3 Signs You Should Definitely Quit Your Job

3 Signs You Should Definitely Quit Your Job3 Signs You Should Definitely Quit Your JobSo, youve recently realized that you and your current job just arent a great fit. But youre not quite sure what to do with that realization. Should you quit? Tough it out and try to improve your situation? Coast for now so you can put your energy into finding something better?These questions arent easy, and weighing their endless implications and consequences can be emotionally exhausting.Well, let me settle your mind a bit.There are three situations in which you should definitely quit your job. Not necessarily right away- the details of how and when Ill leave to you. But as for that nagging question of whether or not you should leave, this list will give you some peace of mind about that.If any of the following apply, you can start planning your exit strategy.1. It Just Isnt SustainableIf you find yourself in a situation in which it is emotionally, physically, or mentally draining (or worse) for yo u even to show up to work, let alone get excited and perform at a high level- you need to leave. It might be due to unsupportive co-workers, an unattentive supervisor, a commute that is destroying all of your personal time, or an unfair workload that is impossible to handle. But whatever the cause, realize that professional development and confidence compound over time- so its critical to keep your career momentum moving, rather than getting stuckverzierung in a bad situation.This also includes being systematically underpaid. If you are slowly (but definitively) running out of runway because you have a job that doesnt pay you well enough, you dont want to wait until that runway dissolves entirely, at which point it will be much more difficult to move on.In many situations, there are ways to change these factors- transferring to a new department, picking up a new project, or asking for a raise, for example. But assuming youve tried to make the best of the situation and those attempts havent been successful, dont feel bad about doing what you have to do to take care of yourself.2. It Isnt Furthering Your Professional DevelopmentA job shouldnt just provide you with a paycheck- it should be helping you gain skills, experiences, knowledge, and training that will help youfurther your career. So if you find yourself in a situation in which you are falling unacceptably behind in your professional development, its time to move on.It can be hard to recognize when youre in this situation, but its typically accompanied by a feeling of unmet potential, restlessness, or being stuck. More specifically, a job is not contributing to your professional development if it isnt letting you do at least one of the following things (and ideally several or all of them) Gain new skills, networks, expertise, or certifications by working on new projects. Save money so that you can make further investments in yourself. Invest in yourself directly by paying for your education or professiona l development experiences like conferences, courses, and trainings. Have the time to explore other job duties, organizations, and fields. Build relationships with influential people within and outside of your organization, particularly people who might be in a position to help you get promoted or find another job when the time is right. Receive mentorship from people who are more experienced than you. Find intellectual stimulation in your work. Take risks, so that you have the chance to fail, succeed, and learn from those experiences.Great companies make sure youre able to do all of the above, because they know thats the way to attract and develop top talent. The fewer of these opportunities your job is affording you, the sooner you should be looking to move on.3. Something Else (Way Better) Comes AlongEvery now and then, as youre slogging away at the path youve laid out for yourself, the stars will align and a too-good-to-be-true opportunity will show itself. You wont see it coming , but youll be at a dinner party and someone will turn to you and say Hey, Ive got a friend at Dream Company and hes looking for an XYZ- I feel like youd be perfect And just like that, youre two phone calls and an unofficial bewerberinterview away from an amazing job opportunity.This one sounds like a no-brainer, but Ive seen a lot of people consider passing on these types of opportunities because of fear, loyalty, or self-doubt. But remember At the end of the day, you dont owe your company more than you owe yourself in furthering your own development and growth. If youve been offered a job that will offer you much more in the way of career development, responsibility, or happiness- unless you would be causing catastrophic failure at your current employer- you should take it.Admittedly, these situations arent always as black and white as Ive depicted here. In almost every situation, there is some facet of your job that makes it worth staying at. But be honest with yourself about why youre not happy. And if theres something you want to change or gain- some skill, some side project, something that gives you valuable traits that you didnt have before- dont be afraid to ask for these things. Good managers will appreciate your interest in keeping yourself sharp and growing, and theyll help to get you the right opportunities.And if youve tried, and your organization isnt receptive to your heartfelt requests, take a deep breath and lay your plans. Its time to find something bigger and better.Photo of man courtesy of Unsplash.

