Finding the Link Between Peace and Productivity

Finding the Link Between Peace and Productivity Daniel can’t concentrate on what his daughter is saying. He’s frantically trying to recall the commitment he made to a now-angry customer. “Is this a right angle?” his daughter asks as she works on her geometry homework. But she doesn’t expect a reply. She’s used to a dad who’s not really there. She puts away her unfinished homework while Daniel stares into space, his heart racing, palms sweaty, head spinning. What else has slipped his mind? Our research shows most people can relate with Daniel: a third of which feel overwhelmed; nearly half are unable to focus, and one in five struggle to be present at home. These are all signs of a failing personal productivity system. Daniel’s system of capturing to-dos on sticky notes, constantly reviewing his email and checking his calendar may have gotten him through college, his first job, and his first promotion, but it isn’t robust enough for his new situation: marriage, children, community commitments, and managerial roles. The most telling symptom of a failing productivity system is not age, organizational status, or income. The most salient sign your system is not serving you is the quality of your life. If stress and distraction are frequent companions, then your productivity habits have not kept pace with your life’s complexity. If Daniel could transform his sputtering system into the Ferrari model, how would his life change? Would he be more or less of a workaholic? Would his stress increase or decrease? Would his capacity to experience enjoyment grow or shrink? We wanted to find out, but we didn’t start with the Daniels. Instead, we began with top performers â€" people who were rated ten out of ten by their managers. Are You a Ten? First, we wanted to know what it means to be a ten, to be rated a top performer by your boss. We predicted top performers would be more valuable than average performers but we wanted to know how much more and what they do that makes them so valuable. So we surveyed 1,594 managers and peers, and asked them about employees they rate as “tens on a ten-point performance scale”. It turns out, both managers and peers say tens are three times more valuable than an average employee and do 61 percent of the total work in their departments. What’s more, managers and peers agreed tens work smarter, not harder, and are less stressed than the average employee. So, how do these top performers do it? To answer this question, we tested the methodology described by David Allen in his book, Getting Things Done to see whether the GTD practices could make someone a ten. We had 2,072 respondents assess the impact of their production practices on two key areas: performance and stress. Statistical tests confirmed that participants with high productivity scores had performance levels 68 percent higher and yet half the stress of participants with low scores. As it turns out, GTD practices dramatically improve performance while reducing stress. Specifically, people with high scores are: 55 times less likely to start projects that never get finished 21 times less likely to experience tasks and responsibilities falling through the cracks Never likely to miss deadlines or assignments 18 times less likely to feel overwhelmed Actions You Can Take Our research shows that learning the productivity skills demonstrated by top performers is key to both personal and organizational success. The message in this research is that a very small number of self-management practices literally change a person’s life and are also beneficial to the organization â€" they dramatically improve performance while also reducing stress. Below are five productivity practices of top performing employees. practices aligned with the skills in Getting Things Done. that anyone can implement into their own productivity system today: Collect everything that owns your attention. Capture all commitments, tasks, ideas, and projects rather than keeping them in your head. Use just a few “capture tools” you keep with you all the time such as lists, apps, email, etc. Decide what your stuff means to you. Clarify if the items you’ve captured have an action or not. If they do, be very clear about what the VERY next action is and who should take it. Use the two-minute rule. If an action can be completed in two minutes or less, do it immediately. Don’t defer. The time you’ll waste letting these simple actions occupy your attention and the to-do list is not worth itâ€"two minutes becomes your efficiency cutoff. Do more of the right things by reflecting on  the right moments. Rather than diving into your messy inbox first thing, take two minutes to review your calendar and your action lists. This reflection ensures you make the best decisions about how to use your time. Review weekly. Keep a sacred, non-negotiable meeting with yourself every week to re-sync, get current, and align your daily work and projects with your higher-level priorities. About the author: Justin Hale is a Master Trainer, keynote speaker and training designer at VitalSmarts. He is a leader of the team responsible for engineering the latest product innovations including the new edition of Getting Things Done ® Training.  

