How to Handle the Brilliant but Toxic Employee

How to Handle the Brilliant but Toxic EmployeeHow to Handle the Brilliant but Toxic EmployeeTzu siches one in every firm. They are wicked smart subject matter experts or functional specialists, but their brilliance comes with a measure of toxicity that is detrimental to the workplace culture and surrounding colleagues. The manager is faced with a daunting challenge- protect and defend this challenging character as a precious asset and source of competitive advantage or vainly attempt to extinguish the damaging toxicity? I have debated this case on dozens of occasions in MBA and executive settings as well as in the court of public opinion. The topic is always polarizing. In every discussion of this situation, one camp immediately suggests terminating the brilliant-toxic employee.They make a strong case. One person cannot destroy the environment for the rest of the people. Give the individual ample warning, due process, even coaching, and, at the end of the day, if they dont change the ir ways, fire them. The other camp offers a variety of creative ideas and half-measures including isolating the employee to minimize the toxicity and promoting the individual to lead the team and offering team coaching for all parties in an attempt to get them to play nicely together. The rationale of this camp is best summarized as, It would be horrible to fire Steve Jobs, and, Do you really want to see this big brain in your competitors booth at an industry trade show? Use the following hard-won, real-world guidance to help you navigate your own brilliant-toxic employee situation. Dont Be Blinded By Brilliance Brilliant or not, you cannot dismiss the concerns and complaints from employees about toxic or disruptive behaviors from another employee. By rationalizing one employees behavior you are creating a culture of accountability with two sets of rules, which undermines your role as a manager. One set of rules, please. While it may be uncomfortable to open a difficult discuss ion on inappropriate or destructive behavior with your resident genius employee, you must provide clear, constructive behavioral feedback in a timely manner. Anything less will be perceived as tacit approval of these behaviors by all parties. When your team members excuse aberrant behaviors with statements like, Thats just Joe/Jane. We expect that from her, know that you have a problem. And while people might expect unacceptable behaviors from the subject, it does not mean the behaviors should be allowed to persist. Gauge the Level of Toxicity My focus in this post is on the types of behaviors that annoy others, reduce collaboration, and add stress to the culture, not those behaviors that demand immediate escalation and formal investigation. In my own experiences, the brilliant-toxic employee steps on toes, treats critics rudely, violates team and individual trust, bypasses the chain of command, alienates team members, and irks everyone in their way. However, if the issues invol ves harassment or threats of violence, skip this post and go to the designated authorities in your firm. Take Proactive Action Move quickly to create opportunities to observe the individual in action. Offer timely positive and critical feedback and, importantly, work with the individual to define specific, real-time behavior improvements. Provide positive feedback on improvements when they are earned. Use Marshall Goldsmiths concept of feed-forward to help the individual perceive how to handle situations in a positive manner in the future. Consider coaching. It is a controversial point in my live debates on this topic. Many perceive that coaching should be reserved for good citizens. However, in many instances, this brilliant but less-than-ideal citizen merits additional investment. Of course, coaching only works if the individual embraces the opportunity and commits to recognizing and changing behaviors. I have no qualms exploring this option assuming I am living up to the cond itions in the other tips outlined here. There will invariably be individuals in other roles of authority who both recognize your employees abilities and believe that you as the manager may very well be the problem. Your best ally is your boss. Keep her informed ask her input on your handling of the situation and ensure that she has an opportunity to understand the impact of the employees toxicity on the entire teams effectiveness and morale. If youve invested time, energy, and capital in a robust program of feedback and coaching to no avail, you should work with your manager and H.R. specialist to develop and implement an escalation program. This program may include termination for non-compliance. It is an unfortunate option but a necessary one, and too many managers stop short of this step. The Bottom-Line, For Now Theres no easy way around dealing with the brilliant-toxic employee. Your credibility as a manager is at stake as is the performance of your team. The best approach is to play fair, engage, follow a deliberate process, document your steps in accordance with your firms policies, and resolve the dilemma. And remember, everyone is watching.

