A quiet consistency often trumps erratic enterprises. We’ve all heard the sayings: “Little by little does the trick” or “Little by little sinks the ship”; and they’re both wise allusions to the cumulative power of taking simple actions. This unapparent force can strengthen or erode our accomplishments each and every day, depending on how we relate with it. And yet we often neglect the power of doing a little every day, rather choosing to struggle to get things done - invariably getting caught up in procrastination. This article is an invitation to do otherwise. After reading this, you will hopefully be inspired to tap into the huge potential of action that is yours to command, by breaking down your goals into tiny minute steps. How to get things done without even noticing Do you know why so many people fail to accomplish their self-imposed goals? There is a fundamental motif to such scenarios: unrealistic expectations. Most people just cannot manage to set up a manageable action … [Read more...] about The Power of Taking Bite-Sized Actions
How to Get Hired as an Extra in a Movie or TV Show
So, you want to be famous. You’ve got dreams of Hollywood and Broadway; bright lights and the big city. You can already see your name in lights, and all you need is one lucky break. Believe it or not, it might be easier than you think. When I first moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, I had no idea what I was going to do to earn a buck. I had a two-year work permit and plenty of time on my hands, but nobody wanted to hire me, despite having an advanced degree and a willingness to work for peanuts. Every employer offering a long-term position was concerned about paying and training someone who may not be able to maintain residency; a common problem for potential hires on both sides of the border. After weathering a string of rejections, I decided I needed to be a little more open-minded about employment. That’s when I stumbled into the world of the background performer (aka, the extra) Let it be known now that I had no prior training or experience in acting before becoming an … [Read more...] about How to Get Hired as an Extra in a Movie or TV Show
5 Ways To Impress Your Boss On Your First Day
Starting a new job can be a nerve-wracking experience. Given the lack of knowledge and familiarity, the first instinct you may have is to simply survive. If you are the ambitious type, however, this approach can at best be unproductive and at worst make a bad impression on your boss. Your first day should not be a time of survival but rather one of opportunity, a chance to convince your boss you are someone worthy of paying attention to. Here are 5 ways to impress your boss on your first day: 1. Be an Early and Well-Dressed Bird The first thing people will notice is what you are wearing and what time you clocked in. Showing up early and dressing professional will set the foundation for how your boss views you going forward. It fosters an impression of loyalty, service, and preparation that can be built upon by your actions in the office. From there you can create a habit of greeting your boss as they enter the office. Eventually you want your boss to conflate the picture of you hard … [Read more...] about 5 Ways To Impress Your Boss On Your First Day
5 Ways To Cultivate A More Positive Attitude About Your Job
"Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so." William Shakespeare 1. Stop Complaining We all get into bad habits sometimes but consistently complaining saps our energy (and other peoples) and can drain our energy and affect our attitude to work. There is of course a difference between letting off a little steam and being a consistent complainer. It is worth noticing how much we complain about things at work and nipping it in the bud if it is a bad habit we have fallen into. 2. Be Proactive Following on from the first point, being proactive and doing something about those things we want to change at work is a healthier approach than complaining. We can turn complaints around by doing something about them. It is easy to complain when something isn’t how we would like it, but taking the initiative and trying to make a change though harder, is more rewarding in the long term. 3. Stop Gossip Gossiping usually makes everyone involved feel worst at some level. Stopping gossiping … [Read more...] about 5 Ways To Cultivate A More Positive Attitude About Your Job
4 Super Bowl Performance Lessons That Translate to the Workplace
The big day is approaching. A day of strategy, gameplay and a raw talent for outmaneuvering the other side. No, I’m not talking about Valentine’s Day. I’m talking about the Super Bowl – the culmination of months involving shouting at the TV screen and checking Fantasy Football stats. As the big day approaches and both teams prepare to showcase their top skills, I can’t help but think of some parallels that can be applied to your workplace performance. Capitalize on Your Talents To claim a Super Bowl victory, each player must put their full talent on the line while also relying on their teammates’ talents. In the workplace, certain employees are more proficient at some skills than others. Rather than trying to outshine coworkers on every task and project, learn what you’re truly good at and capitalize on those talents. In the process, you’ll learn to coordinate your skills with those of coworkers to create higher level results. Make the Most of Each Play Super Bowl players can’t … [Read more...] about 4 Super Bowl Performance Lessons That Translate to the Workplace
