Older adults are finding that self-employment or being independent contractors gives them flexibility and the desire to pursue interests that are not necessarily driven by the need for income. "I like contract work and I like the variety and I like the flexibility," says Amy Avergun, 73, an independent contractor in leadership training who now takes on only projects she finds intriguing.

Everyone has an "inner core," a sense of their authentic self that they can tap into to guide their lives and help and influence others as leaders, says Hitendra Wadhwa, a professor at Columbia Business School. "Whatever the common positive purpose is, how can you bring out the best in others and the best in yourself, which means activating them at their core and activating yourself at your core?" Wadhwa asks.

Avoid blowing your top at work by finding constructive ways to vent your frustrations such as journaling, finding allies within your workplace or larger network or hiring a coach, writes Robyn McLeod. "By having a safe and confidential place to discuss your concerns, you can reflect on the situation and develop positive coping mechanisms and approaches that can last a lifetime," McLeod writes.

Researchers have found that, contrary to popular belief, remote employees have become more engaged with their employers through remote collaboration. The research finds that, since 2020, the number of remote meetings has increased, the length of such meetings has dropped, the percentage of unscheduled meetings has risen and that people who left their jobs during that time participated in fewer remote meetings.

A Mercer survey of over 2,000 employers found that health benefits costs climbed by 3.2% this year, down from 6.3% cost growth in 2021, but respondents anticipate health costs to climb by 5.4% next year due to inflation-driven increases. "One reason cost growth lagged inflation this year is because health care providers typically have multiyear contracts with health plans. ... So although employers did not feel the full brunt of inflation immediately, it's very likely that inflation-driven cost increases will phase in over the next few years as contracts are renewed," said Mercer Chief Health Actuary Sunit Patel.

This isn't nearly as gross as it sounds. A device called the Sink Twice, which is fitted over where the tank cover would go on a toilet, pulls clean water from the tank as it is flushed and refilled. The redirected water used to wash your hands then filters through the sink drain and back into the tank for the next flush. Owner and inventor Culver Van Der Jagt says toilets waste a lot of water and are responsible for approximately 30% of overall water usage in households. Further, water efficiency specialist Krista Guerrero says bypassing the sink to wash your hands in favor of devices like the Sink Twice can reduce household water usage by about 3 gallons a day and cut down on water bills. So, users could be, ahem, flush with cash.

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