The Federal Job Rush - Not Just Your Average Resume

The Federal Job Rush - Not Just Your Average ResumeThe Federal Job Rush - Not Just Your Average ResumeThe Federal Job Rush Not Just Your Average ResumeKittner, PhotographerSix thousand anxious jobseekers attended the Federal Job Fair sponsored by the Partnership for Public Service. I hope they brought their FEDERAL RESUME.Here at The Resume Place, Inc. we help job seekers with their federal resumes, KSAs and applications. If you are one of those determined federal job seekers, please know that the PRIVATE INDUSTRY RESUME IS NOT THE SAME AS A FEDERAL RESUME. Please consider our professional writing services, so you can get Referred to a Supervisor and get Hired The federal resume needs to be very specific to a certain position.VIEW A SAMPLE OF ur POPULAR OUTLINE FORMAT RESUMEHere are a few of our most helpful tips for your federal resume for your USAJOBS accountTips for Federal Resume WritersLENGTH The Private Industry resume is usually 1 or 2 pages. The Federal Resume is usually 3-5 pages because of the extra descriptions that the Federal HR Specialists want to read about your qualifications.Formatting for USAJOBS Outline Format small paragraphs with ALL CAPS HEADINGS. Easy to copy and paste into the online builders.USE SOME ALL CAPS The ALL CAP headings are also KEYWORDS, which come from the Duties section of the announcement.WORK EXPERIENCE The Work Experience section is the MOST important section of the resume.QUALIFICATIONS The Federal vacancy announcement section called QUALIFICATIONS is very important. Usually there is a section that states that you must have 52 weeks experience equal to this position. Make sure this one year experience stands out in your resume.SSN Personal information You WILL have to submit your Social Security Number into the USAJOBS builder. It is secure.ACCOMPLISHMENTS Be sure to add at least 2 accomplishments after you write your Duties for your last 2 jobs This will help the supervisor see how outstanding you are.OUTLINE FORMAT You can see a sample of the Outline Format here. This format is approved of by human resources specialists and supervisors throughout the government. It is easy to read.These tips are published in Ten Steps to a Federal Job, 2nd Edition.

Has Patagonia killed the suit in the American business world

Has Patagonia killed the suit in the American business worldHas Patagonia killed the suit in the American business worldIts Downton and its in Midtown. Its on the college campus and probably even in your closet. Patagonia has become a staple of American fashion with its evolution in recent years. Once labeled as the outdoorsy, Lets go for a hike in the woods while looking good brand has evolved into something else due to its versatility and comfort within the American workplace.One of Patagonias signature looks the Better Sweater can be spotted on almost any block in Manhattan. It doesnt matter if youre hobbling around Stone Street or waiting in line at Chipotle on 48th St., theres likely a 99% chance a Patagonia logo will appear before your eyes, and most of the time, its the Better Sweater vest, a slim-looking sleeveless vest normally adorned in neutral colors like an everyday grey or forest green that hugs tightly to anybody.Its usually accompanied by slim-fitting chinos and a p air of loafers. Its become known as the Midtown Uniform due to an Instagram account that features only those wearing it.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and morePatagonias vests and other apparel isnt just worn on the broad shoulders or around the pudgy guts of New York Citys business types its also been seen on some of the worlds most elite in the tech and business quarters. Its been prevalently displayed by the Uber-rich at the annual Allen Company conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, where Apple CEO Tim Cook or embattled New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, have been photographed wearing those Patagonia vests.The New York Times listed Patagonia in an article titled How to dress like a power player. Others have labeled Patagonias vests as the Power Vests.Its become the unofficial - but official - wardrobe partner of business-types everywhere, which Patagonia now, ironically, shifte d to end after perhaps unknowingly fueling the clothing shift.Americans, in general, are ditching the suit. The Wall Street Journal reported the U.S. mens suit market has abstrzen 8% to $1.98 billion since 2015. Coincidentally, sports apparel has soared in that same period, growing 17% to $44.8 billion.Its not accurate to say activewear brands like Patagonia or yoga-pant enthusiasts Lululemon are to credit for this rise, but Americans have fueled the industry during that same period. Sports apparel has grown 17% to $44.8 billion since 2015.The current crop of young adults love comfort, NPD Group chief industry adviser Marshal Cohen told The Journal. The word stretch in menswear isnt a dirty word anymore.But surprisingly, Patagonia took a step back from new business. The company put the kibosh on bulk order sales for some corporate sales clients belastung month, when they decided to start getting selective. Vested (no pun intended) President Binna Kim said in a tweet that Patagonia t old her that they would no longer be doing branded vests for financial services companies while focusing on companies who make differences for environmental and social platforms.We recently shifted the focus of this program to increase the number of Certified B Corporations, 1% For The Planet members and other mission-driven companies that prioritize the planet. This shift does not affect current customers in our corporate sales program, Patagonia said in a statement, via BuzzFeed News.While Patagonia says it only affects new customers, other companies have started to take a similar, selective approach for bulk corporate orders. BuzzFeed News reportedThe North Face recently rejected an oil corporation from buying branded vests because the company didnt align with our brand values and mission to move the world forward through exploration.Its unlikely the Financial District or rush-hour subway platforms are going to be less-crowded with fleece vests.You might also enjoyNew neuroscienc e reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

