The body language of collaborative leaders

The body language of collaborative leadersThe body language of collaborative leadersDuring a break in my seminar on collaborative leadership, a man from the audience told this story My wife is an attorney, and I have always been a supporter of women in the workplace. I also believe in collaboration and try to make everyone feel included and appreciated. So I was totally taken aback when a woman on my management team said that I didnt value herbei opinion. I assured her that I valued and relied on her insights and had often told her so. But then I got curious and asked her what I was doing that made the opposite impression. She said, In meetings, you dont look at me when I speak. Then, he said My question to you is, how could this one small nonverbal cue have had such a powerful impact?His inquiry was well timed because the topic I was about to cover after break was the body language of collaborative leaders.Our brains are hardwired to respond instantly to certain nonverbal cues, and that circuitry was put in place a long time ago when ur ancient ancestors faced threats and challenges very different from those we face in todays modern society.For example, in our prehistory, it may have been vitally important to see an approaching persons hands in order to evaluate his intent. If hands were concealed they could very well be holding a rock, a club, or other means of doing us harm. In interactions today, with no logical reason to do so, you will instinctively mistrust me if my hands stay out of sight shoved in my pockets or clasped behind my back.The world has changed, but our body-reading processes are still based on a primitive emotional reaction. Today, the potential threats (and our brains are always on the alert for potential threats) are to our ego, our self-esteem, our identity. We are especially vulnerable in our desire to be included, to feel valued, to belong. This is why collaborative leaders need to be aware of their body language.Think of it this way In any interaction, you are communicating over two channels verbal and nonverbal resulting in two distinct conversations going on at the same time. What my audience member underestimated was the power of alignment - that is, the spoken word needs to be aligned with body language that supports it. When this alignment doesnt occur, the other person has to choose between the words and the body language. Almost always, she will believe the nonverbal message.There are two sets of body-language cues that people instinctively look for in leaders. One set projects warmth and caring and the other signals power and status. Both are necessary for leaders today but, for a chief collaborator, the warmer side of nonverbal communication (which has been undervalued and underutilized by leaders mora concerned with projecting strength, status, and authority), becomes central to creating the most collaborative workforce relationships.When you use warm, pro-social body language with all team member s, you create an emotionally rich environment that supports collaboration and high performance. Here are some examples of what I meanA genuine smile not only stimulates your own sense of well-being, it also tells those around you that you are approachable, cooperative, and trustworthy. A genuine smile comes on slowly, crinkles the eyes, lights up the face, and fades away slowly. By way of contrast, a counterfeit or polite smile comes on quickly and never reaches the eyes.And since collaboration depends on participants willingness to speak up and share ideas and insights, try using your head literally. Research shows that you can increase participation by nodding your head with clusters of three nods at regular intervals.Head tilting is also a signal that you are interested, curious, and involved. The head tilt is a universal gesture of giving the other person an ear. As such, head tilts can be very positive cues when you want to encourage people to expand on their comments.And, as the man in my audience found out, one of the most powerful motivators to encourage participation is eye contact, because people feel that they have your attention and interest as long as you are looking at them. As a leader, you set the tone for the meeting. If you want people to speak up, focus on whomever is talking to make sure that he or she feels you are listening.When talking with someone we like or are interested in, we subconsciously switch our body posture to match that of the other person mirroring his or her nonverbal behavior. When you synchronize your body language with members of your team, you signal that you are connected and engaged.You look more receptive when you uncross your legs and hold your arms comfortably away from your body (not folded across your chest or tight into your waist) with palms exposed or hands resting on the desk or conference table.Positive attitudes toward others tend to be accompanied by texas teaing forward especially when sitting down. W hen two people like each other, youll see them both lean in. Research also shows that individuals who lean forward tend to increase the verbal output of the person theyre speaking with. Also, face people directly. Even a quarter turn away creates a barrier (the cold shoulder), signaling a lack of interest and causing the speaker to shut down.Physical obstructions are especially detrimental to the effective exchange of ideas. Take away anything that blocks your view or forms a barrier between you and the rest of the team. Close your laptop, turn off your cell phone, put your purse or briefcase to the side.If you think it makes you look more efficient (or important) to be continually checking a laptop or cell phone for messages, Id advise you to think again. As one member of a management team recently told me, Theres this senior exec in our department who has a reputation of being totally addicted to his smartphone which is especially distracting during internal meetings. When he fin ally focuses on others, peers make jokes about his coming back to earth. The result is that when he does contribute, he has little credibility.The bottom line is If you really want to foster collaboration, make sure you look and act like you doCarol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D., is an international keynote speaker and leadership presence coach. Shes the author of The Silent Language of Leaders How Body Language Can Help or Hurt How You Lead and creator of LinkedInLearnings video series Body Language for Leaders. For more information, visithttps//CarolKinseyGoman.com.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to take long paternity leave

