Customize this Outstanding Trade Show Exhibit Designer Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Trade Show Exhibit Designer Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Trade Show Exhibit Designer Resume SampleCreate Resume Megan Smith100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell (555) 987-1234example-emailexample.comProfessional SummaryTrade Show Exhibit Designer with strong attention to detail and excellent design skills. Works with retail shop owners, commercial businesses and companies of different sizes create trade show displays that catch the eye and create more sales. Able to use client feedback to improve the look, feel and design of their exhibits.Core QualificationsSignage DesignAttractive Display CreatorLighting, Wall and Flooring DesignBudget MindedTime ManagementCustomer ServiceExperienceTrade Show Exhibit Designer, September 2013 February 2015New Cityland Design, Inc., New Cityland, CACreated a new website that highlighted past designs and led to repeat and increased businessDeveloped booths and displays for retail, hospitality, manufacturi ng and other types of businessesVisited trade shows to see which displays were most popular and incorporated elements into new designsProduced large and small signs that incorporated clients names and sales informationAttended events to ensure all displays met to the clients specificationsTrade Show Exhibit Designer, June 2012 August 2013Trade Show International, Inc., Los Angeles, CAVisited trade shows to reisepass out brochures and business cards to bring in new businessMet with clients after shows to get feedback about what did and didnt workCreated full color pamphlets to show potential clients some past displaysConsulted with other trade show designers about what designs were the hottest and most popularEducation2012 University of California, New Cityland, CABachelor of Art, Interior DesignCustomize Resume

4 Tips for Turning Your Resume Into a Job-Winning Interview

4 Tips for Turning Your Resume Into a Job-Winning Interview4 Tips for Turning Your Resume Into a Job-Winning Interview4 Tips for Turning Your Resume Into a Job-Winning InterviewA great resume lands bewerbungsgesprchs, a great interview lands the job. Heres how to go from A to Z seamlessly. TWEETThe biggest piece of advice from hiring managers and those who work in career services is often to perfect your resume. Its excellent advice and generally true. However, what happens when youre doing everything right and your resume is great yet youre still not working? The truth is that a resume doesnt get you a job a resume gets you an interview. Good resumes will get interviews. The number of interviews and the frequency obviously depends on your market, the field youre in, and how your skills stack up, but a good resume doesnt get ignored. If youve sent out 1000s and had zero interviews, you definitely need to work on the resume, but if youve sent out 1000s and had hundreds of interviews, something else is amiss.While the job market right now is tough and some industries are becoming nearly impossible to find work in, there are still elements you can control. Here are four tips for turning a great resume into a great interview (and ideally a great offer).Know your resume It should go without saying, but its so important that you know your resume. If youve had someone help you or had it professionally written, thats not bad. In fact, its a sign that youre invested in your future. However, as much as a professional writer can make you sound amazing on paper, you still need to know what your resume is selling. If you arrive on the day of the interview and youre asked about your experience with strategic planning, because it was a keyword that seemed to belong, be sure youre ready to deliver with proofKnow the company/job People are always told to research the company before the interview and its absolutely true. It goes beyond reading their web content, though. Why do you want to work there? How will you fit into the organization and how does this particular position fit what youre promising in your resume? Be prepared to bring them back to the resume and to reiterate your accomplishments, as well as to demonstrate how those will be true when youre hired to work for them. They invited you in because your resume attracted them, so make sure that you remind them whytitel the gaps With that in mind, no resume says everything. You left off skills and achievements that may still be relevant. They likely saw something quickly in your resume, but they didnt memorize it. While youre reiterating what they liked about you as a candidate, dont forget to give them even more. The interview should not be a list of the same information they already know. When asked for examples of results, dont rely too heavily on the ones you included. Make sure to make yourself fully three-dimensional. Use the interview format to your advantage.The old rules apply Of course, all the stand-by interview tips still apply. Dress well, be on time, have questions for them, and follow up with a thank you noteIf 500 people applied for the position, and 200 resumes made it to the hiring manager, there are still likely 20 or 30 in the running during interviews. You want to stand out, but you want to do so in a way that enhances your resume, while adding new information that engages and intrigues the people you meet.While theres no magic spell to guarantee a job offer, bridging the gap between you on paper and you in person can bring you closer to your goal.Hire a TopResume writer to help you land more interviews, faster.Related Articles

Headbands and hair ribbons are all the rage this spring

Headbands and hair ribbons are all the rage this springHeadbands and hair ribbons are all the rage this springHeadbands and hair bows once reserved for the likes of Miss Muffet and school girls are now theepitome of chic and the must-have hair accessory (and that includes in the office.)Hair bowssaw a resurgence this past year thanks to celebrity endorsements (Emma Stone, Mandy Moore and Sienna Miller) but mostly to the most influential of them all, Kate Middleton. The Duchess of Cambridge has sported a ribbon (and she has always been a fan of the headband) on more than one occasion which means you know it is more than a trend, it is a life choice.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAs for headbands, they were all over the runways of Fendi, Gucci,Miu Miu, andSimone Rocha. In her spring/summer 2019 fashion show Miuccia Prada had her 50 models each wear a headband as they walked the r unway. She wasnt messing around. Black Panther starDanai Gurira also wore a gorgeous gold one to the Oscars this year.Why is there such a throwback to these accessories we were all about in ur pre-teen and teen days? Though they are rather ladylike the headband in particular possesses a queen-like power just as the high collar,which is also all the rage this season, does. The Prada headband that was seen on the runways goes for $240.You can opt for a bold solid colored one or take the ornate route and go for beads. For a more subtle look, a classic thin black or tortoise-shell one also works.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

