20 avoidable problems every company encounters

20 avoidable problems every company encounters20 avoidable problems every company encounters0Chances are you have several colleagues and friends who work at medium to large-sized companies. If you were to poll them, asking what problems they encounter on a daily basis, you might be shocked by how similar the answers are.There appears to be a natural state of existence that companies drift towards as they grow- no matter the industry. I cant say exactly why that is, but it likely includes an underlying social-technological dynamic.Ive binnenseen these problems first-hand and heard about them over and over again throughout my career. Between jobs, I decided to write out a list of the 20 most common, yet seemingly avoidable, issues every company faces as it grows.When I joined the gruppe at Morphic Therapeutic, we had a unique opportunity since we were starting from scratch. I wondered, Could we build certain elements in the culture? Could we prevent a number of these problems down the road if we addressed them upfront and wove the solutions into the cultural fabric?I cant say weve solved for each and every issue- or even tried to- but we seem to have made our own unique dent.This is our list. See if they have any benefit for you.1. People Dont Talk To Each OtherIt never ceases to amaze me that for all the technology and open-plan offices, it can still be so difficult to get people to talk to each other. Different departments can feel like entirely different communities, even though they only operate 40 feet away from each other.Were so used to sticking with our group that we often get in the habit of ignoring the people we dont normally interact with.At my previous company, the commercial team was only probably 50 yards away on the other side of the elevators. One week, the coffee machine in the executive section of the office broke, so I had to walk that 50 yards to the next closest coffee machine. I ended up saying Hi to people I literally had not seen in six m onths.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAt Morphic, I tried to head this off by bringing everyone together once a week and giving each partie 90 seconds to talk about what theyre working on and what problems they have. Its not about solving the problems then and there, but making sure everyone has a good idea of what other people are working on so they can help, if possible.As our team continues to grow, were once again being tested to come up with new processes.2. Too Much EmailCompanies that rely on emaille for communication quickly reach a point where inboxes fill up faster than they can be checked. Inefficiency reigns. People cc team members on email threads with reckless abandon and constantly check on urgent messages, which can begin to take up significant amounts of daylight.Thats why I knew our team needed a different system. We decided to use Slack instead, and its clear ly the better path. Yes, people still use email in some situations, but the majority of internal communication is done on Slack channels. Plus, the format increases transparency and is much more user-friendly and easy to follow than an email chain. It is possible to reduce email traffic to a virtual standstill.3. Too Many MeetingsIm not necessarily anti-meeting, in the way some people are- I dont see them as a total waste of time. In multi-disciplinary situations, a productive meeting is synonymous with work. You bring diverse people together, and they figure things out.The problem with most meetings is that theyre dominated by presentations. Bullet points on a slide simply arent the best way to get information across, yet a slideshow often takes up the majority of the meeting, leaving people with little time to ask questions and discuss the topic.Its much better to write out information in a document form, providing all the clarity and context your team needs to understand whats go ing on. People can read the document beforehand and come to the meeting ready to have productive discussions. This practice can change your culture completely.4. Not Enough TransparencyA team can usually handle unpopular decisions, as long as they understand the rationale behind them. If theyre kept in the dark, and it looks as though each decision is arbitrary, thats when theyll begin to lose faith in leadership.For now, our leadership errs on the side of transparency. By making things as transparent as possible, we let people figure things out on their own. Rules and policies cant account for all situations.By making information available, you let everyone write their own narrative.Transparency can be a double-edged sword, however. Younger employees who arent as familiar with the cycle of ups and downs in any company may end up feeling like theyre on an emotional roller coaster if theyre always looped in on whats happening. This may cause you to lose people.Still, if you can decid e as a management team that youre all in this roller coaster together, then the benefits of keeping people in the know outweigh any emotional cycles.5. Supporting SmugnessOne of the unfortunate side-effects of success is that it often leads to overconfidence, even arrogance. Over time, someone who is continually successful will begin to think thats just the natural state of things. It becomes increasingly difficult for them to believe they were lucky, rather than smart. Or even that luck played some role in their success.If your team falls into that trap, youre leaving yourself open to being blindsided at any moment. Theres not much to be gained by being overconfident, but its an inevitable part of success that youll experience at some point.The only thing you can do is continue to stay humble, build effective governing processes, and reflect on the process that got you this far- which brings me to our next problem.6. Not Understanding A ProcessOftentimes, people tend to focus on ou tcomes, rather than process. If an outcome was bad, then the decision-making process must have been bad. And if the outcome was good, well, that must have been a great decision.The problem is, you may have just been lucky. A bad process can still lead to a good outcome. And unfortunately, that means if you continue following that process, its highly unlikely youll get another good outcome.Its always better to focus on the process rather than the outcome. One way to do this is by documenting your assumptions before you make a decision. That way, you have a record of whether you were thinking clearly, or you just lucked out. You cant look back and say, I knew it all along, when your words show that you had no idea what would happen.7. Designing Processes For The 1% Bad Apples, Rather Than The MassesAs companies grow, they often