8 Job Search Tips for New College Grads

8 Job Search Tips for New College Grads8 Job Search Tips for New College Grads12College graduations are revving up as we begin to hit the spring and summer months. But, as many of us know, job searching right out of college can be like navigating a foreign land. For those getting ready to ditch the cap and gown for a suit, the following job search tips for new college grads will help with acclimating to this new and professional part of life.Here are eight job search tips for new college gradsBuild your network.Throughout college, you have probably built a robust social network. Now is the time to put those social connections and networking skills to work towards building a professional network. Although building a network takes time and persistence, it is one of the most valuable tools in any job search.Use your alumni association.An underused tool at most universities is the alumni association. Use the services they offer for career counseling, networking events, online job portals , and job fairs, and check out their partnerships with employers as well. Its a great way to get your name circulatingJoin professional organizations.Now that you have your degree, and a better sense of where you want to go professionally, take a look at professional organizations in fields and industries that would be a fit with your overall goals. Professional organizations, like alumni associations, offer a number of resources and host numerous events to help professionals with career development and job searching.Harness the power of social media.Although social media has probably served as a tool to find great parties and connect with old friends, its now time to use its power to reach out for professional reasons. Make koranvers to clean up your social media profiles, and as suggested in the article 5 Job-Hunting Survival Tips for Recent Grads, work social media like you would work a room. Keep your information accurate, clean, and relevant. This makes it easier to connect wit h others and network within groups while providing HR professionals with the information they are looking forBuild a personal brand.When you are just starting out it can be a bit tricky to figure out exactly everything you stand for in terms of your career. However, a personal brand is essential in buchen to communicate with employers your abilities, goals, and skills. Develop an elevator pitch and five-word job description to help communicate your brand when faced with time constraints.Prep your resume.Its time to ditch your high school resume listing your first job and high school education. Update your resume to reflect internships, volunteer activities, and school-based activities you have participated in. You also need to update your education, as well as any employment you had during your college years. When it comes to your skills, think about the side projects you worked on outside of class. Youll be amazed at just how skilled and experienced you areAct (BE) professional.Ove r the past few years, youve probably grown into more of a professional than you know. Create your professional self so that you will be able to impress employers during your job search. One of the first things you should do, according to the article 7 Pieces of Job Advice Your College Isnt Giving You, is create a professional email to use when conducting your job search.Other tips offered by U.S. News World Report include being prepared with your pitch, giving strong handshakes, and making direct eye contact. Dont forget to have a professional outfit to make a great first impression.Align your expectations with reality.Most professionals have been in your shoes and know what it feels like to have the world at your doorstep. Dont lose that feeling, but remember that you are just starting out. In Job Search Tips for New Grads published by the Huffington Post, college grads shouldnt be opposed to looking for employment in other fields, or accepting jobs that they feel have a low wage o r is beneath them. In order to gain experience and move higher, you must start somewhere. Consider looking at internships, volunteer opportunities, and entry-level jobs. While they may not be your ideal first job, you may find that it opens doors to opportunities you wouldnt have found otherwise.Readers, what job search tips for new college grads would you add to this list? What was the most important piece of advice you received when you graduated college? Share with us below