Facebook founder fruchtmark Zuckerberg to take long paternity leaveFacebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to take long paternity leaveOn Monday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on his personal Facebook that he and his wife Priscilla Chan had welcomed a new baby girl, August.(function(d, s, id) var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)0 if (d.getElementById(id)) return js = d.createElement(s) js.id = id js.src = https//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.jsxfbml=1version=v3.1 fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs)(document, script, facebook-jssdk))In his open letter to his second daughter, Zuckerberg painted a rosy picture of the world she and her sister Maxima, Max, would grow up in - with the help of Zuckerbergs social media company and the familys billion-dollar philanthropy, of course.With all the advances in science and technology, your generation should live dramatically better lives than ours, and we have a responsibility to do our part to make that happen, he wrote. Were optimis ts about your generation and the future.Leaders set the tone for parental leaveZuckerberg said that he will take two months of paternity leave for the birth of his new daughter. By doing so, he sets the tone for the rest of his company that it is okay to do so, even at the highest levels of executive leadership.At Facebook, we offer four months of maternity and paternity leave because studies show that when working parents take time to be with their newborns, its good for the entire family, Zuckerberg wrote in his explanation of why he was taking time off.Studies back Zuckerberg up. Researchshows that paid parental leave gives children more-involved fathers, keeps women in the workforce, and increases middle-class family incomes. And it helps companies bottom-lines too. Paid parental leave improves employee zurckhalten and increases workers productivity.So when Zuckerberg says he is taking paternity leave, he is doing it for the family benefit of bonding with our new little one, as he has said. But hes also doing it as a public example for the rest of the tech industry too.Zuckerberg set the same example when he had his first daughter, creating a reputation for himself as a doting father.Powerful babiesZuckerberg also doesnt shy away from helping his babies have strong personal brands. Although Zuckerberg has previously confirmed that his first daughter Max was named after family members, people on Twitter have speculated that the names Maxima and August were also chosen for their classical ties. Zuckerberg, a self-professed classics lover, has said that he originally planned on studying classics in college and that he loved Roman culture so much that he went there on his honeymoon.August and Maxima are fitting names for the daughters of the leader of a social media empire. Maximus is a Roman family name that is derived from the Latin wordmaximus, orgreatest. Augustus was the first Roman emperor and legend has it, he boasted this achievement by proclaiming, I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble.

