Get your free resume review in 35 seconds or less

Get your free resume review in 35 seconds or lessGet your free resume review in 35 seconds or lessOur very popular Resume Reviewer launched last year. Over 1 million people have used it to review their resume and 91% have said they find it useful.And 88% said theyd recommend it to their friends.If youd like to get your resume reviewed in 35 seconds or less, for free, visit our Resume Reviewer here.Heres a sample of what youll getIts quick, insightful, and free, so well hope youll enjoy

How to Retain Your Best Employees

How to Retain Your Best EmployeesHow to Retain Your Best EmployeesRecruiting the best employees and keeping the best employees really matters, especially as you compete for the best talent in the future. Job prospects for your best employees are expanding at an astonishing rate and you will need to compete to retain your talented employees. A Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) press release revealed the answer to the question of what people plan to do whenever job markets rebound. The majority of the Human Resource (HR) professionals and managers surveyed agreed that turnover will rise significantly whenever the job market improves and show signs of opportunity. The survey was produced by SHRM and CareerJournal.com, the free, executive career site of The Wall Street Journal, two of HR practitioners favorite sites. The survey results include responses from 451 HR professionals and 300 managerial or executive employees. Were surprised by the percentage of executive employees who say they plan to jump ship once hiring rebounds, says Tony Lee, editor in chief/general manager of CareerJournal.com. And with 56 percent of HR professionals agreeing that turnover will rise, were interested to binnensee what types of retention efforts those companies launch to keep their best employees on board. Employees cited the following three top reasons they would begin searching for a new job 53 percent seek better compensation and benefits.35 percent cited dissatisfaction with potential career development.32 percent said they were ready for a new experience. HR professionals were asked which programs or policies they use currently to help retain employees. The following three are the most common programs employers are using to retain employees 62 percent provide tuition reimbursement.60 percent offer competitive vacation and holiday benefits.59 percent offer competitive salaries. Most HR professionals surveyed (71 percent), in large organizations (those with more than 5 00 employees), thought that it would be extremely likely or somewhat likely to experience an increase in voluntary turnover whenever the job market is improving. Forty-one percent from small organizations (1-99 employees) said it was extremely likely or somewhat likely that turnover would increase. Fifty-three percent of respondents from medium organizations (between 100 and 499) thought the same. In addition to the three retention tips offered by HR professionals in the SHRM-CareerJournal.com survey, competitive salary, competitive vacation and holidays and tuition reimbursement, these are your key retention strategies. (If you think they read like the Golden Rule, youre right they do.) And, theyre also common-sense, basic and incredibly hard to find in organizations today. How to Retain Your Best Employees Select the right people in the first place through behavior-based testing and competency screening. The right person, in the right seat, on the right bus is the starting poi nt.Offer an attractive, competitive, benefits packagewith components such aslife insurance, disability insurance and flexible hours.Provide opportunities for people to share their knowledge via training sessions, presentations,mentoringothers and team assignments.Demonstrate respect for employees at all times. Listen to them deeply use their ideas never ridicule or shame them. Offer performance feedback and praise good efforts and results.People want to enjoy their work. Make work fun. Engage and employ the special talents of each individual.Enable employees to balance work and life. Allow flexible starting times, core business hours and flexible ending times. (Yes, his sons soccer game is important.)Involve employees in decisions that affect their jobs and the overall direction of the company whenever possible.Recognize excellent performance, and especially, link pay to performance. Base the upside of bonus potential on the success of both the employee and the company and make it l imitless within company parameters. (As an example, pay ten percent of corporate profits to employees.)Recognize and celebrate success. Mark their passage as important goals are achieved.Staff adequately so overtime is minimized for those who dont want it and people dont wear themselves out.Nurture and celebrateorganization traditions. Have a costume party every Halloween. ansturm a food collection drive every November. Pick a monthly charity to help. Have an annual company dinner at a fancy hotel. Provide opportunities within the company for cross-training and career progression. People like to know that they have room for career movement.Provide the opportunity for career and personal growth through training and education, challenging assignments and more. Employees are hungry for lifelong learning.Communicate goals, roles, and responsibilities so people know what is expected and feel like part of the in-crowd.According to research by the Gallup organization, encourage employees t o have good, even best, friends, at work. Now that you have the list that will help you retain your great employees, why not work to make your organization one of the few, the best, that truly honor and appreciate employees. If you treat your employees wonderfully, and they feel valued by you, you will never lose them.

