10 Troubling Habits of Chronically Unhappy People

• 2-minute read •
Happiness comes in so many different forms that it can be hard to define. Unhappiness, on the other hand, is easy to identify; you know it when you see it, and you definitely know when it’s taken ahold of you.

Unhappiness is lethal to everyone around you, just like second-hand smoke. The famous Terman Study from Stanford followed subjects for eight decades and found that being around unhappy people is linked to poorer health and a shorter life span.

Happiness has much less to do with life circumstances than you might think. A University of Illinois study found that people who earn the most (more than $10 million annually) are only a smidge happier than the average Joes and Janes who work for them.

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Feel Like A Boss Before 7:30 A.M. With These Five Habits

• 2-minute read •
Author Lemony Snicket once wrote that how you spend your morning can often tell what kind of day you’re going to have. Are you ready to escape the endless snooze-shower-commute purgatory? Consider adopting these habits to get a sense of accomplishment, all before your morning coffee.

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Seven Habits of Highly Successful Job Seekers

In the job search craze, there are those who land a job right away and those who struggle through the process of finding one for a long time. ‘Luck’ is usually the response one hears from disenfranchised job seekers when they find out that their neighbor down the street was offered a position after only a two-week search. With many job seekers vying for only a few open positions, the truth is that ‘luck’ rarely has anything to do with it.

Realizing that their job search campaign doesn’t have to be a never-ending struggle, successful job seekers approach the process with patience and persistence. If you want to be among the highly successful job seekers follow the seven steps outlined below.


1. Search with purpose

Instead of trying to fit into a mould set by a hiring organization, target companies that match your goals and career values; doing this will allows you to focus your energy into searching for a position that is a natural fit.


After all, you don’t want to find yourself embarking on another search within a year’s time because you made a decision in haste.

2. Always be prepared

Be ready for your day’s activities by 9 am. Opportunities rarely land on your lap and you have to be prepared for the surprises that may come up during the day. You don’t want to be caught sleeping when someone calls to discuss an employment opportunity.


If you find yourself answering the phone like this: "hello? . . . well . . . um . . . well, like I was kinda sleeping. . . how long is this gonna take? . . . who are you again? . . . like I, um, contacted so many places, cuz, you know, like, I can't like find a job . . ." then it is time to reprioritize your needs.


Waiting until your unemployment insurance is about to end before you begin aggressively looking for a position can be a costly mistake. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you are running low on resources and desperation is about to set in. This is when mistakes are made and your job search may begin to suffer.

3. Develop a job search plan

Organize your job search, map out a strategy, set priorities, and establish goals. Begin your search with a clear focus and a plan. Participate in a number of activities including answering classified ads, posting your resume on the Internet, and going on informational interviews.

4. Bypass Human Resources
A human resources representative is also known as a “screener.” The screener’s job is to review resumes and match your experience with a checklist of requirements set forth by the hiring manager. If there are enough matches, the human resources representative forwards the resume to the decision maker.


Unfortunately, not much is left to the screener’s interpretation. This is why most opportunities are lost – because the screener doesn’t have the luxury of making a decision based on instinct; he or she is instructed to follow the lead of the hiring manager.


Since the decision makers (e.g., VP of Sales, Director of Marketing, or CEO) are the ones who determine who is ultimately hired, it is advisable that you apply directly to them.


5. Write follow-up letters
Well-written follow up letters can make a difference as to whether you get hired. A follow-up letter is more than a simple note thanking the interviewer for his or her time. It should be a sophisticated letter that either re-affirms your interest in the position, serves as an opportunity to mention an important point you neglected to bring up, and/or provides an opportunity to offer new insight on a topic that was discussed during the interview.


6. Avoid toxic job seekers

Job clubs are a great way to generate ideas and for networking purposes. However, some are also a breeding ground for negativity. These support groups can inadvertently affect your job search. Take inventory of the job seekers in attendance. Do they offer words of encouragement? Are they supportive of your efforts, or do they feed into your insecurities?

If after such meetings you feel emotionally drained and start to believe your chances of landing a job are bleak, then it’s time to search for a new support team.

