How to Avoid Work Burnout

How to Avoid Work Burnout Work can be stressful. Youve got deadlines to meet and expectations to measure up to, which often means a lot of extra hours and limited down time. If this sounds like you, youre putting yourself at risk of burning out, which could not only hinder your work performance, but also have negative implications for your health. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion and can be brought on my high levels of stress and failing to give the body the rest that it needs. So in order to catch burnout and combat it early, it’s important to know what causes it and what you can do differently to prevent it happening. Here are a few signs that youre on the road to work burnout and a few things you can do differently to avoid it. What are the signs of burnout? You lack energy:  You feel tired all the time, to the point that small tasks have become difficult. This exhaustion could be physical, emotional or mental. Youve become irritable:  Are you growing increasingly impatient with your colleagues/customers/clients or finding little things they do annoying? Trouble concentrating:  You struggle to get yourself motivated and it takes you a long time to complete tasks. Youve lost all enthusiasm for your work, that you once had. A change of sleeping or eating habits:  Despite feeling exhausted, you may have falling or staying asleep. Insomnia is a common sign of burnout, however it could also be held accountable to an inability to stop thinking about work. You feel unwell:  Burnout can often cause frequent headaches, back pain or stomach complaints. What can cause burnout? Not taking time off:  Theres a reason that there are laws ensuring that employees are allowed to take time off from time to time and thats because overworking yourself  can become harmful. A hefty workload often leads to employees avoiding time off as they are afraid of falling behind, however its good for you to have a good work life balance and to spend time with your friends and family, as well as attending to work commitments. Working through lunch:  Much along the same lines as  the first point. Taking a lunch break will not only help to prevent exhaustion and headaches, but stepping out for a bit of fresh air and exercise can also improve your focus. Eating at your desk has also proven to  create bad eating habits, leading to either under eating or over eating. Poor job fit:  If youre not happy in your job, youre likely to feel stressed or struggle to relax in the workplace. This may also become an issue if your values differ to  how your employer does business or handles grievances, as a difference in opinion can create tension. Checking email all the time:  With it now being possible to check your emails from almost everywhere via your mobile phones, its become common practice for people to respond to emails around the clock. However, by checking your inbox outside of work hours you are removing the boundaries between your professional and personal life. A long commute:  Travelling a long distance to work can be tiring and stressful. How to combat burnout Identify the cause of stress:  If you can pinpoint whats making you feel stressed at work, you may be able to come up with a solution. If you think a change in the workplace could help, discuss it with your boss, as they may be happy to adapt the way things are done to improve employee wellbeing. Adopt healthy habits:  Make sure you  eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep. This way you will feel energised and will avoid becoming run down. Take a break at lunchtime: Going for a quick walk at lunchtime to get some fresh air is great for clearing your head. A break from technology and the office is the ideal time to  take the focus off of work for a little while. Book some time off work: Even if its just a day or two, its important to have some me time every now and again to unwind. Avoid checking your email after work hours:   By turning off all notifications on your phone and making sure that they dont show up on your lock screen, you can avoid temptation. [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

5 Reasons To Head To Europe For Your Next Family Holiday

5 Reasons To Head To Europe For Your Next Family Holiday One thing all of us promise ourselves in college is a Eurotrip, and why wouldn’t any globetrotter want to miss a continent that can give you everything in a day, ranging from art, culture and heritage to museums, cafes and nightclubs! While cities like Paris, Venice, Brussels have always been popular among tourists, we have recently noticed a surge in packages for other undiscovered gems such as Tuscany Tour Packages. Here are 5 reasons why you must visit Europe on your next family holiday: The cuisine is oh-so-amazing! Any talk of Europe brings to our mind images of Italian Margheritas and Gelatos, Belgian Lagers, German Bratwurst and French wine and cheese. While our home countries do a great job at replicating these specialties, enjoying them in the place where they actually originated is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss out on! Whether you want to dine at a Michelin star restaurant or grab a taco and a corn dog stick from a street vendor, cities like Madrid have everything. The rich heritage One can understand that Europe’s civilisation has existed for decades now, and the architecture stands as a living proof of that statement. Some of the cities are really old, with buildings dating back to approximately 2000 years. This is why many say that if you step out on the streets of Europe without a camera, you really do miss out on the chance of capturing something special. It is convenient to get around Whether you want to travel from one city to another or want to travel within a city, European countries have a splendid transportation system. In fact, nothing has fuelled the Eurotrip dream more than Europe’s train system, which is super affordable as well as quick. For instance, one can get from Madrid to Seville by train in under 3 hours while enjoying some stunning views outside their windows. Having a Schengen Visa makes it possible for tourists to travel throughout much of Europe with a single passport stamp. It is a shopaholic’s paradise Europe houses some of the most well-known fashion capitals of the world, which adds an extra dazzle to your shopping trips. Whether you want to indulge in high street shopping or shop from a budget, there are options galore on European streets. If you are planning a vacation during Christmas days, be prepared to find magic in the Christmas markets! Culture Culture and Europe are two words that are almost synonymous and no, we are not exaggerating! Europe is home to some of the finest museums, theatres and art galleries in the world. A lesser known fact that will leave you enthralled is that Italy has more masterpieces per square metre, than any other country in the world. The above mentioned 5 reasons should be enough to convince you to book your tickets to Europe soon! One thing we know for sure is that nobody can have a dull time in the many beautiful cities of Europe such as Paris, Tuscany, Madrid or Seville.

