How Workplace Happiness Affects Your Paycheck

How Workplace Happiness Affects Your Paycheck Studies have shown that when we are happy at work, we are smarter, more motivated, more competitive and, thus more successful. While it’s widely known that overall fulfilment allows us to enjoy more meaningful relationships and better health, few understand that it impacts a paycheck significantly: Nose to the grindstone the correlation between success and happiness: There is a big misconception among many  corporations and educational institutions that success leads to happiness. Often, we tell ourselves that once we get the promotion we want, the pay raise we feel we deserve or the recognition we desire, happiness will follow. Until recently, it was widely thought that focusing on productivity and performance, even to the detriment of our well-being, would lead us to become more successful and, therefore happier. Everyone has heard the phrase: Keep your nose to the grindstone” However, recent research in psychology and neuroscience has proven that fulfillment and happiness are a key ingredient to a successful career. Optimism fuels performance and achievement which, in turn, allows us to advance monetarily. In simper terms, happiness is not a random event in the distant future. Treat it as such and not only will it hinder your ability to succeed, but it will also prevent you from living life to the fullest. Dopamine, serotonin and the brain’s reaction: Countless studies have shown that our brains are literally hardwired to perform at their best when they are in a positive mindset. When we feel optimistic about our future, dopamine and serotonin are released in our brains. In conjunction with providing a heightened sense of well-being, dopamine and serotonin allow us to more rapidly organize new information and become more skilled at complex analysis and problem solving. Specifically, a clear head allows for 100% engagement. Conversely, perseverating on your problems exhausts most of your capacity for attention which drains energy as well as performance levels. It’s no secret that, as a group, low performing employees take home sparse paychecks. Consider the following: A recent study at the University of Toronto found that our mood can change what we see.  When shown pictures with multiple images, those in negative moods could not process as much as their positive counterparts.  Positive emotions expand our peripheral line of vision. People who were asked to think about the happiest day of their life prior to a formal exam scored higher than those simply given the test. Exercises: An individual who can learn to control their thoughts will maintain control of their happiness and, thus career potential. While doing so is easier said than done (it takes significant practice and discipline), below are three easier exercises that could begin making a difference today. Think of your brain as a computer disk with a finite amount of space.  Consider your surroundings, inner monologue, other people in the room and your desired task as small files that quickly fill that disk to capacity. The more stored on that disk, the less available room there is for intelligently evaluating information and making rational decisions.  Thus, it comes useless to allow that disk to be filled with thoughts of self-doubt as you are throwing away valuable space. Know what you stand for: define what your core beliefs are always remember to live in the present, resolve with the past and create your ideal future. Keep healthy: success requires not only our minds, but our body, energy and spirit as well. Eat well, exercise and when necessary, practice some form of mediation. Neuroscientists have found that monks who spend years meditating actually grow their left prefrontal cortex. In the end: Happiness is more than a good feeling  it  is also a crucial ingredient of our success. Allow your brain the capacity to feel positive and heightened creativity, resilience and intellectual capacity will quickly follow. If you wish to increase the number on your paycheck, choose happiness as one of your definitive goals. Then, place all your energy, willpower and effort towards chasing that goal.

I Disagree with Dale Carnegie - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

