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Here are some quickie reminders on how to make your life a little less stressful.  Even if you only pluck a single nugget from the list below - you'll be better off! 1. Get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful. 2. Prepare for the morning the evening before.  Set the breakfast table. Make lunches. Put out the clothes you plan to wear, etc. 3. Don't rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when to pick up the laundry, when library books are due, etc. ("The palest ink is better than the most retentive memory."- Old Chinese Proverb) 4. Do nothing you have to lie about later. 5. Make copies of all keys. Bury a house key in a secret spot in the garden. Carry a duplicate car key in your wallet, apart from your key ring. 6. Practice preventive maintenance. Your car, appliances, home and relationships will be less likely to break down "at the worst possible moment." 7. Be prepared to wait. A paperback book can … [Read more...] about 50 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress

 What if everyone in the country had to spend one week of the year living on minimum wage?On July 24, 2007 The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 will become law - raising the federal minimum wage in 3 increments: to $5.85 per hour 60 days after enactment (July 24, 2007), to $6.55 per hour 12 months after that (July 24, 2008), and finally to $7.25 per hour 12 months after that (July 24, 2009).$5.85 an hour.$205 a week before taxes.$12,000 annual gross.Sure, 13 states already have it set higher then the federal rate - but c'mon!Respect the people who make the world move.  If we try living on their salary for just a week, I guarantee we'll have a new respect for the minimum wage employee.Are you ready for the Jobacle.com Minimum Wage Challenge?We don't want to make this overly complicated. So if you decide to participate you can still live in your house and pay your mortgage.  You can still get behind the wheel of your SUV.  And yes, if there's a medical emergency, you can … [Read more...] about Bloggers: Take the Minimum Wage Challenge

 We're hours away from the official release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" - and quite honestly - I could care less.  I've never read a single Harry Potter sentence, though I do believe, that should I eventually jump on the bandwagon, I'll enjoy the series. One thing I have read has to do with the immense success of J.K. Rowling.  Every career is different, and what works for one person might not work for the next.  Let's look at some of the things that sets Ms. Rowling apart.  After all, she has sold 325 million books in under 10 years!Use Delays to Your Advantage.  It was during a four-hour train delay between Manchester and London that Rowling first put pen to paper about a young boy attending a school of wizardry. This is a reminder that whether you're stuck on a train, jammed in traffic or sitting alone before a meeting - use this "idle"  time to your benefit.    Never Accept Rejection.  This is a … [Read more...] about 5 Career Reminders From J.K. Rowling

Our pals over at Freelance Switch have set up a great survey for freelancers.  Take it here.  The goal is to gather information from those in the freelance space to understand more about how the market is evolving. Since freelancers operate independently, it's not everyday you get this kind of insight.The survey takes about five minutes to take.  Aside from helping your fellow freelancers, you'll be entered into an awesome prize draw that includes a Nintendo Wii console.As a fan of the site, I commend them on putting together a great survey.  I look forward to analyzing the results. … [Read more...] about Take Freelance Survey – Win Nintendo Wii

The Gnats That Keep on GivingAfter a full seven months of writing the Jobacle blog, who would have thought that a simple post on how to kill gnats would be the biggest traffic generator.   There's clearly a demand for eliminating these pesky buggers, especially at the office, so here are 13 things you need to know about gnats.1) Simple recipe to kill 'em2) Remove fruit and plants from "infected" vicinity3)  Most gnats live up to four months4) Females may lay up to 300 eggs5) Pheromones are a non-toxic agent that lures gnats to their death.  Normally used on the sticky sticks that can be hung.  It works for months, is poison free, and sells for about a buck a stick.6) Gnats are attracted to light - so shut that desk lamp!7) Spraying hair spray at them will freeze their wings and cause them to suffocate.  Not very kind, but neither is flying up your nose. 8) While many "filth" gnats do not bite, be sure to look for any excess itching or … [Read more...] about How to Kill Gnats – 13 Facts