimate company will ask you to transfer funds before meeting you in person and conducting a thorough interview and background check. Even then, it would be very unusual for third party financial transactions using your bank account to be part of a job description.While companies may offer to pay you via direct deposit, no company should ever requ ire you to use direct deposit. Therefore, make koranvers you are confident of a companys legitimacy before providing them with personal information or handling money for the company. Use common sense. Ask yourself why the company would need to hire you as a layer between themselves and their customers payments. More Information on Job Scams Avoiding Job ScamsHow to tell if a job is a scam, typical employment scams, work at home scams, and how to avoid scams. How to Report a ScamHave you been scammed or almost scammed? Heres information on how to report a scam, including where and how to report an employment scam. Scam Warning SignsWhats a scam and whats not? It can be really difficult to tell the difference between scams and legitimate job openings, especially when it comes to work at home jobs. Here are scam warning signs to watch for and how to spot a scam.

Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About Supply Chain Resume and How It Can Affect You

Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About Supply Chain Resume and How It Can Affect You Getting the Best Supply Chain Resume It is possible to also incorporate details about a degree program you are enrolled in. When it has to do with technical abilities, its alright to generate a list of everything that you possess, backing them up by certificates, education or appropriate experience. The program culminates in a last management research undertaking. It isnt simple to address the lack of a degree or a deficiency of formal education without sounding apologetic. Employers generally have lots of resumes to check through, and they prefer short resumes they can receive all the info they have to know at quick glance. Salary is a significant detail when choosing work. Looking for employment is not simple, especially whenever youre a student. Recruiters and hiring managers frequently perform keyword searches on social media sites including LinkedIn to discover ideal candidat es. Fresher resumes might also be attached to your internship program, especially if you would like to work in the company at which you will render your internship. The Chronicles of Supply Chain Resume On-line education provides you the perspektive to pursue your aims while continuing to maintain your full-time employment, together with managing life on the homefront. Since you may see, the retail industry is an exceptional entry point to a promising career. Each business and profession has specific keyword phrases. Driving profitable small business increase, improvement, and sustainable shift. To begin with, if youre seeing considerable amounts of hard abilities that you simply dont have, perhaps its much greater move on to the next position. Many people decide to leave off the objective, but should you add one, make sure you tailor it to each job. It is clear that companies must sell the chance to candidates considerably more adroitly. Given the worldwide Supply Chain d emands Supply Chain professional should never quit developing new abilities and enhancing existing ones. Supply chains rely on an assortment of metrics. A supply chain is the selection of steps a provider requires to transform raw materials into a last item. The lengthy supply chain involves all companies that contribute to an item. The 5-Minute Rule for Supply Chain Resume List down your abilities that may be employed by the business to attain the work functions that are essential to be done during daily work procedures. There are a number of ways to approach the skills section. As a consequence, people who have the CPIM share common concepts and terminology that are quite valuable at work. Problem-solving skills are vital because part of their goal is to determine ways to better product delivery and theyre accountable for taking action when delays occur. Definitions of Supply Chain Resume Where you begin your retail career isnt where you need to end up. The precise care er progression will ride on your capabilities together with your organization. Learn more about the possible retail career paths you may pursue with the most suitable skills. As stated previously, determining gentle skills is much more difficult. Its certainly recommended to include as many of the subsequent examples of information as possible. Keyword searches arent just restricted to applicant tracking tools. Where information is easily offered. Just because an info is already present in a particular structure or layout does not intend that you cant replace them with different details anymore. What Does Supply Chain Resume Mean? There are companies which dont only consider the technical facet of an individuals qualifications. A fresher resume is the candidate profile employed by fresh graduates to list down all of the information regarding the further value which they can supply to the company at the place where they want to apply. To be successful in practically any s ort of sales occupation, you require the skills to convince a person to purchase your businesss product. The following resume provides us with a helpful abbildung of the way in which a man or woman applying for employment in this respect will write a resume. Analysts are usually involved in more than 1 operation. A supply chain analyst also has to be independent and can thrive in a fast-paced atmosphere. For instance, rather than simply utilizing the term analyst on your resume, include variants like analysis or financial analyst too. The Fundamentals of Supply Chain Resume Revealed Only make sure to double-check whether adding interpersonal media to your distinct job application is perfect for the job Before sending, dont forget to review your document in the new format to make certain it appears the direction you would like it to. The resume template will be published in HTML version. Actually, the chronological resume template is easily the most traditional resume forma t.