I Disagree with Dale Carnegie - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career If you haven’t read How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, then you’re missing three quarters of what you need to know to succeed â€" in whatever venture or job you’re in. How do you feel about that? He gives you some pointers â€" life rules, really â€" that will instantly change how people feel about you. And, remember personal brands â€" first you need to get attention, but after that you must make an emotional connection. So, how people feel about you really, really matters. Feelings are a huge influence on how people decide what they can and will do for you. Feelings not thoughts ignite acts of kindness. That means the job offer, raise, promotion, recommendation, purchase, investment â€" these are just some of the life changing behaviors that you need to catalyze in other people, and they all start with a good feeling about what youve written or said. Not necessarily complimentary good feelings often come from receiving remarkable requests (and ideas). Consider the odds of someone doing something on your behalf even people who know you. Every day, most decision-makers get better than one hundred emails, run some portion of about 150 projects or tasks, have a telephone ringing or texting 10 hours (plus) and take the requisite bio-breaks (food, water, shower, and sleep). They even try to have fun, get in some time with friends and family, maybe learn something and, oh yes, fight the traffic (real or virtual). So, do you see exactly what you are trying to rise above in their hearts, as well as their minds? That’s why being liked is equally important to being respected. This may also answer your question, “Why doesn’t anyone call me back?” Or, “I’ve sent 100 resumes and haven’t heard anything.” Or, insert your “why aren’t people doing what I need them to do complain/concern: _____________________________________.” Does likeability equate to respect? On Sunday in Los Angeles, I did the second in a series of seminars for filmmakers, this time with former HBO executive Michael Garcia who produced: insert every HBO series you’ve loved here. It was stunning to see this young man speak about his career and give us insight into the way he conducted himself â€" which never changed as his personal brand gained equity. At HBO, he created a living room rather than an office for himself â€" so other people would feel comfortable coming in to talk with him. Writers, producers, actors, executives â€" the big personal brand names and those who were up and coming or have a chance to be up and coming. Michael made them all welcome.   Likewise at the seminar, he made himself accessible to every member of the audience who wanted a word with him personally. And to make an impression on (and get attention) a person would have to do more than agree with him on all his points. Which leads to my disagreement with Dale Carnegie. The man who corralled Michael and all of us to speak at the seminar is CEO of Voyage Media Nat Mundel, who always advises the audience to read Carnegie’s work as a way to prepare for the pitch meetings they’ll be having. For example, no matter what the head of a company says (or anyone else you interact with), never use these words, “You are wrong.” Nat and Carnegie are both right in this case, this is advice to live by. Even if you are the boss, those words are a relationship killer (although your subordinates will do the requisite head bobble in the moment). But, the bone I pick with Carnegie is his principle number 1: “The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.” Personal brands, you can’t live much of the life you want if your number one rule is avoidance. You need to be an approach person â€" you need to deliver attention-provoking, even heart-stopping proclamations that will engender resistance (aka argument). Embrace the resistance You simply need to show you warmly embrace the resistance you get from other people. Affirm them and hear them, even as you make an opposing case. Be one of those little met smart AND congenial people who are all about killer ideas â€" plus the killer kindness that takes the sting out of mixing it up. So, check how you’re doing on the “how do I make them feel” question. Are you both likeable and compelling to listen to? Author: Nance Rosen is the author of Speak Up! Succeed. She speaks to business audiences around the world and is a resource for press, including print, broadcast and online journalists and bloggers covering social media and careers. Read more at NanceRosenBlog. Twitter name: nancerosen

Qualify the Remote Office Opportunity - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Qualify the Remote Office Opportunity - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Have you ever worked in a remote office where your opinion was considered remote, as in, “not valued”? My own experience has shown that the people at Headquarters enjoy the most exposure, freedom and reward from their careers. On the other hand, benefits may be derived from being in a remote office. It is possible you will have more autonomy in decision-making and team building. Your ideas may be more readily accepted and implemented. This would enable you to more quickly develop your personal brand for all to see. In the case this particular spot turns out to not be long-term, you will still be able to move your branding effort forward to a better position elsewhere. In either case, you may find a win to further your career. Given the remote office opportunity may go either way, positive or negative, the best sales technique to apply upfront, on the interview, is to “qualify”. By asking diplomatic and open-ended questions, you will be able to get a clear idea as to how the opportunity might play out should you choose to come on board. Example questions phrased in your own vocabulary are: “Please describe how the two offices work together?” “How involved is headquarters with the day to day operation of this office?” “Are there occasions where all of the offices work, team build or train together?” The biggest error most people make, whether for a sale or an interview, is to assume the answer to their burning question. Very often surprise answers come your way. By asking the open-ended questions, you avoid all assumptions and provide the hiring manager with the opportunity to provide an in-depth answer. On a side note, most people doing the interviewing enjoy the opportunity to explain how they perceive the company being run. Most people prefer speaking rather than listening, so you will do the hiring manager a favor by providing the opportunity. That person will then look more favorably upon you, particularly if your follow-up to their answers presents the qualities they seek. You will want to demonstrate having carefully listened, connect the job description with their answers, and show appreciation for their reply. Applying their answers to how you will perform on the job will paint the picture of you being a top-notch candidate. By clarifying everything that is shared, you will be empowered to make a better decision of whether or not to move forward with the company. Further questions may revolve around the reporting structure, whether you will need to travel to headquarters on a regular basis or at all, and gaining familiarity with the people on your team. You will want to know how everyone interacts and supports one another. On the other side of the table, the hiring manager will appreciate the prior thought you gave to the job posting and the interview. These sales techniques demonstrate strength in critical thinking, and leadership potential given you are seen leading the conversation. Should you desire a spot where you may work your way into management, it will be far easier to achieve by implementing these steps from the beginning. Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of Smooth Sale, LLC authored the International Best-Selling book, “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results” and “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews”. Elinor delivers inspirational keynotes at conferences, team training, private coaching and finds joy in helping her clientele turn their dreams into reality. Elinor is available upon request for consultation.

