Ten Dick Bolles Facts

Ten Dick Bolles Facts Dick Bolles passed away a week ago. These are ten things I found to be interesting about Dick Bolles: Dick Bolles was really, really tall. I am about six foot tall and he seemed to tower over me. Maybe he was my height, but he seemed to be a giant of a man. However, he was so kind and gentle that I didnt feel like he was physically imposing. Dick Bolles was an ordained Episcopal minister until he quit. I knew the first part, but only recently read about the last part. Apparently theres a rule that you cant get married to a fourth wife, after three divorces Dick didnt take this well and tried to fight it, then just renounced his ordination to marry the lovely Marci (who was at lunch with us). Dick Bolles, for many years, did all of his own writing and editing. He told me one of his agreements with the publisher was that they would not touch his finished product at all. that means no other editor would change anything. In our intervew (see yesterdays post) he said that that had changed towards the end, but for many years it was 100% Dick Bolles. Dick Bolles was super smart. He was mensa-level smart. He was an Harvard alumnus where he studied physics, and an MIT alumnus where he studied chemical engineering. He was literally a member of mensa. When I had lunch with him he was in his mid-eighties, and he was one of the sharpest people I had ever talked to. He was fast, and could talk about a breadth and depth of topics, without skipping a beat. Dick Bolles brother was murdered in 1976. He was an investigative reporter and was investigating a very rough crowd: the mafia in Arizona. Shocking? Very sad, and I can imagine that it was devistating for Dick to go through. The legacy of his brother, Don Bolles, lives on amongst reporters. He was uncovering a nasty part of society, and paid with his life. Dick Bolles stumbled onto helping others in job search its not what he set out to do. The title of his book came from a conversation he had with someone who said they were going to quit their job, and his response was what color is your parachute? Meaning, if you are going to do something so risky, whats your plan? Have you even thought about the consequences of quitting? Dick Bolles invited career experts to his home for multi-day retreats. These were small, intimate groups of career professionals, getting almost one-on-one attention from Dick. I wish I would have done one of those Ive only heard about them from some of my colleagues. To have someone of his status invite career experts to his home for so long, I thought, was really cool. Dick Bolles personally updated his book every single year, for almost 50 years straight.  The dedication to this one book had been a life passion for him.  He passionately studied current events, reading papers, listening to experts and job seekers, and then would incorporate the latest and greatest in strategies, tactics, and tools into the next version of his book.  Almost 50 years thats really quite remarkable for someone who could have just outsourced it many decades ago. Dick Bolles was an international speaker, and obviously highly sought after.  Again, he could have just rested, and enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle, but he got on plane after plane, even for very long flights.  He was a man who clearly believed in his mission of helping people. Dick Bolles loved his wife and family. I only met Marci, and know nothing of his previous wives. But the way he treated her, listened to her, looked at her it was love and respect.  At our lunch I learned about why and how they met, and how she literally saved his life hearing him tell the story was like reading a romance novel (I assume Ive actually never read a romance novel).  His love was tangible. And so was hers. It was refreshing to witness their interactions. BONUS: Dick Bolles was a Navy veteran. Of course.  Service and action. Dick Bolles: a great man who fulfilled a great mission, and really impacted the world. Ten Dick Bolles Facts Dick Bolles passed away a week ago. These are ten things I found to be interesting about Dick Bolles: Dick Bolles was really, really tall. I am about six foot tall and he seemed to tower over me. Maybe he was my height, but he seemed to be a giant of a man. However, he was so kind and gentle that I didnt feel like he was physically imposing. Dick Bolles was an ordained Episcopal minister until he quit. I knew the first part, but only recently read about the last part. Apparently theres a rule that you cant get married to a fourth wife, after three divorces Dick didnt take this well and tried to fight it, then just renounced his ordination to marry the lovely Marci (who was at lunch with us). Dick Bolles, for many years, did all of his own writing and editing. He told me one of his agreements with the publisher was that they would not touch his finished product at all. that means no other editor would change anything. In our intervew (see yesterdays post) he said that that had changed towards the end, but for many years it was 100% Dick Bolles. Dick Bolles was super smart. He was mensa-level smart. He was an Harvard alumnus where he studied physics, and an MIT alumnus where he studied chemical engineering. He was literally a member of mensa. When I had lunch with him he was in his mid-eighties, and he was one of the sharpest people I had ever talked to. He was fast, and could talk about a breadth and depth of topics, without skipping a beat. Dick Bolles brother was murdered in 1976. He was an investigative reporter and was investigating a very rough crowd: the mafia in Arizona. Shocking? Very sad, and I can imagine that it was devistating for Dick to go through. The legacy of his brother, Don Bolles, lives on amongst reporters. He was uncovering a nasty part of society, and paid with his life. Dick Bolles stumbled onto helping others in job search its not what he set out to do. The title of his book came from a conversation he had with someone who said they were going to quit their job, and his response was what color is your parachute? Meaning, if you are going to do something so risky, whats your plan? Have you even thought about the consequences of quitting? Dick Bolles invited career experts to his home for multi-day retreats. These were small, intimate groups of career professionals, getting almost one-on-one attention from Dick. I wish I would have done one of those Ive only heard about them from some of my colleagues. To have someone of his status invite career experts to his home for so long, I thought, was really cool. Dick Bolles personally updated his book every single year, for almost 50 years straight.  The dedication to this one book had been a life passion for him.  He passionately studied current events, reading papers, listening to experts and job seekers, and then would incorporate the latest and greatest in strategies, tactics, and tools into the next version of his book.  Almost 50 years thats really quite remarkable for someone who could have just outsourced it many decades ago. Dick Bolles was an international speaker, and obviously highly sought after.  Again, he could have just rested, and enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle, but he got on plane after plane, even for very long flights.  He was a man who clearly believed in his mission of helping people. Dick Bolles loved his wife and family. I only met Marci, and know nothing of his previous wives. But the way he treated her, listened to her, looked at her it was love and respect.  At our lunch I learned about why and how they met, and how she literally saved his life hearing him tell the story was like reading a romance novel (I assume Ive actually never read a romance novel).  His love was tangible. And so was hers. It was refreshing to witness their interactions. BONUS: Dick Bolles was a Navy veteran. Of course.  Service and action. Dick Bolles: a great man who fulfilled a great mission, and really impacted the world.