8, 10, MANY Resume Words to Avoid

8, 10, MANY Resume Words to Avoid8, 10, MANY Resume Words to AvoidYour resume should avoid any word or phrase that is subjective, unverifiable and unquantifiable.There are eight words no resume should include because theyre fluffy, says Tina Brasher, a certified professional resume writer.Actually, there are 10 resume words to avoid, according to recent research from LinkedIn Analytics.Really, there are hundreds of words and phrases to avoid. Brasher culled her list of phrases and words that resume readers have seen 10 million times and that will lose their attention. LinkedIns analysis isnt exactly words to avoid, but words overused the 10 phrases that occur most often in its vast database of resumes and user profiles. In reality, your resume should avoid any word or phrase that is subjective, unverifiable and unquantifiable. And the list is long. From BrasherResume readers want to know specifics relating to the bottom line, Brasher said. What they want to get out of a resume is 1) How can you make the company money? and 2) How can you save the company money? Brasher said. Theyre looking for a resume not only for that but, Are you qualified for the job opening I posted? And, Whats your skill set? How did you make a positive difference in the company you just left? How are you different and more valuable as an employee from John Smith whose resume I just read or John Doe whose resume Im about to read?The best advice weve found comes from certified professional resume writers like Brasher, Andrew Pearl and Tina Harlan, is to make your resume sizzle with strong active verbs as well as characterizations and accomplishments in objective, quantifiable terms, according to a story from Ladders Career Advice.Resumes can describe those actions in two different ways They can limp anemically across the document and put hiring managers to sleep, or they can jump off the page and grab the recruiters attention, inspiring him to reach for the phone to schedule an interview.Ac tive verbs can inspire recruiters and hiring managers to follow through with scheduling an interview. They can make your resume pop, letting employers know that you Addressed, Advertised, Arbitrated, Arranged, Articulated, Authored, Clarified, Collaborated, Communicated, Demonstrated or Diagnosed.Resume writers Steve Burdan and Mary Schumacher counter the weak resume words with 10 resume action verbs you should use on your resume collaborated, clarified, authored/generated, diagnosed, enrich, fortify, forge, transform and galvanize.Now the badTina Brashers 8 resume words to avoid (in no particular order)Highly qualifiedResults focusedEffectual leaderHas talent forEnergeticConfidentProfessionalSuccessfullyLinkedIns Top 10 profile buzzwordsExtensive experienceInnovativeMotivatedResults-orientedDynamicProven track recordkollektiv playerFast-pacedProblem solverEntrepreneurial

