Perform Your Best At Work

I couldn't have done it without you

This is what a client said to me today...

"I couldn't have done it without you."

Their kind words mean a lot; it means that they are reaching their goals.

It's challenging to make your career goals happen alone.  I joke that Adam had Eve and Peanut Butter has Jelly. We are not meant to reach new heights solo. It's a journey you take with someone else.

My mission is to help you be happy and healthy in your career because when you feel good, and have focus and direction, you are able to live your dreams and fulfill your purpose in life.

My company offers customized and results-oriented Career Coaching programs for those who want a new job, new career, or a new way to flourish in today's hectic workplace. As well as wellness programs to help you perform at your best.

We also specialize in mentor coaching for those who want to make coaching their next career because they want to give back and share their knowledge, experience, and what they have learned over the years.

I  hope these words below resonate with you.

Here's a thank you I received today from a client:

"Deborah, I want to thank you. I got a JOB OFFER and have accepted the job! It is an exciting role where I will get to learn a lot and have time to take care of me too. Thank you again for all your help!"

And another:

“Wanted to give you an update...I accepted a new job yesterday!  I used what you taught me; what to look for in a position, how to set boundaries, and to evaluate whether it is a really good fit or not. It is a leadership role, and there is lots of opportunity for growth. Thank you again for all your help.”

And another:

 “I wanted to let you know that I got the job! The offer is extremely good in terms of benefits, salary, job responsibilities, and work/life balance. I will be leading a much larger team and will have much more critical responsibilities than I have now. And, the workload and stressload will be lower. The experience and exposure I am about to get is far superior than I would have gotten in my present position if I stayed where I am. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all the preparations and guidance you gave me that helped me succeed in this process.”

One More:

"My husband hugged me after the session he had with you yesterday and he thanked me for making it happen. Thought you should know."

The reason I do what I do....

They thank me, but I want to thank them for trusting me with their career.

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

 

Your Career Can be Better with Better Management

You are in charge of your career.  If you’ve never heard that or thought it, take a minute to let that sink in.  Even though you can’t give yourself a promotion, you can choose where you work, the environment you work in, and the way you manage your time and yourself.  Has your calendar become an item that appears to be as difficult as quantum mechanics?  Have you made your job so hard that your boss can’t even figure it out?  Did you spend your last vacation managing the office and not relaxing, even though you weren’t physically in the office?  It’s time to make a change to all of these areas of your work life in order to create a more effective calendar, give you an easier way to get the job done, and allow you to enjoy your vacation.

The Secrets of Effective Calendar Management

Forbes Article:

What does your calendar look like?  Are you a person who adds new tasks to each day as they come to you or are a person who has a highly organized system of work that you accomplish?  Do you plan some activities earlier in the week because you know you’ll get them done, or do you plan items that need to get done right up to the deadline?  Your calendar should reflect the times when you have the most energy to do things that are more difficult with easier tasks saved for those times when you’re short on the energy you need.  While we all want to have a calendar setup to meet our needs and one that’s easy to accomplish, you’re going to have to make changes and improve your schedule in order to have the success you want to enjoy.  Take a look at the tips in this article and see if some of them help you have a more productive schedule.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryancollinseurope/2018/07/31/the-secrets-of-effective-calendar-management/#668b42182c8a

4 Ways You’re Making Your Job Way Harder Than it Needs to Be

The Muse Article:

Whether you’ve worked at a company for a long time or you’re new to the business, it may seem like your job is much harder than it should be.  There are tons of things that seem like they should be much easier, but you’re not sure what you need to do in order to have an easier time at work.  It’s time to remember that you can’t fix everything, you can’t plan for every possible scenario, and you can’t make everyone happy with your work.  These are some of the most common ways we make work too hard for ourselves.  Of course, you also might be doing things in an outdated manner that needs to be updated.  Review this article and figure out how to make your job easier.

Full Article:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/job-is-too-hard-how-to-fix-it?ref=recently-published-0

The Secret to Actually Enjoying Your Vacation is the Day Before it Starts

Quartz at Work Article:

It’s the summertime and you’re looking forward to the vacation that you’ve planned for all year long.  As it gets closer you feel more and more stressed because there’s looming deadlines and work that must get accomplished before you head off to your adventures.  Stop making your vacation stressful and make sure you tie up all the loose ends before you head out for the fun in the sun and a week or more of relaxation.  It can be difficult, but you need to start your vacation the day before it actually starts by having a day of planning and tying up loose ends before you leave for your fun. 

Full Article:

https://qz.com/work/1343558/how-to-enjoy-your-vacation/

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Find the Peacefulness of your Career and Home Life that You Desire

Happy people often have an energy of being peaceful and able to process information in a calm and thoughtful manner.  They can do this because they have found the peace they need in their lives and have built relationships that guide them toward success.  You’re looking for the happiness that you need to reach the peace you deserve, but you’re not sure how to do this.  Open your mind, begin to build strong relationships, and learn the value of giving of yourself in order to realize that you can have the peace you seek.  Once you begin to make the changes needed to be happier, you’re going to feel the peacefulness you’re looking for in all aspects of your life.  Check out these three articles and begin to make the changes that will guide you toward a happy and peaceful career and life.

7 Habits You’ll Notice the Happiest People Practicing (but Most of Us Rarely Do)

Inc. Article:

Happiness is something we all strive to achieve, and many of us may try to state we are happy but are we really?  The road to happiness doesn’t come through the amassing of possessions, it comes from the relationships we build and the character we show in our lives.  You can be happy, but you won’t find it in your career success or your wealth unless you possess some of the characteristics in this article.  Begin to practice the daily habits that can guide you toward the happiness you’ll want to feel in your life.  You’re going to receive more than you give when you put these practices into place in your life.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/7-unmistakable-signs-of-happiest-people-that-are-hard-to-find.html?cid=nl029week31day30_4&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=30072018

4 Ways Women Can Build Relationships When They Feel Excluded at Work

Harvard Business Review Article:

Even if your business is dominated by the male gender, you can find a way to connect with your coworkers when you’re a woman.  The old saying of becoming “one of the guys” is certainly true in a work culture.  You might not need to schedule a lunch or an organized dinner if you know the people you want to connect with are waiting for their coffee at a local café every morning.  Additionally, if you arrive at meetings a little early, you can strike up a conversation with those that arrive early as well.  When you plan an activity after working hours, invite a few colleagues along and let them enjoy the activities that you enjoy with you.  Finally, if you’re feeling like you have trouble connecting; it’s a good idea to bring your head up from your computer or cell phone screen for a while to look someone in the eye when they talk to you.

Full Article:

https://hbr.org/2018/07/4-ways-women-can-build-relationships-when-they-feel-excluded-at-work

A Self-Made Billionaire Reveals the 1 Mental Hurdle that You Must Overcome to Reach Your Potential

Inc. Article:

Are you truly an open-minded person?  This is a tough question because all of us want to feel that we are open-minded and ready for new ideas.  The fact is, many of us have an ego that needs to be stroked on a regular basis and don’t want our thoughts and decisions questioned.  If you’re truly open-minded, you won’t mind being questioned because you’ll be doing it yourself.  You won’t mind looking at things from a different perspective, but it can be extremely difficult to do this when you’re looking for the right path for your company.  Open your mind and you’ll be able to embrace the possibilities that surround you.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/carmine-gallo/a-self-made-billionaire-reveals-the-1-mental-hurdl.html?cid=nl029week31day30_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=30072018

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

You Can Lead in Your Career Without Being in a Leadership Role

How do you influence those in positions above yours to make the changes that make sense for your company?  How can you give feedback to those in a position of authority and expect it to be accepted appropriately?  Do you have the drive you need to continue to succeed or are you comfortable where you are?  You don’t have to be in a position of leadership in order to show leadership characteristics on a daily basis.  You can influence the decisions in your company, but you might have to take a different path to the conversation that needs to take place.  You can give feedback, just be ready to accept some feedback yourself.  You do need to maintain your motivation and drive to succeed to reach the pinnacle of your career goals.

5 Ways to Gain More Influence and Impact

Let’s Grow Leaders Article:

You don’t have to be in a leadership role to have an influence on the leaders in your company.  When you see the bigger picture and know your company is about to make a change that will negatively affect the bottom line, you need to speak up.  The trouble is, you might be looked at as complaining or as someone that’s only trying to cover their own interests without presenting a true solution to the challenge.  This can be frustrating, but if you truly care about your company and what they plan to do, you’ve got to find a way to show that the planned change just might cause more problems than it will solve.  This means you may have to change the way you think and adjust the way you plan to present solid information that supports your claim.

Full Article:

http://letsgrowleaders.com/2018/07/26/influence_mistakes/

Top Ten Reasons Leaders Ignore Feedback

Leadership Freak Article:

There are times when you’re going to receive feedback and you don’t want to hear what others have to say.  How could someone else have an opinion about what you’re doing other than a positive one? The fact is, other people, give you feedback for the same reasons you give feedback to them.  They genuinely care about you and want to see you perform at your best.  Instead of dismissing feedback as coming from a place of negativity and from someone who doesn’t know what you go through or how you feel, accept it and learn how to make the feedback work for you.  This means learning how to thank the person giving you the feedback for what they’ve had to say and find a way to process it and make it work to your advantage.

Full Article:

https://leadershipfreak.blog/2018/07/25/top-ten-reasons-to-ignore-feedback/

This is the Secret to Getting What You Want (Most People Do the Opposite)

Inc. Article:

Are you comfortable with where you are in life?  If you’ve reached the level of success that you’re looking for, and you’re comfortable, that’s fantastic, you can sit back and relax.  For most of us, we haven’t reached the level of success we want to achieve and need to keep working to move forward.  Unfortunately, too many of us will rely on others to tell us what to do to become successful without carving out our own path.  Your success needs to be individual and match your drive and goals and not fit what someone else thinks you should do.  By that same token, you need to make sure you’re not relaxed and comfortable in the position you’re in.  Make sure you constantly want to achieve more and are finding ways to work toward that goal.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/julian-hayes-ii/this-is-secret-to-getting-what-you-want-most-people-do-opposite.html?cid=nl029week30day26_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=26072018

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Your Mindset Impacts Your Career Every Day

Do you have a morning routine that works for you to help you have a great day?  If so, you know the importance of creating your mindset to begin the day.  Unfortunately, there are times when feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt can creep into your world.  Have you ever felt like you don’t belong in the career you currently have?  Are you a millennial and tired of the negative stereotypes that come with being the youngest professional generation?  Do you know how to balance stress when you’re at work by finding your center?  These are all important questions that need to be answered which can have a significant impact on your mindset when you’re ready to get to work.  Check out these articles and see what you can do to make sure you have the right thoughts in your head when you start each day.

How to Once and for All Rid Yourself of Career-Imposter Syndrome at Work

Entrepreneur Article:

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong in the job that you have?  Does something stand out to you as a negative that should have disqualified you from the job you have?  Many of us suffer from career-imposter syndrome because we lack the self-confidence to know we belong in the job we’re in.  It’s important for you to know your worth and understand that you can be enough and important in your career, but you have to take steps on your own to make sure you’re reminded that you know what you’re doing.  A success folder or reminders of success can help as can some of the other suggestions contained in this article.  Take a look and find out how you can beat the troubles of the career-imposter syndrome and gain the self-confidence you need.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/317166

This New Study Offers 7 Startling Revelations About Millennials (One is a Little Too Much)

Inc. Article:

The youngest generation of professionals is constantly under scrutiny and being told their generation is worse than any other that came before them.  Some terms that have been used include entitled, pampered, and lazy, but when asked about their work habits, the reality is that none of these is true.  This new generation of professionals is most likely more engaged, caring, and driven than the generations that came before them.  The technology offered today allows them to be able to be fully connected at all times and many don’t seem to mind that at all.  Think about the generations of the past that were able to shut the work down when they went home or when the sun went down.  This new generation can’t do this because they have the ability to always be plugged in.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/chris-matyszczyk/this-new-study-offers-9-startling-revelations-about-millennials-one-is-a-little-too-much.html?cid=nl029week30day25_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=25072018

Get Back to Center: How to Deal with Stress in the Workplace

Entrepreneur Article:

Workplace stress comes in a variety of forms, some of which is placed on us by the work we need to do and some that we place on ourselves.  Regardless of where the stress comes from, if you’re becoming overwhelmed and need to rid yourself of the stress you feel, you’ll need to find a way to get yourself back to the center of your mind and emotions to feel at peace and clarity in your mind.  This clarity is important to be productive and avoid some of the negative health aspects that can be part of having too much stress put on you.  Check out this article and learn more about how to get back to your center so that you can be the best version of yourself at work.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/317005

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

What Area of Your Career Needs Assistance Today?

If you ask yourself this question every morning, you’re going to come up with at least one answer.  Focus on the things that need to be improved in your career so that you can have a career that you enjoy every day.  Have you begun to hate your job?  If so, there could be a missing element of respect in your workplace.  Are you interested in working outside your industry?  Check out the side hustles that can help you explore your interests without giving up your regular job and get more out of your day.  Have you received negative feedback and need to figure out how to move past it?  Learn what it will take for you to accept what’s been said and how you can move forward and begin to build a positive track for growth.

There are Two Types of Respect. Lack One, and You’ll Hate Your Job

Quartz at Work Article:

The thought that respect is earned and not given is only partially true in the workplace.  If you’ve started to feel like another cog in the wheel and that you aren’t respected at work, you might be right if owned respect isn’t present.  Owned respect is the type given to all members of a working team equally in an organization that allows everyone to know they are an important part of the team and inherently valuable.  If your workplace feels as if it’s being monitored too much or micromanaged, this could be a type of respect that’s not present.  The other type of respect is earned.  This is the type of respect that sets you apart from the rest of your peers in the workplace based on your strengths and talents.  Make sure both types of respect are present in your workplace or you’re going to hate your job.

Full Article:

https://work.qz.com/1328834/if-you-hate-your-job-your-company-culture-may-lack-earned-respect/

4 Side Hustles that Pack a Career Punch

Forbes Article:

Jumping from one career to another is a tough thing to do as is going from one industry to another.  If you’re interested in things that don’t involve your regular job, it could be time to explore a side hustle.  Taking on a side job doesn’t have to be something you do because you’re having a hard time making ends meet with your normal job, it can be a great way for you to explore a new opportunity without the pressure of making it your long-term career.  This can be refreshing and interesting for you so that you can explore and express an interest in other aspects of your life.  It’s also a great way to boost your income to pay off debts or save for something that wouldn’t normally fit into your regular budget.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/elissasangster/2018/07/18/4-side-hustles-that-pack-a-career-punch/#2912dc8e93c1

5 Steps to Quickly Stop Negative Thoughts

Inc. Article:

When you receive harsh feedback at work, or worse, in your personal life, it can be difficult to get past the negative thoughts and move forward to build a positive feeling again.  Your mind may start racing to things that you could have done differently and ways you should have improved the work you did in the past.  While you can certainly allow the feeling you have to wash over you, it’s important that you let them pass by and move on to have feelings that will lead you to a more positive mindset.  Once you reach the final step, you’ll feel like you’ve handled the negative in a constructive manner and can now move forward to a changed approach to your work or your home life.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/melody-wilding/5-steps-to-quickly-stop-negative-thoughts.html?cid=nl029week30day23_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=23072018

 

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Let the Results of Your Career Show You’ve Separated Yourself from the Pack

In order to achieve great success in life, you have to be willing to do the things that others don’t seem to be willing to.  That doesn’t mean you put your head down and charger forward without any consideration for others, in fact, it’s just the opposite.  It’s important to be aware of your surroundings, your effect on others, and the way you spend your time.  You want to be balanced in your daily life and make sure the people you spend time with are those who are truly important to you.  Become aware and let your career stand out as one that others can emulate as the right way to be successful in every aspect of life.