The Fight Against Good Skills for Resume

The Fight Against Good Skills for Resume A fantastic skills list is imperative on any resume for teens. The skill section may be the most important section on your resume if you set it together correctly. Then make a list of your matching skills that it is possible to incorporate in your resume. Some projects need other sorts of software, including spreadsheets or video editing. The Importance of Good Skills for Resume Your aim is to find the job. The competitive climate of the work market has gotten to a fever pitch in the past several years. Making decisions which are in the very best interest of the business, and solving harte nusss having the most efficiency and limiting damages are traits of a superior candidate. In addition to the practical demand for developers in virtually every company, programming skills demonstrate advanced problem solving skills that could result in a well-rounded professional. The Downside Risk of Good Skills for Resume To succeed, you need to be in a position to get alongside others, even if the others are hard to get along with. If youre able to perform the work well then the families will continue asking for you. Some skills are universal no matter the position youre seeking, while some will be career specific. Work Ethic As an entry-level employee, you will have many opportunities to show that youre a wonderful fit for your work. To begin with, if youre seeing a great deal of hard skills that you just dont have, it might be better to move on to the next position. When youre job searching, its imperative you share on your resume your skill set concerning the position youre applying for. You are going to have hard time locating a work description that doesnt include things like communication as an essential skill. For instance, if the individual isnt looking you in the eye, they may be uncomfortable or hiding the reality. If youre not certain which skills that you want to share, consider your prior experie nces. Listing skills will be able to help you stand out. Listing your skills provides a chance to showcase your abilities and experiences to prime employers for the remainder of your resume. Written language skills are an essential part of many positions in virtually every industry. A technical writer should have strong communication skills, together with exceptional writing and grammar abilities. As you take an increasingly proactive approach to every interaction, you will be able to enhance your abilities and wertmiger zuwachs continually. Youll also have to work on your interpersonal abilities, including developing a larger feeling of empathy.

7 things I do outside work that double my productivity

7 things I do outside work that double my productivity7 things I do outside work that double my productivityId like to confess something.Until recently, Id get jealous quickly - when I saw someone doing what I wanted to, or living the dream. (Thank you Instagram.)But Im not alone, am I? Even the most contented people cant help the occasional feeling of jealousy when someone does better than them.Comparing yourself to someone else is as schwimmbad as smoking cigarettes. Everyone knows that. But I just couldnt help myself. I compared their lifestyle to mine, and moped over why the fame I deserved didnt come to me.In this state of mind, Id resolve to work hard and improve my life.Ladders is now on SmartNewsDownload the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.However, the jealousy would subside as fast as it arose. Id revert to my old self faster than a criminal who just got out of jail. The resolve lay forgotten under a stockp ile of a thousand other promises.Do you feel the same way? Then let me tell you why. Because when I looked closer, I figured out exactly why this happens.Turns out, I welches looking at achievers all wrong.What I should truly feel jealous ofI felt jealous of achievers success. But I conveniently ignored their efforts. They sleep less, they make numerous sacrifices, they show up each day to do the same thing for years.On one side, there were achievers, pushing themselves to do what they had to. On the other side, there welches me, complaining that I couldnt find time after work, that the daily commute was exhausting, my boss was a jackass, my colleagues were mean, the work wasnt challenging enough - the odds were stacked against me.But the truth is, achievers didnt have a better life than mine. In fact, many of them faced far worse odds. What I shouldve turned green with envy over was their effort and disciplined attitude towards work.How did (do) they find the time to put in the ef fort to reach where they are?The secret of compounding resultsImagine spending your hard-earned money on things you want but dont need. Soon, youll get bored of them. Then youll spend mora money on other things which hold your ephemeral attention. And the cycle goes on.Now imagine investing the same money in a portfolio which gives you consistent returns over the next ten years.Which option will leave you better off after ten revolutions around the sun? Which option will make your money grow?Since time = money is a common equation, lets now substitute money with time.Most people spend their work hours - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - on well work.They spend their remaining time - 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. - preparing themselves for work. Preparing includes mental relaxation like watching Netflix, scrolling through Instagram, checking their notifications, or all of these. Or, because they can work 24/7, they spend this time working too (or thinking about it).Weekends are even