Engineering CareersJob Description

Engineering CareersJob DescriptionEngineering Careers- Job DescriptionDo you like solving technical problems? Are you good at science and math? You might consider becoming an engineer. Engineers are problem solvers who use their expertise in science and math to do their jobs. They work in various branches of engineering. Lets take a look at several of them. Aerospace Engineer Designs aircraft and tests prototypes to make sure they function as designedAgricultural Engineer Solves problems related to agricultureBiomedical Engineer Designs prosthetic limbs and artificial organs, as well as the material used to manufacture themChemical Engineer Solves problems that involve the production or use of chemicalsCivil Engineer Design, builds, and supervises construction projects and systemsElectrical and Electronics Engineer Designs and tests electrical equipment and systems Environmental Engineer Solves problems in the environment Before you go any further, find out if a career in engineering is for you. Quick Facts Median annual earningsfor several branches of engineering (U.S., 2016)Electrical$94,210Civil$83,540Mechanical$84,190Environmental$84,890Nuclear$102,220Biomedical$85,620In 2016, 1.6 million people worked as engineers,according to the National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. fruchtwein of them were electrical and electronics engineers (315,870),mechanical engineers(285,790),civil engineers(287,800), and industrial engineers (281,950).Job outlook differs by branch. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts civil and petroleum engineerswill experience employment growth that is faster than the average for all occupations through 2024 while employment ofbiomedical engineerswill increasemuchfaster than the average. Chemical, electrical and electronics, miningand geological, and mechanical engineerswill have job growth that is as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of industrial engineers will change little or not at all and materi als engineers job growth will be slower than the average for all occupations. A Day in the Life of an Engineer What is it like to be an engineer? We found some answers by looking at typical job duties listed in employment announcements onIndeed.com Prepare roadway plans, detail drawings, project specifications, and cost estimate (Civil Engineer)Provide civil engineering and design support for large earth structures including dams, landfills, mining projects, and power projects (Civil Engineer)Design and execute engineering experiments, and statistical parameter control (Mechanical Engineer)Prepare engineering calculations, diagrams,and technical reports (Electrical Engineer)Write technical and regulatory documents in compliance with quality management system (Biomedical Engineer) Oversee and manage the setup, performance, and reporting of the laboratory testing. Ensure that projects are completed on schedule and within budgetary constraints (Environmental Engineer)Document and present analysis results to technical leads, management and/or customers (Aerospace Engineer)Research, draft, and coordinate acquisition packages for materials being purchased or upgraded (Materials Engineer) How to Become an Engineer To get an entry-level job, you will need a bachelors degree in engineering. Sometimes a college degree in physical science or mathematicswill suffice, especially in high-demand specialties. Some students specialize in a particular branch of engineering but then work in a related one. You will have to get a state-issuedlicenseif you want to offer your services directly to the public. Doing this will allow you to be called a Professional Engineer (PE).To become licensed your college degree must come from a program that is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). You also need four years of relevant work experience and must pass a state exam. Requirements vary by state. WhatSoft Skills You Need In addition to yo ur education and an aptitude for math and science, you also need specificsoft skills, or personal qualities, to succeed in this occupation. Active Listeningand Verbal Communication These communication skills are essential for working on teams, which will be a significant part of your job.Critical Thinking You will need to use logic when testing products and solving problems.Reading Comprehension You must have the ability to understand written documentation.Active Learning You must be able to incorporate new findings into your work. How Engineers Advance in Their Careers After entry-level engineers gain experience and knowledge, they may work more independently, making decisions, developing designs, and solving problems. With further experience, they may become technical specialists or supervisors over a staff or team of engineers or technicians. Eventually, they may become engineering managers or may move into other managerial or sales jobs. What Employers Expect From You To find out what qualities,in addition to education and technical skills,employers were looking for when hiring engineers, we again turned to Indeed.com. Heres what we found Strong communication and interpersonal skills arerequiredAbility to organize work and deliver on time work productsGoal-oriented, able to set goals and achieve themAbility to take ownership of assigned tasks in a timely manner, and learn new principle ideas and conceptsOrganized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environmentAbility to read and interpret product drawings Is This Occupation a Good Fit for You? Yourinterests,personality type, andwork-related valuesare some of the factors that will determine whether being an engineer is a good fit for you. This career is suitable for people who have the following traits Interests(Holland Code) RIC (Realistic, Investigative, Conventional)Personality TypeMyers Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MB TI) ENTJ, INTJ, ESTJ, ISTJ, ESTPWork-Related Values Independence, Working Conditions, Achievement, Recognition