2 Times You Must Answer an Email in 24 Hours- The Muse

2 Times You Must Answer an Email in 24 Hours- The Muse2 Times You Must Answer an Email in 24 Hours- The MuseYou know you need to get back to someone as soon as possible when he or she sends an email labeled urgent. You can imagine the other partie staring at his screen, unblinking, or obsessively refreshing his inbox, because hes waiting on you for the final numbers, the approval, the go-ahead, the answer, or the next steps.But did you know thats notlage the only time you need to prioritize writing back? Its true If you let a message sit a few days in either of the following scenarios, you risk looking pretty insensitive or unprofessional. Its a tough balance for sure, because in each instance, you also want to say the right thing. But its important to the take the time to reply.1. When Youve Punted BeforeAre you familiar with punting an email to manage your inbox? As Muse co-founder and COO Alex Cavoulacos explains Send a short Thanks for thinking of me- Im booked up this month but if you reach out in some time in the future, Id love to help however I can. Many people will never follow up at all- either because they forgot or because they dont need your time and advice anymora- so you can rest assured that the people who follow up are the ones who most need your help.While this strategy will save you from answering all of the people who never reach back, the trade off is that if someone does as you ask- waits however long and then follows up- you really owe it to her to send a response. Shes being respectful by contacting you at a later time, and so you want to show her the same courtesy.Of course, you may still be too busy to help out (and thats OK). But you shouldnt be too busy to send a helpful response- even if its giving a short answer, pointing her toward someone else, or providing a link to a resource- and within 24 hours if possible. Additionally, composing a real reply saves you from starting a never-ending Ill get back to you later email chain, which ll be seen as leading the other person on. 2. When Youre Told Something PersonalMany people find it difficult to share personal information with their co-workers. So, if someone takes the time to share upsetting news with you over email, writing back quickly is always called for.It doesnt have to be a lengthy reply, and its OK if youre not 100% sure of the right thing to say. You can almost always lead with Im so sorry to hear Then, thoughtfully address whatever action item was in the email (assuming there was one, which there usually is) with something like, Please take your time or Feel free to reach back when you return. And if there is a time-sensitive issue that requires you to ask for something tangible, take a few minutes to figure out the most minimal ask before responding. For example, this is how you could respond to a co-worker who tells you that he wont be able to finish the board presentation due this week because of a death in the familyDear Jeannette,Im so sorry to he ar that your grandfather passed away. I, of course, understand that youll be flying home to Pittsburgh, and I hope that time with family brings you comfort.Please dont worry about the board presentation. If you could just point me to where what youd been working on is on the shared drive, Id be more than happy to finish it.I hope youll feel free to list me as a point of contact on your out of office message, and let me know if theres anything else I can do.With Condolences,SteveEven when you dont have the exact right words- and no one does- replying quickly shows that you care. It makes your concern feel more genuine, and makes it clear you didnt breeze past this news or add it to a list as you would with any other message.Yes, were all fighting the good fight to reach inbox zero and I completely understand the urge to want to put off answering that one hard email because you could answer 10 basic ones in the same amount of time. But its not worth making someone else feel unimportan t- or risking your reputation as a considerate person. So, take the time to reply to a message in either of these categories Youre not the only one wholl be glad you did. Photo of person on phone courtesy of Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury/Getty Images.

