Need to Advance Your Career? Read This..

Many career experts agree that the best time to look for a new job is while you are still comfortably in your old one. If you’re starting to feel unchallenged in your present position, you may be ready for a promotion to the next level. If there aren’t many career advancement opportunities where you work, the best next job may be waiting for you elsewhere. 

Nowadays, it’s up to you to take control of your professional future and make sure that you are progressing wisely down the right career path. Here are 10 proven strategies to help you get started: 

Talk to your boss. Sit down and have a very direct and pointed conversation with your boss about your future in the company. Stress that you want your job performance to meet the company’s goals. Share your own career goals with him or her. Your boss will respect this display of confidence and maturity.  

Ask for more. Volunteering to help out other departments or teams — or simply asking for more responsibilities — increases your value within the organization. Asking for additional work shows an interest and desire to help your department and company to succeed. It also puts a spotlight on your value to the business. 

Volunteer for boards: If you have your career set on something beyond what you are doing in your present position, seek out opportunities to volunteer or serve on advisory boards, where you can build a reputation as someone who is passionate and dedicated to your particular industry. 

Sharpen your people skills. Strong interpersonal skills play a crucial role in gaining the respect of your boss and coworkers; they will also attract the notice of outside influencers who might open new doors of opportunity for you. Be friendly, outgoing, and personable. Listen carefully to people, and practice being a clear and effective communicator.  

Be innovative. Never be afraid to think outside of the box and put your business acumen to work. Stay on the lookout for creative solutions to problems that will make you — and your boss — look good.  

 

Find a mentor. Develop mentoring relationships, either inside or outside the company. Recent studies have shown that four out of five promotions are influenced by a mentor higher up in the company. Mentors are also great sources of information and career guidance.  

Sell yourself. Learn the fine art of self-promotion. If you have had major accomplishments or created successful programs, make sure people know about it — especially those in influential positions who could help you advance professionally. Let it be known that you are seeking a promotion or the next step up in your career.  

  

Keep learning. A proven way to advance in your career is to be continually acquiring new knowledge. Stay on top of trends or developments in your field and make sure that your current résumé reflects those needed skills.  

 Network. Strengthen your personal network and join professional organizations, attend industry conferences, or even volunteer. The more people who are aware of your strengths and abilities, the better your chances of hearing about any new opportunities that might arise.  

Build your reputation. In business, your reputation is the most valuable thing you own. Be known for being dependable, professional, and cooperative. Act and look the part by dressing professionally. Make a name for yourself by attending conferences, delivering speeches, or writing articles.

 

How to Survive Mondays at Work..

Did you know that Mondays can be hazardous to your health? They're very stressful; the highest incidence of work-related injuries happen or occur on this day. There's also an increase in on-the-job heart attacks. Here's what you can do to make Mondays easier on your mind and body.

1. Always try to eat a healthy breakfast on Monday morning (Actually, you should have a healthy breakfast EVERY morning, but if you can't, at least do this on Monday. Have some juice, cereal, and some type of protein. If you don't, your blood sugar will be VERY low by mid-morning. You'll be dragging your feet (and the rest of you).

2. Have A Pleasant Social Activity Planned-Do something that you've always wanted or are greatly looking forward to (Every so often, take off Monday!).

 

 

3. Don't Do A Lot Of Chores On Monday Evening-Switch the work to other days of the week. Unwind instead (You'll thank me for this later).

4. Don't Over-Schedule- If at all possible, avoid setting urgent deadlines on this day. Try to spread your workload throughout the week.

 

 

5. Allow Yourself Extra Time To Get Ready-Arriving late will just cause you extra stress and you'll feel "out of it" the whole day. And than there's the ripple effect, because somehow even when you get off work.....but that's another feature to explore!

 

 

 

6. Don't stay out late Sunday night!-No further comment's needed here (Is it?).

7. How Do You Spend Your Weekend Time?-If you're still tired after the weekend or a three-day one, you may need to spend more time relaxing on Saturday and Sunday (See My Previous Post in this Blog) 

8. Try To Wrap Any Unfinished Work Or Projects On Friday if possible. That way, you won't have that last nagging bit of work to be fretting about over the weekend.

9. Try Your Best To Not Eat Any Heavy Food Sunday Evening-There's a correlation between heavy, fatty food intake and Monday heart attacks. (Now, I know a lot of you still have the traditional Sunday dinner; DON'T GIVE THAT UP! I would advise you that if the meal's a bit on the hearty side, just eat in moderation. 

 

 

 

10. Exercise On The Weekends-Even if your job involves physical labor, working out will keep you loose, limber and fit (And if you're going to pig out, it sure wouldn't hurt, right?). Now this is where doing the chores can kick in; you'll be combining your "fitness program" and getting laundry, housecleaning, or yard work all done at the same time. See how easy that was?

 

Having a Dully Boaring Weekend?

 People always wonder what to do on an utterly boring and dull weekend with nothing to do and no money to spend. Here's a solution to your dreadful problem...

• Eat a nice hot breakfast that you mostly prefer! Along with that, a cup of hot tea or coffee is recommended. Also, orange juice is a great morning drink, because it will give you all the energy you need for the day of relaxation!