Kroger Job and Employment Information

Kroger Job and Employment InformationKroger Job and Employment InformationInterested in working for Kroger? The Kroger Co. is one of the nations largest grocery retailers, with stores that include grocery and multi-department stores, convenience stores and mall jewelry stores in many states. The Kroger Co. operates over 2,700 grocery stores, 200 jewelry stores, and 1500 supermarket fuel centers in 35 states. Review information about working at Kroger companies, tips on how to search and apply for jobs and internships at Kroger, career opportunities, and benefits provided to employees. Kroger Employment Information Kroger employment information including job openings for Kroger store and corporate jobs, an employment application, locations, benefits, and how to apply online is available at Kroger.com. Kroger Job Search and Application You can search for job openings by job title or location. Kroger Co. lists featured job opportunities by industry, such as clinical, corporate, and hourly jobs. You can also specifically look for employment within one of the dozens of Kroger Co. store brands. If you dont see a job opening that fits you, you can join Kroger Co.s Talent Community, which will send you to schmelzglas job alerts tailored to your job criteria. You can apply to Kroger Co. jobs online by creating a candidate profile. Users can then upload their resume and cover letter as well as track their application. Once registered in the system, users will be able to review and edit their profile at any time, search and view job openings, and express their interest in a position. They can also choose to have recruiters contact them with any open positions they think might be of interest. Kroger Companies Job seekers can also navigate to one of 24 different companies owned by Kroger Co. The more well-known entities are Kroger, Ralphs, Dillons, Smiths, King Soopers, City Market, Frys, QFC, and Harris Teeter. Each business has its own careers website for job seekers to use to find open positions. Kroger Company Benefits Kroger Co. offers a comprehensive, competitive employee benefits program and a bonus program based on ones qualifications. Some of the benefits available to full-time employees in salaried positions include medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, life insurance, disability plans, retirement plan, vacations and holidays, and long-term care insurance. Kroger Co. also offers health and lifestyle unique benefits, such as gym membership discounts and coaching programs.

Public Accounting Jobs and Salary Ranges

Public Accounting Jobs and Salary RangesPublic Accounting Jobs and Salary RangesPublic accounting firms are looking to hire throughout the coming year - not just in preparation for tax season. Job growth is healthy, and theres a high demand for top talent in public accounting jobs at all levels.Public accounting firms are taking advantage of every available recruiting strategy - from employee referrals to wooing back former staff. Both experienced CPAs and entry-level professionals are enjoying increased opportunities, and many public accounting firms are using temporary workers until a full-time hire can be found.Curious about the differences between public accounting jobs and private accounting?CPA salary ranges for public accounting jobsTake a look at five public accounting jobs and their projected midpoint salaries from the 2019 Robert Half Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance Professionals. At the midpoint, candidates have average experience with the necessary skills to mee t the job requirements.Tax services director/senior manager $134,000Tax services professional with less than a year of experience $47,000Audit/assurance manager $90,000Senior audit/assurance professional $64,250Audit/assurance professional with one to three years of experience $52,000The next time you need to discuss pay, youll want to consult the Salary Guide. Robert Half has been tracking pay ranges since 1950, and this year, it looks at more than 190 positions in the accounting and finance fields with customized wage ranges for U.S. cities. Jobs in public accountingWhile public accounting jobs traditionally dont share the same work-life balance that private accounting positions offer, some firms have started to introduce compressed workweeks, telecommuting and flexible work schedules. To improve retention, many organizations also are providing their best performers with bonuses, raises, promotions, inc reased vacation time, beratung and professional development programs.Public accounting professionals are in demand in cities across the United States. Find temporary jobs in your city, and see what employers are looking for in these hot citiesPublic accounting jobs in Los AngelesPublic accounting jobs in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.Public accounting jobs in MinneapolisPublic accounting jobs in New YorkPublic accounting jobs in Dallas