Deep Book Review This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper - Algrim.co

Deep Book Review This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper - Algrim.co This is a 2010 novel by Jonathan Tropper about a family that has to live together in the same house for 7 days following the patriarch’s death. Although it has a somber premise, it’s quite funny and warm in places and moves along at an enjoyable pace. The book was also turned into a film by the same name that stars Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, and Jane Fonda, among other fine cast members. The reason the number of days is 7 is that the family is carrying out the Jewish custom of “sitting Shiva”, where the family gathers together with other mourners to talk about the deceased. The word “Shiva” means 7 in Hebrew. Right away it gave the feel of another well-liked ensemble story, The Big Chill, where a single event draws estranged people together. The storyline is interesting and unpredictable and allows for some curious relationships and situations to develop. One of the main characters (played by Jane Fonda in the film) is charming and funny in the book and has a lot of funny lines to say. Then there is the serious, safe brother. All characters in the book seem like well-drawn, well-rounded, real-people characters that the reader can relate to. The family dynamics felt true to life, and you feel that this is a real family with real situations and emotions, not simply a contrived family with unrealistic lives and motives. No one is perfect, and everyone’s shortcomings are painfully obvious and scrutinized. Don’t be surprised if you see yourself in some of the characters, or know family members who fit the mold. Just when you think the book is wrapping up, it goes on. And then it goes on a little more. And then a little more. It takes quite a long time wrapping things up, but I’m glad the ending happened this way, because you get the chance to see everything resolve, or not, as some cases may be. This feeling of resolution happens in the film too. It was good of the author to avoid pulling the rug out from under the reader after involving us in the lives of the characters. It would have been easy to just end everything with a question mark. Sometimes that’s okay, and I get stories like that, but it would have been disingenuous and rude with this one. It’s a very satisfying and believable family novel, with a lot of honesty, heart, and humor. The plot may be just a little over-used, but still interesting to see how this family pulls it off, and it never came off as a copycat to me. The plot and situations aren’t too farfetched. I could see this happening in just about any family today. To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t mind reading more of this family, either in a sequel where we catch up with what they’ve all been doing; or something on TV with a weekly family drama like This Is Us. It isn’t the kind of family that you grow to dislike intensely, but the members do have quirks and traits that can be a little irritating at times. For example, they are all surprised that the gathering is even taking place, since the father wasn’t even that religious, and it had been a very long time since the family has visited one another. The main character, Judd, who is also the narrator, has to deal with finding his wife sleeping with his own boss and is caught up in divorce. Judd’s sister Wendy is a mother to three children and is married to a man who puts his career above family. Judd’s older brother is dealing with a failed chance at the big time, and also failing to have a child. The youngest sibling is an outsider who seeks a relationship with an older woman. It’s the kind of family that most of us can relate toâ€"blemishes, strengths, skeletons, and all. Other dynamics are added to the family by those that show up to pay their respects, which lend to comedy and insightful exchanges. The author deftly handles a balance between tragedy and comedy. After all, it is about a death in the family, but the characters and situations of the family members give it a lighter mood. Some critics have said that no family is this dysfunctional, but couldn’t be further from the truth, as family therapists’ offices are full of families grappling with old wounds, abandonment, disappointments, pain, and unresolved issues. There are some crude scenes that may come off as disrespectful or extreme, but no two families are alike, and, to be fair, this author is focusing on this one family, not The Waltons. Books like this, and families like this one, are reminiscent of the popular TV family found in All in the Family, where constant bickering, imperfections, and chaos was the norm. Maybe it’s that older audiences are a bit more conservative, or private, about family affairs. But the book seems to connect with those younger than baby-boomer ageâ€"the antics more acceptable. The author gives us a peek into the dysfunction of a family, peeling back the curtain to show us that families aren’t alone in their flaws, and that forgiveness can be given and received under the right circumstances. Even in an era of relaxed mores and anything-goes relationships, people still need and want some semblance of family. The author does a good job of conveying this throughout his story. The book helps us take a look at our own families: Don’t you have a family member that’s thought of as the black sheep? Don’t you have one that drinks too much? Sleeps around too much? Keeps messing up over and over? If anything, these wild characters show us it’s okay to have a fractured family, and that there’s hope for redemption. This book could have been a straight drama about all of these issues, but the writer chose to present it in a comedic light, which was the right thing to do. After all, who hasn’t lived through some serious stuff with their families, only to look back and laugh at it later on? While reading the book, ask yourself, “How would I fare spending 7 days under one roof with my family? What would we talk about? What would transpire? How would it go?” In film terminology, the book would be rated R for sexual content, language, and some drug use. Basically, it’s a good read for adult audiences. Although it can seem a little sensational at times, it doesn’t swerve into the soap opera lane. It has some really good laughs and some poignant moments too, and you walk away thinking about your own family and how you may come off to one another. Some of the book’s critics say the family and characters are unrealistic and over-the-top, but it is fiction, after all, not a newspaper article. This family is wild and crazy, and they pull all of the skeletons from the closet. If the characters seem stereotypical, it’s to see how they react in this particular situation, though I can’t speak for the author’s motivations. The story can come across as a little crude and chauvinistic at times, but there is no rule that says books and films have to be PC. We would become bored very quickly if that were the case. Relax. It’s just a novel-just a quirky family with weird problems. If you can’t relate to that, then this book probably isn’t for you or your college literature course. In this story, opposites clash, rivalries abound, jealousies ensue, mistakes happen, and the outrageous is addressed. When you finish the last page, you just may be finding yourself appreciating that your own family isn’t as messed up as this one. There are over 2400 reviews for this book at Amazon, so this story has found its niche audience, and Tropper has been on the New York Times bestselling list, has authored several books, is a college writing instructor, and produced HBO’s Banshee. Some semi-negative comparisons have been made between Tropper and Nick Hornby because they write from a hyper-male perspective, but is that supposed to be a taboo? Do we want authors and books to always sound the same? Neutral? Asexual? Just a few questions remain: Did the dearly departed old man request a sitting of Shiva to help his family come together and heal? Did he do it as a practical joke? Did he request it out of spite? Or a combination of all? The dialogue in this book is natural and engaging, very witty and funny. By the time you get to the end, you feel a catharsis of some kind, as if dealing with this family can help you deal with yours. If you like steamy, bodacious novels like the ones made famous by author Harold Robbins, this book is right up your alley. Tidy endings are optional, and memorable characters are everywhere.