3 Key Elements of Your Brand Story - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

3 Key Elements of Your Brand Story - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Your brand story is exactly that, a story. It should tell me who you are in a story format. It should NOT be a diatribe of your accomplishments but it should be a short story that tells your passions, your strengths and your goals I wrote previously on the process of writing your brand story and who should write it â€" Your Brand Story â€" Who Should Write It? There are 3 key elements to a brand story. A Strong Opening We want to open the story with a compelling message to entice the reader to want to read on. I use …. I have had an eclectic career to say the least! Carol Ross, a career coach from Denver, starts her story: Everyone has a story, waiting to be told. Tonya Clement has a bit more thoughtful opener: Perhaps the most important lesson of my life is this: there is a big difference between being alive and truly living, and trading one for the other often means heeding destinys call.  Be creative but authentic! A Memorable Label You will want to label yourself with a phrase that is memorable. In my previous post I mentioned that I used to refer to myself as an articulate techno-weenie and I now refer to myself as a recovering engineer. In the Carol’s, Tonya’s and my brand story, we want you to remember our company names. In my case, that is Career Pivot. Your story and your label should enforce what you want people to remember about you. You should come up with a catchy phrase that says who you are that is memorable but authentic. Marketing that sounds great but doesn’t really tell who you are is a bad idea. Find a group of your friends who can brainstorm on the topic and share what they think is a true expression of who you are and what you bring to the table. Come up with 20-30 phrases and then you may want to test them out You have to be comfortable using the phrase! This is not different from the key phrases from brands like Nike, Just Do It, or Allstate, Youre in Good Hands with Allstate, or Capital One, What’s in your Wallet or MMs, It melts in your mouth, not in your hands. A Brand Theme What do you want people to think and/or feel after they have read your story. There should be a common theme that accompanies your label. In Tonya Clements story that I referenced above, it was all about how mountain climbing was inspirational and how she climbed Mount Everest. Which led her to building programs to inspire people to reach their peak performance. It is a great theme that could easily inspire you to contact her. The story is about inspiration. My story is much simpler. It is about how a near fatal bicycle accident provided me the push to do what I really wanted to do with my life, helping people make career decisions. The story is about finding career direction and satisfaction. Are you ready to write your brand story? Author: Marc Miller  is the founder of  Career Pivot  which helps Baby Boomers design careers they can grow into for the next 30 years. Marc authored the book  Repurpose Your Career: A Practical Guide for Baby Boomers, published in January 2013, which has been featured on Forbes.com, US News and World Report, CBS Money-Watch and PBS’ Next Avenue. Marc has made six career pivots himself, serving in several positions at IBM in addition to working at Austin, Texas startups, teaching math in an inner-city high school and working for a local non-profit. Learn more about Marc and Career Pivot by visiting the  Career Pivot Blog  or follow Marc on  Twitter  or  Facebook.

General Contractor Resume Writing

General Contractor Resume WritingMany people are using general contractor resume writing to land the big jobs that only big corporations can offer. With so many big corporations are hiring now, and so many large companies needing someone who can come in and work for them, they want someone who can write a quality resume. A quality resume is something that is hard to come by in most cases.If you have been laid off or simply have had a hard time in the past, that could be why you need to take advantage of this type of resume writing. There are so many employers out there that will be looking for people with some type of construction experience. You may just be their new person.So, how do you go about writing a general contractor resume? The first thing that you need to do is come up with an idea for a career path you can go down. Make sure that you take a look at what companies out there are looking for and make a list of them. Once you have a few of them, try to think of what kind of skills they are looking for.Now, you will have to write your resume for a construction job as well. This means that you have to know a little bit about the profession. You have to be familiar with the different things that need to be done for a building, such as foundation work, the roof, electrical work, and concrete work.Be prepared to present a plan of work for any construction projects that you have completed in the past. This is to help show potential employers that you can do the job they need done and that you know what you are doing. It is also to help show them what you have accomplished in the past. While it is true that the worst contractors will not get the job, there is nothing wrong with preparing a project resume.Next, your general contractor resume needs to tell the hiring manager about the work you have done in the past. This should be written in some way that is both interesting and informative. Your objective for showing what you have done should be to add more va lue to the company that you are applying to work for.Finally, a general contractor resume should talk about the type of contractor you are, and what type of company you want to work for. This means that you should tell them where you came from, what the name of your company is, and how long you have been in business. All of this information is important and should include this information in your general contractor resume.There are many reasons to use a general contractor resume writing. These reasons include getting a new job that you might otherwise have not been able to get, and helping you land a new career in a field that you want to work in. Just remember that your goal is to get your information to them in a way that will lead them to hire you for the job.