How to Survive a Career Transition - The Muse

How to Survive a Career Transition - The MuseHow to Survive a Career Transition When I welches just starting out as a broadcast news reporter, a grizzled, veteran investigative reporter told me, Congratulations on getting hired, kid, but dont get cocky because youre not anybody in the news business until youre fired- twice.Whether or not I ever became somebody in the news business is debatable but, for the record, I was fired twice during the 10 years I worked as an on-air reporter and anchor.Both times, what enabled me to overcome the stigma and humiliation of being canned can be summed up in one word- relationships. The relational approach to overcoming a career bump is showcased in a new career book titled Do Over by New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff. In his book, he lists the four career transitions that every professional faces and the corresponding resources necessary to overcome each different transition.So, whether you, too, have been fired or just presented with an interesting opportunity, read on to learn the best strategy to deal with your specific circumstance. 1. Youve Been FiredImmediately after I lost both jobs, I called all of my former colleagues to let them know I was out of work and looking for a gig. Each time, I was offered jobs within 72 hours because of the strong rapport Id developed with colleagues over the years.Relying on relationships after being fired- as Acuff recommends- makes sense. From my experience, the toughest part was convincing myself to actually pick up the phone to ask for help. The key to surviving that particular transition is swallowing your pride, growing some guts, and giving your network the chance to lend a hand. Related Help Me Find a Job Emails to Send to Your Network2. Youre in a Dead-End JobThe next transition that Acuff defines is the ceiling, which is a job that you continue to do even when further advancement isnt possible. He writes that becoming unstuck in that font of situation requires the dev elopment of a new skill set. I recently ran into this exact situation at my previous company. My last employer- a mid-sized biotech firm- was acquired by a much larger pharmaceutical company. Suddenly, the previously vacant rungs of the corporate ladder above me were crammed with folks from the acquiring parent company. It was clear I wasnt going to move up, and it was equally clear I couldnt let skills stagnate. So, what did I do? I started blogging and writing e-books in my spare time. I joined (and learned the ins and outs of) the major social media channels. I guest posted and wrote for dozens of online sites. I became a self-taught social media guru within my previous company. When that organization wanted to dip its toe into Facebook waters or conjure up a Twitter-based-campaign strategy, I was the guy they tapped because I was already there doing it. But I didnt stop there. I continued to build and nurture my personal online brand. Once I felt ready to leave the organization, I compiled a metrics scorecard of my personal social media footprint (Twitter followers, Facebook likes, Alexa ranking of my blog, and so on) and then compiled the exact saatkorn stats for the life sciences companies I wanted to work for. Needless to say, I beat the pants off every company I met with and had three job offers to choose fromDealing with my ceiling required me to identify and develop the relevant skills that would add value to any prospective employer in the future.3. Youve Decided to Take a LeapThe third career transition that Acuff cites is the jump, where you voluntarily leap to a new career, location, or responsibility. He notes that this type of transition requires strong character because youre leaping into the unknown, which necessitates reliance on the foundational definition of who you are as well as your core values.During the past nine years, Ive relocated my family three separate times across three different states. Thats a lot of jumping and disruption. M y family has survived and thrived because we trust each other and consider every voice when we make big, life-impacting choices. For what its worth, each move has been a unanimous decision within my family. Mutual trust and agreement makes it so much easier to overcome upheaval.4. Youre Faced With an Unplanned OpportunityThe last transition that Acuff references in his book is dubbed the opportunity, where a positive situation unexpectedly manifests. While those moments tend to be few and far between for most people, Acuff writes that the resource you need to maximize the opportunity is hustle.He defines hustle as how you work. In other words, its the drive and commitment that pushes entrepreneurs and professionals to do the things that other people dont, enabling them to enjoy success that others wont.This situation happened to me when I transitioned out of news media into my first corporate communications job. I was hired by a regional telecommunications company in the Northeast t o be its corporate spokesperson. After 90 days, I received an email from the HR department notifying me that I was eligible for the companys educational benefit. I jumped at the chance, and- in two years of full-time course work and a full-time job- I completed my MBA.It wasnt easy. Not only did it take a high degree of hustle, but it also took a lot of time. Part of hustle, therefore, is intentional time management and relentless prioritization.Things are going to happen in your career. Some of them will be good, others not so good. Some transitions youll orchestrate while some will be orchestrated at the hands of others. Regardless, if you couple relationships with guts, skills with foresight, character with mutual trust, and mix in aggressive hustle with kick-ass time management- nothing will stop you.Photo of bridge courtesy of Shutterstock.

