4 energy management techniques that will help increase your productivity.

I am excited to share a post by guest writer Patrick Del Rosario. He is a freelance photographer and business blogger. He currently works at outsourcely.com, an online platform where employers and remote workers meet to find jobs and hire people online.

When we talk about productivity, the first thing that would surely come to mind would be time management. However, a lot of experts have found a new way on how you can more efficiently achieve increased productivity - energy management.

What is the difference between time and energy management? Well, all of us have a fixed time for the day - 24 hours. However, the capacity for energy that we have is not a fixed quantity. It is true that time management is important but it is through your ability to manage your energy that you can make a difference.

So, how can you be able to manage your energy to improve your productivity at work? Here are some of the ways:

Set periodic goals.

We all have lots of things in our to-do list. In order to efficiently and to better manage your time, it is recommended that you establish daily and weekly goals. With the help of this list, you can be able to plan the amount of work that you will have to do each day. Additionally, this technique is useful in switching between lighter and harder work days.

Try out different ways.

Of course, you do not have to just simply follow your energy levels. You can be your energy's own boss. The best way to control and manage your energy is to try out different ways on how you can boost your energy. Some techniques include exercising, eating, drinking or sleeping. Try these different techniques so that you will be able to know what works best for you. In this way, you can increase your energy levels whenever you need to.

Monitor your energy levels.

Never ever expect that your natural energy rhythms will be the same with other people. Each and every one of us have different internal rhythms . This is why it is a must that you take time to determine what part of the day that your energy levels are at its peak. You can do this by setting your alarm to beat after every hour. Once it beeps, list down what you are doing and what your energy level is like. At the end of the day or the week, it is best that you go over your notes and evaluate the patterns of your energy,

Know how to recover your energy in a smart way.

We are all focused on finding the best way on how we can use energy. However, there is also one important thing that you have to know-- what is the best way to recover your energy. In order to be productive, you also have to know what it is that best replenishes your energy. In this way, you will be able to recover your energy in the best and most efficient way possible.

With these energy management techniques, you can easily and efficiently manage your energy and increase your work productivity in the long run.

5 key characteristics of successful professionals

Please join me in welcoming guest writer Karen Smith today. Because we all wannabe successful businessmen and -women throughout our careers, I'm sure you'll enjoy her article. Who wants to learn these 5 characteristics with me??

There are a host of wildly successful people in this world. Even though no two individuals are designed exactly the same, many of the most successful business minds share a handful of personality traits. In the modern business world, in fact, there are a number of required characteristics it takes to become successful, accomplished businessmen and businesswomen. For years, I've seen many people attempt to move up the ranks in business only to fail because they haven't cultivated the traits it takes to climb up the ladder. For those of you who are trying to succeed and grow in business, here are five key characteristics you should try to nurture and embrace in your career.

1. Start the day early

Waking up early in the day increases your production tremendously. The most successful businessmen and women rise early not only to get work done and arrive at the office early, but also to check off an agenda list of items, such as exercising, eating breakfast, writing out to-do lists, reading the newspaper, etc. By getting these menial tasks out of the way, individuals are better able to focus their attention on the work day ahead of them. If you're at work and thinking about getting to the gym, picking up the dry cleaning, or reading the news online, you're not going to be able to devote your full attention to the work that needs to be done in the moment.

2. Do things now, not later

A little procrastination from time to time never hurt anyone. Yet when it becomes a common, habitual behavior, procrastination can ruin your ability to produce consistent, stellar work. For the sake of producing the best work possible, go ahead and get your work done now and not later. In the moment, it may seem tempting to push something a day back, but doing so will inevitably come back to haunt you and your productivity. Not only are you delaying other projects, you'll be more likely to rush your work, which leaves room for low-quality, sloppy work. Therefore, if an agenda item needs to get done, go ahead and do it right away.

