Latest Job Scams, High-Paying Side Gigs, and More News!

Latest Job Scams, High-Paying Side Gigs, and More NewsLatest Job Scams, High-Paying Side Gigs, and More NewsThis weeks news roundup offers updates in many areas of the world of flexible work, such as the latest job scams, high-paying side jobs, and surveys about telecommutingWork-life balance is something everyone desires, but working parents absolutely need. In the story, Survey Says Telecommuting Is the New Dream Job in PC Mag, founder and CEO Sara Sutton is interviewed on our latest survey of working parents. The solution to all the stress, relationship woes, and feelings of parental guilt flexible work.In the area of flexible work, there are many, many legitimate, amazing jobs in virtually every industry. Then, sadly, there are job scams, too. While some are obvious (e.g., working very little and earning a lot for it), others are not always as easy to spot. In the Click Orlando piece, Schemes and Ripoffs Dont Accept Online Reshipper Jobs, learn about the latest job scams, such a s the reshipping scam, and how to avoid it at all costsTheres no doubt about it the gig economy is gaining in popularity. With more people working as self-employed freelancers, companies are clamoring to tap this market- computer giants included. In the story, QuickBooks Rushes Out Self-Employed Updates, Because the War is On on Computer World on Computer World, youll discover how these companies are catering to the self-employed.There are many books out there that can help job seekers learn strategies to lage themselves as potential job candidates. The story, Book Review Stretch Shows How to Future-Proof Your Career on Small Biz Trends,offers a first-person perspective of the new book, Stretch- a book that helps people protect their careers. is mentioned in the article as a job site that the reviewer welches on as he was contemplating his own career.Lets say that youre fairly happy in your career- except, that is, for your salary. If youre in the market for a side job, the story, 5 High Paying Side-Jobs to Keep Your Bank Account Bolstered on List for Life,can definitely help you out Beyond finding out about cool side gigs, this article can help you realize that freelance jobs can not only help fulfill a passion, but can often be quite fruitful, too.Read on for this weeks news roundup, includingthe latest job scamsSurvey Says Telecommuting Is the New Dream Job on PC MagThe feeling of missing out on something isso pervasive, only9 percent of working parents describe their work/life balance as great or say theyre not stressed out about it.The figure comes from a newsurvey of working parents conducted by,an online resource for flextime and freelance work opportunities. The survey found virtually allgemeingltig demand for more flexible working arrangements 99 percent of respondents said having a flexible job would make them a happier person. On top of that, 93 percent thought it would make them a more involved parent, and89 percent thought it would make them a m ore attentive spouse/partner. Plus, half of those surveyed said breaking free of the 9-to-5 grind would improve their sex life.Schemes and Ripoffs Dont Accept Online Reshipper Jobs on Click OrlandoThe pay is great, and the job is as simple as opening a box and reshipping the contents that arrive at your front door.You have just been hired as a reshipper and, according to CEO Sara Sutton, the stuff in the box is hot, as in stolen.The problem with this is the items are purchased with stolen credit cards, and so the job seeker is enabling a smuggling operation.Sutton says the big job board companies post without conducting any type of hintergrund check or screening.They find ways to profit and they are using innocent people, Sutton says.Thats why she founded , which screens job offers to make sure they are not set by unscrupulous con artists.QuickBooks Rushes Out Self-Employed Updates, Because the War Is On on Computer WorldIntuit is upping the ante in this game and announcing some up dates for the QuickBooks Self-Employed (QBSE) version. New partnerships and new features all aimed at making life easier for self-employed workers and staying one step ahead of Xero. So, what is the news?While both Xeros and Intuits self-employed solutions are strong offerings in and of themselves, the reality is that it is going to be primarily through partnerships that they achieve growth. To this end, Intuit is moving quickly to sew up as many partnerships with different umbrella organizations for self-employed workers as possible the theory being that these partnerships will provide a strong barrier to Xero gaining more traction.Intuit already has a number of partnerships with both on-demand service providers and talent marketplaces. It is adding to those partnerships today by announcing that its secured another sixeBay, , Incorporate.com, Kelly Services, Moonlighting and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). While some of those might sound in consequential compared to juggernauts like Uber, this is a grass-roots war and, as such, it will be won by overcoming territory, one partner at a time.Book Review Stretch Shows How to Future-Proof Your Career on Small Biz TrendsSomething really frightening happened to me the other day. I was exploring some of the new job sites out there like Indeed and when it hit me. It wasnt like a ton of bricks, rather, it was a sort of sinking feeling. Honestly, I dont even know why it mattered. I wasnt looking for a job. But what if I was looking for a job? What if something happened and I needed to get back into the corporate world? I realized that my current skill set was so specific and so unique that they didnt really match exactly what the hiring companies were looking for.How to Future-Proof Your CareerIts not news that the world of work is changing, shifting and evolving. The part that seems to be eluding so many workers and geschftsleben owners is how to create a stable future for them selves and their families. In the new book Stretch How to Future-Proof Yourself for Tomorrows Workplaceby Karie Willyerd (Angler) and Barbara Mistick (BarbaraMistick), the authors combine their groundbreaking research with SAP and Oxford Economics to outline five strategies and practices that will help both workers and business owners greet tomorrows work environment with ease.5 High Paying Side-Jobs to Keep Your Bank Account Bolstered on List for LifeAs flexible working becomes a more realistic style of work, freelance and temporary side-jobs are rising in popularity. Think of them as converting the free-time you spend re-watching Friends episodes into cold, hard cash. Here are six high paying side-jobs to keep your bank account bolstered, courtesy of .Readers, what do you think of this weeks news roundup and the latest job scams? Let us know in the comments

