Measuring Results in an IT Consulting Resume

Measuring Results in an IT Consulting ResumeMeasuring Results in an IT Consulting ResumeHow do you balance an IT resume that must capture the subjects progression from technical jobs to a professional-services role?How do you balance an IT resume that must capture the subjects progress from technical jobs to a professional-services role?For Richard McDonald, a 22-year veteran of IT resume writing, its a matter of measuring the job seekers accomplishments in every job, no matter how technical.You have to estimate results and talk about specific improvement goals and details of the specific technology challenges in a project and youre approach to meeting those challenges, said McDonald, a certified professional resume writer who works with Ladders. It also doesnt hurt to have references ready to talk about the results of your work.McDonalds job becomes more difficult when the job seeker is a consultant whose work involved pieces of larger, complex projects with clients. The job seeker may leid be around the client long enough to see the ultimate savings or efficiencies generated by his work, and he may find it difficult to glean results and accomplishments from their work history.Chad, who chose elend to use his real name for this article, works on just these types of projects. He is a professional technology consultant for a small professional-services firm in New England while he likes his current job, he wants to ensure hes prepared if the need for a job search arises. Chad wants to keep doing the same kind of work but struggled to describe it in his own resume.In my early career, I was a programmer and coder in Texas and in Maryland, Chad said. As things progressed, I became more involved as a consultant. Since most of his work came by word of mouth and project by project, Chad had never changed the resume format since he was a heads-down coder.Not only was Chads resume dense, it failed to sell his strengths.The way I was brought up, you were told that you do nt brag about yourself, Chad said. Im just not any good at talking about myself and what Ive done. And while I can write, I find the resume to be its own kind of format and style.Eight pages of detailChad struggled so much documenting his projects that he could not even fill out the career assessment McDonald offered him to start the process. Instead, McDonald worked with him on the phone, to list in detail what he did in the last 30 projects spanning 15 years.McDonald ended up with eight pages of detail, and it didnt stop there. McDonald also needed Chad to describe his goals more clearly.This can be a really difficult thing to do for technology folks, McDonald said. There are so many different directions an individual can go, especially with a history in software development and programming. It can be overwhelming to take on in a resume.After some gentle prodding, Chad zeroed in on four potential job titles - ones he knows are always in demand with IT recruiters. They are senior consultant, professional-service manager, sales engineer and professional services director - all job targets Chad would consider for the right company.Armed with these ideal titles, McDonald could concentrate on describing how Chads project work supported them. Yes, his recent work had focused on professional services, but Chads programming experience got its own dedicated paragraph section highlighting his earlier background. The emphasis of the new resume was putting technology in a business context.The art of name-droppingMore specifically, McDonald was keen to show the client roster in the bullet points of Chads new resume. In a professional services resume, name-dropping is key. Showing that youve consistently worked with Fortune 500-level companies is a subtle way of saying, The big boys of corporate America chose us.It was an amazing transformation in the new resume, Chad said. I was really afraid of the new one not showing enough balance between my more technical experienc e and my consulting roles. It was not the case. What I got was a very accurate, honest portrayal of my background.Many of my technology-career clients over the years have a really hard time tooting their own horn, McDonald said. In Chads case, he struggled mightily with it, so getting him to sit down and just tell me what he worked on, the intimate details of the projects, and projected goal and results of each of them allowed us to break through.Its perfectly framed for today and the future, Chad said. Its a really nice picture of what Ive done and set up for lateral and even higher job positions.

How to Add Symbols to Your LinkedIn Profile (and Why You Shouldnt!)

How to Add Symbols to Your LinkedIn Profile (and Why You Shouldnt)How to Add Symbols to Your LinkedIn Profile (and Why You Shouldnt)LinkedIn breathed some life into its stale interface with a recent Facebook-esque redesign. While some users have taken this as a cue to flood your feed with tired memes, LinkedIn has retained its reputation as the straight-laced, corporate social network.Thats not a bad thing. LinkedIn is the place for professionals. For the same reasons wed beg you not to use a whacky font on your resume, were glad LinkedIn has held onto its minimalist approach when it comes to profile content.LinkedIns profile editor is no frills. You can enter unformatted text, add line breaks, and thats about it for most users.For years, there has been a contingent of LinkedIn users emblazoning their profiles with special Unicode characters, unusual symbols, and even emoji.How do you get noticed among half a billion LinkedIn users? Bedazzling your profile like this will certainly tu rn a few heads. Whether it is attracting the right kind of attention depends on your goals.? How to insert symbols into your LinkedIn profile?The letters, numbers, and punctuation you use every day are part of the Unicode character set, a voreingestellt used to properly render characters across most browsers, websites, and applications. There are many characters included that you dont see everyday. The letterR is part of the set alongside? or?. Emoji have also been integrated into the Unicode character set?. LinkedIns text editor is basic, but it knows how to render these symbols if you know how to type them in.The easiest way to insert special characters and symbols into your LinkedIn profile is to copy and paste from another webpage. You can search for the symbol you want on the Unicode Character Table or seek out an article that has a curated list of symbols. This deutsche post dhl from Brynne Tillman features many symbols frequently used on LinkedIn profiles. When you find the s ymbol you want, highlight it, copy it, and paste it into your LinkedIn profile editor.You can also add LinkedIn symbols by using the emoji keyboard on Mac or PC.?Why you SHOULDNT overuse special charactersFor some, a profile loaded with flashy symbols serves a purpose. If youre using LinkedIn to sell a product or service, special characters can draw attention and drum up some business. For strategic networkers and job seekers, this technique can do more harm than good.Frankly, its tackySimple bullet points ? can help you succinctly list top skills and accomplishments, but going overboard with other wingdings and emoji can weaken your professional image. The last thing you want is for your profile to remind someone of a14-year-olds bedazzled cell phone.Unicode symbols can breakIts not just a matter of taste. Unicode standardization is meant to solve compatibility issues yet symbols and special characters frequently corrupt code, cause errors, or bildschirm incorrectly.Some users will see them differently and some wont see them at allSymbols might not look right for everyone. Due to someones web browser, device, and/or settings, the sharp black symbol you pasted into your profile might render as a bubbly, colorful emoji on another device. Or worse, it might not display at all, replaced by a generic box?.For instance, even in Cathy Yerges article on the topic, some of her example symbols are showing up incorrectly as boxes (for us, anyway).Screenshot from Cathy Yerges article.This could happen on your LinkedIn profile.They can mess up your job applicationUsing these characters on your resume is known to cause parsing errors in some applicant tracking systems.The same thing can happen with your LinkedIn profile content withinLinkedIns Easy Apply system. In a job hunt, you cant afford to lose data or have your application rejected due to an avoidable parsing error.Your homilies might land in the spam folderWhen you send a message or InMail to another LinkedIn user, they receive an email notification. For non-habitual LinkedIn users, this is the only way they know to look for a message. Any special characters placed in your name fields will go into the subject line of the email.Emoji and special characters can trigger an email to go into the spam folder. According toTracy Sestili at SparkPost, Not all email clients accept the use of emojis in email subject lines and sometimes emojis can trigger spam filters or worse, look like ?this.Get attention on LinkedIn without gimmicksAdd links to your projectsThere are better ways to show your creativity than with clunky pictographs. Use the Media section under Experience to link projects that that show off your ingenuity. Add your personal or portfolio website to your Contact and Personal Info section.Become a thought leaderDrum up interest in your LinkedIn profile is by embracing the social aspects of the platform. Put yourself out there.Post thoughtful status updates about your industry or companyWri te articles and post videosShare links your connections will want to seeComment on other peoples postsParticipate in groupsOptimize your profile for LinkedIns searchEnsuring that your profile shows up at the top of someones LinkedIn searchis our preferred way to stand out. Jobscans LinkedIn Optimization tool provides customized tips and tricks to push your profile up the rankings. Thats how you prove youre a LinkedIn expert not with ? whatever ?these ? are.

Get advice from an expert whos seen more than 300,000 resumes

Get advice from an expert whos seen mora than 300,000 resumesGet advice from an expert whos seen more than 300,000 resumesBringing computer smarts in resume writing with real-time content analysisYou can always make your resume better, no matter how much time you spend on it, or how many friends you ask for feedback. Even with the greatest care and effort, there are some things youll miss, simply because youre elend creating resumes every day, all day. But our smart Content Analyzer does in fact, it has seen more than 300,000 resumes users have created to date. And it can now help you craft a better one with real-time suggestions how to improve your wording.Technology to the rescueMachines are getting smarter every day, and according to many researchers, the singularity is fast approaching. So it probably comes as no surprise that we wanted to employ the platform in helping you correct mistakes, focus your resume content and stand out from other applicants.For a long time, we have been working on a content improvement feature that is scalable and can help all users. In fact, it has been part of our vision from day one. Now, we have gathered enough data and double checked with recruiters to identify some of the most common mistakes people make when creating their resumes. Those have laid down the base of our very own automated content analysis feature.What the Content Analyzer can help you withThe Content Analyzer helps you get more value out of every word that is written down. The feature works with a state-of-the-art extensive library that ensures it delivers suggestions on par with a menschenwrdig reader. In developing it, we looked into different kinds of common mistakes, likeexperience that is not performance-oriented,readability issues,repetition of phrases,inconsistencies in writing style,cliches,filler, weak or vague wording,visual improvements like repeating icons and more.The list is getting longer by the day, as we learn more on how users are inte racting with the feature and what common writing issues they face. We will not only point out the mistakes, but give you solution ideas.How it works?Using the Content Analyzer is easy as 1-2-3.Log into .Open your resume.Turn on the Show Mistakes toggle in the left-hand-side panel.And done The Content Analyzer has gone through your resume content and marked in red all parts that need improvement. You will see not only the mistakes, but also some helpful tips on how to solve them.Try it now its freeThe Content Analyzer can help improve sentence quality, remove clutter and overall provide better and more focused content on a resume. Our aim is to bring the experience as close as possible to interacting with an experienced human reader, while having the scalability needed to bring this brand new feature to all users.Looking for more inspiration? Check out our resume examples section that got people hired at their dream jobs.When youre ready,build your resume now.

