How to stay focused and productive without getting burnt out

How to stay focused and productive without getting burnt outHow to stay focused and productive without getting burnt outAfter growing my business to nearly 7 figures and managing over a dozen employees, I have realized that mastering the art and science of focus and productivity is far mora counter-intuitive than one would expect.Despite the advice that you hear on social media to Hustle, Grind, and Work 16 Hours a Day, the science, and my personal evidence show that this advice is horseshit (pardon my French).When you boil it down to the basics,focus and productivity require two things Time and energy.If you have 16 hours of work to complete but only 12 hours in which to do it You are screwed.Likewise, if you have 16 hours to complete 6 hours of projects but you dont have the energy to get out of bed You are alsoscrewed.With this in mind, here are my 5 tips for staying focused and productive without burnout.*Note There have already been some great responses to this question so I wil l do my best to provide unique insights that extend beyond the Pomodoro technique, eating that frog, etc. However I STRONGLY recommend all of the tactics mentioned in the Answer Wiki*1. Stop over extending yourself a.k.a. DO LESS WORKOne of the biggest ironies of productivity and success is that achieving more often requires that you doless.But before you ignore this point and roll your eyes at the computer screen, I want you to hear me out.Doing GREAT work requires that you are selective about WHAT work you do.Productivity requires that you have sufficient amounts of time to do everything and like I said, you cannot cram 16 hours of work into 12 hours No matter how hard you try.Not too long ago, I noticed that one of my employees (who at the time was a subcontractor) performance was slipping.When I confronted him about the issues with his work, he told me that he was exhausted and overextended.And when he showed me how many projects he was juggling I wasnt surprisedHe had become ca ught in the trap of doingtoomuch to doanythingeffectively.I told him to relax and suggested that he cut back on his obligations and remove any clients who werent paying him what he was worth.He followed my recommendations and doubled his income by doinglesswork but doing that work at a greater level.Most people, especially entrepreneurs and freelancers tend to bite off more than they can chew because they want to make quick cash.Sure this might be a great tactic if you need to make up rent money or pay the IRS, but in the long term your work will always suffer, your clients will leave you, and you will be more stressed and less productive than ever.The bottom line?Do less work and do it better until you are paid more for your time.2. Focus on your happiness before you focus on your productivityNew York Times best-selling author ofThe Happiness Advantage,Shawn Achor reveals some interesting data in his book.The one that caught my eye the most is that happiness and fulfillment are the best predictors of success and productivity NOT the other way around.So what does this mean?It means that if you want to be more productive and successful, you should focus on your happiness firstI know that this probably sounds completely backwards to many of you, but the science is in and one of the quickest ways to boost your productivity is to boost your happiness.So how do you actually go about doing this?Personally, I recommend the followingWrite down 5 things you are grateful for professionally and personally every single morningStart meditating for at least 20 minutes a dayWatch standup comedy and other funny content during your free timeSpend more time with people you like and cut out toxic individualsGet out in nature3. Exercise, eat clean, and sleep hardLookSht happens and sometimes, you will need to work overtime and push hard in order to make ends meet and achieve your goals.These times are just a part of the human experience and shouldnt be seen as something negative. HoweverWhen times like thisdohappen, your health and diet are normally the first things to sufferWhich is ahugemistake.Remember earlier how I said that all productivity and focus require more time and energy?Well, almost ALL of your energy is derived from your activity, diet, and sleep.Which means that they should be one of your biggest priorities.Even though these activities take moretime,they give you moreenergyallowing you to operate at a higher level throughout the rest of your day.Here are a few tips to optimize each.Just eat real food Cut out the processed crap, gluten, sugar etc.Sleep at least 8 hours a night in a blacked out room with the thermostat set to 67 F (if you have trouble falling asleep drink a glass of decaf tea with one TBSP of raw honey and 2 TBSP of apple cider vinegar)Exercise for 60 minutes 3x a week, preferably lifting heavy weights and doing HIIT cardio. Every day you should walk for 30 minutes and get in a brief7 minute workoutDrink 3 cups of coffee a day but do so before 2 p.m. and cycle off of it every 2 weeks so you dont build a tolerance.4. Do the RIGHT things with your down timeWhile I was looking at some of the other answers in this thread, I noticed a common theme Almost everyone suggests that you take more breaks to maximize your down time.HoweverI also noticed that very few responses tell youwhatto do when you take these breaks.Heres the thingIf you are taking regular breaks (as you should be) but you are spending them surfing on social media, watching porn, playing video games, or pounding beers, your productivity and health will suffer.You need to do the right things to make the most of these breaks.What are the right things?Glad you asked.ExerciseMeditateReadConnect with someone else (not social media)Walk outside in natureTake up a hobby or arbeitsgertDo things that will force you to grow and keep your mind and body active, the goal here isnt total relaxation (thats a necessary thing but different from a break)5. Compare backwards not forwardsMost people I know who suffer from high levels of burnout, stress, and anxiety have one thing in commonThey compare themselves forwards instead of backwards.What do I mean by this?Well, when these people have a bad day at work, say they lost a deal, were forced to fire an employee, or struggled to meet a quota They compare their performance to how they think itoughtto be (their future ideal) instead of comparing themselves to how theyusedto be.Now you might be thinking, Andrew, what the hell does this have to do with productivity but hear me out.Your productivity and focus, as we have already talked about, is largely determined by your energy levels and the amount of time that you have for a task.Now how much energy and time can you expect to have when you are constantly beating yourself up and comparing yourself to unrealistic ideals and expectations?Ill answer for you Very Little.And when you regularly entertain these thought patterns, you start to slowly ch ip away at your happiness and general contentment in life (which fucks up point 2) resulting in even less energy and motivation to get things done.So if you are serious about your productivity, then you need to stop wasting time comparing yourself to who you think you should be.Instead Be grateful and look at how far you have come.When you take a step back and look at your journey, you will be filled with gratitude and you will put your problems into perspective, eliminating burnout and increasing your ability to perform and focus.Hope this helps.Andrew Ferebee, the founder ofKnowledge For Men, is a 3x Amazon best-selling author and host of a top ranked podcast with 4.5 million downloads. Hes interviewed 400+ top experts like T. Harv Eker, Robert Greene, Steve Harvey, Grant Cardone, Bob Proctor and Gary Vaynerchuck to help men reach higher levels of success, freedom and fulfillment.Thiscolumnfirst appeared atQuora.

