Q: Dear Seymour, I am a college student full time. Money is hard to come by. Is there a legit online job or something of that nature I could do to earn extra cash? So many scams out there its hard to tell which ones are real. Any suggestions?
- Submitted by Anonymous
A: Dear College Student,
This is a common problem among full time students, finding time to earn extra money. You are right, many online jobs are either scams, or not what they appear to be according to the job posting. So it's true, you do have to be careful. It's important to understand that most online jobs are probably going to be aggressive sales jobs, which not everyone is cut out for. Not to mention the chance you take of getting involved with outfits that send email spam.
Many people looking to make extra turn to services such as Amazon or eBay to sell items they no longer needs. Perhaps old text books, or used CDs that are just collecting dust. Online sales can definitely get you cash fast, but it can also be time consuming with having to ship items to buyers.
Although you are taking classes full time, you might still have more time than you think to pick up a part-time job, or one with flexible scheduling to accommodate school schedules. Try looking on campus. Sometimes jobs are open for students to work in administrative offices, bookstores, or on-campus restaurants. This offers you a convenience factor, and managers understand the need to adhere to school schedules. Not only do you earn some income, but you have a good start to your resume.
One other idea is to find an internship associated with your degree. Again, you will find flexible scheduling, but make sure to look for paid internships or at least one that offers a stipend to take care of some of your financial stress.
If you find that you are too strapped to continue a full school schedule, you might want to consider cutting down your class schedule and selecting a part-time job in retail or an office. This will help you resist the temptation of using your credit cards to live. Although this may delay your graduation a bit, or put you in a position to attend summer school, at least you can keep credit card debt ay bay.
Hope these suggestions help you find something that works. Best of luck!
A recent Big Time post addressed the issue of strange interview questions are how to handle them. This week, we talk about the opposite - bad interview answers and embarrassing moments.
I came across a Fortune article that covers the subject of dumb job interview moves from candidates. Some of the examples of stupid interview moves include:
"The candidate got his companies confused and repeatedly mentioned the strengths of a competing firm, thinking that was who he was interviewing with."
"A guy called me by the wrong name during the entire interview."
"We're a retail company, and when we asked the candidate why she wanted to work for us, she replied that she didn't want to work in retail anymore."
"An interviewee took his bubble gum out of his mouth and held it in his hand. Then he forgot about it and shook hands with me."
Now, being nervous and giving answers that may not be the most compelling is one thing, but not paying attention and being completely checked out of your surroundings is quite different.
Some interview "errors" are unavoidable, such becoming ill or stumbling over your words. As a matter of fact, recovering from these blunders may actually work in your favor.
If you have made a mistake or blunder, try not to let it derail the rest of your interview. Hiring managers and interviewers are human, and will understand nerves or issues that cannot be avoided. So make up for it as best as possible.
There will be a chance the interview isn't salvageable. If this is the case just chalk it up to experience and move on. Don't beat yourself up over interview mistakes either. Learning from your blunders will help you better prepare for your next interview.
Getting ahead and making an impression is more than producing exceptional work and having a positive attitude. It's also important to stay on top of your industry and know your trade.
By showing your bosses and co-workers that you are "in the know", you are showing a responsibility towards your job and investment in the success of your company.
Sometimes, even the most senior members of your company may not be aware of some of the newest trends and news around your industry, so it's helpful to pass these articles along.
Others will appreciate your initiative, especially if you share important articles and news that may help alter the course of the company or at the very least keep upper management in the loop about a looming trend or industry issue.
One thing to keep in mind though - be selective about how many articles you send out. Everyone is inundated with email, so too many messages may become bothersome and go right to the deleted file. So evaluate what is and isn't the most important to send along. Articles, blog posts and podcasts that may be interesting but not earth-shattering, can be mentioned in staff meetings.
Staying on top of industry and business news not only gives you a leg up at your current job, but it can also help set you apart from other candidates during an interview.
The high cost of living has forced many baby boomers to come out of retirement to once again start earning a paycheck.
Some boomers have yet to retire, choosing to work well into their 60's. For some though, this is an opportunity to work in a field where their job has more meaning than their lifelong career.
