Why You Cant Make That Decision (and Smart Ways to Get Over It)

Why You Cant Make That Decision (and Smart Ways to Get Over It)Why You Cant Make That Decision (and Smart Ways to Get Over It)Youve just worked your third 12-hour day in a row, with no sign of the craziness winding down in the days ahead, when a client calls you with yet another problem that needed to be solved- yesterday. In that moment, it may seem like your brain simply gives up while your client is still on the line, waiting for you to provide another one of the quick, brilliant solutions that shes come to depend on you for. This moment of mental paralysis, or the inability to make an effective decision in a brief moment, even if its normally easy for you, is whats known as decision fatigue. Psychologists whove studied decision fatigue have found that it can cause anything from indecisiveness to impulse purchases (a yellow jumpsuit- really?). Because humans have a finite reserve of mental energy on a given day, when its exhausted we either make poor decisions or avoid making them altogether. And in this day and age of long hours, overflowing inboxes, and packed calendars, its no wonder were depleting these mental reserves more quickly than we can replenish them for optimal decision-making.Decision-Making Its a Marathon, Not a SprintIt seems that the more decisions were forced to make- and often the more weight these decisions carry- the more we can deplete our ability to sustain good judgment calls. Think about it How many decisions have you made, big or small, in first few hours of any given day? It begins with deciding what to eat for breakfast, what clothes to wear, and what music to listen to on the way to work. From there, decisions- and their consequences- grow in number and significance. Just think about the number of emails you receive and the decisions you need to make around how to respond, what to prioritize, whether to delegate to a colleague- your inbox alone can be an overwhelming example of decision fatigue. But, since none of these decisions are going anywhere, its important to learn how to avoid burnout and manage your mental energy effectively. To get started, try following a few tried-and-true decision making guidelines.First Things FirstEach evening, anticipate what, if any, major decisions youll need to make the next day, such as approving a budget or selecting a vendor. Then, try to organize your day as much as possible so that you can make these decisions early on during the morning, before your reserves are depleted. If an important request or question comes up in the late afternoon or evening when you already feel run ragged, flag it as a to-do for early the next day when your brain is refreshed and youve had some time to process it.Replace Decisions with CommitmentsIts 6 PM, and you promised yourself youd go to the gym after work. But now youre leaving the office late, your stomach is starting to rumble, and you opt for watching House of Cards on the couch instead of cardio. Now imagine if youd made a non-neg otiable contract with yourself to hit the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. By committing to and scheduling the gym, theres no decision to make Working out is already a part of your day that youve determined youll make happen. You can do the same thing throughout your day or week. For example, try laying out your wardrobe on Sunday evening for the week ahead (making note of the weather forecast and any special occasions) so you wont be stuck in a panic each morning, wondering what to wear. Make Space in Your ScheduleGive yourself some time between meetings to let your brain process the information you received so that youre able to offer up good decisions in subsequent sessions. Try scheduling meetings for 45 minutes instead of an hour, allowing 15 minutes for reflection and as a mental break ahead of your next appointment. And definitely dont schedule meetings right before lunch or at the very end of the day when peoples decision-making capabilities and attention span are ty pically low. And speaking of lunch, nows the time to finally quit eating lunch at your desk and get out of the office This switches your mental gears, releasing your mind from the grip of your to-do list, and lets you come back to it with a fresh perspective, helping replenish your decision-making capabilities for the next part of your day.Stay FueledYour mom always said never to make an important decision on an empty stomach, and it turns out that isnt badeanstalt advice If you know youll have to be making decisions late in the day, snack after lunch to make sure your brain is receiving the energy it needs to run on. In the end, one of the best defenses you can have against decision fatigue is simply knowing it exists and how it works. Mastering optimal decision-making in spite of this can help you make better decisions consistently and avoid the negative consequences that come with inadvertent bad judgment calls. Photo of man at crossroads courtesy of Shutterstock.

