7 Things You Should Never Wear in the Workplace

7 Things You Should Never Wear in the Workplace7 Things You Should Never Wear in the WorkplaceAppearance matters. Its not everything, and it certainly isnt as important as our performance at work, but people do judge us based on how we look. Dont become known as the guy who looks like he rolled out of the hamper or the woman whose skirts are too short. Get noticed at work for your performance rather than your appearance. 01Dont Wear Dirty or Wrinkled Clothes to WorkJGI/Jamie Grill / Getty ImagesGo light on the perfume or aftershave. You dont want people to be able to smell you before they can see you.Additionally, many people are very sensitive to fragrance. If you work with someone who has a severe reaction to it, you may want to refrain from wearing aftershave or perfume altogether.

6 Ways to Help an Unemployed Friend - FlexJobs

6 Ways to Help an Unemployed Friend - FlexJobs6 Ways to Help an Unemployed Friend -How to Help an Unemployed Friend1) Be there. Your friend is going through a tough time, and the last thing they want is for you to shy away because youre bedrngnis sure what to say or do for them. Just be present meet them for lunch, call just to say hello, and stay a welcoming source for positive energy. They dont necessarily want your help with their job search, but they do want you to still be there friend.2) Help them with technology. If your friend was employed for a while, they might not have created a profile on LinkedIn, or cleaned up their digital image to prepare for a job search. Help them make their online presence as professional as possible. Show them how to search for jobs online and walk them through a few digital applications. And if youre not particularly tech-savvy, now is a GREAT time for you to learn these tricks yourself The best way to learn something is to teach yourself and t hen teach someone else.3) Be resourceful. If your unemployed friend needs help setting up a home office as a base for job searching, help them out with spare furniture, or check out re-use and second-hand stores for desks, chairs, and computer equipment like printers. Or, check out the resources at the local library or One-Stop Job Centers in your city or county. Your friend has a lot on their mind right now, and the more resources and info you can find for them, the better.4) Make connections. Having a job yourself, you are in a position to help your friend out in a big way throughout networking. Consider your friends hintergrund and experience, and then think of the people you know who might be able to help. Try to set up informational meetings with those people. Networking is NOT asking for a job, but gathering information and forming relationships. As a friend said recently, Ask for a job, get advice. Ask for advice, get a job. Coach your friend on how to talk to your contacts in a way that asks for their advice, rather than asking for a job. For more information on networking, check this out.5) Offer them a gift certificate. For unemployed or underemployed friends, a membership to can give them access to over 7,000 screened and verified job leads in over 50 professional categories, so there is something for everyone. With part-time jobs and flexible schedule jobs, your friend can get back on their feet one foot at at time. And with telecommuting jobs, theyll have access to companies and opportunities thousands of miles away which increases their reach and chances for re-employment. Freelance jobs are a great way for people to continue generating income while looking for something more permanent. And the gift certificates are available at three levels (1 month for $14.95, 3 months for $29.95, and 1 year for $59.95). For more info on Gift Certificates, click here.6) Just do it. Have you ever had to ask for help? Its incredibly hard, and most people simply wont do it. That includes your unemployed friend, who probably feels like asking for help is the last thing they want to do, even though they want and need it. So instead of asking your friend what theyd like you to do, just do it. Take a chance and do all of the things on this list, or at least get them started for the person.Readers, what are your ideas to help an unemployed friend? Leave a comment

