Choice-based exercises such as the "three doors" exercise can help offer perspective when trying to decide between two career choices, writes Rebekah Layton, the director of professional development programs in the Office of Graduate Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She explains how to use the tool -- whether with the help of someone else or as a solo writing exercise -- when deciding whether to pursue postdoc training or choosing between competing job offers. Full Story: Inside Higher Ed (11/23)
Working too much? Here are 3 things you can try The remedy to workaholism is in developing better habits, such as clear boundaries between work and down time, rest and relaxation, and therapy, writes Ali Pattillo, who includes key questions for people to assess themselves. Being a workaholic is bad in the long term, even if it often leads to near-term rewards professionally. Full Story: Inverse (11/21)
5 skills to boost your work profile There are five skills to highlight on your resume or in an annual review, especially while working remotely -- writing, communication technology, conflict resolution, organization and sales skills, writes content marketing consultant Jessica Thiefels. Communication technology skills include project management programs such as Basecamp or video conferencing platforms. Full Story: Fast Company online (11/23)
Hire Smart
Understanding job sign-on bonuses Before accepting a job with a sign-on bonus, make sure you understand the terms, such as whether you must complete a provisional period before receiving the payment. Also, be aware of the impact of taxes on the bonus. Full Story: U.S. News & World Report (11/20)
Your Next Challenge
Bad behavior by leaders usually has a back story Racism and bullying in the workplace can never be ignored by organizations, which would also be wise to uncover how offending employees got to that point in their lives, writes Alaina Love, sharing an example from her consulting work. "Sometimes reaching the Jerrys of the world means walking into their pain and holding up a mirror," she writes. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (11/23)
Balancing Yourself
Why work-from-home employees need frequent breaks Employers should encourage remote employees to take afternoons or periodic days off, writes Moumita Ray, who designs strategic people management initiatives. "Frequent breaks are more helpful because with high stress levels one cannot wait for a lengthy vacation of the past," Ray writes. Full Story: People Matters (India) (11/20)
State parks in Delaware, Oregon, Washington state and South Carolina are waiving entry and parking fees on the day after Thanksgiving to encourage people to get outside. "We recognize that being outdoors makes us feel better and is a break from the stresses of 2020," said Lisa Sumption, director of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Full Story: WGMD-FM (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) (11/24),The Oregonian (Portland) (11/23),The Post and Courier (Charleston, S.C.) (tiered subscription model) (11/21)
This profile of 25 year-old surfer Natxo Gonzalez offers a glimpse of what it takes to conquer monstrous waves like the ones that lure the world's bravest surfers to Nazare, Portugal. “It doesn’t matter how well-informed you are, or how strong you are mentally and physically—the ocean always wins," he says. "It’s important to keep those mental checks in mind, because if you don’t you can easily die.” Full Story: Outside Magazine online (11/22)
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