USA Today recently published an article about some of the fields that baby boomers are choosing for their second careers, or even choosing to switch to even before retiring. Those fields include health care, teaching, social work and even environmental projects.
Not only do these jobs provide a paycheck, but they also give workers a sense of giving back to the community.
This is also a time for workers who are close to retirement to consider turning a hobby into a product, such as photography or cooking.
For those who are considering a second job, this is a time to be creative...and as the saying goes: "do what you love and love what you do"!
Talking politics at work has always seemed taboo. I know my mother always said that there were two subjects she would never discuss in mixed company: religion and politics.
However, one column points out that politics is no longer an
off limits" topic at work.
This can still be a difficult subject, so keep in mind a few pointers when talking politics:
- Stay objective and keep a level head
- Be willing to listen to others' points of view
- Be respectful
- Keep the conversation light
- When all else fails, steer clear of the conversation all together
All in all, as in any conversation, make sure it is a two-way exchange where both sides have equal opportunity to express their views.
Think about the last time you had a job interview. Remember what it was like, sitting in the lobby of a building or office, nervous, wondering if you are dressed professionally, thinking about possible questions and how you would answer them.
You are called into the interview. Introduce yourself to the interviewer, hand them your resume, and wait for the questions to start. The first question - If you were a fruit, what kind of fruit would you be and why? Huh!?
Believe it or not, many interviewers are moving towards a trend of asking silly, if not down right weird interview questions. One article points out how strange and tricky questions can be.
So how do you answer these questions? First of all, don't feel bad for being caught off guard. More than likely, this is part of the reason why the interview is asking the question, to see how creative you can be, quick on your feet.
Don't try to be too technical with your answer. If all else fails, take an "easy" approach to answering an odd question. For example with the fruit question, I would probably say an apple (they're my favorite fruit, so when I hear "fruit" I think "apple"). Then I would say, "Because they are versatile, and stand out in a crowd."
There are really no right or wrong answers here, as long as you stay professional and try not to oversimplify your answer. Back to the fruit question, I wouldn't say "Apple... because they are sweet and pretty."
You could also try humor with your answer, as long as it's not offensive. Humor is also tricky because it could fall flat.
What are some of the strangest interview questions you have been asked and how did you answer them? If you are an interviewer, have you ever used these types of questions? What was the reason why you used them and would you continue to ask them?
Q: Dear Seymour, I've been hearing a lot of debate lately about whether or not job boards truly are effective in finding and landing a job. I am currently job searching and would appreciate any insight you may have to offer. Thanks!
- Submitted by Rohan Vargas, Las Vegas, NV
A: Dear Rohan,
Yes, the debate over the effectiveness of job boards is not dying down anytime soon. However, as a job seeker, your best rule of thumb is to use all your job search techniques - which most certainly should include job boards. Online recruitment is a $6 billion industry so it certainly must have some level of effectiveness.
Most job seekers use an average of five different job boards to look for their next opportunity, and that should include using a couple "big boards" like CareerBuilder.com or Monster.com, as well as specialty or niche boards within your profession.
Also, keep in mind that not all job boards are considered equal. Here are the results of a recent survey by Weddles, a major U.S. publisher of print guides to Internet job hunting, where actual job hunters, employers and recruiters rank their favorite job boards:
For a ranking of niche job boards, visit www.weddles.com.
So remember, job boards should definitely be on your "job search" to do list. Just be sure to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. In addition to job boards, you should be networking, seeking employee referrals, contacting recruiters, and scouring print classifieds.
"We don't mean to burst your bubble, but securing an interview is the easy part. For every one job opening, you can be sure there are more than a handful of workers vying for it. The real challenge is to ace the interview and land the job. So how do you make sure you're the one they remember? Three words: prepare, prepare, prepare."
I wonder how many of our readers wear ties to work on a regular basis? What about pantyhose for women? No doubt that the everyday work environment has become more relaxed, but are dress codes still necessary parts of today's workplace?
An article in the Wall Street Journal explored how different generations view work place dress. Not surprising, more mature workers have a more traditional take on dressing for work than their younger counterparts.
Take for example the subject of pantyhose. The article noted that some female Gen X and Y workers admitted that they have never even owned a pair of pantyhose, much less worn them.