Get the Most Out of your Next Leadership Development Program

Get the Most Out of your Next Leadership Development ProgramGet the Most Out of your Next Leadership Development ProgramGet the Most Out of your Next Leadership Development Program ConlanThe leadership industry is enormous, says Jeffrey Pfeffer, who is the Thomas D. Dee II professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Universitys Graduate School of Business.You may have noticed this yourself, given the volume of leadership books on bookstore shelves.In fact, McKinsey Co. estimates that U.S. companies alone spend mora than $14 billion a year on leadership development Pfeffer himself estimates the amount is much higher.But if so much money is being spent on developing leaders, why isnt it working? After all, says Pfeffer, Job satisfaction is low and 35 percent of employees say they would forego a raise if they could fire their direct supervisors, citing a 2012 Parade/Yahoo survey.Pfeffer digs into the mistakes that employers often make when training effective leaders in his new boo k, Leadership BS Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time. Most companies, if you ask them, will tell you theyre not creating sufficient leaders, he says. Theres all this tremendous effort with no evidence that its working.There are several steps employers can take to ensure theyre getting the most out of their leadership development programs. Do your research and demand results to ensure you grow strong leaders at your organization. Heres how.Mistakes to AvoidPfeffer says employers are making several errors when it comes to training leaders. No matter the size or industry of the organization, these mistakes will derail any useful leadership development your company wants to do.They have no vision for what new leaders will do. Its difficult to train leaders when you dont know what youre preparing them for, Pfeffer says. Employers should develop a leadership development strategy that identifies new leaders roles when they take the reins of a team, department or company.They hire amateurs. Leadership development curriculum is a tricky thing to nail down, and with a lack of credentials to ensure a presenter is capable of getting results, Pfeffer says. Anybody can be a leadership coach or expert, without proving you have the experience or expertise.They dont vet the curriculum. Leadership development is often offered to employees simply as a presenter who gives a lecture on leadership, Pfeffer says. After offering a course or seminar or having employees read a book, company leaders simply send out the ratings sheet and ask for feedback. When material isnt evaluated properly, Pfeffer says, its hard to get results that are useful.How to Get it RightLeadership development doesnt just happen employers must make the effort to put together a plan and identify the specific results they hope to get from training people for leadership positions.Set a baseline. The first thing organizations ought to do is figure out why theyre doing leadership development and measu re the output by those criteria, Pfeffer says. Dig into the metrics you want to change at your organization employee engagement, turnover rates, people succeeding in their jobs, and so on.Take the time and effort to implement a data/research-based leadership program that ties in with your business strategy. This baseline will help you measure the effectiveness of your training and new leaders down the road.Research the program. While its difficult to nail down standards for leadership development training, Pfeffer recommends asking about the relevant credentials presenters have when it comes to the science of what they offer. Many have, many have not, he says. Ask for hard data that supports their results.Dont get lazy. Leadership development isnt hard if employers are serious about it, Pfeffer says. Too often, companies rely on an approach that consists of a speaker, a dinner, and then well all go home and well be done. Instead, companies need to commit to change and providing the support that developing leaders need.Pfeffer recommends companies stop chasing innovation when it comes to leadership development. Relying on inspiring talks to spark growth among emerging leaders isnt going to get results, he says. Science-based and professionally relevant courses are what employers need when it comes to leadership development.