When an Employer Can Fire You By Phone or Emaill

When an Employer Can Fire You By Phone or EmaillWhen an Employer Can Fire You By Phone or EmaillGetting fired is difficult, even if you know that your job is in jeopardy, and even if your boss delivers the bad news as tactfully as possible. Getting fired over the phone or by some other impersonal means only makes a firing more painful. Your soon-to-be-former employer doesnt have to be nice when they fire you. In fruchtwein cases, they can let you go without elendice or warning and tell you in any manner they choose. Can you get fired by phone call or email? Unless you are covered by anemployment contractor state law that stipulates how you can be terminated, there are no restrictions on how an employer can fire you. Employerscan fire employees over the phone, by paper letter or email, in person - or even by sending a text message. Employer Termination Policies While an employer can fire you over the phone, or via text or email, this is not a typical companys policy. Most em ployers know that these methods of firing would hurt staff morale. Word of harsh firings can reverberate through an organization and impact productivity and retention of key employees. Most employers create standard policies for firing and discharging staff. Typically, this includes a meeting with a Human Resources representative in which you go over the terms of your termination and leave detailed documentation of your separation, such as a signed document. The company may have provided a warning in advance and have given the employee the opportunity to improve performance. This is not a requirement unless stipulated by company policy or employment agreement. It isnt good policy to discharge employees through email or text for a multitude of reasons. None of those reasons includea legal prohibition against firing in such an impersonal way. In most cases, if your employer wants to send a youre fired text, they can. Unless your employment is covered by a personal or unionemployment c ontractthat stipulates the method of communication that is required for a termination, your organization can convey that message in any way they choose. Typical Termination Process Almost all organizations do have a set process for discharging staff, which normally includes a meeting with a Human Resources or management representative who will go over benefits and any other conditions for your separation. Organizations also want solid documentation that you have received theirnotice of termination, such as a signed document or registered mail receipt. What To Do If Youre Fired Regardless of how you are informed of a firing, make sure your employer provides all the benefits that are outlined in your employee manual or contract, like severance pay for unused vacation or sick pay. Avoid retaliating in a harsh way if your employer uses an inappropriate method to inform you of a termination. Although it might feel good at the moment to vent your feelings, any ill will that is cre ated can backfire should future employers seek input about your background from your prior organization. Wrongful Termination While a firing over the phone or via text is not typically illegal, there are instances ofwrongful termination. Wrongful termination happens when an employee is discharged from employment for illegal reasons or if company policy is violated when the employee is fired. If you believe your termination was wrongful or you have not been treated according to the law or company policy, you can get help. TheUS Department of Labor, for example, has information on each law that regulates employment and advice on where and how to file a claim. How to Handle Getting Fired Whether or not you were wrongfully terminated, it is important not to beat yourself up. Firings can happen to anyone. Rather than dwell on it, focus on what you should do next.

50% of Americans not taking a summer vacation cant afford it

50% of Americans not taking a summer vacation cant afford it50% of Americans not taking a summer vacation cant afford itWhile workers in certain cities tend to check in with work the fruchtwein while on vacation, some dont even make it to this point.Anew Bankrate survey showed that while 49% of Americans say they arent planning a summer vacation this year - half of themsaying its because they just cant afford it.Why people arent taking leisure time away from work this summerHere are the results among those say they arent planning a vacation. People werent limited to one choice, and only the most common reasons are listed below (although there were others).Cant afford it 50%Family duty 25%Cant take time off work 22%Other vacation plans 6%Health/age 4%Dont want to 4%Retired 1%How much cash Americans plan to drop on vacation this yearSurprisingly, the highest percentage of Americans who say theyll be going on vacation this year say they plan to spend between $1 and $500, at 27%(percent ages were rounded, so the total is not 100%).$1-500 27%$501-1,000 25%$1,001-2,000 21%$2,001+ 24%Most Americans want to use all of their time offBankrate found that within the pool of Americans with paid time off, the largest percentage of them said they were aiming to use all the time off they have this year, at 36% (percentages were rounded, so the total is not 100%).All 36%Almost all 19%About half 18%About a quarter 13%None (meaning, taking no time off even if its paid time off) 13%GfK Custom Research North America did the survey for Bankrate, and the sample consists of 1,000 completed interviews.