Arianna Huffington Just Shared 5 Simple Habits that Separate Successful People from Everyone Else

Inc. Article:

You can put all your energy into your work, but your home life will suffer.  You can spend time avoiding your social media feeds and keep your mind strictly on the work you’re trying to get done, but you’ll likely get burned out.  You could be afraid to make the change in your life and take a risk, but you’re going to miss out on opportunities.  Life is about balancing priorities, managing your time, and knowing how to take calculated risks that can reap you the rewards you desire.  Most importantly, you can’t be afraid to fail.  Failure isn’t the opposite of success, and if you’ve never failed, you’ve probably never truly tried.  Review this article and learn what the founder of the Huffington Post has to offer for advice to help you become more successful.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/arianna-huffington-just-shared-5-simple-habits-that-separate-successful-people-from-everyone-else.html?cid=nl029week29day20_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=20072018

5 Ways to be a Conscious Leader

Forbes Article:

A conscious leader is a person who is fully engaged in the work that takes place, contributes on a high level, and holds themselves accountable. While this sounds simple in theory, it could be extremely difficult in practice.  Did you know you’re likely the average of the five people you spend the most time with (outside your family)?  Are you a self-aware person that can understand how your thoughts, feelings, and motives affect your actions?  Do you act with intention in every aspect of your life?  These are just a few of the questions you’re going to need to ask yourself in order to become a conscious leader that can handle the job of getting things done is the influence that others can respect and emulate.  Take a look at this article and see how you can become a conscious leader.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2018/07/19/5-ways-to-be-a-conscious-leader/#b04164e61caa

This is Your Brain on the Beach

Inc. Article:

Whether you’re daydreaming about going there or you’re experiencing a bit of stress and need a great place to get away and find a release, the beach is a place of calm, of peace, and of wonder that you can find a connection with nature in order to enjoy the ability to relax and listen to the serene power of the waves washing in.  If you’re not in a place where you could easily get to the beach for a bit of relaxation in the sun, it might be useful to find some sounds of the ocean on your smartphone and listen to these sounds when you have some downtime.  There’s a natural connection between people and the ocean and just hearing the sounds of waves and nature that you find at the beach can help you relax and regain your focus.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/this-is-why-you-love-beach-so-much-according-to-science.html?cid=nl029week29day20_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=20072018

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Time is of the Essence in Your Career

Does your calendar need a break?  Is there any white space in the calendar you keep or is every minute of the day packed with things that need to get done?  Do you have time to volunteer?  If you’re unemployed, you certainly have time to spend helping others and giving your time, which could turn into a new career for you.  If your calendar is packed, find a way to open up some space for the times when new opportunities come knocking on your door.  Do you know what it takes for you to be a great boss?  If you’re in charge of a team, this should be one of the most important thoughts in your mind on a regular basis.  Check out these articles and learn how you can improve your professional life today.

Unclog Your Calendar to Make Room for New Opportunities

Entrepreneur Article:

Are you rushing from one task to another on a daily basis? Does it feel like your calendar is packed with meetings, projects, and functions without allowing you any downtime?  This can be the result of your lack of management when it comes to your schedule.  Rather than scheduling a packed life every day or every week, you need to leave some open space in your time in order to have the downtime you need that could be filled with a few new opportunities.  You never know when someone is going to reach out to you and offer you a chance to do something new.  When they do, you don’t want to have to search your calendar for the time to “fit them in,” you want to be able to jump in and take this new challenge that may lead to something more.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/315915

How to Volunteer Yourself into a New Job

U.S. News Money Article:

If you have some extra time on your hands every week you might want to make use of this time by volunteering. This is also a great idea if you’ve found yourself unemployed and need a way to fill your day.  There are many organizations that need your time and help as a volunteer and the unique skills you possess can be useful to them and their mission.  As an unemployed person, you can’t spend every hour of the day applying to companies and trying to get your foot in the door.  Make the most of some of this time by giving it to an organization that matters.  What you might find is that you could be offered a paying job doing some of what you’re doing as a volunteer because of the connections where you choose to give your time and energy.

Full Article:

https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/articles/2018-07-17/how-to-volunteer-yourself-into-a-new-job

Google Spend a Decade Researching What Makes a Great Boss.  They Came Up With These 10 Things

Inc. Article:

You want to have a great boss, but more importantly, if you’re in a position of responsibility, you want to be a great boss.  Whether you’re starting up the career ladder or you’re already at the top, the way your staff sees you is going to have a direct result on the work they do and the success you get to enjoy.  There’s a reason why pyramids are shaped with a wide base and a narrow top, and the same goes for a mountain.  It takes a large base of people to make sure you can be successful and reach that top area in your career.  Take a look at this article and learn what’s important to your team so that you can be a great boss.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/google-spent-a-decade-researching-what-makes-a-great-boss-they-came-up-with-these-10-things.html?cid=nl029week29day18_5&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=18072018

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

What Career Challenges do You Face Today?

Are you ready for your day or plan to take the day as it comes to you?  Is your company working to implement changes that you disagree with and you’re not sure how to react?  When was the last time you had a conversation with your team about the work they’re doing?  These can all be challenges that face you on a regular basis.  You need to know how to start your day and what works best for you so that you can make the day productive.  You want to have a plan to embrace and handle the changes that will come your way without being left behind. You certainly need to talk to your team on a regular basis.  The advice you’re looking for is contained within these three articles.

7 Career Conversations Good Bosses have with Their Employees on a Regular Basis

The Muse Article:

When you’re a manager of people, you have to treat them like people in order to get the most out of the work they perform.  This means finding a way to connect with them on a regular basis with feedback given every week, month, and quarter.  The conversations you have with each of your team members on a weekly basis need to revolve around what’s going on right now and whether or not they need your assistance.  The monthly and quarterly conversations should have to do with moving forward, growing, and looking to the future.  Have the types of conversations contained in this article and you’re going to see that your team is willing to work closer together, keep you updated on what’s going on, and have the ability to achieve the success you desire.

Full Article:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/7-conversations-good-bosses-employees-regular-basis?ref=the-muse-editors-picks-1

The Mistake that Almost Got Me Fired but Transformed My Career

Fast Company Article:

Change can be hard to accept in our careers.  We tend to like to do things the same way and as long as that way doesn’t cause problems it seems fine.  Unfortunately, that’s not how the working world exists.  There’s always change and evolving that take place and we need to understand, accept, and embrace the changes that are presented to us.  You can ask questions and even suggest reasons why a particular change won’t work, but be careful not to become the person that complains without a solution.  This could cost you the job you have because your company has likely put a lot of time and effort into making the decision to change.  Review this article and learn how the fine line of learning and understanding can be where you handle change rather than being the complainer that gets left behind.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/90201520/the-mistake-that-almost-got-me-fired-but-transformed-my-career

4 Things to do Every Morning to Make Your Workday More Productive

CNN Money Article:

Mornings can be one of the toughest times of the day or they can be one of the most productive for you.  If you like to get up early you know the value of the time before the rest of the world awakes, but if you aren’t an early riser you might miss out on this part of the day.  Even if you’re someone that likes to get out of bed a little later, you can make some important changes that will improve your day.  Start by getting your to-do list together if you haven’t done so already.  You’re up and fresh with our mind ready to go, make the most of this time and start to get things ready for the day.  Check out the article to learn more about what you need to do to make your mornings more productive.

Full Article:

https://money.cnn.com/2018/07/09/pf/how-to-increase-work-productivity/index.html

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Upgrade Your Career Today

What is a career upgrade?  It doesn’t mean you’re going to get promoted today or suddenly have a raise in your salary.  What a career upgrade can be for you is the improvement in your career that allows you to get more done.  We all have the same amount of time in a day, but some people seem to get more done than others.  It’s time you were one of these people that’s looked at as getting more done.  Whether you start your day sooner, make certain all of your time is used wisely, or you make the most of the meetings you have with other people, you can have an improved career today.  Start with one of the suggestions in these three articles and then add more until you’re the person getting the most out of every day.

5 Hacks to Level Up Your Career

Forbes Article:

What are you doing to make your career better than it was yesterday?  Yes, you can make a difference in just one day as long as you make the necessary changes that will help you get done what you need to.  Have you tried getting up earlier in the morning?  This can give you more time in the day and you can progressively begin to get up sooner to add more time before the rest of the world begins to ask for your time and attention.  Do you plan your next day the night before?  When you start the day with a plan for what you need to get done you’re going to have a better chance of being successful.  Review this article and implement at least one of these five hacks today so that you can have a positive impact on your career tomorrow.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2018/07/12/5-hacks-to-level-up-your-career/#f6ef55710ab1

How the Strongest Business Leaders do Twice as Much in Half the Time

Entrepreneur Article:

When you’re operating your own business you’re going to learn quickly that you spend more time than you ever expected to work.  While you might not be operating your own business, if you’re a leader in your company or invested in the success the company experiences, you need to make sure you’re ready to manage your time better so that you can enjoy some time outside of work.  This means delegating, scheduling, and being more disciplined than you might have been in the past.  While it might seem like you don’t need to worry about a few minutes of time; that time will eventually grow and cost you hours in the long run.  Let this article help you learn to manage your time better and get the work done you need to complete every day.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/316449

6 Incredibly Important Body Language Cues When You First Meet Someone

Inc. Article:

Meeting someone in person for the first time can be awkward for many people.  Much of our communication, even with those we work with on a regular basis, is strictly through email, text messages, and conference calls.  Because of this, the first meeting you have with someone you’ve built a strong rapport with over several weeks, months, or years can be one that’s unexpected.  You might not know if you should hug or shake hands, you might not be sure how you should look at the other person, and you might not be able to interpret the body language of the other person easily.  Here are a few ideas of what and how you can handle the body language cues that you experience when you first meet someone in person.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/john-brandon/6-incredibly-important-body-language-cues-when-you-first-meet-someone.html?cid=nl029week28day13_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=13072018

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Manage the Challenges You Face in Your Career Every Day

Whether you have a busy time of the year when it feels that papers are flying all over the office and nobody can get their brain wrapped around what needs to get done or you’re looking to be the best leader you can, there are challenges you face every day.  It might be time for you to have a better morning structure to make sure you’re more productive so that you don’t waste time that could be used to help you move things forward.  When you face the challenges of handling chaos, being more productive and making use of your time, and becoming the leader you want to be, having some assistance and guidance can be helpful to you.  Check out these three articles and gain that helping hand that you need today.

Chaos at Work? You Can Learn to Manage It

Forbes Article:

Your job and your home life are both going to cause varying degrees of chaos in your life.  When you have chaos at work it could be because of a looming deadline a sudden change in a project or an industry shift.  Knowing how to manage the chaos is important in making certain you remain sane at work. Part of managing that chaos is recognizing where it comes from to ensure you’re not entering someone else’s drama, which you don’t need.  Ask for feedback if you’ve led a meeting, assess the amount of work you have and make sure it’s manageable.  When it comes to your home life, make sure you’re not taking work home unnecessarily and that you have some time where you’re not responding to emails or connecting with others for work.  This downtime will go a long way to successfully managing the chaos at work.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rodgerdeanduncan/2018/07/09/chaos-at-work-you-can-learn-to-manage-it/#5cea00ee6462

How the Most Productive People Structure Their Mornings

Quarts at Work Article:

Morning has become the most important time of the day for many successful people.  This time of day has become as important as it is to enjoy breakfast as the right way to begin your day.  If you want to make your mornings count you need to have a plan, get rid of the distractions, and have an excellent way to get started.  Whether you start your day with an hour of time for yourself or you’re someone that wants to jump in with both feet and get started, it’s up to you to figure out what you’re going to do to with your morning, but you can be much more productive if you have a structure.  This also means preparing a to-do list before you end the previous day so that you can get started on what needs to get done right away.

Full Article:

https://work.qz.com/1324356/how-to-have-a-productive-morning/

The 4 Secrets of Truly Great Leadership

Inc. Article:

If you’re working your way to becoming a leader, you’ve probably worked with some who you consider being great leaders and others that were lacking in some of the most important leadership qualities.  In order to make sure you can lead your team, you need to make sure you consistently exhibit some qualities that your team will always appreciate.  Communication that’s open, often given and clear helps ensure your team knows what they can and need to do every day.  As the leader, it’s your job to make sure your team is energized and ready to get the job done, which can be a daily challenge or it can be something you only need to do occasionally.  Review this article and learn more about how to be a truly great leader.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/the-4-essential-habits-of-every-great-leader.html?cid=nl029week28day11_4&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=11072018

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Take Advantage of Some Great Work Habits on the Way up the Career Ladder

If you want to become a leader and eventually a CEO in your industry, you’re going to have to know how to teach others and lead them the right way.  Whether that means you learn what aspects of leadership you need to master or you find that you need to implement some productivity strategies, now is the time to act like the leader you want to become.  While you will help others when working your way up, make sure you’re not being taken advantage of when you do work that assists other people.  Check out these three articles and start to put some of these suggestions to work in your daily life as you climb the corporate ladder. 

How to Master the 4 Types of Leadership that Will Make You Successful

Inc. Article:

A leader has to do many things and do them well. If you’re going to be a leader you’re going to have to be comfortable telling people what needs to get done and who needs to do it.  You’ll also need to be a teacher and the expert in your field to show those with less experience how to do the job that needs to get done.  You’ve also got to be good at advising others regarding the decisions they make and once you see that your team has the skills and the abilities need to get the job done, you’ve got to be ready to empower them to make decisions and go forward without you.  You might need to find a mentor that exhibits the leadership you want to emulate, or you can look for a coach that will help you be the best leader you can be.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/james-kerr/the-4-leadership-styles-that-every-leader-must-master.html

5 CEOs Share Their Best Productivity Tips

Fast Company Article:

Leaders of companies are the ones that shape the landscape and the environment of the business. If you’re a CEO, or you’re aspiring to be one, you’ve got to know how to get the ideas you have out of your head and to your team that can execute them and begins to make them happen.  As a CEO, you’re going to want to make sure the times your energy is at a peak is when you’re open to doing the most and getting your ideas on paper.  Depending upon your business, you may only have a small percentage of the work affect a huge amount of the results, put your focus here and delegate the rest.  Review this article and learn more about these and a few other productivity tips.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40588089/5-ceos-share-their-best-productivity-tips

6 Pretty Clear Signs You’re Being Taken Advantage of at Work

The Muse Article:

Do you seem to have more work than you should?  Are people handing you a lot of things to do but these tasks have nothing to do with the work you’re supposed to be focused on?  It’s possible you’re being taken advantage of at work.  There’s nothing wrong with helping others when they need it, you’re supposed to be on the same team, but if you’re not being thanked, compensated, or able to take time off because of the amount of work others dump on your lap, you’re likely being taken advantage of.  It’s probably time for you to start telling others that you can’t do the extra work that’s been dropped on your desk for a while.  You may need to discuss with your boss what’s going on so that you don’t end up being burned out.

Full Article:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/6-signs-taken-advantage-of-at-work?ref=recently-published-1

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Let Your Career Benefit from What You Do Today

Are you being manipulated at work?  Do you have the most productive workday possible?  Do you want to better yourself while you’re on vacation?  For the most part, many of us can answer “yes” to all three of these questions but we have to make the choice to make changes that will impact our lives in a positive way.  The most difficult of the three is recognizing a person at work who is manipulating you and the rest of the team, even if it’s unintentionally.  In order to create the workday that allows you to get more done, you have to have a schedule that gives you the right path to success.  While on vacation, you might not want to think about work.  There are some books you can read that won’t make you think about work but will allow you to improve yourself.

10 Techniques Used by Manipulators (and How to Fight Them)

Inc. Article:

You might actually be working with a psychopath and not even know it.  Not everyone who meets the clinical definition of a psychopath runs around in the woods with a mask and a chainsaw.  Most are seemingly normal people who work and live in our lives every day.  Unfortunately, these people are often extremely manipulative and will try and change your thoughts, twist your mind, and make you feel bad about yourself and your team in order to gain their own advantage.  It’s important to recognize when these things are happening and how you can avoid the manipulation and even fight against it.  You want to build a positive team and grow with that team, but if you have a person on your team that’s manipulative, that’s going to be difficult to do.  Review this article and learn how to fight against manipulation in your personal and professional life.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/10-popular-techniques-used-by-manipulators-and-how-to-fight-them.html?cid=nl029week27day06_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=06072018

Want to Schedule a Productive Workday? Follow These 4 Really Simple Strategies.

Entrepreneur Article:

The old advice of “working smarter and not harder” and adding multitasking to your list of skills are tired, worn out and useless in most workplaces.  You can work hard and smart at the same time when you plan your workday appropriately and have a schedule of events you want and need to complete.  It’s important to plan what you’re going to do and then put your focus into one task at a time.  This means you’ve got a goal in mind and set out each day to accomplish a specified amount of work while you also make sure you work hard to get the items done that are on your to-do list.  Check out this article and learn how to make your workday more productive.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/316183

7 Perfect Books to Read on the Beach, According to Famous Billionaires

Inc. Article:

Your summer vacation time is coming up and you’re looking forward to the fact that you’re going to sit on the beach, enjoy the waves lapping up on the shore, and totally disengage from the rest of the world.  While this might work for a few hours, unless you have something to engage your mind, you’re likely going to think about work at some point.  Many of us will bring books along to read and enjoy which will certainly take you into a different world and let you keep your mind off work. The books that are listed in this article can help you think about becoming a better version of yourself without making you think about your job and what’s going on while you’re out by the ocean trying to recharge your batteries.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/7-perfect-books-to-read-on-beach-according-to-famous-billionaires.html?cid=nl029week27day06_4&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=06072018

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Take Advantage of the Motivation, Focus, and Politeness You Can Learn

Put some of the tools you can cultivate and grow to the test and let them help you become successful.  You can find more motivation by reading the right book and learning from it, finding the focus you need to make more time for the items and activities that are more important in your life, and you can be polite and show others how gracious you can be on your way toward the level of success you want to enjoy in your life.  Motivation, focus, and politeness are all important factors in your life and things you can cultivate and improve as you work your way toward the level of success you want to experience.  Check out what these articles have to help guide you where you want to go.