Submit a 1-Page Job Proposal with CEO Joanna Riley Weidenmiller

Submit a 1-Page Job Proposal with CEO Joanna Riley Weidenmiller Submit a 1-Page Job Proposal with CEO Joanna Riley Weidenmiller Submit a 1-Page Job Proposal with CEO Joanna Riley Weidenmiller The resume is dead - and the The One-Page Company is making strides not only to resurrect it, but to take the sending-out-resumes process one step further.The San Francisco-based startup offers job seekers and employers the opportunity to exchange the traditional, dying resume pitch for an effective one-page job proposal. Ladies and gentleman, allow me to introduce the future of job search and job sourcing, the 1-Page Job Proposal Wizard.The tool helps users write a one-page job proposal as a direct proposition for how job candidates can help solve a companys business challenge. Users combine their skills, values, ideas and goals into a proposal complete with points addressing the followingTarget of the proposal (desired job/role)Financials (estimated costs of work or required compensation)St atus (projected timeline for work) andActions (next steps proposal writer hopes/plans to take in pursuit of job/role).The feature also helps users find out which industry, company, person and idea are best for their skills and interests, directs the research process- laying the groundwork for proposals- and demonstrates how to deliver proposals to the key decision makers. Subscribers can also receive The One Page Proposal e-book.According to The One Page Company, people have created thousands of proposals with the wizard on 1-Page.com, and more than 80 percent of those job seekers have secured jobs. Due to the success of the book and the 1-Page Job Proposal wizard, the company recently launched a B2B platform called 1-Page Job Proposal Platform.As invite-only for enterprise customers, the new platform enables organizations to systematically solicit, distribute and review one page proposals in response to their specific business challenges, one thing The One Page says will save comp anies time as employers evaluate a candidate while gaining a more accurate perspective on their potential success within the organization.Joanna Riley WeidenmillerRecruiter.com spoke with Joanna Riley Weidenmiller, co-founder and CEO of The One-Page Company, about her companys efforts to take the traditional job hunt and talent sourcing processes to the next level. Check out what she had to say about this new evolution and the companys goal of becoming to proposals what Google is to search, beginning with jobsWhy did you decided to create this type of startup? What was your inspiration?The One-Page Company is based on the fundamentals of ideas and passion, and we understand that innovation comes from ideas and ideas come from people. Environments that allow people to stimulate their minds help both companies and people grow as a society. Our product serves as a platform that allows a job seeker to leverage their skills, natural-born talents, and most importantly have their ideas hea rd something a resume doesnt allow.Roughly how many people use The One-Page Companys job proposal wizard tool? We recently launched our platform and are working with a few major Fortune 1,000 companies and are moving toward working with small businesses as well.Can users submit job proposals for all types of positions or is the tool focused on particular industries?One of the greatest aspects of a 1-Page Job Proposal is that it can be used for any industry, for job seekers looking to move across industries, in any country in the world, for any size of business. Our platform helps job seekers stand out from the millions of resumes by guiding them to write well-thought out, thoroughly researched solution to a company where they have identified a need, and most importantly where they can see themselves working- all in one page.How does using the job proposal wizard tool set job seekers apart from those submitting traditional resumes?The 1-Page Job Proposal Platform allows candidates to be assessed on their ideas, not their list (or lack of) experience.Your company recently raised $1.5 million in seed funding and has now launched the 1-Page Job Proposal Platform. What other ways does The One-Page Company desire to expand in the future?We are moving to B2B and B2E and working very closely with applicant technologies to provide all-encompassing solutions, and with influential career professionals around the world.

Choosing Good On Error Resume next

Choosing Good On Error Resume next Finally, you may always purchase extra Flow Runs if your business is nearing its quota at the conclusion of the month. The exact same label name has to be utilized in our code at the beginning and in the error block. Its always preferable to make a new email address thats somewhat professional. Also, ensure youve got a professional-sounding email address. Below is a good example of logging. This allows you to debug the code. The attractiveness of Try, Catch, Finally is it is similar to a localized Trap for a particular block of commands. As soon as an exception happens, the Err object is updated to include info about that exception. The next node does the identical thing, etc. Instead, they occur if you make an error in the logic that drives your script and you dont get the result you predicted. This will allow it to be feasible to understand how many times a particular branch of logic ran, for example. You can put the error-handling r outine where the error would occur, as opposed to transferring control to some other location within the process. That can be a little bit of a pain, though. Having lots of information when dealing with an error can be invaluable. Otherwise, I recommend you try replacing the ink cartridge. Details of on Error Resume next Errors problematik into three different types. The Explain Error dialog box comprises information concerning the error. The log isnt just for recording errors. In some instances you are going to want to raise a customized error. When creating custom errors make certain to keep them well documented. Read here if you would like to find out more about writing to text files. In the process below we have the incorrect data type declared which will create a compilation error. Before we take a look at the VBA Handling there is one sort of error we have to mention. Youre able to use any single word name you want. These errors arent the effect of a syntax or runtim e error. They are often difficult to pinpoint. If bedrngnis youll get a compilation error. Logical errors may be the most difficult kind of errors to track down. Frequently the user may not offer you accurate details about the error that occurred. In different situations, you want to recuperate from the error, if at all possible. Its utilized to clear the present error instead of setting a specific behaviour. This second error isnt trapped because the original error condition wasnt cleared. What is Actually Going on with on Error Resume next This is a good example of when Resume could be helpful. That doesnt mean you ought to begin sending out five-page resumes, naturally. Your resume ought to be focused, concise and emphasize achievements and techniques that fit the job that youre applying for. Take into consideration how best to present your experience and abilities in a sense that would impress your prospective employer. Otherwise, the task can nevertheless be created in planner, but nevertheless, it wont have email details. Your objective is to land an interview by giving the employer a compelling breakdown of the job abilities and experience that make you a nice candidate. However polished your writing skills are, at times its far better to employ a professional who can frame your experiences in a manner that lets you command the interest of the greatest companies in your industry. Just take a look at the best resume writing services to think about. You also ought to think about whether including an objective statement is truly the ideal use of that prime real estate at the summit of your resume. If youre looking for a fast summary then take a look at the quick guide table in the very first section. Lets look at a good example.