There Are No Difficult People - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

There Are No Difficult People - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Last week I received a call from a business prospect asking me if I offered seminars and workshops on “dealing with difficult people.” I told them I didn’t offer a specific program on that topic and concept, but if they told me more about what specifically was going on I’m certain I had a program that would help them achieve their desired outcomes. As we explored the situation and discussed their desired outcomes I explained that the reason I don’t have a program titled or framed around “dealing with difficult people,” is because I don’t believe there are “difficult people.” After mentioning my belief the phone conversation went cold. It seemed as if we were disconnected.   I had to ask if the person was still on the line. I could tell I had touched a nerve, so I explained a little further, telling them that as soon as we label the person in front of us “difficult,” it immediately shifts how we view them and the energy, the focus, the communication style and the words we will choose in that moment of interaction. Therefore, in all my trainings I focus on the belief that there are no difficult people and that everyone is communicating with one purpose in mind and it’s the same purpose for which we are communicating. The purpose of communication is to “influence and control the experiences, circumstances and results in our life.” From that perspective, the wall that goes up causing us to believe the person in front of us is a “difficult” person, then we too must be a difficult person because in that interaction we both are trying to get the same outcome, to influence and control the result(s) from it. Additionally, another key belief to bring to the interaction with another whom we may jump to label them as “difficult” is to realize that this person is communicating with positive intent. Now, that positive intent is for them to influence and control the results of the interaction, just as we are. And, finally, to take this to an even deeper level, the specific thing that drives how we will specifically communicate to influence and control the results from the interaction, is directly based on that individual attempting to fulfill one of their six basic human needs, same as us. The Six Basic Human Needs* everyone is trying to meet are: Certainty Uncertainty Significance Love Connection Growth Contribution The behaviors we choose to engage in to move towards achieving one or more of our basic needs may be what comes across as being “difficult” in the moment. So, the best strategy when you come across someone you may have labeled as a “difficult” person in the past, is to just get curious and listen intently to the other person. As Stephen Covey wrote in his classic book “The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People” we should seek first to understand. Get curious and seek to understand where they are coming from, what specific result(s) they’re looking for and which of their six basic needs they are trying to meet. I encourage you to remember this strategy the next time you come across someone you may deem “difficult.” Give it a try. *based on the work of Anthony Robbins