How to Calculate Your Unemployment Benefits

How to Calculate Your Unemployment BenefitsHow to Calculate Your Unemployment BenefitsUnfortunately, theres no easy way to calculate how much money youll receive through unemployment benefits or for how long youll be able to collect those benefits unless your state has an online unemployment calculator. Each state has a different rate, and benefits vary based on your earnings record and the date you became unemployed. Are You Eligible for Unemployment? First, make sure you are eligible for unemployment. While it varies based on your state, you generally need two things to qualify. First, you need to have lost your job through no fault of your own. It typically means you are ineligible if you quit- although there are exceptions, like if you quit because of impossible work conditions. If you are fired for cause, you also are likely ineligible. You also have to have been employed for a minimum amount of time or have earned a minimum amount in compensation. Once you find out whether you are eligible, you canfile a claim for unemployment benefits. If youre not sure about your eligibility, check with your state unemployment office. You dont want to lose out on unemployment compensation because you didnt think you would qualify. How Much Will Your Check Be? Once youfile for unemploymentand are approved, you will begin to receive benefits. Your benefits might come in the form of a check, but more often they will come in the form of a debit card or direct deposit to your bank account. It varies by state. You typically canfile weekly online, by email, or by phone. The amount you receive depends on your weekly earnings prior to being laid off and on the maximum amount of unemployment benefits paid to each worker. In many states, you will be compensated for half of your earnings, up to a certain maximum. Benefits usually arepaid for a maximum of 26 weeks. Some states provide benefits for a lower number of weeks, and maximum benefits also vary based on where you liv e. Regardless of how much you make, you never cancollect more than the state maximum. Most states pay benefits on a weekly or biweekly basis. There may be a lag before you receive your first check. For details on when to expect payment, check the unemployment website for your state. Finding a Benefits Calculator There are two types of unemployment calculators. One tells you how much money you are entitled to collect, and another tells you how many weeks your benefits will last. New York, for example, has aUI Benefits Calculatoron which you can enter the starting date of your original claim to determine how many weeks of UI (Regular Unemployment Insurance Benefits) you will receive. Wisconsin has aWeekly Benefit Rate Calculatorthat helps you figure out the amount of your unemployment benefits. Check with yourstate unemployment officewebsite to see if they have any information that might help. If one is available, you usually canfind it on the FAQ section of their website.If they dont have a calculator, they may have a chart that lists weeks of eligibility. You can use that information to determine how many weeks of unemployment you are entitled to collect. If you are struggling to find information on your state unemployment office website, you could visit the office in person or contact the office via phone or email. You usually canget information about the drehort of the office, the phone number, and any email addresses under the Contact Us section of the unemployment office website. However, it often isdifficult to get through to an unemployment office over the phone. Most offices encourage you to file claims and calculate benefits online. Taxes Unemployment benefits are considered taxable income, and the unemployment compensation you receive must be reported when you file your federal and state tax returns. Taxable unemployment compensation generally includes any amounts received under the unemployment compensation laws of the United States or of a s tate, so bothstate unemployment benefitsand federally fundedextended benefitsare considered income. Supplemental unemployment benefits received from a company-financed fund are not considered unemployment compensation. Rather, these benefits are fully taxable as wages and are reported onForm W-2as income. Withholding Some states withhold a percentage of your unemployment benefits to cover taxes- typically 10 percent. If the option to have taxes withheld is available, you will be notified when you sign up for unemployment. Its a good idea to consider having taxes taken out of your checks rather than having to pay income taxes on all the unemployment you received when you file your tax returns for the relevant year. Reporting If you received unemployment compensation during the year, you should receive Form 1099-G, which is a report of income received from a government source, showing the amount you were paid. Any unemployment compensation received must be included in your inc ome and should be reported in the appropriate sections of your federal and state tax returns. Avoid Calculator Scams Some websites say they will figure out your unemployment benefits or file a claim for you. However, the only distributions-mix you can get a definitive answer or file for benefits is on your state unemployment website. ?Avoid getting scammed, and do not give personal information to a third-party website.