Should You Hire Potential or Experience for a Startup

Should You Hire Potential or Experience for a Startup So, you’ve decided to start a business. Without a doubt, you’re probably quite anxious to start making money right away. However, before we talk profits, there is that team of employees to consider first. After all, it’ll be your team that will be the ultimate difference between the success or failure of your startup. If this is your business, it will be important to note that hiring for a startup is much different than hiring for a large company or well-established venture. And if you don’t want to end up in the 75% of startups that fail, you’ll want to focus on hiring individuals who will stick with you to help focus on growing your company, instead of employee turnover. When recruiting for a startup, one common obstacle that business owners have is deciding between talent and experience. While there is a slight possibility that your startup recruits will have both talent and experience, often you will need to choose one over the other, but both are incredibly valuable to your business. Survival of the  fittest: Prospective recruits who have raw talent often have the upper hand when it comes to adapting to change, usually very quickly and without fail. Why? Unlike experienced candidates, those with raw talent tend to be more open to change and how to adapt to it. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that more experienced employees will refuse change altogether. They more or less have assumptions as to what will work and what will not be based on their previous successes and fails, but change has a way of negatively impacting the performance of these individuals. Dedication,  dedication, dedication: There is no question that individuals with exceptional experience prove dedication to some degree. After all, they’ve made it a point to advance in their education. Similarly, if these same individuals stayed with previous employers for a significant amount of time or have completed more training, this could certainly be a sign of longevity as well. However, longevity does not always lead to productivity. It’s true that while self-taught individuals may not have a fancy degree, these individuals often prove to be more dedicated as they usually have a lot more to prove in order to be considered. This is simply because candidates with raw talent don’t have the experience to fall back on when things go awry, which isn’t usually a problem for others with more experience. For example, if an employee worked at the same company for 30 years and was let go from his position, chances are that his experience will speak for itself when looking for another job. While his experience doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be more productive, he’ll likely be the most dedicated employee you’ll get. Everyone’s  got an ego: What business owners tend to forget when recruiting is that whether they choose raw talent or experience, everyone will have an ego. Don’t get me wrong experience can be great to have on your side as a startup    however, an employee’s ego can easily damage their job performance, as well as office culture. Even raw talent can have an ego, possibly even bigger than that of a more experienced individual. While they may not carry a full resume or have a college education, they’re naturally talented, which can even make them more ego-worthy. When all is said and done, in terms of loyalty, it looks like raw talent wins. As a startup owner, raw talent tends to be more grateful towards you and thankful for the amount of experience you’ve given them. Experienced candidates, on the other hand, may not feel the need to exceed, but they’ll be able to meet your work expectations. In an ideal world, we would jump at the chance to hire the most talented and experienced individuals; however, this is not always the case. You have your budget, values, and expectations to consider, so choose the candidates who you think will best serve your startup and help it grow. What steps do you take to recruit the right employees? Share your comments below! Author: Nick Rojas is an online entrepreneur and passionate journalist for 1800-number.com who enjoys sharing his knowledge on business startups, globalization and business solutions, wh0 wants to start his own business someday.

Biggest Career Barriers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Biggest Career Barriers - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Everybody has dreams of getting ahead in their careers and become very successful. Nonetheless, this is easier said than done. Everyone will face some challenges and barriers in their careers but the important thing is not to give up and find ways to overcome those barriers. Below are the most common career barriers and how to overcome them. Age: Age is one of the biggest career barriers in front of employees. As people age, the sacrifices they need to make to change their careers increase and therefore, they don’t want to take risks because they are afraid of the things that they will lose. Also, older employees think that their bosses don’t consider their future in the organization as much as the younger employees. They don’t get much training and usually older women employees are overlooked for promotion. Gaps in Work History: When employees have a gap in their work history, they may be seen as inconsistent by employers. However, everybody can have breaks in their lives whether to care for children, to travel the world or just to have a mental break. You just need to explain the reason of your gap to your potential employer. If it is a minor gap and you have a valid reason for it, then employers can understand you. Otherwise, it would be better if you start a side venture such as selling stuff from internet, blogging or similar ventures you can do from home or at least start doing something to develop your skills. You can take online classes, for instance. Making Money Your Biggest Motivation: If your sole motivation becomes earning a lot of money then, you cannot be successful in life. Obviously, everybody wants to get compensated accordingly for their efforts but working in a job just because it is high paying can make your life unbearable. You need to know yourself and choose a career according to your interests and skills. Otherwise, you can get stuck in a career that you will dread for years. Being Impatient: Career developments are unfortunately slow most of the time. Therefore, you need be patient to move up the career ladder. If you are sure about the field you work in and want to move up in your current industry, then keep in mind that everything you do adds you more value and prepares you for your next role. You just need to wait a little bit and keep working hard.

Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey University of Manchester Careers Blog

Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey University of Manchester Careers Blog Each year UK Universities are legally required to collect information about recent graduates through what’s known as the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey, or the DLHE survey for short. If you graduated between the 1st January and the 31st July 2013 we will shortly be asking you to fill out your DLHE survey and let us know what you are up to now, be that in employment, doing another degree, traveling or job hunting. Completing the DLHE survey is very important to us. Results from this survey are used to position the University in league tables and to enable the Careers Service to help prospective/ current students make career choices and improve their employability We would greatly appreciate if you could take some time to fill out the online form here or the postal survey which will be sent to you shortly. More information on the DLHE survey can be found on our website as well as details on what happens to the data you provide. All Graduate

3 women in finance talk about their careers

3 women in finance talk about their careers This article was written in collaboration with EY. Explore EYs graduate programmes, summer internships and industrial placements on  the Debut app.   When you envision a career in finance, what do you imagine? The traditional image is lots of men in suits, who’ve probably studied accountancy or economics at university, spending their days up to their eyes in spreadsheets. But at a company like EY, its completely different. They welcome candidates from all backgrounds and degree disciplines, from History to Biology, and are widening their application criteria to diversify their workforce. To find out what a career in finance really looks like, we sat down with three EY employees to get an insight into their career paths and the kind of work you could be getting involved with. Elizabeth Brown, a Senior Financial Services Auditor, Rachel Jones, Corporate Finance Analyst, and Rozalie Boyle, Corporate Restructuring Analyst, all provided some insider tips on life in the finance industry, and how women can make their voices heard. It’s not as male-dominated as it might seem We all think of finance as an industry dominated by men, but as these three women from EY proved to us, this isn’t the case. A number of finance firms are actively seeking more female employees, and working hard to provide the support women need to excel in their roles. Rozalie says: “One of the biggest challenges Ive faced is not believing in myself. It does sound cliché, but often women are their own biggest obstacle to success. “There is a saying that A woman will not volunteer for a job that she is 95% capable and qualified to do, where as a man who is 40% capable and qualified, will. I see this time and time again, though EY and the women in EY are working very hard to change that. Even in the last 12 months Ive seen real progress.” Finance is actually pretty exciting For those outside of the industry, finance can seem all numbers, spreadsheets and data. But finance actually incorporates a wide range of tasks, such as liaising with clients and managing projects, along with the more technical aspects including diligence and advisory. Rozalie admits that a career in finance had previously never appealed to her: “I always detested the idea of becoming an accountant. I thought it sounded dull, detailed and you had to be a very boring person to be one. I couldnt have been further from the truth. “I feel like Ive become more interesting and lively since working here, as you’re having to solve problems and challenges every day, interacting with people and working with some of the biggest companies in the world.” You’ll get the chance to work on some big projects Finance is a fast-paced industry where you’ll be expected to throw yourself in straight away, and you’ll be given the responsibility to work on some pretty major projects. I mean, no one likes being sat around all day, right? Rachel told us about her biggest achievement since starting at the company: “I worked on the merger of two large asset management clients. This was an £11bn transaction that was closely followed and reported on globally. They are now one of the largest investment companies in the world.” You get lots of support While you’ll be given the chance to work on some major projects, you won’t just be thrown in without the necessary support or guidance. EY will be with you every step of the way, providing you with the tools you need to make the right decisions and do well. Elizabeth talked about how her “self-confidence has increased significantly since joining EY, and how she has constantly been given opportunities to push myself within the firm, and this has aided my personal development. “I was given exposure to clients within my first few weeks at EY and this has greatly improved my communication skills, so that I am now comfortable in leading client meetings and discussions.” Golden advice you need to know So what would their main pieces of advice be for those seeking a career in finance? Listen up, because there are some gems here… Elizabeth: “It is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and I would therefore advise those going through this stage to continue with outside hobbies and interests, whilst also working hard to build the foundations of a successful career.” Rachel: “I think it’s very important to always ask questions when you first join, as it will allow you to learn and manage expectations. It’s important to make yourself heard.” Rozalie: “My biggest tip is to take a chance and go for that job that you may not think you will get, as you will amaze yourself as to your capability.” Connect with Debut on  Facebook,  Twitter,  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