Customize this Outstanding Marine Engineer Resume Template

Customize this Outstanding seestreitmacht Engineer Resume TemplateCustomize this Outstanding Marine Engineer Resume TemplateWriting the Marine Engineer ResumeCreate Resume Providing a strong resume is your best chance of getting the job you desire. A well-formatted resume showcases your skills and abilities in their best light. The Marine Engineer resume template here is an excellent way to create a powerful job search tool.Resume Template for a Marine EngineerJack BoudreauProfessional SummaryExperienced Marine Engineer skilled with multiple 3D design programs. Collects data and analyzes building programs for optimal quality control and cost effectiveness. Proven ability to coordinate departments involved in projects, managing vendors and timeline schedules.Core Qualifications ANSYS Marine equipment design 3D modeling Inventor, Solidworks and AutoCAD Microsoft Office ISO 9001 QMS Proven problem solving ability Dynamics AX Weld fatigue and Hydraulics API 2CExperienceSenior Mechanical Engineer, December 2009 presentRapp Marine Seattle, Washington Created sales proposals and preliminary designs for manufacturing custom winches and cranes Developed costing estimates for new project proposals Established minimum purchasing requirements for vendors Reviewed Junior Engineer performance, signed off on designs and drawings developed in a 20 person department, confirmed structural integrity and specifications Evaluated procedures for time and quality Oversaw quality control, structural calculations and checked for complianceManufacturing Engineer, July 2005 November 2009GAF Cleveland, Ohio Developed new product ideas for electroplating and surface finishing Facilitated the proper disposal of hazardous waste products and maintained effective compliance with environmental regulations Managed 50 person chemical laboratory, trained incoming personnel, ensured proper safety procedures and conducted regular chemical hygiene, protection and emergency response drills Evalua ted production processes and created policies for improvement of safety, quality and productivityMaritime Project Manager, August 2002 July 2005Faststream Recruitment, Inc. Fort Lauderdale, Florida Worked with Chief Engineer, Directors and Ship Managers in collaboration to execute planned building and maintenance of ships Ensured timely execution of exhaust testing and other compliance testing Compiled budgets and analyzed operating costs, studied efforts to reduce environmental footprint and increase regulatory compliance Worked with third party vendors to improve on parts specificationsEducation2002, Bachelor of Science in Marine EngineeringCleveland State University Cleveland, OhioCustomize Resume

4 things to do before you get out of bed for your most productive day ever

4 things to do before you get out of bed for your most productive day ever4 things to do before you get out of bed for your most productive day everWhile its no big secret that having a solidmorning routinehelps set you up for a productive day, I say what you dobeforeyou even get out of bed is just as important. These are the top 4 things I have found make a huge difference in my daily life. Even if I have to be up for work at 630 am, I like to set my alarm 10-15 minutes earlier, to do these things and ensure I have the best day possible1.Avoid reaching for your phoneThe first one is more of a whatnotlageto do. Many of us(including me at times)are guilty of reaching for our phones first thing when were still half asleep in the morning. Whether its to catch up on the numerous notifications youve missed while sleeping or to check your email,this almost always ends withaimless scrolling on Instagramand Facebook. This not only delays you actually getting out of bed, but also means youre not starting your day in a very healthy or intentional way.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreI notice when I dont check my phone first thing in the morning, I spend less time scrolling throughout the day Sometimes I even forget to check Instagram (shocker)The point is, as humans we were not designed to be consumed by technology devices 24/7 - especially not first thing in the morningWhichleads me to point number 22.Take a moment to breathe and be presentWhen was the last time you allowed yourself 5 or even 10 minutes to simply do nothing?Instead of reaching for that phone, take a moment while either lying or sitting (I prefer to sit up. Otherwise you may fall back asleep), and simply be. Take several deep breaths and remain present. Even if I have a million things to do, or have to be out the door early in the morning, I like to set my alarm 5 minutes earlier, to allow time for this simple practice. If you have more time, really make the most of it and incorporate a meditation practice. I love to use themeditation appHeadspace. It has loads of different breathing and guided meditations. Or, check out my friends atMindspo, who are an awesome mindfulness and meditation company they have tonnes of content and even an online meditation school.Whether you have 5, or 20 minutes, be sure to take a moment before you begin your day to simply sit and breathe. Its so simple, yet so effective.3. Write it outThe power of journaling is limitless. Im a huge advocate of writing anything that comes to mind, whether its for clarity, to make sense of thoughts or express whatever is going on in my mind. I like to keep a journal and pen on my bedside table, so I can do this while Im still in bed. Every morning is different sometimes I jot down to-do lists, write daily or weekly goals, or even create a simple gratitude list. I especially notice a HUGE difference in my mind and day when I write down 5 things Im thankful for. These can be as simple as my awesome friends, loving family, the opportunities in my life - you get the gist. This is an awesome way to start your day as it allows you to get yourself in the right state of mind to handle whatever your day holds.4. Express gratitudeWhile its no big secret that having a solidmorning routinehelps set you up for a productive day, I say what you dobeforeyou even get out of bed is just as important. These are the top 4 things I have found make a huge difference in my daily life. Even if I have to be up for work at 630 am, I like to set my alarm 10-15 minutes earlier, to do these things and ensure I have the best day possibleThis article originally appeared on A Girl in Progress.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your pro ductivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