What To Include In Your Functional Resume

What To Include In Your Functional ResumeWriting a functional resume is not easy for many people, especially those who do not have any particular expertise in this field. Even if you have the right qualifications and experience, you may have doubts in your mind as to how you will be able to present your resume to employers and why you should include some specific job and education details in it. In this article, we will discuss the basics of functional resumes.There are some things you should always remember when writing a functional resume. If you want to maximize the benefits of this method, it is best that you take the advice of people who have already tried the same. The following tips are particularly applicable to people who know what they are doing when it comes to this area of job search.The first thing you should know is that, although there are no specific skills or credentials required to apply for an opening, you should still include some relevant information about your s kills and credentials. It is important that you choose to write about the most essential aspects of your past experience and education so that you will be seen as a qualified candidate. However, you may want to write about some specialties and skill sets you have if your qualification is related to that. For example, if you had worked in the area of accounting or business administration, you could write about these, but also about your other interests.Another thing to consider is that you should also include the skills you learned from your studies, especially if the position you are applying for requires you to learn new skills. Employers usually look for candidates who can get along with the work atmosphere and learn new things quickly.When writing a functional resume, it is best to focus on the most important aspects of your past career. It is important that you avoid including too much information about your schooling and previous jobs because it might become obvious later that you are simply trying to cover all the bases. If you leave anything out of your resume, you are automatically making it look like you did not put as much effort as you should have on the other parts.Besides focusing on your educational background and skills, you should also try to put as much information about your professional experience as possible in your functional resume. In fact, employers may find it difficult to read resumes written in a formal manner without covering some specialities and experiences they cannot see elsewhere. This means that you should be careful in detailing any areas of expertise that you might have acquired during your time as a student.You may also want to include some highlights from your best academic and professional experiences as a personal objective statement in your functional resume. As a matter of fact, employers may be more interested in reading one particular section from a resume than in reading everything. Aside, from the fact that it will make the function feel appreciated, it also shows that you have thought about how you will be presenting yourself to your future employer.These are just some of the basics of writing a functional resume. It is also important that you learn the basics of functional resume writing so that you will be able to make your resume an effective tool for your job search. Of course, there are some who may take your resume as 'scraps' and disregard it; this is the last thing you want.