worse. They wake up late, binge-watch the latest seasons, wait in line to eat at crowded places just to deutsche post ag photos on Instagram they might complete chores and meet friends on Saturday. But by Sunday, theyre filled with dread about a day which is still over twelve hours away.No wonder Sunday afternoon is one of the most unproductive times for most people. Dont believe me? Just scroll through this hashtag.In his seminal book Flow, researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Me-hi-ee Cheek-sent-me-hi-ee) wrote,If left to their own devices and genetic programming, most people do stuff like worry about things or watch television.But achievers are different. (Of course, they are)They optimize their time at work. But they dont let work or life get in the way of their rolleal goals. For them,time outside of work is worth its weight in gold. They make it a rule to invest time on whats important to them every day - self-improvement. This, when compounded over time, magnifies into large proportions.When I c ompared my routine to theirs, I found why the fame I deserved didnt come to me.Outside of work, I spent mind-numbing hours watching television. I kept watching reruns of cricket matches until I learned them by heart. If I didnt, I felt a void. I may not be fond of Netflix or Game of Thrones, but felt like I was married to the TV.The result? I never found time to do what I thought I shouldve been doing.For most people, their work day is their day. Their routines revolve around the eight hours of 10 am to 7 pm (30 percent). And when this day is over, theyre left with nothing in the tank. Their mind refuses to engage in a meaningful pursuit and instead, rushes into the welcoming arms ofJadis the White Witch- instant gratification.If you surrender 70% of your day to the 30%, how will you everget close to your goals?Okay. Enough admonition. Were done talking about the illness. Now lets focus on the remedy.Remember how you went out to play after school as a child. Playing outside wasnt c onstructive. (Well, technically it was, but what did you know then?) Yet, it refreshed your mind and let you focus on your studies afterward.Consider the time after work your play time. Heres how I use it, and so can you.1. Tell yourself Im not tiredHave you felt so exhausted after wrapping up work that you dont feel like doing anything?Yes, we all have horrible, blood-sucking days. But lets be honest. Those days are few and far in between.How often does your mind complain about having no energy left when you have to hit the gym, or do anything which offers positive long-term returns?Now compare that to the energy with which you fire up the Netflix app, or get dressed to go to the movies. Do you feel tired? Or fresh?Heres the thing.Your mind isnt really tired after work. Instead, it craves for change. The only rest it needs is seven hours of good sleep.I finish work at 6 pm and start my commute back home. This is when I tell myself Im not tired, no matter how the day was. In fact, t he harder the day, the mora liberated I feel, because I can now focus on myself. I plan how Ill invest my time - what Ill do at the gym and how Ill spend the brde 2 hours of my evening. By the time I reach home, my mind is already raring to get going.Prepare yourself for a change which will stimulate your mind. Remind yourself that youre not tired, that the time you invest now will yield rich results in the long run.And then move to the next step.2. Hack your commute timeDo you disagree with the idea of a 7 p.m.-to-10 a.m. day because you spend anywhere between one to three hours commuting every day? I feel your pain. I go through the same thing.But how I use my commute time is what makes the difference.I can watch movies or scroll through social media. But that just makes me grumpy, sullen and angry. Or, I can listen to a podcast, read a book or watch TED talks. These actions boost my creativity.I prefer to do the latter.There are times when I dont commute by public transport or a cab. I use my motorcycle instead. At such times, I cant consume content. So I use this time to train my mind to focus. I reflect on a specific question and look for a deep answer. Or I think about what I want to add in my next article.Within minutes, my monkey mind jumps from one branch to another. Or I catch myself thinking about the same point over and over again. This means Im either running from focus or am stuck in a loop.When I notice this, I non-judgmentally bring my mind back to the important thought and note those thoughts down in a diary when I reach my destination.The effects of this action are twofold. One, I dont dread the besucherzahlen because my mind focuses on something it enjoys, rather than reacting to external circumstances. Two, I strengthen my ability to focus for longer periods of time.3. Plan your outside-work hoursI plan how Ill spend time after work with the same intensity as I plan my work.But doesnt this sound counterproductive? Isnt it better to be spon taneous with your non-working hours, to be your own boss?Youre right. Partly.When I let each moment decide my actions, I enjoy free will. I can choose between working on a side-project, learning something new or working out.But these moment-by-moment-decisions take a toll on my willpower, and drain out whatever is left after the workday. The result? I end up plonking myself in front of the laptop or mindlessly scrolling through social media all evening.Heres some bad news the more you dont do what you think you should, the more you compromise your willpower. Then when you need it to do something mentally demanding, willpower doesnt show up.Now heres the good news You dont have to spend