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210 Attitude Quotes That Will Empower You In Your Life

Life is filled with inevitable ups and downs and it’s our attitude that determines how we ride the wave.Are you more of a glass half empty or half full type?Our attitudes, whether negative, positive or somewhere in between, affect every aspect of our lives from how we view the world to how we show up at work, in our relationships and most importantly, for ourselves.It’s no secret that maintaining a positive outlook not only makes us happier and healthier but it’s also the key to turning our dreams into reality.Similarly, welcoming more gratitude into our lives tends to shift our perspective and if practiced regularly, expressing thankfulness can help us cope through difficult times and ultimately transform our lives.The truth is, developing and maintaining a positive mindset takes work, especially when we have the natural tendency of reverting to negativity, but the good news is that we can train our brain to be more optimistic. freedom quoteIf you need a reminder of what you’re capable of, check out this list of 210 attitude quotes to find some inspiration:Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you. DALE CARNEGIEIf you can't change your fate, change your attitude. AMY TANMy attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength. MICHAEL JORDAN (How his mindset made him the greatest)When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. HENRY FORDYour attitude about who you are and what you have is a very little thing that makes a very big difference. THEODORE ROOSEVELTA healthy attitude is contagious but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier. TOM STOPPARDIt's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. HENRY DAVID THOREAU(More Thoreau quotes)Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity. WILLIAM JAMESSuccess is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. WINSTON CHURCHILLPain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. HARUKI MURAKAMISales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman - not the attitude of the prospect. W. CLEMENT STONEI have this theory that, depending on your attitude, your life doesn't have to become this ridiculous charade that it seems so many people end up living. CHRISTIAN BALEOur life is what our thoughts make it. MARCUS AURELIUSAbility is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. LOU HOLTZTake the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new. OG MANDINOWe cannot choose the things that will happen to us. But we can choose the attitude we will take toward anything that happens. Success or failure depends on your attitude. ALFRED ARMAND MONTAPERT Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. THOMAS A. EDISONI think it's my adventure, my trip, my journey, and I guess my attitude is, let the chips fall where they may. Leonard NimoyAttitudes are more important than facts. GEORGE MACDONALDOne should always play fairly when one has the winning cards. OSCAR WILDELife is hard. Life is difficult. Life is going to punch you in the gut. But when you change your attitude, you change your behavior. When your behavior changes, so do your results. WILL HURDWhen you can’t change the direction of the wind — adjust your sails. H. JACKSON BROWN, JR.A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping-stone to the optimist. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTOur environment, the world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations. EARL NIGHTINGALEIt is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed. RAM DASSLife is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it. ERNEST HOLMESYour attitude is either the lock on or the key to the door of success. DENIS WAITLEYAttitude is everything. DIANE VON FURSTENBERGYour mental attitude is something you can control outright and you must use self-discipline until you create a Positive Mental Attitude - your mental attitude attracts to you everything that makes you what you are. NAPOLEON HILLOften we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. HELLEN KELLEROur attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us. JOHN N. MITCHELLAny fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are. NORMAN VINCENT PEALEBut the attitude of faith is to let go, and become open to truth, whatever it might turn out to be. ALAN WATTSHappiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude. DALE CARNEGIEWhen you are thwarted, it is your own attitude that is out of order. MEISTER ECKHARTSeek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, 'This is the real me,' and when you have found that attitude, follow it. JAMES TRUSLOW ADAMSIf you can't change your fate, change your attitude. CHARLES REVSONAttitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. W.C. FIELDSThe winner's edge is not in a gifted birth, a high IQ, or in talent. The winner's edge is all in the attitude, not aptitude. Attitude is the criterion for success. DENIS WAITLEYIf you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm. STEPHEN COVEYSuccess or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities. WALTER SCOTTAttitude is your acceptance of the natural laws, or your rejection of the natural laws. STUART CHASEYou are the conductor of your own attitude! Nobody else can compose your thoughts for you. LEE J. COLANPositive attitude quotesHow would you rate your attitude? Keeping a positive attitude takes effort but making the conscious decision to look at the brighter side