On the Hunt Be Active, Not Aggressive

On the Hunt Be Active, Not AggressiveOn the Hunt Be Active, Not AggressiveLight up a room without burning a bridgeIf you have ever been on the interviewing side of the table, you understand the basic differences between active candidates and passive candidates.An active job seeker is looking for a job, whether hes out of work or ready for a change hes posted resumes and is seeking opportunities, even if its confidential. A passive candidate isnt actively looking but would consider a good opportunity. She has a job and probably isnt posting resumes or scanning job openings.Active job seekers are becoming mora assertive than ever in a time where unemployment is soaring over 10 percent nationwide. But too much aggressive activity can be a turnoff to hiring managers already burdened by dozens, even thousands, of resumes.Even if youre on an active search, its wise to adopt some tactics that make passive candidates appealing to employers and to make sure your activity doesnt cross the lin e into aggression.Consider the predicament of Jeremy, a very active job seekerI answered every advertisement and called people back, Jeremy said. I stepped on a lot of toes along the way, but thats how Id sold my wares as a medical-software sales executive. After a recent layoff, I threw caution to the wind. I welches going to let everyone and anyone know I was available.I suppose I did everything but stand with a sandwich board in midtown Manhattan to get myself out there and exposed. As a top salesperson, I wasnt going to be passive at all. I guess I took active job seeking a little too seriously.The result? Bruised toes among potential employers and no real leads.So what did he (and other super-aggressive job seekers) do to hurt their job search? Sell instead of brand.Think about what kind of reputation you are building with those who may see you or your resume. How are you branding yourself? How are you known?Categorize yourself by answering yes or no to these short statements f irstThe Plasterer I have plastered my resume all over the world wide web and responded to just about every lead I can find that remotely matches my qualifications.The Aggressor I have sent many unsolicited resumes to companies and hiring personnel asking for an interview and letting them know about my talents.The Seeker I have posted the fact that I am looking for a job everywhere I can, including multiple postings on my LinkedIn account stating this fact.The Raging Bull If I know a company is hiring, I will call and try to talk to the hiring manager. I will get their name and get my resume into their hands somehow, some way even if it means offending a few people.The Frustrated I have made it clear to my references, to hiring authorities and even to people I dont know that I am frustrated with the process of job search, especially if I dont hear back from a lot of applications I have sent.I guess I was all those things, Jeremy said. But if you are too aggressive, youll probabl y turn a lot of people off along the way. When I slowed down and started branding versus selling myself, I did better. When I took a more quietly confident posture, it seemed like I got more interviews.Heres how he describes the ways he cleaned up his act. Notice how much it sounds like the quiet confidence of a passive candidate.Its like I started getting interviews, or at least more responses, when I started being more specific, Jeremy said. I sort of slowed myself down to speed myself up.I hired a career coach, had my resume professionally prepared and started asking myself some key questions about how I wanted to be perceived by hiring authorities and the marketplace. I just touted what I could do for companies and listened to their needs. I put relationships and their needs before mine.In short, I acted like I did when I was employed and a bit more confident.Believe me, I was still pushing it, but like a duck on water. I appeared confident and careful, but my feet were still pa ddling hard. This tactical change worked.Here are the new roles he played to land a jobThe Surgeon Instead of blasting his resume out, Jeremy carefully and rather surgically posted his well-written and powerful new documents to key Web sites and catered each resume to the job requirements.The Specifier Never again did he send his resume without finding out whether it was OK. He only sent a resume if he had a name and at least some permission to send it.The Brand He concentrated on building value, helping other job seekers, and contributing his advice on professional sites through volunteer associations and to his employed and unemployed friends. In other words, he stopped selling and started branding. He stopped loudly proclaiming he was looking for a job on sites like LinkedIn.The China Shop He stopped wrecking potential contacts and burning bridges to put his materials into hiring managers hands. He stopped offending people and started treating them, including the hiring manag ers executive assistants, with kid gloves. No broken glass.The Optimist Despite his setback and worries about his job, the lousy macro headlines and unemployment numbers, he focused on contributing positive thoughts to his references, friends and hiring managers. Who wants to hire a negative person? It doesnt work in sales, and it doesnt work in selling yourself.So what can we learn? If you desperately need something, resist the urge to do just about anything to get it.Seemingly nonstop bad nachrichtensendung about employment figures can get anyone down. It can drive job seekers into behavior and tactics that may be deemed too aggressive and inappropriate. Passive candidates can appear more attractive to a potential suitor not because theyre employed but because theyre pitching a softer sell.As Jeremy put it, I didnt just run up to my wife-to-be when I met her in college and ask her if she would marry me. I barely got her to marry me anywayWhether you are in an active search or not , take note of the lessons above to become more attractive to your potential suitor.