Personal Branding Interview Randall Jones - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Interview Randall Jones - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Today, I spoke with Randall Jones, who is the founder of Worth Magazine and author of The Richest Man In Town. In this interview, Randall talks to us about what self-made rich individuals think of personal branding, the strategies they use, how hes leveraged his brand to interview successful individuals, brand characteristics of the rich and if personal branding helps protect the rich.   Read on to see this insight for unique angle from Mr. Jones. Do the self-made rich think in terms of building a personal brand? Absolutely, whether consciously or unconsciously, the reason America’s greatest successes have gotten to the top of their towns is because they are trusted. Successful personal brands, just like winning consumer brands, are based on mutual trust. The RMITs (Richest Man In Town) I interviewed have built successful companies and enjoyed the resultant wealth because of many factors: they have high octane ambition they own and control their own businesses they do not fear failure they are masterful salespersons they build their personal brands by mooring themselves to high moralsâ€"they know that reputation rules everything. How did your own personal brand help you tackle the challenge of getting access to the notoriously reclusive rich? It was certainly difficult to get these wealthy individuals to sit down and actually be reflective on their lives, their success and their bank accounts. But this is where my personal brand had a powerful effect. Having written The Greatest Stock Picks of All Time and being the Founder of a major magazine for the wealthy which almost all of them read, I had near instant credibility. They knew I was a serious writer who would take a serious approach to the subject. But it also took some serious selling with many of the RMITs, so I underscored the reason I was writing the book: To enlighten a whole new generation of readers about the power of the American Dream, and to prove it was still possible to achieve. I told them that this was an opportunity for them to mentor and motivate millions of young Americans who were seeking the secrets to success in modern America. In the end, they all agreed their participation was a service to others, but ironically it also became a benefit to them as well. Most had not slowed down long enough to think about their own success trajectory. My scheduled one hour interviews often went for four or more hours and they had actually had fun reflecting on their storied careers. What were some of the most common factors you found in the personal brands of these richest men in town? To a person, all of my RMITs have found their “perfect pitch”â€"the thing that they are most personally gifted at doing and secondarily they have found a way to monetize their perfect pitches. RMITs believe that we do our kids a disservice when we tell them “you can be anything you want to beâ€"anything you dream of being.” They believe you can’t be anything you want to be, but you can be so much more of what you are innately, genetically gifted at. Warren Buffet says, “I was wired to allocate capital.” He would have been a lousy fashion designer. Hartley Peavey of Peavey Electronics was wired to engineer amplifiers and musical equipment. He loved rock music, but he was a dreadful guitar player. What is more important, the personal brand you project to the neighbors or to the world? Your personal brand should be one in the same. Few are us are gifted enough actors to play multiple roles in life. It would require far too much vital energy to present dual or multiple personal brands to the world, energy that is best spent perfecting one’s perfect pitch. That’s not to say that our personal brands can’t be multi-faceted. RMITs for the most part, are addicted to ambition, but they are just as ambitious in their roles as parents, spouses, friends and benefactors. Does having a strong personal brand protect the wealthy from the current populist rage against the rich? Without a doubt. RMITs have personal brands built primarily on trust, honesty, local job creation and generous philanthropy. They are not remotely similar to the brand Bernie Madoff. There could be no starker contrast between these hard working, value creating American entrepreneurs and the financial engineering, no-value creating miscreants like Madoff. The richest men in town that I interviewed don’t have a single felony conviction among them. Instead they are the engines of American commerce. President Obama agrees that these and thousands of folks like them are the hard working, honest folks who will lead us out of this recession. That’s the personal brand: local hero. Randall Jones has spent 25 years in the magazine and media business. He is the founder of Worth Magazine, the financial lifestyle magazine for active wealthy investors, and is also the founder of The American Benefactor Magazine, the first magazine about philanthropy from the donors perspective.   He is the author of the new book, The Richest Man In Town.   He was recently honored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America as Philanthropist of the Year. He has appeared on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC and Fox.