of life can have a profound impact on your well-being. We often forget that this simple shift in perspective is within our reach, but when harnessed properly, an optimistic outlook can help us move forward in the face of adversity and feel more fulfilled.Here are a few positive attitude quotes to help you get started.If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden. FRANCES HODGSON BURNETTAll of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. CHRISTIANO RONALDOLife is like riding a bicycle, you must keep moving. ROCKYTry not to become a man of success, but rather become a man of value.ALBERT EINSTEINSuccess consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.WINSTON CHURCHILLOur greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.CONFUCIUSIf you can dream it, you can do it.WALT DISNEYWith the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.ELEANOR ROOSEVELTLearn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow.GHANDIStay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions.MARK TWAINJust one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.DALAI LAMAI am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.STEPHEN R. COVEYDo what you can, with what you have, where you are.THEODORE ROOSEVELTDo the best you can. No one can do more than that.JOHN WOODENAdopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one. HANS SELYEWe are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. OSCAR WILDETo be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have. KEN KEYES JR.The only disability in life is a bad attitude. Dale CarnegieChoose to be optimistic, it feels better. DALAI LAMAHe who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts. Samuel JohnsonA positive atmosphere nurtures a positive attitude, which is required to take positive action. RICHARD M. DEVOSI've always believed that you can think positive just as well as you can think negative. JAMES A. BALDWINA positive attitude is something everyone can work on, and everyone can learn how to employ it. JOAN LUNDENConvince yourself everyday that you are worthy of a good life. Let go of stress, breathe. Stay positive, all is well. GERMANY KENTThere is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. W. Clement StoneReject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. MARCUS AURELIUSPerpetual optimism is a force multiplier. COLIN POWELLPeople deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom? THICH NHAT HANHBelieve you can and you're halfway there. THEODORE ROOSEVELTI always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter. WALT DISNEYA positive attitude can really make dreams come true – it did for me. DAVID BAILEYA strong positive attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug. PATRICIA NEALAlways keep that happy attitude. Pretend that you are holding a beautiful fragrant bouquet. EARL NIGHTINGALEEvery day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. UNKNOWNOnce you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results. WILLIE NELSONIf I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed. MAYA ANGELOUKeep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. MAHATMA GANDHIYour level of gratitude determines your level of happiness, as well as your potential for success. It's difficult to be happy without gratitude. BOB BURGIn order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision. DALAI LAMAI have found that if you love life, life will love you back. ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole!OSCAR WILDEThings turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. JOHN WOODENYou can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTIt is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome. WILLIAM JAMESA happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. HUGH DOWNSEvery day brings new choices. MARTHA BECKA positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results. WADE BOGGSIt isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it. DALE CARNEGIEThe meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them. ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRYAny fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. NORMAN VINCENT PEALEAttitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. WINSTON CHURCHILLYou always have a choice, even if it is only a choice of your attitude.You always have a choice, even if it is only a choice of your attitude. HENRY FORDKeep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. HELEN KELLERChoose the positive. You have choice, you are master of your attitude, choose the positive, the constructive. Optimism is a faith that leads to success. BRUCE LEEAlways bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing. ABRAHAM LINCOLNBe happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more. MOTHER TERESABetween stimulus and response, there is a space where we choose our response. STEPHEN COVEYAttitude is everything, so pick a good one. WAYNE DYERHow do you nurture a positive attitude when all the statistics say you're a dead man? You go to work. PATRICK SWAYZEOur attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force. IRVING BERLINA positive attitude is not going to save you. What it's going to do is, everyday, between now and the day you die, whether that's a short time from now or a long time from now, that every day, you're going to actually live. ELIZABETH EDWARDSYour attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude. Zig ZiglarAll your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them. WALT DISNEYIf