Professional Fisherman CV Template

Professional Fisherman CV TemplateProfessional Fisherman CV TemplateIntroductionApplying for fisheries work is very different than applying for an average office job. To get on the best boats, you need to show both your skills and your personality. You must show that not only do you have the knowledge to do the job but also the interpersonal skills to thrive for extended periods out on the water. Do not waste time staring at a blank page while waiting for inspiration. Instead, use our fisherman cv template, plus our tips on tailoring your CV to the job, to help you create your own winning, professional CV.Create This CVFisherman CV Template Eric BerglundShoreline, WA 98133E eberglundanymail P206-555-1234Professional SummarySeasoned fishery worker with variety of experience including crab and salmon. Athletic, fit self-starter with extensive outdoor experience. Goal-oriented, hard worker with a proven commitment to safety. Handy with tools and mechanical equipment. Demonstrated abili ty to engage and cooperate with a variety of people. Work ExperienceDeckhandNeptunes Gold SeafoodMay 2016 monat des herbstbeginns 2016 Set bait and pots, making sure locations were carefully noted for easy retrieval. Evaluated and sorted the catch, keeping regulation size. Performed maintenance and repairs to pots and mechanical equipment. Gained navigation equipment fluency. Worked as part of a close-knit team to reach a company record-setting season, increasing sales by 45 percent. Assisted with ship engine maintenance, making adjustments as needed.DeckhandBallard BlueJuly 2013 August 2015 Hauled in nets, regardless of weather or hours worked. Cleaned cabins, dining areas, and heads as required. Paid careful attention to safety rules and requirements. Diffused potential interpersonal conflicts with humor and active listening skills. Sought out tasks to complete in between salmon runs.Dock WorkerSeafarers TerminalJuly 2012- February 2013 Moored and untied incoming and outgoing v essels. Loaded and unloaded cargo using a winch. Counted, weighed, and recorded number of units moved on the daily production sheet. Entered daily production numbers into a record keeping software program. Inspected for and noted damage to piers, docks, and other equipment. Followed oral instructions from the dock manager, providing 100 percent accurate work.OperatorErics Outdoor ServicesJanuary 2009-June 2012 Provided snow and ice removal services to neighbors. Expanded offerings to include lawn and garden services, from mowing to debris hauling. Built clientele through successful advertising efforts and word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers. Repaired and maintained mower and other equipment. Completed work after school, on the weekends, and during breaks.EducationEngine maintenance certificate June 2012Auburn Technical SchoolMicrosoft Office Specialist with Excel emphasisShoreline High School June 2010Skills Able to maintain and repair a variety of mechanical de vices Thrive under pressure while maintaining a calm attitude Enjoy working in the outdoors Certified in first aid and CPR Proven ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and with different personality types Energetic and able to work for extended hoursInterests and ActivitiesA former high school football player, I now regularly complete CrossFit workouts to maintain strength and endurance. My favorite place to be is outside, whether camping or skiing and snowboarding. Mechanically inclined, I enjoy repairing electric motors, car, and small landseestreitkraft engines.Customize CVUsing a Job Description to Create a Standout Fisherman CVA Sample Fisherman DescriptionJob SummaryLooking for a company where your efforts will bring tangible rewards? Become a member of our Loki Seafoods crew for the upcoming fishing season. Put your athleticism, common sense, and love of the outdoors into your work. Past commercial fishing experience required this is not the job for a begi nner. Your sense of humor and calm-under-pressure personality will be highly valued as we spend weeks together in close quarters. Use your experiences working as part of a successful, close-knit team to your advantage. Boredom is a rarity because there is always something that needs to be done. Use your jack-of-all-trades skills as you clean, repair, haul, and more. Join us for a job that is also an adventure.Job Duties Remove catches from equipment, and with careful attention to detail, evaluate for regulation size compliance. Sort catch, placing in appropriate holds in ice and salt to maintain maximum quality and freshness. Place and retrieve fishing equipment in the water safely and correctly, and clean and maintain the fishing gear and vessel. Listen attentively to and follow all instructions and orders from the captain. Work extended hours in a row when necessary to optimize catch quantity. Assist with the operation of navigation equipment with careful attention to details, al erts, etc.Job SkillsTo maximize mutual success, you should meet the following requirements Be at least 18 years old and able to certify physical fitness Able to commit to the full fishing season, which will include weeks offshore Demonstrated mechanical experience or aptitude Low-drama personality Previous seafood harvesting experienceCreate This CVHow to Employ the Job Description in Your Fisherman CVCompetition to join on with a good crew can be fierce. As you see in the fisherman cv template, you can use key words from the job description to make yourself sound like the perfect fit. Pay attention to emphasized themes. The applicant in the example uses the interest section to highlight a key job requirement, physical fitness, which could be otherwise difficult to show. Additionally, you can highlight your accomplishments by utilizing the needs of the company in the job description. You should list specific catch records or other measurable, numeric achievements. For example, the f isherman cv template expands on the job responsibilities to convey participating in a record-setting catch at previous employment, which resulted in a large increase in sales for the company. You should take the same process for showing how youd fit in. For example, the applicant takes low-drama personality from the job description and discusses his ability to reduce conflict between co-workers.