The Nuiances of College Grad Resume

The Nuiances of College Grad Resume Thus it is rather obvious that while hiring someone, lots of resumes must be considered by the recruiters, which makes it quite a hectic job in their opinion. Or you might be unexpectedly laid off, and must start work search. Now you must score the job. Submit the same resume for each and every job. When you are looking for jobs, yur titelseite letter is just one of the tools which may catch a hiring managers interest. Cover letters are an essential part of a work application. Your titelseite letter plays a vital part in the way you communicate your information to prospective employers. Also, a great cover letter should produce a relation to the hiring manager and make them want to fulfill an applicant for a job interview to be able to discover more. In the same way, contacting employers offers you an excellent opportunity to become noticed, so you only have to grin and bear the possible embarrassment of putting yourself forward uninvited. It is crucial to realize that there are too many job seekers in comparison to the variety of recruiters. If youre applying for entry-level accounting jobs in 3 unique businesses, you shouldnt send them the exact cover letter. Professionally, our resumes are often the very first impression a prospective employer gets of us. The Fight Against College Grad Resume The Resume Background Document thats linked, below, can be utilized as a guide to begin gathering information. Ensure you go for one thats editable in doc format or other popular formats so you can print a copy easily or make sure that if you mail it to recruiters, it wont go in the trash. You may also see Resume Templates. To begin with, templates ought to be comprehensive. You might also have a look at the links inside our handbook (see above). Some of the info needed may be harder to obtain. Listed below are some guidelines to follow. The Advantages of College Grad Resume A cover letter is critical if you want to have that interview. Your cover letter will allow you to secure an interview. In order to reach an interview, you have to have a well-written cover letter. Any formal letter like a cover letter should incorporate a date of writing. When replacing text, its better to highlight and delete modest portions at a moment, even just single lines, in order to keep the original formatting. For more emphasis, a background color may be used. Now you may add your personal information as recommended by the plan and formatting. A template is simply for structure and fashion. College Grad Resume Secrets The crucial point to bear in mind when writing your CV is that its a sales document. You specify which youre looking for someone with strong writing abilities. From your very own neighborhood community to further sprung areas, there are a great deal of projects waiting for you to receive busy with. There are assorted types of resumes and a lot can be said about each among them. Enable the reader know youre the ideal person for their job. The direction you present your covering letter will create a huge difference as to whether its read or not. In only a moment, you will have a top-notch entry-level cover letter. In reality, its necessary for you to create a different cover letter for several companies in accordance with their requirements and expectations. Put the Education section of your resume at the very top of your resume so that its the very first thing the employer sees. The personal statement isnt solely for telling the employer what a terrific person youre, it is all about telling the employer what you aspire to achieve later on, you will fit in their structure and youve got transferable skills which will be helpful for them. There are just a few seconds to capture the employers interest. Read the job ad carefully to get a sense of what he or she is looking for in candidates.