3. Avoid distractions

Distractions present themselves in various forms throughout the work day. Early in the morning, you may have a desire to read the news online as opposed to responding to work emails. Later in the day, your colleague may want to pull you aside to chat about the latest office gossip. The most successful businessmen and women avoid distractions at all costs. Distractions are something we all must face, and even though they are hard to avoid, the only way to reach your highest productivity potential is to do away with any distractions. A fifteen-minute break to grab a cup of coffee or go for a walk outside can't hurt, but if it gets in the way of your productivity or daily goals, your work is inevitably going to be affected.

4. Make friends with colleagues
Team players are some of the most respected individuals in the office. Let's face it: everybody can appreciate someone who works hard and plays well with others. I've seen one too many people try to pit themselves against fellow employees for promotions and raises, only to find that they are doing more harm than good to their office reputation. If you want to be respected by your bosses and colleagues, make an effort to get to know each of them on a personal, friendly basis. You don't have to invite them over to your home for family affairs, just try to get to know a little more about each and every one of them, such as their personal hobbies, favorite sports teams, the names of their intermediate family members, etc.

5. Have a vision

If all you can stomach about your job is putting in the bare minimum amount of work required, it's not likely you'll climb your way up the career ladder. In order to be successful, you have to love the work you're doing in your career. Alas, it's not always easy to love your work, especially when there is so much pressure and expectation encompassed in it. Yet as long as you have a passion for the work you're doing, you should be able to find some fulfillment and pride in your career. If you haven't done so already, go ahead and think about where you see your career five to ten years down the road and cultivate an ambitious vision. If you want to get that big promotion, start planning out what you'll have to do to achieve it. As long as you have a strong vision, you should be on your way to a number of successes.

No two successful people are the same, but many of them share a number of key traits and personal habits. If you wish to become a successful businessman or businesswoman, try adapting these five habits into your endeavors.

Karen Smith, a former newspaper reporter and globe trotter, now freelances for various publications and websites. She hopes to bring her readers the latest in business education at onlinebusinessdegree.org, as well as up-to-date, informed advice on everything from careers to parenting to health and more. Karen welcomes your comments below!

the work/life balance conundrum

Welcome back after a well deserved weekend! Yet another great guest post today from Rose Keating, with some great insights regarding work-life balance.

We are living in a unique time – there are currently four different generations working side-by-side in companies across the globe. As our working environment is becoming multi-generational, the issue of work-life balance is getting harder to define.  As the older generations continue to retire, the majority of the workforce will be Millennials (those born between 1980-1995) and Gen Xers (those born between 1965 – 1980).   These two generations have quite different ideas of what work/life balance should look like, and this creates a challenge for companies that are trying to satisfy their employee’s needs.

The term work/life balance implies that the two are separate entities, and that they should be kept that way.  This goal of separation and balance is becoming increasingly unrealistic, especially with the advent of smart phones.  Our work is always in our pocket.  You could be at the beach with friends on a Saturday – work email is there too.  You could be at aunt Lucy’s birthday party –work email is there too!  We are now forced to make the decision of whether we are going to work or not – over and over again each day.

The term also carries implications that work and life are in conflict with each other; it’s a battle and only one can prevail in any given moment.  Some Millennials (also referred to as Gen Y) are turning this idea on its head, and instead accepting and pursuing a blended idea of work and life.  In his post on Penelope Trunk’s blog titled, Twentysomething: why I don’t want work/life balance, guest writer Ryan Healy explains, “There is no need for me to keep work life and home life separate. The majority of weeknights you can find me in front of the computer chatting with a friend, watching TV and messing around with MySpace or Facebook. I may as well send out an email or finish up a work briefing at the same time.”  The Millennial generation grew up in world where it was normal to be plugged-in 24-7, so many don’t feel a need to disconnect from work completely when they get home each night.