CDM Media to Host Inaugural CFO Summit

CDM Media to Host Inaugural CFO Summit CDM Media to Host Inaugural CFO Summit The CFO Summit will give attendees a unique opportunity to share insight and make critical business contacts through engaging educational sessions and networking opportunities, while learning about the latest finance technology solutions during one-on-one meetings with key members of the vendor community.Were gearing up for an exciting and productive event, said Ross Abbott, VP Sales, North America for CDM Media. The CFO Summit features a great selection of finance leaders and leading-edge solution providers, brought together to collaborate on the challenges facing the pivotal role of todays CFO.Here are a few CFO Summit attendeesDave Hansen, CFO Sears Home Services, Sears Holdings CorporationKathleen Wolf, CFO, Atari International Contracting CompanyJames Sloan, Chief Financial Officer, Dole Fresh Vegetables Inc.Paula Gold-Williams, EVP, CFO Treasurer, CPS EnergyTed Hull, VP Finance, CISCOAt the CFO Sum mit, attending CFOs and finance executives will address universal issues and trends, sharing best practices and lessons learned from various industry perspectives. One of the key topics to be discussed is the changing role of the CFO, now requiring more technology decision-making and a stronger emphasis placed on the evolving dynamic between CFO and CIO- two roles coming together to generate higher business value for enterprise IT investments.Learn more and register for the CFO Summit at cfosummit.us.

The Definitive Approach for Areas of Expertise Resume

The Definitive Approach for Areas of Expertise Resume Try to remember that employers will also take a look at your LinkedIn profile. Highlighting your abilities and to-the-point expertise in resume is bound to pull the employer and providing you a possibility of interview. Before you are able to distribute your resume, Youll have to find some targeted employers who might want to employ someone with your background. Such employers would rather hire a single person with numerous talent. There are some quite specific requirements for formatting your resume when it is going to be reviewed by means of an ATS. Just upload your resume in their system then paste the whole job description to begin the comparison. You must select the format that works for your purpose the most. Next enkoranvers use of good resume keywords. Areas of Expertise Resume - Dead or Alive? If youre not certain which skills you wish to share, consider your prior experiences. Skills are an essential portion of a work seekers resume. Key skills are work-related skills that you will need to do a job. 3 First, you must pick the best skills for your resume. In the majority of instances, your soft skills can boost your hard skills. Youll get hired for your organization abilities and thats precisely what you should put together an effective resume. You may also pick up many of the crucial skills all on your own, through on-the-job training or even volunteer work. Keep in mind, the majority of the special skills that you place on your resume needs to be job-related skills taken from the work description and your best transferable skills. Click the links below to find out mora about our knowledge base and the way it may support you in your research efforts. Even if your information is in bullet format, it may still be hard to quickly recognize the pertinent abilities and accomplishments which are important to the prospective employer. You must also shift to the functional format to b e able to place more focus on your abilities and other qualifications. Prior to beginning describing your expertise, you should make sure they are related to the position youre applying for. What You Should Do About Areas of Expertise Resume Beginning in the Next 10 Minutes Exactly like any good relationship, clear and honest communication is the secret to partnering successfully. Whatever holds true you, use time-tracking to at all times keep in addition to somebodys work If you want to ensure its a part of your regular permit it to help guide you become through daily then keep it observable. When intending some huge auffhrung can be stressful, therefore its critical that you maintain the maximum goal in mind. Choosing Good Areas of Expertise Resume The standard of emotions determines the standard of succeeding in landing great jobs Being an excellent communicator is the most essential quality of a leader. The more knowledge that you have, the more valuable you are going to be to your team. The FM team has a large array of skills and experience gained over many years that directly benefit our clients by giving specific resources with the appropriate skill set necessary to finish any given task. Definitions of Areas of Expertise Resume Actually, if you were attempting to relocate, Id suggest that you remove the full mailing address from your resume. A great resume cover letter will make it possible for you to come upon the hop on the interviewer. An article calendar is just a way of attempting to continue to keep tabs onto your best thoughts since they are, and intending when to use them. The Fundamentals of Areas of Expertise Resume Revealed So show a possible employer that youre prepared to put money into their company for many years to come. My occupation is to be sure individuals find a health coverage plan which meets their requirements and their budgets, Wilson stated. Speak to professionals in the area If youre having a hard time det ermining what skills an employer might need to see, think about contacting a professional already working in the business or position very similar to the one which youre applying for. In addition, should youve got a web-based profile, be sure to include that in the section by means of your contact info. Believe me, you will discover quite a few of faults and inconsistencies on the net You have to offer relevant, concise info. Important information is called out and simple to find. If its not included in the work ad, check the businesss website. You can take advantage of the planner to turn your budget in addition to to keep an eye on that is donating what. You only have to make yourself a productive coverletter in the occasion that you want to procure an extremely superior job. You wont ever understand in case you really will need to earn reference to an own planner. Whenever you have your month-to-month content plan prepared, you find it possible to receive started fill ing in the daily social media article preparation dictionary. The reach of its activity may also be extended to the degree of an internet designer. Perhaps your skill set is wholly different. There are some basic things which you can update easily.

The Pain of New Grad Resume

The Pain of New Grad Resume New Step by Step Roadmap for New Grad Resume While resume formats might vary among industries and individuals, there are a few features that are constant. Yur resume format may also distinguish you. If you consider sample resumes online, you will observe dozens of distinct formats and resume templates. Both samples and templates must be utilized as guides only. The experience section is your opportunity to actually shine. Collaborating with a nutritionist, physical therapist and the post-surgery patients family to guarantee the patient has a complete recovery is a good way to incorporate the idea of teamwork. Now you have graduated, its time to compose your resume to receive your very first occupational therapy job. Use the resume objective to acquire state the simple fact that youre a new grad and dont have any experience. The summary also has a couple of crucial abilities and valuable experience. Inside her platz of the nation, its imperative for employment. Not only is it unethical to lie on a work application, it really is illegal By carefully targeting resumes for particular jobs, you may greatly enhance your odds of getting noticed in the work industry. Whether youre just beginning or aiming to locate a new nursing position, acquiring a strong resume is critical. You might not receive every job which you apply for, but a resume thats well written can help you find the best job that is suitable for you. Most resumes consist of excellent communication abilities. You might be thinking, There are a great deal of jobs in my area. Youre now prepared to apply for jobs and practice all the things which you were taught in school. There may be hundreds of applicants for the exact job and you must get noticed. Think about the skills you learned from every one of your jobs in college and the way they apply on your resume to the job that youre applying for. LPNs can work in any region of the health care market. Two of th e main attributes employers want in new NP grads are strong communication abilities and critical thinking abilities. Since you are searching for a new grad RN resume to apply for employment in the usa, you may want to check out what we have to offer on our site. If you anticipate writing a new grad RN resume, it is better that you begin by searching for a sample to follow. The New Grad Resume Pitfall When you submit an application for work in person, you could be requested to complete a paper application. The quickest way to finish a work application is to make certain youve got the information which you believe you will need prior to starting. A mock job interview is a great method to learn to interview because its possible to pick up on personal mistakes you make before you make them in the actual interview. The best method to keyword-load your resume is to look carefully at the job posting. Since all application forms contain a lot of confidential information and will be d ealt with by numerous folks, tampering of someones personal information are a possibility. Gather a draft of your resume and execute a crucial analysis of just how much substance is really included when alls said and done. Whichever approach you select, avoid flowery or generalized objectives which are too commonly employed by new graduates. Filling out multiple applications might seem daunting and time consuming, but there are methods to streamline the approach.