3 Common Job Search Challengesand How to Overcome Them

3 Common Job Search Challengesand How to Overcome Them3 Common Job Search Challenges- and How to Overcome ThemLets face it- the job search is no walk in the park. It seems like just when you have things figured out and are making progress, yet another stumbling block swoops in and threatens to stand between you and that dream job of yours.Yes, there are plenty of job search challenges to overcome. But, fortunately, they dont need to stop you in your tracks. There are a few different things you can do to move past those frustrating roadblocks and make it to the other side of your search- with as little stress as possible.Here are three common job search challengesand how you can conquer them1. Avoiding the Resume Black HoleYoull fill out your fair share of zugnglich applications when youre looking for a new gig. And, while theyre convenient (hey, it sure beats needing to drive to the office to wait unannounced in that lobby with copies of your resume in tow), they can also make you fe el somewhat invisible.You click that submit button on that application you spent hours polishing, and youre instantly met with that sinking feeling that itll never actually find its way in front of human eyeballs. Its destined for a life floating aimlessly in that dreaded resume black hole.How to Deal First of all, rest assured that this is a totally justified concern. Thanks to the prevalence of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), job applications typically need to make it through plenty of filters and screenings before they ever land on the hiring managers desk.So, how can you battle with those pesky robots? There are two things that will help you more than anything else.First and foremost, you need to tailor your resume to the job description- yes, for every single job you apply for. That ATS will be set up to look for certain keywords or phrases. If they dont appear on your document? Youre well on your way to the trash bin. So, take the time to ensure you target your materials to the position at flosse (and, of course, be honest).Secondly, dont forget the benefit of following up. If a week or two has gone by and you havent heard anything, dont hesitate to find a contact at the company that you can reach out to to check on the status of your application. Sometimes that human connection (and that demonstration of your interest) is all you need to push your application to the next round.2. Finding an in with a CompanyAre you sick of the whole, Its not always what you know, but who you know clich? It might be a tired sentiment, but it still holds some water. Statistics say that anywhere between 70-85% of open jobs are filled through networking.But, what if you dont have any sort of personal connection to that company? Do you need to resign yourself to being yet another number on their applicant list? Or, is there a way to get your personenname in front of the right people and ensure that your resume stands out from all of the other anonymous ones that are in the pile?How to Deal When it comes to leaping this hurdle, researching the company will be your very best friend. In addition to getting familiar with the overall company, you should also dedicate some detective work to researching current employees.Are you able to dig up the name of the relevant department leader? Or, maybe somebody in human resources? If youre feeling extra brave, you can send a LinkedIn connection request with a personalized message stating that youre excited to find out more about the job opportunity. Itll go beyond that anonymity you often experience in your job search and allow the employer to put a face with the name.Its also wise to continue networking (even outside that company) as youre going through your job search. You never know who can connect you with who. And, if that one job doesnt end up panning out, an expanded network will be a huge asset to you as you pursue your next opportunity.3. Knowing What to Expect in the InterviewJob interviews are nerve-wr acking. Your palms get sweaty, your knees get shaky, your mouth gets dry, and youre feeling anxious about having all of the right answers to whatever questions the interviewer throws your way.Unless you have a crystal ball, theres no way to know exactly what you can expect out of a job interview (every single one is different). However, there are some things you can do to make sure youre adequately prepared- even for the unexpected.How to Deal When youre feeling nervous about knocking the actual interview questions out of the park, its helpful to practice. Look up some of the most common interview questions and then run through your responses to each. Of course, you dont want to come off as an overly rehearsed robot. But, knowing some of the major points you want to touch on will give you some added peace of mind.Additionally, dont be afraid to reach out to the person who set up the interview to get some of your more basic questions answered. Whether youre wondering where to park, w ho youll be meeting with, or how long you should anticipate that interview lasting, go ahead and ask. Having those details sorted out will clear your mind and allow you to walk into that interview with a little more confidence.The job search comes with its fair share of challenges. But, theyre nothing you cant handle. Put these strategies to work, and youll make it through your hunt in one piece- and hopefully with a brand-new jobKnow someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off

This study shows when clean eating turns into a full-on eating disorder

This study shows when clean eating turns into a full-on eating disorderThis study shows when clean eating turns into a full-on eating disorderYour friend whos always on a cleanse or stridently avoids certain ingredients in the name of wellness, or certain celebrities we see as quirky in their out-there eating choices (hello, Gwyneth Paltrow and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey) may actually have orthorexia symptoms of obsessive behavior in pursuit of a healthy diet.Orthorexia has dark origins, a new study shows from researchers at York Universitys Faculty of Health finds. People with a constellation of symptoms such as a history of an eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive traits, a history of dieting, poor body image, and a yearning to be thin are more likely to develop the pathological obsession with healthy eating or putting only pure food into their body, which is the definition of orthorexia nervosa. In short, there are psychological risk factors for developing orthorexia.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreTo carry out this review, York University psychology researchers examined all studies published until the end of 2018 in two major databases.The long-term impact of these findings is that they will lead to better recognition among healthcare providers as well as members of the public that so-called healthy eating can, in fact, be unhealthy. It can lead to malnourishment or make it very difficult to socialize with people in settings that involve eating. I can also be expensive and time-consuming, said Jennifer Mills, associate professor in the Department of Psychology and the senior author of the study, in a release.Relatedly, Gwyneth Paltrow told Jonathan Ross in 2012 that she would rather smoke crack than eat cheese from a can. Her website, Goop, sells a pack of nine Sweetie-Pie Bar Beauty Food Collagen Protein Bars by Kalumi for $53.91.Previous research shows that unlike people with anorexia, who are concerned with restricting calories, those with orthorexia are concerned with the quality and preparation of their food, which takes up more and more of their time and often results in weight loss. The current research on orthorexia is limited, as it is not recognized in psychiatric manuals.Men suffer from orthorexia as well. In the news, a famous figure with suspicious eating habits is Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who practices intermittent fasting and says he only eats one meal per day.Orthorexia affects both genders, says Mills We still think of eating disorders as being a problem that affects mostly young women. Because of that assumption, the symptoms and negative consequences of orthorexia nervosa can fly under the radar and not be noticed or taken seriously.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin F ranklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

