Advice for taking on the day's toughest tasks Getting motivated to do complicated tasks is often a challenge, writes Jaleh Bisharat, CEO of NakedPoppy. She details 10 tips to overcoming our natural resistance to starting and completing difficult projects, including scheduling a set time for this work. Minutes (5/21)Reach bigger career goals with these small steps If you need to tackle more challenges to advance your career, meet with your manager to discuss skills you have that the company isn't utilizing, writes Daniel B. Kline. By displaying a willingness to help others at all levels, management is more likely to help you achieve your long-term goals. USA Today/The Motley Fool (5/23)
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Making the Connection
9 ways to stop wasting time during conference calls Research has found more than a third of conference call time is wasted due to interruptions, writes career expert Paloma Cantero-Gomez. With attention spans lasting only 10-18 minutes, she advises starting on time whether everyone's checked in or not, getting to the point immediately and asking people to identify themselves when speaking -- and muting their devices if they're not. Forbes (5/20)
The Landscape
House passes retirement bill in bipartisan vote The House has voted 417-3 to pass the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019, which would make changes intended to encourage Americans to save for retirement. Major provisions include removing obstacles to small businesses' offering of retirement plans and making it easier for plans to offer annuities. ThinkAdvisor (free registration) (5/23)
Your Next Challenge
Why it's best to exit quietly The recent departure of Esquire's editor-in-chief is an example of making a grand statement when leaving a job, but career coaches advise against it, writes Allana Akhtar. Grandstanders often anger former employers and co-workers who may cross their career path again. Business Insider (5/23)4 tips for increasing interest in a cover letter A cover letter should begin with a brief explanation about how your personality will enhance your performance, according to writing experts at Grammarly. The last line should emphasize why you care about the position. Ladders (5/22)
Journalist Uptin Saiidi says he became more present in conversations following a three-day, device-free retreat but soon regressed to using his phone too much. The day may come, says Rich Pierson, CEO of meditation app Headspace, when we realize excessive smartphone usage is similar to smoking: Long-accepted as normal until unhealthy side effects made it less acceptable socially. CNBC (5/23) Poll question: Have you ever detoxed from your phone? US adults spent more than 3 hours and 30 minutes a day on their smartphone, with listening to audio taking more than 50 minutes of that time followed by 40 minutes on social networking. In the past year, have you purposely spent more than one day without your phone?
A parasite carrying malaria was first found in Algeria in 1880, and the African country is now officially free of the deadly disease, according to the World Health Organization. Argentina also joins the list of more than 35 countries that fully eradicated malaria. Quartz (tiered subscription model) (5/23)
When you're working with your friends, it doesn't feel like it's work.