you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude. COLIN POWELLHappiness is an attitude of mind, born of the simple determination to be happy under all outward circumstances. JAMES DONALD WALTERSLearning to control and adjust your attitude to a positive one reflects wisdom of the mind. CATHERINE PULSIFERYour attitude is more important than your capabilities. Similarly, your decision is more important than your capabilities. JACK MAFor success, attitude is equally as important as ability. WALTER SCOTTA pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. HARRY S. TRUMANYour attitude towards life influences your happiness, not what happens to you. THIBAUT MEURISSEI hope the millions of people I've touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and persevere with a positive attitude. MICHAEL JORDANReally you just gotta keep chugging along and keep a positive attitude and get through all the problems. You gotta face them, otherwise you don't get through. LESLEY GOREThe most important decision you make is to be in a good mood. VOLTAIREEverything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. VIKTOR FRANKLThe greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude. OPRAH WINFREYSuccess or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes a reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results.William JamesPositive anything is better than negative nothing. ELBERT HUBBARDThe greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. WILLIAM JAMESThere are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. ALBERT EINSTEIN A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change. EARL NIGHTINGALEA bad attitude is like a flat tire. If you don’t change it, you’ll never go anywhere.UNKNOWNYour living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. KHALIL GIBRANLike success, failure is many things to many people. With Positive Mental Attitude, failure is a learning experience, a rung on the ladder, a plateau at which to get your thoughts in order and prepare to try again. W. Clement StoneStrong women attitude quotesPowerful women throughout history paved the way forward for younger generations by consistently showing us that when a woman steps into her inner power, nothing can stand in her way.By now we all know strong women are an unstoppable force but what defines a strong woman, anyway? Well, it all comes down to her attitude. If you’re looking for some inspiration to take charge of your mindset and become the best version of yourself, check out our list of quotes by some of the most resilient female legends of all time.Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.AMELIA EARHARTSome people say I have attitude – maybe I do… but I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right there. VENUS WILLIAMSNo one can make you feel inferior without your consent. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTI am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept. ANGELA DAVISA really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars. CARLY SIMONCourage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use. RUTH GORDONRun to the fire; don’t hide from it. Meg WhitmanPower is not given to you. You have to take it. Beyoncé KnowlesThe best protection any woman can have... is courage. ELIZABETH CADY STANTONAlways aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. And, when you stumble, keep faith. And, when you're knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on. HILLARY CLINTONGrowth and comfort do not coexist. GINNI ROMETTYThe most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud. COCO CHANELOnly the gentle are ever really strong. JAMES DEANPermanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak. THOMAS CARLYLEIt took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent. MADELEINE ALBRIGHTLife shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. ANAIS NINIt is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. J. K. ROWLINGA strong woman is a woman determined to do something others are determined not be done. MARGE PIERCY If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. MAYA ANGELOUThe most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. ALICE WALKERI’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning to sail my ship. LOUISA MAY ALCOTTBe a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else. JUDY GARLANDI've never met a woman who is not strong, but sometimes they don't let it out. Then there's a tragedy, and then all of a sudden that strength comes. My message is let the strength come out before the tragedy. DIANE VON FURSTENBERGWomen are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTThe way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. DOLLY PARTONI can never be safe; I always try and go against the grain. As soon as I accomplish one thing, I just set a higher goal. That’s how I’ve gotten to where I am. BEYONCÉOptimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. HELEN KELLERA lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want.MADONNAA woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. MELINDA GATESIn our society, the women who break down barriers are those who ignore limits. