Monday, December 30, 2019

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Overcoming Impostor Syndrome

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

The video below from Fast Company discusses how to beat the impostor syndrome, starting with taking your mistakes in stride. Check out the video to learn more.

Friday, December 27, 2019

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 13 Practical Ways to Find Joy in Your Work



This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!
  • 13 Ways to Find Joy in Your Work: "I keep a journal of everything that I do at work so that when I am feeling drained or bored, I can use it as a reference to spark new ideas."
  • The Elements of Good Judgment: "leaders with good judgment tend to be good listeners and readers—able to hear what other people actually mean, and thus able to see patterns that others do not."

Thursday, December 26, 2019

5 Ways to Prepare Your Career for the New Year (Decade)



As we draw the year to a close many of us are looking forward to some well-deserved time off to relax, eating some good food, seeing a movie or two, and spending time with family.

But the holiday break also affords us an opportunity to spend some time thinking about our job and career and what actions we might take to enjoy our work more and become more successful in our career over the coming year.

Here are five things you might do over the holiday break to prepare for the new year and to set yourself up for success in the coming decade.

Sign up for a class. There are so many opportunities to enhance your skills and deepen your knowledge in areas that can positively impact your career, from online courses and webinars to conferences and classes at a community college. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to find an impactful class, but you need to start somewhere.

Seek out a mentor. Take a few moments to identify someone you’ve been wanting to learn from. You likely already have this person in your circle of contacts but, perhaps, you haven’t let them know you wanted a more formal mentorship. Now is a good time to ask.

Add a good habit. You know you need to eat better, sleep more, and get some physical exercise in but it can be overwhelming to consider everything you could change in your life so make a plan to make one change. Maybe it’s a simply as avoiding a drink tonight or going to sleep at a reasonable time. Start with one day and then make it two days and then three. That is how we change to begin to make good decisions. These decisions will lead to better decisions and impact your life and career for the better.

Consider your thoughts. We are what we think about and it’s important in every area of our lives, and in our career, to think thoughts that move us forward, rather than negative thoughts that bring us and others around us down. Avoid thoughts that blame others or dwell on past failures or mistakes. Add a practice of meditation, yoga, or prayer to your life to slow down and allow you to more effectively evaluate your self-talk.

Schedule a vacation. Yes, though you might enjoy a break over the holidays take some time to plan your next vacation before you dive back into the stress of your working life. Having a vacation planned will also give you sometime to look forward to and you’ll know that there is a reward coming for all the hard work you do.

Do even some of these things over the holidays and you’ll be set up for a more successful new year at work.  

Monday, December 23, 2019

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: 12 Smart Habits to Save Time & Increase Productivity

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

The video below from TopThink discusses 12 habits to increase productivity and save time, starting with putting a cap on your work week and the amount of time you devote to a specific task. Check out the video to learn more.

Friday, December 20, 2019

High Five Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: How to Collaborate Your Way to the Top



This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!
  • How to Collaborate Your Way to the Top: "Some people think business success is primarily about crushing the competition. But leaders who rise to the top actually do it by building up others."
  • How to Find Fulfilling Work: "Find a job or build a business based on whatever you like to do when you aren’t working. If you don’t know what you like, try different things. Test out everything from operations to sales."
  • Everything You Need to Know to Improve Your Life: "A big share of life is spent getting ready, getting prepared, and part of it is the development of skills that make for success in the marketplace. It starts with personal development, self-improvement and making measurable progress."
  • The 10 Hottest Jobs Right Now:"in areas such as construction and retail, workers’ disposable income is responsible for more jobs such as wealth managers, personal shoppers, and food service workers."

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

10 Career Blogs and Websites to Follow Next Year



As we head toward the start of a new year (and a new decade) you’ll want the resources to become more successful in your life and career.

One way to do that is to add some of the following websites and blogs to your regular reading schedule.