begin putting rules and regulations in distribution policy in an effort to prevent mistakes from happening.For instance, fraud in expense accounts is a common concern. Preventing that from happening will certainly save the company some money, but you have to realize youre really designing that process for the 1% of people who may be dishonest and take advantage of the system. And it often comes at a huge cost for 99% of people who dont need that regulation but are now burdened with it.This starts to get unwieldy very quickly.The more you can build trust within your organization, the better. Bad things are going to happen, and you should have processes in place to stop catastrophic events. But you should also be cognizant of what rules and regulations youre placing on people who never needed them in the first place.8. Dont Get Corrupted By The PitchWhether youre looking for customers, investors, or even talented employees, youre always pitching something. Usually, the pitch boils down to one simple fact you can solve something that others cant.You need to be very careful that your pitch matches your teams abilities. You still have to be ho nest about what you can and cant do.Its easy to fall into a trap of promising things to people, assuming youll be able to accomplish them when in reality, you dont know that for sure. This is essentially the story ofTheranos and Elizabeth Holmes. Once you convince yourself what youre doing is for a good cause, it becomes easy to press ahead and ignore the warning signs. At some point, youre no longer able to distinguish absatzwirtschaft from reality.9. Reacting To Fear Disproportionately To OpportunityAfter a while, most companies begin to focus on preserving what they have. Success is something to be maintained rather than built upon, or, as history shows, cannibalized by another product.Although there are exceptions, like Apples iPhone draining the market for iPods, companies generally avoid that type of revamp to their product line. Most of the time, theyll only begin to change as a reaction to fear, not opportunity. They wont act until a competitor starts doing something that ea ts into their market share.In other words Dont fear like Blockbuster innovate like Netflix.10. Forecasting Is Heavy On The Internal ViewTheres always an internal and external view.If you want to get the external view of how much product youll sell, then begin looking at the sales numbers of another similar product. And build from that baseline.The internal view starts at a different place. It uses a bottom-up analysis. In many cases, it assumes rosy outcomes and ignores the history of other products or companies. The market is X. If we own 2% of the market, then our sales will be Y.Those number may add up, but that doesnt mean they reflect reality or can predict what will actually happen. You still have to take into account the external view and see how those gel.11. Preferring The Dumbed Down Version Of ThingsInformation tends to get dumbed down as it moves up the chain of command. Theres often a perception that everything has to be simplified for management. The reality is that yo u dont have to simplify information- you just need to clarify it.That might mean actually adding more context to what youre sending. For instance, if I sent you step-by-step instructions on how to get from your house to mine, you may be able to follow it. But if you were able to see a map of the entire neighborhood along with those instructions, youd have a much better idea of the route.Instead of dumbing things down, think about them carefully and then describe them in a way that provides the necessary context and clarity for good decision-making.12. Heavy Approval ProcessWhen a company is small, the decision-making processes are very beweglich. Its fairly simple to change direction or get approval when you need it. As companies grow, they almost always operate more slowly.A good portion of our team came to us from large pharmaceutical companies, and were doing drug discovery in a similar way to what a large company might. Yet our timelines are much shorter.Its the same people, sam e equipment, same approach- but as a smaller company, we arent held back by convoluted processes. Decisions get made in a much more fluid process.13. Being Afraid To Give FeedbackPeople are generally very afraid to speak up and give feedback at work, especially when they have to say something negative.Its not easy to be the person who raises an issue, and the anxiety only increases if theres even a small chance you might be blamed for it. No one wants to be associated with a major problem. Of course, that reluctance to give feedback is a problem in itself.Issues have to be raised quickly so they can be corrected. Otherwise, theyll linger and cause greater damage later on.14. Only Celebrating People Who Put Out FiresThe thing about consistent high performance is that it tends to look somewhat boring after awhile. Its actually easier than youd think to overlook someone who is quietly doing a good job week after week.Instead, promotions and recognition often go to people who storm arou nd putting out fires. Staying late into the night every day for two weeks in order to fix something may look heroic, but that shouldnt necessarily be celebrated at the expense of the people who dont have to put out fires because they never let one start in the first place.15. Prioritization Of Processes Over PeopleAs companies grow and hone in on their core product, they tend to become more and more efficient at focusing on that one offering. They build processes to streamline their approach and concentrate heavily on making it better and better.Unfortunately, the world is complicated and changes very rapidly. If you look at the SP 500 from 1900 to the present, GE is the only company still on it. And even that legendary company has been struggling lately.Companies are not robust. People are. If you want to be capable of adapting to change, you have to hire the right people and let them drive the approach. The last thing you want to do is hire smart people and dumb them down to fit y our process. Steve Jobs probably said it bestIt doesnt make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.16. Mistaking Confidence For CompetenceThe people who rise within a company tend to be confident. Theyre loud, they present well, they speak directly. They have the look of a leader.Oddly enough, the more confident someone is in themselves, the less knowledge they usually share. People who are actually experts come off as unassuming and less assertive, mostly because they recognize the nuance involved in the decisions they make.Businesses often end up hiring and promoting the most confident employees, even though their confidence