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGERWe cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave – to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential. MALALA YOUSAFZAIThe thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it. ROSEANNE BARRShe was powerful not because she wasn’t scared but because she went on so strongly, despite the fear.ATTICUSWe need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.BEYONCEI do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves. MARY SHELLEYStop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be. ELIZABETH GILBERTI feel there is something unexplored about woman that only a woman can explore. GEORGIA O’KEEFEEThink like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness. OPRAH WINFREYStrength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGERAttitude of gratitude quotesWhen was the last time you took time to reflect on what you’re grateful for in life? It may feel forced at first but developing an attitude of gratitude is a crucial ingredient for a happier life.It’s easy to overlook life’s simple pleasures, but learning to appreciate the little things really helps us bounce back when things don’t go our way. Let these attitude of gratitude quotes remind you to make it a priority.Wealth can also be that attitude of gratitude with which we remind ourselves everyday to count our blessings. CHRIS GARDNERDo not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.EPICURUSGratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. MELODY BEATTIEAlways have an attitude of gratitude. STERLING K. BROWNI don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains. ANNE FRANKThe attitude of gratitude revitalizes the entire mental process by activating all other attitudes, thus stimulating creativity. NORMAN VINCENT PEALEBe present in all things and thankful for all things. MAYA ANGELOUI am grateful for all those people who said no. It is because of them that I did it myself. Practice an attitude of gratitude. You can either be miserable dwelling on the troubles you have or grateful for the ones you don't have. Your troubles don't care but it makes a huge difference in your life. MICHAEL JOSEPHSONLet us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful. BUDDHAWhen you start noticing even a small portion of all there is to be grateful for, you'll find there is no room for lack, hurt, or want. The attitude of gratitude: the great, full feeling. PETER MCWILLIAMSLet us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. MARCEL PROUSTIt's your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don't take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver. BETTY WHITEIf you want to find happiness, find gratitude. STEVE MARABOLIThe hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. ERIC HOFFERWear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.RUMIA lot of times people look at the negative side of what they feel they can't do. I always look on the positive side of what I can do. CHUCK NORRISGratitude unlocks the fullness of life. MELODY BEATTIEGratitude opens the door to the power, the wisdom, the creativity of the universe. You open the door through gratitude. DEEPAK CHOPRAEvery blessing ignored becomes a curse. PAULO COELHOA grateful mind is a great mind which eventually attracts to itself great things.PLATOWhen you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears. TONY ROBBINSBe thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. OPRAH WINFREYThe greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.SENECAWe can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. THORNTON WILDERAs we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. JOHN F. KENNEDYSo much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied. HELEN KELLERA thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.CICERONow is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is. ERNEST HEMINGWAYGratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. JACQUES MARITAINIf a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.FRANK A. CLARKHe is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.EPICTETUSThe last of human freedoms - the ability to choose one's attitude, especially an attitude of gratitude in a given set of circumstances, especially in difficult circumstances. VIKTOR E. FRANKLLearn to pay attention to your body with the relaxed attitude of gratitude, trust, curiosity and unconditional love rather than being pushed around by habit, fear, anxiety, social customs, other people's schedules and other people's ideas about what is good for you. WALLACE D. WATTLESOf all the 'attitudes' we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing. ZIG ZIGLARWe often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. CYNTHIA OZICKAn attitude of gratitude creates blessings. JOHN TEMPLETONStormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. MAYA ANGELOUFind a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain. JOSEPH CAMPBELLTrain yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude. ALBERT SCHWEITZERLive every day with an attitude of gratitude. TONY ROBBINSBoth abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend. SARAH BAN BREATHNACHCultivate an attitude of gratitude, of giving and forgiving. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. RALPH WALDO EMERSONA sunny temper [an attitude of gratitude for what blessings and mercies there are] gilds the edges of life's blackest cloud. THOMAS GUTHRIEGratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. WILLIAM ARTHUR WARDAn attitude of gratitude brings great things. HARBHAJAN SINGH YOGIGratitude can turn a meal into a feast. MELODY BEATTIEWhen a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude. ELIE WIESELWhen you view your world with an attitude of gratitude, you are training yourself to focus on the good in life. PAUL J. MEYER

