How are you spending your time and energy

How are you spending your time and energy How are you spending your time and energy? The more senior you become in your career, the more important it is to be clear on the answer. That’s because not only are you an increasingly valuable asset to the organization, your time is finite and you can’t make more of it. The way you choose to spend your time and energy sends a message to others about who you are.   It’s part of your reputation. For example, early in my career I was obsessive about getting every detail right, and people would say, “Oh that’s May, the perfectionist.”   Later on, when I finally learned to lift my head up and look at the big picture, it was thankfully, “Yes, May is strategic.” Where you choose to deploy your talents drives the impact you can have in the world.   Back in my perfectionist phase, I spent all my time on my little job and had a very small circle of influence and impact. Maybe that’s why I now want to serve a million people! So what’s worth spending your time on and what isn’t? Here’s one way to think about it. Blue chips and white chips A friend of mine who is a former executive at BP (British Petroleum) introduced me to the concept of “blue chips and white chips”, as in poker chips, which is his shorthand way of setting priorities.   In this case, let’s say the blue chips are worth 10 and the white chips are worth 1. When tasks or issues come up, you make a conscious decision on which category they fall into. Do, Defer, Delegate, Drop Thinking about tasks first and where you want to spend your time and energy, the blue chips are where you want to focus, and the white chips are ideal areas to delegate. What’s a white chip for you could be a blue chip for people junior to you, and a great chance for them to gain experience under your guidance. This is a lot like the urgent vs important matrix for deciding where to spend your time, energy and focus. You want to DO the things in the top right box, the urgent and important. DECIDE WHEN to do the ones in the top left. DELEGATE the ones in the bottom right, urgent but not important for YOU to do. And DROP the ones in the bottom left that are neither important nor urgent. Things in the top row â€" the important â€" are the Blue Chips, and the ones in the bottom row are the White Chips. Where to spend your personal capital This also applies to where you choose to spend your personal capital. Let’s say we’re talking about issues rather than tasks. Then the blue chips are the issues worth fighting for (or against) and spending personal capital to win the argument.   The white chips, on the other hand, are the ones where you can be flexible and don’t need to fight to the death. We all know people who have to win every argument â€" that’s an example of someone who treats all chips as blue chips. Not a great reputation to have, is it? To take it a step further, the white chip arguments may not be worth winning even though you can win them.   For example, making sure my boss knows he was grammatically incorrect when he is full flow, making a point in a meeting.  There’s no positive outcome from winning that one! So, go out there and be known for being a leader who’s focused on “Blue Chips”! And please share you thoughts on how best to spend your valuable time, energy and personal capital in the comments section below