A Secret Weapon for Resume Writing Template

A Secret Weapon for Resume Writing Template What you exclude is at least as crucial as what you include. If you decide to click the links on our website, we might get compensation. Its subscription fee is merely a bit higher LiveCareer, and you are able to create attractive and good-looking resumes, in spite of its completely free edition. There are a lot of other free resume-building schablones on the net. Lets see how simple it is to start Its quite important to supply a resume a professional look. You may download the resume template free of charge and can readily edit the template using Microsoft word. You might locate some terrific resume templates within the internet that youre able to adhere to. The freebie includes a PSD file and all the layers are named and grouped perfectly and simple to customize to fulfill your needs. The freebie includes word Docx and Pdf documents so you can readily edit it to your requirements. Up in Arms About Resume Writing Template? By applying what youve learned, you are certain to have a better opportunity of finding the job which you desire. No matter your approach, your target is going to be to create a chronological collection of experience thats related to the jobs youre applying to. Getting the most of a resource that wont only help save you time, but is demonstrated to elevate your opportunity of scoring a work simply is logical. The capability to work nicely with other people to accomplish a typical goal is essential for a harmonious workplace. You understand you want to prioritize work, relatives life, and a health objective. A whole lot of really prefer to revolve around the most up-to-date job or maybe employment experience therefore you work your way back again. Make certain you didnt miss whatever could cost you the job that you dream about Though you might leid have a work history or lengthy collection of impressive degrees, you can surely find something to include. Your professional resume is among the most essential documents that youd need for job applications. Now you have an understanding of the various kinds of skills you should feature in your resume, it is going to be helpful to have a look at the ideal way to present them. In the end, you would like to attempt to strike a balance between including experience thats both timely and relevant. Learn about the three kinds of skills youll be able to highlight and the way you are able to incorporate them into your resume. Resume writing templates can be gotten from the world wide web or alternatively from a professional resume writing agency and process for acquiring the last draft ought to be put into motion and completed whenever possible. When it has to do with writing a resume, it does not need to be that complicated. Your resume needs to stand out to make it through the very first selection round. Resume writing templates are segregated into various types based on the profession and achievements of an indi vidual. You dont need to start from scratch. The clean and easy design can help you to demonstrate your skills, portfolio items in an outstanding way. There is absolutely a simple guide which you can follow when writing one. As soon as you add your private stamp to it through imputing your specific abilities, professional experiences, and wording, it is going to stand from the crowd for all of the right factors. In the event youre seeking to promote your services and wish to have the ability to create a fantastic first impression of your personality, definitely think about a template supplied with a business card. Download the internet Casino software today and you may play our completely free casino online, and be on your way to the fun and excitement of Vegas style internet casino gaming You wish to select a resume template which will help you make a fantastic first impression, even before people start reading.

When to Transition an Intern to an Employee - Spark Hire

When to Transition an Intern to an Employee - Spark HireIf you are a young and growing company, then you are well aware of the benefits you can reap from hiring an in eigener sache and having an internship program. Not only are they usually ready to dive right in with immense energy, but they can bring a hr of fresh and great ideas to the table as well. Furthermore, you can easily mold them into the future employee you might want to make out of them. Therefore as an employer or hiring manager, you should know when the time is right to transition from intern to an employee.If your company does not have the resources, need, or room to turn a star intern to an employee, then the best you can do is provide them with a stellar letter of recommendation, or make a great reference when the time comes along. However, if you brought an intern in to test the waters on a new position and found that you could stand to have this position full-time you could gain much more from this internship prog ram than you thought. Take a look at these tips on when to transition an intern to an employee.Cultural FitDoes this intern seem to fit in with the company culture you have? Some of the interns you have may just be there for the experience, the internship program and the extra space on their resume. Thats fine, but there may be certain interns that fit into the company perfectly and get along with the full-time employees you have. If you are thinking of keeping a few of your internship hopefuls on as full-time employees, then make koranvers they fit in culturally. Do they interact with the other employees or simply come into work, sit down and keep to themselves?Company ValuesDo they truly understand what your company is all about and what values you hold dear, or is this internship just something to pass the time? It may be difficult to get that across at first in your internship program, but its important. An intern that understands the reasoning behind all of the work you do will be more inclined to put their all into the internship and work hard- and they will likely be a great move from intern to an employee. You can ask them questions such as, Why do you enjoy interning here at Company XYZ? or What do you hope to gain from this internship?Strong Work EthicIt may be really easy for interns to slack off. After all, for many of them this may be their first internship or real-work experience. You can weed out the best interns by looking at their work ethic. Do they come on time to work everyday? Do they spend most of their time socializing with others or actually getting their work done? Do they take well to directions and want to be at the top of the internship program? A stellar intern will constantly be working to surpass the goals you set because they want to make a good impression and know in the back of their minds that there may be opportunity to move up in the company.Inquire About Future OpportunitiesIf your intern frequently inquires about future o pportunities in the company, then you know that they are not just here to pass the time. They want to know what the future looks like with this internship so they can put in that extra effort so you notice them. Chances are this intern is in it for the long-haul and would make a great addition to your team- granted their skills are on par.Its obvious that in order for an intern to transition to employee they need to have the adequate skills and drive. However, the above aspects are really important as well. If you are thinking of transitioning interns to employees, keep these things in mind and look at your interns closely.Did you recently transition an intern to an employee? What aspects of their work did you look at? How did you come to your decision? Let us know in the comments section belowIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by Robin Iversen Rnnlund