4 ways to set yourself up for success during your first week at a new job

4 ways to set yourself up for success during your first week at a new job4 ways to set yourself up for success during your first week at a new jobStarting a new job can be overwhelming, but you shouldnt just close your eyes and hope for the best. Instead, herbeies plan of attack for the first week.Meet with your managerLaura Katen, President of Katen Consulting, writes in The Muse that you should keep your boss informed in the first weekThroughout the week, ask for periodic meetings with your boss (instead of popping in her office for every question you have). In addition to getting her direction on projects and tasks, you should use this time to update her on what youre learning and who youre meeting with.Ask questions like Are there additional tasks I should be taking on or skills I should be learning? and Can you give me feedback on the project I just completed? to show initiative, but also do a lot of listening, too. Your boss feedback and insight is going to be one of your great est resources at this point- after all, youre going to be spending the next weeks, months, and maybe even years working for her, and learning how she thinks early on will serve you well.Get to know your new surroundingsIndeeds online career guide recommends that you learn how to navigate and enjoy your new workplaceLocate the restrooms, the coffeeand water, the stairs and elevators, where you can eat lunch and take breaks, and seek out any other amenities this workplace offers. If you havent been given a tour, consider asking a colleague for one. In this first week, you may also want to experiment with your commute finding the right times to leave home and testing different routes or transportation methods. Identifying and establishing the routines early on will give you peace of mind.Put your time inHannah Morgan, a speaker and author, writes in U.S. News World Report that you should arrive early, leave lateDuring your first few weeks on the job, everyone (not just your boss) is o bserving how you behave. Learn what the normal work day patterns look like by watching what time your co-workers arrive and leave. You dont have to be the first person in the office, but you should arrive earlier than most. And dont just hang out in your cube. Use this time to have a brief chat with a colleague in the break room or offer help to someone who looks stressed.She also mentions that you should touch kusine with your manager before heading out.Dont feed the rumor millThis wont help your career.Dawn Rosenberg McKay, an author and career planning professional, writes in The Balance that you should not get caught up in the office gossip at the start of a new positionWhether its over lunch or around the proverbial water cooler,gossiphappens in every workplace. Neither ignore or share it.Keep your ears open but your mouth closed. You may learn valuable information, for example, your bosss foul mood is due to his having a difficult time at home, and he isnt always like this. Do nt contribute anything to the conversation. Also, keep in mind that not everything you hear is true.