True, workplace casual seems to be implied now. But do some workers take advantage of the "perk"? I say yes. Casual is one thing, but slovenly or unkempt is quite different.
To make sure you understand the limits of your workplace dress code, pay attention to your co-workers and try to emulate their style and how they dress at work. If there are varieties of dress, clarify with your manager or supervisor before being too bold in your attire.
I am interested in knowing about the types of work dress codes our readers' have. Do you work in a traditional work environment with more conservative dress requirements, or does your company fully embrace business casual or less? Also, how many managers have had to discuss inappropriate dress with employees? Are dress codes for work still necessary?
I am looking forward to hearing your take on this subject!
The saying goes that it is better to give than to receive. But when it comes to giving constructive criticism, a good manager always needs to know the best way to deliver their comments without hurting others' feelings or self-esteem.
I think that one of the most difficult jobs of a manager is to give employees a critique that is helpful and can be used to improve daily work habits. I recently read a really good article that offers a few tips about how to deliver constructive criticism to an employee. After reading the article, I thought this would be a good place to add to the list and share some insights.
For starters, if your criticism isn't something pressing that effects the day to day, make a note to bring it up during the employee's review. This is always a good time to bring up areas of improvement. Not only does an employee expect it, but it will be during a meeting where both manager and employee are standing on neutral ground.
Second, try to make it a two-way conversation by asking questions. For example, you might want to consider addressing an issue by saying "I noticed you are struggling with XXX, is there anything a can help you with or giving you advice on?" This shows that you not only are you paying attention to your workers' on a daily basis, but by proactively offering support you build trust for workers to approach you when they may need assistance with their work.
Last but not least, ask your own employees where YOU could improve. By asking their opinions, you show that you are not above taking criticism yourself, and it creates a more cohesive team that is better equipped to not only work together, but improve together.
It's that time of year when vacations are planned and everyone is clamoring for time off.
I came across an article that stated recent survey findings found that "21% had been denied vacation time because a co-worker had already asked for the same days off."
Vacation time off is a very important element to balancing your work schedule, and personal lives. Whether you are planning a week in the islands, or a day at the spa, make sure that you are taking advantage of the time off provided by your employer.
I find the survey referenced above very interesting because I have not heard of employees ever being denied their time off because co-workers had already requested it. However, it does not seem to be an illogical argument for not being able to take your vacation. I have, quite often, known employees who were denied time off because they did not request the time off far enough in advance.
What about our readers...has anyone ever been denied their vacation time because a co-worker or co-workers were already taking time off? If so, what was your solution, or how did it effect your vacation?
We've all had 'em...the coworker who is angry with the world, never satisfied and does their best to be a pain in everyone's neck.
Some articles refer to these "team members" as toxic. I like to refer to them as bottlenecks. The reason? Usually, productivity is delayed or stopped all together because their attitude causes an inability to work as a team member or contribute to projects in a useful manner. Not to mention their actions can contribute to depleting morale.
So what do you to counter these co-workers?
Start by realizing that some people are just unhappy and will do anything to bring others down with them. It's hard to do, but don't let their poor disposition and attitude bog you down with them.
There is also the possibility of avoiding contact all together, but this could prove difficult if you are placed on the same team as the offending co-worker. If this is the case, remember to tread lightly and don't antagonize the situation.
If all else fails, and this colleague continues to intrude on your work environment and morale, then consider speaking with a supervisor or HR. It's hard when you feel like you are reporting or "tattling" on a co-worker, but more than likely this person is affecting others too.
In the end, stay positive and try "killing them with kindness".
Have you ever been to Disney World and taken a tour of the animation studios? If so, you'll notice that the animators have decorated this workspaces in the theme of the film that they are working on. For example, I was there when they were working on Lilo and Stitch, which took place in Hawaii.
The cubes were all decorated with hula girls, plastic coconut shells and tropical flower leis to inspire their creativity. The result: a multi-million dollar grossing film that includes a beloved character, stuffed animals, lunch boxes, Disney rides, well, you get the picture.