How To Become A Writer 10 Modern Writing Careers

How To Become A Writer 10 Modern Writing Careers How To Become A Writer 10 Modern Writing CareersPosted May 11, 2015, by Vivien LuuIf English was your favourite subject in high school and youve nursed vague dreams of being paid for your witty one-liners or clever story arcs, chances are youve toyed with the idea of pursing a career in writing.If this is the case, theres also a high chance that when you shared those ill-defined aspirations of becoming a writer with your high school career adviser, they immediately whipped out their journalism pamphlets.Yes, being a journo is great. But theres so much more to professional writing than working for the fourth estate. From copywriting to video games writing, weve put together a comprehensive list of writing jobs for the modern wordsmith.Click an icon below to find out more. 1. CopywriterDESCRIPTIONCopywriters work on the creative side of advertising. Theyre usually employed in-house or by an ad agency, and are paired with art directors to generate ad campaigns and write the accompanying copy. This might include slogans, jingles, TVC scripts and eDMs.SKILLSCopywriters need toWork well with othersThrive under pressure and work to deadlinesBe ideas peopleKeep abreast of industry newsBe resilient (burning out is common in ad land)Be ok with using their creative talents to sell thingsSPECIALISATIONSCopywriters can specialise inDigitalTelevisionRadioDirect marketingBrandingTRAINING-AWARD School Is Australias fruchtwein prestigious school for advertising creatives. Tutors are hand-picked from the top ad firms, and candidates must submit a sternbezogen portfolio of ideas to gain entry. - Certificate IV in Advertising Is a great course to study if youre a professional writer by trade but dont have an advertising hintergrund.RESOURCES- Campaign Brief and AdNews Comprehensively cover both Australian and international industry news. - mUmBRELLA Lists advertising jobs in Australia and covers industry news.PAY$39 $82ktable-b order td border1px solid 444table-border border1px solid 000table-border td, table-border th padding3px border1px solid 444table-border tr td + td + td, table-border tr th + td + td table-border tr td + td , table-border tr th + td2. SpeechwriterDESCRIPTIONAs highly specialised PR professionals, speechwriters help politicians and top-end business executives give powerful and compelling speeches. They often collaborate with their client and other media professionals to research the subject matter, define the desired effect of the speech, and target the right audience.SKILLSSpeechwriters need to beStrong researchersSocial media savvyWell-versed in media relationsPersuasive writersUnderstand how the written word differs from the spoken wordAble to work in high-pressure environmentsSPECIALISATIONSSpeechwriters can specialise in two areasPolitics and government bureausBusiness corporationsTRAININGDue to the high-stakes nature of speechwriting, the profession usually calls for at least a bachelors degree in communication and writing. A background in PR is also a plus.Introduction to Public RelationsBachelor of Communications (Public Relations)Graduate Diploma in Policy and Applied Social ResearchRESOURCES- Must reads for speechwritersMichael Long, a White House speechwriter, has put together a comprehensive list of recommended reads.- Get advice from the bestJon Favreau, President Obamas speechwriter (who incidentally brings home $US172k a year), has some insightful speechwriting tips.PAY$78 $100ktable-border td border1px solid 444table-border border2px solid 000table-border td, table-border th padding3px border1px solid 444table-border tr td + td + td, table-border tr th + td + td table-border tr td + td , table-border tr th + td3. JournalistDESCRIPTIONHalf of a journos job is to be a great writer, but the other half is about finding the stories. News is, after all, exactly that new. Journalists can work for networks or publications and chase stories, build relat ionships with sources and often face very tight deadlines.SKILLSJournalists need to beNews junkiesSocial media savvyPersuasive and personableAble to research and fact-checkA stickler for spelling and grammarAware of media law and legislationAble to thrive in fast-paced environmentsSPECIALISATIONSBy styleNews reportingFeaturesBy mediumTVRadioDigitalPrintBy genrePoliticsSportLifestyleFoodTRAINING- Charles Sturt University Is one of Australias most prestigious universities for journalism. Noteable alumni include Andrew Denton, Jessica Rowe and Melissa Doyle. Popular courses includeBachelor of Communication (Media Practice)Master of Communication- Short courses Are also great if youre a writer by trade, but not trained in journalismCertificate in Freelance JournalismStyles and Genres of JournalismRESOURCES- The Walkey FoundationIs Australias peak body for journalists, and is responsible for the nations most prestigious journalism award. They host industry events, offer internships and p ublish a trade publication.- ABC cadetships and work experience The national broadcaster offers a number of highly-regarded cadetships and work experience programs that are great for new graduates.PAY$36 $73k4. ScreenwriterDESCRIPTIONWhether its a Hollywood blockbuster or HBO drama, film and TV shows all have one thing in common a killer script, and a screenwriter whos behind it. There are two general types of screenwriters. TV show writers, who work in a writers room to break a story and bounce episode ideas around, and features writers who work on their own scripts, which they then sell to studios.SKILLSScreenwriters need toHave thick skin (the film industry can be brutal)Be natural storytellersHave a unique voiceBe film and TV addictsBe ok with working aloneBe highly imaginativeSPECIALISATIONSBy mediumTVFilmBy genreSitcomRomantic comedy (rom-com)DramaCrimeChildrensTRAINING- Australian Film Television and Radio SchoolIs the national film school, and considered one of the most p restigious places to study screenwriting in Australia.- Useful coursesIntroduction to Screen AnalysisCertificate in Introduction to ScreenwritingRESOURCES- The Australian Writers GuildAre a peak body that represent Aussie screenwriters. They run annual competitions for unproduced screenplays and also offer industry advice on legal issues and pay.- The Black ListIf you want to write great scripts, you need to read great scripts. Every year The Black List releases their top 100 unproduced scripts of the year, based upon Hollywood executives feedback. The website also have a great screenwriting blog for aspiring writers.PAY$0 US$5m (capped at the price ofDj Vu the most expensive script ever sold)table-border td border1px solid 444table-border border2px solid 000table-border td, table-border th padding3px border1px solid 444table-border tr td + td + td, table-border tr th + td + td table-border tr td + td , table-border tr th + td5. Video games writerDESCRIPTIONUnlike other writing pro fessions, video game writers not only have to tell a story, they have to tell a story that can be played. These writers collaborate closely with level designers and programmers to help bring a game to life. Game writers often work as part of a narrative team, and focus on driving the story forward by working on things like character arc, dialogue and world building.SKILLSVideo game writers need toWork well with othersUnderstand game mechanics and gameplayBe game fantaticsHave a background in creative writingBe storytellersSPECIALISATIONSBy genreRole playing games (RPG)First person shooter (FPS)Massively multiplayer online (MMO)Real time strategy (RTS)Puzzle-basedTRAININGWriting for video games is still a relatively new field, so there arent any courses dedicated entirely to game writing yet, however having training in game design is definitely a bonusDiploma of Creative Arts (Game Design)Bachelor of Creative Arts (Game Design)RESOURCES- KotakuDo a great job covering news from the vi deo games industry, and often interview game designers, writers and creators.- PAXIs an annual games conference held in Melbourne that is great for both fans and game creators alike.PAYUS$53 US100ktable-border td border1px solid 444table-border border2px solid 000table-border td, table-border th padding3px border1px solid 444table-border tr td + td + td, table-border tr th + td + td table-border tr td + td , table-border tr th + td6. Bid/Grant writerDESCRIPTIONThe job of a bid writer or grant writer is to help organisations prepare tender documents in a bid to win new business or gain further funding. Bid and grant writers are always in high demand and can be hired by any number of organisations from global corporations and NGOs to universities, construction firms and charitable organisations.SKILLSBid writers need toBe strong collaboratorsPossess top-notch administrative skillsCommunicate their ideas wellHave industry knowledge of their chosen sectorBe thorough researchersHave stra tegic visionSPECIALISATIONSBy industryConstruction and architectureHealthcare and disabilityMedical researchNot-for-profitTRAININGBid writers need to hold at least an undergrad degree in communications. So depending on your level of training, the following courses might be helpfulBachelor of CommunicationGraduate Certificate in CommunicationsSpecific training in grant writing would be helpful to newcomers to the fieldCertificate in Advanced Grant Proposal WritingCertificate in becoming a Grant Writing ConsultantPAY$60 $155ktable-border td border1px solid 444table-border border2px solid 000table-border td, table-border th padding3px border1px solid 444table-border tr td + td + td, table-border tr th + td + td table-border tr td + td , table-border tr th + td7. Blogger/digital content writerDESCRIPTIONDigital content writing or blogging is a unique part-journalism, part-marketing. Content writers can be employed in-house or recruited by content marketing agencies. They work with strat egists to generate content that is rich, sharable, and helps to build a brands voice.SKILLSContent writers need toBe social media savvyUnderstand search engine optimisation (SEO) techniquesBe confident with content management systemsHave basic Photoshop skillsSPECIALISATIONSThe great thing about being a blogger or content writer is that you can specialise in whatever it is youre passionate about. This might includeTravelFoodFashionTechTRAININGOpen Universities Australia offer single units of study which are great for both new bloggers and seasoned writers interested in content writingIntroduction to WritingWriting the ZeitgeistWriting, Rhetoric and PersuasionRESOURCES- Blogs to watchDailyTekk compile an annual list of the hottest blogs out there. Knowing what works and what audiences like is a great starting point for your own blog writing.- Marketing case studiesSalesforce have also compiled a list of case studies that highlight what great content marketing looks like.PAY$38 US$9.6 m (capped at 2014s highest earning blogger owner of TechCrunch, Michael Arrington)table-border td border1px solid 444table-border border2px solid 000table-border td, table-border th padding3px border1px solid 444table-border tr td + td + td, table-border tr th + td + td table-border tr td + td , table-border tr th + td8. AuthorDESCRIPTIONPerhaps the most well understood, and most desired writing profession is that of the author. Authors can either be commissioned to write a novel, or if theyre not signed with a publishing house, will work on their own manuscripts before sending them out to firms.SKILLSAuthors need toBe self-driven and ok with working aloneBe highly imaginativeHave thick skinDevelop a unique voiceUnderstand storySPECIALISATIONSBy genreNon-fictionChildrensYoung adultCrimeRomanceTRAININGWriting a novel is a daunting task, especially if youve never been trained in the craft of creative writing. We recommend the following for aspiring writersCreative Writing A Practical IntroductionCertificate in Writing a BestsellerBachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)Graduate Certificate in Arts (Writing)RESOURCES- The Australian Writers MarketplaceIs a fantastic resource for aspiring authors, and serves as a comprehensive guide to the Australian publishing market. The book is updated annually and is like the Yellow Pages of literary agents and publishers.- Pitch eventsFor unpublished authors, pitch events such as Allen Unwins Friday Pitchare an opportunity to get noticed by industry professionals, and more importantly to get published.PAY$0 US$94m (capped at 2014s highest earning author, James Patterson)table-border td border1px solid 444table-border border2px solid 000table-border td, table-border th padding3px border1px solid 444table-border tr td + td + td, table-border tr th + td + td table-border tr td + td , table-border tr th + td9. Technical writerDESCRIPTIONThe job of a technical writer is to make technical information digestible and easy to follow for readers. Technical writers produce a whole host of technical documents such as user guides, white papers and system manuals, and can also work with experts such as scientists, engineers and doctors to help produce journal articles and important documents like clinical study reports.SKILLSTechnical writers need to Write in a clear and concise mannerHave impeccable attention to detailUnderstand training and development needsUnderstand information systemsHave strong editing and proofreading skillsSPECIALISATIONSBy industryMedicalHealthcareScienceBusinessTRAININGTechnical writers are often required to hold at least an undergraduate degree in communicationsBachelor of Communications (Media Studies)Master of CommunicationPAY$48 $124ktable-border td border1px solid 444table-border border2px solid 000table-border td, table-border th padding3px border1px solid 444table-border tr td + td + td, table-border tr th + td + td table-border tr td + td , table-border tr th + td10 . GhostwriterDESCRIPTIONThis list would be replete without a nod to ghostwriters the invisible forces who work behind the scenes on novels, screenplays and autobiographies for the pay, rather than the fame. Ghostwriters are often commissioned by two types of clients those with no writing background (celebrities and media personalities looking to pen a novel or autobiography), and professional writers struggling with writers block.SKILLSGhostwriters need to beGood listeners and collaborate well with non-writersAble to accurately research and fact-checkStrong subeditorsGifted storytellersAble to set aside their ego (the client often has the final say)SPECIALISATIONSGhostwriters can be commissioned to help withAutobiographies and memoirsNovels (both fiction and non-fiction)Screenplays and scriptsTwitter accounts and social media managementTRAININGGhostwriters are trained as professional writers, ideally with a background in publishingor journalism. For aspiring ghostwriters, we reco mmend the following coursesMaster of Arts (Writing)Certificate in Non-Fiction Writing and PublishingWriting, Editing and PublishingRESOURCES- A closer look at ghostwriting The Australian Society of Authors has compiled a comprehensive overview of ghostwriting.- Learning from the bestAndrew Crofts, one of Britains most successful ghostwriters, has released a book with rare insights into the world of professional ghostwritingPAY$25 $500k per booktable-border td border1px solid 444table-border border2px solid 000table-border td, table-border th padding3px border1px solid 444table-border tr td + td + td, table-border tr th + td + td table-border tr td + td , table-border tr th + tdThe pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Hone your greatest weapon today with our range of online writing coursesSources - Payscale - Australian Government Gazette - Gamasutra 2014 Salary Survey - Writers MarketplaceBachelor of Communication (Journalism)Study modeOn CampusOnlinePayment optionsHECS-HELPUpfro nt paymentEnquire Online Enquire OnlineWriting ResourcesPublishing assistant sample resumePublishing assistant sample cover letterCareer Insider StoriesHelen Scheuerer - Founding Editor of Writers EditAmanda Palm - BLOGS X BANTER Founder & WriterMorris Gleitzman - Childrens AuthorSonya Hartnett - Award-Winning AuthorInterested in becoming a?WriterJournalistCopywriterEditorAuthorPopular Career Searchesonline creative writing coursescreative writing course brisbaneonline creative writing course australiabachelor creative writing melbourneonline degree for creative writingWriting CoursesBachelor of Creative WritingEnquire Online Enquire Online Vivien LuuViv is a writer who enjoys researching and writing about creativity, how the menschenwrdig mind works, and neuro processes. She values creativity above all else and admires people who pursue their career dreams, no matter the sacrifice. In her spare time, she binges on HBO shows and epic fantasy novels.Related ArticlesBrowse moreCAREER INSPIRATIONFemale entrepreneursSandra Reynolds - Author and Blogger, The $120 Food ChallengeI am passionate about teaching people not so much how to cook but how to eat, how to plan a menu for the week, how to stock up their pantry, how to use seasonal produce.Creative careersFemale entrepreneursMia Freedman - Writer and Website EntrepreneurI have always been passionate about creating tribes of women, communities of like-minded people.CAREER INSPIRATIONEntrepreneurshipHow to Become A Professional BloggerIn recent years, social media has been revolutionising the way people find jobs. Social media is now becoming a job in itself, with many people turning their blog or website into a viable moneymaker.