5 Secrets Behind A Successful Job Search - CareerEnlightenment.com

5 Secrets Behind A Successful Job Search In the current competitive job market, it is important to know exactly how you can perform an effective job search so that you do not miss out on good opportunities. The process isn’t as simple as applying for jobs and getting called in for an interview, it is actually more complex if you want to get the most out of job hunting. Successful job searchers use a range of approaches to help themselves stand out as the best candidates.Read on to learn more about job search strategies you can use to increase the success in getting noticed by employers and securing an interview.Find specialized job platformsJob search engines like Seek, Indeed and CareerOne are great places to start if you are looking for a variety of jobs. However, if you are searching for specific jobs (e.g. graduate roles) consider trying a job search engine that caters specifically to your need. GradConnection is an excellent job search engine for graduate roles and internships. This means you can spend less time sca nning the job descriptions and selection criteria to find out if you’re suitable, and more time applying for those roles!List some keywords relating to your job titleSome roles may be very similar in the duties they involve but may have different job titles. Widen your job search by noting keywords that relate to the role you are looking for and terms that can be used interchangeably. For example, if you are looking for a role in project management, looking at including words such as “manager” and “planner” in your job search.Remember, if you are just looking to step foot in a new industry, your first role may not be your exact dream job. That doesn’t mean that you should disregard everything that isn’t exactly what you are looking for. Consider roles with similar duties so that you can get your foot in the door. You can always move on to what you really want when you have gained some experience in the field.Use multiple channels Job searching online is the most common way to find new roles but don’t fall into the trap of limiting yourself to only jobs advertised online. It is important to continue networking and building connections with the right people so that you can get your foot in the door. Be sure to utilize your friends and family when job searching because you never know who may know who.Be present at conferences and industry gathering as well so that you are constantly getting to know new people in your field. Approaching companies directly can be a good way of getting noticed immediately. First of all, you show people that you are more determined than the candidates who have chosen to remain behind a computer screen and you are able to give them a genuine impression of yourself in person. Want to Read More Articles Like This One?Sign up here to receive weekly updates from Career Enlightenment, and never miss another powerful job searching tip! SUBSCRIBE! You have Successfully Subscribed!We hate spam too. Unsubscribe any time. Ta ilor your resume A common mistake many job searchers make is mass distributing the same resume. This will hold your application back as you may not be responding to the selection criteria of each role. Sometimes, even strategic wording can make a resume go from bland and unsuited to highly impressive. The key is to do your research before you begin your application. Make sure your resume ticks all the boxes by scanning the selection criteria and making sure you include everything the employer is looking for.This also means removing the things your employer is not looking for. Your first casual job when you were fifteen, may have been important to include at some point but if you are looking for a professional job in an industry such as finance, there may be more noteworthy things you could be putting on your resume.Be patientJob searching takes time when you factor in researching, applying and then waiting for responses. It can be difficult to maintain positivity during these times but just remember that all your hard work is leading you to your dream job. Sometimes it can be handy to follow up with some companies about your application so that you know where your application is at and so you can show your potential employers that you are determined to get the role.Job searching is time-consuming and arduous but with these five tips, anyone can turn an ineffective job hunt into a successful one. Just remember to stay positive and continue putting in the effort and you’ll find yourself landing your dream job in no time!

Get Healthcare out of the Hands of the Employer

Get Healthcare out of the Hands of the Employer I need healthcare coverage the job seekers are saying. It ranks up higher than needing a job. Imagine what risks or sacrifices people could make if they didnt NEED healthcare benefits. They could: Pursue a lifetime dream of starting their own business. Accept long term and maybe even short term contract work. Develop a portfolio career (several different jobs that equate to full time pay). Be freed  from the notion that a job with benefits is the only option. As we look at the growing nature of healthcare costs to the employer and the resulting decline in their hiring permanent employees.   We see the shift has been towards contract work.   For most unemployed, this is not an option because it doesnt come with healthcare. Dan Schawbels interview with  Jason Alba looks at his career and business.   Jason has multiple income streams which were developed out of necessity as he says: They all tie into my idea of “income security,” with the goal of creating a model that will help me secure a certain income, regardless of who my employer is. In business we call it diversification. If  the government  really wants to help the economy and get people back to work, one of the first things they need to address is this issue.   It is truly limiting the ability  of our economy to get back on its feet. Penelope Trunk, Brazen Careerist,   wrote about how to change  high healthcare costs.   Her recommendation, pay doctors less.   Read her short post to learn why doctors would probably still be doctors even if they werent paid as much. I am not necessarily advocating for government  sponsored or socialized healthcare per se.   There just has to be another way. Lets get people back to work so they can begin to feel good about themselves again.   We are all  striving for  life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.