Now think about your work environment. It's difficult to always come up with the next bright idea when you spent half or most of your time in an office with four white walls, or worse, a cubicle in the middle of the office.
I recently read a column about how creativity also spurs productivity. As you can see with the Disney example, it can't hurt to have inspiration. So go ahead, add pictures, flowers, quotes or other elements that motivate you. Allow your personality to show through too. You could encourage your co-workers to do the same, and before you know it, your creative juices will begin to flow.
Gas prices are taking their toll on workers, not to mention the escalating price of food. If you are trying to cut back on the expense of fuel, talk to your boss about working from home. Not all companies have this perk, and some companies limit the type of positions that have the ability to telecommute. But, if the option is there it is worth the savings to check it out.
If telecommuting is not the answer, then ask your supervisor if it's possible to work a compressed schedule to take the edge off of having to drive to work every day of the week. It might amount to only one day a week, but it's still a slight cost savings.
One other idea is to discuss with your manager the possibility of incorporating a public transportation pass or allowance into your yearly raise to supplement your gas expenses.
Last but not least, don't forget the value of carpooling. Sharing a ride with others also cuts back on the frequency of filling up, and helps the environment.
"Internships provide an invaluable way to gain real-world experience and apply the skills you've learned in the classroom to a work environment. As important, internships can kick-start your climb up the career ladder. A recent survey by Experience, Inc. found that 54% of employers view their internship program as a pipeline for new hires. Do you have an internship success story? Tell us about it.
Q: Dear Seymour, I recently became a manager for the first time, and now find myself facing my first big presentation! Any advice on how to prepare?
- Submitted by Lyla Sulian, Oakbrook, IL
A: Dear Lyla,
For some, preparing for a presentation is a process that is easy and painless, while for others, it's just painful torture. Most of us fall somewhere in between. It's inevitable that one day you would have to make a presentation at work. There are certain tools, tips and techniques you can use to deliver a memorable and effective presentation - the key is learning how to use them to your maximum advantage. Here are a few tips to ensure you deliver a stellar first presentation:
- Effective visuals. Whatever your visuals are - posters, charts, PowerPoint, slides - keep them simple and don't put too many words on them. The audience is there to listen to you present, not to read your visuals.
- Good eye contact. Look at your audience. Don't single out one person, but instead try to make eye contact with numerous people. This allows you to engage the audience.
- Delivery. Pace yourself - try not to speed up when you speak. Keep your points as short and simple as possible. Speak to the audience, not at them and not at your visual aids. Speak clearly and loudly enough for all to hear. Use inflection, not a monotone voice. Do not use "uhms or ahs." Show some gestures when speaking. People are more engaged with an animated speaker.
- Practice, practice, practice. After you've gotten your written materials and visuals ready, practice in front of a willing audience (friends, family), a mirror, or video yourself. However, don't over prepare. If you rehearse your presentation too much, it will sound like it. You want to sound natural, not as if it's memorized.
- Just breathe. The simple act of breathing properly before you start and during your presentation can give you a better sense of clarity and focus. Get a good night's rest, drink enough water, and stretching beforehand may help ensure you're feeling your best when you present.
Allow for extra time at the end of your presentation for questions and discussion. Prepare in advance answers to some possible questions. Most importantly, don't be too hard on yourself if you didn't meet every expectation. If you believe you gave it your best shot, pat yourself on the back. Look for ways you can improve for the next time you make a presentation. With each one you do, you will improve and the easier presentations will become.
Companies have been battling the Internet for worker productivity for years. But now, there's a new distraction that's taking workers' attention away from their job during the workday. MySpace, Facebook, Twitter...all are great tools for social networking and keeping in touch, but they can be a distraction.
A recent article highlights how some companies are combating the social networking beast by employing filtering software to block social networking sites.
The key to remember is that too much personal time spent on social networking can be a distraction and cuts into company time unless you are in the sales, marketing or recruiting functions, which finds social networking sites useful tools.
Whether it's social networking or online shopping, if it's not job related, you shouldn't be spending time, outside of your lunch break, on the Internet with personal business. It's unprofessional, and your managers and co-workers probably wouldn't appreciate it.