Ma Resume Examples Fundamentals Explained

Ma Resume Examples Fundamentals Explained Sample resumes and advice on how to compose a resume available. Why it is essential to maintain a Building Worker Application even as you work. You can also see Resume Examples. To find out mora on what it requires to be a Management Assistant, take a look at our complete Management Assistant Job Description. What kind of Service Works My Great Resume is totally self-directed, or so the quantity of time normally it requires to have the entire process will change from person to individual. Volunteer to work free of charge. Office assistant work in sammamish, wa. The Secret to Ma Resume Examples Once writing the financial resumes, its important to adhere to the critical ideas. Resume templates chance to be ideal for people which dont possess the art of producing impressive resumes. Have a look at the examples below. In most instances, job hunting involves plenty of waiting. If youre on the lookout for work, you might be short on ca sh. You dont need to include work experience which is not associated with the work post. The work market is getting more competitive in just about any area. If you wish to put in an application for a post of a health assistant then we can assist you in writing your resume. At times the job posting will list her or his contact details. In some instances, a job it may possibly bring in a couple of hundred resumes. Dont be afraid to return and read this article again. Besides administrative duties, a Medical Assistant could be asked to do clerical and clinical work too. Make sure you just include duties that are related to position youre applying for. If youre searching for a new job, make certain you start out with a strong, well-written resume so its possible to secure the Enterprise management trainee position you desire. Be sure to center on skills related specifically to the job that youre applying for. You still have to list your prior employment but your skills ought t o be the focal portion of the resume. So when you have a particular skill, instead of merely listing it, talk about how that specific skill can be helpful to the employer for the exact specific job that youre applying to. You should also incorporate soft skills or private attributes that tell prospective employers youve got the ideal disposition and attitude for the job. The large part of the themes are proposed by named, job application composing specialists and hence the quality is quite excellent. Be persistent with your efforts, but remember that large businesses receive thousands of applications on a normal basis. Utilize your judgment, and as always, you must always prepare several resumes for a range of assortments of companies. As you start searching for jobs as a medical assistant, bear in mind that success is dependent on your capacity to research. The excellent news is, its simple to find medical assistant experience. It is crucial that you will have to believe like your prospective employer. Youve got to show employers why youre a valuable asset for their company. Writing a terrific objective requires the comprehension of what the employer wants from the assistant they need to employ. More than every other portion of the resume, the Objective must be quite compelling as its the very first line that the prospective employer reads.

Finding Resume Writing Services Ut Austin Mccombs on the Web

Finding Resume Writing Services Ut Austin Mccombs on the Web New Step by Step Roadmap for Resume Writing Services Ut Austin Mccombs It is crucial that you stop by the school and see what the location has to offer you. It is crucial that you select a location youre comfortable in. Location The location of your programme is at least as critical as choosing the proper small geschftsleben school. Should you do, you might be blocked from registering. In addition, youll need to rate your tuition fees, accommodation, and food along with different expenses. Success of previous alumni By going through the school site, you are going to be able to obtain valuable info on the success rates of previous alumni. Many organizations today need workers to finish a degree program before going into the workforce. How to Choose Resume Writing Services Ut Austin Mccombs Lab staff will help you through the setup and cutting of your very first project. The services that you provide are priceles s Our crew of experienced professionals will give you individual attention and exceptional guidance throughout your procedure for application. Youre a personal services business. Deciding upon the correct business school has a significant role in shaping your career. Victoria is the ideal period Or perhaps youve been in exactly the same job for ten years. The success rate of the last alumni has an important function in assisting you to opt for the appropriate school. Whats Really Going on with Resume Writing Services Ut Austin Mccombs There are lots of positions for skilled web developers today. In looking for a good resume writer, I talked to many people about various businesses. You might need to change your resume for each and every job that you apply to depending on what keywords are used. There are big advantages of gambling online rather than live games at land-based casinos. The End of Resume Writing Services Ut Austin Mccombs 1 trick is to join at them all so theyll begin sending you promotions at once. 1 day it could be the very same in the US but as of now there is truly no indication of change coming soon. The issue is you never truly understand where precisely you fit and thus you dont understand what youre likely to get and exactly what youre likely to cover it. Please dont submit the application without the essential test scores, as it wont be reviewed.