4 Career-Changing Benefits of a Personalized Domain

4 Career-Changing Benefits of a Personalized Domain Looking for a job? Good news 2016 is the first time since the 2008 financial crisis that unemployment has dipped and remained below 5 percent. But with countless applicants flooding desirable openings, how can you grab top recruiters attention?Plastering your anthroponym on a billboard across the street from your dream employer wouldnt be cost-effective (though you would certainly stand out), and calling everyone in the company is more likely to get you blacklisted than hired. You could engage in some more extreme job seeking by trying thewildly unique solutions others have come up with, from turning your resume into a wanted posterto creating an official Amazon page for yourself.But not everyone has the skills to dazzle with design. As CMO for the registry operator of a new domain extension (.CLUB), I can suggest a simpler way to get noticed a personal domain name.How a Personal Domain Unlocks Doo rsThese days, HR professionals are going to stalk I mean, Google you before making a hiring decision. This is a big reason why71 percent of surveyed job seekers say having a website is important to building a personal brand, and a smart domain name will make that website even more effective. Whats on the first page of search results for your name? What does an employer think when seeing your email address?A unique and customized domain name for your personal website offers a great way to stand out from competitors submitting traditional paper resumes. Its an adjunct method of presenting yourself as a creative, cutting-edge innovator in the digital age.Done right, a personal domain boosts your digital presence in four ways, helping you1. Exude ProfessionalismYour personal domain is a banner proclaiming your professionalism. Do you think best-selling author Seth Godins blog would have become so popular if it were located at catlover323.com?If youre lucky, your own name may still be available as a .com domain. If it has been taken, consider using an alternative extension to add flair and meaning to your name in a web address. You can create a unique extension with your name, as WordPress cofounder trb Mullenweg did for his personal website, ma.tt.Even if you dont build a flashy website, a personalized email address like firstnamelastname.com makes a great first impression. Your first communication with potential employers will likely be via email, so an address like lovestoparty451gmail.com is a one-way ticket to the trash folder. Luckily, new extensions such as .accountant, .photography, or .design can say a lot about who you are and what you do, and they can personalize your email address and domain name even further.2. Control the NarrativeDoes your digital presence say competent professional, or is it a bunch of selfies from your college days? While embarrassing photos remain on the web forever, a website with a personal domain can ensure they arent first -page Google results.A personal domain influences how people find you on the internet. Using common search engine optimization strategies, you can rocket your professional website to the top of the search results. Consequently, when you control your domain, you minimize the risk of searchers stumbling across content that casts you in a less-than-stellar light.3. Consolidate Your ExperiencesIn todays gig economy, many people work on a contract basis, so a new project equals a new email address. The resulting inbox graveyard buries opportunities and annoys business contacts who have been emailing old addresses.As far back as 2002, folks were registering for personal domains to use when signing up for social sites. Today, you have more choices than ever to find the right domain for yourself. Even if youre not a temporary worker, you probably wont work for one company your entire life. Think of a personal domain as a long-term career investment.4. Direct besucherzahlen From You Back to YourselfAlthough author Joshua Fields Millburn has built a strong presence on The Minimalists, he uses his personal domain to direct visitors to places he can be found online. And while musician Matisyahu is active on Dreampatron, he also promotes www.Matisyahu.club. Its an easy-to-remember URL that drives traffic to his profile on the music patronage site.Once youve crafted a website at your domain, be sure to connect it to your Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter profiles. If you have a personal blog, link to that, too. Consider your personal domain the online hub of your personal brand.For job seekers in the internet age, theres no better long-term branding tool than a personal domain. Its your permanent address on the internet, and now there are more opportunities than ever before to find a personal domain that says something about you, allowing you to truly stand out.Jeff Sass is the CMO of .CLUB Domains, LLC, operator of the new top-level domain .CLUB.