The Role of FINRA to Become a Financial Advisor

The Role of FINRA to Become a Financial AdvisorThe Role of FINRA to Become a Financial AdvisorThe Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) was created in July 2007 when the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) merged with the self-regulatory functions of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). FINRA Exams FINRA administers a lengthy list of exams that are among the fruchtwein important credentials for people holding key positions in member firms. For some jobs, it may be necessary to hold multiple certifications by reisepassing multiple exams. For most FINRA certifications, re-testing every few years is necessary, to demonstrate that you have kept up with developments in the industry. Taking FINRA Tests You cannot take FINRA tests as an individual. Instead, you must be sponsored by a FINRA member firm. Thus, your employer will determine what tests you need to pass depending on your job. Training for FINRA tests normally is through self-study, although some emp loyers may offer in-house prep classes. Per the above, attempting to change employers and move into a new job for which you do not already have the necessary FINRA certification can be problematic. Your new firm would, in effect, be hiring you on a contingent basis. You, meanwhile, will be in a potentially difficult spot if you do not pass the test. Series 7 The Series 7 General Securities Representative qualification is perhaps the best known, mandatory for Financial Advisors and certain other sales positions. Series 6 The Series 6 qualification allows the holder to transact business in a much more limited set of investment products than Series 7. These are essentially limited to packaged investment products such as mutual funds and variable annuities. Series 63 and 66 The Series 63 and Series 66 exams cover state securities regulations, and also may be necessary for most Financial Advisor positions. Series 65 Series 65 is the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam which qualifies the holder to be an investment advisor representative. NASAA Note that, while the Series 63, 65 and 66 exams are administered by FINRA, they are prepared by a separate organization, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA). Also, unlike most FINRA tests, you do not need to be sponsored by a FINRA member firm to take the Series 63, 65 or 66. Many states accept various other qualifications, most notably the CFP or the CFA, in lieu of passing the Series 65 or 66 exams.

How to prepare for a mid-year review

How to prepare for a mid-year reviewHow to prepare for a mid-year reviewWere just about halfway through 2019 and a whole bunch of us in theBossed Up Courage Community have questions about how to best prepare for mid-year review season.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHere are 3 quick tips to get you prepared to make the most out of your mid-year review1. Break out the Brag BookJust a few weeks back, Jessica shared a boss tip blog post all about how tostart a brag bookto track your achievements and accomplishments. This is the time to put that book to good useTally up your latest achievements, take stock of any recent awards or recognition, and tap into the file full of happy client feedback. Prepare for your mid-year review with as many concrete metrics that you can bring to the table as possible.Struggling to find any good validation in the data? If youre short on positiveoutcom es, focus on calculating some numbers that reflect the effort, energy, and commitment youve brought to the task at hand.For instance, an editor friend of mine once had what turned out to be just a really lousy year in terms of how many book deals she welches able to secure for the publisherbei. But it wasnt for a lack of trying. She brought all the data to her boss and tried to analyze where she went wrong, showing all the competitive bids shed made for book deals that year. Upon review with her boss, they agreed it was leidhing more than a fluke Even thought her win-loss record wasnt stellar, my friend went into her review able to show she brought her A-game nonetheless.2. Get Clear on Your GoalsShowing that youre forward-thinking and always focused on making progress is a key factor for acing your mid-year review. Be clear about what goals youre pursuing in this chapter of your career but keep in mind who your audience is, too. You shouldnotfeel the need to disclose that youre lo oking to grow in a totally different direction that your current lage allows, unless theres a culture of radical honesty at your workplace or if you work for the kind of giant company that helps facilitate employees cross-departmental transitions.The best way to describe your goals moving forward is to focus on how youre looking to develop yourcraft.What skills are you looking to hone and develop? What professional development opportunities are you pursuing? And how does your growth tie directly into the companys overall growth, too?Need help getting clear on your goals?Pick up your copy ofthe Bossed Up LifeTracker Plannerto bring more clarity and consistency to your year while theyre still 50% off.SHOP NOW 3. Have a plan for growthWhether you feel like your performance is in need of improvement, or that youre absolutely crushin it at your job, go into your mid-year review with a plan to propose.Need to step things up?Dont wait for your manager to put you on a performance improvemen t plan (a PiP). Propose one yourself. You might say something like thisWhile I feel confident about the reports Im writing up, I want to avoid making mistakes in the accounting processes, so Ive found an interactive online course Id love to take and have asked for some one-on-one time with Teresa in accounting to gain some training from her directly as well.Feel like youre killin it at work?Dont wait for the red carpet to be rolled out for your promotion. Ask what it would take to make it happen. You might say something like thisI feel confident in my performance and committed to our organization. Id love to explore what opportunities for growth exist for me in here in the form of a raise or promotion. Do you think Im eligible for that kind of growth this year? What do we need to do to explore that further?Make the most of your performance reviewAs much as youll want to prepare for your mid-year performance review, remember that this is a two-way conversation, too. Stay open torecei ving feedback, actively listen for queues from your manager about how they perceive your performance and where they see you going in the organization, too.At the end of the day, these reviews are not just about pleasing the boss, theyre also about gaining more information about your potential for growth and development. And if youre not liking what youre hearing, they might just be the impetus you need topre-game your career change.This article first appeared on Bossed Up.