Get the Scoop on Create a Resume Before Youre Too Late

Get the Scoop on Create a Resume Before Youre Too Late Create a Resume Features Creating a resume isnt a childs play as it requires a whole lot of knowledge. It is essential your outline will initially tell you youre still in accordance with your writing purpose and goals. Build Confidence You should purchase a public speaking book for your children to be able to build their confidence. When resume advice websites state that a resume should be short, they are in reality saying that its important to get rid of everything which will bedrngnis help land the job. Its important to get somebody who can guide you and allow you to know where youre making a mistake and impart wisdom too. Unfortunately, lots of people make the error of creating a resume that reads like a work description. If youve got an accepted product in an established market and also have a competent management group, youre highly likely to win. A good deal of research about the business profile and your prospect ive work profile will assist you in listing the most suitable skills for the job. The best method is to select the aid of Resume builder for writing a resume so you might not loose the work prospect. Fresh out of college and receiving a chance to work in the expert field is amazing as you grow and learn lots of new skills. Quite frankly, when you begin work, youve mixed emotions. If you are searching for work and you have what it takes but do not actually understand how to sell it out then what you will need is a good resume. Youre excited and happy about landing work, but youre nervous too, and getting comfortable in your very first job will take some time. As exciting as it looks, it can likewise be frightening, especially when attempting to land your very first job. The 30-Second Trick for Create a Resume There are lots of sites which offers a Resume builder facility. Some on-line freelancers choose to use an escrow service which will protect them when it comes to paymen t. If you believe you dont will need to create a resume template then you might want to read further to learn why precisely you will need to learn to compose a resume. Different types of Resume Templates Word 2003 There are various sorts of templates for resumes an individual may come across online. What the In-Crowd Wont Tell You About Create a Resume A very good public speaking book will help your children learn nothing but that. One of the common mistakes I see a great deal of candidates make when they go to an interview is they think that it is a question and answer session. A wonderful resume may offer you a competitive edge that makes it possible to to receive your foot in the door, but you should possess the skills essential to master the interview process too. Puts simply, youre going to be employed by the resume author. Some people dont consist of volunteer activities in their resume since they think that it wouldnt matter. You will definitely have to share your career desires, your preferences, your inspirations, etc. A resume isnt supposed to tell your whole life history. If you have a couple friends or family members prepared to test it out, dont be afraid to send it to three or four. If youre clueless about how to compose a business plan which wins investors approval, youve come to the proper location. Also, its becoming a frequent practice for many businesses to scan resumes into a computer once they leave the fair. departure off with your expectations about a company which you want to do the job. Second, know about the organization youre applying to. Therefore, if youre searching for assistance in writing a resume, you might want to start looking into using an internet or downloadable resume builder. Finding Writing Gigs on-line Head on out to your favourite search engine and type freelance writing online and youll realize there are lots of sites for internet small business ideas on writing. In reality, there doesnt appear to be a big difference between the resume software package and the online resume builder except that one which you download to your hard disk and the other youve got to see the site to work from. Owning an online resume or an on-line portfolio can truly separate you from the customary crowd applying for employment.

Powerful Techniques for Free Resume Writing Assistance Leland Nc That You Can Use Immediately

Powerful Techniques for Free Resume Writing Assistance Leland Nc That You Can Use Immediately Things You Wont Like About Free Resume Writing Assistance Leland Nc and Things You Will You must work closely with the writer during the introduction of your resume, therefore it is very important to truly feel comfortable with them. If there is not going to be a facility of direct communication between the customer and writer, the author will surely miss a few important details about the customer in the resume and ultimately, client need to request the changes over and over. Resume writing services have a personalized approach to come up with a type of resume that will certainly offer the maximum quality of professional resume writing. Resume writing services often provide a whole package strategy to resume writing. Whatever They Told You About Free Resume Writing Assistance Leland Nc Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why If you choose a resume service with a jumbled and confusing worksheet, then odds are that is just how your resume will turn out. When looking at the price of a resume service, consider first what youve gone through to get where youre. Since resumes are largely digitally sent, there isnt any need to have a printout and sign the resume. While no 2 resumes will look the exact same, there are particular similarities in all great resumes. Free Resume Writing Assistance Leland Nc Secrets Impress your employer The Resume can earn a very first impression in the view of an employer. Resume composing firms are an excellent place from where you are able to readily get your resume crafted in a way which potential recruiters would want. Theres also advice on looking for a job and what to do to maintain a work when you have it under Job Search and Success Skills. Resume writing services may be used by men and women who arent just fresh graduates and are searching for their very first job. Bear in mind, your resume is the best method for you to receive your f oot in the door for a desirable job. Whenever you do, youve won the job. Not all resumes are suitable for all sorts of jobs. The majority of the resumes writing services dont provide the chance of direct contact by making use of their writers.