Want Instant Motivation? Read This Book Now.

Inc. Article:

You make a number of important choices every day that help you go from where you are now toward your goals.  Unfortunately, there are many times when your day is filled with the same as the previous one and you may begin to have a feeling of a lack of motivation.  This could be due to the mindset that you have and it might be time to change your thought process.  With that in mind, there’s a book you need to read and put to work in your life.  You can learn how to change your mindset to think bigger and be more motivated than you ever have in the past.  This book can offer you the path to a much higher level of motivation which will help you achieve the goals you’ve got for yourself in order to step up and reach even greater goals.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/benjamin-p-hardy/the-1-book-you-need-to-read-or-re-read-to-get-an-immediate-book-in-motivation.html?cid=nl029week27day03_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=03072018

How to Focus on What’s Important, Not Just What’s Urgent

Harvard Business Review Article:

Sometimes it’s extremely difficult to know how to see the big picture and make it a more important part of your life.  Unless you want to continue to move from one small fire to another putting them out all day long, you’re going to need to find time to put focus and energy into what’s important.  What do you want to do with your life?  Do you want to make an impact on the world, be a bigger part of your community, and spend more time with your children?  If so, it’s time to do these things and make the activities that are more important to you what you make more time for.  This article can help you see the path toward making the important things in your life a much greater priority.

Full Article:

https://hbr.org/2018/07/how-to-focus-on-whats-important-not-just-whats-urgent

15 Quotes to Encourage Better Business Etiquette (A Little Politeness Never Hurt Anyone)

Inc. Article:

Being polite is a choice that you can make and utilize in your daily life.  Just because business is often associated with war and it feels like you either need to step on others to get ahead or get stepped on yourself, doesn’t mean you can’t be polite.  Because you know you’re not going to be able to make everyone happy finding a way to be nice in every situation could lead you to learn more about what you need to do and how you can grow your business. Take a look at the quotes of encouragement in this article and learn more about how politeness can help you engage with those who can teach you, those who can help you grow, and those who can support you in your success.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/15-quotes-to-encourage-better-business-etiquette-a-little-politeness-never-hurt-anyone.html?cid=nl029week27day03_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=03072018

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Your Motivation and Skill Can Take You Down the Right Career Path

Do you have the skill to enter a new industry?  Do you share success with your team and help them stay motivated?  Have you built a network and reputation that has to do with quality rather than quantity?  These are all important factors to build success in your career.  Make sure you cultivate your relationships to ensure your network is about give and take with a focus on your reputation.  Celebrate success and recognize when the business you’ve been building becomes real.  Take a look at how your skills will be able to cross from one industry to another and provide you with the changes you’ve been looking for.  There are many paths to career success; which one is right for you?

Networking: Just Do It

Inside Higher Ed Article:

Whether you like to network or you don’t, whether you think it’s an important part of your business or you don’t, the fact is, networking is necessary.  When you network well and make connections with people who also make other connections for you, you’ll be able to grow and build the reputation you want as long as you offer something to those in your network.  It’s important to remember that networking is all about building a relationship and offering those you connect with something they don’t have but need.  Don’t focus as much on building a brand as on building the network of people and businesses you work with.  The quality you offer and the way you communicate will make a bigger difference in your networking ventures than simply growing a large number of followers or connections that don’t mean much at all.

Full Article:

http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2018/06/28/getting-past-common-obstacles-effective-networking-early-tenure-track-opinion

9 Words Elon Musk Just Used to Motivate Employees. You Should Steal 7 of Them

Inc. Article:

After spending a long time trying to figure out how to build a number of cars that can actually compete with the larger manufacturers and falling short several times, Tesla reached a production goal.  The goal was to be able to build 5,000 cars per week by the end of the second quarter of this year.  That goal was reached just after midnight on Jun 30.  This led to an email sent by Elon Musk in which he said: “I think we just became a real car company.”  These nine words make a profound statement of being competitive in the chosen market and all but the final two words can be applied to any business you choose to be in.  Put these words to the test and see if your business is competing on the right level in your industry.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/john-brandon/9-words-elon-musk-just-used-to-motivate-employees-you-should-steal-7-of-them.html?cid=nl029week27day02_5&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=02072018

7 Steps to Rebrand Yourself for a Career Change

Fast Company Article:

When it’s time to make a change in your career and begin to grow into a new field, you’re likely going to find that you have several skills that can be offered in a new industry to be part of the change you need to create for yourself.  Whether you’re looking to change locations and build your brand in a new place or you’re trying to create a new career path in your current town, you’re going to want to learn about the positions available and build up the experience to show that you can assist and participate in the new field you choose.  Take a look through this article and make your way through the steps to see how you can enter a new industry and start on a new path.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40585926/7-steps-to-rebrand-yourself-for-a-career-change

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Establishing the Right Mindset for Your Career Will Make You Successful

If you roll your eyes whenever you hear the term “work smart, not hard” you’ve probably learned a long time ago that you need to work both hard and smart.  The work you want to accomplish in a day has to begin with a morning ritual that works for you.  Try different things to get your day going, but make sure you have a routine that gives you the energy and allows you to be excited by your day and what you can get done.  As you become a leader in your industry, you’re going to need to establish boundaries that allow you to be successful at work and at home so that you can continually perform at a high level.

‘Work Smart, Not Hard’ Is a Lie: Why Smart Is Nice but its Hard that Matters

Entrepreneur Article:

We’ve heard this phrase uttered many times and in a variety of ways.  This simple statement tells us that if we find a way to be more efficient, we can work fewer hours and get just as much done.  While that might be one goal to strive for, if you’re looking to be a high achiever, set your own standard and break through them, or venture out on your own, you’re going to have no choice but to put in the long hours to get more done than you ever thought you could.  By setting a standard of getting more done in less time, you’re limiting yourself.  By working from home you’re missing the personal touch and the contact with others.  By performing only to the deadlines, you’re going to be an average performer. 

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/315381

5 Tips for Creating a Morning Ritual That Sticks

Forbes Article:

The morning ritual that you create for yourself has to be one that makes you excited to greet the day, sets the positive tone for your entire day, and allows you to be as productive as you want to be.  Preferably, your ritual will not involve a computer screen, but if checking emails and messages before you go for a morning jog or start your meditation works well for you, go right ahead.  The point is, you’ve got to establish what works for you and not worry about what others are doing.  You can take advice from other people, learn about some of the most productive morning routines, and then create the one that offers you the benefits and the success in your daily life that you’re going to want.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandradouwes/2018/06/25/5-tips-for-creating-a-morning-ritual-that-sticks/#250ceb175e39

The Most Successful Leaders Make These 4 Boundaries Clear

Inc. Article:

You can’t be a successful leader if you don’t make sure you’re able to live your life.  As a leader, you have to realize that you’re human, not a robot and need to be taken care of and have time for yourself, for others, and for business.  Because of this, you need to set standards and create boundaries that are going to allow you the ability to put your energies where you need to.  Don’t say “yes” to everything, you won’t have time for the work you need to get done.  Make sure the products and services you offer will bring the profits and relationships you desire.  Avoid committing too much time and effort to social media connections.  Make certain you have time for yourself to unwind and recharge after a long day.  Ensure your boundaries are clearly communicated and you’ll be able to enjoy being a successful leader.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/carol-sankar/4-boundaries-you-must-implement-today-to-become-a-successful-leader.html?cid=nl029week26day29_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=29062018

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

Letting the Numbers Guide You in Your Career Today

Have you seen the level of toxicity grow in your workplace lately?  Do you know how to achieve more and think the right way?  Are you making sure you get to keep more of your money every month?  These are important things to learn as you grow in your career.  If you work in a toxic environment you’re going to be faced with the challenge of finding a way to turn it around or survive until a change can be made.  When you learn to think like an entrepreneur you’ll be able to keep the focus you need to get more done.  If you live on less than you earn every month, you can save money and invest rather than waste it on items that won’t allow you to invest and save for the future.

5 Signs of a Toxic Workplace that Should be Stopped Immediately

Inc. Article:

Toxicity in the workplace is often easy to see and hard to ignore.  When your team engages in toxic behaviors they aren’t able to be as productive as you need them to be.  The challenge for you is to not only recognize when gossip is spreading or the morale is low, but also to know what you can and should do about it.  Often, it will take time to turn things around, but when some toxic behavior takes place, it needs to be stopped right away because a continued environment of negative behavior can only lead to an unproductive workplace and a team that’s not cohesive at all.  Whether you’re faced with a manger that dictates and doesn’t lead or you notice that people tend to work in solitude, you need to take a look at this article and learn what you can do to help change the toxicity level in your workplace.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/5-signs-of-a-toxic-workplace-that-should-be-stopped-immediately.html?cid=nl029week26day27_5&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=27062018

5 Ways Everyone Can Achieve More by Thinking Like an Entrepreneur

Entrepreneur Article:

Even when you’re not planning to venture out on your own, there are several qualities of what many entrepreneurs think about and work to achieve on a regular basis.  These folks are the self-starters that are able to face the world while relying only on their own capabilities and skills to help them achieve the level of success desired.  You’ll certainly admire the fact that entrepreneurs have a knack for being able to stay present, which can be one of the most important aspects of being successful.  Learn how to achieve more by thinking more like the leaders and the self-starters around you, even if you’re not going to venture out and start your own company.  These skills can certainly serve you well throughout your career.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/314730

All Truly Wealthy People Know This 1 Important Financial Secret

Inc. Article:

It may sound boring and tired, but the fact remains that the only true way to become wealthy and have more money and assets in your life is to live beneath your means.  When you live above your means you’re going to go into debt with credit cards and loans that are difficult to pay off.  While most of us will never pay cash for a home, you could save enough to pay cash for cars, for the clothes you wear, and for your regular entertainment.  When you have money left at the end of the month that’s not allocated to a debt or a bill, you can put it aside and begin to build up wealth in order to buy assets and invest in a way that will build the wealth you want to enjoy.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/quora/all-truly-wealthy-people-know-this-1-important-financial-secret.html?cid=nl029week26day28_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=28062018

 

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

 

The Contributions You Make in Your Career Start Today

Are you tired of sitting in or hosting meetings where not much actually gets done?  The discussions are watered down for the vast audience and a deeper dive never seems to take place.  Do you have great ideas that are never listened to?  You’re going to need to advocate for yourself in order to have your voice heard.  Is your workday unbalanced with very little being accomplished?  It’s possible that time you spend in the morning on exercise and meditation should be put into your work in order to give you the best results.  You need to contribute to the results that you want to enjoy in your career.  This means changing the way meetings are conducted and the number of people in the room, getting louder and being heard, and working to create the most productive daily routine for the success you want to enjoy.

The Most Productive Meetings Have Fewer Than 8 People

Harvard Business Review Article:

Smaller meetings can be more productive than those that bring in a large group because the conversation can be narrowed and topics can be more specific.  Too often, businesses expect managers to run meetings that involve leaders of several departments or the entire group, but this isn’t the best way to have a meeting that’s going to actually get things done.  When you want to get things done, smaller is better.  Think of the one on one conversations you have and how easily you and one other person can come to a conclusion and learn more about what you need to do.  Expand this a bit and if you host a meeting with just those that will have a direct impact on the topics discussed, you’re going to have much better results from your meetings.  Review this article to learn how to handle the politics of this productivity change and start getting more out of your meetings.

Full Article:

https://hbr.org/2018/06/the-most-productive-meetings-have-fewer-than-8-people

How to Realistically Deal When Nobody Listens to You at Work

The Muse Article:

There’s a difference between having great ideas that can be well-received and dolling out items that can’t be implemented at all.  If you’re spending time in meetings offering up ideas that are simple changes and being ignored, you need to find ways to advocate for yourself in order to have your idea heard, but if this doesn’t work you need to take a deeper dive.  Discuss your frustrations with your manager and find out whether your ideas are ones that seem to have no merit, you need to learn more about the industry, or its time to begin to look for a different job because you aren’t going to be taken seriously or listened to at all.

Full Article:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-deal-when-nobody-listens-to-you-at-work

This Morning Routine Will Save You 20+ Hours a Week

Inc. Article:

Working when your energy levels are at their peak makes sense.  This is a time when you’re going to be able to produce the best results.  Does this mean you need to get rid of the early morning exercise routine?  Should you stop performing your early morning meditation?  Possibly you simply need to have a shift in your schedule that will allow you to get more done.  If you start with work and you add protein to your body right away, you’re going to find the first few hours of your day are much more productive.  Once you’ve completed a few hours of work and need an extended break, you can do your workout or you can meditate.  This shift in your routine and your mindset could easily offer you the results you’ve been missing.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/benjamin-p-hardy/this-morning-routine-will-save-you-20-hours-per-w.html?cid=nl029week26day25_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=25062018

Be the Leader You Want to Be and Ask for Help in Your Career

You may have slow days and you may have days where the work piles up.  You might be a leader that needs to understand how to delegate so that you can focus on the global vision of the company, or you might want to be able to save money even though you aren’t making any more than you did last year.  Make sure you understand what you need to take on as your own tasks and what you can give to others.  Respect the time of your coworkers by knowing how to ask for their help when you need to.  Save money so that you can feel comfortable working in the job you do while making the money you’re already making.  Doing these things will help you have a successful career and enjoy what you’re doing.

4 Tasks Successful Leaders Should Delegate

Entrepreneur Article:

When you’re a leader in your company, it can be difficult to understand what tasks are ones you need to take on and keep your eye on at all times and which ones you need to give to others to complete.  Just because you’re a leader doesn’t make you the best person to get everything done.  In fact, most of the work that needs to get done should be completed by those who work for you and that you lead.  You might be fantastic at managing the processes for your company but that doesn’t make you a creative person.  Allow those that are better at creating a solution and thinking in a different way to handle these tasks.  If you’re not an IT person, you’re going to want to leave these tasks to those who are the experts.  In a leadership role, you need to take a more global approach to your company, check out this article and learn more about delegation.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/315160

Drowning in Work? Here’s How to Ask a Colleague for Help.

Harvard Business Review Article:

You know that you need help, but you’re not sure how you can ask others to lend a hand to what you need to get done.  When you’re facing a mountain of work it can be easy to feel like you need to throw your hands in the air and give up, but that’s not the answer.  Instead of giving up, ask for help but do so in a constructive manner.  The right way to ask others, who also are likely facing their own pile of work, for help is to ask for specific help on tasks and projects.  Don’t be general find some help with the things you need to get done by respecting the time others are willing to give you.

Full Article:

https://hbr.org/2018/06/drowning-in-work-heres-how-to-ask-a-colleague-for-help

25 Ways to Save Money Without Making a Dime More Than You Did a Year Ago

Inc. Article:

If you spend a lot of time wondering why you’re in the job you currently hold because of the lack of money you make there are a couple of solutions.  One is to change jobs, but if you love your job, this might not be what you want to do.  Another solution is to find ways to save money without making any more than you did in the past.  This article is filled with excellent advice to help you save money even though you’re not making more than you did last year.  This way, you don’t have to give up the job that you love, but you can build wealth and save the money you need over the next few years.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/john-rampton/25-ways-to-save-money-without-a-making-a-dime-more.html?cid=nl029week25day22_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=22062018

 

To learn more about my career coaching services, visit https://surpassyourdreams.com/

 

Think Right, Stay in Shape, and Offer Your Expertise during Your Career

It’s sad that older workers are often looked at as no longer beneficial to some companies.  These are the folks we should rely on for advice as to what not to do and gain from their experience, which Mercedes has thankfully begun to do.  Are you out of shape and stuck behind a desk every day?  If so, find some easy ways to get back in shape and avoid gaining unwanted weight.  Do you know how to think strategically?  This is an important part of growing and understanding the company needs that can help you become promoted.  Take a look at these three articles and learn how to value older employees, stay in shape when you’re in a sedentary job and think more strategically about what needs to get done for your company.