6 signs youre being taken advantage of  and what to do

6 signs youre being taken advantage of and what to do6 signs youre being taken advantage of and what to doEspecially when youre a natural-born overachiever, going above and beyond at the workplace is second nature to you. Not only because you want to impress your manager but you have high standards for yourself and your performance. While this is a positive trait to have, those who are incredibly self-motivated run the risk of being taken advantage of. Those who arent as hard working or enthusiastic can prey on you, since they know youll deliver whatever project, deadline or presentation is put in front of you.Branding and career expert Wendi Weiner challenges those who may feel undervalued to speak up stat Standing up for yourself shows empowerment and self-respect. If someone is continuously taking advantage of you, then they arent showing you the respect that is due and owing. You then become a doormat to the person and their expectation is they can always walk all over you, she e xplains.Here, clear signs youre not being respectedYou never feel good enoughAfter weeks of working diligently on a new launch for your company, the big day comes and goes swimmingly. But even though you gave your all and exceeded expectations, your boss fails not only fails to acknowledge your work, but has negative feedback. You probably find yourself scratching your head and wondering what you missed the mark on, which can be badeanstalt news for your sense of self-confidence. When you never feel like you live up to expectations, it is more likely that you shrink, instead of rise to the next level of your career.This type of upper leadership attitude illustrates your managers perception of you, according to branding expert and career coach Ali Craig. It is human nature to crave validation so withholding verbal praise is an easy way to control someone, she explains. The same holds true if your efforts are always being nitpicked. Living in a state of constant criticism increases an xiety and stress responses.When your boss lists out what you did wrong or doesnt say anything at all take a deep breath and ask for feedback. What specific tasks could you have done better? How can you improve? What did they think and why?You are always helping othersSomeone needs help editing an email? Youre there. Another person needs you to pick up the slack where someone left off? You got it. Though this helpful mentality is appreciated, it is also easy for many to take a people-pleaser for granted.It is one thing to help out a co-worker who is in a pinch, but if it becomes a weekly situation, then its a red flag that you are being taken advantage of, Weiner continues. The best way to handle it is to advise that you are buried in time-sensitive projects and cant help right now, she says.Your boss never takes responsibility or takes all of itWhen a client meeting bombs- are you left with the burden of the fail? Or when it goes swimmingly- is your name somehow left off of the big company-wide announcement email? When your manager refuses to take responsibility for the bad stuff but always steps up for the praise, Craig says youre treading on unhealthy grounds.It may seem like a cultural phenomenon, but lack of assuming responsibilities isnt just bad manners, it is also a sign that the relationship isnt valued, she explains. The person taking advantage usually never takes responsibility for anything from their words, actions, and subsequent outcomes, and instead puts all of the responsibilities of the other party.When this happens, pull your boss aside and have a discussion. Though it might be uncomfortable to articulate, coming armed with examples will help make your case, and hopefully, provoke a change.You are doing way more work than youre paid forNo matter the industry, everyone is short-staffed sometimes - whether because of vacation or a slew of folks jumping ship for new opportunities. Being understanding of the companys needs, you might step up and take on extra work. Though that is a welcomed short-term solution, it isnt one that should be insistent if youre not getting a salary bump or title change in exchange. If your boss doesnt acknowledge your new additional responsibilities, you are being taken advantage of, and you may want to have a conversation with your boss about how you can be compensated for your extra help, she advises.Youre always apologizingTwo words that are far too often in the frequent vocabulary of fruchtwein professionals (particularly, females)? Im sorry. And 99 percent of the time, you have no reason to apologize- youre merely showing how antsy or on edge you feel with your manager. As an experiment, keep a record of how many times you slip these words daily. Youll probably be surprised by the numberIf you find yourself always apologizing especially if you are doing it just to keep the peace you arent being respected. This increases the giving partys stress level but it also subconsciously increas es their commitment to seeing the relationship through, Craig explains.The solution here? Stop apologizing, unless necessary. Instead, justify or stand firm on your choices and actions, showing your manager or co-worker how tough your backbone actually is.Your ideas are never taken seriouslyYou spend countless hours brainstorming ideas and you take your time to provide thoughtful, thorough suggestions when your manager requests them but nothing is taken seriously. This can be a big downer on your own opinion of your work and contribution to a team, and as Craig says, a clear indicator that your boss is taking advantage of you.In this extreme, recurring case, it might be in your best interest to seek new employment, where you can recreate a respectful relationship from day one.

Life, Death, and Resumes Doc

Life, Death, and Resumes Doc The Number One Question You Must Ask for Resumes Doc Business cards are also included to finish the look. The upcoming free resume vorlage was made in the shape of a brochure. You may also use a template to make your personalized resumes and letters. ur set of these clean, modern and professional resume templates are excellent for applying for new work in tech businesses and other multi-national businesses. Therefore its vital that you email your resume right. You also receive an absolutely free job interview tracker for a bonus. Boost your opportunities to receive a desirable job with this expert CV freebie. It would be far more advisable to go through the many types of Marketing Assistant Cover Letter formats so that you can receive a brief view about all of these and can easily opt most appropriate kind of resume cover letter to their studienordnung vitae. Presentation is the secret to success and lets the strong stand from the crowd. This m odern resume template is intended to make you stick out among the competition. The template is devised by A distinctive and modern resume template with experience timeline along with education timeline. Given the significance of a work application, an absolutely free template might not be always enough to showcase your talent. These templates are for the most part required to be thought about by the freshers, as they dont hold a great experience of writing appropriate resume and resume cover letters. Possessing a strong resume doesnt necessarily indicate you will land the job, but it is a fantastic way to be sure you receive the interview. An attractive, minimal and user-friendly template you may edit based on your abilities and experience. Think of your own work experience, and where you are able to quantify it. If work experience isnt your key highlight or whether youve got an inconsistent work history, its best advisable to start your resume with your qualifications. Resum es Doc - the Conspiracy Doc files might not receive through. Google Docs exports documents in numerous formats, making it simple to submit the right file type to a hiring manager. The only PDF that cant be opened and manipulated is one thats been scanned. As soon as you save your document for a PDF, its essentially locked into place. The Simple resume formats must be used dependent on the kinds of templates they are. Highlight the text youd love to use the formatting to. If youre not acquainted with using Google Docs, the formatting features are easy to use. This post is an assortment of resume templates formats that could steer you in developing a well-structured expert profile. The whole group of resume templates is made up of a variety of creative resume designs. Your resume shouldnt be categorized in that list. The list is compiled by different spheres where you are able to possibly make mistakes. Things You Should Know About Resumes Doc This cover letter and resume e xamples can inspire your own regardless of what position you are looking for within this sector. Dont use lots of contact details as it can serve as an added work to the particular person whos tasked to deliver information regarding the outcomes of your application templates. Actually, you shouldnt ever make your document just the same as an example or template. This list isnt made in the order of the harshness of the mistake, as you never understand what mistake could possibly be severe enough to enable you to drop an opportunity. By applying the above-given templates, its possible to easily make your resume in a few of minutes. By using these resume templates, you are certain to create an attractive resume. These templates also assist you in saving plenty of time. A few of the templates are free while others cost a couple of dollars.