A Guide to Career as a Livestock Auctioneer

A Guide to Career as a Livestock AuctioneerA Guide to Career as a Livestock AuctioneerLivestock auctioneers stand on the auction block in the sales ring, facing the bidders in the audience. They point out any parteicularly desirable qualities that an individual animal may have, and they mention general information like pedigree, age, and breeder. They begin to chant the asking price, raising the bids in regular increments as they look around the sales area and receive bids from interested parties. Spotting bids, either directly from the crowd or through signals from professional bid spotters (a.k.a. ringmen), is a critical part of this job since bidders may give very subtle signals that they wish to raise their bids. At the conclusion of the bidding, the auctioneer bangs the gavel and declares an animal sold. Additional duties for a livestock auctioneer include assigning lot numbers to animals, tagging or marking animals for identification in the sale ring, and completing a variety of administrative tasks in the office to ensure that all paperwork and health records are for the animals being presented. Livestock auctioneers must have a strong sense of ethics, be able to control the crowd, and maintain their focus in an often chaotic environment. Education Training Livestock auctioneers must be licensed if their state mandates it. More than half of states in the U.S. require livestock auctioneers to be licensed, and some of those states have continuing education requirements for maintaining a valid license. To apply for a license, a candidate must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or the equivalent, and pass a criminal background check. The licensing process usually involves passing an exam, paying a licensing fee, and securing a surety bond. Most aspiring auctioneers either attend an auctioneering school or take an apprenticeship with an established auctioneer to learn the ropes. Auctioneering school programs can take anywhere from a fe w weeks to a few months to complete. These schools teach auction chanting, public speaking, marketing, legal considerations, and ethics. They also have students participate in practice drills to simulate the auction experience. Other candidates forgo the school route and gain experience as an apprentice auctioneer, working under the supervision and guidance of an experienced professional. The National Auctioneers Association (NAA) is a professional membership group that offers a variety of certification programs including the prestigious Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation. The CAI certification process occurs over a three-year period, with auctioneers participating in a week of intensive training each March. Continuing education credits are required to maintain the CAI designation. Livestock auctioneers often participate in competitive events to keep their skills sharp and test their abilities against other professionals. Auctioneers may begin at local and regional co mpetitions and work their way up to larger events. The Livestock absatzwirtschaft Association hosts the annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship, one of the best-known competitive auctioneering events. Salary The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not collect information on auctioneers in its salary surveys, but the National Auctioneers Association reports that salary can vary widely due to the commission-based nature of compensation. Auctioneers can expect to earn a 10 to 15 percent commission on their sales, plus bonuses in some cases. Pay can, therefore, vary widely based on the number of auctions worked, the volume and dollar amount of sales, the geographic location where the auction is held, and the auctioneers reputation and experience. Career Options Livestock auctioneers may specialize in working with one particular type of animal (cattle, sheep, pigs) or work with a variety of livestock species. Some livestock auctioneers have additional areas of expertise such as hosting auctions for real estate, automobiles, or personal property. They may also go on to become livestock appraisers.