may be misguided.17. Having A Work Self And A Home SelfWhen your team is at work, you want them to be incredibly focused on the job. And when theyre at home, you dont want them worrying about work.Yet Id hesitate to use the term work-life balance. That implies your work and the rest of your life are separate spaces that never overlap. In reality, everyone benefits when people bring their unique talents and interests to their job. Theres no reason to check emotions at the door when you walk into work.18. Dont Bring Me A Problem, Bring Me A Solution.That sentence is the common wisdom I hear over and over in the business world- and it drives me crazy.Why is the person who notices a problem automatically the best person to have a solution to it? Sure, maybe they can find a solution, but maybe its going to take the rest of the team to figure it out. Maybe someone else has the necessary expertise.As a CEO, even if Im not being presented with a solution, I would much rather learn about a problem than not hear about. Telling someone to bring you solutions is actually an incentive for them not to bring problems to your attention.Why would they if they dont have a solution for it?19. Consensus Decision-MakingIn a big company, doing anything often requires getting a lot of different p eople to say, yes. All it takes is one person saying, no, and your idea is done.The problem with that is when you need consensus, you tend to revert to the mean. If you need ten different people to sign off on a hire, the person you choose has to be acceptable to everyone. Which means there may be nothing wrong with them, but there may also be nothing right with them either.You see this watering down happen all the time in big companies because in order for an idea to work its way through the system, it has to be stripped of all its interesting- yet potentially objectionable- elements.20. Establishing A Non-Rigorous Promotion ProcessThe system for promotion in any company makes a strong statement about what the leadership team values. If someone who has known the boss for a long time gets promoted on that bias, that tells everyone else something. Namely, knowing the boss is the key to getting promoted.Companies ought to be promoting based on skills. You want people to believe theyre working in a meritocracy where their skills and their efforts will be rewarded. You can talk all day about culture and happy hours and company parties, but none of that will matter at all if youre promoting the wrong people.Promotions are essentially a keystone skill. So much of your success will flow from getting them right, that you literally cant afford to get them wrong.This article first appeared on Quora.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Understand the Military Retirement Pay System

Understand the Military Retirement Pay SystemUnderstand the Military Retirement Pay SystemIn recent years, the military retirement system has become a bit mora complicated. Here are some basics to help you understand what to expect. Who Is a Retired Military Member? For Navy and kriegsmarine Corps members, you are considered to be a retired member for classificationpurposes if you are an enlisted member with over 30 years tafelgeschirr, or a warrant or commissioned officer. Enlisted Navy and Marine Corps members with less than 30 years tafelgeschirr are transferred to the Fleet Reserve/Fleet Marine Corps Reserve and their pay is referred to as retainer pay. Air Force and Army members with over 20 years service are all classified as retired and receive retired pay. When a Navy or Marine Corps member completes 30 years, including time on the retired rolls in receipt of retainer pay, the Fleet Reserve status is changed to retired status, and they begin receiving retired pay. The law treats retired pay and retainer pay exactly the same way. Military retirement pay is unlike civilian retirement pay systems. You either qualify for retirement by honorably serving over 20 years in the military, or you do not. Military Retirees Being Recalled to Active Duty Another significant difference between military retirement and civilian retirement is that a retired military member can be recalled to active duty. The chances that a military retiree would be recalled to active duty after age 60, or who have been retired for mora than five years, are slim. DOD categorizes retirees into three categories, with category I as the fruchtwein likely to be recalled to active duty, and category III as the least likely. Individuals over the age of 60 are in category III, which is the same category as individuals with disabilities. Recall of category III retires is extremely unlikely. Military Retirement Pay Computation For members who entered active duty or on prior to September 8, 1980, retired pay amounts are determined by multiplying your service factor (normally referred to as your multiplier) by your active duty kusine pay at the time of retirement. If you entered active duty after September 8, 1980, the base pay is the average of the highest 36 months of active duty base pay received. Additionally, your initial (first) cost-of-living adjustment will be reduced by 1 percent. The multiplier for the above two plans is 2.5 percent (up to a maximum of 75 percent). For example, a person who entered active duty on or before September 8, 1980, and spent 22 years on active duty, would receive 55 percent of his/her base pay as retirement or retainer pay. A person who entered active duty after September 8, 1980, and spent 22 years on active duty, would receive 55 percent of the average of the highest 36 months of active duty base pay. If you are a commissioned officer or an enlisted with prior commissioned service, you must have at least 10 years of commissione d service to retire at your commissioned rank. If you have less than 10 years of commissioned service, and voluntarily retire, you retire at your enlisted rank, and only the highest 36 months of active duty enlisted base pay counts for retirement computation. Newer Military Members Retirement There is a third retirement system for anyone who joined the military on or after achter monat des jahres 1, 1986. These individuals are required to make a decision at the 15-year point of their careers. They can elect to participate in the same retirement program above, or they can choose to receive an immediate monetary bonus ($30,000), andselectthe REDUX system. If they elect the REDUX system, the factor is determined by taking 2 1/2 percent times your years of service then reducing that factor by 1 percent point for each year less than 30 years. Using the same examples as above, a person with 22 years ofactive dutyservice would retire at 47 percent of the average of their highest 36 mon ths of