Never Before Told Stories About Medical Assistant Resume Skills You Must Read or Be Left Out

Never Before Told Stories About Medical Assistant Resume Skills You Must Read or Be Left Out The Chronicles of Medical Assistant Resume Skills Responsibilities of a health assistant will also vary based on practice place, institute or criteria of work for which they is going to be hired. Besides administrative duties, a Medical Assistant could be asked to do clerical and clinical work too. Medical administrative assistants are employed in a number of settings and their job duties vary based on the employer. The very first senior medical assistant resume sample indicates the perfect skills. You have to keep in mind that if youre still studying then its fine to list wherever your education progress stands. Then use your achievements to demonstrate ways to provide help. As you abflug searching for jobs as a medical assistant, bear in mind that success is dependent on your capacity to research. A health assistants principal responsibility is to offer patients with clinical a nd administrative help. Lets take a physicians assistant job opening. As a medical assistant, youd be parte of the health care team. Job applicants with minimal or no experience that are recent graduates have a better chance should they put in an application for a position in a physicians office, in place of a hospital or medical center where more formal training is probably going to be required. If youre looking to employ a health assistant then a medical assistant job description can assist you in putting out an advert. When you have come to be a certified medical assistant, the next step to have the job in the exact same field requires you to understand how to compose a health assistant resume. Theres a well formatted medical assistant resume vorlage generated by our professionals that can help you to compose an attention grabbing medical assistant resume very quickly. Things You Wont Like About Medical Assistant Resume Skills and Things You Will What is included in your r esume will change depending upon what sorts of positions you intend to apply for. As an overall guideline, your resume does not have to expand upon each job or duty youve held. Your resume should note your particular work experience in handling scheduling difficulties, preparing travel arrangements, and preparing reports. Although resume objectives are getting more obsolete in favor of career summaries, in some specific conditions, it is logical to incorporate an objective. Virtually all health care assistants have no less than a high school diploma, even though there are no formal education or training requirements. You require a skilled skills section in your healthcare assistant resume. Writing a terrific objective requires the comprehension of what the employer wants from the assistant they need to employ. Particular focus has to be paid to the growth of Advanced Excel skills. Medical Assistant Resume Skills - Is it a Scam? You want to improve the amount of interview requests it is possible to get. Set your contact information somewhere on the resume where its going to be viewed well. If you would like to be the portion of an interview for medical assistant jobs, be certain to highlight your own personal and professional specifics and data in your health care assistant resume employing an impressive format. This example of a health assistant resume will offer you a fundamental idea of the way to create a good resume. Before you venture into something its crucial that you get used to the typical tasks of your profession. If youve been in the workplace for some time, you might be unsure how to compose a resume. Its possible for you to incorporate the skills gained in your short-term work like externship. You should also have soft skills or private attributes that tell prospective employers youve got the correct disposition and attitude for the job. What You Dont Know About Medical Assistant Resume Skills The legal and ethical considerati ons associated with medical documentation might also be reviewed. Specialized tasks like familiarity with the operation of particular medical equipment may confer an extra advantage. To be able to compose a professional medical assistant resume, you have to include all appropriate info about your skills, education and a brief description of your personality. Library and research skills might be introduced as a member of producing and writing reports. Life, Death, and Medical Assistant Resume Skills Whats more, youre most likely to need in order to utilize Outlook and even, Access, because you might often utilize systems that are database driven. Concentrate on the business and youll be far more successful. The skills section is a scannable collection of the main skills a hiring manager would want to have an applicant to get. Its essential to be clear on the kind of skills needed, if youre trying to get into a specific industry. The Start of Medical Assistant Resume Skills Yo u would be liable for clinical along with administrative tasks in the health care institution. A well-run and effective office within a health practice, clinic or other healthcare setting is crucial to the success of the practice and to the caliber of the healthcare services they give. Medical assistants are a valuable part of the health care industry as they provide essential support within healthcare facilities. Presently, they do not require certification in most states.