Gen X has a different take on work/life balance.  They were raised by a generation that often put work before family, and as a result they tend to value work/life balance more than Millennials do.   For many Gen Xers, family is their highest priority – and as a result they want flexible hours, and the ability to work from home.  A new study from British consultancy JBA, involving almost 25,000 people across 19 countries, found that among older staff, seven out of 10 wanted more choice about their work patterns. But just four out of 10 of their younger colleagues wanted to detach themselves from the office environment.

So how can you as an employee get your work/life balance needs met?  Here are 3 ideas:

1. Seek out companies that share your values around work/life balance.  When you are networking and doing informational interviews, ask questions about work/life balance and company culture. Slowly build a list of companies that appear to share your values.  Then, during the interview process, ask questions to confirm that your perceptions about work/life balance are correct.  You can do this by asking the hiring manager what work/life balance means to them, and how it applies to their life.   If you meet with potential colleagues during the interview process, ask them their thoughts on the matter as well – colleagues tend to be more candid during interviews than hiring managers.  Other great questions to ask potential colleagues who are in the role you are applying for:  How do you feel about your workload? and How much overtime do you typically work in a month?
2. Specifically ask about HR policies.  During an interview, ask the hiring manager what the HR policies are for flexible work hours and telecommuting (or any other work/life balance item that is important to you).  Sometimes you have to read between the lines, as they may not explicitly state the policies.  If they say things such as, “I can work with you on that,” or, “I have some flexibility in that area,” - that is a great sign that there are guidelines, but nothing is set in stone.  If you hear things like, “our policy does not support telecommuting,” or, “due to our clients needs we really have to have everyone here from 8-5pm,” you will know that the manager has a hard set of rules they stick to. 
3. Don’t be afraid to say exactly what you need.   If it is absolutely critical for you to be able to leave early 3 days per week, express these needs to the hiring manager.  The key here is timing – these discussions are best held after an offer is made, but before you have accepted.  You don’t want to start the interview process with demands for a special schedule, but it is important that you be clear about your needs before you accept a position at a new company.  

Rose Keating is a Boston-based Career Coach who specializes in working with millennial women who are in career transition.  She is a strong believer that young professionals can make a significant impact in their organization – if they have the right mindset.  She can be reached at www.rosekeating.com. 

not just 9-5: succeeding as a part-time sudent in a full-time world

I am very excited to share today's guest post, written by Zach Buckley! Zach is a freelance writer who is interested in exploring the intersection of culture, science and education. He lives in the Midwest and enjoys music, literature and good food.

You have graduated with that coveted undergraduate degree and are ready to start your career and 9-to-5 job. Or are you? As you get out there in the “real world,” you may discover a few things you have yet to learn about the work force. 

Once you land a job and begin building your reputation in your industry, you may also find that you actually need more education. Pursuing an education as a part-time student while maintaining your full-time career is not impossible, but it is challenging. Here are some tips that might make it a little more feasible: 

Choose Flexible Education Options. As a full time worker you are not going to be able to take classes the traditional way. That 8:00 a.m. first hour course at your local college campus is going to directly clash with the 8:30 meeting you have with a client. You need flexible education options.

• One option is to take night courses. This can work well for some students, especially if the campus is near your work location. However, this choice might keep you on a stricter schedule.
• A better option may be to take online classes. An online master’s degree program will offer much more flexibility than any on-campus program. In some programs, you may not have any set times to meet with fellow students, making your schedule much more accommodating.

Limit Social Activities. Each day only gives you 24 hours, so for the time you are pursuing your degree, you are going to need to limit your social activities.

• Completely eliminating them will likely cause you to go crazy, so learn to choose wisely. While you may not be able to attend every social event you are invited to, you need to attend a few for your own sanity. 
• Choose events with your closest friends or ones that provide the most benefit to you.

Plan Meals Carefully. While balancing career goals and educational requirements, you may feel tempted to grab fast food on the fly as you rush between work and school. 