The Number One Question You Must Ask for Camp Counselor Resume

The Number One Question You Must Ask for Camp Counselor Resume Camp t-shirts have to be worn each and every day, and extra t-shirts can be bought from your branch. The City of Mississauga runs camps for the complete period of the summertime. Before you write your contemporary resume, you are going to want to pinpoint what things to include. Its crucial that you dont simply apply these resumes verbatim. Camp sessions during these times are subject to a three camper minimum for camp to happen. Our Day Camp offers a vast selection of engaging summer day choices that accommodate all families. Be Fair When you own a couple of kids, its simple to pick your favorites. See the camp counselor resume template at the peak of this informative article. Using Camp Counselor Resume It is essential that you edit your titel letter. The cover letter thus is a significant tool for the ideal application. A great cover letter will allow you to get noticed among the applicants in addition to provide you with the occasion to point out all that you need to offer. Writing a cover letter is very much like writing a store since it must be compelling, and the term choice is vitally important. Your cover letter is likely to make an impression and it is well worth the effort to guarantee the impression is a positive one. Ideally youre going to be able to locate a solution that makes both sides contented and there might be occasions when you might need to remove a kid altogether especially if theres violence or the threat of violence. To stick out from the pack needs a great resume. Use the experience part of your camp counselor resume to your benefit. Once youre already aware with the fundamentals of camp operations, it is going to be less difficult for you to make a camp counselor resume. At length, camp counselors carry a substantial duty of caring for children. The 2nd aspiring counselor doesnt understand how to market themselves. You deserve to compose the ideal camp counselor resume. The camp counselor cover letter is significantly required for those, that are attempting to submit an application for a camp counselors job. Keeping that in mind, the following is a list of the best 10 skills whom I feel you have to be a very good camp counselor. In addition, you can look for camp counselor jobs on Monster. If youre interested in joining a summer camp group, our Camp Counselor resume sample can help you prepare one that is going to convince the hiring manager youre highly qualified for the open position. Its possible to find employment for a counselor without previous knowledge in a camp setting. Great luck landing employment for a camp counselor. An employer would like to know they can trust you to lead with authority. You have to bethat applicant. Examine the things employers search for in jobseekers. When youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to know how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel fo r what makes an effective accomplishment statement. A job for a camp counselor can be unbelievably fulfilling and fun, which is the reason why you will need to receive your career began with the perfect resume. He or she is a very different kind of job where a person needs to have professional and personal skills. An excellent counselor will get everyone involved and everyone an opportunity. Being a camp counselor is an excellent job provided that you are not that keen on making a good deal of money. It is very important to make your resume short but not at the price of relevant details. Make sure that you get the information youre looking for. Below, you will discover a list of resume examples that could aid you with your work search. If you are only beginning to create a career path for a camp counselor, you might use our Functional Resume Template samples as references in making your professional profile. Heres What I Know About Camp Counselor Resume Mentioning your r esponsibilities is crucial, but when expanding, stick to the particular skills you will need for your preferred position. Providing detailed descriptions of your experience in working with children can help you to stick out from your competition and be sure that your resume is supplied a significant review. There are particular sections you might want to have in your contemporary resume, including education, work experience and an overview of your abilities. Utilizing our functional resume format is a significant method to display your abilities and accomplishments up front.

The Appeal of Informative Speech on Writing a Resume

The Appeal of Informative Speech on Writing a Resume What Does Informative Speech on Writing a Resume Mean? The next portion of the way to compose an informative speech is to receive them involved. An informative speech must be created memorable in order for it to be effective. It requires research. A great informative speech is extremely dependent on whether you know on the informative speech topics or not. Informative Speech on Writing a Resume Help If its necessary to deliver an informative speech, the most essential feeling it ought to evoke is motivationnot motivation to support and encourage any kind of cause, but a motivation to find out more and be educated about the subject or subject available. The only means to validate your katechese is if its something that you may vouch for. Obviously, theres also the challenge of creating your speech interesting enough to capture the eye of your audience. There are lots of unethical men and women in the writing business. W hat Everybody Dislikes About Informative Speech on Writing a Resume and Why When writing a college informative speech, you have to be somewhat careful to not overstep persuasively. Rather, its an overview of wisdom and learning, already presented. It is vital to include information on the subject of the teaching certifications in a teachers resume. It is crucial for the candidate free of experience to include info about any extracurricular pursuits. Remember your resume is the most significant tool youve got to acquire work. It is crucial to highlight your banking skills to draw more employers. Ensure it is crystal clear you have the abilities and experience for the specific job. But What About Informative Speech on Writing a Resume? Before you create the true outline for your speech, you will need to choose your subject of interest. Deciding a topic has become the most important role in informative essay writing. Possessing an overview or outline will decrease the time and potential stress involved with writing and preparing your speech. Informative Speech on Writing a Resume Can Be Fun for Everyone Individuals mostly dont forget the start and the conclusion of a book and movie. Among the funny informative speech topics might be the annunciation of an upcoming holiday or a concert. There are lots of methods as a way to open your speech with a bang. You would likewise annoy people in case you would read your speech in front of those.