Self-esteem and confidence are very important for your career. For some workers, this can be a detriment because too much self confidence can lead to arrogance, and arrogance can lead to conflict with co-workers and managers or even poor judgment.
However, a healthy amount of confidence helps workers succeed. Confident employees are not afraid to express their ideas, or engage in debate about strategy. Most company leaders are in their positions because they had the self-esteem and confidence throughout their career to make the critical decisions that led to advancement.
Yet, some workers have a difficult time having the self-assurance that they can make the decisions and take the chances required to propel them to the next level.
One column offers ideas about how managers can help boost workers' confidence, but what can workers do themselves?
For starters, make a list of your accomplishments and post them in your office or cubicle. This will remind you daily about your strengths and successes at the office.
When a manager or co-worker compliments your work or achievements, take it to heart. You know you work hard, and when someone recognizes it, enjoy it!
Furthermore, if you make a mistake or are reprimanded, keep in mind that no one is perfect, especially at work. So don't look at this situation as a way to crush your ego. Instead, take it as a learning experience that will help you to not make the same mistake twice.
Lastly, the best way to get a compliment and have your work recognized is to give a compliment and recognize others.
I am interested in hearing from our readers. What do you do to boost your confidence at work?
Somewhere deep within my subconscious mind, I think that I truly believed that my child would miraculously arrive into this world with little thought (or effort) on my part. Throughout my seemingly endless pregnancy, I dreamt of a beautiful doll-like "mini-me" that never cried or pooped. She wore gorgeous baby couture and never had the predisposition to drool like a bulldog. More importantly, she'd come complete with a "how-to" manual firmly affixed to her rear-end. No one dared to shatter my fantasy so you can imagine my surprise... and utter horror!
Flash forward: post-pregnancy... Suddenly, I was working two full time jobs! My daily struggle of trying to maintain my job and my household responsibilities felt overwhelming and seemingly impossible. It was as if I had gone from working in the mail room to becoming the CEO of a global company overnight. Worse yet, no one had bothered to inform me how I to run the company! Short of auctioning my child on eBay; I was fresh out of quick-fix solutions. It was time to call for outside help. Knowing that I wasn't the first or the last woman to be faced with the age-old dilemma, the question remained... How do you do it all? More importantly, how do you do it all successfully?
I started by joining a local working mom support group. I know what you're thinking... because I thought the same thing! However, I quickly realized that there was a reason that these women gathered together each week and it wasn't to make me feel like a bad mother. Each woman had a need or a desire to improve herself and her work/life balance. The camaraderie I found became my lifeline, granting me the permission to explore who I wanted to be in the various roles of my life. In addition to the self-exploration, I also found an abundance of helpful information like how to find the right preschool to the best approach for working a flex-schedule. I felt that I had tapped into a secret society and the information that I gathered was powerful.
My daughter turns four this year and I marvel at the learning curve that we have both endured through her years. Truthfully, there are times that I forget to ask her to brush her teeth; days that the laundry piles up and sometimes I even miss a work deadline. Yet through it all I have learned that success is only about getting what you want... happiness is found by wanting what you get.
To find an existing mommy support group, check your local bulletin boards and newspapers or contact national organizations, which may have a local chapter in your area. Your local librarian, pediatrician, or social services office may know about an existing group of moms with children in similar age ranges. There are also great online support groups that provide a broad range of communication and are accessible on your time schedule.
Mothers & More is a non-profit membership organization provides a nationwide network of local chapters for mothers who are (by choice or circumstance) altering their participation in the paid workplace over the course of their active parenting years.
Workitmom.com is another online community where working moms can share their experiences, advice, and support can make that daily juggle a bit more manageable.
Mom Junction allows members to immediately access the groups of moms in your local town or find moms outside of your area, but who are still within reach.
Q: Dear Seymour, I'm ready to take the next step in my career and therefore have been looking for a new job over the past several months. A close friend of mine thinks I may be pursuing jobs that are too far out of my league, but I want to stretch myself. Any advice?