Finding a Job Without a College Degree

Finding a Job Without a College DegreeFinding a Job Without a College DegreeBill Gates never graduated from college. Neither did Michael Dell nor Steve Jobs. Outside of the tech world, Richard Branson has done pretty well for himself without a college degree, as has Barry Diller.But Sharon Willis is a more common example of the challenges to American workers who never graduated from college.Since February, Willis has been the acting vice president for external affairs at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, a medical and health-sciences graduate school of 850 students. She will continue in that role until some time in the fall, when she will resume her position as deputy vice president. The VP role is one she wanted to apply for when it became vacant but couldnt, even though she had the experience and knowledge. Why? She doesnt have a bachelors degree.Willis started at the university 28 years ago as a clerk typist and worked her way up through the ranks. She describe s herself as the go-to part for just about everybody with whom she works. Willis has done the job of vice president, and the college president knows she is up to the task on a permanent basis, yet her lack of a college diploma - a job requirement means she does bedrngnis qualify for the position.Willis has hit a professional wall at the university, and she realizes that things would likely not be different elsewhere.When we have vacancies here, I see the qualifications of the applicants, many of whom have masters degrees, said Willis. I realize that if I were to leave here, I would probably rank at the bottom of the applicant pool because of my lack of a degree, despite excellent experience, job stability, a very strong work ethic and great references. Its disheartening.What Willis suspects to be true about the world outside the university is only too real for many of the millions of people the recession unleashed upon the job market. Many of these people started at a company in a n entry-level position and worked their way up the ladder. Not having a college degree may not have mattered until the time came to apply for a new position.Bruce Hurwitz, president and CEO of Hurwitz Strategic Staffing, said he sees this issue come up regularly. Every time I have tried to get a client to waive the college-degree requirement in light of the candidates exemplary work experience, I have been refused, he said. They alfruchtwein always say that it is their policy that all employees have at least a college degree.Such jobs now account for most of the economy. Nearly 60 percent of American jobs now require at least a bachelors degree, according to Help Wanted Projections of Jobs and Education Requirements Through 2018, a June 2010 report released by the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University. That number jumped from 28 percent in 1973 to 59 percent in 2008 and is expected to rise to 63 percent over the next decade, the report said.Resume and Netwo rking SolutionsSo is your dream job, even most jobs, out of reach if you dont have a college degree?Not necessarily. Experts who spoke with Ladders said solid, long-term professional experience and proven results can often supersede the need for a college diploma.I believe that employers want the right person for the job, said Karla Porter, director of workforce development and HR for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry and a private consultant on human capital and new media. Theyre not looking for a certificate, a degree, a piece of paper they are looking for a solution provider. If there is a person who can do that for them and has a proven track record and can show what theyve accomplished for other companies, I believe they will be considered.All of this must be conveyed in a carefully constructed resume. To replace the college-degree situation on a resume, the person needs to stress the results they have been able to achieve due to their extensive experien ce, said Dianne Durkin, president and founder of Loyalty Factor, a consulting and training firm.Make sure the resume is very, very well done, Porter said. If its not, it will go to the C pile.Tony Deblauwe, senior HR partner at Citrix Systems and founder of HR4Change, agreed Your resume has to be rock-solid. It has to demonstrate your experience, your skills, your accomplishments. Youre promoting your best skills so that people focus on that and not get to the end and say, Well, wheres your degree? Cheryl Palmer, president of Call to Career, said she has worked with many people who have been to college but never got the degree. When writing a resume for a person in this situation, she mentions the college major and degree program but does not state that that he has a degree. Im being truthful, but not drawing undue attention to the fact that they dont have a degree.This strategy will also help you get your resume past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software that most companies use to screen resumes.If a job description says bachelors degree required and you dont have a bachelors degree, your resume can say bachelors degree not completed or not attained so the system will pick up the keywords bachelors degree, Porter said. You dont want to say anything that is not true, but you want your resume to get in front of people. Make sure your resume contains the same keywords that the job description contains, and then rearrange them to how they fit for you.All the experts who spoke with Ladders emphasized the importance of describing any training, certifications or licenses you have to show that you have invested in some training for yourself. I havent found too many scenarios where people have done nothing, Deblauwe said. Theyve at least taken some college classes or gotten some certifications or something to talk to. Or something internal from a previous company.Its commonly understood that networking is one of the most important things you can do when pursuin g a new job, but its even more critical if you dont have a degree, said Palmer. If you dont have a degree, the whole idea of networking is much, much more critical, she said. Employers prefer to hire someone that they know something about. They prefer people who have come referred. If you are trying to land a job in this very competitive job market and you dont have a degree, you really have to take that networking to another level, to get around the fact that most employers are looking for a bachelors degree at an absolute minimum.Along those same lines, strong recommendations from clients, former employers, co-workers and associations can go a long way toward making up for the lack of a college degree.Its Never Too LateSo, what else can you do if you dont have a college degree? Well, you can get one or at least begin working toward one, no matter what your age.Once enrolled in a program, you can write on a resume that a degree is in progress, experts suggested.Thats just what the Uniformed Services Universitys Willis is doing.A busy single mother of three, Willis is taking classes in business management in the hopes that she can break through the barriers put up by the lack of a degree. Willis said her boss is very supportive and is giving her whatever time she needs. In addition, because she works for a federal institution, she gets tuition reimbursement. All of this, along with flexible options such as online classes, has allowed Willis to start on a path she hopes will lead to a higher-level position.I think in the long run, people are much better off just going ahead and pursuing the degree, no matter how hard it may be, she said. Thats what everyone will be looking for. You do get to a certain point where you just cant go any further, and thats where I am right now.

