Blog this, blog that. It seems like everyone has a blog these days, and that's not too far off – millions of blogs have been started (and just about as many abandoned) in the last decade. Have you been toying with the idea of starting your own blog? Does the desire to be part of this vast universe of cyber-talking appeal to you? The good news is you can - there is no quota for blogs. However, there are some things you need to do first before you post that first article, and the very first one is to know the goals of your blog, which can be determined by two very basic questions: WHAT do you want your blog to be about? Technology? Cooking? Crafts? Childcare? Auto repair? Sports? Fashion? Gardening? Creative writing? Design and décor? Whatever it is, you need to have a basic idea before you invest any money or significant time. Don't start a cooking blog if you also plan to talk about interior design. Start from the beginning saying that your blog is about the home, which … [Read more...] about Using Your Blog to Help Launch a New Career
Working From Home: How To Be Effective
I have always loved the idea of working from home. I imagined how great it would be to work in your pyjamas if you wanted to, and just generally make the best of being in your home environment to do your work. Now that I do work from home, I enjoy it very much but have found that there can be headaches to working at home. Here are are a few of the things I have learnt that have helped me to enjoy working from home and be effective: Create A Schedule Like many people, I imagined working from home could mean getting up whenever I wanted to and working whenever suited me. The flexibility is great when it is needed but the reality is that a schedule can help you to get your work done and keep boundaries around your work and home life. Set Boundaries Boundaries are important when working from home, in getting your work done and also ensuring your work life doesn’t leak into your personal life. It might be that the people in your life may think you are always available … [Read more...] about Working From Home: How To Be Effective
Healthy Habits For The Office
Do you want to stay healthy but find it hard to do so whilst working in an office? If so, here are a few ideas that I use that you may find helpful: 1. Drink Herbal Teas Or Water Staying hydrated is essential for your health. I only drink herbal teas and water at work and this saves on buying milk for tea and coffee, reduces my caffeine intake and ensures I stay hydrated. I have one or two cups of tea and / or coffee after work but by only drinking water and herbal teas at work I have made this a regular habit. 2. Eat Healthy Foods As with what you drink at work, if you can prepare in advance and eat healthy food and snacks at work it will help you to get into a good habit. 3. Take A Break It is so good for your mental and physical wellbeing to take a break each day you are at work. Taking a break means you have some rejuvenation time in your day, it enhances your productivity when you are back at work and can help to reduce the chances of feeling burnout at work. … [Read more...] about Healthy Habits For The Office
How To Choose a Major Using Mind Mapping
If you're wondering how to choose a major in college, then you're not alone. Many college students seem to have difficulty deciding on one major to pursue. I know it was that way for me. After changing my major 4 times, I finally decided on accounting. Many college students change their majors at least once! But, what if you knew how to choose a major easily and make sure it is one that's based upon your interests? Clearly some majors are more expensive than others! So, it's important that you choose the right major from the start! Use Mind Mapping To Get Ideas Mind maps are a great way to help you choose the right major! A mind map is a form of note taking that involves turning a paper horizontally and starting with a topic in the center of the page. Write the topic "Picking a Major" in the center of a page and then circle it. This is the main focus of your mind map. Then, you create subtopics to the main topic as branches out from the center topic. These lines can be drawn in any … [Read more...] about How To Choose a Major Using Mind Mapping
Top 5 Workers Compensation Claims
Clumsy people have continued to spark laughter and lighten up the workplace for years. Both the clumsy employee and the onlookers need a good laugh to break up the day. After all, who wouldn’t want a little bit of comic relief? The answer: small business owners. For small businesses, clumsiness is more expensive (and nerve-racking) than it is funny. Small mishaps occur day to day, but one slip and a small mishap can turn into a serious injury. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 3.1 million people in the US suffered a non-fatal workplace injury or illness last year, which equates to about 3.5 cases per 100 full-time workers. Industries such as construction and healthcare account for the largest majority, but accidents can (and do) happen in every industry. For this reason, companies are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers Compensation Insurance 101 For those who are unfamiliar, workers’ compensation laws are set in place to make sure an … [Read more...] about Top 5 Workers Compensation Claims
3 Important Lessons to Learn From Yearly Performance Reviews