What that Heineken ad can teach you about workplace conflict

What that Heineken ad can teach you about workplace conflictWhat that Heineken ad can teach you about workplace conflictAre you willing to sit down with your worst enemy and share a beer? Thats a question Heineken asked in its newest ad, which has won an enthusiastic response on the internet. For those who havent seen the Heineken clip or the fullfour-minute video, heres what its about The brand put together three pairs of strangers with opposing political views and had each pair build a bar, Ikea-style, while stopping to answer revealing questions about themselves along the way. At the end, the pairs were given an option to walk away from each other, or work through their differences over a beer.Unsurprisingly, all three took the beer, and later they had a good time catching up and felt theyd learned more about someone with other views.How to work out conflicts with coworkers, advertising editionWhile the video is already being as hailed the anti-Pepsi/Kendall Jenner ad- meaning th at it tackles political differences respectfully, rather than frivolously - Heinekens campaign also offers several lessons for how to verstndigung im strafverfahren with workplace conflict or disagreements.1. Start With Common Interests and GoalsWhen you know that you and co-worker have polar opposite ideas on how to tackle a project or interact with a client, it can be easy to obsess about your differences. Remember in that moment that the two of you probably have at least a couple of things in common.Instead, start from scratch. Look at the other persons full experience, notlagelage just this single point of disagreement. What are your common interests and goals outside of work? Then, what are your common interests and goals at the office? Chances are you probably both care about making your company a better place. Start there before tackling the more hot-button issues.2. Change Your EnvironmentWhen youve been arguing with anyone for three hours about a PowerPoint presentation in a stuffy, windowless boardroom, its easy to see why nothing gets solved. Your creativity is stifled, and youre on edge.Next time you feel like youre not getting anywhere with a co-worker or your team, take it elsewhere. You can move to the kitchen area of your office, take a stroll around the block together or grab a drink. Changing up your environment can make all the difference to how you relate.Pro tip when you walk with somebody, you not only think better, but you may be more able to be honest. Eye contact is incredibly difficult on your brain and takes away energy you need for language processing. Without constant eye contact, you can process emotions faster and speak honestly.3. Keep an Open MindOften we get so set in our ways that we forget that its not always the best thing for our views and ideas to stay the same. Sometimes disagreement with someone else can be just what we need to wake us up about our own ideas.We get it its hard to let go of being right. But its worse to be wrong and stubborn, missing out on good ideas just because you dont want to listen to someone else.So the next time a co-worker has a different opinion, step away from your position for a second and approach the problem as if youre somebody else. Admitting that youre wrong or that maybe your idea isnt the best is difficult, but its a critical part of being a great employee and an important member of any team.Focus on the big wins instead of nitpicking at the small ones. Changing the font on a team proposal from Times New Roman to Arial really isnt going to make that big of a difference. Instead, pay attention to the battles that mean the most to you and your career.Even if beer isnt your favorite drink - or you dont drink at all - Heinekens point is simple We have a lot more in common than we think, so why not use that to do something great?