Your Profile Picture is Bringing Down Your Job Search

Your Profile Picture is Bringing Down Your Job SearchYour Profile Picture is Bringing Down Your Job SearchYour head shot should add value to your profile. Fix these common mistakes to get it on the right track.To help, Ive created a list of nine profile picture pitfalls to avoid.Profile Picture Pitfalls from Ladders Blurry or Too Small Ideally your photo should be 200 x 200 pixels or larger. Anything smaller and youre guaranteed to end up with a fuzzy or teeny tiny image that just screams unprofessional. I recommend choosing a square head shot, as its sure to work with all your professional social media accounts. Too Close or Too Far Away Stick with a standard head shot for your profile pic. Prospective employers and those in your professional network have no desire to examine your dental work, and a shot from far away wont help them identify you at an event or interview. The Group Shot Remember, this picture is supposed to represent your professional brand no one elses. Dont make recruiters guess which person you are in the photo. Use an image that shows you and only you. The Crop Cropping yourself out of the group shot doesnt work either. While it may be your favorite picture, no one wants to see half of your loved ones face or your best friends hair on your shoulder. Stick to a solo shot that doesnt require Photoshop. Bad Lighting Not only do these pictures look creepy, but they are certainly not providing employers with a positive, professional first impression. Too Serious Opt for photos where youre looking at the camera and smiling. You dont necessarily need a cheesy grin on your face, but you want to appear friendly and approachable. The glamour shots arent doing you any favors. Goofy Expressions Remember, this image is supposed to represent your professional brand. When you look at your profile photo, does it send the same message as your resume? Pet or Baby Pic Yes, your puppy is adorable and your family is beautiful. However, thats not what your pro fessional network or a prospective employer needs to know about you. Save these cute pics for your personal social-media channels such as Facebook or Instagram. Stick to a photo of yourself for your professional profiles. No Photo As I mentioned earlier, recruiters today expect to find a head shot with your professional profile. In her article on profile photos, job search strategist Meg Guiseppi says the first thing recruiters and hiring managers notice is your photoor lack of one.If you have no photo, their anfangsbuchstabe thought will likely be, What is this person trying to hide?, says Guiseppi.If youre concerned that including your photo could cause people to discriminate against you, I urge you to carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of the profile photo before making a final decision. The right image can reinforce your brand and help viewers connect more easily with your profile. Best Practices Use a recent head shot that meets the file type and size and pixel size rec ommended by each site. Consider your outfit, the background of the shot, and the lighting to ensure it reflects your current professional brand and career goals.Having no photo is better than uploading one that doesnt project the right image, so put some thought into the picture you choose to represent your professional brand.