Experienced Customer Service Representative Resume Template 2018s Top Format

Experienced Customer Service Representative Resume Template 2018s Top FormatExperienced Customer Service Representative Resume Template - 2018s Top FormatCustomer tafelgeschirr jobs require individuals with excellent communication skills, and your resume is one way to show off your experience and ability to create well-written documents. A resume also shows you have some experience working with computers and word processing applications.A wide variety of industries call for customer service representatives. Include industry-specific prior positions youve held, and be sure to include any on-the-job training and classes that pertain to the position youre applying for. Your job summary should detail any phone systems youve worked with and what computer software programs youre proficient in or have any formal training in.Check out the link below for an experienced customer service representative resume template to assist you in creating a document that works. Create ResumeJanet Gray100 Main Street, Cityplace, CA, 91019Home (555) 322-7337 example-emailexample.comCareer OverviewHighly enthusiastic customer service professional with over three years client interface experience.Core StrengthsEnergetic work attitudeCourteous demeanorStrong organizational skillsActive listening skillsAdaptive team playerSeasoned in conflict resolutionCustomer service expertTelephone inquiries specialistAccomplishmentsCustomer ServiceResearched, calmed and rapidly resolved client conflicts to prevent loss of key accounts.Customer InterfaceGreeted customers upon entrance and handled all cash and credit transactions.Assisted customers over the phone regarding store operations, product, promotions and orders.Work ExperienceFront Office AssistantMarch 2007 to July 2011 Notary Document ServicesFt Lauderdale, FLCreated new processes and systems for increasing customer service satisfaction.Worked as a team member performing other duties, product assistance and cleaning.Promptly responded to ge neral inquiries from members, staff, and clients via mail, e-mail and fax.Medical ReceptionistNovember 2005 to March 2007 Goldson Spine RehabPlantation, FLReplenishing shelves in patient rooms with items from the stockroom.Executed outbound calls to existing patients base resulting in 80 % increase in patient satisfaction.Accurately logged all daily shipping and receiving orders.Responsible for ringing up patients in a timely manner and guaranteeing high level of customer service.Guaranteed positive patient experiences and resolved all patient complaints.CashierApril 2004 to January 2005 PublixDania Beach, FLProcessed merchandise returns and exchanges.Organized the store by returning all merchandise to its proper place.Recommended, selected and helped locate merchandise based on customer needs and desires.Responsible for ringing up customers in a timely manner and guaranteeing high level of customer service.Educational BackgroundCertificate Administrative Assistant, 2016 Middle Geor gia TechWarner Robins, GA, United StatesCoursework in Business Administration and Organizational DevelopmentGED General Study, 2006 Lauderhill GED CenterLauderhill, FL, United StatesDiploma Medical Assisting, 2006 Concorde Career CollegeLauderdale Lakes, FL, United States Customize ResumeMore Customer Service Resume TemplatesEntry Level Customer Service Representative Resume Templates