Tough (Question) Tuesday and The Girl Effect My Hero Deirdre

Tough (Question) Tuesday and The Girl Effect My Hero Deirdre Tough (Question) Tuesday is rolled into a post for  The Girl Effect today, because Im crafty like that.  â€œThe Girl Effect” is a powerful idea: by investing in girls in the developing world, they make an incredibly effective investment in eradicating poverty, creating thriving communities, and slowing the spread of AIDS. You can click here to see all the bloggers who took a day to write about The Girl Effect Movement. Deirdre on the back of a pick-up truck in Thailand. Is this girl the freakin coolest or what?! (Please note: this is a hypothetical question) I have a dear friend who kept me sane in Corporate America. Her name is Deirdre, and she started as an Executive Assistant at the financial consultancy company I was at a few short months after I did. We bonded right away, superficially because of our similar actor pasts and fiery personalities (we both didn’t take no s***, there or anywhere else), but on a deeper level because of our goals, dreams, and yearnings (I feel cheesy writing “yearnings”, but it’s the truth). While I knew from the get-go that I took that job to allow me to get my coaching certificate and build up my business, Deirdre knew that she was there for a reason, too â€" but what it was, she wasn’t sure. She learned pretty quickly that she wasn’t meant for the corporate world, and that there was Something More out there for her. A more religious person than I, I was jealous/skeptical when she would say that she prayed for an answer, or that she was opening herself up to just keep her eyes open and see wh at came her way. The practical, non-spiritual part of me wanted to protest, giving her exercises and helping her take action. Thankfully, I didn’t, as she got exactly what she asked for and allowed herself to see: an email from a friend who founded a non-profit to eliminate child sex trafficking in Thailand and was asking for help. I can still see (and hear!) Deirdre describing what it was like to get that email, to feel called to respond â€" not with a donation or some local volunteering, but with an offer to come to Thailand for a few months and build up a program around Acting as Therapy. She made that decision in under an hour one that would involve quitting her job, leaving the life she built in NYC, and traveling alone across the world to a country where she didn’t speak the language, committing herself to work with the children there who were high-risk for being sold into the sex trafficking industry. The wheels were in motion almost immediately. She knew she’d give her notice the day her bonus came through (just like me!), and while she had her doubts and fears, she knew this was her Next Step. Her excitement and passion were palpable, tangible things, and while she learned more about the sex trafficking industry and SOLD (the not-for-profit itself), the more she felt called to do this work. She left for Thailand in May 2010 and returned at the end of the year to her parent’s home in New Hampshire. A few weeks later she got a job on Long Island as an Au Pair Coordinator of sorts , and while she was excited to be close to NYC and to work with women from all over the world, the job quickly ran thin and she realized she needed to be involved with the anti-sex trafficking industry directly to feel fulfilled. My hero, she packed it in once again last month and moved to Oklahoma City, where she knows only 1 person but also knows that a number of foundations are there that have to d o with her plight. For her, it was worth making the move just for the opportunity to meet people connected with that world right here in the States, and to get involved herself. Because of a convention she went to earlier this year, she already has a network of people to call on and get the word out as to who she is, what she’s done, and what she’s looking to do. PDara (as the Thai kids called her) in front of her classroom. When I think of The Girl Effect, I think of my friend Deirdre. I think she’s remarkable and brave and such a light to do what so many others wouldn’t/couldn’t do (myself included): educate, prevent and stop sex trafficking both here in the States and abroad. Just hearing accounts of what she listened to at that convention, the American woman she met who was forced into the sex trade industry by her boyfriend,   how the police act and what these women (and children!) are subjected to…well, it makes my stomach turn, and I know I wouldn’t be able to surround myself with that sadness. But Deirdre? She’s my hero. Those facts and tales fuel her, and I have complete and utter faith in knowing that she’ll one day be a lobbyist, a speaker, a writer, and a safehouse founder herself. With Deirdre, it’s never a matter of “if”, but “when.” Deirdre also opened my eyes to what it really, truly means to be a “pimp”, and from this point on, I’m scrapping it from my vocabulary. Some of you might know it was my substitute word for “marketing”, “selling and/or promoting, but after reading this, using that word would come with guilt and shame. So, Ive replaced it with hooplah, equally fun and silly but, um, without the degration. See what I mean about her  being such an amazeballs educator? Making the world a better place thats my hero and friend, Deirdre. Do you know anyone whos making the world a better place for girls/children/people everywhere? I cant abandon Tough (Question) Tuesday completely, so please share who your hero is in the the comments below, or write your own Girl Effect post!

What To Include In Your Resume

What To Include In Your ResumeWriting a resume is something that should not be overlooked. It can help you get the job that you want and with a good job, the money that you deserve. When it comes to resumes, the requirements are several for a great resume.However, just because you qualify doesn't mean that you may get it right. You have to remember that the state of Kentucky has certain guidelines on how a person should go about writing a resume. The first thing that you need to do is determine the general types of information that will be in your resume. This will help you avoid getting the wrong information on your resume and of course, keep it interesting.The other important factor to consider is how this will appear on the front. If it is going to look like a pamphlet, you won't be all that professional. It may not make you stand out from all the other applicants that apply. So, you need to take note of the facts that need to be included in your resume. Remember that the way you write your resume is what will make it stand out from the rest.Besides, you may want to consider the qualifications for the person that is applying for a job. Will they actually know these? Well, you can find out if you take the time to do research online. This way, you will find out if their qualifications are better than yours or the opposite.The rules on how to write a resume that you need to follow in Kentucky are fairly easy to follow. First of all, you have to realize that the person that is applying for the job probably won't have the time to read over the resume. They will only have time to evaluate whether you meet the qualifications that they need. This is why you need to show them you are reliable and that you know what you are doing. You may want to consider something like including some skills that you can offer and then point out some strengths that you have.This is a good way to prove to the person that you are worthy. What you do next depends on the person that you a re trying to get the job. However, it is important to remember that you do not have to wait for approval to do what you think is best for you.When it comes to writing a resume, you have to remember that this is a long process. So, you have to use the proper information and apply it correctly.