4 Mistakes To Avoid When Trying To Get Music Reviews

4 Mistakes To Avoid When Trying To Get Music Reviews4 Mistakes To Avoid When Trying To Get Music ReviewsGetting music press is never easy. So many people are vying such a limited amount of print space that getting the press attention you want is always hard work. The last thing you need to do is burn your bridges before you even build them. To make sure you get off on the right foot when youre trying to get some press coverage of your music, check out these donts when it comes to approaching music journalists. Also, dont forget to brush up on your dos for approaching the music media before your press campaign kicks off. Dont Engage in TMI Its tempting to want to share your whole life story when youre trying to get some press attention - after all, you never know exactly which accomplishment will connect with a particular writer. However, its extremely important to pick the highlights and target your message. Dont think that you can force a journalist into digging through your bac k story just by stuffing an envelope with lots of paper or attaching ten documents to an email. Not only will it likely elend get read, but you may also end up blowing your chances completely because it just seems like so much work to dig through all of your info. Stay on point about this particular project, add a few past highlights and keep your press releases to one page. Dont Show Your Frustration Ignored emails and phone calls are the order of the day in a press campaign. Getting frustrated is easy, and often, its completely valid to feel that way. As good as it might feel, however, you cant tell some journalist off for not giving your music a chance. You cant argue your way into a review or an interview and putting your bad attitude on display is a good way to get the door shut in your face for good. Stay professional in all emails and phone calls with the press, even if you dont like what youre hearing. Youll get your revenge when youre big and famous, and theyre scrambli ng to get on the guest list for your show Dont Be Annoying to the Press Youll need to follow up with music journalists often during a press campaign, and they often wont get back to you. Calling every hour, emailing several times a day- consider how youd feel if you were on the other end of that kind of barrage. Youd do much better to show music journalists that you understand that they are surrounded by people demanding their attention from all angles. Keep your messages short and sweet, make sure you let them know how to contact you and keep the door open by telling them how and when you will follow up next. Dont Get Discouraged Even seasoned PR pros have to work hard to secure music press for a release, and not every pitch is going to be a home run. Dont let an uphill battle with the press get you off track. Eventually, you will identify writers and publications that are a good fit for your music, and the job will get easier. The only way to get there is to go through th e experience - the good and the bad. Stick with it.