three hours each night working on something which demands your mental energy. Apply the60/30 Rule, coined byThomas Oppong. Devote just 60 minutes of your evening to doing meaningful work for the next 30 days.Doesnt sound difficult, does it?Plan how youll spend 60 minutes of your evening in the morning . Remind yourself about your schedule on your homeward commute.So youve put aside 60 minutes to do something meaningful. Now the next question is What are you going to do?4. plek a hobbyHaving a passion is overrated. Grossly.True, people like Warren Buffett and Josh Waitzkin discovered what they enjoyed early in their childhood (yeah yeah, Elon Musk too). But for the remaining 99 percent of us, things are not that simple. Most people still amble aimlessly from one task to another.So if you dont know what you want to do, its okay. Pick a hobby. Programming, designing, playing a musical instrument, cooking - anything that appeals to you. Keep a diary to note what you do and how you feel while doing it. Then do more of whats rewarding, even if it demands effort, and reduce actions which dont stimulate your brain cells enough.Right. Set aside 60 minutes to do something meaningful. Check.Pick a hobby to pursue. Check.When you start working on your meaningful activity, youll encounter th e biggest enemy of self-improvement - distraction.5. Shut off distractionsI know what I should do. But Ive already told you how much I love the TV. bedrngnis to forget mindless browsing, which comes as naturally to me as brushing.Im a human being. So I overestimate my abilities to not give in to distractions. And before I know it, Ive wasted 45 minutes of the time I had allotted for meaningful work, on distractions.So I took drastic steps.While writing, I turn off the internet. If I must use it, I activate the SelfControl app to block social media sites. Ive also disassembled my TV connection. If I want to watch it, I must assemble the setup first. Thats an arduous task itself.Such actions give my mind the signal that the task I should work on is a priority. And since I dont have access to distractions, I can put more effort into it.What will you do to fire your distractions?6. Deep workI had a classmate, who studied lesser than me. Yet, she consistently topped the class while I st ayed bang in the center.If you cant focus deeply on what you do, all your work is useless.When you have little to show after spending a lot of time on something, youll feel discouraged. Youll start thinking youre better off doing something else. Its natural.But when youre happy with what you achieve in a short span of time, you think, I wonder what I can do if I spend more time on this.Deep work is tough in the beginning. Like, hair-pulling tough. Youd rather stand in the way of oncoming traffic.But over time, your mind begins to cooperate. Then, this cooperation spreads into your everyday work and increases your sense of fulfillment in each task - at work and outside it.The intensity with which you work is far more important than the time you put in. Time spent will never be a substitute for intensity.(Tip To strengthen your focus, practice meditation, even if youre an atheist. Focus on your breathing for ten minutes. Block out other thoughts. Over time, this will sharpen your int ensity of focus.)7. Reflect on your dayIve seen many people go through the motions of doing something over and over again.They read 30 books in 30 days, but dont remember a word. They play a guitar cover perfectly but struggle to compose original music. Such people might spend hours doing stuff, but they might as well be buttering bread.Daily reflection is part of every successful persons arsenal. Achievers reflect on important things, like the direction which theyre headed in, like making sense of their circumstances, like how they can get better, and more.Spend the last ten minutes of your day with a diary. Reflect on your actions, on what you did well and what you couldve done better.Experts recommend putting your smartphone away during this period. But if you cant do so in the beginning, shame on you. No, just kidding. You can make notes in apps like Evernote and Reflectly.You can learn a lot from the ideas you put into your mind from the external world, but you can arguably lea rn even more by breaking them down and making better sense of the thoughts already roaming in your head. - Zat RanaBringing it HomeI realized I felt jealous of successful people because I wanted to do what they did. But I kept thinking, My work will never be good enough.I now realize how wrong I was. I could look at their efforts and discipline, and learn from them. I could turn my jealousy into inspiration and determination.Instagram quotes tell you to go big or go home. Ive been going home. A lot. Because when I would pick something I enjoyed, Id jump into the fire without a fire proximity suit, and get burned. (I know, not my smartest move.)But I dont have to go home if I dont go big. I dont have to become world-class at anything. And thats okay. I just have to become one percent better than the day before.Make goals, but dont carve them in stone. Life has a funny way of twisting and turning in ways you never expected. Keep walking. Trust the process. The path will eventually re veal itself.How you spend your time outside of work will dictate what youll achieve in your life. Will you do what it takes to get to where you want?Vishal Kataria is a Business Process Consultant, Writer, Motorcyclist, and Lifelong Learner. This article was originally published on ThriveGlobal.com.Follow Ladders on Pocket hereClick follow on Pocket to never miss an article that can help you climb higher.7 things I do outside work that double my productivityId like to confess something.Until recently, Id get jealous quickly - when I saw someone doing what I wanted to, or living the dream. (Thank you Instagram.)But Im not alone, am I? Even the most contented people cant help the occasional feeling of jealousy when someone does better than them.Comparing yourself to someone else is as bad as smoking cigarettes. Everyone knows that. But I just couldnt help myself. I compared their lifestyle to mine, and moped over why the fame I deserved didnt come to me.In this state of mind, Id reso lve to work hard and improve my life.