Researchers These small snacks can improve your heart health

Researchers These small snacks can improve your heart healthResearchers These small snacks can improve your heart healthA lot of us want to be healthy, but sometimes life seems to get in the way. We cant find 45 minutes each morning to go to the gym when we already have so much on our plate, and its hard to take care of ourselves the way we want.But there is good news, and lots of it We recently learned that less intense exercise, like walking 30 minutes a day, helps us live longer. And now, were finding out that even small spurts of vigorous exercise can improve heart health.This latest revelation comes from researchers atMcMaster University and University of British Columbia, Okanagan, who asked sedentary young adults to try a minor lifestyle change for their study. As a control group sat around doing no exercise, the test group vigorously climbed a three-flight stairwell three times a day, with each interval divided by between one and four hours of recovery. Participants repeated this activity three days per week for six weeks.These little bursts of exercise were adorably labeled snacks and probably sound far more enjoyable than they were for those doing them.So what happened? Well, it turns out that even these spurts of exercise - climbing 60 steps - were enough to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, although the absolute increase was modest, according to the study.We know that sprint interval training works, but we were a bit surprised to see that the stair snacking approach was also effective, Jonathan Little, assistant professor at UBC and study co-author, said in a press release. Vigorously climbing a few flights of stairs on your coffee or bathroom break during the day seems to be enough to boost fitness in people who are otherwise sedentary.That means that if we just forgo the elevator for the stairwell a few times a week, well be that much healthier (and save electricity).The findings make it even easier for people to incorporate exercise snacks int o their day, Martin Gibala, professor of kinesiology at McMaster and senior author on the study, said in a press release.I never thought incessant snacking was a good thing, but now Ive learned to see the word in another light. Time to start nibbling toward our fitness goals, one stair at a time.