Business Women Basics

Business Women BasicsBusiness Women Basics

Expert on scientific tricks to fall asleep fast when you cant sleep

Expert on scientific tricks to fall asleep fast when you can’t sleep Expert on scientific tricks to fall asleep fast when you can’t sleep Nearly two-thirds of adults in developed nations fail to meet the nightly eight hours of sleep recommended by the World Health Organisation.According to Matthew Walker, sleep expert, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley and neuroscientist, driving while drowsy is more dangerous than drunk driving. [1]Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!Sleep deprivation may also affect male and female fertility. Walker notes that men who sleep five hours a night have significantly smaller testicles than those who sleep eight hours or more. And, they tend to have levels of testosterone similar to a man ten years older. [2]Sleep deprivation also increases the risk of cancer, memory loss, depression, anxiety, obesity, cancer, heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease and early death.In his New York Times bestselling book,  Why We Sleep  (Audiobook), Walker notes that:“After being awa ke for nineteen hours, people who were sleep-deprived were as cognitively impaired as those who were legally drunk… After sixteen hours of being awake, the brain begins to fail. Humans need more than seven hours of sleep each night to maintain cognitive performance. After ten days of just seven hours of sleep, the brain is as dysfunctional as it would be after going without sleep for twenty-four hours.”An extra hour or two of sleep could also be the difference between being good versus great with your work, health, family, relationships and finances.Here are five scientific tricks to help you fall asleep fast and regain these extra hours of sleep.1. Maintain a consistent sleep scheduleSleep expert, Walker, notes that one of the best ways to train your body to fall asleep quicker is to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even if you don’t have a good night of sleep.Walker recommends that you set a bedtime reminder on your phone an hour before you plan to fall asle ep.Another effective trick is to develop a pre-sleep routine that will help you to  build the habit  of falling asleep quicker.For example, during my pre-sleep routine, I spend five minutes stretching and practicing breathing exercises. Then I read a book in bed and usually fall asleep within 10 minutes of reading.Experiment with different pre-sleep routines to find what works best for you.2. Create a dark sleep environmentWe live in a dark-deprived society, but we require darkness in the evenings to aid the release of melatonin, a hormone that determines the healthy timing of our sleep.The blue lights that emit from your electronic devices could fool your brain to think it’s still day time, even though it’s nighttime and you’re trying to sleep.According to Walker:“Even a hint of dim light- 8 to 10 lux- has been shown to delay the release of nighttime melatonin in humans…A subtly lit living room, where most people reside in the hours before bed, will hum at around 200 lux. Despite being just 1 to 2 percent of the strength of daylight, this ambient level of incandescent home lighting can have 50 percent of the melatonin-suppressing influence within the brain.” (Source:  Why We Sleep)Walker’s advice is to dim down half the lights in your home and shut down all electronics about an hour before you go to bed. This way you can  design your environment  to make it easier to fall asleep fast.3. Keep your body coolAccording to Walker, our bodies require a drop in temperature- which affects our melatonin levels- to fall asleep quicker.If you’ve ever woken up, only to find your arms and legs sticking out of your covers, it’s a sign that your body attempted to reduce its core temperature low enough for you to fall asleep.The ideal bedroom temperature lies between 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, assuming standard bedding and clothing.Another trick to reduce your core temperature and fall asleep quicker is to take a hot bath before bed.Walker suggests that:â €œWhen you get out of the bath, those dilated blood vessels on the surface quickly help radiate out inner heat, and your core body temperature plummets. Consequently, you fall asleep more quickly because your core is colder. Hot baths prior to bed can also induce 10 to 15 percent more deep NREM sleep in healthy adults.”4. Avoid caffeine and alcohol after 2 p.mWhen we wake up in the morning, a chemical, adenosine, builds up in our brain to create sleep pressure and make us feel sleepier the longer we stay awake.After about 16 hours of staying awake, the sleep pressure created by adenosine causes us to feel tired enough to fall asleep. But, caffeine creates the opposite effect.After a dose of caffeine, say from a cup of coffee, caffeine latches onto one of the adenosine receptors in the brain and masks the receptor.And so, after about 16 hours of staying awake, your brain is fooled into thinking that it hasn’t been awake for 16 hours, despite how sleepy and tired you feel. This is because caffeine is blocking the brain signals of adenosine, as well as the sleep pressure instructions to the brain.The longer caffeine blocks adenosine, the sleepiness chemical, the greater the quantity of adenosine builds up in your system. When your body rids itself of the caffeine from its system, not only do you revert back to the same level of sleepiness prior to consuming the caffeine, you’re also hit with an additional dose of sleepiness from the adenosine build up. This is the ‘caffeine crash’ you may have experienced before.And just like any  bad habit, you’ll crave another dose of caffeine to boost your energy, reinforcing the vicious cycle. [3]The average half-life of caffeine is approximately five to seven hours. That’s why Walker recommends that we avoid caffeine consumption after 2 p.m.In  Why We Sleep, Walker also suggests that consuming alcohol, even wine or whiskey in the evenings, is detrimental for quality sleep:“… those who had their sleep laced with alcohol on the first night after learning suffered what can conservatively be described as partial amnesia seven days later, forgetting more than 50 percent of all that original knowledge.”Alcohol causes multiple sleep interruptions in the middle of the night, most of which we won’t remember. Plus, it blocks our REM and dream sleep, which is critical for mental health. [4]5. Don’t stay in bed after you wake upHere’s a common scenario.You suddenly wake up an hour or two before the alarm to wake up rings. The clock is ticking. You know that time is running out and if you don’t fall asleep now, you’d miss out on the extra sleep.But for some reason, you’re filled with anxiety because you can’t sleep and you’re not sure whether to stay in bed or get up and start your day.Our brains are extremely adaptive, so if we spend enough mornings in bed after we wake up, the brain would learn to associate the bed with staying awake, instead of falling asleep.Walker suggests t hat the best way to avoid this problem is to go to another dim lighted room and read a book until you’re about to fall asleep, then return back to bed.If you still can’t fall asleep, that’s okay. By restricting time spent in bed, you can build up sleep pressure to fall asleep faster overtime:“One of the more paradoxical CBT-I methods used to help insomniacs sleep is to restrict their time spent in bed, perhaps even to just six hours of sleep or less to begin with. By keeping patients awake for longer, we build up a strong sleep pressure - a greater abundance of adenosine. Under this heavier weight of sleep pressure, patients fall asleep faster, and achieve a more stable, solid form of sleep across the night. In this way, a patient can regain their psychological confidence in being able to self-generate and sustain healthy, rapid, and sound sleep, night after night: something that has eluded them for months if not years. Upon reestablishing a patient’s confidence in this r egard, time in bed is gradually increased.”Walker also suggests meditation as a solution to fall asleep faster, especially after a long flight and build up of jet lag. In particular,  breathing exercises  quiet the mind and weaken the fight-or-flight branch of the nervous system, a key feature of insomnia.Master the art of falling asleep“Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleeve of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast.” â€" William Shakespeare, MacbethFalling asleep is as much an art as it is a science. Whilst these scientific tricks can help you fall asleep faster, they aren’t rules set in stone.As with everything, you can always experiment and find what works best for you based on your lifestyle and circumstances.The main takeaway is that sleep is crucial for a healthy, productive and fulfilling life.Make sleep a priority in your life today.Mayo Oshin writes at  MayoOshin.com, where he shares practical self-improvement ideas and proven science for better health, productivity, and creativity.  To get practical ideas on how to stop procrastinating and build healthy habits, you can join his free weekly newsletter  here.A version of this  article  originally appeared at  mayooshin.com  as “5 Scientific Tricks to Fall Asleep Fast When You Can’t Sleep, According to a Sleep Expert.”Footnotes Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams, by Matthew Walker University of Chicago  Study  showing effect of 1 Week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men. Caffeine sensitivity could be affected by several factors including age, quantity of prior sleep and medications taken. A. Yang, A. A. Palmer, and H. de Wit, “Genetics of caffeine consumption and responses to caffeine,” Psychopharmacology 311, no. 3 (2010): 245â€"57, Studies  also show that in pregnant women, alcohol could dampen the intensity of REM sleep experienced by the fetus, as well as reduce the breathing rate of the unborn baby. Fun fact:  According to the National Sleep Foundation, some people sleep better with their significant other in bed with them. However, approximately 30 percent of couples sleep in separate rooms. You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people Expert on scientific tricks to fall asleep fast when you can’t sleep Nearly two-thirds of adults in developed nations fail to meet the nightly eight hours of sleep recommended by the World Health Organisation.According to Matthew Walker, sleep expert, professor at the University of California, Berkeley and neuroscientist, driving while drowsy is more dangerous than drunk driving. [1]Sleep deprivation may also affect male and female fertility. Walker notes that men who sleep five hours a night have significantly smaller testicles than those who sleep eight hours or more. And, they tend to have levels of testosterone similar to a man ten years older. [2]Sleep deprivation also increases the risk of cancer, memory loss, depression, anxiety, obesity, cancer, heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease and early death.In his New York Times bestselling book,  Why We Sleep  (Audiobook), Walker notes that:“After being awake for nineteen hours, people who were sleep-deprived were as cognitively impaired as those who were legally drunk… After sixteen hours of being awake, the brain begins to fail. Humans need more than seven hours of sleep each night to maintain cognitive performance. After ten days of just seven hours of sleep, the brain is as dysfunctional as it would be after going without sleep for twenty-four hours.”An extra hour or two of sleep could also be the difference between being good versus great with your work, health, family, relationships and finances.Here are five scientific tricks to help you fall asleep fast and regain these extra hours of sleep.1. Maintain a consistent sleep scheduleSleep expert, Walker, notes that one of the best ways to train your body to fall asleep quicker is to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even if you don’t have a good night of sleep.Walker recommends that you set a bedtime reminder on your phone an hour before you plan to fall asleep.Another effective trick is to develop a pre-sleep routine that will help you to  build the habit  of falling asleep quicker.For example, during my pre-sleep routine, I spend five minutes stretching and practicing breathing exercises. Then I read a book in bed and usually fall asleep within 10 minutes of reading.Experiment with different pre-sleep routines to find what works best for you.2. Create a dark sleep environmentWe live in a dark-deprived society, but we require darkness in the evenings to aid the release of a melatonin, a hormone that determines the healthy timing of our sleep.The blue lights that emit from your electronic devices could fool your brain to think it’s still day time, even though it’s nighttime and you’re trying to sleep.According to Walker:“Even a hint of dim light- 8 to 10 lux- has been shown to delay the release of nighttime melatonin in humans…A subtly lit living room, where most people reside in the hours before bed, will hum at around 200 lux. Despite being just 1 to 2 percent of the strength of daylight, this ambient level of incandescent home lighting can have 50 percent of the mela tonin-suppressing influence within the brain.” (Source:  Why We Sleep)Walker’s advice is to dim down half the lights in your home and shut down all electronics about an hour before you go to bed. This way you can  design your environment  to make it easier to fall asleep fast.3. Keep your body coolAccording to Walker, our bodies require a drop in temperature- which affects our melatonin levels- to fall asleep quicker.If you’ve ever woken up, only to find your arms and legs sticking out of your covers, it’s a sign that your body attempted to reduce its core temperature low enough for you to fall asleep.The ideal bedroom temperature lies between 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, assuming standard bedding and clothing.Another trick to reduce your core temperature and fall asleep quicker is to take a hot bath before bed.Walker suggests that:“When you get out of the bath, those dilated blood vessels on the surface quickly help radiate out inner heat, and your core body temperature p lummets. Consequently, you fall asleep more quickly because your core is colder. Hot baths prior to bed can also induce 10 to 15 percent more deep NREM sleep in healthy adults.”4. Avoid caffeine and alcohol after 2 p.mWhen we wake up in the morning, a chemical, adenosine, builds up in our brain to create sleep pressure and make us feel sleepier the longer we stay awake.After about 16 hours of staying awake, the sleep pressure created by adenosine causes us to feel tired enough to fall asleep. But, caffeine creates the opposite effect.After a dose of caffeine, say from a cup of coffee, caffeine latches onto one of the adenosine receptors in the brain and masks the receptor.And so, after about 16 hours of staying awake, your brain is fooled into thinking that it hasn’t been awake for 16 hours, despite how sleepy and tired you feel. This is because caffeine is blocking the brain signals of adenosine, as well as the sleep pressure instructions to the brain.The longer caffeine blocks adenosine, the sleepiness chemical, the greater the quantity of adenosine build up in your system. When your body rids itself of the caffeine from its system, not only do you revert back to the same level of sleepiness prior to consuming the caffeine, you’re also hit with an additional dose of sleepiness from the adenosine build up. This is the ‘caffeine crash’ you may have experienced before.And just like any  bad habit, you’ll crave another dose of caffeine to boost your energy, reinforcing the vicious cycle. [3]The average half-life of caffeine is approximately five to seven hours. That’s why Walker recommends that we avoid caffeine consumption after 2 p.m.In  Why We Sleep, Walker also suggests that consuming alcohol, even wine or whiskey in the evenings, is detrimental for quality sleep:“… those who had their sleep laced with alcohol on the first night after learning suffered what can conservatively be described as partial amnesia seven days later, forgetting more than 50 percent of all that original knowledge.”Alcohol causes multiple sleep interruptions in the middle of the night, most of which we won’t remember. Plus, it blocks our REM and dream sleep, which is critical for mental health. [4]5. Don’t stay in bed after you wake upHere’s a common scenario.You suddenly wake up an hour or two before the alarm to wake up rings. The clock is ticking. You know that time is running out and if you don’t fall asleep now, you’d miss out on the extra sleep.But for some reason, you’re filled with anxiety because you can’t sleep and you’re not sure whether to stay in bed or get up and start your day.Our brains are extremely adaptive, so if we spend enough mornings in bed after we wake up, the brain would learn to associate the bed with staying awake, instead of falling asleep.Walker suggests that the best way to avoid this problem is to go to another dim lighted room and read a book until you’re about to fall asleep, then return back to bed.If you still can’t fall asleep, that’s okay. By restricting time spent in bed, you can build up sleep pressure to fall asleep faster overtime:“One of the more paradoxical CBT-I methods used to help insomniacs sleep is to restrict their time spent in bed, perhaps even to just six hours of sleep or less to begin with. By keeping patients awake for longer, we build up a strong sleep pressure - a greater abundance of adenosine. Under this heavier weight of sleep pressure, patients fall asleep faster, and achieve a more stable, solid form of sleep across the night. In this way, a patient can regain their psychological confidence in being able to self-generate and sustain healthy, rapid, and sound sleep, night after night: something that has eluded them for months if not years. Upon reestablishing a patient’s confidence in this regard, time in bed is gradually increased.”Walker also suggests meditation as a solution to fall asleep faster, especially after a long flight and build up of jet lag. In particular,  breathing exercises  quiet the mind and weaken the fight-or-flight branch of the nervous system, a key feature of insomnia.Master the art of falling asleep“Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleeve of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast.” â€" William Shakespeare, MacbethFalling asleep is as much an art as it is a science. Whilst these scientific tricks can help you fall asleep faster, they aren’t rules set in stone.As with everything, you can always experiment and find what works best for you based on your lifestyle and circumstances.The main takeaway is that sleep is crucial for a healthy, productive and fulfilling life.Make sleep a priority in your life today.Mayo Oshin writes at  MayoOshin.com, where he shares practical self-improvement ideas and proven science for better health, productivity and creativity.  To get practical ideas on how to stop procrastinating and build healthy habits, you can join his free weekly newsletter  here.A version of this  article  originally appeared at  mayooshin.com  as “5 Scientific Tricks to Fall Asleep Fast When You Can’t Sleep, According to a Sleep Expert.”Footnotes Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams, by Matthew Walker University of Chicago  Study  showing effect of 1 Week of sleep restriction on testosterone levels in young healthy men. Caffeine sensitivity could be affected by several factors including age, quantity of prior sleep and medications taken. A. Yang, A. A. Palmer, and H. de Wit, “Genetics of caffeine consumption and responses to caffeine,” Psychopharmacology 311, no. 3 (2010): 245â€"57, Studies  also show that in pregnant women, alcohol could dampen the intensity of REM sleep experienced by the fetus, as well as reduce the breathing rate of the unborn baby. Fun fact:  According to the National Sleep Foundation, some people sleep better with their significant other in bed with them. However, approximately 30 percent of couples sleep in separate rooms.

