Whatever the economic situation, professionals can advance their careers advancing by letting superiors know of their achievements and investing in education and skills-building, writes Stride CEO James Rhyu. "With so much uncertainty, it can sometimes feel more comforting to take the path of least resistance. However, every worker should remember they have the power to chart a better, brighter future no matter what economic predictions say," writes Rhyu.

Julie Sweet says her practice of routinely asking "why" when she sought to understand the business helped her build credibility within Accenture and eventually move from general counsel to become the company's first female CEO. "If you're wondering 'why,' there's someone else in the room who is as well," Sweet says.

A decline in productivity might be expected around the holidays when everyone is personally and professionally slammed, writes Sean Devlin, who recommends setting clear expectations around workloads and deadlines and also hosting employee gatherings. "These can help employees decompress, but can also serve to bring employees together around the company mission," Devlin writes.

Your employer will withhold money from your year-end bonus for tax purposes, and the exact amount may depend on the specific method the company uses. Here is a closer look at the tax treatment of bonuses and options for workers.

Solo 401(k) plans may be a good option for self-employed clients as they can offer higher contribution limits and more flexibility than SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs. Financial planner Ben Henry-Moreland outlines how the plans work and discusses advantages and disadvantages.

Authorities suspect sub-freezing temperatures are to blame for a burst aquarium that sent 246,000 gallons of water and 1,500 tropical fish sloshing into the streets of Berlin. This sounds like something from a Disney movie, but if it had been a Disney movie, the fish would have found a way to survive.

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I am Janet Connor Kahler, editor of Your Career. I have been with SmartBrief for 13 years in a variety of jobs, including my current job as content production manager. I have experience in hiring, training and managing workers and have taught college courses that include resume writing and job interviewing. And I did get a bonus this year as part of parent company Future's profit pool!