Seattle Jobs - VocationVillage

Seattle Jobs - VocationVillage Seattle jobs can be found on many websites listed below, but I hate to see anyone spend too much time in their job search effort surfing online. If you can find an ad, so can a zillion other people! Because of how easily accessible these postings are, online job search has the lowest return on investment unless your skills and track record are rock star quality. Also, it can be really lonely and depressing to apply for many posted positions and have your applications go into the black hole of the internet with absolutely no response back. Limit the amount of time you spend doing online job search but when you do it, use the most effective strategies outlined below:1.  Set up email search alerts using keywords that capture your best career skills. By letting computers do the work for you, it reduces your effort. My favorite site for this is Indeed.com Seattle.2.  Set up a complete profile on LinkedIn.com and let recruiters and hiring managers find you.3.  Limit your online searching t o 7-10 hours per week. The rest of your search effort should be invested in activities involving HUMANS. This means participation in professional organizations and conferences, continuing education, and social events.4.  To find professional organizations and social networking opportunities, I recommend this awesome Seattle networking guide.5.  To identify some of Seattles best employers, explore Peoples Picks by NW Jobs (Best Seattle Employers).6.  For Seattle area employment news, check out the Career Center blogs at the Seattle Times.7. Use my list below.Seattle Jobs SitesAllNWJobs CampusPoint restricted to college students and recent graduates Communicators and Marketers JobLine, Puget Sound fee based Craigs List Freelance-Seattle.net Indeed.com Seattle Philanthropy Northwest Puget Sound Business Journal Puget Sound Help Wanted Seattle.com Jobs seattle.jobs.offered (a Google group) SeattleRecruiter.com Seattle Jobs.com Seattle Times / Post Intelligencer Tech Jobs in Seattle Washington Employment Web Pages by Jerry Wattier WorkSource Washington. Back To Seattle Careers

How to Write a Professional Resume

How to Write a Professional ResumeIf you've been out of college for a few years, there's no doubt that you've had to learn how to create well-written and properly formatted Ad/Works resume. Not all colleges offer this course and not all Ad/Works courses are offered at all four-year universities. You must have done your research before you register to take this class.Now that you know the basics of Ad/Works resume writing, it's time to try some sample resumes. These samples are already designed to look like work-related emails so they'll be easy to read and get the attention of employers. The secret to a good job applicant is that the whole company can quickly read the resume. Therefore, your resume should look very professional yet professional at the same time.A short summary of your work experience and education is required. Ad/Works resume writing will teach you how to present yourself in a professional manner. In particular, it covers the things that companies really need to see. Why, if they don't see your real personality they won't hire you anyway. And if they do hire you, they won't hire the best personality either.It doesn't matter if your work experience is full time or part time. What matters is that it is professional. The resume should show that you are well-trained and have a general understanding of the job. Take a few minutes to think about what type of experience will demonstrate professionalism.How can you show your commitment to the organization? You'll have a chance to explain this to the admissions director. If you can point out how much you respect the organization and its mission, the potential employer will be impressed. They'll want to learn more about you.For example, you could explain that your experience and knowledge to show you can get along with others and will help others be successful. How can you show you are serious about the job? That you enjoy it, and your skills are applicable to the job? This is how you can show your serio usness about the Ad/Works resume writing career.The admissions director will ask for examples of your work, not just your own resume. While your Ad/Works resume should be up to date, they will also want examples of your work experience. So you will have to start showing examples of work done in the past. You can't just mention it on your Ad/Works resume.Use examples from past jobs, specific examples, you'll find all over the internet. Ad/Works resume writing course will have detailed information about how to write a resume. So, you should feel confident about how you will present yourself on your first job interview.