Truck Driver Resume Sample: No Longer a Mystery

Truck Driver Resume Sample No Longer a Mystery Truck Driver Resume Sample Features Resumes have the special ability to capture the interest of recruiting authorities, and the trucking sector isnt any different. You might have been employed as a driver at a few businesses. Commercial drivers perform to a far higher standard of road safety, and they have to maintain a history of excellence in driver performance to keep a valid license. New commercial drivers could possibly be paired with a skilled employee to v on-the-job training. Additionally, it discusses the distinctive skills of the driver. Drivers can be self-employed or work for a provider. In front of a driver takes their vehicle out on the street, among the initial tasks that must be done is a careful vehicle inspection. 1 way to prove that youre a driver committed to punctuality is to reach the interview in time, if not earlier. Your truck driver resume must start with a proactive career objective at which you can s lightly nichts von on your major abilities or expertise to demonstrate your competency from the start. Truck Drivers are accountable for the transportation of goods from one spot to another. In addition, its possible for you to learn about transportation careers and search for truck driver jobs on Monster. While trucks arent an alternative for everyone career, for some it is sometimes a fantastic approach to work and live. Your very best strategy when creating a driver resume is to center on the previous 10-15 decades of your experience. To steer your path to the ideal truck driver jobs, it can help to have a complete and customized resume. Locate a resume template which suits your taste. In addition, you can find out more about transportation careers on Monster. Your job duties are regular activities that do not have any choice except to carry out each workday. It lists your final job first. It monster your very last job first. Getting back in a place to match about the exact same page is crucial. Additionally, be certain to include in the event that you ever trained any new employees. Everything in your resume ought to be simple to read and simple to comprehend. Next ensure use of good resume keywords. Our driver resume samples show a fantastic abbildung of the way to condense your experience down to a single page. If you dont have a lot of work experience, its fine to compose some appropriate volunteer work. If you believe you can achieve this job, you may apply for it using the email given below. Together with, you will need to compose your objective statement to coincide with the wants of the job youre seeking. Well, from time to time, an excellent resume and stellar interview answers are insufficient. Interview winning resumes ought to be written after lots of planning and has to be customized to suit the demands of recruiter, for each position you apply for. Our resume builder will provide you with tips and examples about how to com pose your resume summary. When you are able to handle such a weighty duty effortlessly, it can appear anticlimactic to confront something as easy as writing a resume but resume writing can be exceedingly difficult if you dont have the proper tools. For many industries, resumes are among the main elements in the work application procedure. Your resume, after all, isnt an autobiography, but instead a summary of your previous experience and qualifications.

