Negative thoughts can become reality if not addressed Negative thinking about yourself and your job could lead to negative outcomes, so it's important to keep your thoughts in check, explains Art Markman, psychology professor at the University of Texas. Find things that make you happy in life and at your job, Markman suggests, and avoid chronic negative thinking about workplace projects, managers and your performance. Fast Company online (1/7)Fix bad work habits to up your game Stay engaged in work conversations by putting your phone away, maintaining good eye contact and making a genuine effort to listen, recommends career development expert Sue Ellson. Also avoid abbreviations or slang during conversation or emails because it distorts communication and reduces professionalism. Daily Mail (London) (1/8)
Making the Connection
Plan your own networking event with these strategies Organizing your own networking event allows you to be strategic in who you invite and is also beneficial to introverts who can then control the size of the event and not get overwhelmed, points out Dorie Clark. Select a good mix of people to attend with different, yet melding, mindsets to ensure the ideas and conversations are varied and productive. Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model) (1/9)
Job openings decreased by 243,000 in November, but available jobs still outpaced available workers, according to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey. The number of workers leaving their jobs declined to about 3.4 million. CNBC (1/8)
Your Next Challenge
How to get a headhunter to notice you The key to getting found by a headhunter is to become noticed within your industry by keeping your LinkedIn profile updated, contributing to publications and at events, and maintaining a consistent online presence. A more direct, and also effective, strategy is simply writing a short and concise email outlining your strengths, explains career expert Suzy Welch. CNBC (1/8)Is a 9-to-5 job right for you? The 9-to-5 lifestyle has fallen out of favor with millennials, but it does have its benefits as well as drawbacks, so it's important to weigh these in determining your next career move. A 9-to-5 job offers a steady paycheck and structure, while going off on your own offers freedom and the ability to push yourself to achieve success, albeit with risks. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (1/9)
Young workers and recent college graduates are experiencing burnout caused in large part by the burden of student loan obligations and lack of finding adequate employment, writes Noah Smith, an assistant professor of finance at Stony Brook University. A major problem exists in America, Smith explains, and the government should address the issues, starting with finding a solution to the rising student loan debt problem. Bloomberg (tiered subscription model) (1/9)
The Water Cooler
Australian prime minister given 2 left feet in photo A photograph of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his family was subject to scrutiny and ridicule on social media after staff members had altered the image. The photo shows Morrison with what appears to be two left feet in an attempt to cover his scuffed shoes. Reuters (1/9)
A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.