Learn About the Benefits of Being a Military Officer

Learn About the Benefits of Being a Military OfficerLearn About the Benefits of Being a Military OfficerMost enlisted recruiting efforts focus on an occupational model and other benefits,but recruiting material for would-be officers tends to be more ambiguous, focusing on intangibles benefits like pride, sense of duty, and prestige. A banner on GoArmy.coms front page asks, Can you rise to the challenge?The work cant get done without outstanding enlisted men and women, but the gap in responsibility between entry-level enlisted and a newly-commissioned lieutenant is pretty wide. It just wouldnt do to have junior officers endangering the lives and welfare of their troops because they joined under the pretenses of a me culture.Even the most selfless professional needs to look out for his or her own welfare, as well. If youre torn between enlisting in the military or becoming a commissioned officer and want the scoop on whats in it for me, here are a few of the tangible benefits officers enjoy. 01Educational OpportunitiesThe Post-9/11 GI Bills expanded benefits are very attractive if youre not sure how to pay for higher education. Officers need a college degree just to start the job, so theres no edge for them when it comes to educational benefits, right?Wrong.There are officer commissioning programs that can help pay for a bachelors degree in return for a tafelgeschirr commitment. The service academies are tough to get into but offer a tuition-free education. Flunk out or get the boot for an honor violation, though, and you may be on the hook for enlisted service to pay back the tuition they wasted on you.Current college students can also apply for Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships. You dont necessarily need a scholarship to participate in ROTC and compete for a commission, but those who can secure the financial award will find it much easier on their wallets. There are even some schools that are entirely dominated by ROTC, like the Virginia Milita ry Institute or Norwich University.Last but not least, officers that got their commission outside a service academy or ROTC scholarship remain eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can still be used to get a second bachelors, a graduate degree, or even transferred to a spouse or children.02Pay DifferencesThe manager makes more than the worker, plain and simple. An enlisted career accrues significant financial benefits with time, but commissioned officers come right out of the gate with more earning power.Consider a brand new private (E-1) and a second lieutenant (O-1.) According to 2012 military pay charts, the lieutenant will start day one with nearly twice the privates base pay per month, or an annual salary (excluding benefits) of $33,940.80 to the privates $17,892.Based on average time to promotion for enlisted and officers, assume the best-case scenario four years later Our private is a sergeant and our lieutenant is a captain (O-3). The captains still making about twice as much money, but by now that means an annual salary of $60,372 versus just shy of $30,000.Just rememberNever make a military career decision based solely on pay. Military service isnt just a job, its a calling. If youre not down with the calling, youre going to end up disgruntled no matter how much money they throw at you.These figures completely ignore other benefits like healthcare, life insurance, and housing. All of that comes out-of-pocket in the civilian world, which means every penny of your base pay is inherently more valuable in the service.As executive leaders, officers typically pay more out-of-pocket expenses than their enlisted counterparts, such as the initial cost of uniforms and living expenses at early professional training.03Career Flexibility Diverse ExperiencesA successful officer typically progresses from small unit management to larger and higher commands posts that, while more administrative and political in nature, also afford greater challenge, prestige, an d influence.Officers also find themselves taking on more diverse duties and roles instead of just specializing in their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), which could offer refreshing new challenges and changes of scenery throughout a career. A pilot in the Marine Corps, for example, may pull time on the ground as a Forward Air Controller, where hell specialize in coordinating airstrikes and other hilfestellung for the infantry.Officers may also serve as attaches to top brass or civilian officials, or at the top of their careers even become Pentagon officials themselves. If you want to specialize in a certain occupation, a commission might not be for you. With a few exceptions, MOS assignments are often made after youve earned your commission and graduated initial training, with more emphasis on the needs of the service than your personal preference.04Job Prospects After ServiceVeteran officers have two big advantages in the job market a college degree and proven management expe rience. Though enlisted veterans may also earn degrees, and many are outstanding leaders, it seems a number of major companies are being vet friendly by ignoring the enlisted and targeting junior military officers - lieutenants and captains.Michael Dakduk covered the issue in 2010 for the Veteran Journal. This CNN Money article by Brian OKeefe also explores a similar phenomenon at Walmart and offers some justification from the former commander of US forces in Afghanistan General David Petraeus.While good ol Sergeant Luckwaldt here agrees with Dakduks reservations about underestimating the enlisted, it doesnt change the fact that former military officers often have an edge with employers.