The Key Steps to Making a Job Offer - Spark Hire

The Key Steps to Making a Job Offer - Spark HireIts easy to get excited about the prospect of bringing a talented new staff member on board, but dont allow yourself to be careless as you go about the process of making an offer. When you extend an offer, you need to have an attention to detail. Some of the steps you must take when extending an offer includePut it in writingRegardless of how well the conversation went when you told the person they had the job, dont forget to put it in writing and get a signature. The written document will cover the details of the offer, including a benefits package or a bonus structure. Make sure that every item contained within the document is correct, and encourage the new hire to read through this paperwork carefully.Give them time to reviewIn bestellung to prevent any regrets later on, youll want to make sure that the new staffer has plenty of time to review the document and get any questions answered. In order to enjoy a successful relationship, b oth parties must be on the same page about exactly what is expected of that individual.Make sure that they receive a job descriptionYou want to make sure that your new employee knows exactly what is expected of them in order to help them perform to the best of their ability. One way to do this is by hammering out a job description and putting it into writing. This way everyone knows exactly what constitutes success within that company, and the team member can focus on hitting these goals.When bringing a new staff member on board, its essential to verify that both parties understand expectations and the terms of employment. This prevents any miscommunication, ensuring that both employer and employee are happy with the relationship.

A guide for thriving in a fast world 3 things worth remembering

A guide for thriving in a fast world 3 things worth rememberingA guide for thriving in a fast world 3 things worth rememberingWhenOn the Origin of Specieswas first published, it sent shockwaves through the world.Charles Darwin had worked on the theory of evolution through natural selection for more than 20 years before he presented his findings to the public. He knew itd be controversial.It wasnt the first time someone had suggested a natural explanation for the diversity of life, but even so, given the damage that the theory would do to existing paradigms of thought, Darwin knew that if he were to risk public outrage, he would have to be near certain.In the decade after publication, the debate went back and forth on the evidence in the book, but eventually, fruchtwein of the scientific community came around and accepted his theory.Darwins dangerous idea was that life evolves and diversifies, over the course of millions of years, in response to the demands of any given environment. H umans are no different.This idea is now accepted as the core pillar that connects the life sciences. We know how we got here. One thing, however, that we tend to forget is how far we likely have to go.The force of evolution isnt done with us. Its still shaping who we are and what were becoming. In fact, with advances in technology, its doing so at a rate faster than ever.Artificial Intelligence, Augmented/Virtual Reality, and Blockchain technologies will create and destroy paradigms just like Darwins theory did. The only way to keep up with this change is to be prepared for it, and the best way to do that is to observe and adapt byKeeping your personal identity smallAdjusting to the evidence of the worldFinding low cost, high impact avenuesTo thrive in a changing world, you have to first accept that its changing. Then you adapt.Keep your personal identity smallIf you listen to two smart but different people debate a variety of topics from opposing sides, much of the time even if the y never see eye to eye, tension will be low and theyll be tolerant.Thats, of course, unless they are talking about something like politics, religion, or even race.If two people with different belief systems go into many of these kinds of debates, rarely do you see tensionless and tolerant exchanges. In fact, emotions often start to flare quite quickly, and the debate ends up turning into something completely irrelevant and useless.Paul Graham, the founder of the startup incubator Y Combinator, wrote a short, but sweet, essay on this a few years ago in which he argues that the reason for this is that these are topics that people associate with their identity. As a result, they cant be unbiased.When something is deeply embedded in your identity, its hard for you to see the other side because youve already chosen a side, and then youve solidified it by heavily betting on it.Does this mean that its wrong to prefer a political party or that you shouldnt embrace any belief system? Not nec essarily, but it does mean that its worth keeping your identity small.In a world thats going to see multiple lifetimes of change in the next decade or two, leid letting go of an identity that is no longer beneficial is going to become increasingly costly.Your identity is only as valuable as its ability to help you create a sense of order in your mind about what is going on in the world, and how you fit into that equation. If this ceases to align with the changes going on in the external reality, then youre exposed to a fairly steep fall.Believe what you want to believe, but know that the world wont bend to your