The holidays can be a difficult time for employees as they try to balance family obligations, financial stress and work duties. Setting aside specific blocks of time for either personal or work tasks and turning off most phone notifications can help increase focus.

Chance events can play an important role in career trajectory, according to an academic study on the subject, and it is important for managers to be aware of the effect chance has on a career and strive to allocate resources fairly. "Because humans have a tendency or bias to attribute outcomes to people instead of circumstances, we may ignore the role of chance events in pushing (good) people away from their once-chosen careers," writes Charles Galunic, a professor of organizational behavior.

Leaders often overestimate their approachability, listening skills and employees' comfort with speaking up, and that can lead to disconnect within an organization regarding social issues, says Megan Reitz, a professor at Hult International Business School. Reitz offers a four-point strategy for responding to workers' concerns, including listening, rather than assuming, and initiating dialogue.

Despite the aid of blackout curtains, melatonin and other sleep aids, many workers who work night shifts don't get enough sleep. This article looks at the impact such a lack of sleep can have on near-term and long-term health.

Trekking across Antarctica is a tall task for anyone. What makes the upcoming attempt by Karen Darke so special is that she'll be doing it via a recumbent hand bike and/or a cross-country sit ski because she's a paraplegic.

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. I worked the night shift for 14 years at the newspaper, and I kinda liked it.