base pay. The REDUX ends at age 62, and the individual then begins to receive his/her normal retirement pay. Additionally, folks who elect REDUX will have their annual cost of living allowance reduced by 1 percent. At age 62, those percentage points are added back to the retired pay, however. How Years of Service Are Calculated For all plans, years of service includes leistungspunkt for each full month of service as one-twelfth of a year. Years of service for officers includes all active service, periods of inactive reserve service prior to June 1, 1958, ROTC active duty time prior to October 13, 1964, constructive service credit for Medical and Dental Corps, and drills performed while in the inactive reserve after May 31, 1958. Years of service for Fleet Reservists and all other enlisted retirements include all active service, active duty for training performed after August 9, 1956, any constructive service earned for a minority or short-term enlistment completed prior t o December 31, 1977, and includes drills performed while in the Active Reserves. The Tower Amendment Your pay will be computed according to provisions of the Tower Amendment if it applies to your situation. The Tower Amendment was enacted to ensure that you will not receive a lesser amount of retired pay than you would have received if you had retired on a prior date, because of arecentretired pay cost-of-living (COL) adjustment. In the past, there were times where the retiree COL exceeded the annual militarypay raise, which would have resulted in more pay, had the member retired prior to the COL date. The Tower eligibility date is usually the day prior to the effective date of an active duty pay increase. Tower pay is computed by utilizing the active duty pay rates in effect on that date, your rank/rate on that date, total service accumulated on that date, and all applicable cost-of-living increases. For example, assume a member at the rank of E-8 with 22 years, 7 months servic e on June 30, 2000. The members pay would be computed as follows 2 1/2 percent x 22.58 years 56.45 percent56.45 percent x $3,119.40January 1, 2000 active duty rate for an E-8 over 22 yrs $1,760.90 Since the E-8 was eligible to retire on December 31, 1999, Defense Financing and Accounting Services would also compute the entitlement as of that date. The E-8 has 22 years, 1 month of service as of December 31, 1999. The pay would be computed as follows 2 1/2 percent x 22.08 55.20 percent55.20 percent x $2,976.60 (1/1/99 active duty rate for an E-8 over 21 yrs) $1,643.00 2 percent (COL Increase) $1675.00 In thissituation, this retiree would receive monthly retainer pay of $1791.00 since the Tower Amendment computations are not more beneficial than the current pay computation. Disability Retirement If you have been found to be physically unfit for further military service and meet certain standards specified by law, you will be granted disability retirement. Military members wit h 20 or more years of active service can retire, regardless of the percentage level of disability, if they are found to be unfit and removed from the service by reason of physical disability. People with less than 20 years of active service at the time they are removed from the service by reason of physical disability may be either separated or retired, based on the following If you have a disability that is rated by the military disability evaluation system at 20 percent or lower, you can be discharged (most likely with severance pay, unless the condition existed prior to service and was not permanently aggravated by service or misconduct is involved). Those who are separated for disability may be eligible for monthly disability compensation from theVeterans Administration. If the condition is rated at or above 30 percent, and other conditions are met, you will be disabilityretired. Your disability retirement may betemporaryorpermanent. If temporary, your status should be resolved within a five-year period. The amount of your disability retired pay is determined by one of three methods The first method is to multiply yourmultiplier by your base pay or the average of highest 36 months of active duty pay at the time of retirement by the percentage of disability which has been assigned. However, the minimum percentagefortemporary disability retirees will equal 50 percent. The maximum percentage for any type of retirement is 75 percent.The second method is to multiply only your years of active service at the time of your retirement by 2.5 percent by your base pay or the average of highest 36 months of active duty pay at the time of retirement. The third method applies to you if you were eligible to retire/transfer under any other law. DFAS will compute your entitlements using both methods above, and use the one which results in the greatest amount of retired pay. If you desire that another methodisused, you may request it in writing. The difference between tempor ary and permanent disability is the stability of the medical condition. Ifyour condition is not deemed stable, you may be placed on the TDRL (temporary disability retirement list). When on the TDRL, you are subject to reevaluation every 18 months and limited to 5 years max on the TDRL. At the 5 year point, if not sooner during a re-eval, you are removed from the TDRL and either found fit, permanently retired, or discharged with severance pay. Veterans Administration Disability Compensation Dont confuse VA Disability Compensation with Military DisabilityRetirement Pay. They are two separate animals. The VA uses completely different standards for determining service-connected disability than the military uses for its disability retirement system. All retiring members who believe they have a service-connected disability can apply for VA benefits prior to, or after retirement. If you are eligible, a service-connected disability is established. While you are required to relinquish mi litary retirement pay on a $1 to $1 ratio in order to receive VA Disability pay, the following benefits accrue as a result of VA compensation VA compensation is nontaxableVA approved disability gives you a priority admittance to VA hospitals for medical treatment for your disabilityVA outpatient facilities are available for treatment of your disabilityIf you die as a result of the service-connected disability, your surviving spouse is eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VAEven a rating by VA of 0 percent (although of no monetary benefit) documents your physical condition as service-connected.A rating by VA of 30 percent or higher allows you to receive additional tax-free allowances for your dependents. Annual cost-of-living increases to your compensation amount.VA disability percentage (and VA compensation) can