preferences.Adjust to the evidence of the worldPredicting the future is generally no more accurate than fortune telling, but one of the things that almost every economist agrees on is that a lot of jobs will be s-lost sooner than wed like.Whether or not these jobs will be replaced or not is up for debate. Either way, old ways of doing things will become outdated, and at least some new opportunities will arise.The last time we saw this level of disruption in the labor force was about 200 years ago in the days of the Industrial Revolution. New methods of production meant that many people who did manual labor, like textile workers, for example, no longer had an occupation.In the face of the evidence that the world was giving them about its new demands (like the need to run machinery, rather than doing manual labor), many of the workers adapted.There was, however, a group that didnt. They went around and destroyed the machines as a form of protest. They resisted change and eventually had to be stopped by military force.In the history books, theyre calledLuddites.While its understandable, and even sad, that their way of life was interrupted in such an aggressive way, their failure to adapt to what the world needed did nothing to change the course of history, but it did lead to personal misery.Its true that technology doesnt decide its own impact on humanity, and that we have to take a role in shaping its influence on society. That said, it does respond to the incentives of the world, and these incentives are stronger than any resistance or protest that we can put up.If you dont like where the world is going, work to redesign the incentives of the economy. If you cant, the smartest thing is to look in the direction its moving in and adjust accordingly.This means learning new skills, keeping yourself informed, and being adaptable to change.Find low cost, high impact avenuesOne of the reasons that its hard to predict paradigm shifts in the future is because, by definition, if something has never been done before, its incompatible with the current reality.As a result, many of the ideas that become revolutionary seem like pretty bad concepts at the time. They only become obvious in hindsight. They change our views as they advance over time, not before. The future is rarely shaped deliberately. Its built with experimentation.This applies as well to the arts as it does the sciences. Just as Darwins theory of evolution took at least a decade of time to gain widespread acceptance, so did Van Goghs paintings.The question then becomes, how on Earth do we harness opportunities we cant predict?Well, the first part is being informed enough to understand the general direction that were moving in. That means taking time to study what Artificial Intelligence actually is. You should know why people are so suddenly discussing the potential of Blockchain technologies.After the initial exposure, unless youre taking it on yourself to use such technologies to shape the future, you should try to identify low cost, but potentially high impact avenues.Most such opportunities have a low probability of working out in your favor, but if youre informed and you plant enough seeds in places where the cost of failure is low, then there is also a better than random chance that youre exposing yourself to a hugely rewarding future.For some people, this could mean learning a few extra skills in their spare time, while for others, its an incentive to try to build something that could be useful in a different future.Either way, its about experimenting enough to expose yourself to undiscovered possibilities.All you need to knowAt no point in history have we seen change and progress at the current rate. Were on the cusp of an exponential growth curve leading to a future that we may not even recognize.It took more than 10 years for Darwins theory of evolution to capture the imagination of the world, but when it did, it did so seismically. The changes occurring today are of similar scale.To thrive in a fast world, there are three things worth rememberingKeep your personal identity small. When you take any belief system and attach it too close to who you are, you leave yourself vulnerable to the hazards posed by your biases any time the world fights against your belief. Your identity should be flexible enough to evolve with reality. That requires a sense of detachment from most ideas.Adjust to the evidence of the world. Technologies and societies change based on the incentive structures that the world lays out. If you dont like the direction were moving in, change the incentives. Otherwise, get accustomed to where we are going and prepare yourself to get there. Fighting to retain the status quo hurts nobody but you.Find low cost, but high impact avenues. Nobody can fully predict the future. The general direction that it moves in is identifiable if youre informed, but the specifics are only obvious looking back. Most ideas are bad until they are revolutionary. Experiment and plant seeds in places with low costs of failure and high potential.People prefer comfort to change, and as a result, anything that disrupts their routine gets labeled as bad. Yet, more often than not, change is only as good or bad as the response to it.You may not be able to control where the future directs you, but you can defend against it .Want to think and live smarter? Zat Rana publishes a free weekly newsletter for 30,000+ readers atDesign Luck.