How to increase emotional intelligence 5 powerful secrets

How to increase emotional intelligence 5 powerful secretsHow to increase emotional intelligence 5 powerful secretsEmotional Intelligence. Another it theory of the moment. The medias panacea of the week. Another great thing we all need - that nobody seems to be able to clearly define.I swear Im going to do a book of psychology buzzword mad libs (My mindful grit is emotionally intelligent due to the oxytocin in my mirror neurons). But I digress Heres the thing emotional intelligence is real - but that vague 2-sentence summary you read in an inflight magazine isnt accutarif and wont give you what you need to improve this curious little skill set.So what is it really? (Im so glad you asked.) Its a concept that John Mayer of theUniversity of New Hampshire and Yale professorPeter Salovey came up with in the early 90s that was subsequently studied and popularized by Daniel Goleman. Heres Mayers definition.FromHarvard Business ReviewGuide to Emotional IntelligenceFrom a scientific standpoi nt, emotional intelligence is the ability to accurately perceive your own and others emotions to understand the signals that emotions send about relationships and to manage your own and others emotions.Now fruchtwein of the work on emotional intelligence has been done around its effects in the workplace but itll quickly become obvious how it can improve most any area of your life. And, for the record, yeah, EI does work.FromHBRs 10 Must Reads on Emotional IntelligenceIn a 1996 study of a global food and beverage company, McClelland found that when senior managers had a critical mass of emotional intelligence capabilities, their divisions outperformed yearly earnings goals by 20%. Meanwhile, division leaders without that critical mass underperformed by almost the same amount. McClellands findings, interestingly, held as true in the companys U.S. divisions as in its divisions in Asia and Europe.And whats most interesting about EI is that as you move up the corporate ladder its importa nce increases dramatically.FromHBRs 10 Must Reads on Emotional IntelligenceWhen I compared star performers with average ones in senior leadership positions, nearly 90% of the difference in their profiles was attributable to emotional intelligence factors rather than cognitive abilities.Research has shown EI has 5 component partes. Lets learn how to develop each one so that we can leverage its tremendous power toachieve global dominationimprove our lives at home and at work 1) Self-awarenessThis one is first and thats not random. Self-awareness is the most essential of emotional intelligence skills. Why?Becausewithout this guy youve got no way to evaluate what skills you have, what you lack and what you need to work on. Youre flying blind.So whats the formal definition?FromHBRs 10 Must Reads on Emotional IntelligenceSelf-awareness means having a deep understanding of ones emotions, strengths, weaknesses, needs, and drives. People with strong self-awareness are neither overly critical nor unrealistically hopeful. Rather, they are honest with themselves and with others. People who have a high degree of self-awareness recognize how their feelings affect them, other people, and their job performance.Want to know the best shortcut for identifying if someone is high in self-awareness or not?FromHBRs 10 Must Reads on Emotional IntelligenceOne of the hallmarks of self-awareness is a self-deprecating sense of humor.To make fun of yourself - and get a laugh - you have to know yourself and how you are perceived.So how do you increase self-awareness?Get feedback. You dont always see yourself accurately. And this friend or that friend doesnt always see you accurately. But if you survey five or ten pals, youre going see someveryaccurate trends.FromInsight other people generally see us more objectively than we see ourselves. Psychologist Timothy Smith and his colleagues powerfully demonstrated this in a study with 300 married couples in which both partners were being tested for heart disease. They asked each participant to rate both their own and their partners levels of anger, hostility, and argumentativeness- all strong predictors of the illness- and found that peoples self-ratings were infinitely less accurate than those of their spouses. Another study asked more than 150 Navy officers and their subordinates to rate the officers leadership style, and found that only the subordinates could accurately assess their bosses performance and promotability.(To learn more about the science of a successful life, check out my bestselling bookhere.)So you see yourself more accurately. Thats great, but we all know someone who is aware theyre a jerk - and yet keeps acting like a jerk. So what do we need to complement our new self-knowledge?2) Self-regulationI love when people say, Imvery emotional. I must have very high emotional intelligence. Sorry, being very emotional doesnt make you high in EI it just makes you a drama queen.However, being able toregulateyo ur emotions is a big part of EI. People who are wise and warm dont impulsively respond to things or act without thinking.FromHBRs 10 Must Reads on Emotional IntelligenceBiological impulses drive our emotions. We cannot do away with them - but we can do much to manage them. Self-regulation, which is like an ongoing inner conversation, is the component of emotional intelligence that frees us from being prisoners of our feelings. People engaged in such a conversation feel bad moods and emotional impulses just as everyone else does, but they find ways to control them and even to channel them in useful ways.People who can self-regulate make better decisions, are more resilient, and act with more integrity. (They also tend not to eat an entire box of donuts in one sitting while obsessively checking Instagram, but