What doesnt last is more important than you think

What doesnt last is more important than you thinkWhat doesnt last is more important than you thinkMany years ago, before the advent of smartphones and the Internet, people used to lug around Polaroid cameras and camcorders to record events.The earliest camcorders were bulky and had to be rested on yur shoulder to use.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreMy fatherbei wore his Polaroid camera on a strap around his neck. Whatever the special occasion, Dad would interrupt the festivities to gather everyone together for a picture.The novelty of the Polaroid welches that it spit out a photograph immediately after you took one. A few seconds later, the image would develop before your very eyes. Wed stop whatever we were doing, just to wait for the picture to come into focus.Image by John WeissIt welches common to see parents at their kids sporting events, running around like news reporters with their clunky camcorders, trying to capture all the action. Sadly, they often missed exciting moments because they were fiddling with their equipment.I remember reading an insightfularticleback then in Newsweek magazine. It was all about a woman who documented every bit of her childrens lives with a camcorder until she attended a performance at her daughters school and forgot her video camera.The woman had tears in her eyes as her daughter sang a solo in the performance. Initially, she could have kicked herself for failing to remember her video recorder, until a friend suggested that not filming was what allowed her to have the unadulterated joy of this experience. She was freed from the demand to document what was happening, and able to simply live it.In the article, the author wroteQuantum physics posits that the essential nature of a phenomenon is changed by the act of measuring it, and I know this idea has applications here. Our cameras come between us and what we document. How many moments have I missed?- ?or altered?- ?in an effort to capture them for all time?While Im sorry I cant share my daughters recent solo with relatives and we dont have a hard copy for the future, the moment wouldnt have been the same for me had I been fumbling with the electronics.Little did the author know how prescient her concerns about fumbling with the electronics were. Nowadays, were all fumbling with our smartphones, and consumed by social media.How many special moments in our lives have been diluted by intrusive technology? Why do we feel an urgent need to document everything, instead of just experiencing it in full? Whats worse, how often do we really revisit the thousands of photos and videos stored on our smartphones?The untethering ofegoHave you heard of the British land artist Andy Goldsworthy? He produces site-specific environmental art, using branches, stones, leaves, and natural objects found in nature.Whats unique about Goldsworthys artwork is its impermanenc e. Unlike a stone sculpture or framed oil painting, Goldsworthys creations are more ephemeral. There to be enjoyed briefly before they disassemble back into the earth.Goldsworthy notes that hikers and outdoor people come across his artwork, maybe even more so than the artwork in an artists studio. He has built permanent sculptures and uses photography to memorialize some of his work, but none the less, there is elegant transience to his creations.I discovered Andy Goldsworthy via the author Peter Hellers new novelThe River,which tells the story of two rugged, university buddies, Jack and Wynn, who decide to canoe the Maskwa River in northern Canada. Both men share a love of mountains, books, and fishing.In a scene in the novel, Wynn is wading in the river water, creating Thingamajigs. The scene continuesWynn was crazy about Goldsworthy, the environmental sculptor, and was in awe of the ethic of ephemeral art, from Buddhist sandpainting to the sapling moons of Jay Mead. The untetheri ng of ego the purity of creating something that wouldnt even be around to sign in a matter of hours or days. What that said about ownership and the impermanence of all things. He was less impressed with the extravagant shrouding of Christo, which he thought were grandiose and domineering.Peter Hellers character Wynn is clearly a deep thinker, who is moved by the purity of creating something that wouldnt even be around to sign in a matter of hours or days.In todays egocentric culture, where everyone is posting on social media and clamoring for attention, its fascinating to encounter an artist like Goldsworthy, or a novelist like Peter Heller, who seem to appreciate the simple joy of direct experience.In Hellers novel, Jack and Wynn arent taking selfies of their canoe adventure or looking for wi-fi to upload the days action to their social media channels. Theyre enjoying natures beauty, one anothers company, and the western paperbacks they read at the campfire. Theres no technology to get in the way of their experience.I just want to stay initIn the underrated movieThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty, actor Ben Stiller plays Walter Mitty, a photography department employee at Life magazine. He goes on a quest to find one of the magazines celebrated photographers, Sean OConnell (played by Sean Penn), to tell him where a missing cover photo is.Walter finds Sean in the Himilayas, waiting to photograph a rare snow leopard. As the two are talking, the snow leopard appears, but Sean doesnt take the photograph. Walter asks him if hes going to take the shot.Their exchangeSean OConnellSometimes I dont. If I like a moment, for me, personally, I dont like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it.Walter MittyStay in it?Sean OConnellYeah. Right there. Right here.How many times have we all reached for our smartphones at special moments? How often do we invite the distraction of the camera instead of just staying in the moment?Magical moments in ourlivesTher es nothing wrong with capturing that graduation snapshot, or group photo with friends as you hike in Italy. But maybe we dont need to reach for the camera (or our smartphones) as often as we think.What doesnt last is more important than you think. The most intimate moments, often with the ones we love, can be some of the most magical moments in our lives. Or those quiet times in nature, when a deer unexpectedly walks by. Such moments are often ephemeral and short-lived but stay in our minds forever.To reach for the camera or smartphone is to interrupt the magic, and possibly blur your memory of it forever.Andy Goldsworthy sees the beauty in his transient artwork. It is meant to be experienced briefly, and then it fades away.The author Peter Heller, who is an avid outdoorsman, clearly understands the importance of ephemeral things. The main characters in his novel The River are young men who find deeper meaning in the fleeting beauty of nature rather than the endless distraction of s ocial media and self-documentation.Even the famous photographer Sean OConnell, in the movieThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty,knows when to set aside his camera and just stay in the moment.What doesnt last is more important than you think. When such moments arise, think twice before you reach for the camera or smartphone. Choosing to just stay in the moment might be sweeter, and better memorialize the experience in your memory than any intrusive, digital device.Before you goImJohn P. Weiss.I paint landscapes, draw cartoons and write about life. Thanks for readingThis article first appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