• Avoid fast food whenever possible. The lack of nutrition will impact your ability to study, and you may blow your budget simply on dining out. Plan your meals ahead and aim for things that are quick, but nutrient packed.
• For instance, a salad with some grilled chicken on top doesn’t take long to create, yet it will give you nutrition needed to fuel a late-night study session. If possible, plan your meals each weekend so you have something ready to cook quickly. With a plan, you will be less tempted to grab food on the run.

Studying part time for your degree may take a little bit longer than it would for a full-time student, but in the end you will have more of the tools you need to succeed in your career, without taking any time off of work. Stay committed to furthering your education, even though it is challenging, and you may eventually reap the rewards.

Thanks so much for these tips Zach! I look forward to working with you again! ☺

taking my own career advice seriously

Over the past few months I have loved sharing tips and ideas regarding work-life balance, juggling multiple jobs and studying while working full-time. But I am coming to a place where I need to take some of my own advice in order to regain my work-life balance.

Until the end of June you will find me consulting with clients, studying and doing research after hours, while attending regular band practice sessions, spending quality time with my hubby and finding time to go to the gym. To avoid my own melt-down I will not be writing as many posts as I have for the past few months.

Wanna help me out?? 

I would like to give you the opportunity to write a guest post! I love featuring posts written by my readers! If you are a young working adult with some career advice to share, this is your big chance ☺

Topics I'm interested in:

• How you got the job you wanted
• How NOT to be consumed by a busy lifestyle
• Habits that may cost you your job
• Gap year stories
• Looking professional on a budget
• Or any other career related topic you may have on your mind for that matter!!

Word count? 600 words or less.

Please send your masterpieces to aWannabeEmployee (at) gmail (dot) com.

See you again real soon!!

tips for jugglig multiple jobs

Some of us do it because we need the extra cash, others do it because we want to build our careers into more than just a nine-to-five job. Whatever the reason, we see more and more professionals juggling multiple jobs at the same time.

But regardless your situation or the reason for having more than one job, it can still be tough to manage your time effectively and live a balanced life. Here are a few tips from the experts:

• Are you a slasher? 5 tips for juggling multiple jobs (CommPro.biz)
• Having more than one job (Mind Tools)
• Job jugglers on the tightrope (NY Times)
• Six career tips for job jugglers (Monster)
• Making multiple jobs work for you (Vault Careers)

Career blogging/coaching is a great second "job" for me because it adds to my Human Resources career, so most of the time it really doesn't feel like a job. I enjoy it so much that I don't mind investing extra time into it. Working for myself is rewarding in other ways, and in the end I feel more motivated every morning when I get ready for my day.

If you are juggling jobs at the moment, what are the things you like (or don't like) about it??

maintaining a healthy work-life balance

Guys and girls, you know that I am passionate about maintaining a balanced lifestyle ☺. I am always thinking of new ways to prevent myself from becoming a work-a-holic. I enjoyed reading what others have to say on the topic, so I selected a few great links to keep you balanced this week:

• Strive for work-life integration, not balance (Fast Company)
• 7 Tips to manage your work-life balance (Get-It-Done Guy)
• Work/life balance - a tightrope for entrepreneurs (the Innovation Rainforest)
• 10 Ways to manage your time better (Classy Career Girl)
• Work/life balance in the home office (Diversity Journal)
• Don't forget the beach: the value of vacations (Movin' on Up)

Do you ever feel like your job is trying to swallow you whole!? No more! I hope these tips have been helpful!!

Enjoy your Monday and have a fabulous week!

you are not your job: cultivating a more holistic approach to self-worth

If you meet someone new on a night out, one of the first questions asked is "What do you do?" This is usually taken to mean "What's your job?" or "What is it that you do with your time to make money?" This, for me, is a very interesting reflection about how almost all people see themselves and measure their self-worth. Instead of answering the "what do you do" question with details about our hobbies or families, we always start with work. Now, of course, this is only natural, since we spend the majority of our waking hours at our place of employment. But I also think it's a very shallow way of viewing yourself, and one that can be potentially dangerous for, surprisingly enough, your career itself.