10 Bad Habits That Are Actually Kind of Good for You

10 'Bad' Habits That Are Actually Kind of Good for You Here’s the thing about bad habits. Many of them can hurt you when taken to the extreme. But in small doses, those same “bad” habits can be part of a healthy lifestyle. As in you don’t want to live like a total slob, but a desk in slight disarray could make you more creative. Who knew? Below, we rounded up 10 supposedly negative behaviors that can, contrary to what your mom, your teacher, and your know-it-all coworker said, be good for you. 1. Procrastinating There’s a growing body of literature dedicated to why people procrastinate and how to stop it. But Wharton professor and “Originals” author Adam Grant argues that we should expand our conception of procrastination to include not just laziness but also waiting for the right time. In other words, procrastination can help boost creativity because you give yourself a chance to develop your big idea. In an interview with Business Insider’s Rachel Gillett, Grant pointed to Apple’s Steve Jobs as an example of someone who benefited from delaying certain tasks. “The time Steve Jobs was putting things off and noodling on possibilities was time well spent in letting more divergent ideas come to the table, as opposed to diving right in with the most conventional, the most obvious, the most familiar.” 2. Biting your nails Researchers followed 1,000 kids starting when they were 5 years old. When the kids were 5, 7, 8, and 11, the researchers asked their parents whether they bit their nails or sucked their thumb. About a third of the kids displayed one or both habits. When the kids were 13 and 32 years old, the researchers performed allergy tests. Sure enough, the group that had habitually bit their nails or sucked their thumb as kids were less likely to have developed allergies. At the same time, one of the study authors advised parents not to encourage nail-biting or thumb-sucking in their kids. While nail-biting doesn’t typically cause long-term damage, it can damage the skin around the nail, making you more susceptible to infections. Meanwhile, if thumb-sucking continues past when a kid’s permanent teeth come in, it can change how the teeth line up. 3. Running late Being chronically tardy can interfere with both your personal and professional relationships, making you look disorganized or, worse, disrespectful. At the same time, an oft-cited tidbit from Diana DeLonzor, author of “Never Be Late Again,” sheds some light on the upsides of lateness. As The New York Times has reported: “Many late people tend to be both optimistic and unrealistic, she said, and this affects their perception of time. They really believe they can go for a run, pick up their clothes at the dry cleaners, buy groceries and drop off the kids at school in an hour.” In other words, late people hope for and expect the best â€" which can be a double-edged sword in daily life. 4. Complaining No one wants to be that friend who goes on and on and on about his annoying coworker, the rain, and the lousy service at the restaurant where he just ate. Recent research cited in The Atlantic found that those who complain more mindfully â€" meaning they have a specific result in mind â€" are happier than those who simply vent. If you need to complain, there’s a way to express some negativity without turning off everyone around you or exacerbating the problem. According to psychologist Guy Winch, there’s a “right” way to gripe. As Business Insider’s Anisa Purbasari has reported, “An effective complaint is about an issue that can be remedied and is addressed to someone who has the power to fix it.” An effective complaint has three layers: First, ease into the complaint so the person listening doesn’t get defensive. Second, present the complaint itself in a nonhostile way. And finally, tell the person that any action they take to help you will be appreciated. 5. Chewing gum It’s rude to do it in a job interview, so don’t. But when you’re sitting alone, it could be a key to productivity and relaxation. Multiple studies suggest that chewing gum helps you feel more alert â€" one study even found that people who chewed gum performed better on an intelligence test than people who didn’t. Other research suggests that chewing gum boosts mood and reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol. 6. Keeping a messy desk If piles of papers are toppling over onto your coworker’s desk, it might be time to tidy up. But assuming you can keep your mess to yourself, there could be benefitsto the disorganization. Recent research suggests that messiness prompts people to be more goal-oriented because we’re motivated to seek order somewhere. In other words, simply the sight of a sloppy workspace could make you more productive. 7. Fidgeting When you’re in a meeting with your boss, it’s not the best idea to be squirming in your seat. But tapping your leg or wiggling your fingers while you’re seated at your desk could help you stay healthy. One study found that women who reported fidgeting more while at work had a lower mortality risk than women who said they fidgeted less. In fact, fidgeting seemed to make the association between long sitting times and mortality disappear. 8. Gossiping No, this is not an excuse to invite your best friend over to bash your other best friend’s new haircut. Research suggests that gossiping to helpsomeone else can make you feel better. One study found that when participants observed cheating in a trust game, their heart rates increased. But researchers gave participants the option to send people playing the game (who were really experimental confederates) notes about anything they wanted, and about half chose to write notes conveying information about the cheater’s devious ways. Researchers call this type of information transmission “pro-social gossip.” After the note-senders engaged in prosocial gossip, they said they felt better and their heart rates decreased. 9. Daydreaming In 2010, researchers published some attention-getting findings suggesting that mind-wandering can make you unhappy. But spending a few minutes deliberately letting yourself zone out can also make you more productive and creative. For example, one study, cited in The Harvard Business Review, found that allowing your mind to wander for about 12 minutes while you’re working on a difficult task can help you find a solution when you return to it. 10. Using filler words Um, so, it sounds totally unprofessional to, uh, use filler words in every sentence, right? But a recent Quartz article highlights research that suggests words such as “um” and “uh” help listeners understand and remember what you’re saying. What’s more, another study found that highly conscientious â€" hardworking â€" people are more likely to use filler words in conversation. This article originally appeared on Business Insider.

