There are many things that can interfere with workplace harmony. And because work is a critical part of life, what happens in the workplace can materially affect our lives with negative impact. Complicating the problem is the fact that there is much that happens at work that is beyond our control, in fact, the vast majority of it. If you are in middle management, you are getting it from both ends. There are the people you supervise who are unhappy about the way things are going. Then there are the many people to whom you have to answer for all the things that aren’t going so well. The good news is that even for middle managers, there are ways to take control of and manage your own workplace happiness. It is not always easy. … [Read more...] about Take Control of Your Job Satisfaction
Career Advice
12 Ways to Keep Yourself Happy at Work
Your mood can drastically affect the quality of your work. You always work better and time passes faster when you’re having fun. Imagine how great it would be to stay happy at work. While you can’t control everything at your job, you can take steps to keep a more positive, happy attitude throughout the day. Help Someone Else You probably know at least one coworker who could use some help now and then. Lend them a hand when you get a free minute. Even if it’s something as simple as bringing them back a cup of coffee when they can’t take a break, the act of helping others around you makes you feel happier. You’ll definitely smile more when you hear heartfelt thank yous from your coworkers. Don’t Bother With Gossip You have no way of knowing what gossip is and isn’t true. Worrying yourself about what you heard at the water cooler is just going to cause unnecessary stress. Avoid gossip as much as possible and never participate in it. Much of what you hear is false rumors … [Read more...] about 12 Ways to Keep Yourself Happy at Work
10 Tips to Maintain a Clean and Clutter-Free Desk
Many people who work in offices find themselves overwhelmed by the amount of clutter and junk on their desks. By using common sense and just a few extra minutes per day, the office environment can be made healthier, look more professional, and contribute greatly to a less stressful workday. Here are 10 easy tips to create a cleaner office environment. You don't even have to toss all of those cool desk accessories. 1. Write Yourself a Cleaning Reminder at a Regularly Appointed Time To begin a regular cleaning routine, time needs to be set aside every day to get it done. Setting aside 10 or 15 minutes as a priority appointment is the first step. The reason the office became so sloppy in the first place is that a time slot was not designated for that duty in the daily work schedule. … [Read more...] about 10 Tips to Maintain a Clean and Clutter-Free Desk
Secret Tactics How to Get a Raise
How to get a raise is one of the most difficult questions employees have to answer during their careers. After all, shouldn't our bosses offer us raises because of our hard work and stellar performances? Well, most bosses prefer to pinch pennies. In fact, many managers handle a nickel as if it is a manhole cover. Asking for a raise during performance reviews or after robust quarters typically leads down a dead-end street. This means you need to use secret tactics to get a raise. We're not talking about sneaky, underhanded tactics, but proven, less known tactics that help you see a bump in pay. … [Read more...] about Secret Tactics How to Get a Raise
Ditch Negativity
It's true – I’ve pretty much always been on the "glass-is-half-empty" team. But I vowed this year to work on taking on a more optimistic perspective. I’ll let you know how that goes. Talk to me when we get through this winter first; no positive thoughts are going to be associated with this mess. … [Read more...] about Ditch Negativity
5 Traits Firms Need In New Grads (and How To Develop Them)
So, you’re fresh out of school and looking to take the world by storm. The problem is, you’re not sure about what those blue-chip firms of the world are looking for in a new graduate. Whether you’re applying for an entry-level role or an internship (whether paid or unpaid), the process of vetting new, young hires can be as thorough as just about any other position at a company. What you need to do is get into the mind of a recruiter, in order to think critically about what they’re looking for, and how you can deliver it to them. Here’s our handy list of what these firms are looking for, and what you can do (before you graduate) to get your foot in the door. … [Read more...] about 5 Traits Firms Need In New Grads (and How To Develop Them)
5 Things That Make You Live Paycheck to Paycheck (and how to fix them)
Living paycheck to paycheck is a perennial problem for millions of Americans. According to a recent study, more than half of all Americans stated that they would find it impossible to come up with $2,000 to cover an emergency should the need arise. The emergency plans that these Americans have for such an eventuality include taking cash advance loans, borrowing from friends or family or even taking out payday loans. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are five reasons that many of us live paycheck to paycheck and how we can break out of the cycle. Or, you can ask for a raise. … [Read more...] about 5 Things That Make You Live Paycheck to Paycheck (and how to fix them)
How Your Personal Credit Score Can Open Doors to a Dream Job
It may come as a surprise that nearly half of the businesses out there require their recruitment agencies to check credit scores. This does not necessarily mean that they will deny employment because of it, but it can be a deciding factor when the decision needs to be made between various applications. This is because those who happen to manage their finance well, already convey a certain level of trust with an agency, and is a critical component for those who will work with finances. Discover some of the reasons a good score may boost the interview process. … [Read more...] about How Your Personal Credit Score Can Open Doors to a Dream Job
Cubicle Fever Warning Signs and Cures
If you think about it, it's really kinda ironic that, for all of the corporate propaganda about 'openness,' so many of us feel more closed off - more trapped - than ever before. Incidences of claustrophobia seem to have been very much on the rise in recent years, afflicting a broad swath of white-collar types. It appears that we've graduated from the more rural-sounding cabin fever to the more modern and corporate Cubicle Fever. Irrespective, the feeling sucks. The Setting They’ve issued you a cubicle, a 'Herman Miller'esque workspace. A place for you to spend at least seven hours a day; ergonomically designed to ensure that you do what you get paid to do, while occupying the least amount of floor space possible. And, I would add, with the very least amount of human interaction possible. Everyone chained to their computer screen, the silence pretty much only broken by the click-clack of many keyboards. So the feeling of isolation and confinement intensifies, after all, … [Read more...] about Cubicle Fever Warning Signs and Cures
7 Mindset Changes to Make After College
The transition from college to the real world does not have to be a brutal shock. In fact, you should find yourself gaining happiness and satisfaction from new and exciting tasks. Here are some realizations that will help your transition into a full-time career after college so it is fulfilling and enjoyable. 1. Time management becomes much more important. When you’re working full-time, little things like getting a haircut and doing your laundry become harder to accomplish with your busy schedule. You will have to start budgeting your time wisely to get everything done and still have time to relax. Become efficient at the things you have to do so that you can spend more time doing the things you want to do. 2. It’s more about whom you know than what you know. Coming from an educational system where you are rewarded with grades for your performance on tests and papers, it may be a pleasant surprise to learn that your social skills are ultimately the most important thing you … [Read more...] about 7 Mindset Changes to Make After College