Whats in an exit interview

Whats in an exit interview Everything You Need To Know About Exit InterviewsPosted October 13, 2011, by Helen Isbister Whether youre retiring, been given the boot, found a better job, been lured by a bigger pay packet, are burnt out, cant spend another minute co-inhabiting an office with the boss, or have simply given in to the urge to travel to Kazakhstan and find yourself, you could find yourself back in the interview hot seat. At the job youre trying to leave, that is. Exit interviews are conducted with departing employees in a last-ditch effort to learn what made them jump ship. Companies spend a lot of money recruiting and training staff, so they want to try to prevent the revolving door from revolving too quickly. If employee job dissatisfaction, tyrannical management, lack of advancement opportunities, uncompetitive salaries or poor company culture is causing talented members of the team to move on, then they want to know about it. Theoretically, the whole premise of the exit interview is to improve the way the company operates by picking the brain of departing employees who are likely to be candid about their experiences. The interview will essentially focus on three main points why you are leaving, what you enjoyed about working there and what was problematic. Questions will include things like What did or didnt you like about your job? Did the job you were hired for match your expectations? Can you describe the management style of your manager? How did you find the company culture/advancement opportunities? Was there adequate training? Did you receive regular performance appraisals? And the big one why are you leaving? This is the time to be honest about your experiences, but no matter how tempting it is, dont use it as an opportunity to get a quick last laugh. Even if you believe you were taken advantage of, mistreated and undervalued recrimination, blame, revenge and spite are not a good professional legacy to leave behind. You dont want to be dra gged out of the exit interview in a straitjacket after burning all your bridges. Unless you are planning on moving your career to Mexico for eternity, chances are you will cross paths with the people in the organisation again or will need them for future references. You might even want to come crawling back if things dont work out at the next job. And no matter how forcefully you earbash the HR staff about how much the company owes you for overtime, youre never going to see those missing dollars. How much constructive feedback you should divulge depends on the kind of organisation you work at, so think things through and go in with a strategy. If the HR department is likely to shoot the messenger then obviously its a good idea to keep some of your opinions to yourself. However, if theyve been reasonably open to feedback in the past, then you can probably afford to be a little more candid. Calmly state the negative points while balancing up with some positives so they dont get overwh elmed by a wave of disgruntlement. Be pleasant and professional to everyone at the end of the interview and use the opportunity to clear up any lingering questions you have about pay or handing over the reins to the next person. In an exit interview, its far better to take the high road and leave on a high note. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchesnew grad rn cover letter templatesveterinarian interview questions and answersjoiner interview questions and answerssample interview questions and answerlogistics interview questions and answers CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire zugnglich Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnqu ire Online Enquire OnlineHelen IsbisterRelated ArticlesBrowse moreEMPLOYER RESOURCESCapability Statement What is it & How to Write One?It can be difficult to understand all of the formal documents you need to get by in business. One of the big ones, especially if youre looking to do some governmental work, is the capability statement. Learn what it is and how you can best write one.The unsung heroes of new years eveTheres more to NYE than champagne and fireworks. As the clock strikes midnight, tomorrow night, spare a thought for the thousands of people working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring you one of the most spectacular events of the year.RedundancyHow flexible work practices lightened impact of financial downturnAustralian employment policy initiatives have helped to minimise job losses during the global financial crisis, as outlined in a report on global labour markets by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Tips for Handling Employees Resignations

Tips for Handling Employees ResignationsTips for Handling Employees ResignationsEven the best employer has employees resign. No matter your work environment or your positive employee relationships, employees resign for reasons that are beyond your control. Sometimes they resign for reasons that are out of their immediate control, too. They resign for new jobs and better opportunities for advancement. They resign to return to school or move across the country. They resign when their spouse takes a job in another state in a hard-to-find employment field. Theyleave because they want more money than you can afford to pay. They also leave if they have children so they can move to an area with better schools or where their family can support them as the children need care and growth. The reasons why an employee might leave your employment are endless and challenging to you as an employer. Whatever the reasons why employees resign, these are the recommended procedures for employers to follo w to handle an employee resignation.? When Employees Resign Employees will often tell their boss firstwhen they resign from their job. The boss needs to inform the employee that the first step in the resignation process is to send a letter of resignation to the Human Resources office. This triggers all of the end-of-employment events necessary in an employment termination. The boss needs to contact HR immediately to plan for a replacement employee. How to Act When Employees Resign Your job, no matterwhat the reason is for the employees resignation, is to act with grace, dignity, and professionalism. Congratulate the employee if the opportunity sounds like a promotion or another career-enhancingstep. Work with the employees manager and co-workers to make sure that an appropriate ending party is scheduled or theres a chance to share memories and a drink at a local tavern or a cup of coffee at a coffee shop. You want every employees last memory of your firm to be positive and p rofessional. You want the employee to feel as if he had a special opportunity while working with your organization. During this time, heres how to handle the details when an employee resigns. Employment Ending Checklist After you receive the employees official resignation letter, work with the employees supervisor to make certain that the employees last two weeks remain positive and contributing. If the employee has provided the standard and expected two weeks notice, you have ample time to wrap up the employees job. If the employee is viewed as a threat to the ongoing work and environment for your other employees, you can escort the employee from the workplace and terminate the employment relationship immediately. This is, fortunately, a rare situation, so you normally have the opportunity to wrap up the employees job and pass the work to other employees while you begin the recruitment for the employees replacement. Or you may rethink the organization of the work and the depart ment as a whole. An employee resignation is also an opportunity for restructuring. You will also want to work on Plannning the recruitment for the replacement employeeHolding an exit interview with the terminating employee andFinishing each item on the employment ending checklist. You can manage employment resignation so you minimize the impact of the loss of the employee on your workflow and work environment. If you handle the process effectively, the exiting employee leaves knowing that she has contributed and added value during her time in your employment. Follow your standard procedures in your employment ending checklist for the employees last day. More About Resignation Top 10 Reasons to Quit Your JobHow to Resign From Your JobAll About ResignationIntroduction to Resignation Letters