Most of us do not have our dream jobs. In fact, what we do to pay the bills may be just that—a bill-payer and nothing more. Still, when we are stuck in a job that we feel doesn't fit us or our personalities, it's easy to become very depressed with the fact that our jobs don't line up with how we view ourselves. And this discrepancy can become so painful that your performance will eventually suffer.

Instead of equating yourself with your job, start developing a more well-rounded sense of self. You may be, say an account executive for a PR firm, but you are also so much more - you are  afriend, a son or daughter, a parent, a pet owner. You're someone who cooks delicious meals like nobody's business, you're someone who excels at chess and soccer. These various roles you play make up not just one unified self, but several discrete selves. As Walt Whitman once said, "I am large, I contain multitudes."

When you see yourself as containing multitudes, you can bring renewed focus to your job, no matter how tedious or difficult it is. Once you take pride in other aspects of your multifaceted self, you'll begin to see your job as an activity that you perform daily, not something that engulfs your entire being. And understanding work as just another one of the many activities you do daily, you'll instantly become more active about your work as process and not an end.

Of course, I'm not necessarily suggesting that once you embrace other parts of your life more whole-heartedly, your job will instantly become easier or more enjoyable. But you'll feel more confident in your ability to get through it, and this confidence may just give you the boost you need to take the necessary steps in finding a job that's more rewarding. Good luck!

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes for Online Universities Blog. She welcomes your comments at her email: katherynrivas87@gmail.com.

how well do you handle change at work?

Change can be really stressful, even if it may be change for the good. I read once that getting married or moving in to a new home can cause just as much stress as losing your job or a distant relative.

In our careers there are bound to be changes around every corner. Transferring to a different department or working under a new manager, quitting or losing your job are all potential stressors. Our ability to cope and embrace change will have a big impact on the outcome of any stressful situation. Change is part of life and sometimes we have no control over what comes our way, but it's how we respond to change that can make or break us in tough times.

In order to save yourself from drowning when going through change at work, here are a few guidelines to help you come out strong:

1. Readiness: Find some time to brace yourself for the challenge. What will your attitude or strategy be regardless of how big the change is? If you don't set goals for yourself during challenging times you are bound to be thrown around by the currents of change like a rubber duck in the ocean ☺.  
2. Relate: Sometimes we forget that our colleagues are going through a process of change with us, and that we are not alone. Supporting each other at work can make any change more bearable, and often results in great team work and a boost in office morale. 
3. Routine: While things at work may be changing radically, try to stick to your normal lifestyle and routines like exercising, sticking to your sleeping/eating patterns, and hobbies.
4. Rest & Relaxation: I find it hard to switch off my brain when going through change, so finding a little me-time (without any emails, gadgets or noise) really helps me recharge my batteries. I know it can be hard to put away your smart phone for an hour or two, but if you try it you'll see that the world won't come to an end and you will still have all your facebook friends when you return ☺
5. Reunions: See your friends or family often. Talking through and sharing your experiences are powerful tools to help you process any change in your life.

How do you stay centered when your boat is being rocked by circumstances? We all have our own coping mechanisms and levels of resilience but these tips are pretty easy to learn.

Here is another interesting read on the topic: Always Be Prepared for a Sudden Shift in Employment Status.

 

 

dissing distractions at work

Raise your hand if you never get distracted at work!!?
For this week's performance pointers I collected a few links to help you stay focused and manage the distractions in your work place:

• Distracted? It's Time to Hit the Reset Button (By the New York Times)
• 9 Ways to Eliminate Distractions at Work (by Health-e Careers)
• Angry Birds and Productivity at Work: Why Distractions Can Help (by Ross Dawson)
• How to Avoid Getting Distracted From Your Goals (by PsyBlog)
• Avoid Distractions When Working From Home (by Classroom to Cubicle)
• Distraction Management: How to NOT Procrastinate or Get Distracted (by Noupe)

By the time you reach the end of this article you have probably been distracted by other links flashing on the pages I just shared ☺ but don't feel judged! As long as you can establish whether or not your distractions are affecting your productivity in a negative way, you have reached the outcome of this post: self-awareness.