be increased, based on a request and approval of reevaluation, resulting in increased tax-free compensation.The possibilityof purchasing up to $ 10,000 of National Service Life Insurance without a physical exam. If you are awarded VA compensation, the gross amount of the compensation is deducted from your retired pay. Special Compensation for Severely Disabled Certain severely disabled retirees of the uniform services that have a disability rating as reported by theDepartment of Veterans Affairs(VA) are entitled to special compensation. The special compensation is paid for that month in accordance with the following schedule 70 or 80 percent $10090 percent $200100 percent $300 You must meet the following requirements for entitlement to special compensation for severely disabled You are not retired from the military for a disability.You are in a retired status and on the retiredpayrolls. Members recalled for morethan30 days to active duty are not in a retired status.You have 20 or more years of service for the purpose of computing retired pay. A reservist must have 7,200 or more points to qualify.The VA rating for disa bility of m70 percent or higher must be awarded within 4 years of retirement.The VA rating must be 70 percent or higher for each month. If the rating falls below 70 percent any given month, then the retiree has no entitlement to special compensation for that month. When and How You Get Paid Unlike active duty pay, retired/retainer pay is only paid once per month. Your net retired/retainer pay should be sent to your financial institution by direct deposit unless you reside in a foreign country, which direct deposit is not available. Your retired pay will be deposited to your account on the first business day of the month following the end of the month. Your first payment for retired pay normally will arrive 30 days after your release from active duty, or, on the first business day of the month following the month of first entitlement to pay. In a separate mailing, you will receive a letter which will show you how your pay was computed. Foreign Employment Any applicant who ac cepts employment with a foreign government without approval is subject to havingreserveor retired pay withheld for the period of unauthorized employment. If you are retired and contemplating employment by a foreign government, you must obtain approval from the Secretary of the service concerned and the Secretary of State. Federal Civil ServiceRetirement If you retire from themilitary and are retired/retiring from Federal Civil Service, you can elect to waiveyour military retired pay in order to include your military service in the computation of your civil service annuity. However, for retired reservists, this is true only if you are service retired years of service or disability retired. If you are age retired (age 60) then there is no waiver or offset. If you choose to do so, you need to notify DFAS, in writing, at least 60 days prior to your planned civilian retirement date. It is suggested that you contact your civilian personnel office prior to the submission of your waiver request to ensure that you are aware of all the available options. If you elect survivor coverage from your civil service annuity, your military survivor benefit plan (SBP) participation will be suspended while you receive the civil service annuity. If you want to retain military SBP you may do so, but you must then decline survivor annuity from the Office of Personnel Management. If your pay is subject to court-ordered distribution, you must authorize an allotment in an amount equal to the distribution, in order to include military service in the civil service annuity computation. Taxation of Military Retirement Pay In most cases, retired pay is fully taxable. The amount of taxable income is reduced by SBP costs and any waiver for VA compensation or deduction for dual compensation (federal civil service employment). The amount deducted from your pay for federal withholding tax is based on the number of exemptions you indicate on either your pay data form or your W-4 after reti rement. State tax withholding is on a voluntary basis and must be in whole dollar amounts. $10 is the minimum monthly amount. Before making your request in writing, you must contact the taxing authority in the state in which you have established residence to determine if you are required to pay state income tax. Retired/retainer pay is not subject to FICA (Social Security) deductions, nor is your retired pay reduced when you become entitled to social security payments. Garnishments/Withholdings Unlike active duty pay, military retired/retainer pay cannot be garnished for commercial debts (i.e. credit cards, automobile loans,etc.) Military retirement pay can, however, be garnished for alimony,child support, IRS Tax Levies, and debts owed to the government (i.e.student loans, PX/BX Deferred Payment delinquencies, Officer/NCO Club payment delinquencies,etc.) Additionally, under the provisions of theUniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA), state courts maytreat mili tary retired pay as joint property between the member and the spouse during divorce proceedings. Visit the DFASwebsitefor more information.

Work-Life Balance Is Dead, and Heres Why

Work-Life Balance Is Dead, and Heres WhyWork-Life Balance Is Dead, and Heres WhyLets dispel a common myth right away, so we can look at this subject with a realistic perspectiveTheres no method that can help a person strike a perfect balance between their work life and their personal life.Believing its possible is a little unhealthyThere are just too many items on todays agenda well never get around to. Things on tomorrows schedule that well push back.Thats just an inherent part of adulthoodkeeping pace with a perpetual workflow that demands every ounce of your attention and energy.At the end of a long day of work, you want to have an actual life.Meet friends, shop, catch a movie, go to your favorite restaurant.The truth is, all that time, a thought lingers in the back of your mindI have to wake up early tomorrow.The work-life balance begins to tip. You rush through dinner, prepare tomorrows lunch, and hope you can wring a little more free time from tomorrow evening.And it isnt a gre at feeling.Your Misconceptions About the Work-Life BalanceYou might believe you can address your work-life balance with an immaculately planned schedule.If youre somehow able to plan your workday down to the very last second, well, more power to you.Unfortunately, very few of us possess that kind of foresight, much less the ability to act on it.Life is messy, and there are always unexpected changes you cant account forRegardless of your preparedness and punctuality, your co-workers could