Young at Heart? Mercedes Cultivates its Aging Workforce

Reuters Article:

While Mercedes has recognized an aging workforce in Germany, what to do to make sure those who are getting along in years are still viewed as viable and important in the workforce can be a challenge.  Even though many younger generations may understand and utilize technology more than older ones, doesn’t mean those who are in the middle of their lives or beyond won’t be able to contribute to the workforce, but a mindset shift is needed.  Mercedes has found a way to make sure everyone understands that workers of all ages are able to contribute and be an important part of what happens at Mercedes and around Germany.  The older workforce is being cultivated to offer the expertise that only comes with years of experience and the wisdom to know what should and shouldn’t be done, which can be passed down to younger generations.

Full Article:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-world-work-daimler/young-at-heart-mercedes-cultivates-its-aging-workforce-idUSKBN1JF0BW

4 Easy Ways to Stay in Shape When You Work from Home

Inc. Article:

When you work from home you have a flexible schedule, which is a huge benefit.  Unfortunately, that flexibility often comes to a head when you get behind or you need to get more done in a week than you would have normally planned.  If you’re beginning to get out of shape because you’re spending hours on end behind a computer, you need to find ways to make sure you can stay in shape or get back in shape, which can fit into your schedule.  The advice in this article can work great not only for those who work from home and are seated behind a computer for hours on end but also for those who spend time in an office and have to sit behind a computer all day as well.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/this-simple-routine-is-best-way-for-desk-workers-to-stay-in-shape.html?cid=nl029week25day20_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=20062018

How to Be a Strategic Thinker

Society for Human Resource Management Article:

Whether you’re part of the HR team and need to understand how your job is affected by the turnover experienced and the different strategies of the company, or you simply want to be more involved as you move up the leadership ladder, understanding how to be a strategic thinker is important.  Do you know how to prioritize your time so that you can focus on the projects that will make the greatest impact in your company?  Do you know how to be nimble in your thought process to be able to move from one item to another and accept change when it needs to take place?  These are only a couple of the aspects of thinking strategically that you can develop and understand in order to become a much better leader and think about the needs of the company you work for.

Full Article:

https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-news/conference-today/Pages/2018/How-to-Be-a-Strategic-Thinker.aspx

Are You Ready to Be Promoted in Your Career? Are You Sure?

One of the most frustrating aspects of working is the time it can take to be promoted in your company.  Sometimes you can work in the same job for several years before a promotion comes open, and when it does you aren’t even considered.  This should bring up questions of why this has happened and what you need to do in order to be promoted if you truly want to be considered for a new job with more responsibilities.  Make sure your boss knows you want to be promoted and begin to have conversations with them regarding what steps you need to take in order to be considered for the next leadership position that opens up.  You have to be in charge of your own career; check out these articles and learn more about steps you may need to take.

What to Do When Your Boss Won’t Advocate for You

Harvard Business Review Article:

Are you being passed up for promotions on a regular basis?  Have you asked your boss why this is or figured out the reason?  If you have done everything you can to be considered for promotion, and your boss tells you that you’re ready for the next step, it’s possible your boss isn’t advocating for you.  There could be many reasons for this, and if it’s the case, let your boss off the hook and begin to figure out how you can get promoted without their help.  This means you may need to find another person to advocate for you and, you might need to build your network inside and outside your company to build a strong support team.  You can get promoted within your organization without your boss advocating for you, but make sure you’re ready to be promoted before you start looking for other support for your upward career move.

Full Article:

https://hbr.org/2018/06/what-to-do-when-your-boss-wont-advocate-for-you

You Get Positive Performance Reviews by No Promotion? Seven Reasons Your Career Has Stalled

Forbes Article:

No one actually enjoys conflict in the workplace and your manager may not be comfortable providing you with negative feedback regarding your performance.  Because of this, you may have been given positive performance reviews but never a chance for promotion because your performance isn’t all positive.  Some people are blindsided by being put on a performance improvement plan, and you may not fall in this category, but your performance may not be where it needs to be for a promotion either.  It’s also possible you aren’t performing at a level that would bring you a promotion even though your performance is great for the job you’re doing.  You also might need to make sure your boss knows you’re interested in being promoted, check out this article for other reasons why your career has stalled.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecenizalevine/2018/06/16/you-get-positive-performance-reviews-but-no-promotion-seven-reasons-your-career-has-stalled/#57d8dbde7574

Asking this One Question Can Make You Feel Like You Have More Time

Fast Company Article:

Feeling like you have more time is about making more memories and remembering more of the events that have taken place in your life.  Older generations were great at making memories every day by journaling the events that took place, but today we use smartphones for much of the journaling and its done and out of our minds so quickly that we don’t remember most of it. Making certain you have something different every day makes it easy for you to be able to create memories and feel like you’ve had a full life.  With that in mind, you need to find ways to make each day more memorable and create events that cause you to cherish the life you have.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40580844/asking-this-one-question-can-make-you-feel-like-you-have-more-time

Make Sure You Have the Right Tools for Career Success

You can have the education that shows you’ve learned about your field, you can have the understanding of what to do on a daily basis, and you can have the right network to give you advice, but some tools have to come from within.  Do you sometimes feel uninspired but you still need to lead your team?  Have you begun freelance work only to find you’re lonely and unsure of yourself?  Do you know what you need to do for the next six months to achieve your year-end goals or have you given up?  Take a look at these three articles and add a few more tools to your arsenal to make sure you can reach the level of success you’ve want to enjoy.

How to Inspire Your Team When You’re Feeling Uninspired

Fast Company Article:

If you’re truthful with your team it will be easy for them to tell when you’re not feeling at your best or like you can put your best self out there.  These are the times when you’re the most challenged to make sure you can continue to lead your team with the proper level of inspiration that’s needed for them to get the job done.  When this happens you may need to dig deeper to find the inspiration that will allow you to have the feeling you want and the quality of work that you’re used to being able to produce.  It’s also possible you need your team to inspire you and show you how they can come to bat for you.  This is a great opportunity for those you work with to show you how much they can support you and help you regain your inspired feeling.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40580832/how-to-inspire-your-team-when-youre-feeling-uninspired

How to Overcome the 5 Top Challenges of Remote Freelance Work

Entrepreneur Article:

Whether you choose to work remotely as a freelancer as part of a side gig or you’re going to make it your entire source of income, there are some obstacles and challenges that you’re going to face along the way.  It can be difficult to promote yourself and get your name out where you want it in order to gain the work and the clients you’re ready to work with.  It can also be tough to work alone, which may mean you need to find a great way to work with others while working independently.  Freelance work can be rewarding and offer you a freeing schedule and the lifestyle you want, but it does come with its own set of challenges that you’ll have to learn to overcome.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/314841

Putting These 6 Habits Into Place Today Will Help You Achieve Your Year-End Goals

Inc. Article:

It may only be June, but you should have your eye on the end of the year and where you stand today in relation to the goals you set at the beginning of the year.  Bring your goals back out and review them to see where you are.  If you’re on track and your progress is on schedule or ahead of it, you can keep on going the same way you have, but if not, you’re going to want to take a look at the habits in this article.  You can put these six habits into place today and begin to make the strides needed to reach the goals you have in mind to ensure success at the end of the year.  There are only six more months left in the year for you to reach the goals you set; are you going to achieve them?

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/megy-karydes/start-these-6-habits-right-now-to-help-you-reach-your-end-of-year-goals.html?cid=nl029week24day15_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=15062018

Is your Life Getting in the Way of Your Career Goals?

One of the toughest challenges we face is a balance between work and life.  Whether you’ve been one of the people that roll in on Monday morning looking like the weekend won the battle but gave you several stories to tell, or you’re the person who has what appears to be an organized and structured lifestyle, your life outside of work can help you achieve more in your career.  Do you have the right mindset and know how to avoid becoming burned out?  Are you getting enough sleep every night to make sure you’re refreshed and ready to meet the day?  Do you know how to achieve your goals and become one of the few that actually sets a goal and takes steps every day to achieve it?  Let these three articles guide you toward being more successful starting today.

Science Says Only 8 Percent of People Actually Achieve Their Goals. Here are 7 Things They Do Differently

Inc. Article:

The amount of advice regarding how to achieve a goal and what you need to do along the way is daunting enough that often you won’t get going on the path toward the goals you have in mind.  Instead of creating a mindset of failure, find a way to achieve the goals you set and be part of the eight percent that have done so.  Ask yourself important questions that will make your goals easier to achieve and keep you on the right path toward success.  In order to reach the goals you’ve set in place, you need to be extremely specific about what you want to get done and how you should go about taking steps toward your goals every day.  Read through this article and learn more about achieving the goals you’ve set in place.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/science-says-only-8-percent-of-people-actually-achieve-their-goals-here-are-7-things-they-do-differently.html?cid=nl029week24day13_5&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=13062018

These 5 Mindful Habits Will Keep You from Burning Out

Entrepreneur Article:

Your mind is a terrible thing to waste and if your focus is on the negative or you have trouble engaging because you’re on the verge of burning out, you’re wasting your mind.  In order to keep your mind and your mindset healthy, you may need to reduce the number of things that clutter your life and your mind.  Begin to minimize your space and learn to say “no” to tasks and projects that don’t excite you.  One of the most important things you can do to avoid burning out is giving yourself some play time.  Whether you play on the weekends or each night after you’re done working, learning to play again can be stimulating and help you get away from the struggles of your work environment to refresh your mindset.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/314189

The ‘8 Hours of Sleep’ Rule is a Myth.  Here’s What You Should Do Instead

Inc. Article:

The idea that you can achieve eight hours of sleep every night is something that many of us would love to be able to turn into a reality, but it’s extremely difficult.  The fact is, most of us don’t fall right to sleep as soon as we hit the covers.  We read, we watch TV, we check our notifications on our smartphones or computers, and we worry about life.  Studies show that people who get to be eight hours before they have to get back up actually only sleep about seven hours.  If you want to be able to fall asleep faster or come much closer to the eight hours you might need, you need to have a good sleep routine and make your environment more conducive for sleep.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/julian-hayes-ii/the-8-hours-of-sleep-rule-is-a-myth-heres-what-you-should-do-instead.html?cid=nl029week24day13_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=13062018

Keep Engaged in Your Career and Make the Most of Every Day

Do you find that your team interprets your directions in ways you don’t mean for them to?  Do you have several different interests that you want to enjoy and experience, but you feel like you’re stuck doing the same thing every day?  How much are you getting done before 9 a.m. and is this part of your day that you make the most of?  Answer these questions and if you need to improve in any of these areas, you’re going to want to take a look at the three articles listed here to gain some perspective and direction.  You can stay engaged and have an amazing career when you make every day count for you so that you can have the results you’ve been looking for.

3 Reasons Leaders Should Be More Specific

Inc. Article:

Giving general information that provides several ways to interpret what’s expected often leads to frustration because different people will interpret the direction in a variety of ways.  When you are specific with your instructions and let those you’re working with know what you expect, things get done the right way.  That’s because specificity offers you the opportunity to give purpose to the direction you’re giving, it allows your team to build trust in you and you in them, and it saves time and money.  Imagine a project that you think is nearly completed only to find that some items need to be redone in order to bring the project to completion.  This can be extremely frustrating, time-consuming, and makes for a disgruntled team.  Keep your team happy and your projects on the right course by being specific with the instructions that you provide.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/john-hall/this-communication-skill-is-key-to-strong-leadership.html?cid=nl029week24day11_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=11062018

How to Stay Excited at Work When You Have 1,000 Different Interests

The Muse Article:

Taking on a job that has the same tasks assigned day after day, week after week, can be exhausting and frustrating if you have the desire to get up, get out, and do something new and exciting.  Just because you have different interests doesn’t mean you have to be in a rut and never get to experience the things you want to do.  You can start a side gig and make an extra income from some of the things you like to do, or you can explore some of the hobbies you have and enjoy them when you’re not at work.  At work, you could pick up special projects that help you stretch and grow your skills or shift your role to take on a few new challenges that can aid the company and keep you engaged.

Full Article:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-be-happy-work-1000-different-interests

6 Things Successful People Do Before 9 a.m.

Entrepreneur Article:

The time before 9 a.m. can be your best time of the day if you make the most of it by doing something that will make a difference in your day.  This is a great time for you to get some exercise, have your breakfast, and begin to get some of the items done that you don’t want to put off until later in the day.  Use this time to get some of your errands done, as long as the places you need to visit are open, and make a plan for what the rest of your day looks like.  This could also be the perfect time for you to carve out and learn something new or expand on what you know to experience more fun and learn what you want to know to be able to grow.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/314388

Patience, Responsibility, and Discipline are Traditional Qualities of Career Success

Information and expectations may be coming at you faster than you can handle but you might need to slow down.  You’ve finally reached the level of financial success that you always wanted, but how do you properly manage your money.  Do you have the disciple to see things through and create the right habits in your career?  While patience, responsibility, and discipline might sound like qualities that your grandparents valued and have lost their luster, the fact is, these three qualities are extremely important in today’s world as much as they were in the past.  If you’re in a new leadership position show these qualities and your team will thank you for it as you work to gain their trust and acceptance as the leader they want to follow.

Why New Leaders Should Be Wary of Quick Wins

Harvard Business Review Article:

When you’ve made your way to the leadership team of a company, it’s important to understand people and relationships more than processes and results.  This may seem counter to the communication you receive as those around you expect to see tangible results, but the fact is you need to gain the loyalty of those you lead and manage to have sustained success.  Leadership isn’t just about meeting goals and producing results, it’s also about getting others to buy into what you’re doing and the goals you’ve set.  This may mean a slowing of your thought process and the rollout of the new ideas you have that will eventually need to be implemented.  Take it slow and let everyone get used to small changes and you’re going to see positive results in the work that’s done and build relationships with your team the right way.

Full Article:

https://hbr.org/2018/06/why-new-leaders-should-be-wary-of-quick-wins

9 Personal-Finance Secrets of Successful, Wealthy People

Inc. Article:

Once you’ve finally reached the financial success you’ve been after, it’s time to figure out what to do with the money you’ve earned over the time in your business.  You took the time and the risk to build a business that has resulted in wealth that you’ve never seen before, and you might think your financial challenges are over, but they are just beginning.  For those who have wealth, much is expected and you will be expected to help others and invest wisely in order to maintain and grow the money you’ve made.  Too many people reach a financial status of wealth only to lose it because they aren’t smart with their money.  Take a look at this article and learn how to manage the money you’ve made to make it last much longer for you.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/magazine/201806/harold-pollack/index-card-windfall-financial-advice.html?cid=nl029week23day08_4&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=08062018

This Tech CEO Started Out as a High School Janitor – Here’s the No. 1 Thing He Learned About Getting Ahead

CNBC Article:

Facing the challenges of growing up can be difficult for most people.  As awkward teenagers and young adults, finding our place in the world can be a challenge and understanding what it takes to become successful even more of a challenge.  Thankfully, Mark Testoni, CEO of SAP National Security Services, had a father that helped him understand discipline by helping him get a job as a high school janitor.  This led him to understand the importance of showing up, doing a good job, and performing his best every day.  The path of discipline is something that’s often lost in the workforce today, but it’s a necessary aspect of a professional career for anyone that wants to be a success.  Review this article and figure out how you can apply discipline to your own life.

Full Article:

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/07/sap-national-security-services-ceo-mark-testonis-top-tip-for-success.html

Learning and Leading Go Together in Your Career

If you’re not spending some time every day learning something, you’re likely going to become stagnant and not be able to move forward in your career.  While we consume more information than ever, we also don’t learn the way we should.  Take a deeper dive and understand the qualities that need to be in place to become a manager, to avoid a toxic workplace, and to make you an expert in your chosen field.  When you spend the time trying to learn and study a topic over several months, it becomes easier for you to focus and learn at work when a multitude of items are coming at you quickly.  Make learning the basis of your daily life and you’re going to see growth in your career and in your personal life that doesn’t come from skimming the headlines and never taking the deeper dive into a topic.

Become a More Productive Learner

Harvard Business Review Article:

There was a time when you spent years learning one topic and focusing on that single topic for hours at a time every day.  Today, that’s not the case at all.  We now consume more than five times the information we did in 1986 and most of the time we only take the time to read headlines and skim through an item, missing some of the necessary items that are included.  Our learning has taken a hit and hasn’t been able to recover.  If you want to understand how to learn and seriously dive into the deep end of a topic you’re going to employ a different approach to learning in order to get more out of what you’re ready to understand.  Take a look at this article and understand what it means to truly learn something versus being able to simply skim the surface and never take a deep dive.