this finding has yet to be supported by the literature.)Mindfulnessis an excellent, science-backed way to self-regulate. And while a full explanation of it is wayyyy beyond the scope of this post (you can get more infohere) a little mini-meditation can be a big help.Next time you feel your emotions surging, turn your attention to your breath. Focus on it going in and out. When your mind wanders, return your attention to your breath. Give it 10-20 seconds at first.Neuroscience says even a little bit cancalm those feelings and get your head on straight.FromAltered Traits Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and BodyAs these stressful thoughts were presented, the patients used either of two different attentional stances mindful awareness of their breath or distraction by doing mental arithmetic. Only mindfulness of their breath both lowered activity in the amygdala- mainly via a faster recovery- and strengthened it in the brains attentional networks, while the patients reported less stress reactivity.(To learn the 3 secrets neuroscience says will make you more emotionally intelligent, clickhere.)So you know yourself and you can control y ourself. But what EI component allows us to actually accomplish something with all that rolleal power?3) MotivationYup, motivation is a part of EI. But we need to put a spin on the definition. Chasing money or promotions isnt a sign of emotional intelligence. EI means having anintrinsicdesire to achieve and accomplish things.FromHBRs 10 Must Reads on Emotional IntelligencePlenty of people are motivated by external factors, such as a big salary or the status that comes from having an impressive title or being part of a prestigious company. By contrast, those with leadership potential are motivated by a deeply embedded desire to achieve for the sake of achievement.So how do we boost motivation? Track your accomplishments.Teresa Amabiles research at Harvard found that the single mostmotivating thing is progress in meaningful work. So when you move the needle forward, take note.ViaThe Progress Principle Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at WorkThis pattern is wh at we call the progress principle of all the positive events that influence inner work life, the single most powerful is progress in meaningful work of all the negative events, the single most powerful is the opposite of progress- setbacks in the work.Keep a list of everything youve accomplished today where you can see it.When I spoke tobestsellingauthorJosh Kaufman, he said a did-it list is one of his primary productivity tools.(To learn how to be more motivated - from motivation master Dan Pink - clickhere.)So the first three parts of emotional intelligence are about self-management. The next two are about how to deal with others. So where do we start?4) EmpathyYoure familiar with the word - but this one is actually a bit tricky.FromHBRs 10 Must Reads on Emotional IntelligenceThe ability to understand the emotional makeup of other people. Skill in treating people according to their emotional reactions.So why is it tricky? Because its a balance. Too little - or toomuch- can ca use problems.FromHarvard Business ReviewGuide to Emotional IntelligenceThose whose sympathetic feelings become too strong may themselves suffer. In the helping professions, this can lead to compassion fatigue in executives, it can create distracting feelings of anxiety about people and circumstances that are beyond anyones control. But those who protect themselves by deadening their feelings may lose nichts von with empathy.Dont worry theres a solution. The research says there are actually three distinct types of empathyEmotional empathy You feel awful? Then I feel awful tooCognitive empathy I understand that you are feeling awful. That must suck.Compassion You feel awful? I feel for you. How can I help?All three have their place. You want friends and family to have emotional empathy. You want someone to really feel what you feel when youre down or to be thrilled with you when youre up.However you dont want your surgeon crying so hard about your tumor that they cant perform the oper ation. You want them to have cognitive empathy.And we can all do better with more compassion. With compassion we feelfor, notwith. And this drives us to want to help, while not emotionally impairing us from helping. Compassion is what we want to focus on for EI.So how do you increase it? By using Loving-Kindness Meditation. Yes, with a name like that youd expect it to be taught to you by woodland fairies. Relax.ResearchbyEmma Seppalaat Stanford shows it works.The best instructions Ive found (that have no scientific jargon or mentions of elves)come from10% Happier, the excellent book byDan Harris1. This practice involves picturing a series of people and sending them good vibes. Start with yourself. Generate as clear a mental image as possible.2. Repeat the following phrases May you be happy, May you be healthy, May you be safe, May you live with ease. Do this slowly. Let the sentiment land. You are not forcing your well-wishes on anyone youre just offering them up, just as you would a cool drink. Also, success is not measured by whether you generate any specific emotion. As Sharon says, you dont need to feel a surge of sentimental love accompanied by chirping birds. The point is to try. Every time you do, you are exercising your compassionmuscle. (By the way, if you dont like the phrases above, you can make up your own.)3. After youve sent the phrases to yourself, move on to a benefactor (a teacher , mentor, relative), a close friend (can be a pet, too), a neutral person (someone you see often but dont really ever notice), a difficult person, and, finally, all beings.Dont get too worried about details.Its not a magic spell and this aint Hogwarts. You can customize it. The important thing is wishing others well and expanding that feeling from those you feel strongly about to a wider and wider circle of people.