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHowever, the jealousy would subside as fast as it arose. Id revert to my old self faster than a criminal who just got out of jail. The resolve lay forgotten under a stockpile of a thousand other promises.Do you feel the same way? Then let me tell you why. Because when I looked closer, I figured out exactly why this happens.Turns out, I was looking at achievers all wrong.What I should truly feel jealous ofI felt jealous of achievers success. But I conveniently ignored their efforts. They sleep less, they make numerous sacrifices, they show up each day to do the same thing for years.On one side, there were achievers, pushing themselves to do what they had to. On the other side, there was me, complaining that I couldnt find time after work, that the daily commute was exhausting, my boss was a jackass, my colleagu es were mean, the work wasnt challenging enough - the odds were stacked against me.But the truth is, achievers didnt have a better life than mine. In fact, many of them faced far worse odds. What I shouldve turned green with envy over was their effort and disciplined attitude towards work.How did (do) they find the time to put in the effort to reach where they are?The secret of compounding resultsImagine spending your hard-earned money on things you want but dont need. Soon, youll get bored of them. Then youll spend more money on other things which hold your ephemeral attention. And the cycle goes on.Now imagine investing the same money in a portfolio which gives you consistent returns over the next ten years.Which option will leave you better off after ten revolutions around the sun? Which option will make your money grow?Since time = money is a common equation, lets now substitute money with time.Most people spend their work hours - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - on well work.They spend their remaining time - 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. - preparing themselves for work. Preparing includes mental relaxation like watching Netflix, scrolling through Instagram, checking their notifications, or all of these. Or, because they can work 24/7, they spend this time working too (or thinking about it).Weekends are even worse. They wake up late, binge-watch the latest seasons, wait in line to eat at crowded places just to post photos on Instagram they might complete chores and meet friends on Saturday. But by Sunday, theyre filled with dread about a day which is still over twelve hours away.No wonder Sunday afternoon is one of the most unproductive times for most people. Dont believe me? Just scroll through this hashtag.In his seminal book Flow, researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Me-hi-ee Cheek-sent-me-hi-ee) wrote,If left to their own devices and genetic programming, most people do stuff like worry about things or watch television.But achievers are different. (Of course, they are)The y optimize their time at work. But they dont let work or life get in the way of their personal goals. For them,time outside of work is worth its weight in gold. They make it a rule to invest time on whats important to them every day - self-improvement. This, when compounded over time, magnifies into large proportions.When I compared my routine to theirs, I found why the fame I deserved didnt come to me.Outside of work, I spent mind-numbing hours watching television. I kept watching reruns of cricket matches until I learned them by heart. If I didnt, I felt a void. I may not be fond of Netflix or Game of Thrones, but felt like I was married to the TV.The result? I never found time to do what I thought I shouldve been doing.For most people, their work day is their day. Their routines revolve around the eight hours of 10 am to 7 pm (30 percent). And when this day is over, theyre left with nothing in the tank. Their mind refuses to engage in a meaningful pursuit and instead, rushes int o the welcoming arms ofJadis the White Witch- instant gratification.If you surrender 70% of your day to the 30%, how will you everget close to your goals?Okay. Enough admonition. Were done talking about the illness. Now lets focus on the remedy.Remember how you went out to play after school as a child. Playing outside wasnt constructive. (Well, technically it was, but what did you know then?) Yet, it refreshed your mind and let you focus on your studies afterward.Consider the time after work your play time. Heres how I use it, and so can you.1. Tell yourself Im not tiredHave you felt so exhausted after wrapping up work that you dont feel like doing anything?Yes, we all have horrible, blood-sucking days. But lets be honest. Those days are few and far in between.How often does your mind complain about having no energy left when you have to hit the gym, or do anything which offers positive long-term returns?Now compare that to the energy with which you fire up the Netflix app, or get dressed to go to the movies. Do you feel tired? Or fresh?Heres the thing.Your mind isnt really tired after work. Instead, it craves for change. The only rest it needs is seven hours of good sleep.I finish work at 6 pm and start my commute back home. This is when I tell myself Im not tired, no matter how the day was. In fact, the harder the day, the more liberated I feel, because I can now focus on myself. I plan how Ill invest my time - what Ill do at the gym and how Ill spend the last 2 hours of my evening. By the time I reach home, my mind is already raring to get going.Prepare yourself for a change which will stimulate your mind. Remind yourself that youre not tired, that the time you invest now will yield rich results in the long run.And then move to the next step.2. Hack your commute timeDo you disagree with the idea of a 7 p.m.