Full Article:

https://hbr.org/2018/06/become-a-more-productive-learner

5 Signs You’re Ready to Be a Manager (That Have Nothing to Do With Being Good at Your Current Job)

The Muse Article:

There are plenty of tasks that managers have to handle that has nothing to do with the actual work that needs to get done.  If you’re in line for the next management position in your company you’re going to want to understand that the expectations of you will change from someone that produces results in a singular manner to someone that can lead a team toward a deadline to deliver the results for an entire project.  This means being able to answer questions, give up some of the control you once had, investing time and energy into others, and solving problems along the way.  Are you ready to do these things?  If you’re not sure, take a look at this article and gauge how it makes you feel.

Full Article:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-signs-that-youre-ready-to-be-a-manager?ref=recently-published-1

5 Unspoken Rules that Lead to a Toxic Culture

Inc. Article:

While you know the rules that are in place at your company and what they mean to your daily process, there are some rules that are more about common sense and really don’t need to be written down.  Have you been to meetings and never spoken up even when you’ve disagreed with the meeting topics?  Do you know that you need to put yourself forward in order to gain advancement in your company?  Are you someone that looks at taking every risk as a way to continue to get ahead?  Take a look at this article and understand there’s a lot of gray area in the world that you have to live in every day in order to get ahead and avoid creating a toxic culture.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/scott-mautz/5-unspoken-rules-that-lead-to-a-toxic-culture.html?cid=nl029week23day06_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=06062018

Succeed in You Career with the Confidence and Productivity You Need

How can you become more confident in your skills and in your judgment?  Do you know what it means to be productive and how to change your mindset to build habits that will sustain the productive results you’re looking for?  Have you figured out what success means for you?  When you can answer these questions you’re going to be on your way to realizing the potential you have inside you that needs to come out in your professional and personal life.  Take a look at these three articles and learn more about how you can build your confidence and change your mindset to be more productive on a daily basis.  Once you do, you’re going to be able to build the success you’ve been after.

Build Your Confidence in Three Months by Doing These 3 Things Now

Inc. Article:

Whether you’re faced with a challenge you’ve never met or you’re once again working on tasks you’ve mastered over time, the fact is you need the confidence to be able to perform at your best.  If you find that you often doubt yourself and look for ways to avoid tasks or to take on less than you should, it’s time to find a way to build your confidence and face the world with a head of steam instead of running from it.  You’ve seen both ends of the spectrum with the confident people strutting forward and gaining promotions to move up the ladder while those who lack confidence are stuck in the same endless job for years.  Which of these two groups would you rather be part of?  Make the positive changes and begin to grow your confidence today.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/laura-garnett/build-your-confidence-in-three-months-by-doing-these-3-things-now.html?cid=nl029week23day04_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04062018

This Well-Known Productivity Advice is Actually Pretty Bad

Fast Company Article:

The advice that you need to start your day with the most difficult task can often leave you frustrated and the task undone.  Instead of starting the day with the hardest item on your plate, or the tasks that you don’t enjoy, make a change and start with some easy and enjoyable tasks to build momentum and work better during your day.  What happens when you start with the most difficult task you face?  If you begin with this item, you could end up tossing the entire day away and being frustrated by the overall results of the day.  Instead, build some good thoughts and the feeling of accomplishment through the small and more enjoyable tasks that you face.  It might also be a good idea to schedule that difficult task to take part in the morning and part of the afternoon to give yourself a break where you need it.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40578005/this-well-known-productivity-advice-is-actually-pretty-bad

Most Successful People Share These 4 Qualities

Inc. Article:

What does success look like to you?  Can you define it for one day, one week, one month or even a year?  Can you define success for yourself over a lifetime or even for the next five years of your professional life?  You’re going to need to have the traits that help lead and guide you to success in order to feel that you’ve achieved your goals, and that begins with defining success for yourself.  Once you’ve done this, you can move on to understand what the traits that will allow you to achieve the success you desire are.  Are you willing to work hard even when things don’t go your way?  Can you handle feedback, even when it’s negative?  Take a look at this article to understand more about success and how to achieve it.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/john-hall/most-successful-people-share-these-4-qualities.html?cid=nl029week23day04_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04062018

The Opportunities You Need in Your Career are All Around You

Have you noticed the various times when you’ve got a few minutes to sit back and relax or get something small done?  Have you been labeled as shy or introverted and want to know the difference?  Will you spend some time studying or working overseas in the near future and want to make it a success?  These are all opportunities for you to grow and perform your best.  Make the most of those little breaks in the day when you can get things done, even if it’s only small tasks.  Learn the differences between being shy or introverted and figure out how you need to address this label in your life.  Pack your bags and get excited to immerse yourself in a new culture and learn what you can while visiting abroad.

The Best Way to Use All Those 5 Minutes of Downtime Every Day

Fast Company Article:

Five minutes might not sound like much time at all, but you’re going to find that you’ll have these little breaks in your day many times.  While you could sit back and take a quick break, and if you’ve focused hard on several tasks for a while you deserve it, but you could also make use of this time and knock out some small tasks.  Whether you use the five minutes of downtime to take inventory of what you have to get done, plan your day or the next day, or get your mind prepared for the next big project, you can make use of this time as long as you’re ready for when it arrives.  Pay attention and see these little spurts of time in your day and you’ll be looked at as a productivity wizard.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40572559/the-best-way-to-use-all-those-5-minutes-of-downtime-every-day

Are You Shy or Introverted?  Science Says This is the Difference Between Them

Inc. Article:

If you’ve been told you’re shy or you know you’ve been labeled as introverted, you might have thought these two things were interchangeable.  The problem is, they aren’t, and if you’re simply introverted you’re going to be able to handle social situations much better than if you’re shy.  An introverted person can perform in a social situation and act as normal as anyone else without anxiety, they just choose not to most of the time.  A shy person has a deeper challenge that causes them to react to situations that are social in nature.  There are several types of shyness and if you find that you’re actually shy and not introverted, you’re going to need to take some steps to be able to integrate socially into the world around you and become successful.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/are-you-shy-or-introverted-science-says-this-is-1-primary-difference.html?cid=nl029week22day31_5&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=31052018

4 Ways You Can Be Successful Working Overseas

CNBC Article:

Living and working in a foreign country can be a serious shock to any student or professional, but it can also offer you the view of another way of life and a culture that you’ve never experienced in the past.  Knowing that you’re going to have to learn a new language, handle cultural changes, and change your way of thinking can be a challenge, but you can handle it if you understand what you’re facing.  It’s important to learn and find ways to immerse yourself in the culture and practices of the country you’re in while you work.  There might be different work habits, some aspects of working will be a challenge to learn, but once you master the way another culture does things and learn how to act, you’re going to enjoy the experience and realize you’ve learned quite a bit from the experience.

Full Article:

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/31/working-and-studying-in-the-us-advice-from-chinese-woman-who-did-it.html

Fear and Confusion are Hurdles You’ll Face in Your Career

Whether you’ve ventured out on your own or you have to make decisions for a large team, you’re going to face fear when in a position of leadership?  Have you been given a project you’re unsure of, do you see a productivity bottleneck in your team, do you need to know how to inspire your team to strive for success?  If you’re facing the challenges that come with fear and confusion, you need to identify what’s causing these feeling in order to make the necessary changes for growth, clarity, and understanding that will help your team achieve the success you’re looking for.  Check out these three articles to learn more about facing these challenges in your career.

5 Fears that Even High Achievers Have to Face

Forbes Article:

High achieving people have recognized there are two different types of fears that we all face.  The good fear is the kind that tells you not to put yourself in harm’s way and get run over by a bus or jump off a cliff while bad fear is that nagging voice in your head that puts doubt where confidence used to be.  If you want to be a high achiever you need to understand how to push away at the bad fears and create the awareness and confidence needed to be able to get things done.  Don’t be afraid to enter uncharted waters, be wrong at times, or work through the uneasiness of a new environment, these things mean you’re working toward being a high achiever and the stakes have grown to a point where you’re going to be able to grow and learn along the way to the success you’re looking for.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffboss/2018/05/27/5-unwanted-fears-that-high-achievers-face-anyway/#1e34cf677b55

Get a G.R.I.P. to Avoid Bottom-Line Bottleneck from Leadership Failures

Training Magazine Article:

Have you noticed that it takes a long time to get a project going and the process that’s going to be used needs to be discussed and learned with each project?  Is your team going in several different directions with each person acting as if they are working on the same project but actually working against each other instead of together?  Does the team know what the goal is for each project you provide them with?  If your team is struggling, the GRIP model can allow you to get the group together, on the same page, with the clarity and the direction needed to meet deadlines and avoid productivity bottlenecks that can hinder the progress you want to be able to achieve.

Full Article:

https://trainingmag.com/get-grip-avoid-bottom-line-bottleneck-leadership-failures/

The Question Smart People Ask When They’re Confused About an Assignment

The Muse Article:

Confusion can take place with any project and if you’re facing several months of working on a project you’re not sure about there are plenty of questions you can ask.  If your boss recently gave you a project and you’re confused, you can tell your boss that you’re lost or ask for more direction, but these two views may put you in the light of incompetence.  Instead, ask “what greater goal is this tied to?” This question will help your boss understand that you’re invested in helping the company grow and be successful and you’re looking for the purpose.  This is an important aspect of any project because you can then make all the work you do for the project with the mindset that you’re working toward something greater.  This question also allows your boss to explain the project to you again to allow you to have a back and forth conversation about the feedback you need.

Full Article:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/smart-question-ask-boss-confused-about-assignment?ref=recently-published-2

The Career Questions You Need Answered

When you’re promoted from a position as a manager to one of being a leader you have to change the way you do things, do you know how to make this transition?  Have you created a large network of people that barely connect with your or do you have a small and strong network that you know you can lean on for advice and guidance?  How do you handle feeling stalled and stagnant in your job?  When you answer these questions you can find a way to understand leadership, built the network that will benefit you, and know that you can push through a feeling of being stalled and unfulfilled at work in order to find the path that’s right for you.  Read through these articles and see how they can help you continue forward in your career.

What’s the Secret to Becoming a Leader? Stop Being a Boss.

Entrepreneur Article:

Being a manager that possesses some of the attributes of a leader makes it easier for you to transition from a managerial role into a leadership one.  Unfortunately, most of us don’t automatically possess the leadership skills that companies are looking for in order to lead others and show the way to success.  When you’re promoted from a managerial position into a position of leadership, you’re expected to see a bigger picture, inspire others to success that’s found in the future, and need to step back and stop getting involved in the daily operations of the company.  This is one of the toughest transitions for many of us who are moved from a position of being in the trenches with the team to one of guidance, coaching, and inspiration.  Take a look at this article and learn how you can be a better leader for your team.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/313388

The Networking Advice No One Tells You

Forbes Article:

While solving some problems requires you to try several different potential solutions to figure out which one works the best when you’re networking this doesn’t always produce the right network for you.  Most of the time, a network is built because of relationships that are given and take and if you build a network that’s too big you can’t support or give time to everyone that you reach out to and connect to.  This means you end up building a network of people who have only seen your name once or twice, not a network of those who truly want to connect and support you during your career.  Be strategic in the events and people you connect with, but don’t be narrow-minded or limiting in who you will allow connecting with you, but limit yourself to those you know you can support and who can help you along the way.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bonniemarcus/2018/05/22/the-networking-advice-no-one-tells-you/#6d372f8f7772

What to do When Your Job is Going Nowhere

Fast Company Article:

Your job might feel like it’s going nowhere at times, especially when you’ve spent several years in the same position and job.  The professional crowd of today is much different from those of the past which saw many people who were more than happy to spend thirty years in the same job, doing the same task, and then retires with a pension that carried them the rest of the way.  Today’s professionals are more ambitious and most of us don’t want to feel stagnant or stalled in our careers.  Review this article and learn more about how you can revitalize your mindset and find the results you want in your current job when you feel it’s not going anywhere at the time.

Full Link:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40570141/what-to-do-when-your-job-is-going-nowhere

Stomp on the Negativity that Can Happen in Your Career

As aggressive as stomping on something sounds, this is what you want to do when you’re in a career rut, are told “no” more often than you expect, and you’re dealing with toxic relationship traits.  Make that stomp one of positivity by finding a way out of the rut you feel you’re in to reach out and grow your network.  Find ways to turn the negative answers into positive ones when you’re looking for the next step in your career. Make sure you and your partner are working together to be a team and on the same team in your personal life.  By doing these things, you’ll stomp out the negativity and begin to see the positive results you want that lead to success.

5 Steps to Break Out of a Career Rut

Forbes Article:

No matter the industry you choose to work in, there are times when you feel like you’re in a rut and that your daily and weekly tasks are all the same.  This is the time when many of us will feel we need to find a new job and think seriously about doing something new.  Instead of changing jobs, which can be difficult, try to re-engage yourself and bring about the inspiration you need.  Make time to connect with those who can get you excited about what you’re doing and help you remember why you’re working in the industry you are.  This is also a great time to network and begin to add more connections with others that may have alternative views from you regarding the work you do.  If you’re really feeling in a rut, it might be time to find someone who will challenge you to grow with some stretch assignments.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2018/05/24/5steps-to-break-out-of-a-career-rut/#5882d8f8602e

This Female Leader Shares Why She Never Let “No” Stop Her

Entrepreneur Article:

Getting past the word “no” is an important part of the growing process in any profession.  In sales, you’ll hear “no” much more often than “yes” and when the economy is suffering and job openings are slim, those negative responses will fill up your life.  The challenge for you isn’t being told “no” it’s what you’ll do when you hear this word.  Are you looking at the response as a way to educate the other person to “know” more about you and understand what you can bring to the table?  Do you lick your wounds and try again in another way to try and turn that negative answer into a positive one?  The way you respond to being turned down for jobs, opportunities, and relationships can build your personality and resilience.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/310709

6 Toxic Relationship Habits that Most People Think Are Normal

Inc. Article:

Your happiness at home has a direct effect on the happiness you’re going to feel when you’re at work.  If you’re in a strong and supportive relationship, no matter how bad the work day is, you know you’re going home to see someone who has your back and offers you the support you need.  Unfortunately, if you or your partner are guilty of any of the habits found in this article you’re going to need to make changes in order to live well together or it might be time for you to find a different person to spend time with.  All of these habits are things that can be changed and may take time to work through, but all are toxic to your relationship.  Make the changes that will help you have a great relationship together and enjoy the support you need when you arrive at home.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/quora/6-toxic-relationship-habits-that-most-people-think-are-normal.html?cid=nl029week21day25_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=25052018

Making the Most of What’s Happening in Your Career

Do you set concrete goals for yourself and your team or are you continually aiming at a moving target?  Are you happy with where you live and work or is it time to land your dream job in a different city?  Have you figured out how to make the most of the breaks you have on a daily basis?  These are certain things you need to think about and items you can make changes for today.  If you’re not setting concrete goals, take some time to figure out what you want your career to look like.  If you want to live and work in a different city, start researching and connecting with those where you want to work.   Make the most of your downtime to be the most productive you can be during your workday.

6 Reasons Why Concrete Goals are Essential to Entrepreneurial Success

Entrepreneur Article:

Imagine going for a run without a finish line in mind.  Will you run at a slower pace because you’re unsure of how far or for how long you have to run or will you sprint until you can’t any longer because you don’t know how soon the run will end?  This is what it feels like to work without specific and concrete goals.  Whether you’re setting goals for yourself or for the entire team you need to have some specific ideas of what you need to get done and where you’re heading with the goals you’ve set.  By setting specific and measurable goals you can see your progress toward what you’re after and continue to be motivated along the way toward the success you have in mind.  Check out why you need to make concrete goals and work toward the success you desire.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/313503

6 Steps to Land Your Dream Job – In a New City

Forbes Article:

If you know you’re ready to have a new place to work and you’ve got a specific city in mind, you need to figure out how to make this change work right for you.  Checking out a new area can be difficult at times, especially if you’re not familiar with the area.  You’ll need to reach out to others in your field that live and work in the area, target some specific companies that you want to work for, and research the area.  Doing these things will make it much easier for you to get a great start in a new city and start the next chapter of your life in a place that you’ve chosen to enjoy.  Take a look at this article and remember that you only need one company to say yes to make your dream move come true.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2018/05/20/6-steps-to-land-your-dream-job-in-a-new-city/#2d4bafb32f51

What to do on 15-, 30-, and 60-minute Breaks to Boost Productivity

Fast Company Article:

If you’ve worked some breaks into your day its important these breaks are used to release your mind as much as they are used to get your body recharged.  One way to make the most of a short break is to move around and get your blood flowing.  Too often we sit for long periods of time or focus on the work for longer than we should.  It’s important to make sure you move around and unleash your mind during the short break.  If you have longer for your break it might be time to eat a meal or walk around.  This may also be a great time to get a workout in that doesn’t require you to change your clothes and shower, which can be saved for the longer 60-minute breaks.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40569576/what-to-do-on-15-30-and-60-minute-breaks-to-boost-productivity

Decisions You Need to Make in Your Career

While the big and tough choices as to what degree to obtain or what field to enter in the workforce are what you have to decide early in your life, but as you build and grow in your career you will be faced with choices on a daily basis you need to make.  Do you know whether or not you want to specialize in your field?  Are you part of a strong team or one that’s simply made up of great people?  Do you take regular breaks and know the effect a break can have on your overall productivity?  These are all things you need to think about in order to have the career you want that will be something you can look back on with pride in your life.

