Being miserable at work is easy, being happy takes a lot more work! Here are some surefire ways to be unhappy!- Don't take lunch or any breaks- Arrive early, stay late- Add emotion into everything you do- Take everything personally- Shut out others by being bi-polar- Slack off then cram at the last second- Concentrate on how you're treated unfairly- Find out what your co-workers earn a year- Complain about everyone and everything- Concentrate on your failing health- Eat heavy, fatty, salty foods for lunch- Load up on caffeine...then crash- Think that you're the only capable one- Watch the clock- Dread meetings to the point of rage- Have conversations in your head - Don't be creative or question anything- Take shallow and short breaths- Tell yourself you're stuckSubscribe now. Over the coming weeks we'll pick apart the list and look at why each item is a problem and what you can do to avoid workplace misery. And of course, there are a million other ways to be … [Read more...] about 19 Ways to Be Miserable at Work
Career Advice Blog
Office Birthday Mayhem
It seems that there are dozens people in my area at work that were born under the sign of Taurus. It's been absolute birthday celebration overload. Gluttony. That got me thinking about past jobs and the many different ways offices usher in the annual event. Some places pull out all the stops. Currently, we get bagels, spreads, pies, cakes and the most depressing rendition of Happy Birthday ever. It's a thoughtful gesture on everyone's part but the singing bit could be the most uncomfortable 18 seconds EVER. Also, your cube gets "dressed up" with recycled streamers and banners - ensuring that anyone who didn't know it was your birthday - now does.In the past, I've worked at offices that have ignored birthdays (secretly, it never feels good), that have forced you to go out for an obligatory drink (after hours) or have a forced lunch outing where everyone chips in a few bucks to cover your meal (always awkward when the bill … [Read more...] about Office Birthday Mayhem
Former Marijuana Smuggler Needs a Job
Clemens Strikes Out the Middle Class
Roger Clemens's latest contract is not only bad for baseball - it's bad for you.Now for those of you who know me, I was born with pinstripe blood. However, as the years go on, and I find myself older then many of the players on the field, I've begin to distance myself from watching a bunch of grown men throw a ball. For the most part, it's the excessive greed that turns me off.Case in point, the Yankees' resigning of Roger Clemens. Granted, he's one one of the best to ever play the game. However, does any human being deserve to make such a ridiculous sum of money?Stats to make you sick:- Contract is for $28 million-plus- $10,500 per pitch- $143,000 per inningThose numbers are based on conservative guesstimates. It's quite possible the guy comes up lame after one inning and laughs all the way to the bank. Do you realize that this mere mortal can throw 10 pitches and make more money then most of this blogs' readers make in a year!? Not to mention, many … [Read more...] about Clemens Strikes Out the Middle Class
The Joys of a New Job
New car smell. The latest electronic gadget. A hot, dope girlfriend. There's no denying that nothing brings joy (at least short-term satisfaction) like "NEW." As we all learn the hard way, new turns into old - rather quickly.After having several conversations over the weekend with folks who have all started new jobs, I decided to put together a list of why a new job rocks. There's always a glow in a persons' eye when they start a new gig. Let's take a look at why:Hope springs eternal. It's the beginning of a new chapter of your life and anything is possible. This time around you'll get to blind them with your creativity and dazzle them with ingenuity - all while rising to all-time financial and personal heights in record time. Hold onto the dream, cubemates!New blood. You co-workers are smart, funny and understanding. Heck, they're even good looking and flirtastic! They seem to all grasp the concept of work/life … [Read more...] about The Joys of a New Job
What the Heck Does JOBACLE Mean?
