Friday, April 4, 2008

Juggling Between School and Credit Card Payments? Here's Some Help.

Stumbled upon an interesting video:



It's called debt consolidation and it's an effective way for you to regain control over your finances. Seek the help of expert debt consolidators to negotiate lower payments on your bills. Spend more time in your studies, and less on those nagging phone calls from collection agents. You deserve some peace of mind.

Here's how.

Learning to Love the Job You Hate

You didn’t land your dream job. Rather, your mortal enemy got it. Your boss gives you a truckload of tasks everyday, you easily get bored with the paper work, and your officemates don’t like you. Simply put, you hate your job. The first thing that comes to your mind is to quit. But have you thought of other ideas on how to make your life much easier while you’re still employed in that office?

Here are some suggestions that you can start doing on your next day at work:

1. Decorate your cubicle with the things you love.

Place a photo of your crush, your significant other, your loved ones, or even your own photo on your desk. Include things that may inspire you at work: stuffed toys, toy cars, candles, and other favorite personal items that you can bring to work. Seeing these things can put a smile on your face, and remind you as well to do your best wherever you may be. Some offices however don't like desks cluttered with too much personal stuff, so just place enough pieces that could make you smile.

2. Recite a mantra before going to work.

Before leaving home, take a final look at the mirror and remind yourself how good-looking you are. You must keep this look until you finish your shift. You can’t afford to frown, can you? Also, keep in mind that in order to look good you must do good. You can also place a mirror on your desk. This morning starter usually lasts throughout the day.

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3. Think of your work as an adventure.

Treat your tasks as challenges in a video game, where you have to overcome each obstacle in order to advance to the next level. Once you do, you’d be surprised that at the end of the day, you would have already accomplished all of your tasks without noticing!

4. Treat your officemates to a candy or two.

Sweets never fail to make people smile, so why not give your officemates a piece of candy or chocolate every once in a while? This would change the way they think about you, and eventually they’d think of you as a good friend.

So why not learn to love the job you hate? It’s not an overnight process, but learning to like your job can open doors to all kinds of success.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Bored at Work? Create an Office Playground!

Doing things at a regular, everyday basis can be utterly boring, but that’s normal. We all experience that every once in a while. However, getting bored at work lessens your motivation bit by bit, until you eventually find yourself unhappy with your job. So, here are some quirky ideas you can do to create a more energetic, enthusiastic working environment, and inspire as well your work mates who are feeling bored like you.

1. Suggest a “Freaky Friday” Dress Code.

It’s doesn’t mean totally “freaky,” but at least try to impose a wacky dress code once a week. You and your officemates can come up with a weekly theme, such as hippie outfits, beach wear, or something ‘80s inspired. This allows the employees to come up with creative styles and do some catwalk as a form of fun. Your work mates also get to know more about each other, since it’s not everyday that all of you show your artsy-fancy side.

2. Play “Catch”.

With a help of a soft rubber ball, try to initiate a game of catch during the most boring hours at work. This helps relieve your officemates of the stress they feel while doing their scheduled tasks, as well as wake up their stamina for they are required to catch the ball. A little action would keep all of you from feeling sleepy.

Generate smiles at the workplace! Learn more how.

3. Play some happy music.

Music generates a warmer, more enthusiastic atmosphere, especially in a boring workplace. There are kinds of music that help boost up one’s motivation at work, such as feel-good instrumentals. Hearing your officemates hum at the tunes means that they have become inspired to work, thanks to the music.

These are just a few ideas on how to relieve stress and boredom at the office. Not only do they make you and your work mates feel good, they also generate more socialization, and eventually, a stronger bond among the different personalities working on a common environment.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

What Makes a Happy, Satisfied Employee?

Let's say you've already started working for a company. You've gotten over the thrill and excitement of your first day at the office and the routine work is starting to bore you. You begin to see yourself as a toy soldier doing the same set of scheduled tasks everyday. In short, you're no longer happy with your job.

Meanwhile, your neighbor, Mr. Wilson, has been working as a janitor for thirty years and is about to retire. One hot afternoon the two of you had the chance to finish a couple of beers and he started telling you about how much he would miss his job once he retires. He shared with you all the fun times he experienced at work, and he loved his job as a janitor. He admits he didn't earn that much, but you could see that he is contented with the way his job went. Now you ask, what makes an employee happy, just like Mr. Wilson?

It's not really all about the salary, but there are also other important factors that make up a satisfied worker, such as the following:

1. A safe working environment. Employees are motivated to work at their best in a place that meets their needs. Depending on the nature of their job, employees must be assured that the workplace should keep them safe and secure from any harm, and that proper facilities should be provided for them to use.

2. An employer who addresses his employees needs. It is important for the employer to respond to the complaints, demands and other needs of his employees because it shows that he cares and wants only the best for their welfare. This can be done by constant communication between the employer and his employees.

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3. Ample consideration for certain privileges. Apart from the leave privileges mandated by law, employees are also entitled to some time adjustments especially when these have to do with their family. These adjustments can now be practiced through Flexi-time and similar time schedule schemes.

4. Camaraderie among workmates. Social interaction among other employees is an integral part of employee satisfaction, for it develops their teamwork and mutual respect for each other. Through this employees will be more enthusiastic at work because it also the place where they spend time with their friends.

Compensation doesn't always make an employee truly happy, contrary to what most people think. If you haven't achieved the above-mentioned factors yet, chances are you find yourself constantly changing jobs.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Get Noticed During Your Job Application

In every job search, there stands a tough competition among applicants. Each of them possesses a unique set of talents and skills which they believe would make them qualified for the position they're eyeing for. Because of this tight race it is important to grab your employer's attention in order for you to be noticed. Thus, here are some good ways on how you can make your employer choose you even at first glance. Remember, the first impressions always last.

1. Submit a straightforward cover letter.

Make a frank, point-blank application letter expressing your strong intentions in being part of the company you are applying for. This is way your employer would immediately feel that you possess the energy, endurance and confidence he is looking for in an employee.

2. Feel Smart. Look Smart.

Try your best to look smart at all times, especially during your job interview. Prepare for this by getting enough sleep the night before your scheduled appointment. Don't let your anxieties eat you. Reciting a mantra that can boost your confidence helps a lot. Most of all, project an energetic image once you get up close and personal with your employer. He would think you're a highly dependable employee.

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3. Make friends with your co-applicants

This is a good trick as being friends with other applicants is a way of soliciting admiration. Show them that you're smart but at the same time friendly and low-profile. This also lowers their confidence since they can see that you're way better than them.

4. Appreciate the workplace

Sidebar comments can be quite annoying, but compliments do not. Try to open a lighter conversation with your employer and talk about how you like the workplace. Make it sound as if the office would bring out your best qualities. It would then be inevitable for your employer not to feel that you're the ONE he is looking for.