How Employers Can Create A Healthy Workplace For Their Employees CareerMetis.com

How Employers Can Create A Healthy Workplace For Their Employees Several factors could lead to a lack of productivity in the workplace, one of which is lacking a healthy working environment for employees. As a leader, one of your main goals is to ensure that you make your employees healthy, happy, and enjoy what they do. Turnover is costly, and too much of it create a challenging environment to work and exist with every single day.There are effective ways that you can employ to ensure that you create a stable work environment for your workers. The worst decision that you can do is taking no action at all for improving work conditions around the office.evalHere are some ways in keeping your worker’s physical and mental well-being in check:1) Encourage physical activity in the workplaceevalRegular physical is beneficial to the health and helps keep one in a healthy state of mind and body. For employees, it boosts performance and productivity while working. It also dramatically decreases health leaves and other medical costs.Here are some ways to e ncourage workers much actively engage in physical activity:Offer workout classes â€" Hold workout classes for employees during lunch or after work. You can encourage participation by initially offering attractive reward systems.Give time-off for physical activity â€" Why not considering giving your employees an hour of time off so that they can do physical activity? Several companies have done this in the past, and most of their employees are appreciative of the management’s support, especially in encouraging them to lead a more active lifestyle.Encouraging to use to stairs instead of the lift â€" Climbing the stairs is a simple physical activity that can go a long way. Always remind everyone that it’s healthier taking the stairs, by posting reminders on the hallway, lift lobbies or stairways. Over time, your employees will be more used to this lifestyle change, and in turn, will become more physically active.2) Promote work-life balanceCreating a healthy work-life balance has b een a constant struggle for both employers and employees. It’s essential because it gives your workers a greater sense of control and ownership in their own lives. Balanced employees are those who feel motivated and less stressed out on work. Thus, it reduces possible conflicts in the workplace and increases productivity.evalCompanies that encourage a healthy work-life balance have higher employee retention rates, a higher degree of in-house expertise, and increased employee loyalty.3) Have an open and honest communicationOne of the ingredients of having a top-performing team is good and honest discussion among its members. Communication plays a crucial role in building stronger connections and relationships. It also helps generate ideas, and overcome difficulties and challenges.As a leader, you have to make sure that there is a constant flow of communication among the team. Encouraging team members to express themselves, and building a communication-friendly environment is essent ial. You should also try to keep the contact constant, try to uncover communication issues, and ask for feedback when necessary.4) Recognize their work and reward for their milestonesRecognizing your employees’ efforts through rewards and recognition can do wonders in boosting their productivity. For instance, saying “thank you” is one of the simplest, yet most vital ways to recognize your employees.evalIt helps validate people in work and effort they’ve put through, maintain boost employee morale, and improve workplace relationships. Even recognizing small behavioral shifts can strengthen incremental improvements.You can also set specific milestones, and offer rewards once a milestone is achieved. Remember, rewards don’t have to be costly. Sometimes, a heartfelt thank you or treating your team to lunch or dinner can already go a long way.eval5) Provide healthy food optionsFood will always be the body’s fuel. That’s why you should focus on giving your tea quality food options. How can you expect people to perform at their best and maximize their potential if they feel sluggish and stressed out? Having quality snacks around the office sends a message to your team that you appreciate their hard work.Also, work can sometimes be demanding and can take a toll on your employees’ health and sanity. Why not encourage short, frequent breaks and stack up your office kitchen with healthy treats?6) Maintain a clean and comfortable office spaceHaving a clean and comfortable workspace is a crucial aspect of maintaining a successful business. Not only that it leaves a good impression to potential clients, but it also helps keep your workers happy, productive and healthy.Considering that an average worker spends approximately eight hours a day in their respective workplaces, they have to feel comfortable doing their jobs. If your staff are unhappy with their work environment, they’ll feel dissatisfied. Also, productivity levels will start to drop if they’r e working in a cluttered and unclean environment.7) Put some plants around the officeIt’s a fact ? most employees spend most of their days in their respective workplaces that they lose their connection with the natural environment. But according to research, adding some greenery to the office such as indoor plants have positive effects on employees and their organizations.In a 2010 study by the new University of Technology, Sydney, the introduction of plants in the workplace can significantly reduce stress levels. Results show that there is a 37 percent drop in anxiety and tension, 38 reductions of fatigue, and a 58% drop in depression among workers.It’s argued that this is often due to color psychology ? shades of green can create a relaxing and calming effect. Therefore, decorating workspaces on this color can also have a similar impact as introducing indoor plants in the office.8) Invest in ergonomic office furnitureevalTo ensure that employees work to their fullest potential , you should invest in ergonomic office furniture. Doing prevents injuries in the workplace To experience a steep rise in productivity, you can also install those wall-to-wall windows. You can also replace your lighting with bulbs that are proven to replicate natural sunlight or hold team meetings outside of the office.10) Educate yourself as an employer on workplace rights and policiesIt’s always an excellent idea to educate yourself and your fellow employees about different workplace rights and policies. Everyone should meet the minimum requirements when it comes to certain areas health and safety in the workplace, minimum standards, and right treatment of people in the office.You can also proactively share the company’s policies, rules, and guidelines for everyone, and set necessary expectations.TO WRAP IT UPWhen it comes to maintaining employee motivation, productivity, and happiness, it all boils down to their working environment.Incorporating all of these strategies isn’ t an overnight task and won’t happen overnight. Just be dedicated to employing all of these tips in the workplace, and inevitably, everything will be well worth it.