4 ways to resist distraction and focus at work

4 ways to resist distraction and focus at work4 ways to resist distraction and focus at workHave you said any of these recently?I get distracted and procrastinate.I make plans but I dont follow through on them.I get things done but elend the right things.The problem oftencomes down to just one word reactive.Maybe that wasnt the word you were expecting. But reactivity isa problem people have been contemplating for thousands of years. And, yes, its a bigger issue now than ever.What is it? What can we do about it? Neuroscience and ancient wisdom from Buddhism and Stoicism haveanswers.Lets get to it . . .Your reactive brainMaybe youre lazy, maybe youre not lazy. But one thing is for certain yourbrain is.Research shows that even in our free time we often dont do what we enjoy most - we do what is easy. Your brain doesnt want to waste energy. So its always a bit lazy.Problem is, the world is not lazy. These days its constantly shouting at you.Sometimes its the siren song of entertaining t hings like text messages from friends and other times its scary things like work emails - but its shouting.Everything is demanding our attention. Wed like to make a plan and follow through or accomplish goals undistracted but the worldseems to be working against you.When I spoke to Duke professor Dan Ariely, he said exactly that the world is working against you.Heres DanThe world is not acting in our long-term benefit. Imagine you walk down the street and every store is trying to get your money right now in your pocket you have a phone and every app wants to control your attention right now. Most of the entities in our lives really want us to make mistakes in their favor. So the world is making things very, very difficult.Your lazy brain is happy to just react to that relentless bombardment of stimuli coming its way.But when youjust react, youdont usually make the best choices. And while youredefinitely doing something, yourerarely achieving your goals.Thats because when youre reac ting, youre not in control of your life. In fact, reacting is the opposite of control. You see something fun and you chase it. You see something scary and you run away. Either way, your environment is determining your behavior.Its ironic that we so often say to others, Dont tell me what to do And yet, all too often, were letting the world around us determine our actions. Were not starting from plans and decisions, were reacting.And these days were often sitting there hoping we get a new text,email, update or notification. Were all but saying, Please, tell me what to do.And while technology has made the problem worse, this issuehas been around forever. About 2000 years ago the Stoic philosopher Epictetus said thisIf a person gave away your body to some passerby, youd be furious. Yet, you hand over your mind to anyone who comes along, so they may abuse you, leaving it disturbed and troubled - have you no shame in that?(To learn the 7 step morning ritual that will keep you happy all d ay, click here.)mora often we need to step back rather than dive in. But how do we do that? First, we need to prepare. . .Control your contextBrian Wansink is a professor at Cornell who studies eating behavior. And one of the main things hes found about overeating is that its rarely due to hunger. Its usually due to context.FromMindless Eating Why We Eat More Than We ThinkEveryone - every single one of us - eats how much we eat largely because of whats around us.Youeat less when food is farther away and more when its closer. Heres BrianPeople ate half as much if we simply moved the candy dish off their desk andplaced it six feet away.So when you need to get work done, put your phone on the other side of the room. Make distractions harder to reach.When you have fewer things to react to or you make it harder to react to them, youll be less reactive.(To learn the 4 rituals neuroscience says will make you happy, click here.)Preparation is great but thats just the first line of defense . What do youneed to do when youre face to face with something thats pulling you into reactive mode?Stay calmTake a pause. Something fun is saying Come play with me Or something scary is in front of you and you want to run away and procrastinate. So just pause for a second.As Marcus Aurelius said a long time agoThe first thing to do - dont get worked up The next thing to do - consider carefully the task at hand for what it is, while remembering your purpose is to be a good human being.And verfaulen science agrees. All that emotion is not going to help.Albert Bernstein, a clinical psychiatrist, says staying calm is key to making good decisions in the heat of the momentthe basic idea is that in many situations, youre reacting with instincts programmed into your dinosaur brain, rather than thinking through a situation. If youre in your dinosaur brain, youre going to play out a 6 million-year-old program, and nothing goodis going to happen.Neuroscientistssay stress takes your prefront al cortex - the rational part of your brain - offline. Quite simply, stress makes you stupid. And thats why just reacting often makes you do stupid things.(To learn how astronauts, Samurai, and Navy SEALs stay calm and make good decisions, click here.)Okay, you paused. But you cant just freeze every time something tempting comes up. So whats next?Think about your goalsMake sure the most important thing staysthe most important thing.Even the ancient Stoics knew that.Epictetus saidFirst tell yourself what kind of person you want to be, then do what you have to do. For in nearly every pursuit we see this to be the case. Those in athletic pursuit first choose the sport they want, and then do that work.Not big on Stoicism?The ancient Buddhist practice of mindfulness is on the same page. Joseph Goldstein, one of the leading experts in the field, told me something very similarWhere is this action leading? Do I want to go there? This thought which has arisen, is it helpful? Is it serving me or others in some way or is it not? Is it just playing out perhaps old conditions of fear or judgment or things that are not very helpful for ourselves or others?And modern neuroscience researchagrees with both.Thinking about your long-term goals when youre tempted by distraction gives your brain a sense of control and can release dopamine which will make you feel better and more motivated.Alex korbschlger, a neuroscientist at UCLA, told me thisBy thinking, Okay, what is my long-term goal? What am I trying to accomplish? Calling that to mind can actually make it feel rewarding to be doing homework instead of going to the party because then your brain is like, Oh yeah. Im working towards that goal. Im accomplishing something thats meaningful to me. Then that can start to release dopamine in the nucleus accumbens and that can start to make you feel better about what youre doing.(To learn more aboutthe six rituals that ancient wisdom says can make you happy, click here.)Youre calm a nd youre thinking about your goals. Now comes the hard part. . .Make adeliberate decisionTurning down fun distractionsis hard. Resisting the urge to procrastinate is really hard.Sotake a second and deliberatelydecide not to give in. I know,that sounds waaaaay too easy to be helpfulWrong.Neuroscience shows pausing andtaking the time to make adecision actually helps stop you from engaging in bad behavior.Via The Upward SpiralMaking decisions also helps overcome striatum activity, which usually pulls you toward negative impulses and routines.And then, finally, act on that decision. Follow your long-term goals. Heres neuroscientist Alex KorbWhen the prefrontal cortex is taken offlineby stress we end up doing things that are immediately pleasurable.Instead of getting overwhelmed, ask yourself, Whats one little thing that I could do now that would move me toward this goal Im trying to accomplish? Taking one small step toward it can make it start to feel more manageable.(To learn more abou t the neuroscience behind mindfulness, click here.)Okay, weve learned a lot. Lets round it up and see what happens when we put it into actionSum upHeres how to resist distraction and be less reactiveControl your context You cant react to whats not there.Stay calm Stress makes you dumb. Stress and reacting leads to dumb behavior.Think about your goals Get Stoicism, mindfulness and dopamine on your side.Make adeliberate decision When you do, your brain is betterable to resist no-nos.You dont have to react and answer that text immediately. You dont have to react to that delicious smell and eat all the cookies. You can pause, stay calm, think about your goals and decide to do the right thing.Were all so afraid of being bored that we run to any distraction that presents itself. But when we truly engage with the world and focus on our goals, were never bored.And as David Foster Wallace said, If you are immune to boredom, there is literally nothing you cannot accomplish.Join over 271,000 r eaders.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related postsHow To Get People To Like You 7 Ways From An FBI Behavior ExpertNew Neuroscience Reveals 4 Rituals That Will Make You HappyNew Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More SuccessfulThis article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