Harvard Business Review: Provides articles and essays on work life and management with a focus on improving the practice of management in a changing world.

Classy Career Girl:  Anna Runyan provides tips on how to find work you love or create a business you love.

Fast Company: Publishes stories on innovation in technology, leadership, world changing ideas, creativity, and design. Written for and about the most progressive business leaders.

Brendon Burchard: “No matter how small you start, start something that matters.”

Success: brings readers the thought leaders and success experts, both past and present, and reveals their key ideas and strategies to help you excel in every area of your personal and professional life.

The Muse: helps workers win at work, from professional advancement and skills-building to finding a job.

Penelope Trunk: Writing and providing advice at the intersection of work and life.

Glassdoor: covering everything related to career advice along with the latest company headlines.

Forbes: Providing news and advice on leadership, careers, and business.

Entrepreneur: News on starting your own business, leadership, work life, and franchising.

Monday, December 16, 2019

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: How to Connect with Your Team

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

The video below from Success magazine discusses ways to begin to find commonality with those you work with. Check out the video to learn more.

Friday, December 13, 2019

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Protecting Time at Work by Setting Boundaries



This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!
  • Protect Your Time at Work by Setting Better Boundaries: "As a time management coach, I’ve seen a variety of ways in which people have successfully set boundaries with their colleagues.... here are some examples of boundaries you can set and strategies for communicating them to others."
  • How Hiring Has Changed in the Last Decade: "Love it or hate it, Glassdoor has fundamentally changed the job search process by providing a platform for employees, candidates, and companies to share their thoughts and views on a company."
  • 4 Ways You Benefit from Serving Others: "You’ll see more money in your pocket and create a thriving business if you serve others, but what’s the point of wealth if you’re not happy? Good news: Science confirms that serving others makes you feel great."
  • 7 Quick Reads to Keep You Motivated:"Whether you’re coming back from a relaxing getaway or just craving some new motivation, you’ll get a little brain food to fuel the next phase of your career."

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

5 Strategies to Be More Productive and Focused at Work During the Holidays



Sometimes we find our workdays seem to run into each other and we're constantly working on yesterday's (or last week’s) to-do list. This can be a big struggle over the holidays.

When that happens, it’s time to step back and look at our routines and find ways to ease the stress and regain our focus.

Here are five ways to manage your workday more effectively and productively.

Focus on your health and wellness. You cannot underestimate the importance of daily meditation, exercise, healthy eating, and good and adequate sleep on your ability to be productive and successful. Incorporate these aspects of your life into a routine, as mentioned above, and you'll find yourself enjoying greater success. Start the day with a tall glass of water and some energizing food. You need energy and strength to be at your best and so it's important to hydrate with water when you awake and to eat something high in protein and low in sugar, in order to avoid a crash later in the morning.

Find an app. Many routine tasks we need to do in our lives and at work can be made simpler and more effective by using technology to help us. Often, we think of technology as enslaving us as we spend too much time on social media but look to find apps to make your life easier.

Eat the frog and tackle the most difficult task first. One simple strategy that will pay significant dividends for your productivity is to take on your most pressing task immediately and work to complete it before moving on to something else. Avoid getting bogged down by email early in your day. Save the email for the afternoon and attack your most important task of the day first You'll find that knocking out a difficult or dreaded item on your to-do list first thing motivates you to get more day and take on some of those things you really enjoy with more energy.

Work in short bursts followed by a short break. Focus more efficiently by working hard but briefly on your tasks. If you work for 45 minutes and follow that with a quick walk, you'll return to your work with more focus.

Plan for success. Your day should start the previous night or afternoon by identifying your top three priorities for the next day. You're more productive when you plan your day out, allowing you to more easily accommodate and integrate surprises into your schedule as they come up. Also plan to attack your email and clear out your in-box in the afternoon, once you've completed your most important daily tasks.

By implementing these methods your workday will be more focused and productive.