Could Google predict your next sick day

Could Google predict your next sick day Could Google predict your next sick day Your next sick day could come from a cold, or stress, or allergies, or anything. The unpredictability of being derailed is what makes sick days stressful.You won’t know what will hit you, necessarily. Thanks to Google’s technology, however, we might have a shot at predicting when it will be.According to CNBC, the Google Brain team is teaming up with hospitals to sort through millions of  medical records using machine learning, looking for clusters of reasons and times that people get sick. The institutions reportedly removed personal information  from the files, making it impossible  to pinpoint patients’ identities from the documents.Google’s technology just might make it easier to tell when illness is coming your way in the future, which would already be a huge advance in knowledge.But where Google’s machine learning could come in handy as well is help employers and employees understand the eternal problem of sick days.Sick days have a significant impact on the U.S. econ omy. The U.S. Integrated Benefits Institute reported  in 2012 that bad health sets the US economy back $576 billion, and that 39% ($227 billion) of the money lost is due to a decline in productivity: people being out of work because of sickness or lowered performance.That is, with a few catches.How it’s  going so farKatherine Chou, the head of product at Google Brain, told CNBC more about the technology in an interview, only promised that the technology can “improve predictions,” not that it will be all-knowing.Just in case you’re scrambling to see when this technology will be readily available, you might want to pump the brakes for a bit.  CNBC added that until the data is officially sifted through, the outcomes won’t be revealed.Workers avoid taking sick daysAnother catch: most people who get sick enough to stay home from work aren’t actually sick enough to go to the hospital. So Google’s technology may be limited in its usefulness for employees and employers.In fact , people are more likely not to stay home at all. It’s common for people to work through their illness at work in the office.A 2016 survey by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health provided data on how many people work through their sickness instead of not showing up for work.Researchers interviewed 1,601 employees in the U.S. who work 20 or more hours per week.The study found that “adults in low-paying jobs are more likely to say they go to work when sick,” adding that 65% of participants reported going in “always or most of the time” when battling the flu. Fifty-five percent of participants with jobs with average salaries reported doing so, and 48% with high salaries did.But it looks like people in specific positions that are heavy on face-to-face interactions also come to work sick anyway.“Half of restaurant workers and more than half of workers in medical jobs say they still go to work always or most of the time when the y have a cold or the flu. Many workers have also had experiences in caring for family members who were seriously ill, injured, or disabled while working at their current job,” the report said.That could be for a variety of reasons: because employees are afraid of losing pay, since companies can already skimp on the sick days they allow employees. There are no federal legal requirements for paid sick leave  in the U.S.Whether come in sick or would rather stay home, Google Brain’s technology might be an option for thinking about your health concerns someday.

Resume of Darth Vader [infographic]

Resume of Darth Vader [infographic] Resume of Darth Vader SPOILER ALERT!   If you still havent seen Star Wars and you are planning to watch the whole thing one day, do not continue reading. This infographic is based on Darth Vaders path which escalated in beautifully written story of Star Wars. Maybe its time for you to watch it finally? ?? Obi-Wan Kenobi said to fallen Anakin Skywalker: You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them! Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness! You were my brother, Anakin! I loved you! Obi-Wan wasnt aware that Anakins transformation into Darth Vader was actually the beginning of an end of bringing the balance to the Star Wars universe. We are not here to discuss Star Wars trivia. We bet, there are many readers with greater knowledge about the Star Wars than us. What we wanna do is to imagine, what would Darth Vaders resume look like. Not many Siths can say: I was a Jedi knight once. Darth Vader can show off as much as he can. He was a big deal in both Jedi and Sith world. This gives him exceptional experiences which would lead to another star-like career in case he would be fired from his Sith Lord post. Why dont you check it out on your own? Would you hire him? Do you like this story? Share it with your friends. Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments!

10 Coolest Coworking Spaces Around the World

10 Coolest Coworking Spaces Around the World 10 Coolest Coworking Spaces Around the World Being a freelancer or, simply, any kind of an independent professional is amazingly liberating but it can get rough sometimes. If you are one, you surely know the battle: high risk of procrastinating, lack of motivation, distractions all around you all day long. Coworking might be a solution to all of these struggles. Coworking spaces have many advantages that you and your business can benefit from. Do you prefer sticking to one place, or you’re what they call a “digital nomad” enjoying the luxury of travelling around with your laptop, working from any place in the world you want? Either way, we’ve picked these 10 cool coworking spaces you should definitely check out! Maybe one of them will be your next stop on your career journey. 1. COWORKRS, NYC, New York Where’s better to cowork than in the heart of Manhattan? Maybe Brooklyn? Coworkrs are three beautifully designed, stylish coworking spaces in three locations around the Big Apple. All of them offer large, airy open workspaces or private office suites for dedicated freelancers, individual entrepreneurs, startups or non-profits to grow and thrive. 2. THE BOX JELLY, Hawaii To live and work in Hawaii is perhaps a dream of many. If you think about making the dream true, try renting a desk at The Box Jelly the first and largest coworking space in Hawaii. 3. HUBUD, Bali, Indonesia One of the most popular coworking spaces in the world located in Ubud on the island of Bali is a real gem among coworkings. Indoor and outdoor workspaces, bamboo interior and cozy, summery atmosphere will make you want to never leave this place! 4. KOHUB, Koh Lanta, Thailand A tropical coworking, the way they refer to KoHub, is a perfect place for you to go for a business holiday. Half your time, you could be working in this exotic, spacious workspace, while the rest of your day you could spend on the beach, surfing or soaking in the sun. KoHub also offers an accommodation, which they call “coliving”. You can get a coworking all inclusive package with a room, a desk and two meals a day, too. 5. HUB AUSTRALIA, Sydney, Australia Hub Australia has three locations down under: Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Aside from many other perks, the Hub members can enjoy unlimited access to all coworkings, super-fast internet, weekly events, free organic coffee and many more.   6. WEWORK, Soho, London We Work is a large network of coworking spaces in more than 20 locations in six countries, so it’s an ideal solution for a digital nomad. You pay the membership but work from any We Work office you want. It was hard to pick just one because virtually all of the WW workspaces are beautiful, but vibrant Soho London is simply an awesome place to be! 7. AGORA COLLECTIVE, Berlin, Germany You can rent a desk in a home-like cozy premises, chill in the Agora Café or learn something new about how people approach food in the Agora Food platform. The Agora community also offers a large range of cool courses, workshops and events, such as Pop Up Dinners, where you can try all sorts of new tastes from all over the world. 8.  LOFFICE, Budapest, Hungary Budapest has some serious flair. This city in the heart of Europe  is getting more and more popular among young professionals who come here to seek inspiration. Loffice coworking is a large, fashionable spot where your creativity and motivation will thrive. 9. MOZAIK, Paris, France Everyone’s talking about French elegance try some French minimalism! This stylish coworking space offers two neat and tidy workspaces with fully equipped premises right in the heart of Paris. If you’re a digital nomad travelling around Europe, don’t miss out on this place. Because Paris is always a good idea. And coworking in Paris even more so. 10. BOVEN DE BALIE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands A very smart and efficient workspace in the centre of Amsterdam. Boven de Balie is an ideal coworking space for individual entrepreneurs. The space organizes daily shared lunches so you’ll be able to get to know your coworkers and just one floor below the coworking is a café de Balie, a perfect place for an after-work chat and networking. Do you like this story? Share it with your friends! Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments!

ASME Executive Director Thomas G. Loughlin.