-to-10 a.m. day because you spend anywhere between one to three hours commuting every day? I feel your pain. I go through the same thing.But how I use my commute time is what makes the difference.I can watch movies or scroll through social media. But that just makes me grumpy, sullen and angry. Or, I can listen to a podcast, read a book or watch TED talks. These actions boost my creativity.I prefer to do the latter.There are times when I dont commute by public transport or a cab. I use my motorcycle instead. At such times, I cant consume content. So I use this time to train my mind to focus. I reflect on a specific question and look for a deep answer. Or I think about what I want to add in my next article.Within minutes, my monkey mind jumps from one branch to another. Or I catch myself thinking about the same point over and over again. This means Im either running from focus or am stuck in a loop.When I notice this, I non-judgmentally bring my mind back to the important thought and note those thoughts down in a diary when I reach my destination.The effects of this action are twofold. One, I dont dread the traffic because my mind focuses on something it enjoys, rather than reacting to external circumstances. Two, I strengthen my ability to focus for longer periods of time.3. Plan your outside-work hoursI plan how Ill spend time after work with the same intensity as I plan my work.But doesnt this sound counterproductive? Isnt it better to be spontaneous with your non-working hours, to be your own boss?Youre right. Partly.When I let each moment decide my actions, I enjoy free will. I can choose between working on a side-project, learning something new or working out.But these moment-by-moment-decisions take a toll on my willpower, and drain out whatever is left after the workday. The result? I end up plonking myself in front of the laptop or mindlessly scrolling through social media all evening.Heres some bad news the more you dont do what you think you should, the more you compromise your willpower. Then when you need it to do something mentally demanding, willpower doesnt show up.Now heres the good news You dont have to spend three hours each night working on something which demands your mental energy. Apply the60/30 Rule, coined byThomas Oppong. Devote just 60 minutes of your evening to doing meaningful work for the next 30 days.Doesnt sound difficult, does it?Plan how youll spend 60 minutes of your evening in the morning. Remind yourself about your schedule on your homeward commute.So youve put aside 60 minutes to do something meaningful. Now the next question is What are you going to do?4. Pick a hobbyHaving a passion is overrated. Grossly.True, people like Warren Buffett and Josh Waitzkin discovered what they enjoyed early in their childhood (yeah yeah, Elon Musk too). But for the remaining 99 percent of us, things are not that simple. Most people still amble aimlessly from one task to another.So if you dont know what you want to do, its okay. Pick a hobby. Programming, designing, playing a musical instrument, cooking - anything that appeals to you. Keep a diary to note what you d o and how you feel while doing it. Then do more of whats rewarding, even if it demands effort, and reduce actions which dont stimulate your brain cells enough.Right. Set aside 60 minutes to do something meaningful. Check.Pick a hobby to pursue. Check.When you start working on your meaningful activity, youll encounter the biggest enemy of self-improvement - distraction.5. Shut off distractionsI know what I should do. But Ive already told you how much I love the TV. Not to forget mindless browsing, which comes as naturally to me as brushing.Im a human being. So I overestimate my abilities to not give in to distractions. And before I know it, Ive wasted 45 minutes of the time I had allotted for meaningful work, on distractions.So I took drastic steps.While writing, I turn off the internet. If I must use it, I activate the SelfControl app to block social media sites. Ive also disassembled my TV connection. If I want to watch it, I must assemble the setup first. Thats an arduous task it self.Such actions give my mind the signal that the task I should work on is a priority. And since I dont have access to distractions, I can put more effort into it.What will you do to fire your distractions?6. Deep workI had a classmate, who studied lesser than me. Yet, she consistently topped the class while I stayed bang in the center.If you cant focus deeply on what you do, all your work is useless.When you have little to show after spending a lot of time on something, youll feel discouraged. Youll start thinking youre better off doing something else. Its natural.But when youre happy with what you achieve in a short span of time, you think, I wonder what I can do if I spend more time on this.Deep work is tough in the beginning. Like, hair-pulling tough. Youd rather stand in the way of oncoming traffic.But over time, your mind begins to cooperate. Then, this cooperation spreads into your everyday work and increases your sense of fulfillment in each task - at work and outside it.T he intensity with which you work is far more important than the time you put in. Time spent will never be a substitute for intensity.