10 Crucial Skills to Include on Your Resume
Career Growth

10 Crucial Skills to Include on Your Resume

Writing your resume can feel like a monumental task. Selling yourself and your abilities in a single document is a lot of pressure. Finding just the right words to describe yourself and your career experience takes time.In order to create a resume that will impress hiring managers, you should highlight the skills you have that they are most likely to be looking for. This ensures that you stand out from the pack when they’re reviewing who to call in for interviews. To help you narrow down what’s most important to include, we’ve rounded up the ten crucial skills to include on your resume that really matter most. Which ones do you have?Understanding Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills(Photo by Burst on Unsplash)Job-related skills fall into two categories: hard skills and soft skills. In any job description, you will likely see qualities from both of these skill categories listed as prerequisites. So, on your resume, you definitely want to highlight a combination of these two types of skills.RELATED: Open-Mindedness: 5 Practical Steps To Open Your MindFirst, you want to show that you are capable of the job you’re applying for by listing your hard skills, or the skills that are specific to the industry or the position. Hard skills are the ones you learned in school, through previous job experience and in training courses. These are the must-have qualities in order to do the actual job in question. Soft skills, also known as people skills or social skills are the qualities you’ve learned over time from your experience in working with others and becoming more proficient at being in an office setting. These are the skills that managers look for to ensure that you will fit in with the office culture and be an asset to the team. Considering these two types of skills, here are the 10 specific ones you should be sure to highlight on your resume: 1. Languages you’re fluent inDefinitely mention any additional languages you know, from foreign languages or programming languages, especially if the job requires you to know particular ones. Even if the job doesn’t require additional languages, you can include your knowledge to show that you have completed additional training or to set you apart from other candidates. Learning another language shows perseverance and dedication, which are also important skills. 2. Operating certain equipment or machineryIf you are applying for a hands-on job—for instance in carpentry or occupational positions—you want to show your knowledge of being able to operate any necessary equipment. RELATED: Regular Workouts Keep Improving Your Memory and Brain Function — Here’s HowIf you have completed additional safety training or other related courses, be sure to mention those, too. Also, if you have trained others or lead teams, those are important details to include to show your expert knowledge of the machinery. 3. Knowledge of specific programs or web toolsIf the job you’re applying for is web-based, you may need to use certain programs or tools daily in order to succeed in the position. Be sure to include any of these programs or tools that you are proficient in, including the Adobe suite, content management systems, social media, Wordpress and photo editing software. It should go without saying but be careful with listing out programs or tools that you aren’t very familiar with in order to pad your resume. It’s better to list a few that you are very skilled in than trying to impress hiring managers with sub-optimal knowledge, especially if they ask you to show off these skills during an interview. 4. Certifications you’ve completedBe sure to list and explain any relevant certifications, courses and trainings on your resume to show not only your knowledge but also your dedication to your continued education. Hiring managers like to see that you are passionate enough about your career to keep learning new skills and bettering yourself by spending your free time expanding your knowledge. If you have taught courses, this would also be a good skill to include to show that you are also dedicated to helping the next generation of workers in your industry. 5. Problem solving skills(Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash)No matter the job, you’re bound to encounter hiccups and roadblocks in the workplace. Being able to strategize on how to solve inevitable issues is important to hiring managers. They want to know that when problems come up you can handle them efficiently and proactively in order to get back on course. 6. Teamwork If your industry is collaborative—like a sales team, for instance—you want to highlight your ability to come together with other people to work toward a common goal. Being a team player means knowing how to actively listen, how to respond to feedback and how to give other people a chance to shine without micromanaging or overshadowing. Even if your job function is primarily working solo, it’s important for managers to know that you can work with others when the occasion calls for it. 7. Written communication Given that many people’s jobs rely on email communication as a primary form of connecting with others, it’s essential that you’re able to clearly convey your messages to other people. You can show this skill by listing it on your resume but you can also highlight this skill by being extra certain that the document is free of errors and grammatically correct. (This goes for your cover letter as well.) Ask a trusted friend or colleague to read over both your resume and your cover letter before sending you to ensure that you’ve communicated exactly what you’ve meant to. This allows you to really put your best foot forward. 8. Leadership Even if you’re not applying for a leadership position, hiring managers want to know if you’re able to lead a team or at least possess the skills necessary to do so. You may be entry level today but you might be considered for a leadership position in the next two years. RELATED: 5 Daily Habits to Steal from Google Co-Founder Larry Page Including His Controversial Leadership StyleTypically, companies would prefer to hire from within instead of having to widen their net to find new talent. If you have the skill of guiding other people, whether through serving as a mentor or teacher or even leading a small team at a previous job, it’s smart to mention that. 9. Time managementTime is money, as the saying goes. Showcasing your ability to work smarter by managing your tasks efficiently is a necessary skill. Managers want to see that you can get the job done, and well, by meeting deliverables and deadlines. Having a proven track record of this shows that you will continue to succeed in your next position. 10. CreativityFinally, you should highlight your creative abilities on your resume, particularly if you work in a field that requires this skill. However, even if your job function doesn’t necessarily require creativity, this quality isn’t just about having artistic skills or an eye for the aesthetic. Creativity can also be connected to problem solving and team building when you’re able to think of new ideas for getting around roadblocks or bringing people together in unexpected ways. Coming to the table with fresh ideas and free thinking is an asset in any workplace. Identifying your Skills(Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash)Now you know what skills you should highlight. But how do you know if you even have all of these ten crucial skills? If you’re feeling stumped, you can talk to a mentor, friend or colleague to help you identify and highlight the skills you have. Getting outside input is a great way to kickstart writing (or revising) your resume so you can show off your best self when you apply for a new job.KEEP READING:Train Your Brain to Shed Distracting Habits and Concentrate Better