How to stop apologizing at work and what to say instead

How to stop apologizing at work and what to say insteadHow to stop apologizing at work and what to say insteadIf youre someone who knows the value of a good apology- not just for mending fences but also for strengthening relationships in every area of life- youre way ahead of most people.But if you apologize constantly for every little thing- whether or not its warranted- listen up. You may be standing in the way of your own success.The habit of injecting the word sorry into every other sentence you utter might seem harmless on the surface. But it can undermine your authority and your confidence, portray you as weak and indecisive, and even damage your credibility.Worst of all, over-apologizing can desensitize your listeners when you want to deliver asincere and necessary apology. The more you say youre sorry, the less power it has. Remember the boy who cried intertrigo? If everything rises to the need for an apology, then nothing does.Recognizing the problemDo these casual (and unne cessary) apologies sound familiar?Sorry, can you repeat that?Im sorry, but I disagree.I have no available appointments this week. Sorry about that.Im sorry, but I have to let you go.Though oftenattributed to women, apologizing isnt just a female problem. Psychologists tell us that people who compulsively apologize for small infractions may be manifesting anything from a nervous tic to a social disorder. Frequent apologizers may be insecure, introverted, or just overly self-conscious. They may have been raised in strict families or put a high value on getting along with everyone. Sometimes the habit is an unconscious reaction tostress or anxiety.What makes some of us fall into this counter-productive habit? It might be performance anxiety, such as ourfirst day on a new jobor when we lack confidence in our ability to run with the big dogs. Its almost as if were apologizing for taking up space, which is no way to make a good impression on a job or with a client.More often, though, over -apologizing is an unconscious habit thats annoying at best, and at worst, sends one or more unwanted messages that can really work against usIm not sincere.Im afraid of you.I dont trust you to give me what I want if Im not super nice.I dont think Im good enough to talk to you, ask for anything, or even be here.Diagnose yourselfAsk yourself youve ever said you were sorry for any of the followingSaying noWinningAsking for a raiseyou deserveGetting angry about an injusticeHaving an opinionFeeling an emotionCryingFaintingThrowing upBeing injuredTending to your own needsDid you answer yes tofour or moreof the above? Read on.Consequences of too much sorryIf we dont need to apologize for having an opinion, needing help, or just being human, then what are we trying to accomplish through this behavior?Sometimes we apologize to deflect, in advance, a negative reaction to what were saying. Its as if were trying to smooth ruffled feathers before the ruffling begins.Its true that an apology, es peciallya sincere and necessary one, can actually take the heat off. The over-apology habit may begin innocently when we spontaneously apologize for a real offense. Our opponent softens or even backs down, saying, Dont worry about it, its nothing. BAM A magic bullet, we conclude. But then, as the quick and insincere apology becomes our weaponry of choice, we become almost addicted to it. Serving as both sword and shield, the frequent apology appears to disarm our opponent while protecting us from further attack.So how do you break the habit?Instead of saying Im sorryIn all your communications, but especially on the job, be brief, specific, direct, and unapologetic. Simply state the problem and how youll fix it. And then shut up.If youre uncomfortable delegating scut work, try thisWere in a crunch, and all these files need to be cataloged by end of day. Do you have what you need to get started?If youre constantly