(Tip To strengthen your focus, practice meditation, even if youre an atheist. Focus on your breathing for ten minutes. Block out other thoughts. Over time, this will sharpen your intensity of focus.)7. Reflect on your dayIve seen many people go through the motions of doing something over and over again.They read 30 books in 30 days, but dont remember a word. They play a guitar cover perfectly but struggle to compose original music. Such people might spend hours doing stuff, but they might as well be buttering bread.Daily reflection is part of every successful persons arsenal. Achievers reflect on important things, like the direction which theyre headed in, like making sense of their circumstances, like how they can get better, and more.Spend the last ten minutes of your day with a diary. Reflect on your actions, on what you did well and what you couldv e done better.Experts recommend putting your smartphone away during this period. But if you cant do so in the beginning, shame on you. No, just kidding. You can make notes in apps like Evernote and Reflectly.You can learn a lot from the ideas you put into your mind from the external world, but you can arguably learn even more by breaking them down and making better sense of the thoughts already roaming in your head. - Zat RanaBringing it HomeI realized I felt jealous of successful people because I wanted to do what they did. But I kept thinking, My work will never be good enough.I now realize how wrong I was. I could look at their efforts and discipline, and learn from them. I could turn my jealousy into inspiration and determination.Instagram quotes tell you to go big or go home. Ive been going home. A lot. Because when I would pick something I enjoyed, Id jump into the fire without a fire proximity suit, and get burned. (I know, not my smartest move.)But I dont have to go home if I dont go big. I dont have to become world-class at anything. And thats okay. I just have to become one percent better than the day before.Make goals, but dont carve them in stone. Life has a funny way of twisting and turning in ways you never expected. Keep walking. Trust the process. The path will eventually reveal itself.How you spend your time outside of work will dictate what youll achieve in your life. Will you do what it takes to get to where you want?Vishal Kataria is a Business Process Consultant, Writer, Motorcyclist, and Lifelong Learner. This article was originally published on ThriveGlobal.com.

Do Second Opinions Help or Hurt Your Resume

Do Second Opinions Help or Hurt Your ResumeDo Second Opinions Help or Hurt Your Resume?Do Second Opinions Help or Hurt Your ResumeSecond opinion. When I hear those words, the first thing that comes to mind is a bad diagnosis. Like when one doctor swears you have cancer while the second opinion reveals you dont. Second opinions are a big deal in that regard, but a recent blog post made me think differently about how they relate to your job search and career.The post (you can read it here) came from Louise Fletcher of BlueSkyResumes.com. Shes a professional resume writer, and she had a hard day when one of her clients expressed the following statementI know we finalized this resume a while ago, but I showed it to a friend and he had some comments She went on to say that feedback like that is rare, but it can be extremely frustrating. Typically, the second opinions her clients receive do leid measure up to the professional opinion, and Fletcher ends up delivering lengthy explanations ab out why the clients friend is wrong about the suggested changes.So, while I can see why people second-guess their doctors with opinions from other doctors, I wonder how it makes sense to second-guess a professional resume writer with input from a friend, unless that friend is also a professional resume writer (then Id wonder why they hired a stranger in the first place). Why is this a big deal? A certified professional resume writer goes through extensive training and a rigorous examination process, plus continuous learning to keep up with changing rules and technologies in the job search field. Typically, they know better than the average person.But theres a work-around for this, job seeker If youve ever hired a professional to write or review your resume, and youre not confident with the final result, dont tell them you had your friend look at it and they want to make changes. Instead, consider your friends suggestions and pose them to your professional writer as questions.Example Your friend said dont bold the keywords in your summary. Instead of running to the writer and saying my friend said not to bold the keywords, rephrase the suggestion as an inquiry, such as I noticed that you bolded all of these keywords in my summary and Im curious what the benefit is of doing that.This way, it wont appear to the writer that you doubt his choices, and you wont tick him off by making him think you value your friends opinions mora than those of the professional you hired to make your resume perfect.On the other hand, second opinions are great for anyone who needs costly car repairs (like this guy here) Just remember that professional resume writers really are working in your best interest, and your investment will pay off as soon as you get that flood of callbacks requesting interviews. And if you dont get results, consider taking your friends suggestions in your own handsNOTE Learn more about hiring a professional resume writer through.