Professor on ways mindfulness can make us sharper in the office

Professor on ways mindfulness can make us sharper in the officeProfessor on ways mindfulness can make us sharper in the officeLeah Weiss is a professor at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and the author of the recently released How We Work Live Yur Purpose, Reclaim Your Sanity, and Embrace the Daily Grind. She recently joined Caroline Webb, CEO of Sevenshift and author of How to Have a Good Day, in a conversation about how individuals can bring mindfulness into their everyday lives, both in and out of the office.This conversation has been edited and condensed. To view Leah and Carolines full conversation, click the video below.(function(d, s, id) var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)0 if (d.getElementById(id)) return js = d.createElement(s) js.id = id js.src = https//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.jsxfbml=1version=v3.1 fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs)(document, script, facebook-jssdk))We are LIVE with Leah Weiss (Mindfulness At Work) and Caroline Webb talking about using mindfulness techniques to make each day at work a good one.Posted by Heleo on Friday, March 16, 2018Caroline We both share a strong interest in what the research suggests about how you can be at your best every day in the working world. The particular area of overlap that were going to talk about today is our shared interest in mindfulness. Could we, first of all, get a picture of what mindfulness is and how and why its so good for us?Leah My favorite definition of mindfulness is a simple one the intentional use of attention. You can do that with anything that youre doing, talking, working, anywzu siche, anytime. Meditation can help you do it, but there are also other ways.My favorite definition of mindfulness is a simple one the intentional use of attention.Caroline I especially like that definition of mindfulness because, like a lot of people, I had tried meditation. I really relish doing it when Im in a group, but on my own, I always found it difficult to buil d any kind of meaningful daily practice that went beyond a minute or two.So, I became really interested in the research around, How little meditation do you need in order to get the benefits? The research on meditation is quite compelling - it shows that we have greater emotional regulation, mora stillness, more ability to be calm in the face of stress. It shows all sorts of cognitive benefits, analytical capacity improving, and so forth. That all sounds pretty great.I started to look at studies that showed you only have to do 20 minutes, 3 times a week - thats still quite a lot. What would it look like if it were less than that? The magic of the way that this seems to work for our brains is that even a moment or two of stillness, of directing your attention to where you want it to go, is going to reap some benefits for you.The magic of the way that this seems to work for our brains is that even a moment or two of stillness, of directing your attention to where you want it to go, is going to reap some benefits for you.Leah I think thats an important way that youre framing it. I spent most of my 20s doing long meditation retreats in graduate school. Then came my 30s and three kids - ages five and under. For me, the questions became What is the research? and How can I apply behauptung skills that Ive found in the context of meditation in the day-to-day churn? What youre saying is consistent with what the research suggests and what Ive been finding - we can put these frequent light tick anchors in our day, and they make such a big difference.Caroline I came to call them mindfulness moments. The practice I could actually work with was every time Im walking somewhere, I begin to notice the way that my feet feel on the ground and to, in particular, notice the way that my toes grip the ground. That brings my attention to a single point of focus that quiets everything else down. That was transformational for me, to realize I could have this as part of everything I do in the day. Even in an office, you walk around from time to time, so as you go to the bathroom, you can notice your toes on the floor.There was one client of mine who was trying to find a daily practice that would give her a moment for mindfulness, and she decided that she would hold a pen in her hand and just turn the pen. She would look at the pen, and that would be her mindfulness moment. I love that, because in any meeting, she can do that.Every time Im walking somewhere, I begin to notice the way that my feet feel on the ground and to, in particular, notice the way that my toes grip the ground. That brings my attention to a single point of focus that quiets everything else down.Whats your favorite small way of bringing mindfulness into your day?Leah For me, my mindfulness moments are anything that is bringing attention into the body while Im working. Its so easy for a lot of us who are working in the world of ideas to have a very disembodied experience the majority of our d ay. So paying attention to things like posture, or even taking the transitions from sitting to standing to walking to meetings, these moments can bring us back in our bodies. A lot of my students, when I ask them about their goals, they want to find ways to be authentic leaders and handle their emotions in an authentic way thats also appropriate for work - thats not always easy to do. The key to doing that is recognizing that emotions exist in our bodies, and that if we can get more clear on our physical sensations as emotions are happening, then we can use that to help regulate how we are behaving in response.Caroline Beautifully put. I have to say, you had a nightmare travel experience just on the way to this conversation- did you use your mindfulness techniques as you were stopped in traffic?Leah I did. For each extra five minutes the trip took, my body was uptight and my head would start to spin. In these kinds of situations, I have to keep coming back to body and breath - fre aking out isnt going to get me there any faster. So I thought, What could I do? I could pick up the phone and call Caroline, and we could make a plan, which would be much better than my spinning out on my own.Caroline Theres such a long tradition of breathing being the way that you put yourself back in the body and bring your attention to a single point. Lots of people have different preferences on breathing- some people swear by the simple