Everybody gets angry. Feeling frustrated by an annoying coworker or stressed over a missed deadline is a natural emotion. What's important is how we deal with those negative feelings. No matter what the situation, it’s critical not to water the seed of anger, but to extinguish it as soon as possible.Here are five fail-proof ways to reduce office anger and keep desk rage in check:Practice ZazenThe backbone of Zen Buddhism, zazen is a form of seated meditation. It’s easy to practice a modified version at work because you don’t need any equipment. All you need is your butt in a chair.First, loosen anything on your body that feels tight, like your watch, collar, or belt. Next, sit up straight, making sure your spine is erect. With your eyes half open, take a deep breath, filling your belly with air. When you exhale, feel your belly return to its normal position. Concentrate on your mind or your breath–and nothing else.Modified work zazen is easy to hide from your … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Stop Feeling Angry at Work
Going to College and Working Full Time
Can you actually hold a full-time job while taking an online degree program? Yes, you can! You'll probably have to cut back on playing video games, watching silly YouTube videos, responding to unnecessary text messages and watching television. Don't pout! You may actually enjoy spending time taking online classes. Online education programs allow students to attend classes at their convenience. People who can work independently with little assistance are best suited for online education programs. Acquiring more education can help you get a promotion. Here are some helpful tips which will make it easier to hold a job while taking an online education program: Set a schedule: Set aside a number of hours per week and try to be consistent with the time schedule. It's easier to get the work done if you have to be studying at a specific time.Family members: If you're living with family members or roommates let them know they should not enter your room during your school hours unless it's … [Read more...] about Going to College and Working Full Time
Are You Smarter Than Your Boss? Prove It!
I used to spend my days in the corporate world and one thing that always seemed to happen was people “above” me, making mega bucks more than me, often made less-than-intelligent decisions. At least it seemed that way. When I’d question – in an effort to understand – or offer an alternative, they would often chide me or make me feel small. Now that I am a business owner, I know that many were very good decisions. I also know that I was right quite often to question their decisions. So how do you get the respect you know you deserve – how do you get the top dogs to listen to you? Confidence when speaking is a must and a key skill that many bosses note as a requirement for promotion. There are a plethora of audio, video and ebook downloads that can help you with speaking techniques. This comes in handy whether you are in front of hundreds of people in an auditorium or presenting an idea to your boss. If you decide it’s time to move on, these … [Read more...] about Are You Smarter Than Your Boss? Prove It!
5 Tips to Effectively Handle Office Politics
Office politics are present in every industry in one form or another - and it is not going to go away anytime soon. Usually, the main intention of people who engage in office politics, is for personal gain. But what makes office politics a serious issue is the fact that employees who participate in petty politics contribute very little to the organization and its presence at all levels. Since it is impossible for anyone in an organization to stay untouched from office politics, it is always better to play it safe and position yourself in a way that you don’t get harmed. In honor of Election Day, we will cover few tips that will be handy for anyone dealing with office politics. And when it coes to talking about politics at work, avoid the subject altogether! Be a good observer – Do not get so involved in your work that you don’t know about the things going on in your workplace. If you want to keep your job safe, you should keep yourself updated with the latest happenings at your … [Read more...] about 5 Tips to Effectively Handle Office Politics
How to Make Your Work Commute More Productive
According to surveys, the average American spends 100 or more hours a year commuting to work. Many people dislike commuting because they feel that they are wasting their time as they crawl through traffic or stare out the window looking at the clouds. But your commute does not have to be a boring time suck – there are several things you can do to utilize the ride efficiently. Here are three things to do while commuting that can help you improve your career and productivity at work.Read If you are riding the bus, taking the subway or carpooling and you don’t get carsick easily, use the opportunity to read. You can use the time to catch up on work related materials that have been piling up, prepare for a meeting, or find out about new things that can help you do your job better. On the other hand, if you need a break from work take this chance to relax by reading something entirely frivolous and pleasurable. It’s important to read something you enjoy once in a while to … [Read more...] about How to Make Your Work Commute More Productive