9 successful people who can go hours without checking email or phone

9 successful people who can go hurs without checking schmelzglasle or phone9 successful people who can go hours without checking email or phoneWhen youre the founder or CEO of a company, its a given that people are going to be vying for your time and attention. Its your choice how to respond.Some of those CEOs and founders opt to be glued to their phones all day, checking email and the news. Others opt to limit the energy they devote to digital technology, going hours, days, and sometimes weeks without checking in.Below, weve listed nine successful people who have spoken publicly about digital detoxing, checking out, and going off the grid. Read on to find out how and why they do itHinge CEO Justin McLeod disconnects from work for a week or two at a timeMcLeod, who founded dating appHinge, recentlydeleted the email appfrom his phone. Hes found himself to be a happier person.Im a much better decision-maker, Im a much better strategist, Im a much better leader when Im not wrapped up in the minutia of whats going on in the company and whats going on in the world, McLeodtold Business Insider. Im giving myself the space.He also tries to disconnect from work for one or two weeks every year. That helps me clarify my thoughts, when Im not sucked up in the instant day-to-day operations of Hinge, McLeod said.Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff completely unplugged for 2 weeksCNBC reports that in July 2018, Benioff mailed his iPhone and iPad to his summer home in Hawaii - then left for a two-week vacation in the Galapagos Islands, Bora Bora and Easter Island.Benioff has long been a proponent of meditation, mindfulness, and seeing the world with a beginners mind, a concept from Zen Buddhism that describes constantly seeing the world anew, as if you didnt know anything about it.While meditating and taking calls exclusively by landline that summer, Benioff realized he was too busy and decided to bring on a co-CEO.Thrive Global CEO Arianna Huffington tucks her phone into bed at nigh tArianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global (and previously, HuffPost) has for years been championing sleep as the key to success. So perhaps its no surprise that she advocates keeping your phone out of your bedroom, like she does.In aMedium interview, Huffington said she puts her phone to bed. She added, Our phones are repositories of everything we need to put away in order to sleep our to-do lists, our inboxes, the demands of the world. Charging your phone away from your bed makes you more likely to wake up as fully charged as your phone.And she never checks her phone first thing in the morning.Kode With Klossy founder Karlie Kloss takes a weekly digital detoxWhen former supermodel Kloss is at home, she admittedto the Mirrorthat I keep my phone pretty close to me.But Kloss also said she takes a regular digital detox. I will totally shut off and not post Instagrams or answer my emails. I think its important to step away for a minute and actually reconnect with people and reconnect with yourself, she told the Mirror.Tommy John CEO Tom Patterson doesnt check email during regular work hoursIn aninterview with Inc., Patterson said he minimized the number of emails he received daily with a simple strategy. Patterson, who is the CEO of mens clothing companyTommy John, set up an automatic response that readI am currently checking email before 9am and after 5pm EST so there will be a delayed response. If this is urgent please call or text.Patterson said that indeed, he now checks his email before 9 a.m. and right after 5 p.m., but never in between.Gyana CEO Joyeeta Das goes on silent retreats or deep-sea missions twice a yearI love extreme tech all the time, Dastold Forbes. Sometimes its more alive than humans if one could see its intricacies.Das is the CEO of big-data startupGyana, and she told Forbes that twice a year she goes on silent retreats or deep-sea missions, which are her versions of a digital detox.My ultimate choices are islands in deep sea sur rounded by marine mammals where nature rules, in places like Thailand, the Philippines or Bora Bora thats where Im at the mercy of water and faith in the universe, and this recharges me every time.Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett doesnt have a smartphoneApple CEO Tim Cook has tried to convince legendary investor Buffett to get a smartphone, to no avail.In fact, as of 2018, Buffett still had a Samsung flip phone, which heshowed offon CNBCs Squawk Box.Buffett also oncejoked about his phoneon CNN This is the one Alexander Graham Bell gave me.John Paul Mitchell Systems cofounder John Paul DeJoria doesnt use computersIn anotherInc. interview, DeJoria, who is also the founder of tequila maker Patron Spirits Co., said he doesnt use email or a computer.I would be so inundated that I wouldnt be able to get any work done, he told Inc. Instead, I do everything in person or on the phone. I have a phone book thats 15 years old and filled with whiteout and rewrites. I carry that everywhere.K arl Lagerfeld creative director Karl Lagerfeld doesnt use the internetIn 2010, Lagerfeld toldWomens Wear Dailythat he buys computers because they are beautiful objects.He also said that he doesnt use any kind of cell phone. My eyes are open, but they are not limited to a screen, he told WWD. For me, the world is a huge screen. Thats how I see it.Then, in 2018, Lagerfeld toldThe Cutthat he doesnt do internet or Facebook. I have assistants who inform me about what I have not seen, he said. Personally, I have no time.(Lagerfeld does have aTwitter account, suggesting that he uses the internet, but its unclear if he publishes the tweets himself.)This article was originally published on Business Insider.