ASME Executive Director Thomas G. Loughlin. ASME Executive Director Thomas G. Loughlin. ASME ED Tom Loughlin to Step Down in 2018 May 5, 2017 ASME Executive Director Thomas G. Loughlin today announced his plans to step down by the end of ASME’s 2017-2018 fiscal year, and ASME’s President, K. Keith Roe, announced that a Search Committee will be formed in the immediate future to identify Mr. Loughlin’s successor. The selection and announcement of a new Executive Director are expected to occur in the spring of 2018. “Tom has been our Executive Director since 2008 and has been a dedicated employee of ASME for almost 25 years,” Roe said. “Under Tom’s leadership, ASME has progressed on many fronts and, most recently, developed an enterprise strategy that the Board believes will ensure ASME's long-term vitality and its continued place at the forefront of the world’s engineering Societies. The Board is committed to the strategy work that has been done thus far and is grateful for Tom's leadership in bringing us to this point.” “We as Governors look forward to having the benefit of Tom's knowledge and experience as we move through this time of transition, and we also appreciate the support of our thousands of members as we move forward with our exciting strategy for the future,” Roe said. ASME President-elect Charla Wise said, “The volunteers and staff at ASME have been hard at work on the development of an Integrated Operating Plan, which translates the strategy into the operation, and is planned to be in place at the start of my term. I am committed to the successful implementation of the Integrated Operating Plan, and I am looking forward to leading the organization at this exciting time.” “This is an exciting time in the history of ASME, and I am proud of what we have achieved and the work we are doing,” Loughlin said. “I look forward to working with the Board of Governors, our other volunteer leaders, and our superb staff during this transition period as we continue our work on the strategy and lay a solid, strategic foundation for the next Executive Director to build on.” ###

Financial emotional freedom What does it take

Financial emotional freedom What does it take Financial emotional freedom What does it take Money doesn’t make you happy. And yet, we need it to live. So what do we do? Try hard to make more money? Or, be content with what we have?The problem is that both options come with high costs.We’ve all heard about the research that says you won’t be happier if you earn more than  $75K  or some other magic figure.We’ve all heard about these studies by now. And yet, it doesn’t make a bit of impact on the way we live.At least, those findings never changed the way I chased money in my life. And neither did it change anyone I personally know.The problem with these averages is that they are averages. And yet, mindless writers keep quoting this research that says money doesn’t make you happy.“Money doesn’t buy happiness.” A Google search for that phrase gives you 69,200,000 results.I must admit that I’ve too said something like “money doesn’t make you happy because a study said so.” But no one can relate to statistics without a personal story.  I found out the har d waySomewhere in my late teens/early twenties, I got the idea in my head that you need to be a millionaire to be successful. I’ve been thinking about how I came up with that idea, but I can’t exactly tell where it originated.I guess it has something to do with pop culture, greed, vanity, insecurity, and peer pressure.Those are all false reasons to do anything in life. But I also had good motives to make money. As a child from an immigrant family, we didn’t have much growing up. My parents did their best to support my brother and me. And they went into debt.I always wanted to contribute. It’s a natural urge that many people who grew up with very little share.That drive also motivated me to do my best at school. I wasn’t the smartest kid. I just worked hard. And that’s how I got myself into a good university. With the support of my parents, I became the first person in my near family with a master’s degree.But when I got out of college, I became very money focused. I ev en lost the opportunity to work for a very successful entrepreneur because I asked for too much money. But that didn’t stop me from earning more.I started a business and we hit $1 million in revenue in our second year. I paid myself $40K a year, living on my own terms. Looking back, it was pretty good for a 25-year-old. But that wasn’t enough for me.I said yes to every single opportunity and found myself in a blind pursuit of money. After doing that for almost four years, I felt empty.More money leads to bigger problemsI thought that more money was the answer to everything. “If I would only make more…Then these problems all disappear.”But that’s not how it works. One of my  mentors, who’s very wealthy, once told me that:“The more money you make, the bigger your problems become.”What he means is that money comes at a price. The more investments you have, the more you can lose. It’s the same for building a business. As a company grows, the more responsibilities and problems you get.Life is not easy. No matter how much money you make.You need less than you thinkBack to the time when I was chasing money. I woke up at 6 AM and worked until I went to bed. I was in a bad mood all the time. Snapped at my girlfriend. Didn’t have time to see my friends. In fact, I didn’t have time to enjoy anything.My story is not unique. In fact, these types of “I chased money” stories are more common than the stories of people who make it big.Because what’s more unrelatable than a scientist who says “money doesn’t make you happy”?When a rich person says that!Right? When a millionaire tells you that money doesn’t buy happiness, we all think the same thing.“Easy for you to say.”That’s why I’m here, as a normal person, to tell you the same thing. Don’t chase money. Even if you think it gives you financial freedom. If it comes at the price of an emotional prison, it’s not worth it.You always need way less than you think. When I was unhappy with my well-paying career, I took a step back. Literally.Instead of being away from my family, I moved closer and helped them in many other ways. Not only financially but also emotionally, by simply being there.And now, I’m doing what I love. I’m making a living as a blogger and online teacher. And you know what, I don’t even need a lot of money to live a good life.It’s one of the main messages of Your Money Or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, one of my favorite books on personal finance. I love that the authors put things in perspective.With examples, they illustrate how much money we spend on job-related things. For instance, if you live in an expensive city for your job, your cost of living and commuting will be much higher.Plus, how much money do you spend on clothes you wear at work? Suits, dresses, shoes? It’s all money that you usually wouldn’t spend.In  Your Money Or Your Life, Robin and Dominguez lay out a plan that leads to financial freedom. It’ s very sound and practical. But I think you need something else first.Become emotionally free firstI’m feeling like I’m just summing up clichés in this article. And there’s no way I expect you to change your life perspective after reading this.However, I do hope that you decide to strive for emotional freedom first- not just accumulating more money.Yes, money buys freedom, but you don’t need a lot of it to achieve that. Remember: Mo money, mo problems.That’s why we need to be emotionally strong. We can’t flip out at first sight of real problems.We must be strong and able to cope with stress. To me, that was the first step towards achieving happiness and freedom in life.I’m not afraid of what the future brings. That’s because of two things: I’m mentally and physically strong due to years of consciously stressing my mind and body.  That’s how you build strength. I have 0 debt, have savings, and work for myself. Plus, I don’t care about my reputation. Hence, I don’t have to answer to anybody else,  other than my own morals. You see, the topic of money and happiness goes deep. Every choice you make in life has a significant impact on the quality of your life. For every action, there’s a reaction. Did you take a job that requires you to be in constant fear of losing your reputation? If so, you’re not free. Did you take out a loan to buy a car? If so, you’re not free. But look, it’s not the end of the world.  I’ve been in debt.  I’ve been a prisoner of the corporate world. I got out. And I’m not the only one who did that.It takes commitment and a plan.Freedom is not an accident.It’s a deliberate strategy that requires a lot of work, thinking, and planning. I encourage you to work on it. And I will do the same. Because in this game, you can never take anything for granted. You just need to be willing to start all over again.And with that, I have no problem.This  article  first appeared on  Darius Foroux. Financial emotional freedom What does it take Money doesn’t make you happy. And yet, we need it to live. So what do we do? Try hard to make more money? Or, be content with what we have?The problem is that both options come with high costs.We’ve all heard about the research that says you won’t be happier if you earn more than  $75K  or some other magic figure.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!We’ve all heard about these studies by now. And yet, it doesn’t make a bit of impact on the way we live.At least, those findings never changed the way I chased money in my life. And neither did it change anyone I personally know.The problem with these averages is that they are averages. And yet, mindless writers keep quoting this research that says money doesn’t make you happy.“Money doesn’t buy happiness.” A Google search for that phrase gives you 69,200,000 results.I must admit that I’ve too said something like “money doesn’t make you happy because a study said so.” But no one can relate to statistics without a personal story.I found out the hard waySomewhere in my late teens/early twenties, I got the idea in my head that you need to be a millionaire to be successful. I’ve been thinking about how I came up with that idea, but I can’t exactly tell where it originated.I guess it has something to do with pop culture, greed, vanity, insecurity, and peer pressure.Those are all false reasons to do anything in life. But I also had good motives to make money. As a child from an immigrant family, we didn’t have much growing up. My parents did their best to support my brother and me. And they went into debt.I always wanted to contribute. It’s a natural urge that many people who grew up with very little share.That drive also motivated me to do my best at school. I wasn’t the smartest kid. I just worked hard. And that’s how I got myself into a good university. With the support of my parents, I became the first person in my near family with a master’s degree.But when I got out of college, I became very money focused. I even lost the opportunity to work for a very successful entrepreneur because I asked for too much money. But that didn’t stop me from earning more.I started a business and we hit $1 million in revenue in our second year. I paid myself $40K a year, living on my own terms. Looking back, it was pretty good for a 25-year-old. But that wasn’t enough for me.I said yes to every single opportunity and found myself in a blind pursuit of money. After doing that for almost four years, I felt empty.More money leads to bigger problemsI thought that more money was the answer to everything. “If I would only make more…Then these problems all disappear.”But that’s not how it works. One of my  mentors, who’s very wealthy, once told me that:“The more money you make, the bigger your problems become.”What he means is that money comes at a price. Th e more investments you have, the more you can lose. It’s the same for building a business. As a company grows, the more responsibilities and problems you get.Life is not easy. No matter how much money you make.You need less than you thinkBack to the time when I was chasing money. I woke up at 6 AM and worked until I went to bed. I was in a bad mood all the time. Snapped at my girlfriend. Didn’t have time to see my friends. In fact, I didn’t have time to enjoy anything.My story is not unique. In fact, these types of “I chased money” stories are more common than the stories of people who make it big.Because what’s more unrelatable than a scientist who says “money doesn’t make you happy”?When a rich person says that!Right? When a millionaire tells you that money doesn’t buy happiness, we all think the same thing.“Easy for you to say.”That’s why I’m here, as a normal person, to tell you the same thing. Don’t chase money. Even if you think it gives you finan cial freedom. If it comes at the price of an emotional prison, it’s not worth it.You always need way less than you think. When I was unhappy with my well-paying career, I took a step back. Literally.Instead of being away from my family, I moved closer and helped them in many other ways. Not only financially but also emotionally, by simply being there.And now, I’m doing what I love. I’m making a living as a blogger and online teacher. And you know what, I don’t even need a lot of money to live a good life.It’s one of the main messages of Your Money Or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, one of my favorite books on personal finance. I love that the authors put things in perspective.With examples, they illustrate how much money we spend on job-related things. For instance, if you live in an expensive city for your job, your cost of living and commuting will be much higher.Plus, how much money do you spend on clothes you wear at work? Suits, dresses, shoes? It’s all money that you usually wouldn’t spend.In  Your Money Or Your Life, Robin and Dominguez lay out a plan that leads to financial freedom. It’s very sound and practical. But I think you need something else first.Become emotionally free firstI’m feeling like I’m just summing up clichés in this article. And there’s no way I expect you to change your life perspective after reading this.However, I do hope that you decide to strive for emotional freedom first- not just accumulating more money.Yes, money buys freedom, but you don’t need a lot of it to achieve that. Remember: Mo money, mo problems.That’s why we need to be emotionally strong. We can’t flip out at first sight of real problems.We must be strong and able to cope with stress. To me, that was the first step towards achieving happiness and freedom in life.I’m not afraid of what the future brings. That’s because of two things: I’m mentally and physically strong due to years of consciously stressing my mind and body.  That’s how you build strength. I have 0 debt, have savings, and work for myself. Plus, I don’t care about my reputation. Hence, I don’t have to answer to anybody else,  other than my own morals. You see, the topic of money and happiness goes deep. Every choice you make in life has a significant impact on the quality of your life. For every action, there’s a reaction. Did you take a job that requires you to be in constant fear of losing your reputation? If so, you’re not free. Did you take out a loan to buy a car? If so, you’re not free. But look, it’s not the end of the world.  I’ve been in debt.  I’ve been a prisoner of the corporate world. I got out. And I’m not the only one who did that.It takes commitment and a plan.Freedom is not an accident.It’s a deliberate strategy that requires a lot of work, thinking, and planning. I encourage you to work on it. And I will do the same. Because in this game, you can never take anything for granted. You just need to be willing to start all over again.And with that, I have no problem.This  article  first appeared on  Darius Foroux.You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people