Heres how to stop worrying so much

Heres how to stop worrying so muchHeres how to stop worrying so muchEver feel like youcant turn yurbrain off?Worried about how to stop worrying? We all deal with this when life gets challenging.There is a way to overcome worrythat doesnt involve alcohol or a straitjacket.The answer is thousands of years old - but now science is validating those ancientideas. Youve probably even heard of it Mindfulness.Yeah, its all the rage now. But nobody ever seems to really explain what it is or how to do it.Lets fix that.You are leid yur thoughtsWhat is mindfulness? In his book,The Mindfulness Solution,Ronald Siegel, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, givesa pretty good answer.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsThe working definition of mindfulness that my colleagues and I find most helpful isawareness of present experience with acceptance.You might sayBut Im aware. Im present. Im accepting.And Id sayNo, youre bedrngnis.Youre leidlage aware youre staring at yur iPhone.Youre bedrngnis present youre worrying aboutthe future.Youre not accepting youre shaking your fist at traffic because the world doesnt match the vision in your brainof how it should be.Very often, were all stuck in our heads.Were not taking the world in were just listening to the stories we tell ourselvesaboutthe world, trusting theendless parade of thoughts flitting through our heads instead of actually paying attention to lifearound us.One of the fundamental tenetsof mindfulness is that we all take our thoughts wayyyyyy too seriously. We thinkour thoughts alwaysmeansomething. In fact, we think weareour thoughts and our thoughtsareus.And thats one of the reasons we worry so much and experience so many negative emotions - because we take our thoughts about the world more seriously than the world itself.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsMindfulness practice brings all sorts of insights into the workings of the mind. Perhaps the hardest to grasp is the idea that thoughts are not reality. Were so accustomed to providing a narrative track to our lives and believing in our story that to see things otherwise is a real challenge.You know as well as I do that all kinds of ridiculous thoughts go through our heads. Andsometimesyou know not to trustthem. When youre tired, drunk, angry or sick you dont take your thoughts as seriously.Mindfulness says you should go a step further. Because youhave lots of crazy or silly thoughtsall the time. And they can make you anxious or bring you down.(For more on how to never be frustrated again, clickhere.)The great psychologist Albert Ellis saidwe should dispute our irrational thoughts. Great advice - but it can be difficult. You have to be exceedinglyrational for it to work.And sometimes disputing those thoughts can be like a Chinese finger trap - the more you resist, the more they ensnare you.So what can you do?Observe. Dont judgeSometimes you cant eas ily dispute those worrying thoughts.So mindfulness simply sayslet them go.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsMindfulness practice helps us avoid the trap of counterproductive thoughts by learning to let them go.You cant turn your brain off. And even if you meditate for years you can never fully clear your mind.But you can see those troublesome thoughts, recognize them, but not get tangled in believing them.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsRemember, this practice is not about emptying the mind, getting rid of difficult emotions, escaping lifes problems, being free of pain, or experiencing never-ending bliss. Mindfulness practice is about embracing our experience as it is- and sometimes what is can be unpleasant at the momentWe usually try to feel better by decreasing the intensity of painful experiences in mindfulness practice, we work instead to increase our capacity to bear them.And scientific research shows this r eally works. People feel better and are more engaged with their work after 8 weeks of mindfulness practice.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsDr. Davidson and Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn recruited a group of pressured workers in a biotechnology firm and taught half of them mindfulness meditation for three hours per week over an eight-week period. They compared this group to a similar group of coworkers who were not taught meditation. On average, all of the workers tipped to the right in their prefrontal cortical activity before taking up meditation. However, after taking the eight-week course, the meditating group now had more left-sided activation than the nonmeditators. The meditators also reported that their moods improved and they felt more engaged in their activities.I know, I knowEasier said than done, Eric.Ignore your thoughts? Let them just float by? Sounds great but how the heck do you do that? Especially when theyre emotionally powerful feelings lik e worry.(For more on how to deal with anxiety, tragedy or heartache, clickhere.)The key is attention. Yeah, that thing none of us seems to have anymore.But theres a way to get it back.Dont distract. Immerse.Ive posted before abouthow important attention is to happiness.And one of the key practices of mindfulness ismeditation, which has been shown inscientific studiesto improve attention.While Im a huge believer inmeditation, yes, it can be hard and takes time. Is there another way? Yup.Next time youre worrying, remember that your thoughts arent real.Lifeis real.Soturn your attention to your senses. To the world around you. (No, not to your smartphone.)How does that cup of coffee smell? Did you even notice the people nearby?Dont distract yourself. Immerse yourself in the world around you.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsThe approach teaches people mindfulness practices with a particular emphasis on not taking any thoughts too seriously but rather st aying grounded in sensual reality here and nowInstead of fantasizing about the next moment of entertainment, you can turn your attention to the sights and sounds of standing in line, buying a cup of coffee, and walking down the street. Instead of getting frustrated because the train is late, you can study the other passengers (discreetly), notice the architecture of the station, and attend to the sensations in your body as you sit and wait. There is always something interesting to do- just pay attention to what is occurring right now.