What Will People Remember Most About You - Kathy Caprino

What Will People Remember Most About You Im very excited today I begin working with an amazing group of women committed to building rewarding careers they love, on their terms.   Were coming together in my Amazing Career Project Group Coaching Intensive. They come from all walks, situations, and experiences around the globe, but they share one critical thing theyre ready for more, different and better in their lives. One essential question well be looking at is this: What will people remember most about you? and What do you WANT to be remembered for? In the past, my answers to those two questions were very far apart.   My professional life didnt stand for anything that I wanted it to, and I wasnt making the impact in the world I deeply longed to.   The problem was, I just didnt know how to bridge that gap. No clue even where to begin. I know now (after leaving corporate life, becoming a therapist, coach, writer, and studying energy healing work) that its a fabulous journey with many twists, turns and detours to dig deep, discover your right work, and shine in it.   But its very doable, for everyone, with the right steps and mindsets (and a little help). Today, why not make a start on that journey and ask yourself, What will people remember most about me? Please share your answers to that critical question below. Go ahead, BRAG! Its scary, I know, because women in particular are trained NOT to do this, and sometimes theres even backlash when they do.   But we have to do it in the face of our fears. Tell mewhat are you amazing at, how do you make the world a better place just by being here. If thats too challenging to do, share what other people have said about you that makes you blush and smile from ear-to-ear. I cant wait to hear. Love to you.

How To Complete A Successful Job Search - CareerAlley

How To Complete A Successful Job Search - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Searching for a new job can be an exciting prospect, but it can also be very stressful. However, with the correct tools and education, you will be well on your way to finding a job of a lifetime. There are so many factors that must be considered, before you start your job search. By getting off on the right foot, you will be a step ahead in the game. Below, you will discover several helpful tips, ideas and strategies to help you land your dream job. Create A Resume Many job seekers make the mistake of completing an employment application, without providing the potential employer with a resume. Employers are looking for someone that is on top of their game and by providing them a resume you will be showing them that you are a good candidate. When it comes time to creating a resume, any expert will tell you to avoid making it lengthy. Employers are not going to spend that much time looking over your resume, so by keeping it short, you will be guaranteed that they see your most important skills, experience and education history. To learn more about changing careers in todays world, be sure to click here. Hire A Career Coach For people who are new to the career world or entering the career world after working for one company long-term, hiring a career coach may be a good idea. This professional can assist you throughout your job search. Many executives, physicians and other professionals have utilized career coaches in the past. This is actually how they were able to land a high-paying job at a notable firm or hospital. While you may not have these particular skills under your belt, you can still take advantage of the benefits offered by a career coach. Dont Always Rely On Online Applications In todays technological-advanced world, millions of job seekers turn to the Internet as a means of looking for employment. Sure, this is a good idea, because there are tons of recruiting websites posting jobs everyday. However, just because a company posts an ad online, it does not necessarily mean that they rely 100 percent on responses from the Internet. In fact, if you are out there searching online you have probably grown frustrated with the little responses that you are receiving from employers. This is due in part to the fact that some large companies use resume-scanning software, so it is entirely possible that your resume will never reach a human. Your best option is to make your presence known, by visiting the company in person and leaving an everlasting impression. Use Social Media Most large corporations and small businesses utilized social media for one purpose or another. Believe it or not, these platforms offer job seekers many opportunities to attract the attention of employers. However, you will need to find the employers that are offering employment opportunities. Once you find them, you will be able to utilize your online presence to attract their attention. By communicating with the companys employees, you will learn a wealth of information. These individuals may be able to provide you with some tips on how to score a job with that particular company. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+