5 Steps to Breaking Bad Work Habits
We all have our own bad habits at the office. Maybe it’s gossiping or complaining. Or binge eating or nail-biting. Or checking e-mail incessantly.Whatever the habit, we’d be happier without it. To break and replace those tendencies, follow these simple five steps:Step 1: Identify your bad office habitsRoutine makes us feel safe, but don’t hide under the umbrella of familiarity for too long. The problem with habits is that we let them control us. Our subconscious kicks in and tendencies take over—without us even thinking about them.Monitor yourself for a full week as you go through average work days. Jot down any potential habits in a job journal. Whether it's an arbitrary ritual like tapping your toe three times before you enter the building or sipping on an afternoon diet soda, include it on the list. The point here isn’t to nab every habit and routine, but to find a starting point.Read more of my blog entry at U.S. News & World Report. … [Read more...] about 5 Steps to Breaking Bad Work Habits
Discovering How to Get Paid To Play
Like many things, discovering how to get paid to play sounds too good to be true. The fact of the matter, though, is that it’s not too good to be true. Things that are too good to be true would be things that promise results without any work. You can discover how to find a career you will enjoy each day as long as you put in a little bit of work in finding out what that career is. So how can you discover a fun job that feels like play time and is actually a career? Think About It – I know, it sounds like work. If you put some serious time and thought into figuring out what you like to do, though, you can then put some serious thought into how you can make your hobby into a paying career. Only serious self reflection will tell you what you view as play. So think about your hobbies and don’t leave anything out. If it’s snowboarding, you could be a snowboarding instructor, etc. Take a Test Trial Run – Many ideas have a way of sounding glamorous but when … [Read more...] about Discovering How to Get Paid To Play
Down On Your Luck? How to Become a Freelancer!
Down in the dumps about a job loss? Or perhaps employed, but still "over extended?" Don't despair. Whether you're seeking to create a new income source, or supplement an old one, freelance work could be the ticket!In fact, in a tough economy, freelance work is gaining popularity, due to the Internet world, extinction of "job security" and new business dynamics. Everybody from stay at home moms, to web designers, to photographers, to writers are getting in on the action.And you can too! But, proceed with caution. It's not as easy as some would believe.First, let's dispel some misconceptions... * Being a freelancer doesn't mean that you'll have unlimited “free” time, or a life of leisure. Sure you have some flexibility, can call some of your own shots, and report to work in your bunny slippers from time to time. But, free time needs to be scheduled carefully for optimal results. Especially if it's your only source of income. Too much watching the soaps or playing video games … [Read more...] about Down On Your Luck? How to Become a Freelancer!
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and although this year celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the level of unemployment for those with physical disabilities is more than twice as high as that of non-disabled Americans.”Nick Gutwein, President of The Braun Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vans, ramps, and wheelchair lifts offered that astounding statistic. I asked him to address some of the myths about hiring people with special needs that prevail in employers minds.Gutwein shares some statistics, addresses those myths and offers tips for job seekers with disabilities::Statistics show that employers assume it would be challenging to hire people with special needs. But many are simply myths:* Myth #1: The changes and costs associated with accommodating a person with a physical disability outweigh the benefits.Studies by the President’s Committee’s Job Accommodation … [Read more...] about National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Sociopath at Work? 5 Ways to Deal With “Dexter”
How to Tame the Office Sociopath I’ve never watched “Dexter.” Does that make me uncool? Do I get any points for watching every season of “Sopranos?” Sounds like similar themes - lots of blood and sociopaths. I hear people throwing around the word “sociopath” a lot, but I bet not many folks know the actual definition or diagnosis. One thing is certain, if you work with one, you KNOW the behaviors. And we aren’t talking a weird co-worker like Bob, who is just a little odd and annoying, but harmless. Let’s start with the clinical stuff. We shrinks use the DSM IV-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to diagnose patients. Here’s an overview of the traits of sociopaths and psychopaths, which are now both categorized under “Antisocial Personality Disorder:”There is a “pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others,” such … [Read more...] about Sociopath at Work? 5 Ways to Deal With “Dexter”