Understanding The Importance Of Occupational Wellness
Self-Development

Understanding The Importance Of Occupational Wellness

It’s almost impossible to overstate the importance of a work life balance, and so much of that balance requires you being able to separate yourself from your professional life. Of course, there are always a few emails to be answered, reports or proposals to be finished, projects worked on, and calls to be made when you’re not physically in the office (or remote but off the proverbial clock) and it’s OK to occasionally work during non-official work hours. For the most part, leaving work at work and fully focusing on the other aspects of your life is key to happiness and satisfaction. This balance between work and life promotes health and wellness of the mind, and when you are in a healthy state of mind in general, your overall success will improve when you are working. Also, you’ll be happier, and you can’t put a price on health, wellness, or happiness.But that needed separation noted, being fulfilled and satisfied with your professional life also requires personal satisfaction while you are working. Thus the importance of occupational wellness.What Does Occupational Wellness Mean?(Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash)First, to be clear, occupational wellness does not mean you are hitting career goals, doing work that’s financially rewarding, and getting along well with coworkers. Those things are all important, to be sure, but occupational wellness is not about what you are achieving but about how you are feeling. Only when you achieve occupational wellness can you truly gain personal satisfaction in your career while also being successful in your work.Occupational wellness means you feel a sense of commitment to your job, you feel your work has a crucial influence on the success of your organization, and you feel empowered when working independently as well as when working with a colleague or a team. It means you have only a manageable amount of workplace stress with which you can effectively deal. And occupational wellness you feel seen, heard, and respected at work. There are many things that can help you achieve occupational wellness: engaging in work that you enjoy, create connections with your coworkers, working in such a way that suits your personal learning style, communicating and working together with colleagues. Overall, you want to balance work and leisure plans. If you're happy about the work you've accomplished, improving occupational wellness will be easier.RELATED: Intrusive Thoughts: Why They Happen and How to Stop ThemIn most cases, you can improve your sense of occupational wellness by doing your best work, standing up for yourself and supporting your peers (because nothing makes us feel better about ourselves than helping others) and rising to challenges. But because the achievement of occupational wellness necessitates doing work that has you feeling inspired and those feelings of respect and appreciation, in some work places, it simply might not be possible to realize.If your current job just can’t provide that environment for you, that inspiration, respect, and conviviality, it may well be time to move on. Don’t stick with a job where you’re stuck doing work no one appreciates, where you are disrespected, or where you’re just not happy.Why Is Occupational Wellness Important?Photo by Priscilla du Preez on UnsplashSimply put, occupational wellness is important because you are important. If you don’t feel a sense of satisfaction and validation at work, the thing that likely occupies more hours than any other aspect of your life (with sleeping being the one possible exception, depending on how much rest you need for your own optimal sleep), then you are going to feel less overall happiness in life. And that just won’t do – your happiness matters deeply, and not only to you, but also to the others in your life. The better you feel personally, the more you will have to offer your family, friends, and neighbors. Do what’s called shadow work, taking that deep dive into self-reflection and a frank assessment of how your work affects your life, and make sure your intellectual wellness is not a victim of your career. RELATED: Overconfidence: What Does It Mean – And Why Is It So Dangerous?So too does occupational wellness matter in terms of your occupation. The better you feel about your work, the better the work you do will be. It’s not about simply working until you can escape to leisure time, in other words, it’s about feeling engaged and even happy while you work. You will get more done and the work you do will be better when you feel good about your job. And you’ll be a better colleague, also, in terms of the work you do in concert with others and simply in terms of being a person with whom it’s a pleasure to associate.Tips On Improving Occupational Wellness(Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash)As noted, there may well come a time when the only way to achieve occupational wellness is to make a career move. Before quitting a job, take a hard, honest look at your financial situation, your potential next moves, and also carefully consider whether the workplace is the issue or if it may be the work itself – people often find themselves sticking with a career that will never be all that rewarding and in which they may never thrive simply because it’s comfortable albeit unsatisfying. If you feel stuck in your work, consider talking to a career counselor before you quit, as these professionals can help guide your next move or, potentially, help redirect you within your current work situation.If you do see the potential for better occupational wellness within your current job, so much the better. You have already taken a step toward improving your job satisfaction just by realizing you need more of it.RELATED: The Socratic Method: What It Is and How to Use It in Your Everyday LifeThe next step to take to improve your sense of occupational wellness is to seek out more training, experience, and the wisdom of others so you can be sure you possess all the tools and information needed to do your best work, because the better you are at your job, the better you will feel about your job. And as you work to better yourself at work, know that your personal learning style will play a role: you may want to shadow someone with more experience, to read up or watch training videos, or to expand your professional network to include more people who can be an asset.It’s also critical that you relate well to your colleagues. Unless you are self-employed, occupational wellness is almost impossible if you don’t get along well with the people with whom you work. Improving coworker relationships can involve spending more time communicating with people at work as well as spending the occasional time with coworkers away from work. You don’t have to be friends with your coworkers, per say, but you must be friendly with them. Fortunately, they surely want the same thing.And finally, take the time to be reflective. Thinking about your work, both in terms of long-term career goals and in terms of what you do to make each day better, is a much better approach them simply getting through each day. If it helps, you can even write out goals and action steps that will help make your wants, needs, and hopes more concrete.KEEP READING:10 Signs You’re Suffering from a Victim Mentality