Infographic Says Career Specific Training Gives Job Seekers Advantage

Infographic Says Career Specific Training Gives Job Seekers Advantage As many recent grads continue to search for jobs in todays market, more and more college students are beginning to ask, Is a degree even worth it? Chicago-based Computer Systems Institute has created an infographic, Hire Education 4 Reasons Your Career Specific Training Makes you the Best Hire, that offers some data on why opting for vocational career training just may be the better route for landing a job post-graduation.Reason 1 More skills than the average graduate9 in 10 employees say colleges arent fully preparing grads for the workforce7 in 10 employers would hire someone without a bachelors degree as long as the candidate welches a good fit or had great credentials91 percent of managers say I.T. certifications are a good way to judge a candidates valueReason 2 Require less on-the job trainingBecause grads from vocational schools already have job-specific training, theyll cost the company less money51 percent of jobs today have specific technical requirements60 percent of companies expect even more technical requirements 3-5 years from nowReason 3 Have career-specific experience63 percent of employers say recent graduates need to research the industry more thoroughly to improve their candidacyMost employers value experience over academicsIn the science/technology field, 50 percent of employers value experience while just 19 percent value academicsReason 4 Equipped to advance67 percent of I.T. professionals say that job-specific training has helped them get a raise/promotion27 percent of people with licenses or certifications earn more than those with bachelors degreesMen who have computer/information technology certificates can earn 72 percent more than those with associate degrees