(For more on how to meditate and be happier, clickhere.)I know what some of you are thinkingThe worries keep coming back, Eric. Smelling the coffee didnt make them go away.No sweat.We havetools for this.Noting and labelingRather than dodging, disputing, or distracting (which can all lead to you just wrestling with those ideasfurther) acknowledge the thoughts. Note them.Youre not avoiding yourthoughts. You acknowledge them and thenturn your attention bac k to your senses. To your breath. To the feel of the chair beneath your butt. To theperson next to you.For thoughts that keep playing like a broken record, trylabeling them. Siegel suggests giving the thought a funny name that trivializes itOh, that its not going to work out tape is playing in my head again.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsWhen the thoughts arise, label them silently before letting them go. You dont need very many categories. You might choose labels such as planning, doubting, judging, fantasizing, obsessing, or criticizing. The particular labels arent crucial what matters is using them to avoid being captured by stories or repetitive tapes. Once you label a thought, gently bring your attention back to the breath. If you find that your attention is repeatedly carried away by particular stories, try making up a humorous label for them. Give these greatest hits their own names, such as your I blew it again tape, I cant get no respect tape, I never get what I want tape, and so on.Sound like silly, hippie nonsense? Well, you know those worries that bring you down and make you sad?A study found mindfulness therapies were just as effective as antidepressants. In fact, many who practiced them regularly were subsequently able to ditch their medication.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsIn another, more recent study, MBCT was shown to be as effective as antidepressants in preventing relapses of depression and allowed many subjects to discontinue their medication.(For more on how to be happy and successful, clickhere.)Okay, lets round this up into a simple system youcan use.Sum upHeres how to stop worrying and departure being mindfulYou are not your thoughts.Sometimes theyre downright ridiculous. Just because you think it, doesnt make it true.Observe, dont judge.Acknowledge the thoughts, but let them float by. Dont wrestle with them.Dont distract, immerse.Do not check your emaille for t he 400th time. Take in the world around you. Turn to your senses. Thats real. Your thoughts and the stories you tell yourself about the worldarent.Note orlabel intrusive thoughts.Yeah, the thoughts fight back. Acknowledge them. Give the intrusive ones a funny name.Return to the senses.Really pay attention to the world around you.And when I say to pay more attention to the world around you, that doesnt just mean things. Its also people.What ends a lot of relationships?You dont pay enough attention to me.When we endeavor to let the thoughts in our head go and embrace the world around us, we canfocus moreattention on the ones we love.As mindfulness expertJon Kabat-Zinnpoints out, in a number of Asian languages mind and heartare the saatkorn word.So mindfulness isnt a cold or clinical process. Itmight as well be translated asheartfulness.Let the thoughts float by and turn your attention to the people you love.Join over 185,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related posts How To Stop Being Lazy And Get More Done 5 Expert Tips6 Things The Most Productive People Do Every DayNew Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More SuccessfulThis article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.Heres how to stop worrying so muchEver feel like youcant turn yourbrain off?Worried about how to stop worrying? We all deal with this when life gets challenging.There is a way to overcome worrythat doesnt involve alcohol or a straitjacket.The answer is thousands of years old - but now science is validating those ancientideas. Youve probably even heard of it Mindfulness.Yeah, its all the rage now. But nobody ever seems to really explain what it is or how to do it.Lets fix that.You are not your thoughtsWhat is mindfulness? In his book,The Mindfulness Solution,Ronald Siegel, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, givesa pretty good answer.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsThe working definition of mindfulness that my colleagues and I find most helpful isawareness of present experience with acceptance.You might sayBut Im aware. Im present. Im accepting.And Id sayNo, youre not.Youre not aware youre staring at your iPhone.Youre not present youre worrying aboutthe future.Youre not accepting youre shaking your fist at traffic because the world doesnt match the vision in your brainof how it should be.Very often, were all stuck in our heads.Were not taking the world in were just listening to the stories we tell ourselvesaboutthe world, trusting theendless parade of thoughts flitting through our heads instead of actually paying attention to lifearound us.One of the fundamental tenetsof mindfulness is that we all take our thoughts wayyyyyy too seriously. We thinkour thoughts alwaysmeansomething. In fact, we think weareour thoughts and our thoughtsareus.And thats one of the reasons we worry so much and experience so many negative emotions - because we take our thoughts about the worl d more seriously than the world itself.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsMindfulness practice brings all sorts of insights into the workings of the mind. Perhaps the hardest to grasp is the idea that thoughts are not reality. Were so accustomed to providing a narrative track to our lives and believing in our story that to see things otherwise is a real challenge.You know as well as I do that all kinds of ridiculous thoughts go through our heads. Andsometimesyou know not to trustthem. When youre tired, drunk, angry or sick you dont take your thoughts as seriously.Mindfulness says you should go a step further. Because youhave lots of crazy or silly thoughtsall the time. And they can make you anxious or bring you down.(For more on how to never be frustrated again, clickhere.)The great psychologist Albert Ellis saidwe should dispute our irrational thoughts. Great advice - but it can be difficult. You have to be exceedinglyrational for it to work.And so metimes disputing those thoughts can be like a Chinese finger trap - the more you resist, the more they ensnare you.So what can you do?Observe. Dont judgeSometimes you cant easily dispute those worrying thoughts.So mindfulness simply sayslet them go.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsMindfulness practice helps us avoid the trap of counterproductive thoughts by learning to let them go.You cant turn your brain off. And even if you meditate for years you can never fully clear your mind.But you can see those troublesome thoughts, recognize them, but not get tangled in believing them.