(To learn the seven-step morning ritual that will make you happy all day, clickhere.)Four out of five. Not bad at all. And number five actually assembles t hose prior four together to turn you into aVoltron ofemotional intelligence5) Social skillSocial skills means the ability to build rapport and manage relationships - with a goal in mind.That doesnt make it Machiavellian. Think of the concepts of leadership or parenting. Both are relationships, but both also have a purpose greaterthan merely enjoying the other persons company.FromHBRs 10 Must Reads on Emotional IntelligenceSocial skill, rather, is friendliness with a purpose moving people in the direction you desire, whether thats agreement on a new marketing strategy or enthusiasm about a new product. Socially skilled people tend to have a wide circle of acquaintances, and they have a knack for finding common ground with people of all kinds-a knack for building rapport.So how do you build EI social skills? Luckily, this one is easy. Seriously. Not that becoming socially adept is simple - its actually quite complex.But that said, if you have made big strides in the first four, this fifth component of EI tends to grow on its own without much effort.FromHBRs 10 Must Reads on Emotional IntelligenceSocial skill is the culmination of the other dimensions of emotional intelligence. People tend to be very effective at managing relationships when they can understand and control their own emotions and can empathize with the feelings of others. Even motivation contributes to social skill. Remember that people who are driven to achieve tend to be optimistic, even in the face of setbacks or failure. When people are upbeat, their glow is cast upon conversations and other social encounters. They are popular, and for good reason. Because it is the outcome of the other dimensions of emotional intelligence, social skill is recognizable on the job in many ways that will by now sound familiar. Socially skilled people, for instance, are adept at managing teams-thats their empathy at work. Likewise, they are expert persuaders-a manifestation of self-awareness, self-regulation, an d empathy combined.(And if there are specific elements of social skills you want to work on heres how tomake friends, toget people to like you, tonetwork, toread people, andhow to be someone people love to talk to.)So work on the first four components of EI and then spend more time with others, facing new challenges. Self-aware, self-regulated, motivated people with empathy mostly just need practice to build their social skills.(To learn 6 rituals from ancient wisdom that will make you happy, clickhere.)Alright, your EI burns so bright Im gonna need sunscreen. Lets round it all up and learn the final critical point that will help you be more emotionally intelligentSum upHeres how to increase emotional intelligenceSelf-awareness I should have posted this earlier in the week. When Im really busy with super-important stuff or, um,when I see a cute puppy video on YouTube, I know blogging gets delayed.Self-regulation You need to cool it with the puppy videos, Eric. Next time, we only wat ch the tiny Husky puppy howl like a little wolfonce, and then we do a mini-meditation and get back to work. Seriously.Motivation I have an Excel spreadsheet of puppy videos watched, mini-meditations done, and how often the blog posts have been completed on time. More posting, more meditating, fewer howling, insanely cute puppies.Empathy Im not going to beat myself up about this. The post still got done. Im happy with it. And that puppy video was really cute. Im showing some self-compassion here. Also, Im including the puppy in my Loving-Kindness Meditation today. May the little guy live with ease.Social skills Enough about me and my addiction how areyou?So whats the final thing you need to know about EI?Balance.We need to work on all of the skills and then we need to make sure they worktogether.Does this sound like I made a hard process evenharder? Dont worry.You dont need to score 100% in any component.In fact, you dont want to. Like I said, too much empathy can be a problem. It ca n lead to emotional fatigue. By the same token, John Mayer, one of the originators of EI, says too much self-awareness can even be a problem.FromHarvard Business ReviewGuide to Emotional IntelligenceIn fact, too much self-awareness can reduce self-esteem, which is often a crucial component of great leadership.So improve all the components and then focus on finding the balance between them that works for you. You dont need to be perfect at any one of them. The symphony is more about how the musicians play together than how great any one of them is.Knowing yourself, controlling yourself and motivating yourself. Feeling for others and having the skills to connect with them. This is what allows you to accomplish great things at work and to give your loved ones what they need.(Even if what they need is just an adorablepuppy video.)Join over 320,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related postsNew Neuroscience Reveals 4 Rituals That Will Make You HappyNew Harvard Research R eveals A Fun Way To Be More SuccessfulHow To Get People To Like You 7 Ways From An FBI Behavior ExpertThis column first appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

This Company Is Building the Future of Work - The Muse

This Company Is Building the Future of Work - The MuseThis Company Is Building the Future of Work Think about how much time you spend at work. For most of us, its the majority of our waking hours. Eye opening, huh?Thats why WeWorks mission is to help people make a life not a living. Watch how they are striving to build the future of work through technology.