5 New Applications for Drones

5 New Applications for Drones 5 New Applications for Drones Look, up in the sky Its neither a bird nor a plane, its a drone and its heading rapidly your way. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their Earth-bound driverless counterparts are fast becoming ubiquitous as the technology gets smarter, safer, and less expensive. Early-adopting technology geeks are not the only driver of the global UAV markets rapid growth. According to research firm MarketsandMarkets, annual sale will soar by 32% over the next five years to $5.59 billion by 2020. Novel, high-end applications for drones and other driverless vehicles in law enforcement, the military, precision agriculture, and retail are flourishing in addition to an enthusiastic base of mainstream consumers eager for drones to do their bidding.As drone technology advances, engineers are pushing its boundaries to explore unconventional, even slightly weird, applications for drones. Below are five examples from the extreme edge of the drone zo ne.DRU, an autonomous pizza delivery vehicle. Image Dominos Robotic UnitPies in the SkyWhen youre expected to deliver a million pizzas a day in 30 minutes or less, youre always on the lookout for mora efficient ways to do it. Dominos, the nations largest dough-thrower, has been testing high-tech delivery systems for years, including driverless technologies that so far have delivered more publicity than pizza. But the global chains investment in automation is part of a long-term strategy for growth within the tight profit margins of the fast food industry. The chains United Kingdom operation has explored several creative approaches to delivery automation often taking playful license with the Dominos brand. The remote-controlled DomiCopter, for example, buzzes above congested city streets with a payload of thermally insulated pizzas dangling from a clawlike apparatus underneath. The British division has also rolled out a self-driving two-wheeler it calls the Domi-No-Driver as a deliv ery option for customers ordering through the companys website or mobile app. The LIDAR-guided cycle is equipped with an on-board warming oven which, according to Phil Zorra, director of the firms Redevelopment and New Knolwedge unit, can carry four times as many pizzas as the chains comparable people-powered vehicles. One of the companys latest delivery automation projects, the Dominos Robotic Unit (DRU), was developed in Australia in collaboration with Marathon Robotics, a maker of autonomous robotic targets for the defense industry. The 450-lb test vehicle reportedly tops out at about 12 miles per hour and has been approved for limited use on certain pathways and roads in the targeted test area.The FAROS can endure the heat of over 1,000 Celsius from butane gas and ethanol aerosol flames for over one minute. Image KAISTSuper ScoutEngineers at South Koreas Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have endowed their newest search and rescue drone with a suite of super pow ers on par with any found in the mighty Marvel Universe. Designed to aid firefighters responding to emergencies in high-rise buildings, the versatile robot flies, sticks to walls, sees in the dark, and is impervious to fire. Codenamed FAROS (Fireproof Aerial Robot System), its a quadcopter with a 2-D laser scanner, altimeter, and Inertia Measurement Unit that allows it to land on, cling to, and crawl on the vertical surface of walls. A thermal imaging camera and image processing software on board equips FAROS to find people in need of rescue, locate the origin of the fire, inspect the building for structural damage, and send real-time data to firefighters below. The primary improvement over the kollektivs previous wall-climbing drone is heightened resistance to fire, heat, and smoke. Researchers said the body is clad in a layer of aramid fibers, which fends off the effects of flames and protects sensitive internal mechanical and electronic components in a buffer of thermoelectricall y cooled air.Drone WarsIn a breakthrough pitting one of the newest forms of mechanized combat against one of the oldest, a Russian arms maker recently unveiled a new arsenal of UAV-mounted anti-tank weaponry. At this years Russian Armed Forces Robotics conference, state-owned United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC) introduced a multicopter UAV bedecked with cameras and a shoulder-launched rocket system of the caliber used against armored vehicles. UAV-launched rockets have many potential advantages over human-fired weapons they can get closer to a target and attack it from any direction. The announcement captured the attention of defense industry observers, who analyzed a brief Ministry of Defense video for clues to the systems capabilities. According to industry publication IHS Janes the drone is likely fitted with an RPG-26 Aglen anti-tank weapon, which in conventional use fires 72.5 mm rockets that can pierce 400-mm-thick armor from a distance of 250 m. The airborne b azooka is part of a new multicopter attack system for synchronized battlefield surveillance, artillery spotting, reconnaissance, cargo delivery, and assault.Skye, the aerial blimp-drone is lifted by helium and powered by electrical motors. Image AEROTAINSoft SellFew icons of advertising have reached the heights of the venerable Goodyear Blimp. As the go-to source for aerial broadcasting, the blimp silently touts the tire brand during Americas most-watched sporting events. Can drone technology be adapted to harness that same crowd-friendly star power and bring it within closer proximity to consumers? Thats what aerospace start-up Aerotain hopes to learn from Skye, a novel UAV that integrates quadcopter-like maneuverability into an energy efficient structure that brings the blimp concept down to human eye level. Conventional UAVs with exposed rotating blades create a safety hazard in the event of an unexpected loss of altitude over a crowd. Skye, however, is a helium-filled sphere 10 ft in diameter not exactly dainty but soft and benign enough to pose no threat to spectators below should its electronics systems fail, developers said. The blimp can be configured to haul heavy objects like cameras about a sporting event, or be customized to carry advertising messages. The control and navigation system can be programmed to spin, roll, or pull off other aerial stunts requiring a full range of motion.StarChip TroopersBeyond doubt, the farthest-out drone concept yet is inspired by the mind of Stephen Hawking, the celebrity cosmologist, who says its time for Earthlings to reach for the stars in the search for alien life. The star in question is Alpha Centauri our nearest neighboring star system and Hawkings interstellar transit plan calls for a light-propelled nanoprobe that flies 1,000 faster than todays rockets. Dubbed Breakthrough Starshot, its part of the privately funded Breakthrough Initiatives program established by Russian Internet investor Yuri Milner to ac celerate the exploration of the known universe. He hopes to focus the planets sharpest minds and deepest pockets on the effort, with guidance from Hawking and facebook inc CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Ultimately reaching the star system could take tens of billions of dollars and multiple generations, but Milner said the initial $100 million phase could would probably trigger the development of a feasible craft launched during his lifetime. With todays technology, the 25 trillion-mile trip to Alpha Centauri would take 30,000 years. The initiative seeks to reduce the one-way trip to about 20 years. To get there, the team has proposed to design a full array of space probe equipment that fits on a gram-scale wafer about the size of a postage stamp. This so-called StarChip would soar on a set of sails made of an ultra-lightweight metamaterial merely a few hundred atoms thick. A kilowatt-scale light beaming system based at high altitude on the Earths surface would focus lasers on the light-sensit ive sails to push the craft rapidly to its optimum speed. Ultimately the team would like to deploy a fleet of several thousand nanocraft to capture images and data and quite possibly confirming the existence of Earth-like planets that could harbor intelligent life. Earth is a wonderful place, but it might not last forever,Hawking said. Sooner or later, we must look to the stars.Michael MacRae is an independent writer. For Further Discussion As drone technology advances, engineers are pushing its boundaries to explore unconventional, even slightly weird, applications for drones.

