Daily Solutions: Want a better job?

A Job is Similar to a Relationship,

IF YOU SETTLE FOR LESS, YOU WILL GET LESS THAN WHAT YOU SETTLED FOR.

Image from: www.unionrestoration.org

Solution:

1) Once You Get Hired in Any Company:
- Don't be afraid to keep an eye out for other positions, both internally and in other companies. 
- Get to know people in the office. Everyone from the receptionist to upper management could play a crucial role in your future in the company.

2) Want to Change Your Career?
- Thoroughly research what it is you actually want to do. You may require specific training or certification before you could actually apply for appropriate positions. 
- Don't be afraid to start networking with people in the field. There is nothing more valuable than hearing the insights from an insider.
- Incorporate your current skills (even if unrelated) to the new position. You have the potential to offer a company something that other candidates will not be able to. 

3) ASK:
- You will never get a promotion or a raise if you don't ask for it. If you are like most of us, it could be a little daunting asking for such things from your boss. Therefore, believe in what you are asking for. Think why you deserve the raise or promotion and use those reasons in your proposal.

4) Follow Change:
- In order to stay relevant, you need to welcome change. 
- Stay well informed regarding new innovations and research in your field and try to implement it in your work. If necessary, make appropriate recommendations to upper management. 


Remember, there is something valuable in the phrase 'Do What You Love, and Love What You Do' .

Daily Solutions: Want to increase your productivity? 
Daily Solutions: Want to reduce the negative thoughts that lead to anxiety?

Daily Solutions: Increase Productivity? No Problem.

If you are anything like I used to be, once you get home from work (5pm-6pm) you are ready to become a couch potato. It seems being productive after a 'work day' is more improbable than waking up at 5am to make it to the gym; Seems like a good idea at first but it is too good to be true.

But, imagine if you could utilize that extra 4-5 hours before getting ready for bed. What would you get done (or start) if you had that time?

The following few tricks have really helped me, and I hope it could help you too.

Image from: marketinggypsy.com

1) Turn off your TV/Background Noise
Since I have made a vow to overcome my TV addiction 12 days ago, I have so much extra time, I actually run out of things to do. In only 12 days, I have started this blog, created several other social media accounts that I contribute to regularly, written several drafts for future posts, organized my projects, updated my portfolio and learned a few new recipes in the kitchen.

2) Join a team
When I received an E-mail from a friend in December asking if I wanted to join a dodgeball team,  I thought she was bloody absurd. But, since committing to the team every Tuesday night, along with the rest of regular commitments, I find that the rest of my week seems more organized as well because the more I have to do, the less spare time I have to waste.

3) Schedule in Social Gatherings and 'Me-Time'
I don't use a fancy calender with a leather cover or a high-tech tablet (not that there is anything wrong with that) to organize my week.  What I use is a simple notebook that I have turned into a weekly calender. Besides deadlines, meetings, and important reminders, I also schedule in my social life. When I see how much of my week is actually accounted for, I am more likely to utilize that extra few hours that I have each night. This does not mean that I am not flexible or pass on opportunities, to the contrary, I am quite spontaneous because I see what needs to be done, and I make the conscious decision to either commit to the task at hand or reschedule.

4) Listen to Your Body and not the Devil on Your Shoulder
There is going to be days that no matter how much you would want to be productive, you are better off kicking your shoes and having a glass of wine. Do it. You need it! Your body and mind requires occasional 'time-off' in order not to burn out. But, differentiate between  'I need to unwind' (voice of reason) and 'I should really do work, but I rather do it tomorrow' (the devil on your shoulder).

5) Set Goals
Last but not least, set weekly goals. Yes, it seems redundant but setting goals helps with the direction of your week, works as a motivation factor and it is a tangible way to measure progress.

Love you hear your feedback.
Comment here or twit me at @solutionaddict

Daily Solutions # 3

Do You Have a Hard Time Falling Asleep?

Solution: Concentrate on Your Breathing

Forget the gadgets and prescription medications. Most acute sleeping disorders are a result of not being able to 'turn our brains off' (kids, relationship, bills, mortgage...etc). So, by concentrating on your breathing when you have your eyes closed, you will go into the meditation stage, and thus, in a more relaxed stage needed to fall asleep.
 If done correctly, when concentrating on your breathing, it is impossible to think about anything else.  

It will take a several tries. Commit yourself. It will work.

Daily Solutions #2

Did you know that over-analyzing increases anxiety and leads to negative thoughts?

Image from 12tribesministries.com

Solution: Journaling.

By writing down your thoughts, you allow for a more logical analysis.
For a more productive journaling, write down your thoughts, read it over and try to justify the thought. This way, you are more likely to determine if what you are feeling is based on a logical occurrence, or a product of over-analyzing.

Daily Solutions #1:

You Snooze, You Lose

Want to wake up more alert in the morning?

Get rid of the Snooze option on your alarm clock. Studies show that you tend to be more alert if you wake up with the initial alarm.
Want a challenge? How about placing your alarm clock away from arm's reach.