Yearly performance reviews are commonplace in many companies and are often the main occasions when employees receive feedback from management. You may anticipate yearly reviews since this is typically when pay raises are received but you may also dread them for fear of negative feedback. Rather than worrying about performance reviews, use your energy more effectively by planning for the meeting. The following are three ways to plan for upcoming reviews and the lessons you should take away from the meeting. Take Criticism Constructively Criticism from management regarding your job performance can be difficult to swallow, especially for workplace perfectionists. Rather than worrying about what a ‘meets expectations’ rating rather than an ‘exceeds expectations’ rating may mean for your future with the company, take the criticism constructively. Listen to what your manager suggests during the review and begin incorporating that advice into future work projects. This will prove to … [Read more...] about 3 Important Lessons to Learn From Yearly Performance Reviews
How To Get Your Ideas Heard At Work
Do you feel that you have great ideas but are unsure about how to share them at work? Maybe you feel your ideas aren’t getting heard or others are taking the praise for them? Here are a few ideas to help you get your ideas heard: Speak Up For many people, a big reason they don’t get their ideas heard at work is because they don’t share them. It can be daunting to share our ideas and put ourselves out there. We wonder if they are good enough, if people will laugh etc but the reality is that no one can know about your ideas if you don’t tell them. If this is the scenario you find yourself in, bite the bullet and commit to sharing those great ideas with others. Get Confident If you are having trouble sharing your ideas or getting yourself heard, it could be time to get to the bottom of your lack of confidence and give yourself a confidence booster. Working with a good coach can be a great way to see why and where you might be creating obstacles for yourself. … [Read more...] about How To Get Your Ideas Heard At Work
9 Things Your Co-Workers Hate to Hear
“I can’t believe they said that!” This is something you don’t want your co-workers saying about you… but chances are, someone’s said it about you at one point or another. While many no-no’s at work are obvious (e.g. “You’re the worst boss ever!”) even seemingly harmless phrases can come back at you with a vengeance. Below are seven common phrases you should never, ever say at work… #1. “That’s not my job.” Ugh. You may as well say “I’m not going to help you unless I absolutely have to.” The truth is, people approach you for a reason: they either want your input or genuinely need your help. In either case, use this opportunity to show you’re ready to help. And who knows? They may return the favor down the line… #2. “How did they get promoted?” Even if your boss is worse than Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock, keep it to yourself. Spreading negative opinions about others make you look unprofessional and (even worse) bitter. However, you should mention their shortcomings during performance … [Read more...] about 9 Things Your Co-Workers Hate to Hear
Switching Careers Is Not Rocket Science
It is amazing how many people get stuck in a rut and think they have to stay in a career they are unhappy with. There are endless opportunities out there, why would you want to continue with one that makes you miserable day after day? Many stay with their current career because they assume switching is just too much of a pain. Really? Is the effort of switching careers more of a pain than the grief you are feeling every day? Should You Make a Change? The first thing you need to do is determine if you really need to make a change. Quite often, people start feeling unsatisfied, but really it is because they are suffering job burnout. Have you taken a vacation lately? Could you possibly just need to recharge your battery? It is important to determine this because the last thing you want to do is be unhappy with the change you make. Lifestyle Change – If you have been traveling with your career or manage a nightclub, and now you are married with a brand new baby, lifestyle changes may … [Read more...] about Switching Careers Is Not Rocket Science
Is Commuting the Most Stressful Aspect of Your Job?
The modern world of public transport and privately owned vehicles has made it possible to seek employment opportunities located further afield to your home than ever before. Whilst this is brilliant news for suburban dwellers whose local career opportunities may be limited to local shops and petrol stations, what price are you paying for your daily commute? I’m not talking about petrol, public transport passes and driving insurance; I’m talking about the price on your health and possibly your career progression. Yes, it sounds insane; how can a bus ride or 40 minutes at the wheel possibly impact your health or job prospects? Whilst that’s a perfectly valid question, I wouldn’t have written this post without providing you with a perfectly logical answer! Traffic Jams and Utter Frustration No one likes queuing for something, what a waste of time! That’s the reason behind why traffic jams drive some motorists completely insane. The long line of cars that wait idly whilst a pedestrian … [Read more...] about Is Commuting the Most Stressful Aspect of Your Job?