The eight things the happiest people do every day

The eight things the happiest people do every dayThe eight things the happiest people do every dayUniversity of California professorSonja Lyubomirskydetails the things research shows the happiest people have in common.ViaThe How of HappinessThey devote a great amount of time to their family and friends, nurturing and enjoying those relationships.They are comfortable expressing gratitude for all they have.They are often the first to offer helping hands to coworkers and passersby.They practice optimism when imagining their futures.They savor lifes pleasures and try to live in the present moment.They make physical exercise a weekly and even daily habit.They are deeply committed to lifelong goals and ambitions (e.g., fighting fraud, building cabinets, or teaching their children their deeply held values).Last but not least, the happiest people do have their share of stresses, crises, and even tragedies. They may become just as distressed and emotional in such circumstances as you or I, bu ttheir secret weapon is the poise and strength they show in coping in the face of challenge.I guess the blog post could end here. Youve got yuranswer. But did you just want trivia? Or do you actuallywant to get happier?The internet has become a firehose of ideas we never implement, tricks we forget to use.Reading a list of things is easy. Implementing them in your life can be hard.But it doesnt have to be. Lets get down to business.Happiness SubscriptionsHeres an interesting fact about happiness frequency beats intensity. Whats that mean?Lots of little good thingsmake you happier than a handful of big things.Research showsthat going to church and exercising both bring people a disproportionate amount of happiness. Why?They give us frequent, regular boosts.Stanford professor Jennifer Aaker says its really that simple the things that make you happy,do them mora often.We have designated work hours. We schedule doctor appointments. Heck, we even schedule hair appointments.We say happine ss is the most important thing but fail to consistentlyinclude it in our calendars.Researchshows 40% of happiness is due to intentional activity.You can change your happiness by up to 40% by what you choose to do every day.And muchof what you do, you do on autopilot. 40% of what you do every day isnt the result ofdecisions, its due tohabits.ViaThe Power of Habit Why We Do What We Do in Life and BusinessOne paper published by a Duke University researcher in 2006 found thatmora than 40 percent of the actions people performed each day werent actual decisions, but habits.See where Im going with this?Happy thingsneed to be a habit. Part of your routine. Part of your schedule.Stop waiting forrandom happy events, you need a happiness subscription.So how do we take that list and make them thingswe actually do every day instead of more forgotten trivia?Lets get departureed.1) Wake Up And Say ARGEven scientific happiness advice is often corny. Ill say that now so we can get it off the table But it works.And this is why you might want to say ARG when you wake up. Its an acronym that stands forAnticipationRecollectionGratitudeIve written about the importance of amorning ritualand how research shows yourmood in the morningaffects your entire day. So start right.Anticipation is apowerful happiness booster.Its 2for the price of 1 You get the good thing and you get happy in anticipation of the good thing.So think about what youre looking forward to. Got nothing youre looking forward to? Schedule something.Recollectinggreat momentshas a relatedeffect.Memories allow us to relive the good times and kill stress.ViaThe How of HappinessPeople prone to joyful anticipation, skilled at obtaining pleasure from looking forward and imagining future happy events, are especially likely to be optimistic and to experience intense emotions. In contrast, those proficient at reminiscing about the past- looking back on happy times, rekindling joy from happy memories- are best able to buffer str ess.Andgratitudeis arguably the king of happiness. Whats the research say? Cant be more clearthan this the more a person is inclined to gratitude, the less likely he or she is to be depressed, anxious, lonely, envious, or neurotic.And the combo often leads tooptimism. Another powerful predictor of happiness.So, corny as it may be, wake up and say ARG And then do a quick bit of anticipation, recollection and gratitude.(For more on optimism clickhere.)All thats fine and dandy.But what do you do once youre out of bed?2) Savor Your Morning CoffeeTake a moment and really enjoy it. Smell it. Taste it. Appreciate it. Corny? Maybe.Butother researchshowssavoring - appreciating the goodmoments - iswhat separates the happiest people from the average Joe.I imagine some of you are saying, Well, I dont drink coffee. And please imagine me saying, Thats not the point.It can beanythingyou do every morning.Andembedding savoring in our little daily rituals is powerful becausestudies show rituals matt er.Heres Harvard professorFrancesca GinoYou can think about rituals that you yourself might engage in prior to consumption experiences. What they do,they make us a little bit more mindful about the consumption experience that we are about to have. Because of that, we end up savoring the food or whatever we are drinking more, we enjoy the experience more, and in fact, were also more willing to pay higher prices for whatever it is that we just consumed. Once again,rituals are beneficial in the sense that they create higher levels of enjoymentin the experience that we just had.(For more on how savoring can make you happier clickhere.)So what other habit can we build into our schedule that boosts joy? How about one that can make you as happy as sex does?3) Sweat Your Way To JoyWhen you study people to see what makes them happiest you get three answers sex, socializing and exercise.ViaEngineering Happiness A New Approach for Building a Joyful LifeTheir findings confirm what had been foun d previouslyhappiness is high during sex, exercise, or socializing, or while the mind is focused on the here and now, and low during commuting or while the mind is wandering.People who exercise are, across the board, mentally healthier less depression, anger, stress, and distrust.ViaSpark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the BrainA massive Dutch study of 19,288 twins and their families published in2006 showed that exercisers are less anxious, less depressed, less neurotic, and also more socially outgoing. A Finnish study of 3,403 people in 1999 showed that those who exercise at least two to three times a week experience significantly less depression, anger, stress, and cynical distrust than those who exercise less or not at all.Dont like exercise?Then youre doing the wrong kind.Running, lifting weights, playing any sport Find something you enjoy that gets you moving.