7. Be good to yourself

There are two types of job seekers. One, that has a laid back approach, and the other that always feels "there aren’t enough hours in the day" and compulsively searches for a job without taking a breather.


Following in the footsteps of the latter is the fastest way to reaching burn out and when careless mistakes are often made. Though your job search should be your primary activity, don’t allow it to consume your every waking moment.

Every so often take a mini vacation; spend time with people who support you, listen to music and participate in activities you enjoy. Clearing your mind replenishes your energy and will allow you to continue searching for a job with a fresh outlook.

Build New Habits -- Payday Will Come

Build new habits every year, whether it's worked for you in the past or not.
Feeling that it never works is not a good excuse. You may even remember last year not getting past February. GOOD ntentions. NO success. Don’t quit! Every year has a new beginning for each of us. Keep on working at it.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

You knew that was coming. Wipe the slate clean for 2004. Most of us had a few UPS and some had more DOWNS. There is real power in your mind. Think positives even when it is most difficult. Negatives are destroyers that pull us down into the abyss.

Actually, you can make resolutions EVERY day. Hop out of bed with a great attitude. Begin by saying, “Good morning, God, what are you and I going to do today?” It may surprise you. Negative folk say, “Good God, it’s morning!” You decide!

DON’T QUIT

I know! Last year just left you defeated. Every change you were going to make fell by the wayside. None of your resolutions got done. Maybe you OVER reached. Be more reasonable. Don’t expect big leaps. Bite off the challenges in small chunks rather than going for the boulder.

Success is closer than you think. One step at a time. You can become the happier, healthier person that you envision.

All of us like to improve. There’s a sincere desire to learn. To stick with our new diet. To work out at the gym or go to aerobics. Walk a mile each morning or night. Our goal is to eat right; live right; exercise and be our very best.

OVER ZEALOUS

Suddenly, I’m going to change my habits. Our resolutions fill a complete page. All the things we haven’t been doing. Beginning tomorrow. You have just programmed failure into your New Year’s resolutions. Too much at once. None of us can handle it.

Put down one or two life changing challenges. Maybe you can take on another one or two in another month. Don’t overwhelm your psychic all at the beginning. Stretch your goals over time.

First, write down your new passions. A full page of resolutions is too much. Select those with the greatest benefit. Leave the others for now.

Don’t expect perfection. Good intentions pave the road but you need to allow for a detour along the way.

BUILDING NEW HABITS

Your real goal is to develop new habits. Replace the old ones. NO exercise turns into some exercise. Eating too much turns into pushing away from the table sooner. Drink more water, less cola. Putting your spouse before the children or grands. Doing fun things together. Go to the movies. Out to dinner. Long weekends to the mountains.

Don’t expect "old habits" to suddenly disappear. They are still lurking. Trying to get back into first place. Wanting to mess up your plan.

Few things are more rewarding than reaching your goal. Even if it takes longer than you expected. Moving in the right direction counts for success. Reach for incremental mile markers. Each step takes us closer to our destination.

PAYDAY IS COMING

Keep that in mind. Not necessarily money. A much BIGGER benefit.

You quit SMOKING because (you don’t want to increase cancer odds; your breathe is cleaner; clothes no longer smell stale; eat in nicer places; kicked a bad habit, etc.)

Go on a DIET because (clothes look nicer; you look nicer; you feel better about yourself; cost less for food; and…..)

Quit drinking because…. (Don’t want DWI risk; no more acting a fool; risky addiction and family loss; and…)

Bad habits are hard to break. Only YOU can make the decision. No one can do it for you until you decide.

Many times our “bad” habits are patterns of behavior. Smoking gives us a break and often it comes with dinner and a drink. Must be a social issue. Everyone else is doing it so we “do it” to be “accepted” within our social group.

SUCCESS TEAM

All of us need support when striving to reach goals. Find those with the same mindset and desire to change habits. Working out is always easier in a group. To quit drinking is easier with NON drinkers. Non smokers help us kick the nicotine habit.

Cheerleaders are needed. Keep it up! Don’t quit. Hold on to your goals. Accountability keeps most of us on track.

Do something nice for yourself when you reach incremental levels. Buy yourself a new suit or a new dress when you drop a full size. Make every step a recognizable achievement.