6 Questions to Ask Yourself When Deciding if You Should Specialize or Generalize

The Muse:

When deciding how you want your career to be shaped, the questions offered in this article will help you decide the right pathway for what you want to do.  Think about the doctors you visit, some have a general practice and understand the entire body to a certain level, but when it’s time for a deeper look into what’s going on with you, they will refer you to a specialist.  If you feel like you want to focus heavily on one area of expertise in your life, you’ll want to become a specialist, but if you enjoy moving from project to project with different challenges with each one, a generalized focus in your industry may be the right way for you to build the career you need.  Take a look at the questions asked in this article and see which direction the answers take you.

Full Article:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/questions-ask-yourself-specialize-generalize?ref=recently-published-0

Build Really Strong Teams Using These 5 Uncommonly Powerful Secrets

Inc. Article:

Putting a great team together is only one part of making them strong and capable together.  One of the greatest attributes of a strong team is the reliance on each other as a whole team without the need for individuals to stand out.  Once you’ve got the people together to make the team that you want, you need to step forward and begin to make them strong together.  Have you shaken up this team to see how they come together when they face adversity?  Did you celebrate success during a project that was brought to completion or discussed what’s learned from failure?  Take a look at the suggestions in this article and learn what you can do to make your team stronger and more reliant on each other as a group.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/build-really-strong-teams-using-these-5-uncommonly-powerful-secrets.html?cid=nl029week21day21_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=21052018

Taking a Break is Part of Your Job

Quartz at Work Article:

Too often we head to work with the idea of putting our head down and working hard until the end of the day with few or no breaks at all.  In fact, many of us will work through lunch, won’t step outside for some fresh air, and will end up not seeing the outside world again until it’s time to go home.  Working in this manner is actually detrimental to your productivity.  You need to have breaks built into your day and some of these breaks need to be actual downtime, not times when you’re thinking about your next project.  Build in some breaks that take you out of the office for a short period of time and build in some activities that will take your mind away from work and you’ll be amazed at how productive you can be.

Full Article:

https://work.qz.com/1279630/taking-a-break-is-part-of-your-job/

Become Unstoppable in the Career You Love

Have you become the most productive and unstoppable version of yourself?  Do you spend your days working in an office and wish you could work with your hands instead?  Do you have the qualities needed to make sure you’ll continue to strive for more goals even after you’ve achieved the ones you’ve set?  If you haven’t reached your peak level of productivity and you don’t feel unstoppable, you need to take a look at what these articles have for you.  If you’re looking for a great way to work with your hands and have the career in a field that needs you, a new career in construction just might be what you’re looking for.  Find the path that fits you best and become the unstoppable force that you know you can be.

How to Build a Workforce for Builders

Finance & Commerce Article:

Not everyone is cut out for office jobs or for going to college for four years.  Whether you’re a currently working professional, a high school student, or the parent of a student, if the path toward your career happiness has more to do with working with your hands rather than reading reports and managing numbers, this article is for you.  The Construction Careers Pathways is a joint venture to help attract more people to the construction careers that are still needed and will be needed for the next several years.  If you would rather learn how to wire a home or build a wall than how to manage a team or analyze data, this could be the right path for you to follow.  It takes every industry to make things work and this venture is designed to address a need in the marketplace.

Full Article:

https://finance-commerce.com/2018/05/how-to-build-a-workforce-for-builders/

14 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Boost Your Productivity

Forbes Article:

When you want to be more productive you don’t want to go through some enormous hoops to get to where you want to be.  If productivity were simple would you put some of these suggestions into action?  If so, this article is certainly for you.  Did you know you could release endorphins with just a short exercise session that can be as easy as a few pushups or running a couple of miles?  Have you set your mindset to being one that wants to take advantage of today?  Make this article the first thing you choose to consider when you’re ready to have a higher level of productivity and experience what happens when you make some simple changes in your life.  Once you see how simple some of these suggestions are, you’ll want to add more of them to your life.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonyoushaei/2018/05/16/14-surprisingly-simple-ways-to-boost-your-productivity/#7eff3eebf29a

10 Things Unstoppable People Do that Average People Don’t

Inc. Article:

In order to continue to grow and build upon the success you’ve already experienced you need to know what the next step will be.  Are you unstoppable or have you stopped because you reached a goal?  It’s important to always have another goal in mind and never settle for where you are, but that’s not the only way to make yourself unstoppable.  Do you know what to do when you make a mistake?  Are you boastful or willing to allow your work to speak for itself?  Have you found a great way to build up your confidence?  These are all important aspects to being unstoppable, no matter the hurdles that are put in front of you that need to be overcome in order to move forward and continue to experience the success you want in your life.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/benjamin-p-hardy/10-things-unstoppable-people-do-that-average-people-dont.html?cid=nl029week20day18_4&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=18052018

It’s Time for Success in Your Career and Your Life; Are You Ready?

Have you taken the right steps to make sure you’re going to be successful and be able to enjoy the path you’re on?  Do you know what success looks like?  Do you know how to make the most of the spare time you have after you leave the office every day?  It’s important that you’re ready to be successful and embrace what that could mean for you.  Don’t spend a lot of time in the “I wish” zone and start making things happen for you by taking action.  These articles are all helpful to make it possible for you to understand what success should look like and how you can put the excuses away and begin to get things done the right way.  Your success is waiting; are you ready for it?

4 Myths We’re Taught About Success

Glassdoor Article:

Are you going to be able to get promoted just by being good at the job you have?  Do you need to kill yourself and be the first in and last out in order to move up in the world? Should you have a degree in politics in order to understand the way the world works and how you can improve at work?  If you’ve been working for a long time should you give up on the dream of being successful?  These are some of the most important questions you’re going to need to answer because they might open up your eyes to some of the myths you’ve heard about the path to success in your life.  Take a look at this article and see what’s shared regarding these myths and learn how to dispel these ideas that we’ve been taught over several generations.

Full Article:

https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/4-myths-were-taught-about-success/

4 Excuses for Putting Off Your Side Hustle (And How to Crush Them)

Fast Company Article:

If you’re stuck in a job that you don’t love and you want to do something with your extra time that will begin to improve your bank account and make you happy, you need to start your own side hustle.  One of the biggest challenges to starting something new during your downtime is not knowing when and where to begin.  One thing that’s certain is that you can’t start by not doing anything or taking action.  It doesn’t matter how much you know now or how broke you might be, you can start your side hustle with just a little bit of knowledge and begin to see it grow.  The fun of doing something that’s not your main income stream is the fact that you can make mistakes and learn along the way without a crushing blow to your income.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40568300/4-excuses-for-putting-off-your-side-hustle-and-how-to-crush-them

8 Daily Habits that are Making Your Work-Life Balance Goals Unattainable

Inc. Article:

When you’re looking for a better balance between what you do at work and how you handle your daily life, you need to avoid traps that can be a huge part of what you have to deal with on a regular basis.  Do you feel like you have to perform every task imaginable on a regular basis or do you feel like the boundaries in your life are undefined, you’ll want to be able to avoid these problems in your daily life.  Take a look at this article and learn how you can avoid the traps that take place in your daily life that can allow you to be able to experience the right way to stay balanced and enjoy the life you’re trying to build.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/james-sudakow/8-daily-habits-that-are-making-your-work-life-balance-goals-unattainable.html?cid=nl029week20day16_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=16052018

What do You Need to Learn Today to Make Your Career Better?

Do you find ways to learn something new every day?  If not, why not?  With a variety of challenges that you’ll find in your day, you’re going to want to be able to learn new items as often as possible.  Today you could learn how to be the boss that others want to work for, or if you’re starting a new job you could learn to get started on the right foot.  Of course, you can also learn how to handle failures in a positive way rather than looking at the negatives when a failure has taken place.  There’s always something new that you can learn when you go to work and these three things will help you make your future brighter and help others become more successful as well, which is a positive for the entire team.

How to be the Boss Everyone Wants to Work For

Forbes Article:

When you have a team that works with you and you’re the leader, it’s important that you’re not only supportive, but you’re a person who will challenge the team to continue to learn and grow.  People can be most engaged and excited when presented with a new challenge, the right tools to learn how to master that challenge, and the ability to grow and become better at what they do.  In order to do this, you have to disrupt your team and offer them new problems to solve while also giving them the right things to be successful in solving these issues.  It’s important to be a boss that wants to see your team grow and be promoted beyond what you can provide, which should be a result of the guidance and support you’ve given during the times of learning and mastering a variety of challenges.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/hennainam/2018/05/13/how-to-be-the-boss-everyone-wants-to-work-for/#4c31a97d3cfe

5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started My First Job

Glassdoor Article:

Whether you’re starting your first job out of college or high school, there are some things you need to realize about the working world that can help you transition to adulthood more smoothly.  There’s usually a lot going on in any business and you’re going to need a way to keep track of things that need to get done with a to-do list that can serve as a reminder to you.  You need to be ready to trust your instincts and remember that you’ve been taught how to identify the right path and can make a decision that makes sense.  It’s also important to remember that no one you run into is perfect, no matter how they seem at first.  Check out this article and learn more about some of the simple but important things you should know.

Full Article:

https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/things-i-wish-i-knew-first-job/

Google Has an Official Process in Place for Learning from Failure—and it’s Absolutely Brilliant

Inc. Article:

Think about the last time you failed at work and what took place after the failure.  Was there a lot of finger pointing and frustration that led to negative feelings and a mindset of shying away from a future challenge?  If so, you need to help your company try to employ what Google has in place to learn from failure.  Rather than place blame, they look to promote growth and figure out what can be done better the next time.  They look for what worked during the process so it can be duplicated in the future, and the most important problems are identified to learn how to make certain these problems are handled differently the next time they present themselves.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/meet-postmortem-googles-brilliant-process-tool-for-learning-from-failure.html?cid=nl029week20day14_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=14052018

Lead Yourself to the Career Success You Want to Enjoy

Are you a leader in your organization?  If others look to you for answers and your responsibilities include managing others that work under your supervision, you’re expected to be a leader.  Are you leading yourself?  If you have difficulty managing your own mindset, habits, and path, it can be extremely difficult and nearly impossible to lead others.  Leading yourself starts with your morning routine and carries on throughout the day.  It also means you need to understand what you should and shouldn’t do in your business which means you know what you shouldn’t tolerate throughout your day.  Take a look at these three articles and learn more about how you can get your day started on the right foot, understand what you shouldn’t accept from yourself and others, and whether or not you possess traits that show you’re smarter than most people.

The Perfect Morning Routine if You’re Not a Morning Person

Inc. Article:

Not everyone is a morning person filled with energy and vigor as soon as they jump out of bed.  Even if you’re not a morning person, the morning will come and you have to face the day in order to get your day going.  If you struggle with decisions in the morning such as what to wear or how much time to spend preparing your breakfast you could prepare the clothes you’ll wear the night before and stock your pantry and fridge with items that don’t require any preparation.  This is a simple way to streamline your morning and spend time thinking about what you need to get done rather than what you wear and what to eat in the morning. Take a look at this article and learn more about what you need to do to have a great morning routine.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/business-insider/morning-routine-for-people-hate-mornings.html?cid=nl029week19day11_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=11052018

10 Things Successful Entrepreneurs Never Tolerate

Entrepreneur Article:

Studying a person and what they do to achieve the higher levels of success that comes in life is pretty easy.  You can write down what you see or take advice from a highly successful entrepreneur that has been able to reach the success desired.  The difficult part can be understanding what these folks don’t do and what they don’t tolerate in their business.  This would be the other side of the mentality of being successful.   Can you imagine a successful person who doesn’t know how to act?  Inaction is one of the items that most successful entrepreneurs won’t tolerate at all.  The will make a decision and take action.  If that action turns out to be a failure, it’s a learning experience to be successful later on, if it turns out to be a success, they can keep on moving forward.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/312428

11 Surprising Signs that You May be Way Smarter than Most People

Inc. Article:

Some studies come up with what seems to be a ridiculous reason for being smart or having the cognitive recall that others don’t.  Strangely enough, being thin might make it possible for you to recall more information than others.  Being a left-handed person also has a direct effect on spatial skills, mental flexibility, and a working memory.  While neither of these characteristics seems to have any direct connection to your memory or your intelligence level, it’s interesting to think about the fact that some odd traits could be why you always feel like the smartest person in the room.  Don’t worry if you don’t feel like you possess any of these traits; go find those that do and hang out with a smarter crowd.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/11-surprising-signs-that-youre-way-smarter-than-average-joe.html?cid=nl029week19day11_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=11052018

Your Career Can Be Filled with Joyful Purpose

Does your daily work life make you happy?  Have you learned how to become more interesting to yourself and others?  Are you working toward ridding the time wasters from the work you do?  Becoming joyful and experience a sense of purpose, pride, and accomplishment in your life is a choice, not just the result of circumstances.  Identify the tasks that actually don’t mean anything to your company and work to get rid of them so that you and your team can be more productive and focus on the items that will make a difference.  Make the most of your free time by learning to have fun and experience interesting things in your life.  Take a look in the mirror every morning and make the choice to be more joyful and live a happier life at work and at home.

How to Be an Interesting Person

Inc. Article:

What do you do for fun?  This is a question that might feel like it puts you on the spot and causes you to have trouble understanding how to answer what’s being asked.  Too often we are consumed by our work and forget to do things for fun.  Too often we allow social media and TV to take up most of our time.  We need to take a step outside of our comfort zones and make sure we can have some fun in our lives.  If you can’t answer the question, there’s a good chance you aren’t trying hard enough to be fun and interesting.  Think about the most engaging, well-read, and well-traveled people you know and start hanging out with them more often.  Find the things that pique your curiosity and start to be more fun and interesting so that you can answer this simple question and get more out of your life.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/how-to-be-an-interesting-person.html?cid=nl029week19day09_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=09052018

3 Red Flags That What You’re Doing is a Waste of Time

The Muse Article:

While it would be hard to argue with your boss when they assign you busywork that doesn’t seem to have any benefit, when you’re in a meeting or discussion, you might want to bring up the fact that you’re not seeing the benefits of what you’re being assigned.  If you can’t point directly to a benefit of the work assigned, it doesn’t directly align with a company goal, or it’s something that’s been assigned by someone who never seems to know how to say “thank you” it might be time to realize that what you’re doing is a pure waste of time.  There are some tasks that feel this way but must be done while others are truly busywork that masquerades as something important.

Full Article:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/red-flags-what-youre-doing-is-waste-of-time?ref=recently-published-0

9 Super Habits of People Living in Total Happiness

Inc. Article:

Can you actually be happy?  Can that happiness be complete and encompass every aspect of your life?  While there are certainly going to be some setbacks that allow you to have negative emotions and feelings if you’re overall mindset and state of being leads you to happiness you’re going to enjoy life much more.  This is more than just a simple switch that you can turn on and off; you have to make the choice to be happy and intend to do so on a daily basis.  In fact, you’ may have to reemphasize this choice on a regular basis throughout your day to make sure you try to continue to build your own happiness.  Check out the choices and advice given in this article and start to live a happier life today.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/9-super-habits-of-people-living-with-fulfilhappiness.html?cid=nl029week19day09_5&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=09052018

Upgrading Your Daily Experience Can Improve Your Career

Are you a transcendent leader?  Do you know how to combat procrastination and avoidance?  Is your team as productive as you want them to be?  There’s always room for growth in your life and when you want to make improvements at work or at home, you need to find a path that can be followed with the advice you can learn from.  These three articles all provide the guidance, the tools, and the explanations you need to become the leader that others want to follow and learn from, to be the person who doesn’t procrastinate or avoid tasks, and the person who has the tools needed to get the most done.  You’re going to be able to make positive changes right away and begin to see an improved level of success when you employ the advice offered.