Monday, December 9, 2019

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: 7 Positive Money Habits to Start Before 2020

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In the video below, Sarah Nourse talks about 7 positive money habits to implement now, starting with planning purchases and creating a second source of income. Check out the video to learn more.

Friday, December 6, 2019

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: The Secret to Success



This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!
  • The Secret to Success: "And don’t we all want that? A successful career in which we are free to be and express ourselves, one in which we use our unique experiences and perspectives to inspire meaningful change in our respective industries and beyond?"
  • Why American Jobs Could Bounce Back: "All in all, America's labor market is still in rather good shape, with unemployment near a 50-year low. Most people who want a job, have a job, and nonfarm payrolls have increased steadily in 2019."
  • How to Break Up With Your Bad Habits: "The final step to creating sustainable, positive habit change is to find a new reward that is more rewarding than the existing behavior. The brain is always looking for that bigger, better offer."
  • How to Build a Customer Base:"in-person conversations allow you to gather insights by reacting to people’s responses, hearing their tone of voice, and recognizing when there is more information hiding within a shallow answer."

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

5 Indicators It’s Time to Seek Out a Career Coach



When it comes to most aspects of our lives, we tend to think we can do it all on our own, the American emphasis on individuality and self-determination. This is also true in our careers and we can find ourselves reluctant to seek out help, even when we would benefit from it.

Perhaps it’s time to get some job advice and support from a career coach. Unsure if this is right for you?

Consider these situations when you might want to seek out the help of a career coach.

Difficulty finding a job. You’ve been applying to jobs for weeks with no success and you’re getting frustrated with the results and lack of interest from potential employers. A career coach can help you adjust your job-seeking strategy, so it best fits your skills and interests.

No advancement in career. If you’re feeling stuck in your career, it can be useful to have someone who is removed from your workplace evaluate and assess your career and help you identify some factors related to your career plateau.

Job dissatisfaction. Perhaps you have a long-standing (or new) sense of disinterest in your work or a feeling that you are in the wrong job or career. Talking to a career coach can help you identify the reasons for your dissatisfaction and develop a game-plan to better enjoy your work situation.

Negative evaluation. If you’ve ever received a negative job evaluation or annual review or even some less-than-positive remarks about your job performance from your boss, then you know how painful that can be and how useful it might be to walk through it with a professional coach or counselor.

You want better. A career coach can be an asset even when everything is going well in your career. A coach can provide the inspiration and knowledge you need to take your career to the next level.

Don’t be unwilling to seek out the help of others when it comes to improving your job and career situation.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: 10 Things That Will Immediately Change Your Life

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In the video below, Jim Kwik talks about 10 practices that will pay immediate dividends and improve your life and career, including eating for health and learning how to manage stress. Check out the video to learn more.

Friday, November 29, 2019

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 15 New Ideas for Your LinkedIn Profile



This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!
  • Do You Have Determination?: "Perhaps you’ve resigned yourself to things being one way. But you shouldn’t give up hope. Enlist a partner who may have a different perspective and energy to get back on track."
  • 3 Tips for Re-Engineering Your Office: "An elegantly elevated desk best enhances an employee’s output when it’s surrounded by the right stuff. If that stuff is other desks, consider their arrangement."
  • How to Make Gratitude a Way of Life: "There are many ways to cultivate a disposition of thankfulness. One is to make a habit of giving thanks regularly—at the beginning of the day, at meals and the like, and at day’s end."
  • 5 Inspiring Books to Give Businesswomen This Holiday:"Among my favorite gifts to give (or receive) are books. And below is a list of inspiring books, many of which I have given or plan to give to the women whose support I can't imaging doing business (or life) without."

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

5 Ways to Stay Healthy for Work During Cold and Flu Season




It’s that time of year when you might see your colleagues taking sick days at work and perhaps you’ve missed a day or two yourself. It’s cold and flu season and for every day you might miss because you’re sick, there are several other days you go in when you’re not feeling well, and when you’re ill you are unable to work at peak performance.