Top 10 Reasons to Start Your IT Career as A Software Tester CareerMetis.com

Top 10 Reasons to Start Your IT Career as A Software Tester Original Image Source â€" Depositphotos.comSoftware testers are often misunderstood and forgotten by those who don’t understand the process a software product needs to go through. After all, we tend to praise the developers, the graphic designers, web programmers, and visionaries who manage to come up with new features and tools.But without highly-trained software testers, none of these would be possible. This role is well-defined in the production and sales process, and it cannot be removed, replaced, or covered by other specialists.What Does a Software Tester Do?In short, a tester makes sure that a new software product or an upgrade to an existent product doesn’t have bugs. It looks and sounds simple enough, but this is exactly where things start to become challenging.Types of TestingevalevalFirst, you need to know that there are two types of testing: manual and automated. Manual testinghas the tester play the role of the end user, and manually check for defects, errors, and an y other substandard situations.In this case, the tester doesn’t need advanced knowledge of programming or software architecture. They just need to know the specifications of the software being tested and must stay curious and think outside the box.Automated testingis a bit more complicated as the tester needs to devise a testing plan, implement it using a programming language, and interpret the results. Basically, you need to create tools that work specifically for the software being tested, in order to test every possible outcome in a short amount of time.Now, besides the skills needed for manual testing, you also need to have programming knowledge, logical thinking, and deep understanding of software architecture.The good news is that both manual and automated testing are effective, and companies need them both Also, software testers must be able to understand the audience of the product. They need to get in the end user’s head and approach testing from their perspective to re create the experience a client will have when using the product.Finally, your main job is to identify, report, and document bugs. This requires a heightened degree of curiosity, impressive perseverance, and a logical mind that can structure and use the information at high speeds.So, if you’re a little too nosy for your own good and you’re always open to communication Whether you’re working on several different projects at a time or you’re just bashing your head against the walls to understands why a feature behaves erratically, being a tester is challenging #3: You are in DemandDid you know there is a demand for ethical hackers? This is, in fact, one of the not-so-common career optionsyou get to take as a tester, but from a cybersecurity point of view.The underlying idea is that, as long as companies will develop new software products, there will be a need for trained testers It is quite difficult to get bored out of your mind when there are so many amazing things happening around!#5: It Pays WellAccording to indeed.com, salaries for experienced software testers range from 89,000/year to 99,000/year.Of course, depending on your responsibilities and streams of income, the numbers can be higher. But, even if you stay within the norms, this is a position that pays well.Not to mention that it is easy to progress and increase your earnings within a short time interval after you’ve been hired. Testers with a few years of experience under their belt are usually promoted to different positions such as automation architects or test managers But, as you grow and cultivate new skills, things start to change. The focus shifts from earnings to personal development, and you start to care about the moral component of your work.Testing is one of those areas that lets people take pride in what they do and feel useful to society. After all, your involvement in the project is critical, and the good functioning of a system is in your capable hands.#7: You are Supported by the CommunityJust like developers have their own complex system that extends at a global level, so do testers. You find them on StackOverflow, Twitter, Reddit, and any other platforms you can think of.So, when you feel stuck (which it may happen), you just need to reach out to a more experienced fellow tester. Of course, this is an exchange, so you will have to offer your experience and tips to other people in need of advice.The community is also a fantastic way to learn about upgrades, changes that may affect the industry, and even get amazing job opportunities. #8: It’s not for EveryoneWhile it’s true that you don’t need academic training to become a tester, this is not a job for everyone! Most testers start in different positions but feel drawn by the mysterious and charming powers of testing.To be successful in this career path, you need a combination of skills such as in-depth knowledge of development patterns, deep understanding of UX/UI design, an analytical mind tha t can easily recognize patterns, and good communication skills.So, if you are curious and have the technological skills, but don’t feel comfortable working with people at a deeper level, you may not have what it takes to be a tester.#9: It is Data-DrivenWe talked a lot about the need to be creative and forward-thinking as a tester. However, you also need to be proficient in computer sciences as this job is all about technology and data.#10: You Get to Play with the Latest Gadgets TechAs a tester, your job is to make sure emerging technologies are up to standards and ready to be introduced in the commercial flow. But this also means you get to use the latest gadgets and mess around with devices that are not even on the market yet.You are witnessing technology history being created, and you get to be a part of it!Wrapping UpIn conclusion, if you have a curious mind and enjoy playing with the latest technologies, you may be a software tester in the making. Sure, it takes a lot more than that, but these are the main ingredients.However, it is perfectly fine to consider your options. Choosing a career path takes a lot of thinking and analyzing, which is why you may want to browse this guide. When you take a step-by-step approach, things have a way of falling into place when you least expect it.Just stay curious and don’t be afraid to experiment!

