Immerse yourself in your work by committing yourself to a well-defined goal and by focusing on the present, writes Marcel Schwantes, citing psychological research. Choose a task that is neither too difficult for your skill level nor too easy.

Every professional should have a mind map that visualizes their goals and interests, says former Google career coach Jenny Blake. Choose projects based on skills you'd like to build.

Bring clarity to a networking meeting by asking your counterpart how you can help them move forward, Dorie Clark writes. "Even without a formal agenda, it's important to draw the person out based on your reasons for accepting the invitation," she writes.

Employees who work from home are more efficient and collaborative than those who work in an office, a study from Polycom and Future Workplace finds. Among respondents, 98% say "anywhere working" improves productivity.

New college graduates need to emphasize how their education translates into marketable skills when they write their first resume, professional resume writer Marcia Hancock advises. Graduates should highlight academic awards, projects and technical know-how to capture an employer's attention, she suggests.

Regulation and pressure from companies and consumers is pushing egg farms to go cage-free, but that transition means millions in upfront costs and a less efficient production process. Notably, cage-free eggs are more expensive, making them a tough sell when side by side with a cheaper competitor.