Have a wonderful week at work!

getting the job done on a tough day

I’m sure some of us are made of steel and never allow a tough personal day to influence our performance at work, but I just have to say that I am not one of those! It might be a girl-thing, or even something to do with my personality type, but the truth is that when I have some personal problem on my mind it’s really hard for me to put on a brave face and focus on my work. How about you?

It might not even be a big issue, but just knowing that I have to spend 8 hours at work before being able to resolve it feels a little gruelling sometimes. Telling the whole office how fragile I’m feeling might not be the best option because I don’t want to send the message that I am incapable of coping with personal stress. But on the other hand just ignoring the fact that you are human might burn you out in the long run. So I have tried the following ways to still get the work done despite my tough personal day.

• Try using your work to distract yourself: Even though I really prefer to sort things out as soon as possible, the fact is that I need to plant myself in front of my computer for 8 hours, so I might as well try focusing on the work instead of the issue at hand. Time usually seems to fly when I’m focused and working hard, so it’s actually a good way to take my mind off the problem for a while, and very often it helps me cool off and see the issue from a different perspective.
• Be honest: Trying to hide that you’re not feeling 100% yourself may just make the day harder. If you have a friend or trusted colleague at work, why not tell them not to worry if they see you isolating yourself a little during the day, you just have some things on your mind that you don’t really want to talk about. If they know you’re having a tough day they are likely to understand and give you some space. No need to tell them all the gory details, just let them know you'll be fine and you would like to focus on work.
• Figure out what works for you: Some find it helpful to put on their earphones and listen to music while working and others need to call their moms before the working day starts to blow off a little steam J. Many people recommend chocolate (I wonder why) while others take a walk outside during their lunch breaks to get some fresh air. Knowing what works for you will allow you to manage your emotions instead of lashing out at a colleague or being rude around the office all day.
• Embrace the challenge: I try to see a day like this as a challenge to my resilience. I know I don’t need to be made of steel, but being able to cope and perform well while dealing with challenging emotions reminds me that I can be strong and mature under fire. Also, being known for performing poorly because of your personal problems is not something you want to be known for around the office (see more about personal branding here).

We will all have those days when we just can’t seem to get our minds off things happening in our private lives. But, like any other challenge, you can see them as opportunities to practice and show your inner strength. There is no shame in shedding a tear or two at work, but try to keep it from interfering with your productivity (and that of others) as far as possible.

What works for you on a tough day at the office?

a young pro's guide to cultural sensitivity

Working in a multicultural environment is one of the best things that have happened to me career-wise. Getting to know people from different cultures and discovering our differences and similarities really adds to the satisfaction in my work every day.

Respecting others despite your differences is a crucial skill you'll need if you want to make it in the big leagues or work for a global organisation. Here are your weekly performance links to get you tuned into workplace diversity:

• The Importance of Appreciating Other Cultures in Business (by BigGovSoc)
• Becoming a Global Employee (by Chilli Breeze)
• Listening is Critical in Today's Multicultural Workplace (by Harvard Business Review)
• Diversity Culture (by Refernce for Business)
• Cultural Awareness in the Multicultural Workplace (by Kwintesential)
• The Importance of Diversity in the Workplace (by weLEAD Online Magazine)
• 23 Powerful Tips for Working in Multicultural Teams (by the Project Shrink)

Enjoy your brand new week!

do you have a b.f.f. at work?