(For more on how sweating can increase smiling - and make you smarter too - clickhere.)Okay, time to he ad to work. Whats the best thing to do when you start the day? Its not about you - but it will make you happier.4) The Five Minute FavorWho lives to a ripe old age? Not those who get the most help, ironically itsthose who give the most help.ViaThe Longevity Project Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade StudyWe figured that if a Terman participant sincerely felt that he or she had friends and relatives to count on when having a hard time then that person would be healthier. Those who felt very loved and cared for, we predicted, would live the longest. Surprise our prediction welches wrongBeyond social network size, the clearest benefit of social relationships came from helping others. Those who helped their friends and neighbors, advising and caring for others, tended to live to old age.And a great way to do that without taking up too much time isAdam Rifkins 5 Minute FavorEvery day, do something selfless for someone else that takes under fiv e minutes. The essence of this thing you do should be that it makes a big difference to the person receiving the gift.Usually these favors take the form of an introduction, reference, feedback, or broadcast on social media.So take five minutes to do something that is minor for you but would provide a big benefit to someone else.Its good karma - and science shows that, in some ways,karma is quite real.Yes, some who do a lot for others get taken advantage of. But as Adam Grant of Wharton has shown,givers also succeed moreThen I looked at the other end of the spectrum and said if Givers are at the bottom,whos at the top? Actually, I was really surprised to discover, its the Givers again.The people who consistently are looking for ways to help others are over-represented not only at the bottom, but also at the top of most success metrics.(For more on the best way to get happier by being a giver, clickhere.)Alright, you have to start work for the day. Ugh. But there are ways that work c an make you happier too.5) Life Is A Game, And So Is WorkLike the research shows,the happiest people have goals.ViaEngineering Happiness A New Approach for Building a Joyful LifeIn his studies, the psychologist Jonathan Freedman claimed thatpeople with the ability to set objectives for themselves- both short-term and long-term- are happier. The University of Wisconsin neuroscientist Richard Davidson has found that working hard toward a goal and making progress to the point of expecting a goal to be realized dont just activate positive feelings- they also suppress negative emotions such as fear and depression.Many of us feel like work can be boring or annoying but the research shows many of us are actuallyhappier at work than at home. Why?Challenges. And we reach that state of flow only when a challenge presents itself. So how can work make us happier?Three research-backed things to tryTo the degree you can,do things youregood at. Were happier when we exercise our strengths.Make note of your progress.Nothing is more motivating than progress.Make sure to see the results of your work. Thisgives meaningto most any activity.(For more on getting happier by setting goals clickhere.)Enough work. Youve got some free time. But whats thehappiestway to use your free time?6) Friends Get Appointments TooYou havemandatory meetingsin your schedulebut not mandatory time with friends? Absurd.One study says that as much as70% of happiness comes from your relationships with other people.ViaThe 100 Simple Secrets of Happy PeopleContrary to the belief that happiness is hard to explain, or that it depends on having great wealth, researchers have identified the core factors in a happy life. The primary components are number of friends, closeness of friends, closeness of family, and relationships with co-workers and neighbors. Togetherthese features explain about 70 percent of personal happiness. Murray and Peacock 1996Why does church make people so happy? Studies show ithas nothing to do with religion - its about the socializing. Its scheduled friend time.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreAfter examining studies of more than three thousand adults, Chaeyoon Lin and Robert Putnam found that what religion you practice or however close you feel to God makes no difference in your overall life satisfaction.What matters is the number of friends you have in your religious community. Ten is the magic number if you have that many, youll behappier. Religious people, in other words, are happier because they feel connected to a community of like-minded people.And if you have the cash, pay for dinner with a friend.Money definitely can make you happier - when youspend it on other people.ViaHappy Money The Science of Smarter SpendingBy the end of the day, individuals who spent money on others were measurably happier than those who spent money on themselves - even though there were no di fferences between the groups at the beginning of the day. And it turns out that the amount of money people found in their envelopes - $5 or $20 - had no effect on their happiness at the end of the day. How people spent the money mattered much more than how much of it they got.Harvard professor and author ofHappy Money The Science of Smarter Spending,Michael Nortonexplains in his TED talk.Dont have the cashfor that? No problem.Take turns paying.Duke professorDan Arielysays this brings more happiness than always paying half.(For more on how to have happy friendships clickhere.)Whats the final thing happy people have in common? They cope with adversity. So what should we do when lifegets tough?7) Find Meaning In Hard TimesResearch shows that a happy life and a meaningful life arenot necessarily the same thing.Its hard to be happy when tragedy strikes. Butwho lives longer and fares better after problems? Those who find benefitin their struggles.ViaThe How of HappinessFor example, in o ne study researchers interviewed men who had had heart attacks between the ages of thirty and sixty. Those who perceived benefits in the event seven weeks after it happened- for example, believing that they had grown and matured as a result, or revalued home life, or resolved to create less hectic schedules for themselves- were less likely to have recurrences and more likely to be healthy eight years later. In contrast, those who blamed their heart attacks on other people or on their own emotions (e.g., having been too stressed) were now in poorer health.In many cases, Nietzsche was rightwhat does not kill uscanmakeus stronger.ViaFlourish A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-beingA substantial number of people also show intense depression and anxiety after extreme adversity, often to the level of PTSD, but then they grow. In the long run, they arrive at a higher level of psychological functioning than before In a month, 1,700 people reported at least one of these awfu l events, and they took our well-being tests as well. To our surprise,individuals whod experienced one awful event had more intense strengths (and therefore higher well-being) than individuals who had none. Individuals whod been through two awful events were stronger than individuals who had one, and individuals who had three- raped, tortured, and held captive for example- were stronger than those who had two.So when you face adversity, always ask what you can learn from it.(For more on how tomake your life more meaningful - without terrible tragedy - clickhere.)See that? I took the eight things happy people do and squeezed them into just seven habits. You can thank me later.Now how do we tieall of these happiness boosters together?Sum upIf you want every day to be happier try including these seven things in your scheduleWake Up And Say ARGSavor Your Morning CoffeeSweat Your Way To JoyDo A Five Minute FavorMake Work A GameFriends Get Appointments TooFind Meaning In Hard TimesWer e allquick to say happiness is the most important thing and then weschedule everything but the things that make ushappiest.Huh?So whats going to make you happy today? Have you thought about it? Is it on yourcalendar?Reading happiness information is useless trivia unless you use it and you wont use it unless its part of your routine.If happiness is the most important thing then make it the most important thing.Join over 330,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.This article first appeared on Barking Up The Wrong Tree.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 Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Tory Burch on female ambition and motherhood in the age of #MeToo