It really wouldn't be fair to call this blog a business, but that's not to say a lot of thought didn't go into the name. Originally started as the Working Podcast, I decided I wanted a more generic name that would encompass more then just a podcast. So after tossing around hundreds of names with Eric and Lyds (the best springboards ever), JOBACLE was born.Why? Being a "caeer related" Web site - it had the word job in it, it sounds like cubicle, and is a play on debacle - which work always is, right? It's not genius but it's a short name that actually had a dot com available. A new abstract word is good because it can get attention and get people asking questions. The downside is that they have no clue what the hell you actually do. I remember hearing Donald Trump in an interview once talking about how one of the smartest things he ever did was name everything after himself - thus making his name an entity.I'm a huge … [Read more...] about What the Heck Does JOBACLE Mean?
The Most Boring "Celeb" Jobs
Some jobs are as exciting as you make them. Others just suck. When I think of boredom at work my initial thought is some poor downtrodden dude in the middle of the country manually screwing caps onto tubes of toothpaste.Back when I was slaving away at VH1 and FOX people's eyes would light up when I told them where I worked. All they wanted to hear about were all the "famous people" I was meeting and seeing. And I would always humor them while thinking in my head how boring it all was. People are people. Rock star, news anchor, fisherman - all the freakin' same. The same small talk. The same greenroom grapes. Yawn. I've moved away from that now and work at a place where "famous" people don't come streaming through the door. And guess what: it's still boring. But I realize I could have it much worse. Here are some "celeb" jobs I think are down right boring. Feel free to add to the … [Read more...] about The Most Boring "Celeb" Jobs
American Idol Formula No Longer Works
Ok, I know American Idol has absolutely nothing to do with this blog. In fact, I won't waste your time - if you could care less about my take on America's reality darling - then move along.Now into it's sixth season, I don't understand why people still flock to the show. And here's the biggest reason why: The entire top 10 is guaranteed a certain level of fame and success. How can I feel bad for anyone who "loses" the competition when I know at the end of the season they will be on tour, getting paid to do what they love to do, which is a lot more than I can say for you and I.In order to make the show more interesting I think it's clear what they have to do - and it's quite simple. Just add a clause to the competitor's contracts that reads something like this:If you are a member of the top 10 and you are voted off the show you are not allowed to: record and release a CD for one full year or appear on any form of media, thus not using the buzz of A.I. to … [Read more...] about American Idol Formula No Longer Works
Fear in the Workplace
Some people are scared of being fired.Some bosses are scared to fire people. And a growing number of workers are scared that someone's gonna go postal over a bad review.So... Is the workplace the new Fear Factor?According to the American Institute of Stress, 40 percent of worker turnover is the result of job stress, and some one million workers are absent each workday because of stress-related complaints. A good boss will work hard to eliminate elements of fear and anxiety form the workplace. The result will be better communication, greater everyday clarity and increased creativity. There's an excellent article that was published by the Department of the Navy's Total Quality Leadership Office that is a great detailed read. Check it out.A career-minded individual must be careful not to let fear box them into short-term thinking. This is when you look to avoid or resolve a situation quickly just to get it off your plate and out of your hair. Whether it's taking on … [Read more...] about Fear in the Workplace
The Lowest Paying Jobs. Share Yours!
If you wanna make money, stay away from media. Sure you'll be able to exercise your creativity, but that doesn't pay the bills, right? Working in "creative fields," I've resigned myself to be lost in the middle class for all eternity. That's cool. At least I get to enjoy myself (not really, but that's what I tell myself.)I only bring this up in light of the ol' hottest salaries post from yesterday. Ever notice how artsy fields NEVER make the cut? Just to reinforce that this is a global issue, check out these numbers from the Council of Labor Affairs in Taiwan:Lowest Paying JobsBeauty salon worker: $18,680Mass transit workers: $19,713Restaurant employees: $20,103Craft workers: $20,190Film workers: $20,294Ah, it's nice to see they have plenty of beauty school dropouts in Asia too!People are always scared to reveal their salaries - but instead of hearing about what you make now - I'd love to hear about your crappiest paying job. Mine was … [Read more...] about The Lowest Paying Jobs. Share Yours!