Most of us connect and build friendships at work. We spend the biggest part of our day with colleagues, and so it is natural to get to know each other on a social level. But how many of you have a BEST friend (not just a friend in general) at work? If you do, do you find yourself being enthusiastic to go to work each morning? And do you perceive yourself as being more committed to your employer's goals and values than others around you?

According to Gallup's Q12 Employee Engagement Survey employees who have a best friend at work are more likely to report that:

• they receive praise or recognition for their work.
• a colleague encourages their development.
• colleagues are committed to quality.
• in the last six months, a colleague has talked to them about their progress.
• the mission of their company makes them feel their job is important.
• their opinions seem to count at work.
• they have the opportunity to do what they do best at work every day.

Can you believe that having a best friend at work affects so many aspects of your job? This suggests that your overall performance at work will be higher, leading to better appraisals and possibly more significant growth in your career path. Who wouldn't want that?

So do you have a best friend at work? Would you agree with the outcomes listed above? How has it affected your attitude and performance at work? I found some more posts on having a best friend at work by Forte Consulting Group and USA Today - enjoy!

freshen up your desk space!

I am no neat freak, but I do know that I work faster and more focused when my desk is organised. Also, if you take a moment to consider how dirty your desk space actually gets after a while, you might want to think about cleaning it more often (even if just for the sake of your personal hygiene and health).

Here are some tips to keep your office neat:

• To print or not to print - One of the biggest contributors to office clutter is the unnecessary paperwork lying around. With every electronic file you come across, take a second to decide if you need a hard copy. Not only will we save trees by saving paper, but you might be saving yourself from death by paper cuts!
• Expiring the filing - Is every file on your shelf or in your cabinet still relevant? Are you required by law to keep them a certain number of yours? If your answer is no, it might be time for a (very therapeutic) shredding session.
• Walk the walk - If your printer is set up right next to you on your desk, you might be quick to hit the print button. But if you try using the communal printer or setting yours up in a different spot, walking the distance each time might help you to think twice before going on a printing spree!
• Purging power - Pick a date every month and set aside an hour or so to get rid of anything and everything that is contributing to your clutter. Old documents, things that belong at home or on someone else's desk.
• Taming the teddies - Sure, you get sweet little gifts or tokens from colleagues on your birthday. Maybe you love displaying your child's latest clay sculpture on your desk? Depending on the size of your desk or cubicle, you might want to evaluate the amount of space these personal items are taking up. Also, the way you "decorate" your workspace contributes to your personal brand at work, which is something you always want to keep in the back of your mind.
• Effortless eating - Preventing a mess is easier than cleaning it up. Obviously it's ideal to eat your lunch away from your desk, but if for some reason you have no choice, try sliding over to a different corner of your desk. You can also flip over your keyboard and put down a paper towel to catch any crumbs. Be sure to wipe/disinfect surfaces now and then if you don't have a cleaning service at the office doing it for you.

We spend so much time at our desks, why not use it as another opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism by putting some effort into its appearance and appeal. I found this cool article on organization for the office - enjoy!

lovely lunchbox ideas

Happy Monday everyone! It's a new week with new challenges and opportunities, so let's have a look at another small thing you can do to change your efficiency and satisfaction at work for the better.

We all know that eating a balanced diet and snacking on healthy things during the day can improve our concentration and productivity at work, while also lifting our moods. I also find that having your lunch away from my desk is often necessary in order to avoid staring at your screen for eight hours straight - very hard for me to do, but I always feel refreshed afterwards.

But I'm so tired of the same old boring lunch every day, so I've found some sites to give us a little lunchbox inspiration:

• Healthy Lunchbox 101: quick snacks and time-saving tips (by Discovery Health)
• Low-Calorie Snacks for Every Craving (by Real Simple)
• Lunchbox Revamp (by Vital Health Foods)
• How to Snack Smarter (by Real Simple)

Happy snacking!

staying in shape when I spend all day at my desk

I am not crazy about exercise. I always thought that everyone feels like this but I have come to realize that some people really love working out and even crave doing it on a daily basis. Good for them, they don’t need any coaxing or guilt trips to convince them to exercise. But what about the ones like me who need 10 reasons to hit the gym... once!?