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsRemember, this practice is not about emptying the mind, getting rid of difficult emotions, escaping lifes problems, being free of pain, or experiencing never-ending bliss. Mindfulness practice is about embracing our experience as it is- and sometimes what is can be unpleasant at the momentWe usually try to f eel better by decreasing the intensity of painful experiences in mindfulness practice, we work instead to increase our capacity to bear them.And scientific research shows this really works. People feel better and are more engaged with their work after 8 weeks of mindfulness practice.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsDr. Davidson and Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn recruited a group of pressured workers in a biotechnology firm and taught half of them mindfulness meditation for three hours per week over an eight-week period. They compared this group to a similar group of coworkers who were not taught meditation. On average, all of the workers tipped to the right in their prefrontal cortical activity before taking up meditation. However, after taking the eight-week course, the meditating group now had more left-sided activation than the nonmeditators. The meditators also reported that their moods improved and they felt more engaged in their activities.I know, I kno wEasier said than done, Eric.Ignore your thoughts? Let them just float by? Sounds great but how the heck do you do that? Especially when theyre emotionally powerful feelings like worry.(For more on how to deal with anxiety, tragedy or heartache, clickhere.)The key is attention. Yeah, that thing none of us seems to have anymore.But theres a way to get it back.Dont distract. Immerse.Ive posted before abouthow important attention is to happiness.And one of the key practices of mindfulness ismeditation, which has been shown inscientific studiesto improve attention.While Im a huge believer inmeditation, yes, it can be hard and takes time. Is there another way? Yup.Next time youre worrying, remember that your thoughts arent real.Lifeis real.Soturn your attention to your senses. To the world around you. (No, not to your smartphone.)How does that cup of coffee smell? Did you even notice the people nearby?Dont distract yourself. Immerse yourself in the world around you.ViaThe Mindfulness Sol ution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsThe approach teaches people mindfulness practices with a particular emphasis on not taking any thoughts too seriously but rather staying grounded in sensual reality here and nowInstead of fantasizing about the next moment of entertainment, you can turn your attention to the sights and sounds of standing in line, buying a cup of coffee, and walking down the street. Instead of getting frustrated because the train is late, you can study the other passengers (discreetly), notice the architecture of the station, and attend to the sensations in your body as you sit and wait. There is always something interesting to do- just pay attention to what is occurring right now.(For more on how to meditate and be happier, clickhere.)I know what some of you are thinkingThe worries keep coming back, Eric. Smelling the coffee didnt make them go away.No sweat.We havetools for this.Noting and labelingRather than dodging, disputing, or distracting (which can all lead to you just wrestling with those ideasfurther) acknowledge the thoughts. Note them.Youre not avoiding yourthoughts. You acknowledge them and thenturn your attention back to your senses. To your breath. To the feel of the chair beneath your butt. To theperson next to you.For thoughts that keep playing like a broken record, trylabeling them. Siegel suggests giving the thought a funny name that trivializes itOh, that its not going to work out tape is playing in my head again.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsWhen the thoughts arise, label them silently before letting them go. You dont need very many categories. You might choose labels such as planning, doubting, judging, fantasizing, obsessing, or criticizing. The particular labels arent crucial what matters is using them to avoid being captured by stories or repetitive tapes. Once you label a thought, gently bring your attention back to the breath. If you find that your attention is repeatedl y carried away by particular stories, try making up a humorous label for them. Give these greatest hits their own names, such as your I blew it again tape, I cant get no respect tape, I never get what I want tape, and so on.Sound like silly, hippie nonsense? Well, you know those worries that bring you down and make you sad?A study found mindfulness therapies were just as effective as antidepressants. In fact, many who practiced them regularly were subsequently able to ditch their medication.ViaThe Mindfulness Solution Everyday Practices for Everyday ProblemsIn another, more recent study, MBCT was shown to be as effective as antidepressants in preventing relapses of depression and allowed many subjects to discontinue their medication.(For more on how to be happy and successful, clickhere.)Okay, lets round this up into a simple system youcan use.Sum upHeres how to stop worrying and start being mindfulYou are not your thoughts.Sometimes theyre downright ridiculous. Just because you thi nk it, doesnt make it true.Observe, dont judge.Acknowledge the thoughts, but let them float by. Dont wrestle with them.Dont distract, immerse.Do not check your email for the 400th time. Take in the world around you. Turn to your senses. Thats real. Your thoughts and the stories you tell yourself about the worldarent.Note orlabel intrusive thoughts.Yeah, the thoughts fight back. Acknowledge them. Give the intrusive ones a funny name.Return to the senses.Really pay attention to the world around you.And when I say to pay more attention to the world around you, that doesnt just mean things. Its also people.What ends a lot of relationships?You dont pay enough attention to me.When we endeavor to let the thoughts in our head go and embrace the world around us, we canfocus moreattention on the ones we love.As mindfulness expertJon Kabat-Zinnpoints out, in a number of Asian languages mind and heartare the same word.So mindfulness isnt a cold or clinical process. Itmight as well be translated asheartfulness.Let the thoughts float by and turn your attention to the people you love.Join over 185,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related postsHow To Stop Being Lazy And Get More Done 5 Expert Tips6 Things The Most Productive People Do Every DayNew Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More SuccessfulThis article originally appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