miss a meeting or get sick, and youll have to make adjustments. These adjustments could throw off the rest of your day and leave you in the sekretariat after hours.Some people think they can cheat the system. They might eat lunch at their desk so they dont have to stay at the office longer than necessary, or theyll skip a work event because it isnt mandatory.In truth, though, this reallocation of time doesnt serve them well. And might just backfire.They might get out of work early if they eat lunch at their desk, but the distraction of their food could compromise the quality of their work. They might gain more personal time by skipping an obligatory work event, but itll reflect poorly on their reputation as an employee.Does such life seem balanced to you? Sooner or later, the scales have to level out.The essential takeaway here is that its counterintuitive to stress yourself over the perfect work-life balance. Its an attractive concept, admittedly, but in practice, that kind of mindset will only serve as an obstacle toward making meaningful progression. Trust meIts Something I Know from ExperienceAs a tech and productivity writer, I have an intimate understanding of efficiency in the workplace.Ive researched modern methods of time management. I know what it takes to produce a high quantity of content. I consider myself knowledgeable in my areas of study.But theres one thing Ive learnedI freelance in a journalistic capacity for a lot of different websites, and I have to work wi thin the limitations of hard deadlines.One of my clients prompted me to write a sizable piece that required a lot of industry-specific research. It took time to conduct and integrate what I gathered into the draft.Because of a simple miscalculation, my task bled far past my working hours. I found myself writing deep into the evening.Typically, I would have worried about my lack of preparation. This would cause me to lose focus on the task while creating a routine of ridiculing myself for something that wasnt necessarily within my power to control.I would obsess over what I did incorrectly when a project was genuinely intensive. This would only let me down and make me feel as if I had failed myself and others.This had to stopInstead of beating myself up for it that time around, I decided that it was okay not to be so torn up over a scheduling mishap.I made a plan to prioritize what I could fit into my schedule without trying to do it all.This helped me avoid stress, disappointment, a nd exhaustion at work and in my everyday life.In situations like these,its important not to burn out.Recognize that mistakes happen and estimations arent always accurate. Show yourself patience and kindness as you move forward. Treat yourself as you would treat a co-worker. Make progress at your own pace until youve finished.Get a job you love and work with people you respect. When you find the position thats right for you like I have, the issue of a work-life balance is less pressing, and its easier to cope with unexpected holdups.Advice on Improving Your Work-Life BalanceWhile its unrealistic to believe that a perfect work-life balance is possible, you can employ some simple techniques to free up more time for yourself.Its true that you have a responsibility to your company, of course, butYou also have a responsibility to yourself and your personal well-being.Your physical and mental health depends on self-care. Work ranks as one of the top three most common stressors, with61 perc ent of surveyed individuals citing their job as a source of anxiety.Naturally, more people shouldadopt strategies to alleviate this pressure so they can reach a happier balance.How can you achieve a better work-life balance?Compose a short list of your priorities.Determine which duties at home and work are least important to you and which are most important. Use this information to dictate how you schedule your day, allocating less time to the inessential minutiae and more time to the things you enjoy.Establish a clear set of boundaries.How much additional work youre willing to complete outside of the office?When are you going to check your work email after hours, and when do you intend to ignore any incoming messages? Answer these questions yourself and consider your limitations. Then, speak to your superior about them.Take advantage of all of the resources at your disposal.You likely have co-workers who are willing to help you with your tasks inside the office, and you can finish challenging projects. Its more than OK to ask for help, and Id encourage it if you feel like youre overwhelmed with work.Why the Work-Life Balance Is SkewedIts simple enough to acknowledge that a perfect work-life balance doesnt exist. Its less simple to understand why.Maybe we could reach a more concrete solution that could help employees and employers in the United States achieve a better equilibriumthough thats unlikely, all things considered.In truth, the balancetips on a fundamental level. The traditional nine-to-five template tries to fit employees within a box.HoweverWethe employeesare human beings, with all the subjectivity that entails. We have our own unique pace, style, and method of approaching assignments and responsibilities.Too often, companies treat a member of their workforce as an instrument and not an individual. This attitude is not only detrimental to morale but also hurts retention and increases turnover. A failure to respect preference is counterintuitive to p roductivity, with many remote employeesworking far more efficiently.If a geschftsleben owner takes the time to communicate with us, we might reach a mutual understanding. From this empathy, a better work-life balance could eventually develop.Unfortunately, for larger corporations, this is improbable, and scale can prohibit a meaningful dialogue.To see real change in your work-life balance, you cant sit on your hands, waiting for a massive revolution in conventional business practices. You can only depend on yourself, what you choose to do,and the difference you can make today.Adopt a Different PerspectiveIt might start there, but it doesnt end thereFinding the ideal work-life balance requires a sustained commitment to self-betterment.Try employing some of the advice listed here and see how it helps you throughout your day. Check which techniques prove most effective for you.You dont have to sacrifice your life for work. A compromise is possible. And more than thisyou can find harmon y.So, What Do You Think?Thanks for reading my article Id love to hear your thoughts on work-life balanceWhats the best tip youve ever gotten about work-life balance?Are there any successful work-life balance tips you practice in your life?Do you think that work-life balance varies with occupation?