51 Things to Do When You Need a Break at Work - The Muse

51 Things to Do When You Need a Break at Work - The Muse 51 Things to Do When You Need a Break at Work When you work hard, it’s important to take a few breaks throughout the day. But let’s be honest: Is 10 minutes of scrolling through Facebook really a break? We’ve pulled together a list of better ways to take five, 10, or 15 at the office. Whether you want to rev your energy, do something productive, or just totally check out for a few, try these ideas for a well-spent break. Energizing Try doing some desk stretches to reverse that computer hunch. Head outside and walk two laps around your block or building. Too cold outside? Get the same energizing effect by walking up and down a few flights of stairs. Offer to go on a coffee run for the whole office. You’ll get the caffeine you need- plus some serious brownie points with your team. Need to make some phone calls? Step outside or into the conference room and do them while walking back and forth. The combination of movement and chatting will be a boost of energy before you head back to your desk. Take a quick, 15-minute nap (in your car or somewhere else where no one can see you). You’ll feel much more awake and ready to get back to the grind. Find some inspiring stories to read to get you motivated and excited. These TED Talks are a great place to start and will get you revved up to do just about anything. Brain-Boosting Check out Lumosity: The free online exercises are designed by neuroscientists to improve core cognitive functions, including memory, problem solving, and attention. Head over to your Pocket (or whatever else you use to save articles to read for later), and catch up on some of those articles you’ve been meaning to read. You’ll get a nice break- and maybe even learn something you can apply when you get back to work. Watch the seven to 10 minute opening sequence of a late night show from the night before for a quick news recap and a quick laugh. Grab some brain-boosting snacks to nibble on. Blueberries, black currents, leafy greens, and nuts have all been shown to help your brain function better. Keep a non-work book in the office to read from on short breaks. It’ll feel good to not stare at a computer screen for 15 minutes, and a great book can be totally inspiring. Write something! Crank out a blog post. Check out Alexandra Franzen’s awesome list of topics to get you thinking), pen a short story about the happenings in your office, or hey, even get started on that novel you’ve always wanted to write. Download the language learning app Duolingo and take a lesson or two. Even if you don’t remember much more than “cerveza, por favor” from your high school Spanish class, the app will have you easily increasing your international vocabulary in just a couple minutes a day. Social See if a cube-mate needs a break, too, and go grab coffee or have a walking meeting. For bonus points, use the time to pick this person’s brain on something you’ve been thinking about, whether it’s dealing with a difficult client or going back to grad school. Spread some office cheer and send a co-worker a funny e-card. Step outside and call your mom, dad, grandparent, sibling, or other family member just to say hi and see how the day is going. They’ll appreciate it. Send an email to your 10 closest co-workers, asking for the best joke they’ve ever heard. Buy coffee for the winner. Send a thank you note to someone who’s helped you out recently- your assistant who’s gone above and beyond or a co-worker who proofread a report for you. It doesn’t even have to be something big- in fact, bonus points if it’s not. Recommend two of your favorite professional contacts on LinkedIn. Not sure where to start? Think about the one thing you most enjoy about working with them or something they do better than anyone else you know, and talk about that. You have time to spare, but what about your colleagues? If any of the other departments are in an all-hands-on-deck phase, help out. Your colleagues will definitely appreciate it (and hopefully return the favor next time you need some extra help). Productive Organize your smartphone. Take a few minutes to delete any apps you never use, sort your latest photos by event or date, and file apps in folders. Shift any apps you use daily to the front screen. And hey, why not update your background photo while you’re at it? Pick one project that’s on your plate, and do a 10-minute brainstorm on it. Head to a conference room, grab a stack of Post-its and a marker, and let your brain get to business. It’s a good idea to update your online passwords every so often, and a slow afternoon is a great opportunity. Best practice is to create a phrase that combines upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and at least one special character. Try not to use the same password for your email and all your social networks, and keep track of the new passwords using a tool like 1Password, PassPack, or Password Genie. Actually take time to go through your office drawers. Clear out old gum, pens that don’t work, un-bent paper clips, and anything else that you don’t need. Upgrade your inbox by downloading some Google Labs. (Our personal faves? Canned Responses and Auto-Advance.) Unsubscribe from 10 newsletters in your inbox. That daily deals newsletter you haven’t actually read in six months? Get it out of there. The store email list you never signed up for but somehow got on anyway? Gone. Anything you haven’t read in a month or more? You probably don’t need to be getting it every day. Spend a few minutes renaming and organizing your files. Your future self (who doesn’t have to spend five minutes looking for that document when the boss is watching) will thank you. Outsource something. Whether it’s finding a nearby grocery delivery service or having a pro tinker with your PowerPoint presentation, free up some time in your schedule to do something you really love. Career-Building Spend some time on Pinterest! But instead of looking at tasty recipes or crafty DIYs, think about boards you can create to inspire your career. Think: creative resumes you love, work outfits that are sure to impress, and awesome companies you want to work for one day. Stalk some of your contacts online to see what they’ve been up to recently. Did one of them publish a book? Totally re-design a website? Give a great talk at an event? Get caught up on their lives and then shoot a couple people an email congratulating them. Better yet, take a look at your LinkedIn feed to see what your connections have been posting about. Comment and congratulate anyone with news or new jobs. You never know when you’ll wish you stayed in touch with someone. Sit back in your chair and daydream for a few minutes. We’re not talking about warm beaches or exciting vacations- instead, think about where your career might take you two, five, even 10 years from now. Do you want to be in a more creative role? Have a job that lets you travel? Start your own business? Don’t focus on what’s possible or what you might have to do to get there- just allow your mind to wander. Following LinkedIn influencers is an awesome way to soak up career wisdom from people who have had major success themselves. Head on over and follow a few. Spruce up your LinkedIn profile. You never know when it might come in handy. Find a class you want to take or conference you want to attend, and then sign up for it (or make a plan for how you’ll save up for it). Bonus points if you convince your boss to foot the bill. Relaxing Do nothing for two minutes. No, really: donothingfor2minutes.com forces you to sit, relax, and gaze at a beautiful photo to really clear your head. The second you move your mouse away? You fail and have to start all over. Stressed about something? Type it into The Thoughts Room at the Quiet Page Project and watch it fade into the stars. Pick a new desktop background- an inspiring cityscape, a motivating quote, or your favorite vacation spot. In fact, pick a few, and rotate them out every month or so. Head to your favorite coffee shop and treat yourself to a peppermint mocha, a chai tea latte, or any other warm drink you really love. Actually sit and savor every sip of it. Browse National Geographic’s photography archives and get lost in another part of the world for a few minutes. Take out a notepad and pen and write for a few minutes. Don’t worry if nothing brilliant comes to mind- even just writing down your feelings or what you’re grateful for can be incredibly relaxing. Downright Distracting Tap into your imagination and add some fun, inspirational ideas to your life’s to-do list, using a digital organizing tool like Evernote, Google Docs, or Bucketlistly. Need some inspiring fodder for potential bucket list additions? Check out BucketList.net, Life’d’s ultimate bucket list, and Tumblr’s bucket list tags. Get lost in Buzzfeed. Enough said. Make your ultimate work playlist to help you power through the rest of the day. Think about songs you can really jam to, but also about songs that won’t distract you from your work. (For example, if you need to do a lot of writing, go for tunes without lyrics.) Change-up your desk accessories to immediately make your cubicle feel very very cool. Read this incredibly awesome cover letter (that no one will ever actually send). Head over to The Oatmeal and laugh at some seriously quality online comics. Paint a Picasso-worthy work of art. No, really! Try it! Head to the supply closet and pick out a few new office supplies. Or, do some online shopping and treat yourself to something nicer than your boss would probably spring for. Make a beautiful sculpture out of items in your office, like this paper clamp tree. Challenge a co-worker to a chair race. Need we say more? Bonus: Next time you need a break at work, pick a number between one and 51 and do whatever corresponds with that number. Chances are, you’ll feel much more refreshed than if you spent five minutes scrolling through social media.