Why the 8-hour workday doesnt work

Why the 8-hour workday doesnt workWhy the 8-hour workday doesnt workThe 8-hour workday is an outdated and ineffective approach to work. If you want to be as productive as possible, you need to let go of this relic and find a new approach.The 8-hour workday welches created during the industrial revolution as an effort to cut down on the number of hours of manual labor that workers were forced to endure on the factory floor. This breakthrough was a more humane approach to work two hundred years ago, yet it possesses little relevance for us today.Like our ancestors, were expected to put in 8-hour days, working in long, continuous blocks of time, with few or no breaks. Heck, most people even work right through their lunch hourThis antiquated approach to work isnt helping us its holding us back.The best way to structure your dayA study recently conducted by the Draugiem Group used a computer application to track employees work habits. Specifically, the application measured how much time p eople spent on various tasks and compared this to their productivity levels.In the process of measuring peoples activity, they stumbled upon a fascinating finding the length of the workday didnt matter much what mattered was how people structured their day. In particular, people who were religious about taking short breaks were far more productive than those who worked longer hours.The ideal work-to-break ratio was 52 minutes of work, followed by 17 minutes of rest. People who maintained this schedule had a unique level of focus in their work. For roughly an hour at a time, they were 100% dedicated to the task they needed to accomplish. They didnt check Facebook real quick or get distracted by e-mail-nachrichts.When they felt fatigue (again, after about an hour), they took short breaks, during which they completely separated themselves from their work. This helped them to dive back in refreshed for another productive hour of work.Your brain wants an hour on, 15 minutes offPeople who have discovered this magic productivity ratio crush their competition because they tap into a fundamental need of the human mind the brain naturally functions in spurts of high energy (roughly an hour) followed by spurts of low energy (1520 minutes).For most of us, this natural ebb and flow of energy leaves us wavering between focused periods of high energy followed by far less productive periods, when we tire and succumb to distractions.The best way to beat exhaustion and frustrating distractions is to get intentional about your workday. Instead of working for an hour or more and then trying to battle through distractions and fatigue, when your productivity begins to dip, take this as a sign that its time for a break.Real breaks are easier to take when you know theyre going to make your day more productive. We often let fatigue win because we continue working through it (long after weve lost energy and focus), and the breaks we take arent real breaks (checking your e-mail and watc hing YouTube doesnt recharge you the same way as taking a walk does).Take charge of your workdayThe 8-hour workday can work for you if you break your time into strategic intervals. Once you align your natural energy with your effort, things begin to run much more smoothly. Here are four tips that will get you into that perfect rhythm.1. Break your day into hourly intervalsWe naturally plan what we need to accomplish by the end of the day, the week, or the month, but were far more effective when we focus on what we can accomplish right now.Beyond getting you into the right rhythm, planning your day around hour-long intervals simplifies daunting tasks by breaking them into manageable pieces. If you want to be a literalist, you can plan your day around 52-minute intervals if you like, but an hour works just as well.2. Respect your hourThe interval strategy only works because we use our peak energy levels to reach an extremely high level of focus for a relatively short amount of time.Wh en you disrespect your hour by texting, checking e-mails, or doing a quick Facebook check, you defeat the entire purpose of the approach.3. Take real restIn the study at Draugiem, they found that employees who took more frequent rests than the hourly optimum were more productive than those who didnt rest at all. Likewise, those who took deliberately relaxing breaks were better off than those who, when resting, had trouble separating themselves from their work. Getting away from your computer, your phone, and your to-do list is essential to boosting your productivity.Breaks such as walking, reading, and chatting are the most effective forms of recharging because they take you away from your work. On a busy day, it might be tempting to think of dealing with e-mails or making phone calls as breaks, but they arent, so dont give in to this line of thought.4. Dont wait until your body tells you to take a break. If you wait until you feel tired to take a break, its too late- youve already missed the window of peak productivity. Keeping to your schedule ensures that you work when youre the most productive and that you rest during times that would otherwise be unproductive.Remember, its far more productive to rest for short periods than it is to keep on working when youre tired and distracted.Bringing it all togetherBreaking your day down into chunks of work and rest that match your natural energy levels feels good, makes your workday go faster, and boosts your productivity.Travis Bradberry is the co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and the co-founder of TalentSmart.This article originally appeared on LinkedIn.