6 ways volunteering benefits your health

6 ways volunteering benefits your health6 ways volunteering benefits your healthMost of us have participated in a form of volunteer work at some point in our lives. From church youth groups to high school graduation requirements, volunteerism has a place in every l of life. But we must admit - this charitable time has definitely taken a backseat in the throes of our twenties as careers, social engagements and general adulting efforts take center stage. Theres only so much time in a day, right?Well, reprioritizing a chunk of that time for others could work wonders for your health.A 2017 study from BMC Public Health found that volunteer work can improve virtually anyones mental and physical health, sense of life satisfaction and social well-being, but especially those who dont currently spend a lot of time participating in charitable activities. But lets break that down even more specifically. Heres what those health benefits of volunteering look like.1. It gives you an additional sen se of purpose.Its amazing what can happen when you step out of your standard routine for a moment and provide for others who truly need assistance. Studies have found a clear association between volunteering and a boosted sense of personal accomplishment, a renewed sense of purpose and, therefore, an improved enjoyment of life overall. You dont have to join the Peace studentencorps or take on missionary work or give up all of your worldly possessions to feel this deep sense of connection - just dedicate a few hours of your time each week to someone (or something) else.2. It staves off depression.If youre someone who easily feels isolated in your day-to-day life, signing up for volunteer opportunities can help you reduce your risk of depression. It creates a simple yet reliable social support system and provides opportunities for people to take on important roles in the lives of others. So regardless of whether youre interested in becoming a mentor, offering someone company or joini ng in a mission thats larger than yourself, all signs point toward a happier existence.3. It keeps you active.We all know that our desk jobs rob us of important movement throughout the day, and dont even get us started on the countrys obesity and diabetes statistics. But volunteer work, depending on the type you choose, can be a great way to remedy this sedentary problem. A 2013 study from Carnegie Mellon University observed a reduction in blood pressure levels in volunteers who were typically less active before signing on for their new charity work. So if the gym doesnt appeal to you, try building houses with Habitat for Humanity or walking dogs at the local animal shelter - youll enjoy similar health benefits.4. It can reduce your stress levels.If you live a super hectic and competitive life throughout the majority of your week, using your off hours to volunteer can be one of the best stress management tools out there. The happiness effect that giving to others creates releases a flood of dopamine in your brain, boosting how you feel across the board. And the more time you spend volunteering, the better those feel-good hormones counter your not-so-fun cortisol levels. This stress buffer also helps you stave off illness down the line.5. It connects you with potential new friends.Most major volunteer opportunities require groups of people, creating an easy way to connect socially with others and start off on common ground. Volunteer work-based friendships can be some of your strongest because of the shared core values that bring you together in the first place. Plus, the fact that you spend time together contributing toward a cause that you believe in and that fuels your purpose only adds to the solid foundation upon which your friendship grows.6. It helps you live longer.Thats right - so long as you approach your volunteer work with a genuine interest in helping others (as opposed to using the charitable time for personal gain), you can reduce your mortalit y risk in the long run. And the more consistently you volunteer, the better this benefit becomes. Guess it really does pay off to be a good, altruistic person, huh?This article first appeared on Swirled.