To excel at work, we need to pay attention to our health. Consider implementing these five ways to improve your health, boost your performance at work, and keep you healthy during cold and flu season.

Get a flu shot. Many workplaces offer the flu shot for free and provide an opportunity for employees to receive the shot at work. If your employer offers this make sure you get in line. Not only will you protect yourself from the flu, but you’ll also decrease the chance for others to get sick by being in contact with you.

Get adequate sleep. Getting adequate sleep provides many health benefits and studies have indicated that getting 7-8 hours of sleep reduces stress, increases creativity, improves memory, and sharpens attention, among other things. On the other hand, sleep deficiency has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke.

Meditate. A brief, daily practice of meditation can result in significant health benefits such as reduced stress, better sleep, and perhaps even improved immune functioning. Meditation can also help you focus on positive and encouraging thoughts, which can lead to more joy and greater focus throughout the day.

Drink water and avoid alcohol. Staying properly hydrated is important to provide energy, strengthen muscles, improve skin, and keeps your gastrointestinal tract functioning healthily. As we’ve all heard, our bodies are mostly water and we need to drink enough daily to avoid fatigue, headaches, and other issues. Frequent alcohol consumption has many negative consequences and alcohol is a depressant; if you struggle with depression it can exacerbate it. To be at your best limit your alcohol intake.

Exercise or move 30 minutes. Our bodies are made to move, and we need to ensure some basic level of movement daily in order to stay healthy and strong, and to avoid illness. You don’t need to train like a professional athlete or body builder to see results. Get out and walk two miles on your lunch break, or bike in the morning before work … or, better yet, bike to work. Schedule this time every day just as you would any other important meeting. You’ll soon find that you have more energy and accomplish more throughout the day.

See your doctor. This is something that men often struggle with more than women. To stay healthy and to deal with an illness before it becomes more serious, be sure to see your physician for an annual exam. 
  
These basic strategies will help you feel stronger, and more energetic, and keep you healthy and on the job during cold and flu season.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: 7 Habits That Destroy Productivity

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In the video below, Brian Tracy discusses 7 bad habits that destroy productivity, including not planning your day. Check out the video to learn more.

Friday, November 22, 2019

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: How to Balance Work and the Holidays



This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!
  • 11 Ways to Be More Productive: "The restaurant business can be unrelenting, especially when you’re shuttling between five of them. Nonetheless, the chef, restaurant owner, and cookbook author says that the experience has an upside: It makes you an excellent problem solver."

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

5 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Workaholic



In a work world where we’re expected to be available 24-7, it can be easy to become a workaholic and overly stressed. It’s important to make a conscious effort to stay in balance and implement processes in our life to better manage the workload.

Here are some steps to take to avoid becoming a workaholic. 
  
Manage expectations. Avoid a tendency to be a perfectionist or to think that you can do everything. Nothing is ever perfect, and no one can do everything. Set realistic expectations for the quality of the work that you do, the amount of time you will devote to a project, and the work you yourself will take responsibility for. Having clear and realistic expectations can help you avoid becoming a workaholic.
   
Delegate and ask for help. An important way to reduce stress is to ask for help when it’s needed and delegate whenever possible. There is no shame in needing help and it can be important for the development of others to provide opportunities.

Focus on health. If you’re focused on your health, getting enough sleep, eating well, and ensuring that you add exercise to your regimen, you’ll better recognize when you’re getting imbalanced in your work life and be better positioned to make changes to avoid overwork.

Unplug. Be sure to set aside time when you’re unavailable to your supervisor and colleagues, and unplug from your email, voice messages, and communication apps. Keep your weekends free of work and try to avoid work after a set time each evening.

Consider a job change. If you still find yourself struggling to avoid stress at work, and you’re overdoing things you might need to consider another job. Look into something that will be less demanding and allow for more balance in your life.