This Spotify sales coordinator starts her day with self-care

This Spotify sales coordinator starts her day with self-careThis Spotify sales coordinator starts her day with self-careMornings. Whether yours starts with a run on the treadmill at the gym or just a run through the hallway when youre late for a 9 a.m. meeting, it can seriously make or break your day. And it can be tough to feel like there arent enough hours in the day, but youre elend alone. My morning routine is the series that will show you how other professionals wake up and tackle the daily grind at some of our favorite companies around the country. Whether its a yoga session, a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich or just taking time to finally catch up on the latest celebrity news, heres how others get ready for work.Nicole Godreau is a 20-something living in New York. Like so many others, she starts her day with a favorite playlist. The only difference? Godreau works for streaming giant Spotify, which means the music never stops for this sales coordinator.I feel that my morning rou tine is similar to others, Godreau told Swirled. I like to focus on self-care, which allows me to come into work with a positive attitude, ready to take on any challenges that may arise.Godreau has been a sales coordinator at Spotify for a little over a year, but she originally interned at the company right after college. She works as a trusted partner to the sales leadership gruppe. Her day consists of anything and everything, from administrative tasks and putting together business reports to event planning with the marketing team and business operations like tracking the teams PL, plus so much more.In order to find peace, she starts every day with a little self-care - something so many of us could learn from. We asked Godreau to walk us through her morning routine for work, tell us what she wishes she did differently and even what advice she would offer others who want to be in her shoes one day.645 AMMy morning routine on a normal weekday is simple. I wake up to my alarmand make a conscious effort not to check social media on my phone first thing in the morning. Instead, I take the time to write down three things Im grateful for each day. Its important for me to take the time to check in with myself, have time to count my blessingsand say positive affirmations. This process leaves me feeling refreshed and energized to start my day.Next, I turn on my TV and play Spotify - my go-to playlist for the morning is Soul Coffee. Then I jump in the shower and get dressed. I try to pick out my outfits for the week on the weekend to save time. Taking the time to put together outfits that look and feel good allows me to feel confident when walking into the office.The one thing I wish I did differently is wake up earlier and head to the gym. Sometimes it feels like I need more hours in the day to get everything done.830 AMIm ready to head out the door by 830 and make my way to the subway. On the ride to the office, I usually alternate between listening to a podcast (my favorite at the moment isOprahs SuperSoul Conversations) and catching up with my reading (my current read is Were Going to Need More Wine Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True by Gabrielle Union).9 AMI aim to be in the office around 9 a.m. My team also has a 9 a.m. monthly meeting that Im in dienstgrad of putting together the material for, so I make sure Im in the office around 830 a.m. on those days.The first thing I do when I get to work is open up my email to see if theres anything urgent I need to handle.10 AMOne of Spotifys perks is free meals, so when Im done looking at emails, I head over to our kitchen around 10 a.m. to grab breakfast. My go-to is orange juice and Honey Nut Cheerios. Then I make a to-do list for my day and read up on recent news in the marketing/advertising industry.10 AM to 12 PMMy typical morning consists of checking in with my manager to see what the top priorities are for our team. I follow up on the projects I have going on at that time. It coul d range anywhere from working on an internal team event, creating a deck for our team meeting, orchestrating a client event, putting together a research brief for an upcoming meeting, etc. Theres no typical week, but thats what keeps it interesting.For anyone interested in being in my shoes one day - invest in yourself emotionally, physically, financially, spiritually and intellectually.In the words ofone of my favorite motivational speakers Lisa Nichols, Today choose to be all of you, not hold anything back, not compromise by trying to fit in, to not minimize your greatness so that others are comfortable in your presence Do you. Stand in your authenticityBe intentional, and take actions that bring you closer to being the best version of yourself.This article was originally posted onSwirled.comin the Thrive section, which covers valuablecareer and personal finance contentfor millennials.

Free Webinar Increase Your Online Recruiting Effectiveness

Free Webinar Increase Your Online Recruiting EffectivenessFree Webinar Increase Your Online Recruiting EffectivenessSimply Hired is hosting a webinar this February, with featured speakers from Forrester Research, Inc.Candidate recruiting is experiencing massive changes. Your organization needs the resources to work effectively in this new age of recruiting.Join guest speakers from Forrester Research Claire Schooley, Principal Analyst, and Luke Tarbi, Senior Consultant, Total Economic Impact, as they discuss the new job seeker of the 21stcentury, recent developments in eRecruitment technology, and the financial impact of incorporating Simply Hired into a hiring campaign.Webinar attendees will receive a complimentary copy of The Total Economic Impact of Simply Hired, a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Simply Hired, and learn howOngoing technology innovation delivers ongoing performance improvements at no extra cost and with no development costs incurre d by the client.Users gain visibility and control to make adjustments throughout the course of a hiring campaign, resulting in flexibility unavailable through traditional job boards and more efficient time-to-fill job openings.Dedicated Simply Hired client service experts optimize job listings and bid prices to help clients save additional expense with no incremental fees.Date Thursday, February 27, 2014?Time1000 a.m. PST (100 p.m. EST)Register Today?Cant make it?Registerto receive the event materials.