Practical steps you need to do your own personal life audit

Practical steps you need to do your own personal life auditPractical steps you need to do your own personal life auditWhat life do you want? In 5, 10, 40 years? Can you honestly answer that?This logic is undeniable only change causes change.Most people never give themselves the opportunity to step back and see where they are in life.We get so busy, sometimes we forget to pause, and reflect on our week, month or year.Clayton M. Christensen, writes in his book, How Will You Measure Your LifeIn your life, there are going to be constant demands for your time and attention. How are you going to decide which of those demands gets resources? The trap many people fall into is to allocate their time to whoever screams loudest, and their talent to whatever offers them the fastest reward. Thats a dangerous way to build a strategy.Life audit is a fundamental part of assessing how far youve come, where you want to go, what you should stop doing, and everything you should keep doing to become a b etter version of yourself.Its a self-reflection exercise. An audit will leave you with the clarity and space you need to do you at the ultimate level.Alicia at Lifehacker explains a life audit is all about organizing your life and being honest with yourselfFirst, write down every goal, great hope, and life necessity on a different sticky note note (i.e., get a new job, win an award, live near the ocean).Second, organize the post-its by category (i.e., health, family, career, etc.) as themes start to emerge.Third, organize by time (i.e., how long it will take to accomplish/check-off each post-it).When life is audited, performance improvesWhats most interesting /important to you right now and are you working towards that?Set up a regular time to engage in a life audit.Reexamine your goals in life as needed, and refocus where necessary.Add a recurring weekly/monthly audit to your calendar, and start reflecting on your weekly actions.Ask yourself these questionsWhat went right? Wrong? W hat can I do better?You dont even have to spent an hour auditing yourself.You can quickly assess how you performed each week or month, with questions likeHow is this helping me achieve my goals?What am I gaining by having this on my to-do list? Could I achieve the same gains another way?What would I lose by taking this off my list? Do those things play a large role in me achieving my long-term goal?Did I consume mora than I create?How about my time management? How did my screetime affect my productivity?If you are future-focused, this is a helpful reminder to look back, even for a few minutes, and think about how far youve come and what you need to do to be better, and smarter in the future.Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.Its a better approach to redefine personal progress.Auditing yourself can help you sustain a ruthless level of prioritization and focus every week.Its a practical way to achieve meaningful progress.Tracking improves everything.Analysis o f work and life brings ideas for progress.Many people are held back because they simply dont know how to improve.They arent tracking their life enoughThe more you track, the more you know about your situation, your behavior, and your projected future.You can even track bad behaviors, and habits.An unhealthy behavior is something that, if unchecked, could possibly spiral out of control and negatively affect your life or derail your purpose and plans.Your eingabe predicts your outputEverything you allow into your life through all your senses - input - is processed as output that creates your results.If you expect a different output, start analysing your inputs.Measure your current inputs.If you are not satisfied with your current output and your results, including your beliefs and your mindset, pay close attention to everything you spend time doing.Most information is time-consuming, negative, and irrelevant to your goals and dreams.Dont do the same thing over and over again, and ex pect different results.Deliberate lifestyle design is based on massive consistent action - output.Increased output necessitates decreased worthless input.In the current age of distraction, input sources make an even bigger difference (positive or negative) in your performance at work and your overall well-being.Live the 80/20 lifestyleEighty percent of your outcomes in most things you do come from twenty percent of your inputs.As Pareto demonstrated with his research, this rule holds true, in a very rough sense, to an 80/20 ratio.At a micro level just by looking at your daily habits you can find plenty of examples where the 80/20 Rule applies.20% of the people who are close to you influence 80% of your attitute and perception and either propel you forward or limit your abilty to deliver and make the progress you deserve.In business, 80% of profits come from 20% of customers and 20% of products.The important thing to understand is that in your life there are certain activities you d o (your 20 percent) that account for the majority (your 80 percent) of your happiness and outputs.Some of your time spent working inefficiently provide very little benefit.When you start to analyse and breakdown your life into elements its very easy to see 80/20 ratios all over the place.The message is simple - focus on activities that produce the best outcomes for you.The key to making the 80/20 principle work for you is focus.In every area of your life you can work out the few things that are really important to you and the few methods that give you what you want.There are lots of simple, painless ways to start this stripping back process so that you can begin applying the 80/20 Principle and reaping the practical benefits in your everyday life.Actionable stepsTake a moment every month (if you cant commit to weekly audits) to review all your input sources - including all types of media you consume.Do your input choices really reflect your goals, dreams, desires, and values?What input do you need to decrease or omit in your life right now?What input do you need to increase or improve in your life?What can you achieve in the next few months?What is your long-term goal?What can you do today - or every single day going forward to get you closer to your life purpose?You are probably due for input adjustment.If you keep doing what youre doing now but want different results, youre never going to have anything different than what youve already got.If youre dreaming big, its time to start auditing your actions, and how you live each day.Ready to start a life-changing habit?Im creating a habits mastery course to help you master the kaizen principles for starting and maintaining healthy habits.Kaizen Habitswill teach you how to make any change in life, one small habit at a time.Sign up to be notified when it launches.You can also subscribe toPostanly Weekly(my free weekly digest of the best posts about behavior change that affect health, wealth, and productivity). J oin over 47,000 people on a mission to build a better life.Thisarticlefirst appeared on Medium.