What You Dont Know About Examples of Great Resumes

What You Dont Know About Examples of Great Resumes Ruthless Examples of Great Resumes Strategies Exploited On the flip side, once the work applicant has strong experience, there isnt any need to depend on the academic training any longer and it doesnt need to get mentioned. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Yur jobs could be varied, your experience and techniques vast, and it can be challenging getting it all on paper. If youre asking for work in a creative field, you may be seeking a template with a little more flair. Examples of Great Resumes at a Glance You would like to print on paper heavier than that which you traditionally find in photocopiers. The discipline of information technology grows more important each and every day. When youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel for what makes an effective accomplishment statement. Our resume examples can en sure youre prepared in the event you receive a referral. Examples of Great Resumes - What Is It? You might also incorporate your communication and disciplinary abilities, and highlight how patient youre with your students. Also, be certain to incorporate any distinctive honors or achievements you have gotten. The skills section is one which draws maximum viewing time for those recruiters. Language skills are sometimes a terrific selling point on your resume. Therefore, our purpose is to provide you the very best tools you should succeed. Each time you put in an application for a new job, check your resume to guarantee that it isnt only targeted, but in addition current. Rather than a general resume, you ought to take a while to conduct some investigating to find a notion of the expertise, required skills and ability for the job. Take time to consider before you start. Examples of Great Resumes Help It isnt hard to read, and theyre able to come across the keyword phrases an d qualifications EASILY when theyre reading hundreds of applications. Selecting the proper font can look to be an impossible undertaking, especially since there are dozens and dozens of choices out there. Just make sure, whichever format you decide on, which youre targeting it for the job which youre applying to. An excellent editing job will take a small longerand some particular tactics intended to catch resume errors. Examples of Great Resumes - Dead or Alive? Employers understand that youre young and looking to enhance your experience, so give them as much as you can that shows youre be an important employee. Not only are you going to look bad, but its going haunt you down the line with other future prospective employers. The health care industry can be quite competitive. Transportation jobs involve a great deal of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can deal with that. Distinct kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with lots of the very same skills. Customer service is an important element in many jobs and its vital that you concentrate on that in your resume. If you previously live close to the businesss office, great Many businesses utilize some sort of screening procedure to recognize the most suitable candidates. Below, you will discover a list of resume examples that could aid you with your work search. All our tools are totally free to our users. Well, a part of software analyzes your resume for sure search phrases and provides you a score based how well your resume matches a predetermined collection of keywords chosen by the business youre interviewing with. If you are interested in an instance of amazing messaging in a resume, have a look at the digital marketing and advertising executive resume sample among our totally free downloadable resume templates. Find Your Old Resumes One easy way for you to make an amazing master resume is to begin by finding all your old ones. Understanding how to t ailor your resume will obviously provide you an advantage. Your resume is the main tool in the very first phase of the application procedure, so devote a great deal of time on it and ask several individuals to critique it. Unless you happen to be a graphic designer looking for employment, theres no need to over think the plan of your one-pager. To learn more simply take a look at the website.

Ingredients for the Perfect Company Culture

Ingredients for the Perfect Company CultureTheres nothing like finding the perfect ingredients to create a great dish, especially for Thanksgiving. But what about the ingredients needed for the perfect company culture?Company culture exists and evolves around your company leaders and your employees. It essentially includes a group of norms, behaviors, and values that are unique to your business. If no one sits in your break room during lunch, its not because of any particular rule against doing so, its simply your company culture.As a company leader or HR manager, you have a lot to do with setting the pace of your companys culture. Here are some of the necessary ingredients needed to create the perfect company culture at your businessKeep your workers feeling fresh with motivation.When choosing fruits or vegetables for your dishes, you dont choose the wilted, unwatered plants, right? Well, dont forget to tend to your own crops your employees. Motivation and encouragement are importan t in cultivating your company culture. Acknowledge your team for a job well done and motivate them to do better if you hit a rough patch. Making this part of your everyday kenntnisse will have a great impact on your business.Dont leave your employees feeling overcooked.If your employees are feeling stressed or under the weather, lend a helping hand and diffuse some stress. There are plenty of great stress-busters for the office. So pick a day to organize a company outing to the park, movies, or to dinner. Give your staff a little TLC every now and again to maintain company culture and employee morale.Stuff your company with talent.The best way to create a great company culture and atmosphere is to hire the best talent and avoid mis-hires. I know, it sounds easier said than done. But hiring a bad fit is not only costly, its bad for your culture. Fortunately, video interviews are a great way to sidestep bad hires because you have more time to analyze if a candidate is a good fit.Get e veryone in the same (gravy) boat.Teambuilding is essential in creating a perfect company culture. If youre having issues building a collaborative environment, start by being durchschaubar across levels and departments in your business. Schedule periodic meetings to have departments share their projects and outcomes. But that might not be the true issue. Do your employees know each other? If not, schedule some time to let them do just that There is no team without trust, so make sure thats not missing from the equation.Defining what the perfect company culture is for your business is going to vary from others. So take a step back and assess your company culture. Define the key elements in your company culture and determine whats missing. Once you have all of the ingredients, dont forget to do some periodic maintenanceHow do you define company culture and the key elements in creating the perfect atmosphere?IMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by Highways Agency.