The Open Floor Plan – But Not at Work
It struck me the other day that once again, it’s a good thing I work from home. It was 3:30 p.m. and I was still in pjs. I WAS working, but if I worked in an office environment it wouldn’t fly. Especially as businesses are still enamored with the open floor plan concept, there’re quite few things I’d have to worry about besides my work attire. Yes, the “open office” creates the illusion of more personal work space, but what about privacy and distractions? PrivacyIf you’re still working in a cubicle environment, you may feel it shrinking as companies look to save money. But at least you can pretend you have a private space when you have a little four-foot high wall between you and the co-workers. You probably still have to find a conference room to make a personal call (or at least I hope you do), though. Think about how creepy it would be if your open office layout allowed everyone to know your business – with other people, like your boss … [Read more...] about The Open Floor Plan – But Not at Work
How to Avoid a Cash Shortage During a Job Transition
For most employees, transitioning from one company to another is a natural process of advancing their careers. While a new job can offer an increased paycheck and more opportunity for career growth, it can also bring a cash shortage. Often, when employees transition between jobs, they face a temporary gap between when their prior job ended and their new one begins. While this job gap may only last a week or two, the lack of pay during the transition is enough to rattle the budgets of cash-strapped workers. The following are four tips for avoiding a cash shortage during an upcoming transition to help you focus more fully on preparing for the new job. Plan in Advance Except for in extreme situations, a job change should never be completed on impulse. Rather, this change should be made after lengthy assessments of the pros and cons of transitioning from one company to another. By planning a career change in advance, you’ll have ample time to save up slowly for any pay gap you may … [Read more...] about How to Avoid a Cash Shortage During a Job Transition
Choose a Career: Becoming a Linux Engineer
Linux is a computer operating system which is based on free and open source software. There are many different varieties of Linux and they are all based on the Linux kernel which was the first operating system to be released on October 5th, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. The popularity of Linux has increased ever since and more and more users are using this alternative software on a daily basis. As this open source software is now becoming a bigger part of our daily life, there has been an increase in Linux jobs, especially when it comes to becoming a Linux engineer. Linux runs on a wide variety of computer hardware, from mobile phones, tablet computers, televisions, video game consoles, desktop computers and supercomputers. Linux is one of the biggest leading server operating system which runs the 10 fastest supercomputers around the world. The role of a Linux systems engineer is to design and implement Linux-based Internet web server set ups. A Linux systems engineer will typically work … [Read more...] about Choose a Career: Becoming a Linux Engineer
Staying Busy and Motivated During Your Winter Job Search
Like other mammals, humans have a knack for hibernating in the winter. When the winter season crosses paths with your job search, this temptation can be even more appealing. Not only is it below zero and snowing, but everywhere you look there is another advertisement for Christmas sales that remind you of all the presents you still have to scrounge up for friends and family. Besides the shopping, most companies are just counting the days to their holiday breaks and aren't exactly welcoming to new applicants, so if you’re in a job search in the winter time, things may look grim. Let's admit it: job searching in the winter can sometimes make you just want to go home and chug some egg nog until you pass out, but deep down you know you've got to keep that resilient searching spirit alive. If your job progress is frozen this winter, consider the following tips to heat things up. - Consider alternative money-making opportunities Before you get desperate enough to put on a Santa suit, grab … [Read more...] about Staying Busy and Motivated During Your Winter Job Search
14 Ways to Procrastinate Effectively
It hits the best of us, we are working, or studying, and we just don't want to do it anymore. You take a small break on Facebook. That break can end up taking a couple of hours. It may happen in a different way. You might want nothing to do with work or your homework. You've got it bad, you are procrastinating. Procrastinating is almost never good, but if you must, here are a few ways to procrastinate effectively. 1. Gym time! If you want nothing to do with studying or work, go to the gym. Exercising will give you a lot more energy, will lower your stress, and if will boost your level of concentration when you do decide to get back to studying. 2. Look up jobs, or scholarships. If you are still in school, start looking for scholarships that you might be eligible. If you are bored with your job, start looking for jobs that will be good for you. 3. Buy tickets. If you are going home, or you want to go to a concert, start looking up tickets. You might end up finding a great deal! 4. … [Read more...] about 14 Ways to Procrastinate Effectively