Why alone time matters and how to do it properly

Why alone time matters and how to do it properlyWhy alone time matters and how to do it properlyMost days, I work from home, alone. I also often travel alone. Solitude is a central part of my everyday existence. Yet I am not lonely.Working alone doesnt meant I dont collaborate. I schedule virtual and in-person meetings with kollektiv members and clients.Traveling alone is less of a sentence to isolation and more of an opportunity to connect with strangers and welcome unexpected encounters into my jurney. It also offers more freedom and flexibility than traveling with others.Theres much written about our culture of distraction, but theres too little discussion of the value of time spent truly alone. We largely fear it and cling to the pings and prods from our personal devices to keep us in constant company.Dont get me wrong. Connection still matters. It is an important indicator of health and happiness.Studiesindicate that social isolation is more dangerous to your health than obesity , increasing your risk of premature death by more than 14%.But quality alone time does not indicate loneliness. Celebrating solitude doesnt condemn connection.Why Is Alone Time So Crucial?For introverts alone time is crucial to recharging . But everyone, even extroverts, benefits mentally from regular intervals spent alone. Think of constant social interaction - be it in-person or digital - as your brain running on a treadmill. It needs to take periodic breathers. When we burnout, we are useless to others and ourselves.Groupthink, the psychological phenomenon when groups overconform and stop thinking as individuals, is largely a result of too much togetherness. Creative brainstorming is most effective when anfangsbuchstabely conducted solo, with collaboration to follow after those initial seeds of creativity and problem-solving are planted. But more often than not we feel compelled to air all of our ideas publically from inception. Because of our fear of rejection of bad ideas, th is discourages the breadth of our creative potential.Alone time has largely become taboo in our always-on, always-connected culture. But solitude clears our heads, gives us focus, and recharges our bodies. It also centers us and creates clarity. Distraction is the nemesis of clarity, so consider solitude your tool for sanity and clear vision. Solitude helps us to reconnect with who we are and who we want to become. In turn, this enhances our relationships and what we can offer those we love and encounter.For those with families, alone time might seem like a scarce commodity or feel selfish. But once you realize you are actually more valuable to the people in your life if you periodically disengage from them, it becomes much easier to prioritize and give yourself permission.How can you create more alone time? Here are three easy, immediately accessible ways you can implement alone time into your life starting today1. UnplugI encourage all my clients to turn their phones off while the y sleep. Not on silent or do not disturb, but completely off. It allows you to be off-duty and avoid temptation to check messages or emails - to truly disconnect. Remember that digitally-distracted interactions are different than intimate, empathic conversations.Bring that unplugged mentality to your individual encounters. Being truly alone with someone is one of the greatest gifts you can give.2. Schedule Dates With YourselfOne of my favorite pastimes is to go to the movies by myself. I slip into an alternate reality where I dont need to be social or productive. My mind wanders and my body relaxes. I emerge recharged and ready to re-engage with the world.Its also a way to take back control - to do what you want, how you want to do it. When we feel a sense of agency, we are happier. Your solo date might be a surf session or a hike in the woods, or perhaps its getting lost in a book. Whatever it is, schedule it, make it purposeful, and indulge regularly.3. Actively ReflectSometimes we need to formally recognize the benefit of something before we can prioritize it. Identity the ways you want to spend your alone time - in nature, unplugged from technology, or lost in a creative pursuit - and actively reflect on how you feel before and after.Perhaps you free write about your week after implementing these experiments. Or perhaps its only a 10-minute meditation session where you feel the difference in your mind and body. Using whatever method most resonates with you, take a few moments to recognize the feedback and results of your efforts, and use that to fuel your commitment to regular alone time.By taking control of your time, and prioritizing time by yourself, youll be more productive and better connect with friends, family, and colleagues when together.Anna Akbari, PhD is a sociologist, the founder ofSociology of Style, and the author ofStartup Your Life Hustle and Hack Your Way To Happiness.This article was originally published on Talkspace.com.

