With today’s tough times, eating out is a luxury that you might only be able to afford once in a while. Unless you have access to an expense account (or are independently wealthy), the best option is to bring a packed lunch from home. However, there are do’s and don’ts of bringing food to the office. Rule number 1: don’t bring stinky foods. Remember that your workplace will usually rely on re-circulated air and any strong odors have the tendency to stick long after lunchtime. Rule number 2: if you can manage it, bring enough to share with co-workers. Trust me, they’ll appreciate the extra goodies. Here are a few things you might want to avoid for fear of being branded the office stinker by bringing in the worst smelling foods. Curry There’s something satisfying about a warm bowl of curry, and it’s even better with rice. A staple in Indian and Asian cuisine, curry has found its way to the hearts (and stomachs) of the rest of the world as a comfort food. The spiciness and … [Read more...] about 7 Stinky Office Foods You Should Avoid Bringing to Work
Career Advice
7 Items Everyone Should Keep on Their Work Desk
You can tell a lot about a person by what they keep on their desk. From family photos to religious regalia, a few small trinkets communicate who we really are to our coworkers. They also have the potential to serve a greater purpose: making the office a better place to work.Here are a few practical items to consider putting on your desk:PLANTSYou don’t need a green thumb or an abundance of light to keep a small plant on your desk. Nature’s filter will improve the office air quality and help keep you alert. Plus, studies show that plants can enhance worker productivity by 12%.The large seed in the center of a papaya can be turned into the perfect office plant! You can also try a spider plant if you are botany-challenged. AROMATHERAPYOne of the easiest holistic treatments is aromatherapy, the simple act of smelling essential oils for healing. To keep yourself in a positive frame of mind, consider adding an odor or two to … [Read more...] about 7 Items Everyone Should Keep on Their Work Desk
The Signs of Stress: Carrying Work Anger Home
It was a lousy day at work. People who love to fight were looking to engage. Monotonous projects continued to drag on and on. Even my lunch was an unexciting tuna sandwich.Uncharacteristically, I carried my work frustration with me out of the office. I normally do a good job of compartmentalizing work. But not today. The signs of stress were lurking below.I went straight from work to the supermarket. With my wife working late, I was on dinner duty.As I filled my cart, I played back the work events of the past few days. With each dinner ingredient I added, the more agitated I became.I was suddenly hot. On the precipice of perspiration.With negative work thoughts swirling around my head like vultures hunting prey, I approached the checkout counter.I scanned for the shortest line. After all, I just wanted to get home. I still had a dog to walk, dinner to make, plus, I was exhausted.As luck would have it, I got on line … [Read more...] about The Signs of Stress: Carrying Work Anger Home
4 Reasons “Talented” Employees Get Fired
Though workplace success is not necessarily “rock science”, I'm amazed at how many folks fail to realize that job performance is not the only thing that keeps them on the payroll. Word!As someone who's sat on both sides of the fence---as a worker bee and the “B” that folks worked for, I can attest that it's not that cut and dry.(By the way, that previously referenced “B” can stand for “boss”,” beauty”, “Black person”, or any other number of nouns or adjectives). :-)Think of it this way...you know how reality TV competition shows like American Idol and Dancing With the Stars often render winners that are not necessarily the most talented? How their popularity, charm, and rapport with the judges can factor in to the ultimate decision too?Well similar dynamics are at work in the world of work as well! Trust me when I say that I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to employee retention and … [Read more...] about 4 Reasons “Talented” Employees Get Fired
Ways to Save Money While Looking for a Job
If you're unemployed, you'll know just how difficult the time spent looking for a new job can be. Some people go from living comfortably to struggling get to by in a very short space of time - so taking care of your money is very important. Here are a few ways you can reduce your outgoings and make your money stretch further while you're looking for work. Use 'free' transport Even people who have a job often complain that their car costs a fortune to own. In fact, a car is easily one of the biggest drains on our finances. It's not just the cost of gas - insurance and maintenance also add to the overall cost. If you're unemployed and looking to keep on top of things, it just doesn't make a lot of sense to keep paying so much for a luxury like a car. Yes, depending on where you live, a car is often a luxury - even though many people treat it like a necessity. And if you're really struggling for money, you probably don't need it. For most purposes, getting around by bicycle or even by … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money While Looking for a Job
5 Ways to Stop Feeling Angry at Work
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
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
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
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”