What to Do When You Feel Fake at Work - The Muse

What to Do When You Feel Fake at Work - The MuseWhat to Do When You Feel Fake at Work Have you ever felt like youre being fake at work? Keeping your head low, hiding out in the bathroom, wearing a fake smile?Its exhausting But mora importantly, its a sign that you need a change.However, before we get to that, lets take a closer look at what being fake at work really meansYour boss calls and asks you to tackle an interesting new project and your first response is to wonder how you can get out of it.Youre sitting in a meeting with your head down, pretending to take notes, but really just playing games on your computer.Your face hurts from pretending to smile and care about other peoples personal stories. Youre offered a big promotion, and instead of cheering, a voice inside your head starts shouting Nooooo. You spend time wondering how much severance youd get if you were fired or laid off.You excuse yourself from office happy hours to get back to work, but the truth is that youre going home to watch TV.I dont have to tell you about the toll this behavior can take on you mentally, emotionally, and even physically.Trying to be something youre not- in this case, happy at work- can cause all sorts of issues. You get tired. You get unmotivated. You get stressed. You get anxious. You get that awful feeling in the pit of your stomach. And eventually, your manager and co-workers will catch on.The bottom line Soldiering on with a pretend smile and the lie that PowerPoint is my life (when its the number one thing you hate in the world) isnt helping you, and it definitely isnt helping your career.So lets talk optionsOption 1Stay at Your JobIf you stay at your job, youve got to resolve that fake feeling. And that entails making changes.To get started, spend a week keeping a daily journal. At the end of each work day, record what you liked doing, what you didnt like doing, and anything that really stressed you out. At the end of the week take a look and bucket everything into one of unterstellung three categories1. Things You HateIf theres anything you can stop doing, pass off to another colleague, or just talk to your boss about shifting around, make a note of it and work to get it off your plate.For the things that you must do (but you dont like), is there any way to make them easier? Can you do them first thing before the day starts so theyre off your desk? Can you set a timer and have a race with yourself? Can you just plan on taking a few more breaks?Get creative and brainstorm ideas- sometimes the tiniest change can make a huge difference.2. Things You EnjoyNow, look at this list. Can you take on any more work here, or offer to do more tasks similar to these? For example If you like helping people learn the ropes, can you offer to do more company training?Take a look and see what, if anything, you can add to the work that you already enjoy. Once youve got a few things in mind, set up time to talk to your boss about making it happen.3. Things That Stress You OutThis bucket has things that might be interesting or could become fun if you just had more learning or help.So cast a beady eye over this list and ask yourself, Is there a company or free online class I can take to help me learn this skill? Or, Can I talk to my boss about getting more help?Or even think about asking for an assist from a co-worker who might have more knowledge than you and could help you enjoy these tasks more.Option 2Find a New JobI know, this is a scary optionBut if youve already tackled option one and discovered that you absolutely hate everything on your plate, then staying at your job isnt helping your company, and it especially isnt helping you.All you need to start job hunting is two hours a week. Use one hour to research and identify interesting jobs and companies, and use the other hour to reach out and connect with your network and let them know youre looking for something new. It doesnt have to be a huge deal, especially at first. Instead, jus t tackle it one piece at a time. When youre ready to start applying, you can begin spending more time on the process.And remember, the sooner you dedicate time to the job search, the sooner you might have a career that makes you smile- for real this timeRegardless of which option you end up choosing, remember this You deserve to have a job in which you can be yourself.