From Burned-out to Brilliant in 4 Achievable Steps

From Burned-out to Brilliant in 4 Achievable Steps Numerous studies show that job stress continues to escalate among American adults. Feelings of having little control and too many demands are rampant. But it is possible to regain a sense of freedom and control over your life. How you choose to react to your environment, and what strategies you put in place to better deal with your demands, can turn your life around. I spoke with Denise R. Green, an executive coach who helps clients feel less stressed and find fulfillment in their lives. Her new book, Work-Life Brilliance: Tools to Break Stress and Create the Life Health You Crave, is about reigniting one’s internal spark. “Were all born with a spark, and then life piles on. But,” assures Green, “it’s possible to clear off the muck so you can shine brilliantly again.” Asked how she described brilliance, Green explained, “It’s a sense of freedom and agency over your life â€" ease instead of struggle, and freedom instead of feeling trapped in a toxic body, relationship, thought pattern or job.” Use these four steps to turn burnout into brilliance: Tame your thoughts. Getting hooked on emotionally charged narratives of anger, resentment or fear is damaging to your physical and mental well-being. Upgrade your thoughts by noticing when you think the painful thought, then consider it from a new perspective that offers relief. Repeat the new thought over and over until it becomes an embedded belief. Changing the script allows you to become the director of your life rather than an actor performing at the whim of a hostile thought process. Exude authentic confidence. Truly confident people project both warmth and strength. Align your appearance and actions with who you want to be in the world. Improving your self-perception will improve others perceptions of you as well. Make eye contact, smile, stand and sit with good posture and keep your chin level with the floor. Nurture brilliant relationships. Toxic encounters switch on your sympathetic nervous system, putting your brain in a threat state where youre unable to access your intelligent brain. Take steps to improve your relationships and connect with positive people. You can start by telling people how much you value them. Manage your relationship with technology. Most of us dont use technology as much as we let it use us. To have a fulfilling life, you must mindfully choose not to fall into the social media or news and entertainment rabbit hole. Turn off sound notifications, leave your phone behind in meetings and choose face-to-face conversations whenever possible. Remember this about brilliance: Its not a destination you reach and then set up camp. Its more like a journey with unpredictable twists and turns. If you fall off the path, you can make adjustments to find your way back again. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class now and get the most comprehensive job search system available!