Lindsey Kepley - Work It Daily

Lindsey Kepley - Work It Daily Name: Lindsey Kepley Title: HR Recruiter Company: NES Rentals Tell us about your specialties, experience, or the industry you recruit for: I recruit in the construction industry, specifically for outside and inside salespeople, CDL Drivers, mechanics, and coordinators. I have a strong recruiting background in many skill sets, including military pilots, software designers, and project managers. I make it a point to learn as much as I can about the job and industry I am recruiting in, so that when I talk with interested candidates, I understand everything they’re saying about their experience and how they qualify for the position. What makes you a unique recruiter? (i.e., why will a candidate want to work with you?) I am not a typical recruiter. Many recruiters just want you to answer the phone so that they can tell you why you need to come work for their company. I specialize in listening to what is important to you, understanding where you want to go with your career, and why you’re wanting to change jobs. Also, I spend a lot of my time making sure you really understand our jobs and our culture. If you email me with a question, I will likely call you back so that I can answer that question, as well as any others you might have. Why do you like recruiting? I love interacting with new people everyday. I also enjoy being a key in helping my branch managers find candidates who they are excited about interviewing and eventually hiring. I consider myself a matchmaker… helping interested job seekers and hiring managers meet. What do you enjoy doing outside of recruiting? (i.e., hobbies, passions, projects, etc.) I love being outside. If I could take my desk and put it outside in the sun, I absolutely would. I also love to travel to new places in the United States and try out new restaurants and parks. Lastly, I love to learn new things of many different genres. I like learning how to fix things on my car, network with people just to learn about their jobs and their companies, and taking new classes in my field. Contact Information: NES Rentals Career Page NES Rentals LinkedIn Twitter: @rentalequipjobs Facebook: NES Rentals Jobs Contact Lindsey Kepley: Lkepley@nesrentals.com Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

RECESS and NowThis Present Office Hours and Their Interview with WayUps Strategy Lead

RECESS and NowThis Present Office Hours and Their Interview with WayUps Strategy Lead RECESS and NowThis Present Office Hours and Their Interview with WayUps Strategy LeadThis weeks RECESS content features Andrew Maguire, WayUps Strategy Lead, at Virginia Tech University.parte 1Getting your foot in the door in an industry where you dont have prior experience or knowledge can be challenging. In that situation, Maguire said the most important thing was to surround yourself with people who know more than you do. Watch the video to get a glimpse of how he began in the startup world.Part 2Getting a startup company off the ground and running can be costly. One thing Maguire suggests you dont do ask your relatives to be investors.Part 3In the early days of business, Maguire used a car as a conference room to speak to investors via telephone. Watch the video to see how his company began to evolve into what it is today.Part 4Networking and building trust with not only investors but anyone who could potentially be interested in your business is important when developing a startup. Maguire gives tips on how you can become an entrepreneur, too.

What the In-Crowd Wont Tell You About Charge for Resume Writing

What the In-Crowd Wont Tell You About dienstgrad for Resume Writing Want to Know More About Charge for Resume Writing? When it has to do with searching for an Executive Resume Writer, there are lots of things to consider so as to opt for the best service. Theres also a convenient contact form, which lets you send a fast message alongside your order details. You have to offer relevant, concise info. Read all you can on the field of resume-writing. So How About Charge for Resume Writing? Resume writing is more engaging and client-facing since you have to work one-on-one with the customer. Your CV will most likely be put to use as a springboard for questions at interview, which means you will need to be certain you truly feel satisfied with the way its written and with the selection of words. Resume writing is a rather personalized experience, particularly for executives. Always guarantee there arent any spellings or typing errors in your resume together with cover letter. Or, in the event that you left a job to look after a loved one or to relocate, a very brief explanation will suffice. Always ask to find a resume sample if you cant locate them on the site. Editing the resume will usually incorporate the fundamental editing techniques in addition to the polishing or changing some wording if needed. Resume writing fees vary greatly and it can be inviting to look for the most affordable option. Writing resumes for individuals extends to you the option to help them land work, as well as earning money from your writing skills. It is possible to choose such writers to compose your resume in rather economical budget. Beginning writers will, naturally, begin at the base of the range, while the rest of you are able to work your way up.