How to Stop Being a Boss and Become a Transcendent Leader

Forbes Article:

Learning to be a leader that others will truly follow because they know you’re paving the right path is certainly worth the effort.  Truly transcendent leaders not only have the business acumen needed to show how to get things done and handle the various tasks of the organization, they also invest in their people and help them achieve their goals as well.  These leaders are the ones that show the right way to do things whether it’s celebrating success as a team or learning how to overcome the failures that can come in business.  In this article, you’re going to learn from a leadership expert and find some amazing advice that you can put into your daily life to help you become a transcendent leader that others will be ready to follow and invest in.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2018/05/01/how-to-stop-being-a-boss-and-become-a-transcendent-leader/#3075bb1b24e4

7 Strategies for Conquering Procrastination and Avoidance

Fast Company Article:

Most of us are guilty of some form of procrastination and avoidance.  These are two different things where procrastination is avoiding specific tasks and avoidance is a more general pattern where you avoid doing most things often.  If you find yourself moving the same task from to-do list to to-do list over and over again, that’s procrastinating but if you refuse to make a list of things to do or don’t know where to start and often give up, that’s avoidance.  Both of these actions can be detrimental to what you want to get done and cause you to have trouble when it’s time to get to work.  In order to fix these problems, you might need to simplify your process or trick yourself into getting things done that need to be completed.  Take a look at this article and learn how you can get out of the habits of procrastination and avoidance.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40564662/7-strategies-for-conquering-procrastination-and-avoidance

7 Cool Productivity Tools You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Inc. Article:

Is your team stuck in a rut and you want them to become more productive?  Do you feel like you’re getting the most out of those you work with but the processes used are tedious and often time-consuming?  If so, you may need to invest in some new productivity tools that can aid your team in staying focused and continuing to see a streamlined path to the productivity levels you’re looking for.  This article contains seven different productivity tools that can be installed and used by a team whether you’re near each other or working remotely.  take a look at what this article has to offer you and see if you can make use of any of these tools in your daily work with your team.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/7-cool-productivity-tools-you-probably-havent-heard-of.html?cid=nl029week19day07_4&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=07052018

Make Some Adjustments to Ensure Your Career Success

Are business suits actually necessary in your office environment?  Do you know how to build and keep trust with your team?  Would you benefit from some sage advice from Warren Buffett?  While it might seem that what you wear at the office shouldn’t have much bearing on what happens and the productivity shouldn’t suffer, a business suit sends messages in the office you might not want, especially amongst a team that needs to be able to collaborate.  When you have the trust of your team, they are going to work harder, be more productive, and get things done because they have the confidence that you’re providing them with the security needed at work and understand the path to success that you’re leading them toward.

5 Reasons to Ban Business Suits from Your Office

Inc. Article:

The business suit is no longer a necessary part of the work environment in your office. Sure, its fine when you need to meet a potential new client or head to a boardroom to make a presentation, but for a typical workday and team environment, a more casual approach to attire makes more sense.  The business suit has been around for a long time and it’s been part of professional culture during that time, but it’s no longer necessary because we don’t meet in person as often and it should be saved for occasions that truly call for it.  A person in a business suit looks great and can be taken seriously, but it causes stagnation in the office and can also cause lines of division between genders when sitting in meetings together.  Let’s face it, business suits aren’t all that comfortable either and make working more tedious.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/5-reasons-to-ban-business-suits-from-your-office.html?cid=nl029week18day04_4&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04052018

How Great Managers Negotiate Trust with Their Teams

Forbes Article:

Leading a team means you have to create trust with that team.  The people who work with you in the office or on the job site that look to you for guidance, leadership, and decision making need to know they can trust you.  This doesn’t mean you always get it right, but at the very least you don’t lie to your team and you show them every chance you get that you’re going to help them succeed.  Creating an environment of continuity, guidance, positive reinforcement, and stability will help ensure your team works hard and has the security their looking for to do the best job possible for you.  If you’re beginning to lose your team or changes are taking place that can disrupt the environment, take a look at this article to learn how to get everyone back on track and rebuild the trust needed.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyatarr/2018/04/29/how-great-managers-negotiate-trust-with-their-teams/#584f74b82b84

Warren Buffett Offers Up 6 Timeless Tips to Kick Start Your Way to Success

Inc. Article:

As one of the most successful people in the world, Warren Buffett is certainly someone you should listen to and learn from when you’re looking for a person to follow and emulate.  In addition to offering a variety of leadership tips and guidance for the path to success, Buffett has offered a wide array of quotes that you can put to good use.  Much of what he shares allows you to know you need to have integrity in what you do, surround yourself with people who are better than you, say no to some things, take the job that you really want, and remember that relationships are important.  Take a look at these six tips and put them to good use in your life to begin the path toward success today.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/warren-buffett-offers-up-6-timeless-tips-to-kick-start-your-way-to-success.html?cid=nl029week18day03_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=03052018

Let Your Career Be Part of Your Life, but not Your Entire Life

Do you have times of the year where you need to work long hours?  Are you in a job that has several activities that you don’t enjoy?  Are you tired of feeling like you’re going through the motions every time you wake up?  If any of these are true, you can join the club that most of us belong to.  In order to make changes that allow your career to be part of your life but not everything that defines you, it’s important to set boundaries, reset your mindset, and make sure you’re in the job that’s right for you.  Find a way to shut down the work thoughts when you have to work longer hours, perform an evaluation of the fit of your job, and change the mindset you take into every day.

7 Effective Ways to Work Super Long Hours Without the Health Risks of a Workaholic

Inc. Article:

There are some times in our lives that we tend to call our busy seasons which require more hours, more focus, and a greater level of commitment from us at work.  When we tell our friends and family this is our busy season, they understand we will look haggard and act like a workaholic.  There are ways to work the long hours required during these times in our lives and still feel like you’re maintaining your health. The key to working the long hours that are required of you without becoming a workaholic and feeling the negative health effects is the ability to turn off your work and the focus you have in your mind.  Take a look at this article and put these seven tips to work for you so that you can survive your own busy season.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/7-effective-ways-to-work-super-long-hours-without-health-risks-of-a-workaholic.html?cid=nl029week18day02_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=2&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=02052018

How to Figure Out if You’re in the Wrong Job

Fast Company Article:

What are your motives when you work?  Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?  If you’re a social person who loves to be around people you probably won’t want to work in a job where you’re stuck in a room for hours on end without any human contact.  If you love to focus on a project and be in charge of a team, you may not enjoy a job where you have to defer to another person for every decision that’s made.  It’s important that you control the job you have and focus on what will make you satisfied with the job that you’re going to enjoy and do every day.  If you have the drive for the job, you’re going to perform at your best.  Check out the suggestions in this article to learn whether or not your job is a match for you.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40563517/how-figure-out-if-youre-in-the-wrong-job

6 Self-Improvement Hacks to Instantly Improve the Way You Live and Work

Inc. Article:

Stop having those days where you wake up and go through the motions of life.  It’s time to engage and truly enjoy your life at work and at home by putting some self-improvement suggestions to use.  Make sure you take time every day to start with some gratitude.  This will get your day started with a positive thought and help carry you throughout the day.  Learn how to replace your “to do” list with a “to be” list which allows you to focus on the moment and be there for someone or be a better you than you were yesterday.  Changing your mindset is an important part of how you can feel better about your life and enjoy it to the fullest.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/6-self-improvement-hacks-to-instantly-improve-way-you-live-work.html?cid=nl029week18day02_1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=02052018

It’s Time to Be Motivated and Assertive to Enjoy Career Success and Happiness

How do you get from being someone who is going through the motions and barely making a significant difference to a person that’s motivated and successful?  First, you have to identify what can motivate you based on your personality.  Once you know how to motivate yourself mentally to get things done, you need to be assertive to communicate what you need, how you need it, and when to others that work with you.  After you’ve mastered motivation and assertiveness, you’ll want to avoid negative statements and thoughts that can limit you when you see roadblocks in your way.  Your career success is built one day at a time and not all at once; enjoy the journey and be happy in your career.

How These 4 Different Personality Types Find Motivation

Fast Company Article:

When you’re struggling with the motivation you need to get things done you could benefit from knowing your personality type in order to help make sure you can understand where your motivation comes from and how you can make the most of it.  Some people are extremely good at meeting deadlines and being motivated by others while others resist all expectations regardless of if they come from others or from themselves.  Other personalities are good at meeting the goals and expectations they set for themselves and deadlines that are placed on them by others.  You’re going to need to figure out what personality type you are and find ways to motivate yourself, sometimes going against the personality type that you possess.  Take a look at this article and analyze yourself to figure out what you need to do to find the motivation you’re looking for.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40560193/how-these-4-different-personality-types-find-motivation

11 Inspiring Quotes About the Remarkable Power of Being Assertive

Inc. Article:

Do you sometimes feel as if you’re going through the motions or you’re having a hard time figuring out how to be motivated and assert yourself?  If so, you’re not alone; many of us have trouble getting going on some days and finding the motivation and assertiveness needed to reach out and take what we want.  Being assertive doesn’t mean you have to be rude, mean, or make others uncomfortable, but you do need to communicate what you need and what you expect in a clear and concise manner.  Sometimes what you need is a strong quote to help you through the day and help you be assertive to go after what you want and understand the negative side of being passive.  Check out these quotes and find the ones that will help you communicate what you want and need today.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/11-inspiring-quotes-about-remarkable-power-of-being-assertive.html?cid=nl029week18day30_5&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=30042018

5 Things to Stop Saying Today if You Want More Success and Happiness

Forbes Article:

Working in extremes can be dangerous in both a positive and negative manner.  If you understand the working world and life as a whole, you know that most of what goes on isn’t always identified as completely positive or completely negative, but shows up somewhere in the middle of the two.  With that in mind, it’s important to make certain you stay away from statements that limit you or put your mind in an extreme place.  Stating that something is terrible and intolerable or that you’re too old to make changes to yourself or to the business you’re in are two ways you can limit yourself and not allow an open mind to prevail.  Check out this article and learn what you need to stop saying so that you never set extreme limits of negativity on yourself.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2018/04/28/5-things-to-stop-saying-today-if-you-want-more-success-and-happiness/#2878b6bb56af

Your Career Success is in Your Hands; What Will You Do to Affect it Today?

The only person you can expect to perform and build the success desired in your life is yourself.  You need to know the mindset you need every day and what things you should and shouldn’t say.  You need to understand how financially successful you are already and you need to understand delegation and what it can do for you.  If you need to change your mindset, build your financial stability for success, and learn to delegate, these articles are perfect for you.  Take a look and learn how to build the career success you want to enjoy.  Your career depends on what you do today; make the decision to make the necessary changes that will begin to allow you to have the experience you want and the career you’ve been dreaming about.

10 Things Successful People Never Say

Entrepreneur Article:

If you want to be considered one of the most successful people in your company, industry, or area, you need to get rid of the excuses that hold others back.  When should you take care of items?  How do you persevere?  Should you take or place blame for failure?  Do you reach a goal and then you’re done?  Do you feel you’re a young person and success will come to you?  These are all questions that need to be asked and statements that go along with them never again need to be uttered from your mouth.  What you need to do is create the mindset that you’re going to be able to become successful and push through to reach the level you want.  Don’t ever be satisfied with what you’ve achieved, there’s always more to do and your time to get things done is right now.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/312033

6 Signs You’re More Financially Successful Than You Think

Inc. Article:

While your financial success does have a lot to do with making sure the business you run stays in the black and is never in the red, you’ll be amazed at how many of these signs don’t directly relate to money.  Do you have a business plan that works for you and your employees?  Have you set aside money for when the emergencies of life arrive at your doorstep?  Have you created an excellent personal life with friends and family that you enjoy spending time with? When you answer these questions and consider the other points in this article, you’re going to see that you’re more successful than you may think.  Even during a week when it feels everything is bearing down on you, you can see the success you have and understand that you’re able to see the upside of your business.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/jeff-rose/6-signs-youre-more-financially-successful-than-you-think.html?cid=nl029week17day26_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=26042018

All the Common Excuses for Not Delegating Boil Down to Lack of Confidence

Entrepreneur Article:

Delegation is one of the most important skills you can learn and practice, but it’s also one of the most difficult.  How do you give a team that already appears to be overworked more to do?  Do you have the confidence you need in the abilities of those you’re going to delegate to that they can get the job done the right way?  Have you spent a lot of time working on the project you may need to delegate and you have a hard time giving it away?  You need to find ways to get past these thoughts and spread the work around so that you can focus on the operation of the company or the movement toward the goals in place.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/311461

Today You Can Turn Your Mindset Around for a More Positive Career

When you have a great day at work the positive feelings you have typically spills over to the rest of your day and you have an amazing time at home with family and friends after work.  When you have a horrible day, you might have a bit of a hard time enjoying the time off after work.  Did you know the way you feel and how you approach your work day starts with your mindset in the morning?  It’s time to create more good days at work, which will create more enjoyable time after work every day by creating a more positive mindset, having the right habits to be more productive, and knowing you can be the best version of yourself.  Doing these things will pay off over time to create the career you want to enjoy.

This 5-Minute Habit Will Train Your Brain to be More Positive

Inc. Article:

You’re going to be amazed at how easy it is to train your brain to be more positive and start every morning with a thought of positivity and the gratitude you want and need to show in order to remember how fortunate you are.  The goal is to get you to remember how you got where you did and how much you have to be thankful for, which means you need to start every day by saying “thank you” for some of the things you have in your life.  If you do this, you’re going to feel positive and be able to carry that upbeat feeling with you throughout the day.  Take a look at this article and learn how you can be grateful and say “thank you” in a specific way that will help you feel great all day long.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/quora/this-5-minute-habit-will-train-your-brain-to-be-more-positive.html?cid=nl029week17day25_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=25042018

7 Traits of Super-Productive People

Harvard Business Review Article:

We all know those people who seem to have time management figured out and know how to be extremely productive throughout their workday.  Wouldn’t you love to be one of these people?  Of course you would, but you have to be ready to understand what makes these people more productive and allows them to get more done.  Do you have a stretch goal or large project that you want to get done in a short period of time?  If so, consider the amount of focus you’ll need in order to accomplish this goal and have the results desired.  This is something you need to apply to the rest of your work so that you can feel more productive and get much more done than you have in the past.  Check out this article for some of the other traits that will certainly help you be successful and productive.

Full Article:

https://hbr.org/2018/04/7-traits-of-super-productive-people

10 Powerful Habits That Will Help You Become the Best Version of Yourself

Inc. Article:

When you wake up in the morning, you need to think about creating the best version of yourself for that day.  What are the most important things for you to get done today?  When was the last time you learned something new?  Do you have time for morning exercise?  Are you getting enough vegetables in your diet?  Do you have friends or peers who will inspire you and help you think positively?  All of these are things you need and habits that make sense for you to be able to be the best version of yourself.  Energize your day, get out there and learn something new, practice gratitude and learn the different habits in this article that will help you become the best you possible.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/quora/10-powerful-habits-that-will-help-you-become-best-version-of-yourself.html?cid=nl029week17day24_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=24042018

Be Aware of What You Need to do to Make the Most of Your Career

What could cause you to have a career setback?  Aside from a complete industry change that deletes the work you do, becoming burned out, not understanding how to react to uncomfortable situations, and lacking a plan can all cause you to get behind and eventually experience a career setback.  Avoid any type of negative effect on your career by being aware of the feelings you're having that could be leading you toward becoming burned out.  Understand how some situations may be out of your control while others offer you the opportunity to act on your own to improve the results you experience.  Make sure you have a plan and find a way to make the most out of every day as you work toward the plan you have in mind for your life and your career.

The Secret to Becoming a Peak Performance Leader

Entrepreneur Article:

If you want to be a performance leader and you’re looking for an excellent way to get more out of your time every day, you need to be better at planning.  You’re going to need to practice the planning you do in order to be clear about your goals in a variety of areas and the distractions that may take you away from these goals.  Start with your long-term desires by writing them down.  Break these goals to what you want to accomplish this year and the then separate that into monthly plans that will help you achieve the goals you’re after.  Once you get to this point, you can figure out how to act every week and every day.  Along with your goals, you need to know what stops you from achieving the goals and staying on track which means you need to identify your roadblocks and break through them.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/311800

5 Warning Signs of Workplace Burnout and What to Do About It

CNN Careers Article:

Your body isn’t built to handle a great deal of negative stress over a long period of time.  Short periods of time of high levels of stress are usually easy enough for us to handle, but if that negative stress is present every day over weeks and months, you’re going to eventually feel a high level of burnout that can take over.  You might feel a complete lack of control in your work life, have a perception that you’re being treated unfairly, have a feeling of being sick or tired all the time, and have begun to develop a negative attitude toward work and your coworkers.  If you notice any of these, or they are pointed out to you, it’s time to do something about the burnout you’re feeling.