apologizing for what you cant control, try thisI know Ive had to resche dule this meeting several times. Thank you for understanding.If someone mistreats you and you start to get emotional, try thisHey, that hurt, or That isnt helpful. You can even say, I need a few minutes to collect myself, and then leave the room.Pro Tip You can leave any room under these circumstances. Even if youve just been fired. No apology necessary.If something goes wrong on your watch, try thisThe project took longer than I expected. Ill have it for you first thing tomorrow. Then stop.Helpful Hint If you missed a deadline because of your own poor time management, then you should apologize. But dont offer an apology on behalf of a team member or a difficult client.Case study How to spot when you do need to apologizeA guy Ill call Roy worked in the accounting department of my organization. Roy seemed to enjoy jerking my chain by routinely withholding information and taking forever to provide numbers I needed to do my job.The showdown came one day when I needed some of Roys data to complete a report that was due on my CEOs desk the next day. Roy informed me Id have to wait a week. Id had enough. Through clenched teeth, I said, Id hate to have to tell the CEO that his proposal got stalled on your desk. The next morning I still had no report from Roy. Instead I had a note from human resources.Apparently, in HR-speak, my remark amounted to a threat toward a subordinate, ahuge workplace blunder. Implying Roys job might be in jeopardy if he didnt cooperate was, well, harassment. The HR director strongly suggested an apology to Roy would help me avoid any unintended consequences.Deeply humbled, I swallowed my pride and went to Roys cubicle. I apologized for misusing my position to pressure him, and I showed appreciation for the thankless job he did every day. I know you have a lot of conflicting priorities, and I was just trying to muscle my way to the top of the pile, I said. Im sorry I did that. It wont happen again.I had Roys report that afternoon, and ever af terward he was pleasant and cooperative. Thats one of the magical things that can happen when you apologize appropriately. I call it the paradoxical superpower.Transforming weakness into strengthBefore we toss the baby out with the bathwater, its important to recognize several positive character traits behind the habit of over-apologizing. For instance, it may arise in someone with strong empathy for others. Empathy- the ability to consider anothers point of view and understand the feelings she may be having- is rapidly becoming a critical soft skill. Someone who knows when and how to apologize appropriately has a huge advantage in the empathy column. A study by researchers at Harvard and Wharton business schools showed that certain apologies can even increase trust.So where does this leave the over-apologizer who wants to reform?First, take comfort in the fact that youre probably a good, considerate person who wants everyone to get along. Youre also likely to score highly on the em pathy scale, a huge asset in business and life. What you dont want is to appear to be afraid of the space you occupy, to be someone who lacks the courage of her convictions or who doesnt feel entitled tospeak her mind.Like any other schwimmbad habit,overcoming it takes practice. Youll try avoiding the words Im sorry for a while, stumble, and get back on track. Try taking a friend or trusted co-worker into your confidence about what youre trying to accomplish, and agree on a high sign she can give you if she hears you apologizing unnecessarily. Then, reward yourself for the effort.And keep at it. What you lose by giving up the emotional currency of frequent apologies, you will gain back inpersonal confidenceand self-esteem. Thats something of real value.Bottom lineDont apologize unnecessarily- know how to recognize when a sincere apology is necessary.This article was originally published on Career Contessa.