How to Become More Creative at Home and in Business

How to Become More Creative at Home and in Business How to Become More Creative at Home and in Business Creativity and innovation are integral pieces of geschftsleben success. Unfortunately,many of us have trouble tapping into that part of our brain. Life gets busy, and we get wrapped up in the routine of our everyday business operations. However, in order for us to flourish, we need to unleash our creativity.Personally, Im always looking for ways to inspire myself. I like to absorb as much information as possible, and I have found that one of the best ways to be inspired is to learn from others. Here is some of the best advice I have received on tapping into my owncreativity and innovation, which has helped lead to the success of my business.Be OriginalBe original, be different, be unique, and own it. Strive to be the person others look to for inspiration. Instead of coming up with ideas by usingothers examples, try to find inspiration within yourself. It can be easy to take ideas from other people, but what really pushes you forwardis creating that perfect idea, the one that makes everyone else wonder why they didnt thinkof it first.We sometimes forget to unlock our own unique creativity. I was taught to be original, and it has helped me to come up with some great ideas that havecontributedto my success. It is how well you can think for yourself, and the way you use your creativity, that will separate you from everyone else.When its time for me to come up with an original idea, I like to find a distributionspolitik where I feel free free from distractions and open to the possibilities of what Im capable of. For me, this place is often a beautiful, quiet park along the water not too far from my house. There is something about flowing water and the tranquility of nature that inspires me. Once I am there, I like to reflect, taking pieces of the past and my own experiences and shaping them into something new and different.Clear Your MindGolf, meditation, yoga, jogging, listening to music, reading Do whatever it takes to clear your mind. Taking 15-30 minutes a day for yourself where you dont worry about work or your personal life can be excellent for your mental health and overall well-being.For me, this has come in the form of meditation. Meditation has helped me relax and has keptme centered. I like to begin my day with 15 minutes of meditation before my family has woken up. It has greatly improved my focus, and it puts me into a positive moodfor the rest of the day.Write Daily in aJournalTake 15 minutes a day and write down your thoughts, make a to-do list, or even write a letter to a friend. I would suggest doing this by hand, as there is something about penmanshipthat makes it more personal. Writing can be a great outletand an almosttherapeutic process for the mind. Find astyle of writing that will exercise your mind and get the creative juices flowing.Although I laughed when a friend first suggested this technique, I quickly ended u p making it a part of my daily routine. Ive found that taking the time to write at night before bed works best. I always have a lot on my mind at the end of the day, and this helps me unwind, puts my mind at ease, and expands my creativityThis process has also had a positive effect on my business. BecauseI have this outlet, I am able to get the sleep I need, which leavesme refreshed and ready for the next day. Evaluating the days work helps me understand where I can improve, and writing aboutthe bumps in the road has led me to some really great solutions.Stanley Meytin is the founder and creative director atTrue Film Production, a New York City-based video production company that creates videos for businesses and brands all over the world. Known for his creative visual storytelling, brand building, and digital marketing expertise, Meytin has helped many businesses establish their company images and transform themselves into iconic brands.A version of this article originally appeared on BusinessCollective.

Twitter reveals strangest things people have seen on a resume

Twitter reveals strangest things people have seen on a resumeTwitter reveals strangest things people have seen on a resumeThere are a million ways to go wrong when it comes to your resume, but some things stand out as really odd. That being said, call for users to drum up the craziest things theyve ever seen on oneproduced some truly unique tweets.People said theyd seen some pretty crazy things on resumesThe responses spanned from a dog as a reference, to hairballs, and many strange things in between.I got fired from a company I didnt really work for in the first place. WeirdThingsOnAResume pic.twitter.com/4CHUMhN9YZ- Cameron Grant (coolcam101) June 7, 2018