Eat at a new restaurant. Go to the movies. Treat yourself to a massage. Relax and enjoy the NEW you.

One last admonition. HAVE FUN! In the end (December 2005) you can look back with pride on the success you have enjoyed in the last 12 months.

ACTION TIP: A better YOU and ME is worth the investment. Set reasonable goals. Bite off in small incremental pieces. Look for the BIG pay off. Get a support TEAM. Reward yourself for each success level. HAVE FUN in the process of changing your habits.

Seven Habits of Highly Successful Job Seekers

In the job search craze, there are those who land a job right away and those who struggle through the process of finding one for a long time. ‘Luck’ is usually the response one hears from disenfranchised job seekers when they find out that their neighbor down the street was offered a position after only a two-week search. With many job seekers vying for only a few open positions, the truth is that ‘luck’ rarely has anything to do with it.

Realizing that their job search campaign doesn’t have to be a never-ending struggle, successful job seekers approach the process with patience and persistence. If you want to be among the highly successful job seekers follow the seven steps outlined below.

1. Search with purpose
Instead of trying to fit into a mold set by a hiring organization, target companies that match your goals and career values; doing this will allows you to focus your energy into searching for a position that is a natural fit.

After all, you don’t want to find yourself embarking on another search within a year’s time because you made a decision in haste.

2. Always be prepared
Be ready for your day’s activities by 9 am. Opportunities rarely land on your lap and you have to be prepared for the surprises that may come up during the day. You don’t want to be caught sleeping when someone calls to discuss an employment opportunity.

If you find yourself answering the phone like this: "hello? . . . well . . . um . . . well, like I was kinda sleeping. . . how long is this gonna take? . . . who are you again? . . . like I, um, contacted so many places, cuz, you know, like, I can't like find a job . . ." then it is time to reprioritize your needs.

Waiting until your unemployment insurance is about to end before you begin aggressively looking for a position can be a costly mistake. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you are running low on resources and desperation is about to set in. This is when mistakes are made and your job search may begin to suffer.

3. Develop a job search plan
Organize your job search, map out a strategy, set priorities, and establish goals. Begin your search with a clear focus and a plan. Participate in a number of activities including answering classified ads, posting your resume on the Internet, and going on informational interviews.

4. Bypass Human Resources
A human resources representative is also known as a “screener.” The screener’s job is to review resumes and match your experience with a checklist of requirements set forth by the hiring manager. If there are enough matches, the human resources representative forwards the resume to the decision maker.

Unfortunately, not much is left to the screener’s interpretation. This is why most opportunities are lost – because the screener doesn’t have the luxury of making a decision based on instinct; he or she is instructed to follow the lead of the hiring manager.

Since the decision makers (e.g., VP of Sales, Director of Marketing, or CEO) are the ones who determine who is ultimately hired, it is advisable that you apply directly to them.

5. Write follow-up letters
Well-written follow up letters can make a difference as to whether you get hired. A follow-up letter is more than a simple note thanking the interviewer for his or her time. It should be a sophisticated letter that either re-affirms your interest in the position, serves as an opportunity to mention an important point you neglected to bring up, and/or provides an opportunity to offer new insight on a topic that was discussed during the interview.

6. Avoid toxic job seekers
Job clubs are a great way to generate ideas and for networking purposes. However, some are also a breeding ground for negativity. These support groups can inadvertently affect your job search. Take inventory of the job seekers in attendance. Do they offer words of encouragement? Are they supportive of your efforts, or do they feed into your insecurities?

If after such meetings you feel emotionally drained and start to believe your chances of landing a job are bleak, then it’s time to search for a new support team.

7. Be good to yourself
There are two types of job seekers. One, that has a laid back approach, and the other that always feels "there aren’t enough hours in the day" and compulsively searches for a job without taking a breather.

Following in the footsteps of the latter is the fastest way to reaching burn out and when careless mistakes are often made. Though your job search should be your primary activity, don’t allow it to consume your every waking moment.

Every so often take a mini vacation; spend time with people who support you, listen to music and participate in activities you enjoy. Clearing your mind replenishes your energy and will allow you to continue searching for a job with a fresh outlook.