Ask Dana Is fibbing on my résumé okay

Ask Dana Is fibbing on my résumé okay Question: Is fibbing on my resume okay? I’m in a job search support group, and some members are sharing how they “pad” their résumés by embellishing their job experiences, lying about their age, inventing scholarships and awards, and other examples. Is a certain level of this deemed acceptable in today’s employment market? Answer from Dana: Lying on or embellishing a résumé occurs in every industry, with candidates from entry level to senior executive. I believe there is an increase in “fibbing” on résumés because the job market is so highly competitive. On average, hiring managers receive 250 applications for every open position. Ironically, it is now easier for companies to investigate and identify falsehoods and exaggerations due to the abundance of information available via the web and through access to third-party databases. Let me be clear: Any misrepresentation can be grounds for repeal of an offer or termination of employment at a later point in time. I am NOT condoning “padding” a résumé. However, there are ways to design your résumé so it does not readily disclose information up front, such as age and gaps in employment. Age You only need to show about 10-15 years of work experience on your résumé, depending on how relevant the work was to the position you are applying to. Additionally, you do not need to put the dates of your education degrees. Gaps in employment What did you do during the gap time? Were you volunteering, even part time? Then add it as job experience rather than tuck it under “community work.” Did you raise children? Then put “head of household” and highlight the many skills you have that will be relevant to the position you are applying for, such as juggling multiple priorities, organizing projects, managing finances, etc.

Making Your Resume Look More Professional Using Online Programs

Making Your Resume Look More Professional Using Online ProgramsA great way to take your resume writing to the next level is to use one of the many online resume writing programs available on the web. These online programs can save you time and help you write your resume in a more professional manner.The first thing you need to do when you are looking for an online program to help you with your resume writing is finding a program that is easy to use. In addition, if you are going to purchase something like this, make sure that you will be able to access it from any computer you have. Remember, having to leave your home or office computer for weeks on end to access a resume writing program may not be appealing to you.There are many benefits to utilizing one of these programs to help you with your resume writing. Most of the online programs that are used to help with resume writing, provide you with professional looking templates that you can use. The templates themselves are designed t o make the job of crafting a resume easier. After you have created a resume based on the template that was provided by the program, you simply print it out.When using these programs to help you with your resume writing, it will help you develop a resume that is organized and detailed. Remember, a resume is supposed to be a formal document that has a professional look. Therefore, make sure that you keep the resume to a reasonable length and have it printed out in a professional looking font.Using one of these programs to help you with your resume writing is a great way to get it to look professional. This is a step that will help to provide you with a more professional image for your career. Having a very professional resume will allow you to attract a greater number of job offers in the future.If you are currently running into problems with your resume, there is no need to give up. There are many things that you can do to improve your resume. You should make sure that you take some time and consider what you can do differently. Remember, your resume is your first impression.Your resume is your first step to landing the promotion or job you have been searching for. Take advantage of programs that are available online to help you with your resume writing. You will benefit from these programs and will help you create a more professional resume.A great way to help your resume to look more professional is to purchase one of these programs and use it. With a little work and effort, you can improve your resume and get that promotion or job you are after.