- Submitted by Darrell Etgar, Chattanooga, TN
A: Dear Darrell,
For aggressive and confident career-minded adults like yourself, the pursuit of the next rung in the corporate ladder means landing an opportunity that stretches your abilities, and at the same time, your pocketbook. While it is possible to land a job that you can "grow into," you should be wary of the potential pitfalls of seeking a stretch job that in the end may be out of your league. Here are some things to consider:
- Is it a stretch or a breaking point?
Your first step is to evaluate whether a potential job is just enough of a stretch or way out of your league. If the position you are seeking is going to require skills you don't have, determine a realistic timeframe of your learning curve.
Will you be able to acquire the needed skills to be successful within 30 days? 60 days? Are there training classes you can take or friends willing to mentor you in order to speed up the learning curve? If the skills you'll need to turn in a stellar performance can't be mastered within 30 days, then chances are the position is out of your league.
- Stretching the truth on your resume means you're stretching too far.
Another glaring sign that indicates you're seeking a job that's out of your league is stretching the truth on your resume. If your resume is filled with little "white lies" that embellish your experience and abilities, you're likely headed for disaster.
In fact, your dreams could get squashed before you even land the job. For example, you may have listed a technical skill on your resume that in reality, you've only dabbled in, only to be surprised with an assessment test during your interview.
- Start stretching before you leap.
If you're even considering looking for a stretch opportunity, it's safe to assume you aren't growing or being challenged in your current role. But before you trade in your old job for a more stimulating one, identify any gaps between your current skill set and what will be required at more advanced-level positions.
Are there gaps you can begin to close while you are still on the job? For example, if you are seeking a management position but don't have any experience supervising others, consider volunteering to lead a committee or hire an intern. While not formal managerial functions, they will give you a chance to better prepare yourself to take on a supervisory role, and serve as examples to reference during your pursuit for the stretch role.
Before you find yourself in a situation where you go to work every day on pins and needles, wondering when your colleagues or boss will "find you out," make sure you've truly evaluated whether that dream job is an achievable stretch or one that will stretch you to the breaking point.
The Temp Life, Spherion's original Web-based series, recounts each of your melodramatic and all too often tragic temp stories. In this episode, Mark, an actor between gigs, is faced with the reality of his craft. Remember: the world may be your theater, but a temp job is not your stage!
Don't let your career get confused for comic relief. Let us know if you've ever been in a similar situation and how you've handled it. We might even pay you $100 for your story. Want to catch up on other Temp Life episodes? Click here to access the Temp Life channel. That's The Temp Life ... now get back to work! (Curtain call - exit stage left)
Searching for a job can be a job in of itself. And starting with career fairs can feel like you are in the thick of the rat race.
Competition can be stiff, and one article points out how important it is to stand out in the crowd. It could mean the difference between leaving with a job opportunity, or leaving empty-handed.
How do you differentiate yourself from the other candidates? Career fairs are supposed to be part of the informal interview process, a way to explore companies and opportunities in a group setting. But you should still treat it as the first impression for a potential employer.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Always bring multiple copies of your resume.
- Dress professionally, as if going to a sit down formal interview at an office.
- If possible, conduct research before hand about the companies that will be attending the fair.
- Have questions ready. This may be the best opportunity to find out if the companies are a right fit for you as an employer.
- Stay engaged. Career fairs can be exhausting, but try to keep you energy level up as much as possible to stay enthusiastic.
- Pick up business cards from those who you meet. You might not have the chance to spend a lot of time with the companies you are interested in and will have to set up a time for a follow up. Make sure you stay in contact with those you meet by collecting business cards and sending thank you/reminder notes about your expertise.
As Spring Break turns into summer vacation, many workers may find that there is a pocket of downtime at the office. One blog post talks about how the psychological aspect of downtime could affect your work day.
Springtime, summer and the holiday season, for many industries, are some of the slowest times of the year. Kids are out of school and vacation begins. These are factors that take co-workers and clients or outside contacts out of the workplace.
It can be difficult to maintain your productivity level when you could be relying on others who are out of the office for a week, to complete your work projects. But, just because there's a slowdown doesn't mean that it's time to play solitaire on the computer, or take two-hour lunches with your friends.
Downtime can be an opportunity to get organized or offer your help to other co-workers who may not be experiencing a slowdown at the same time or in the same way you are. It's also the perfect time to tackle some of those administrative tasks that may fall through the cracks during heavy workload periods.