Tory Burch on female ambition and motherhood in the age of MeTooTory Burch on female ambition and motherhood in the age of MeTooTheres no denying thatTory Burch, Designer and CEO of the Tory Burchempireand Founder of theTory Burch Foundation, is a woman with fiery ambition. Last week, her Foundation hosted its first ever Embrace Ambition Summit, where female (and a couple of brave male) entrepreneurs, entertainers, and thought leaders spoke about how they embrace ambition and thrive in a world where stereotypes regarding race, gender,and sexuality all too often plague the trajectory of a womans career. Burchspokewith Thrive Global about ambition, motherhood, and self-care.1. Youre known for championing women to embrace their ambition. While the message of follow your dreams is important, whats a piece of advice you wish someone had given you as a young woman starting her career?When I started a company, one of the first things that my parents said to me was thicken your skin, and als o to think of negativity as noise. That idea has really kept me in a frame of mind where Ive been focused on the task at greifhand and not necessarily on the naysayers. I let my work speak for itself. So, thats the advice Id give to a young woman Let your work speak for itself.2. Youve spoken a time in your past when a journalist asked if you were ambitious, and how that question represented a pivotal moment in your career. Today, what does ambition mean to you?Oh, when that journalist asked me if I was ambitious - I thought it was a very rude question. Ambition had, and still does, have negative connotations when associated with a woman. After the journalists article came out, my friend Jane Rosenthal called and said, nice article, but you shied away from the word ambition. She was right, and it struck me as unfair in many ways. Since then, I knew that I wanted to change the conversation around the word. For me, equal rights for women should not be a favor, it should be a given. Its an issue of humanity.3. In the context of the Tory Burch Foundations mission and as a mother of three young men, what does motherhood mean to you?I mean, its been the joy of my life having three children. I have a lot of children, actually. I have three stepdaughters, three boys, and then my fianc has three boys. I always wanted to have a lot of children, though I dont know if I knew Id have this many Its so important to expose children to different ways of thinking and enlighten them to different cultures and to show them the beauty of diversity and show them that thats what make our country beautiful and its what makes my company beautiful. I also show them that of course, diversity is whats right for humanity, but its also whats right for business. Different perspectives is additive and its just like how we needed men at this conference You can be at a womens conference, in a room full of women, and we all agree. So, I think you have to have those difficult conversations, and certainly Ive tried to teach my boys how to respect women. My dad used to say, being a gentleman is not a part-time job, and I think authenticity is at the core of everything.4. What advice do you have for a young woman who wants to embrace her ambition, but doesnt have access to capital?Be resourceful. Im a big fan of cold calls. Have your thoughts together, keep it short, have a unique idea and then learn how to present yourself. We work with our entrepreneurs very closely on confidence and how to sell their concept, but theres many places that you can look to for capital. For example, at our Foundation, we are giving women access to low-cost capital, affordable loans, mentorship through education, and of course our fellowship program. There are definitely ways to get that access that you need.5. Finally, whats one well-being habit you wont sacrifice?It has to be sports. I love playing tennis and being active - thats why I started our sport line because it was such a natural for me. I grew up outside basically so living in the city is a new experience for me. Im definitely a country girl.This article first appeared on Thrive Global.