What to Do When a Layoff Is Lurking

What to Do When a Layoff Is LurkingWhat to Do When a Layoff Is LurkingWhat to Do When a Layoff Is LurkingYou have a job but youre worried about a possible layoff. Here are 10 things you can do to take better control of your career security and employability while youre still employed.1.Update your resume and keep it current. Enhance it regularly with your latest achievements or added responsibilities.2.Make a list of your responsibilities and accomplishments from the past couple of years. Compiling this list while youre working makes it much easier to remember things youve accomplished in your current job.3.Compile a list of all your internal and external contacts so you can start networking immediately. Dont wait until youre laid off to begin exploring your career options.4.Get professional resume writing assistance to create a spectacular resume. An average resume just wont do yous online resume builder is great for writing your own resume, with online and live support to make it e ven easier. But you might also consider investing in a career coach or professional resume writer if you want even mora expert help.5.Learn to write excellent cover letters. You can find lots of advice in this blog, our Learning Center, other online resources, and in books. Each can help educate you on how to write effective cover letters. Use the advice that sounds best for you.6.Make copies of your performance reviews. If you do get laid off, use your performance reviews to prove to hiring managers that your layoff was due to a lack of business or a buyout, not poor performance.7.Ask to review your personnel file, which is typically kept in the Human Resources department. You dont want to find any surprises in the files contents after you leave. If theres any inaccurate data in your file, this is your chance to correct it.8.Create a professional online profile on business-centric networking sites such as LinkedIn. Also, take better control of your profiles on social networks such as Facebook. This means denying public access to potentially embarrassing information and pictures that may send the wrong message to a potential employer.9.Cultivate your professional references now by contacting previous colleagues and bosses who will provide excellent references for you. Ask each of them the following Are you comfortable providing a spectacular reference for me? If they hesitate, find someone else.10.Get organized by establishing easy methods to track all your job search activities, career documents, and networking contacts.If you believe there is even a slight possibility you will be laid off, preparing for it now can make it easier to secure a new job in the future.