5 ways to be frugal while saving the environment

5 ways to be frugal while saving the environment5 ways to be frugal while saving the environmentRecently I read a post very similar to this one. I always try to be frugal and help the environment, so I was compelled to present some ideas of my own. At the same time, I know I need to be better about some of these things.So, this is also a way to hold myself accountable in the areas in which I am slacking.Its really quite interesting because the mora you think about it, the mora you realize that these two ideas are more compatible than you may realize.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreSo, what do you do to be frugal?1. Bring Your Lunch Instead of Buying ItRemember how I said I need to get better about a lot of these? Well, bringing my lunch is what I would call exhibit A. Indeed, there are a lot of days when I feel like I should have brought my lunch, but I simply didnt have the mot ivation.Heres the thing, though buying my lunch means using more single-use, disposable items. If I buy my lunch, both the containers I use as well as my utensils will end up in the trash.Thats a big deal since according to the Earth Day Network, takeout orders account foraround 269,000 US tons of plastic wastethat have entered the oceans.And look I get it. Many of us dont think about these things because they dont affect our daily lives.Well, at some point they will affect our daily lives more based on current trends, but still. Even if you just dont care about the growing amount of single-use disposables in our landfills and our oceans, we all know that bringing your lunch to work will be cheaper than buying it.What better way to be frugal than buying your own lunch?2. Be Frugal by Ditching Bottled WaterYes, it is true that tap water can be compromised in some cases. One such case is local to my area, where Chemours hasprovided bottled waterto families whose water supplies are pr ofilly tainted by a chemical called GenX.More recently Chemours haspushed water filtersas a solution, but I can understand why people would want bottled water in this situation.And those folks arent alone. Themost recent EPA dataI could find shows that 91.4 percent of water systems in the USmeet all applicable health-based drinking water standards. 91.4 percent is pretty good, but that leaves a very rough 28 million people whose water system doesnt meet federal guidelines.It would be nearly impossible to figure out how many people are actually serviced byeach oneof these systems that dont meet federal guidelines. So I did the next best thing and multiplied the population of the US by the remaining 8.6 percent.Similarly, bottled and canned soda creates unnecessary waste in addition to being expensive. Sure, buying a 24-pack of soda from Wal-Mart is relatively cheap, but hitting up the vending machine certainly isnt.As an alternative, I picked up Drinkmateseveral months back and I mus t say I love this thing It helps me cut back on waste, cut back on actual soda, and best of all, its cheaper in the long run.In addition to ditching bottled water, its always a good idea toreduce water usagein general.You Have OptionsAll that said, even the aforementioned people have options. Even for them, bottled water is notlage automatically the one and only solution. In aninterview with NPR, Elizabeth Royte mentioned that a good place to start in your approach isyour right-to-know report or consumer-confidence report.These reports are required if youre part of a community water system, and they will tell you what is in your water supply.Once you know what is in your water supply, you can determine whether different types of filters would remove all potential contaminants. If something basic such as a Brita pitcher wont get the job done, Royte mentionedreverse osmosis filters. These filters remove nearly everything, she says.While these filters arent cheap, they can last an ext remely long time 10 to 15 years with regular maintenance,says Water Tech. That solution is quite obviously much cheaper in the long run than bottled water not to mention creation far less pollution.I realize this is a complicated situation, to say the least. Still, we shouldnt assume that bottled water is the best or the only solution because that simply isnt true. Do your research and you may find you have other options.3. Use Public Transportation to Be FrugalI realize this is not an option for everyone. If you have it though, you should take advantage. Many commuter trains run on electricity, which is far more efficient than gas. Even the ones that arent electric are typically diesel-powered still more efficient than gas.Its no secret that I like prefer electric forms of transportation over those that pollute the atmosphere. Yes, I have seen some debate over how much better electricity really is given that power plants burn coal and other pollutants in many cases. But I find t hese arguments counter-productive.Electric trains are themost efficient means of transportation. Conversely, gasoline-powered cars arevery inefficient. In addition, its much easier to regulate a few power plants than it is to regulate millions of vehicles.Thus, if we only have to regulate the pollution being done by the power plants, its much easier to control what enters the atmosphere.And even if you ride a diesel-powered train or bus, the footprint is still much better. After all, diesel is already better than gas. Plus, you are carpooling in that scenario.By that I mean having only one vehicle for several passengers. Reducing the number of vehicles on the road will almost always create less pollution.Oh, and I havent even mentioned the cost. In the interest of the theme of this post, Id be remiss if I didnt do so. Luckily, ThoughtCo. hasalready done that for me.Spoiler alert yes, public transit is probably cheaper than driving. So indeed, its a great way to be frugal.4. Frugal L iving Tip Buy in BulkThis is a great frugal living tip. While I do not have a Costco membership myself, many people in the FI community do. And they swear by it.It may not make sense to have a membership if you are single or have a small family. For larger families, it might be worth considering.I would guess that most of us are familiar with the idea of buying in bulk. You pay more up front but pay less per unit, making it cheaper in the long run.At the same time, although the profit margin is smallerper item,it still works as a business model since you are committing to buying more of them.This is basically the same business model that makes Walmart so successful. They just sell more items in smaller quantities, but at a low cost with slim profit margins. What can we say we like low prices.Coming back to the idea of buying bulk yes, the cost is lower in the long run. What we dont often talk about, though, is the packaging. Consider toilet paper, for example. The reduction in wast e may not be huge. But when you consider having to package four rolls compared to packaging 30 of them, you will inevitably use more plastic on seven or eight packs of four.These small differences can really add up over time.5. Switch to Shampoo Bars (in Bulk if Possible)This is a change I have not yet done myself, but I will in the near future. If you arent familiar withshampoo bars, they are very similar to the shampoo bars many of us know. But, of course, the formula is different so that they are better for washing hair.Needless to say, this one lines up with the overall message here. Not only can buying shampoo bars in bulk be cheaper than buying shampoo bottles, but they are often packaged in paper.That means you eliminate a lot of the plastic you would normally be getting with shampoo bottles.I havent checked my local options yet, but if you can buy them locally at a reasonable price, that also helps. Doing so means you are cutting down on packing materials, which yet again re duces waste.Lastly, and this is just a dreingabe frugal living tip Ive read that if you use shampoo bars, you should get a well-drained soap dish.The reason for that is because if they sit in water, it speeds up the dissolving process. Getting a soap dish allows you to prevent wasting it.Frugal Living Tips the Environment Will Thanks Us ForThe environment is a complicated thing. Very complicated. Typically when we are done using things, we shove them in a corner of the world where they arent visible. Because they are sort of hidden, we wont necessarily notice the effects of reducing waste immediately.This article first appeared on the Frugal Fellow.