• Take a long, hot shower or bath to get you up and awake, then either get in a clean pair of pajamas or a comfortable outfit such as sweatpants and a sweatshirt.
• Get on the computer, watch your favorite show, listen to music, etc.

• Eat again then relax and do whatever suits your interests. Some interesting ideas are to meditate, read, do your hair, dress up for fun, whatever your heart desires!

• If you're home alone, then let loose and be yourself completely. Do something silly or stupid, scream, release all the week's stress in some just plain dumb ways. You'll feel much better.

• If it's raining outside and whoever agrees, go walk in the rain; or if you dare, dance in the rain! Just have fun.

• Get something to look forward to. Think about that long assembly that gets you out of school, or your appointment at work on Monday, or your favorite movie being aired on TV...etc

Tips:

• To have fun, you can do anything! If you truly can't think of anything, you can always call an old friend.
• Another great idea to release the week's stress is to write down your thoughts & feelings.
• Resist the urge to check on work, call the office or check office emails. Unless you are required.
• Turn off your cellphone
• Don't spend time around friends from work since work will almost always come up
• Plan a few things to do. You'll feel like you got the most out of your weekend. Take a tour, read a book, visit friends or family, do something constructive yet rewarding.
• Try not to get yourself into trouble! If you want to have a nice relaxing weekend then that won't be very good.

Warnings:

• If you are required to work, this article is not encouraging you to skip work. If you need to, wait until a weekend you have off.
• Seriously, try not to get into trouble.
• If you have kids then this could become a big problem when trying to relax. Get a babysitter or anybody who can help you take care of them and you relax
• Don't get overly stressed. This is the weekend, after all.
• Do not get too bored.

 So please Calm Down & Enjoy Your Relaxing Weekend!!

12 Steps to Good Health...

     Good health reefers to the state of the organism when it functions optimally without evidence of disease or abnormality. Or we can define it as  a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

    

     As a human being, to be in good health, the following steps which if well followed, will assist you to stay in good health:

1. Stop using all tobacco and drugs.

    

2. Limit alcohol to no more than 10 drinks per week.

3. Start exercising.

4. Use less salt and eat less fat--especially animal fat.

5. Eat more fresh vegetables.

6. Avoid obesity.

7. Take proper diet supplements, including calcium and antioxidant vitamins C, E and A.

8. Fasten your seat belt.

9. Avoid exposure to the sun.

 

10. Get immunization shots.

11. Get adequate prenatal care.

12. Get regular medical examinations.

 Take that and Stay Healthier and Blessed!

LOVE

Don't find love, let love find you. That's why it's
called falling in love, because you don't force
yourself to fall, you just fall. 

Safe Driving Tips For You!

Tip  #1:  Drive  with  care.

Always—

•   Plan your trips ahead of time. Decide what time to leave and which roads to take. Try to avoid heavy traffic, poor weather and high-speed areas.

•   Wear your safety belt—and wear it correctly. (It should go over your shoulder and across your lap.)

•   Drive at the speed limit. It’s unsafe to drive too fast or too slow.

•   Be alert! Pay attention to traffic at all times.

•   Keep enough distance between you and the car in front of you.

•   Be extra careful at intersections. Use your turn signals and remember to look around you for people and other cars.

•   Check your blind spot when changing lanes or backing up.

•   Be extra careful at train tracks. Remember to look both ways.

•   When you take a new medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist about side effects. Many medicines may affect your driving even when you feel fine. If your medicine makes you dizzy or drowsy, talk to your doctor to find out ways to take your medicine so it doesn’t affect your driving. 

 Never—

•   Never drink and drive.

•   Never drive when you feel angry or tired. If you start to feel tired, stop your car somewhere safe. Take a break until you feel more alert.

•   Never eat, drink or use a cell phone while driving. 

If—

•   If you don’t see well in the dark, try not to drive at night or during storms.

Tip  #2:  Take  care  of  your  car.

•   Make sure you have plenty of gas in your car.

•   Have your car tuned up regularly.

•   Keep your windshields and mirrors clean.

•   Keep a cloth in your car for cleaning windows.

•   Replace your windshield wiper blades when they become worn out.

•   If you are shopping for a new car, look for a car with power steering and automatic transmission.

 

Tip  #3:  Know  where  you  can  find  a  ride.

How do you get around when your car is in the shop? If you don’t know the answer to this question, it’s time for you to put together a “transportation plan.”

A transportation plan is a list of all the ways that you can get around. Use this list when your car is in the shop or when you don’t feel safe driving. Your transportation plan might include:

•   Rides from friends and family

•   Taxi

•  Bajaji / Bodaboda / Daladala

Tip  #4:  Take  a  driver  safety  class.

    To learn how to drive more safely, try taking a class. In a driver safety class, the instructor teaches you skills that you can use when you are driving. 

  These classes usually last several hours. They don’t cost much—some are even free. As an added bonus, you might receive a discount on your auto insurance after taking one of these classes. Talk to your insurance company to see if it offers a discount.

Please Drive Safe and Enjoy Your weekend!!

OCTAGON - "DRIVE YOU CAN TRUST"