one-two in, three-four out. There are others who like triangular breathing- you breathe in for two, then you breathe out for two, and then hold two, and so on. Do you have a little technique that you use?Leah My background in training and meditation comes out of the Tibetan tradition, and theres a whole system of Tibetan yoga, which focuses on breath retention. So thats often my habit, to breathe in, hold the air in the abdomen for a few moments, and then a really full exhale. I find that very helpful.Caroline Thats great. This is the sort of thi ng that you can build into every day. Theres also another dimension that I think both of us are interested in, which is compassion. Where do you put your attention when youre dealing with other people, or when youre dealing with yourself?Leah This is one of the places that people get tripped up. What does it look like to recognize the humanity in relationships when were working with people and we have to get stuff done? How do I balance taking care of myself and getting my own things done, versus being supportive to the people around me? Those are two of the key questions that people ask.There are small mindset hacks to recognize that the people we see in one role have a much fuller life than we may be aware of. They have families, they learned to tie their shoelaces when they were kids. When we think about the bigger picture, even with the people who are driving us nuts at work, it can really impact how we approach them and how a relationship goes.Caroline I like the way that your focus on compassion joins up with my focus on assuming good part, bad circumstances because of confirmation bias, and the fact that whatever we expect of someone will likely be what we see. If you go into a conversation with someone and you are looking for evidence that theyre a jerk, you are more likely to see it, and you might miss the one moment where theyre a bit more considerate and friendly. You can be deliberate about the quality of attention that you bring to the conversation.One thing that I know youre interested in is the way that mindfulness can help you think about bigger career decisions. How have you helped the scores of students that have come through Stanford think about their careers using mindfulness?Weve replaced the era of ping pong tables as the perk, and now people are looking deeply at the signs that an organization has compassion and long-term care for its employees.Leah One of the things thats really begun to stand out for me is watching the students as they re leaving business school and making choices about which work environments theyre going to go into. I see them asking questions like, Which environment feels the most purposeful to me? Which environment is going to support me as a full person? I think that weve replaced the era of ping pong tables as the perk, and now people are looking deeply at the signs an organization has compassion and long-term care for its employees.Caroline One of the connections between this very small habit of a mindfulness moment and making big career decisions is that we dont make great decisions when were freaking out. When people are stressing and the opposite of calm, we know that they arent thinking as clearly. So at the very least, learning how to quiet your mind will help you think more clearly and pay more attention to the things that really matter.Ive also seen, in the work that Ive done with people over the years, how a guided meditation on some interesting questions can bring insight to what y ou are really looking for in your job and in your career.There was time that I was working with a large group of lawyers. Lawyers mostly stay lawyers - once theyre in a career as an attorney, thats what they do. But there are still some choices about what they might focus on within that. I was working with these guys, and I explained that they would think more clearly if they were calm, and that what we were going to do would help bring that clarity of thought.I got them to look at their feet on the floor, and I asked them to think about their life as a child, and to think about a time that they were playing a game or doing an activity that they absolutely loved, with no constraints, and what it was about that experience that gave them so much energy and joy.There were three or four more questions, but the point is, When do you take a moment to step back and think about that? When do you take a moment to give yourself the quiet time to think back to that? It was one of the most bea utiful sessions I remember having. The quality of thought, the depth of reflection was something quite special.Its quieting the should, and amplifying the could. What could I be doing if I were playing more to the strengths and passions that come up in these moments? Leah Thats a lovely example. One of the tools Ive been using more over the last few years, following the research about envisioning our future selves and how it impacts the choices that we make today, is to ask, What does it look like 20 years from now, when you have found your ideal work in life? To your point, we dont take the time to really envision that, but professional athletes will, and it increases their performance. We can learn from this skill and start using it.The students and the organizations I do this with have amazing conversations with each other, and learn so much more about what brings them passion and purpose as a result.Caroline One simple way that you could get started, if you are reading this and thinking, I dont know whether Im ready for visualization, is to get yourself in some quiet space, and give yourself a chance to deeply reflect. Think about moments when youve been at a real peak. Not where youve been ticking other peoples boxes, but where you feel truly energized. It might be with your family, it might be at work, it might be the community. Start to pay attention to what was going on at that time as you visualize this in your minds eye. What was the schauplatz? What was the type of interactions you were having?Then get into the habit of doing that from time to time, so that you start to build up a really rich picture of what your peaks truly are. Youve got some fantastic data to sit and think, So this is me when Im unconstrained and bringing my attention quietly without judgment. Its quieting the should and amplifying the could. What could I be doing if I were playing more to the strengths and passions that come up in these moments?This article first appeared on Hel eo.