Full Article:

http://money.cnn.com/2018/04/18/pf/jobs/workplace-stress-burnout-signs/

I Overheard My Boss Complaining About Me

Inc. Article:

There are some uncomfortable situations you may be put in when you’re at work and the ability to actually handle these issues with professionalism and class can be difficult.  Imagine overhearing your boss complain about you in a meeting to their superiors, think about what you’d do if a former boss was emailing you on a daily basis about the goings-on of the company, or getting the feeling you shouldn’t accept a job offer, even after the contract has been drafted.  These are situations that could be handled as long as you know what to do when they come up.  You’ll want to spend a bit of time between when you get the news of the questionable situation and when you react so that you can do so with the professionalism you want to express.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/alison-green/i-overheard-my-boss-complaining-about-me.html?cid=nl029week17day23_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=4&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=23042018

Times in Your Career Where Advice and Make a Difference

When you hear that someone has graduated from the “University of Hard Knocks” you know that means they learned a lot of the hard lessons in life through failures they’ve experienced.  Wouldn’t it be great if you could learn some of the hard lessons of life without the personal experience?  Do you have a coworker that often offers you the advice you haven’t asked for?  Sometimes this can be helpful, but most of the time you need this person to let you get your job done and you need to tell them this without hurting their feelings.  Are you ready to start a new job and hit the ground running?  Leave those personal items at home and come in ready to learn before you plant your flag and you’ll do just fine making a new first impression and taking the next step in your career.

7 Hard Lessons You Need to Learn if You Want a Happy, Successful Life

Inc. Article:

Would you rather read about and understand the hard lessons of life or have them smack you right in the face?  If you’d rather learn from others’ mistakes and try to understand what caused them to fail so that you can avoid the same pitfalls, this article is certainly for you.  Have you ever asked for advice from another person in your field?  They might be willing to give you a couple of nuggets of information, you but the real work to get things done and make a difference in your career is up to you.  Have you ever wondered how a person who is normally logical and rational can make a crazy decision that seems to be bad for their relationships or for their business?  Once you understand what can make this happen, you can try to avoid it and have a much happier and more successful life.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/quora/7-hard-lessons-you-need-to-learn-if-you-want-a-happy-successful-life.html?cid=nl029week16day20_3&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=20042018

4 Phrases to Shut Down Unsolicited Advice from Your Co-Workers

The Muse Article:

When you work closely with people is important to find a way to protect the feelings of others even when they’re trying to give you the advice you didn’t ask for, are interrupting your workday, or simply seem to find you the right person to talk to when they want to waste some time.  Being courteous and respectful while expressing a message of dismissiveness to your coworker is important to protecting the working relationship you have with them.  Take a look at a few of the phrases you can use to let your peers know you don’t really need their advice, and certainly didn’t ask for it, without being disrespectful or hurting their feelings in the process.

Full Article:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/four-phrases-shut-down-unsolicited-advice-at-work?ref=recently-published-0

How to Stand Out on Your First Day of a New Job

Fast Company Article:

Starting a new job is exciting and you might feel a little anxious or nervous, but it’s important to relax.  The beginning of a new job typically means you need to have your eyes and ears open because you’re going to go through a training phase and learn about the company that has hired you.  Take a notebook, be ready to learn, and dress up a little to make sure you make a great first impression and show that you’re ready to be part of the team.  Wait a while before you decide to bring in personal items to decorate your desk area, find a buddy that can be a person to help mentor you during your new transition and can be a resource for you during your first few weeks on the job.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40556937/how-to-stand-out-on-your-first-day-of-a-new-job

Are you Making the Necessary Changes to Improve Your Career?

If you’re waiting for inspiration to hit you on the head or your creative juices to start flowing, you’re going to wait a long time.  Sometimes you have to make changes happen on your own and start to see improvements based on information and proven methods.  Are you comfortable asking for the job?  Do you have a boss that lacks communication skills?  Are you ready to scale your skills to help lead your company to success?  If not, you need to learn what you need to do to make sure you can be successful in your career.  It could be as simple as asking questions to have your boss clarify what they’re trying to say or building a trusted network of people you can rely on to have the success you want to achieve.

4 Insanely Easy but Overlooked Tactics to Advance Your Entrepreneurial Career

Entrepreneur Article:

When you’re looking to make a big improvement in your own professional ventures, you need to consider some ways to make changes that can be simpler than you think.  It doesn’t always take months of data review to figure out how you can become more successful and find results.  Do you have a network of trusted peers and mentors to help give you ideas and guide you in the right direction?  Are you comfortable negotiating for what you want so that you can gain more clients and close the deal?  Do you know what your customers are going to need in regards to the products and services you offer?  These are three of the questions you need to be able to answer in order to make some simple but important changes to advance your career and see the results you’ve been looking for.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/312011

Don’t Let Your Boss’s Poor Communication Skills Hold You Back

Fast Company Article:

Your boss is in a position of authority and guidance and may have strengths that don’t involve their communication skills.  If you happen to have a boss that often expects you to be a mind reader, you’re going to need to find ways to have the clarity and transparency that will make a difference for you.  One way to make sure you understand what’s being said is to rephrase it in your own words and repeat it to your boss.  Another way is to ask lots of questions and find a way to identify where you may know there’s ambiguity.  If your boss is self-aware, they may know that communication isn’t one of their stronger skills and welcome the chance to be clear with you because you’re willing to take the time to understand what’s needed.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40556028/dont-let-your-bosss-poor-communication-skills-hold-you-back

Scaling Three Levels of Change: It’s The Skill Every Leader Needs

Forbes Article:

You’ll want to be able to scale your change if you happen to have the goal of gaining access to the C-Suite of your company, but even if you simply want to be a better leader, you’re going to need to understand what scaling and working toward change can bring to your success.  There are often industry changes and disruption you have to face and deal with on a regular basis and knowing how to address this with limited information can be difficult.  You’ll also find a variety of organizational changes and transformations that will help you evolve your progress toward the new information and industry changes that need to be addressed. Finally, you’ll have to make personal changes that scale at the same rate as the changes in your industry.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/cassandrafrangos/2018/04/16/scaling-three-levels-of-change-its-the-one-skill-every-leader-needs/#3c8febfd64cc

Today, You Make the Changes that Affect Your Career

There’s no way you can ensure you want to make changes to your career unless you actually decide it’s time to take action.  Whether you need to figure out how to be more productive because you’re tired of wasting time at your desk, you want to learn how to communicate better because your message tends to get lost, or you’re ready to be punctual and tired of being late every morning and feeling rushed.  Make the conscious decision to make the changes today that will affect the future of your career and last you a long times.  Good habits are hard to break but have to start at some time in order to become effective and impact your life the way you need them to.  Check out these articles and start making the changes you need today.

My 13 Favorite Productivity Tools

Forbes Article:

You’ll probably be surprised to find out that most of the tools to your increased level of productivity have to do with your goals and your mindset and aren’t phone apps, tricks, and quick answers.  If you’re clear about what your goals are for your life, for the year, month, and the week you’re in, you will immediately be more productive when you choose to stay focused on your goals.  Another shock to your thought process is the fact that responding with a “no” or deleting a request before you add it to your plate can also help you to stay focused on what you need to get done without overloading you to the point of feeling distressed. Of course, there’s a need for some time management as well and you need to figure out what the best times of day are for you to get the most done and stay productive.

Full Article:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/annlatham/2018/04/15/my-13-favorite-productivity-tools/#367adbec1395

Effective Communication is Something You Learn, Not Something You’re Born With

Entrepreneur Article:

You might be envious of those who can get on stage and speak in a way that captures the audience and engages them in a way that allows everyone to leave with something more to understand and enjoy.  While you may think that person was born with a silver tongue, it’s more likely, they spend a lot of time practicing what they want to say and different ways to say it so that more people will be able to benefit from what’s being said.  In order to become better at communicating with your team, you need to have an idea of how they will receive what you have to say and know that you mean what you’re saying and not giving them canned and corporate slang that’s become tired over the past several years.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/308168

3 Wildly Ingenious Ways to Make Sure You Wake UP on Time, Every Time

Inc. Article:

Whether you’re a person who knows you need to be more punctual in the morning and avoid hitting the snooze five times every day, or you want to be able to get yourself up sooner and get your day going, you need to have a plan to make sure you get up when you should.  If your goal is to avoid hitting the snooze button and giving yourself time to get to work, make sure your phone is far away from your bed and your sleep environment is made only for sleep.  If you want to get up earlier in the morning, you need to reset your circadian clock progressively and not all at one time to make sure you can get up sooner.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/3-wildly-ingenious-ways-to-make-sure-you-wake-up-on-time-every-time.html?cid=nl029week16day16_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=3&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=16042018

Take Care of Yourself and You’ll have a More Successful Career

It may seem counterproductive to tell you to get out of the office and get some exercise or to spend time preparing the right food to eat, but if you aren’t healthy, you won’t be successful in your career because you’ll eventually get sick and be unable to get the work done you need.  You also need to take care of your mind and the learning process during your career.  Don’t ever think you’re too good or been in the business too long to learn something new and apply the lessons you learn to help you be successful.  Even if you hate to plan your next day or week, it’s important to do this so that you can stay on track to experience the success you’re working toward.

Long-Term Success Depends on Learning These 6 Lessons Early in Your Career

Entrepreneur Article:

Whether you’re just starting out in your career or you’ve been working for several years, if you haven’t learned the lessons that can help you have long-term success, it’s time to learn them now.  How many lives do you have that you can live?  Should you waste time doing something you don’t enjoy? Do you have mentors?  Have you shown that you’re having a bad day or found a way to hide it well?  These are all questions you can answer and learn how to implement into your work life.  Make sure what you do is something you love so that you can be successful and have the impact in your life that makes a difference to yourself and to others along the way. 

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/310802

The Weekly Planning Method for People Who Totally Hate Planning

Fast Company Article:

You’ve read plenty of advice columns that tell you to plan out the next day or week before the end of the previous night or during the weekend. The trouble is, you have to stop what you’re doing to think about work and try to plan out what’s going to happen the next day or for the week and that’s just something you hate to even think about.  If you start by mapping out your long-term goals and work backward, this can become much easier, especially if you put your goals up somewhere that you can see them.  Another good idea is to look at your goals for the next day when you create the to-do list.  You don’t have to spend a lot of time planning out your next week, but you do need to make it a priority, just don’t spend a lot of time with it and make it effective to become something that’s important to you.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40555706/the-weekly-planning-method-for-people-who-totally-hate-planning

Want to Fail-Proof Your Habits? Ask Yourself These 5 Simple Questions

Inc. Article:

Your business and your health are important and a huge part of being successful.  You can’t be a success in every facet of your life if you sit at a desk sixteen hours a day and you certainly can’t be good at your job if you’re sick, or unhealthy.  By understanding the goals you have in mind and why they matter, you can begin to create a list of healthy habits that will help make it possible for you to enjoy the benefits of being healthy and working to be successful at your job.  Eating right and exercising the way you need to will benefit you in more ways than if you stay at work and focus on your job for more hours than you should every day.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/julian-hayes-ii/how-every-busy-entrepreneur-can-make-health-productivity-simple-stress-free.html?cid=nl029week15day13_2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=3&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=13042018

Understand How to Set Your Goals to Enjoy Career Success

Do you want to be the best in your chosen profession or skill?  Of course you want to, most of us work hard to try and become better than we were the day before and grow our skills in a way that can show that we have what it takes to be better than before.  In order to continue to keep your goals in mind and understand what you need to do, you have to understand how to prioritize the items you’re being asked to do, make sure you plan your day and week ahead of time to know what you’re going to do that will help you achieve your goals.  Make your goals steps in the process toward a dream and you’ll feel fulfilled and successful when you reach each of these marks along the way.

This is How You Should Be Prioritizing Your Work and Life

Fast Company Article:

The difference between urgent and important is something that can be difficult to discern when you’re faced with many different priorities and you need to get things done, but you do need to understand what important for you to do and not necessarily what someone else deems as urgent.  At work, and at home, you want to make sure you make the right choice for the things you need to do so that you get the right things done.  You’ll find out what’s most important and figure out what you need to do in order to fulfill your role at your job when you ask the three questions that are presented to you in this article.  Once you’ve solved the true priorities of your work life, you need to make sure you can get things done without being sidetracked along the way.

Full Article:

https://www.fastcompany.com/40552870/this-is-how-you-should-be-prioritizing-your-work-and-life

3 Rules I Use to Stay Productive and Not Overwhelmed

Entrepreneur Article:

In order to be productive day in and day out, you have to create a plan that will allow you to get things done and work toward the goals you have.  Starting with the goals you have and the legacy you want to leave and then working backward, can make sure you make the most of every day.  While you might not want to write your own eulogy, as the author of this article did, you do want to look at how you want to leave your legacy and what your distant future will be.  Working from there you can plan out your year and the goals you have for the year and then make sure you plan out your next day the night before.  This process can keep you focused on your goals and keep you from feeling overwhelmed.

Full Article:

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/311237

Ready to Achieve Your Dreams? It Comes Down to Making 1 Simple Change

Inc. Article:

Dreaming big and knowing you want to be the best at something is certainly admirable, but keep in mind there can only be one person at the very peak of a mountaintop of success.  While you work toward this dream, you need to set smaller goals that can help you get where you want to go.  By setting smaller, stepping stone goals, along the way, you can find the pride you want to feel in how far you’ve come.  You might never become the person at the very top, that does take some luck, timing, and connections that can help bring the person to the top of the list, but being a person who is a high achiever and is respected in your chosen field or skill, can be extremely fulfilling as well.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/justin-bariso/ready-to-achieve-your-dreams-it-comes-down-to-making-1-simple-change-setting-goals.html?cid=nl029week15day10_5&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=10042018

What Needs to Change to Improve Your Career?

Do you suffer from a lack of concentrated time to focus on the work you do because you’re busy moving from meeting to meeting?  Have you grown tired of the constant interruption of emails that come across your screen on a regular basis?  Do you need to make a complete career change because it’s time to move on to something bigger and better, but you’re not sure how to go about making the change you need?  Are you tired of undermining yourself with the lack of self-confidence you seem to show?  It’s time to make a change in your career.  Whether you implement a day or a few hours of focus, find the right path to change into a new career, or you’re ready to take on your inner voice and begin to win, you can make the necessary changes to find the career success you want to enjoy.

My Company Banned Meetings and Emails for One Day a Week – And it Had a Big Impact on How We Work

Business Insider Article:

Do you feel like you spend your entire week trying to get things done in between meetings, phone calls, and emails?  While the speed of technology is important for the success of business today, it’s also one of the greatest obstacles.  In order to get more done and have a positive impact on your work, it might be time to implement a period of time when you have no phone calls, no emails, and absolutely no interruptions.  This doesn’t have to be more than a couple of hours each week or possibly an entire morning, but you need some time to be able to give the work you need to get done your entire focus.  Try working without interruptions for a few hours and see what the impact can be on the work you get done and the productivity you’re looking to achieve.

Full Article:

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-be-more-productive-and-happier-at-work-little-book-of-lykke-2018-4/?r=AU&IR=T

The 7 Biggest Myths About Changing Careers

Glassdoor Article:

Are you contemplating a change in career paths and you wonder if you’re going to be able to make the change a positive one?  Are you afraid of failure or wonder why it seems others stay in the jobs they hate for years on end?  The reality is, too many people feel they can’t change their career path and can’t make a difference in their own lives, which ultimately causes them to choose to stay where they aren’t happy and have no hope of moving forward.  Don’t fall victim to the typical advice and the worries of others, consider these myths about changing careers and see what’s needed to make the change you want to for yourself.  There’s only one person you need to worry about when you make your career change, and that’s you and how you go about trying something different.

Full Article:

https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/changing-careers-biggest-myths/

Want to be More Self-Confident?  Stop Undermining Yourself in These 7 Ways

Inc. Article:

Your confidence comes from within and you are your own worst enemy when it comes to how you want to handle your career and the actions you take.  Did you miss out on an opportunity that could have benefited you or your company because you weren’t confident in how you could perform; it’s time to look inside.  Turn off your inner voice, remind yourself of your previous success, and make sure you’re not your own worst enemy and undermining what you can experience when you want to show the confidence you need to.  Review this article and learn more about how you can avoid the inner dialogue that can often take away our self-confidence.

Full Article:

https://www.inc.com/scott-mautz/7-ways-you-keep-undermining-your-self-confidence.html?cid=nl029week15day09_4&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Inc%20Must%20Reads&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=09042018