5 Steps to Prepare for Your Future Career

5 Steps to Prepare for Your Future Career5 Steps to Prepare for Your Future Career4When you think about your future career, what comes to mind? If youre like many people, you might envision a steady stream of jobs in one industry, each one bringing you to the next level of success. Then, you hit retirement age and you most likely enjoy your golden years with your grandchildren.Heres the thing that type of career, for the most part, doesnt exist anymore.In the Fortune article, Sallie Krawcheck This Is The Future of Work, Krawcheck, an investment banker turned serial entrepreneur, draws upon her own business experiences to explain how careers will be crafted in the future.If youre looking to invest in your future, here are five steps to prepare for your future career.1. Know the keys to success.In the past, success came from sticking it out at one company for 30+ years until you retired. Not so anymore. Ditch the rigid way of thinking and adopt a more flexible-minded mentality, since f uture employers favor curiosity, genuine interest, and the ability to understand others perspectives. Being able to go with the flow will help you to better navigate the ever-changing world of business.2. Embrace mistakes.Ideally, your career will look like a string of carefully crafted job experiences, with each previous one providing a stepping stone to a better (and better paying) position. But real life doesnt work that way, and there will be times that you make mistakes, either in picking a job, or even trying on a career that you thought that you would love- but dont. Instead of beating yourself up about it, learn to embrace your mistakes and learn that in hindsight, mistakes are never truly mistakes after all.3. Ignore the naysayers.When you announce that youre looking for a new job (or even planning on finding a new career), there are going to be those who cheer you on and are thrilled when you succeed. Unfortunately, these people are few and far between. You may find that m ost people are Negative Nancys and will try to squash your dreams. But if youve been dreaming about being a teacher all your life, you should without a doubt pursue your passion. The truth is that people sometimes feel threatened when someone else tries to go after their goals, so pay them no mind as you forge ahead in realizing your flexible work dreams4. Take your time.The entirety of your career is based upon years and years of experience in various jobs and positions held. So theres really no reason to rush into a job simply to have a job. If you want to have a career to be proud of, its important to take your time to really figure out what youd like to do, particularly if youve held ho-hum jobs up until this point. Ask yourself what youd like to do if money were no object, then look for ways to find work in that field or even incorporate various aspects of your passion into a profitable job- and a satisfying career.5. Be prepared.In todays job market, it can sometimes feel like feast or famine- and thats because sometimes it actually is. Thats why you need to make sure that you are prepared to ride out the lean times, both financially and emotionally. And even when you are employed, you should always be ready in case you lose your gig or you dont get that raise you were hoping for (and counting on). So sock some money off to the side to get you through your job search, and be prepared to negotiate salary when you do get a job offer in hand. Your future (financial) self will thank you.Its always a good idea to be strategic in your job search, and thats especially true when youre planning your career. By making smart moves now, youll invest in yourself (and your career) for years to comeLooking for a new career? Start by searching telecommuting, part-time, and flexible jobs in over 55 categories Readers, how do you plan for your future career? What are some steps that you have taken in the past? Let us know in the comments below

Lies Youve Been Told About Skills Resume Templates

Lies Youve Been Told About Skills Resume Templates Career aspirants should be careful of a resume vorlage rather than a curriculum vitae template. Creating your resume is vital. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. Your resume will start out with an expert summary that clearly summarizes your array of skills. The employers may have run into similar resume designs in their expertise, so its very important to modify the resume template so it appears distinct from the standard one particular. You are able to tweak and adapt any one of these CVs to showcase your abilities. The skills section should concentrate on the skills that can assist you in handling the customer issues and working efficiently under stress. A skills based resume template gives an applicant plenty of room to list their unique abilities and abilities. Adhering to those guidelines is vital. A relevant resume sample is a practical tool that could supply you with format ting and writing ideas as you construct your own resume. There are three sorts of resumes, each with its own benefits and pitfalls. To find some formatting tips for your resume, take a look at our samples. An awful CV is an important turn off for employers. Possessing a strong resume will enable you find quite a few great jobs. Possessing a very clear and professional resume is vital in the health care field. A good resume would aid with that. You cannot deliver the specific same financial analyst skills resume to different company for assorted job. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. If youre attempting to acquire work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Distinct kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a lot of the very same skills. Stress management is another important skill essential for the customer service jobs as youll be handling irate customers. Soft skills are skills that are less simpl e to prove. You must find out how to create the best financial analyst skills resume as you find it possible to deliver to the organization and provide good first impact about yourself, understand it here. The Good, the Bad and Skills Resume Templates Chronological resumes arent the ideal fit for fresh graduates since they dont have a lot of knowledge in the very first place. Although the next sample resumes are for particular jobs and reflect specific experience, look at looking at them all for a broader range of suggestions and strategies. Additionally, there are books solely written to assist you write wonderful resumes. Make aya there are no spelling errors and typographical errors. Make a bid to learn the suitable expressions and spellings. You need to find out your CV must be optimized with the suitable important words for a recruiters system to filter you as a prospective candidate. In case the data in the CV isnt presented properly, youre going to be rejected and lo se the chance. Our resume examples can make certain youre prepared in the event you receive a referral.Usage of effectual titles ought to be considered. You have to offer relevant, concise details. Next ensure use of good resume keywords.