To top my frustration, I married one of those sports fanatics. “Man I feel like exercising!” is a phrase I hear from him almost on a daily basis. Imagine the guilt trip that I go on after a comment like that.

But even though I don’t like it much, I have come to acknowledge the benefits that exercise can offer, both short- and long term, so I choose to submit. Here are some things that have made a process a little easier for me:

• Get into a routine - I have decided how many hours I want to fit into each week, and distributed them into 4 sessions per week. I try to do a class on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and I allow off days in between to make room for my elaborate social life J.
• Find a gym buddy - Lucky for me I have a 24/7 eager gym buddy who reminds me every day that we need to work out. Having a gym buddy keeps me accountable, and if I skip class I also let my gym buddy down, so I think twice before skipping. I also have a friend and a colleague who joins me for some of the classes I do, so we can give each other a pep talk when the self discipline starts running low.
• Figure out what you like - I am very interactive by nature, so a group class is more enjoyable to me than a personal gym program I have to follow over by the machines and weights. I also love music, so I prefer the studio classes where we do steps on the beat of a song and memorize patterns or routines. I am not a very competitive person, so I struggle to associate with people in the boot camp class who push themselves to all kinds of physical limits at the blow of the military instructor’s whistle. Other people will love other formats, what are yours?
• Remember why you’re doing it - When I read up on how much working out will benefit me, the motivation comes much easier. If I think of how I want to have a great posture and unlimited mobility when I’m an old granny someday, it’s much easier to sign up for another gym class. The way it lifts my mood and helps me breathe after a very solitary day at my desk really makes it worth it, and letting out in a kickboxing class will do the trick after a stressful day!

I am no pro, and I started exercising way to late in my life so I’m hoping that what I invest now will still make a difference.

I found this post on working out when days are just too short – enjoy!

stressed much?

Statistically we are all bound to have a terrible day at work once in a while (if this is happening very often, you might want to rethink your choice of career or employer - or maybe step up a notch in your commitment J). 

The worst kind of day for me is when I’ve made some kind of small oversight that comes back to bite me in a big way. Or when I’m not sure I handled a sensitive situation right. I also tend to feel overly responsible when anything gets out of hand or a plan backfires. 

I think a job with no stress would be super boring, so I will always prefer a challenging position. But not knowing how to channel your stress can cause even MORE stress, so what to do?

What works for me on a bad day:

• A good chat with my Talent Manager - I am very privileged to have a manager who is a great listener and allows me to speak my mind.  Talking about my frustrations helps me put things in perspective and understand my own reactions better. She also gives great advice, and hearing her impression of my problem usually changes my approach for the better. A good friend or trustworthy colleague at work will also do the trick.
• Remind myself that we are all human - As a recovering perfectionist, I have realised that I want things to go according to plan ALL THE TIME. Firstly – not possible. Secondly – not human. In some cases I need to take responsibility for making a mistake and try to fix it or just say I’m sorry, but many times I just need to appreciate the learning involved in failures and challenging situations.
• Breathe - Remembering to stop thinking for a moment, and just suck in as much oxygen as my lungs can handle for a minute or two, helps me get out of my own head and remember that my crisis may not even really be a crisis. We had a yoga instructor at our latest Wellness Day, who reminded us of the benefits of deep, full and slow breathing and stretching. I know everyone always says it – BUT IT WORKS J.
• Doing something fun or relaxing in my free time - Going on a date night with my hubby or having a big glass of wine with dinner, a spinning class at the gym or a Pilates session in the quiet of my living room. Anything to remind me that there is more to life than how my day at work has been. 

Here’s a handy blog post I read recently with some more ideas on managing stress and overload at work. What works for you?