How do you deal with downtime? Share with us some of your tips for staying active in the workplace during a slowdown.
As a working mom, I often find myself in that harmonious state of juggling. I use the word harmonious purposefully as it's become a skilled art form. On my better days, I like to mentally refer to myself as Wonder Woman of the Working World, placed on this earth to ensure that my daughter eats her broccoli and my boss's deadlines are met with a vengeance. But it wasn't always so ...
After my daughter was born, I decided to take some time off from my career to get to know this little creature that had been kicking me non-stop during the last 3 months of my pregnancy. I'll admit upfront that I was "that" overly pro-active parent who jumped at the opportunity to sign my daughter up for Mandarin language classes at the ripe age of 6 months. I was also firmly convinced that sugar and preservatives were evil incarnations placed on this earth solely to test my parenting skills. The raising of my child became my full-time career and I was determined that it would be my crowning achievement. After all, I was a career woman and if I could negotiate a multi-million dollar advertising campaign then surely I could handle this ... right? Wrong.
Each day, I struggled to maintain a self-imposed portrait of perfection. From my glistening floors that rivaled Mr. Clean commercials to my 4-course gourmet dinners co-created by Rachel Ray. My days were tightly scheduled around my endless to-do lists and my deep-seeded need for accomplishment with each dutifully checked completion mark.
What I failed to realize or even acknowledge was the joy that I getting from doing it. I didn't realize that perfection is not what made me a great career woman or even a wife or a mother. My success was not dependent on my ability to raise the next Gandhi, Einstein and Miss USA all wrapped up into one adorable size 2T. My success was in the sheer act of trying ... and every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.
"A survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation reported that nearly one-third of workers have slept on the job. Perhaps because on average, workers receive 40 minutes less sleep then what they need to be effective, many companies now allow short naps during the day. Do you snooze on the job? Let us know...
Q: Dear Seymour, As Spring is in the air, I'm feeling like it might be time to do a little "spring cleaning" of my life. I feel like I'm unorganized and not as productive as I'd like to be in all aspects of my life, including my career. How can I bring more organization to my world?
- Submitted by Gayle Kahkrin, Hickory, NC
A: Dear Gayle,
Many times we find ourselves being very busy in our personal and professional lives, but not very productive. That generally means you've overextended yourself and need to take a step back and bring some organization to the chaos. Here are some tips on doing just that:
De-Clutter. First, try to remove items that perpetuate a chaotic environment, such as clutter, disorganization, non-used or broken items, and even a busy calendar. Really evaluate your work and personal calendars and eliminate tasks or obligations that are a waste of time or that aren't in line with your priorities. Have the courage to say "no" to unproductive uses of your time. This includes decluttering your work space. If you don't need it or use it, get rid of it. Instead of wasting time looking for files on your computer, arrange a file management system so you can quickly find what you need. Eliminate clutter from your desk.
Take control of your schedule. Once you've eliminated non-important commitments or tasks, now plan and manage your time to your advantage. This means staying focused on completing those tasks that are essential to achieving your goals. Every morning, proactively identify the important tasks for the day, and then specify what must be completed, what can be delegated and even what could be deleted. Be realistic about how many you can actually accomplish in a day. Cross off items as you complete them. Most importantly, schedule in free time to unwind, regroup with family and loved ones and focus on what's really important in your life.
Control your day. Net surfing, reading emails, co-workers who pop in to chat or making personal calls are time bandits. Save net surfing for after hours. For emails, set blocks of time specifically to manage email messages. Create an electronic filing cabinet similar to a physical one with folders to organize them. Let coworkers know that unless their needs are an emergency, you'll speak with them later during a break in the day. Personal calls should be made only during your personal time. Reduce distractions that absorb your time.
Know the time of day you are at your best. Use those better periods of the day to spend on the toughest tasks you need to accomplish. Leave the easier ones for the times when you are less energetic. For example, if you are a morning person, try to schedule an important meeting in the morning.
Getting organized often gets put on the back burner because more pressing issues need attention first. Start now. By getting organized, you can convert the time you may be wasting into time that can be used more productively.