These are worlds most expensive cities

These are worlds most expensive citiesThese are worlds most expensive citiesIn the pilot episode of Girls, Lena Dunhams character Hannah, after quitting her unpaid internship, estimates that shecan only last in New York City for Three and a half more days. Maybe seven if I dont eat lunch. Hannah encompassed the plight of many 20-somethings in New York who come to pursue their dreams, but realize that is quite hard to do when you are living in an expensive city.However, it turns out Hannahs counterparts in other cities in the world may have actually only lasted for two days sans lunch asthe Economist Intelligence Units (EIU) Worldwide Cost of Living 2018 survey welches just released and New York didnt even make the Top 10. In fact, no North American cities made it. So where are the worlds most expensive cities?Asia and Europe are all about the $$SingaporeParis, FranceZrich, SwitzerlandHong Kong, SAR, ChinaOslo, NorwayGeneva, SwitzerlandSeoul, South KoreaCopenhagen, DenmarkTel Aviv, Is raelSydney, AustraliaThe Economist came up with the rankings by comparing the prices of 150 basic commodities including bread, wine, gasoline, etc., bottle of wine, pack of 20 cigarettes, liter of gasoline, etc., For the fifth year in a row, Singapore landed on top as prices are 16% higher than in New York, which was a benchmark city in the study.Many Asian cities, including Hong Kong and Seoul, are seeing the cost ofliving surge as these cities expand at fast rates and items like basic groceries see inflated prices. Car ownership is also extremely expensive in Singapore but the cost of domestic help and household items are actually relatively reasonable there.Paris moved from spot No. 7 to No. 2 with only the price of alcohol and transportation being somewhat reasonable when compared to other cities in Europe.New York and Los Angeles took 13th and 14th place respectively, which is a drop from last year. Tel Aviv was the only Middle Eastern city to make the cut, coming in at ninth.N ew York and Los Angeles FTWBut if you were thinking New York and L.A. werent expensive, think again. The report also ranked the most expensive cities in North America and New York and L.A. took the top spots (domestic help and utilities continue to keep these cities quite expensive), followed by Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. out of 16 cities in total. Atlanta was found to be the cheapest.New York, NYLos Angeles, CAMinneapolis, MNSan Francisco, CAWashington, D.C.Chicago, ILVancouver, CAHouston, TXSeattle, WAPittsburgh, PASomething to consider if you are looking to relocate,work abroad or just take a vacation.