7 Ways to Improve Your Emotional Health at Work

7 Ways to Improve Your Emotional Health at Work Are you unhappy with your job? You’re not alone. More than 70% of Americans are in the market for new careers â€" that’s a lot of people. Before making the jump to a new job, consider whether it’s your workplace dragging you down or your emotional health. Emotional health and well-being are often overlooked when evaluating work environments. When was the last time you stopped to reflect on how you were feeling? If you can’t remember, that’s not a good sign. Studies show happy people are more productive. Don’t fall victim to the vicious cycle of letting emotional wounds fester. Here are seven ways to administer psychological first aid in the workplace. 1. Address Emotional Pain Head-on Avoiding negative emotions is tempting. After all, who enjoys feeling terrible? Probably not many people. Unfortunately, the trade-off for avoiding negative feelings in the short-term is having them resurface continuously in the long-term. For example, take the unfortunate situation of a close friend or family member passing away. Returning to work immediately after the funeral might distract you from the initial shock and pain of the loss, but eventually, those feelings will resurface later on. You’ll feel worse for longer. Avoid the temptation to push down your feelings. Face them when you feel them. 2. Be Compassionate With Yourself Mistakes are part of life, and the workplace is no exception. Instead of falling into a pattern of self-deprecation, be compassionate. Think back to a time when a close friend or colleague made a mistake they felt terrible about. Did you attack and criticize them? Probably not. Odds are, you were compassionate and empathetic. Give yourself the same courtesy. Focusing on one mistake can prevent you from moving forward, which in turn, may lead to more errors. Break the cycle by practicing compassion. 3. Use Failure to Your Advantage Take advantage of your failures â€" each one offers a learning opportunity. Reflect on what you need to improve and where you went wrong. Solicit feedback from supervisors to prevent the same thing from happening again. You cant undo the past â€" you can only change the future. Think about how you can use the past to better shape the future. Accepting the failure for what it is and taking control of it will make you feel more in control of the situation. 4. Change Your Perspective Focus on what you enjoy about your job instead of focusing on what you hate. Concentrating your energy on the negative aspects of your current situation can lead to brooding and a sense of helplessness. For example, maybe you have a great friend you met through your current workplace. When you start to feel down, remind yourself you wouldn’t have met this person if you didn’t work at your current job. Eventually, youll find enough things to be grateful for youll be able to pull yourself out of a lousy mood spiral. 5. Let Go of the Small Stuff Humans are hard-wired to focus on the negative over the positive. It’s easy to dwell on work-place gossip or that catty comment from a coworker. When the negative thoughts start to overwhelm you, distract yourself with something else. Try taking a walk during your 15-minute break. Meditate. Do a crossword puzzle. Several minutes of distraction is enough to end negative thought patterns. 6. Practice Awareness Check in with yourself from time to time. Listen to your body and how you feel. Practicing awareness regularly will help with processing any residual negative emotions. Pay close attention to how you react when situations or encounters in the workplace lead to bad feelings. Do you shrug things off initially, only to dwell on them later? Maybe you lose your cool and face guilt and embarrassment. Learning how you identify negative feelings will help you develop the best coping mechanisms when you experience them. 7. Find Work-Life Balance Smartphones and laptops make it possible to work remotely from anywhere at any time. This flexibility can provide excellent work-life balance. Or, it can do just the opposite. Living and breathing your career can turn a fun, fulfilling position into an emotionally draining one quickly. Studies show you’re more likely to have poor emotional health if you work too many hours per week. Avoid this trap by setting clear boundaries for working and non-working hours. Update your calendar with this information, and stick to it. Once you make an exception for one person, you set an example that you are always available. Start taking care of your emotional health. The time investment will pay off in the long run. You’ll feel happier, healthier and more productive. Are you interested in more ways to improve your experience in the workplace? Subscribe to Punched Clocks to receive updates on new content from our career expert. Get everything you need to build a career you love by signing up for the newsletter.