Grant Writer Resume Tips & Guide

Grant Writer Resume Tips & Guide The Advantages of Grant Writer Resume You may have heard that a thriving writer resume must fit on a single page A4 paper size. When you submit an application for a grant writing position, its important to include both obvious resume headings and extra kinds of relevant experience. If you do list your references, be sure tove checked and double-checked they will offer you a superior review and that theyll be accessible by phone or email. It can be crucial to be in a position to make the appropriate format for the resume youre making. The Benefits of Grant Writer Resume You are likely to obtain a professionally written CV that could enhance your career chances. As a new Barefoot Writer, there are lots of writing opportunities that are available to you. You will receive perfectly optimized resumes and youll make your day-to-day life simpler Skills-based resumes may also enable you to combine related work and other experience during the skill s-based headings. Definitions of Grant Writer Resume An actual professional will allow you to create the ideal portfolio that could assist you in getting the job that youve always dreamt of. Alas, many job seekers become overwhelmed before they even begin. Whether you love or hate your work, you can discover the chance to pursue new opportunities everywhere. Job opportunities, particularly for applicants with technical abilities, are anticipated to be good. The Benefits of Grant Writer Resume Your manuscript submission should stick to a typical manuscript format. A Job Letter of Recommendation is an official letter that plans to advertise the candidate into the potential employer. Thus, a strong recommendation letter is vital. Getting familiar with the industry you are going to be working in can help you produce successful grant proposals. Hopefully, all of your hard work will lead you to find the grant thats ideal for you A grant proposal writer wouldnt only write grant proposals but in addition offer support to his customers to boost their probability of getting their grants approved. It is a tool nonprofits use to address important issues within their communities. It can save you financially, give you funds for an appropriate need, and fruchtwein importantly, it will allow you to continue to write. After youve selected the most suitable grant, its time to start your proposal. The Fundamentals of Grant Writer Resume Revealed For instance, a grant to begin a homeless shelter might call for quarterly reports on the amount of individuals who received shelter and follow-up services. Dont ask for a decrease number in hopes that it is going to become your ticket to funding. If you own a college education, omit details about high school. A history of employment indicates to a possible employer which you are, in reality, employable. Grant Writer Resume - Is it a Scam? If your work involves social media, you can incorporate the links to other so cial networking accounts like Twitter, Instagram, and so on. The guidelines are rather open-ended, which is great news for writers who need to use the funds for a number of expert development requirements. If youre attempting and need help with the personal problems, like the next issues detailed on our site, we wish to assist you. Lies Youve Been Told About Grant Writer Resume Remember that as soon as you get the grant, you and your coworkers will need to finish the objectives. If a more specific or private recommendation is needed please dont be afraid to get in contact with me. You will need to do the interim report and funders wish to realize that you are making strides to accomplishing your targets. If your request is particularly sizeable you might look at providing proof which other organizations or individuals have financially invested in your undertaking. Have a general idea of how much youre expecting to receive. Finding a few things organized before you get starte d placing your thoughts on paper will go a very long way to strengthen your process. The one thing I can gather is maybe the writer is crucial to getting a fantastic outcome. In an identical way as selling yourself, if youre planning to be a writer for some company, then distributions-mix in skills that you believe can help you get the job instead of just place everything youre good at. If youre a really valuable worker, your employer will make an effort to work something out. For proven suggestions on how to compose the ideal writer resume, continue reading The 5-Minute Rule for Grant Writer Resume Share the questions that you may have about the work move with your boss. The medical writer ought to have a crystal clear comprehension of the healthcare concepts and ideas, and be in a position to present the data and its interpretation in how the target audience will understand. The selected candidate will be receptive to criticism of their written text and can integrate edits from several sources. One of the absolute most important and intimidating actions in the work search method is writing a solid resume that gets the attention you need and need. Most employers expect a minimum of two decades of grant writing experience. Experienced grant writers also might decide to get certification, which demonstrates a degree of proficiency and might enhance their employment choices. At the very least, you should have an excellent recommendation that you may use for other employment opportunities. For that reason, its highly advisable that you attend trainings, seminars and workshops that concentrate on improving grant proposal writing skills.

From An Intuit Recruiter

From An Intuit Recruiter We need gender neutral dress codes in the workplace. If you dont yet agree with that statement, look no farther than a 55-page presentation given to women executives at Ernst Young in a June 2018 training. pThe presentation, which made headlines last month when an offended participant from Forbes/a Employees should dress in business casual attire, which could include casual slacks and skirts, collared shirts, blouses, or sweaters. Inappropriate attire includes sportswear, jeans, and unkempt clothing, among other options. Please exercise good judgment.pFor business formal workplaces, you could use the following Traditional business attire, including dresses, suits, and pantsuits, is required for external meetings with clients or prospects. Employees should use discretion on other occasions and are expected to demonstrate good judgment. pAnd for casual workplaces, which are on the rise from The Balance/a Dress comfortably for work, but please do not wear anything that could offend your coworkers or make them feel uncomfortable. That includes clothing with profanity, hate speech, or exclusionary language. Your clothing, while casual, should show common sense and professionalism.pNo matter the level of formality your dress code needs to define, make sure youre thinking from the perspective of all employeescurrent as well as futureand creating an environment where they can thrive.p----pstrongWant to share these tips with your company? /strongShow them this handy one-page guide on creating a gender neutral dress code p class=shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image img frhzeitlich=Gender Neutral Dress Code Guide class=rm-shortcode data-rm-shortcode-id=UGVL4K1574631551 data-rm-shortcode-name=rebelmouse-image data-runner-src=https//assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMjEwMDE3Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTU3NDc2NjEyMX0.5ak get5uOA_9aHMcPUxY1YM_Zn2w2Yhcj7m_HSCqg7I/img.jpg?width=980 id=a14b6 type=lazy-image/ pbr/