Assisted Synonym Resume Tips

Assisted Synonym Resume Tips The Assisted Synonym Resume Pitfall Even if youre not searching for a work yet, a resume can help demonstrate why youre the suitable prospective student for a college. It is possible to still prove that youre excellent for the job. Resumes should demonstrate what you could do and not what you cant do, states Harrison. Writing a resume for college admission may also help prepare you to compose a more effective resume when youre prepared to find employment. Expert Stay away from the term expert, if you dont truly are, states Bensusen. Rather than that, you use the personenname of a particular skill for each heading. Resumes are an overview of the most essential data, said Debra Feldman, a work search expert referred to as the JobWhiz. So lets examine some approaches to compose aggressive, up-to-the-minute resumes that genuinely SELL you. Get the Scoop on Assisted Synonym Resume Before Youre Too Late Hiring managers will need to scan your resume and locate the ingestaltation that they need in record time so that they are able to move on to the next resume. Employers arent permitted to ask for that type of information, and you need tont offer. Its also possible that you experience an Interest expense account. Caregivers serve an essential part in the medical care market. They are responsible for assisting infants, seniors or the disabled with receiving a proper diet and meals along with preparation of meals and in some cases grocery shopping. A caregiver will normally visit the house of a senior, but in addition may work from a nursing care facility as a portion of the staff. If he or she has the ultimate goal to become a registered or licensed nurse they will need an associate degree of two years or a bachelors degree of approximately three to four years. Most Noticeable Assisted Synonym Resume Employing action verbs in your resume is a very simple approach to dramatically enhance the potency of your resume. You are able to also use the passive form in case you do not know whos doing the action or whenever you do not wish to mention whos doing the action. Make sure youre highlighting the most relevant and topical experience essential for the position. Explore various ways to translate your abilities and experience so that you position yourself as a capable and capable candidate. Folks often also utilize weak verbs to spell out their work. Committed Show that youre devoted to your work, begin to finish. Funny things occur all of the moment, but if youre obsessed with left-brain analytical thought, you might discover that its really hard to stop and respond. Want to Know More About Assisted Synonym Resume? Our resume builder will provide you with tips and examples on how best to compose your resume summary. So you would like to find out more about the business first, then discover the name of the babo and write them a letter. Name the document and ensure you include your own name at the peak of the webpage. Thee rejection letter templates might be employed by making minor adjustments or by simply filling the critical fields. Volunteering also offers you the opportunity to meet and work with new people from all over the Earth, a skill thats invaluable as the business world develops increasingly more towards the global stage. In stimulating environments, employees enjoy their time on the job and theyll also excel on the job. A lot of people applying for government jobs for the very first time may not know about the value of selection criteria responses, or the way to approach them. Inside my opinion, a part-time job only to pay the bills wouldnt fall within that category. Just remember to ENJOY YOURSELF, it is going to be the very best time of your life and one that you wont ever forget When youre traveling make certain you get the most from the experience and ask all the questions that you feel you desire the response to, dont be scared to be yourself an d strive to generate a change to the community. Knowing when to highlight a persons education vs. experience is essential. Its particularly important if writing your work experience. The Birth of Assisted Synonym Resume The work description is another fantastic region to use whenever making your resume. An overall ledger allows you to have a look. Employing a resume builder supplies you with the advantage of customizing your resume to your own profile together with placement you are going to be hoping to receive. For instance, in a manufacturing business, the line workers are accountable for the creation of the products that the business produces for sale. Youre basically attempting to sell the company on yourself.