Man Goes From Janitor To Principal Of The School He Cleaned For 27 Years
Motivation

Man Goes From Janitor To Principal Of The School He Cleaned For 27 Years

Hard work and perseverance has the power to literally to change your life. But sometimes you need a little bit of inspiration or motivation to light your fire. At times the missing factor between a person living the life of their dreams and remaining comfortable where they are is simply belief.Words of wisdomGabe Sonnier used to be the janitor at Port Barre Elementary until one day that changed the direction of his life. In 1985, then school principal Westley Jones took Gabe aside and said, “I’d rather see you grading papers than picking them up.”No one had ever expressed that much belief in Gabe Sonnier before. The principal’s words landed on Gabe who says, “I took it to heart.”Hitting the booksAt 39, Gabe began studying. “I would come to work at like 5 in the morning and leave at 7 and go to school all day and then come back and finish up my eight hours of work here and then go home and do homework.”-Gabe SonnierGabe completed a teaching degree, then in 2008 he got his first teaching job at Port Barre Elementary! After that, he graduated with a Masters from Arkansas State University. Finally, in 2013, Gabe Sonnier became the principal of the same school he had cleaned for 27 years.Gabe still cleans his own office to this day.Gabe says, “Don’t let your situation that you’re in now define what you’re going to become later.” “I always tell them it’s not where you start, it’s how you finish.”-Gabe SonnierNever underestimate yourselfNever let your current circumstances discourage you from pursuing your dreams. Where there is a will, there is a way, no matter your starting point.Do not underestimate what belief can do for yourself and for others. It can ignite your spirit and launch you on a journey walking step by step towards your best self.Dedication can take you so far that things can come full circle. Walk that journey with pride no matter what stage you are at. No goal is too far out of reach when your work ethic aligns with your intentions. Strive for your dream position and watch yourself fulfill that role with time.You can be whoever you want to be in this life, but in order to get there, you have to go for it first. Once your drive has been sparked by belief, there is no telling where you might go.More uplifting storiesThe Weeknd Never Forgot The Friends Who Were There When He Was HomelessShe Was A Teenage Runaway And Homeless Mom – Today She’s A MillionaireStudent Raises $28,600 For Homeless Man Who Offered To Pay Her Taxi HomeMillionaire Shocks Neighbors By Inviting Homeless Couple To Live In His $4M House

Boyfriend Calls Girlfriend 'Naïve Karen' For Out-Earning Him, Internet Has Best Response
Career Growth

Boyfriend Calls Girlfriend 'Naïve Karen' For Out-Earning Him, Internet Has Best Response

When one woman's boyfriend got salty over her higher pay, the internet put him in his place. Mutual $upportIt's always tough to separate matters of money from matters of the heart. However, one Redditor named 'u/No_Lingonberry_5061' tried her best to do just that. In an AITA post, she shared how, in junior college, she and Tim, her boyfriend of 10+ years, were destined to earn different salaries. After all, she studied in Liberal Arts and worked for non-profits while he pursued the high-tech and high-paying field of I.T.However, she insisted that event though "he made more [she] always insisted [they] split things evenly to avoid potential resentment down the road."Not that it would have been an issue. She says that her boyfriend Tim was "a feminist and has always been supportive of my career."Green with envyGood thing that Tim was so supportive, as his girlfriend unexpectedly parlayed her Liberal Arts and non-profit experience into a high-paying consultancy gig that out-earned him. Despite that, she kept her new earning under wraps, in an effort not to be "braggy about it."However, the cat was out of the bag when she and her boyfriend had to provide pay stubs when applying for a new place to live. That's when Tim discovered that his girlfriend earned 30% more than him. You'd think that would be reason to pop the champagne. Instead, Tim popped off at her. He accused her of "cheating the system" since "no English Lit major makes more than a cyber security professional without cheating somehow."As time went on, Tim grew even saltier. He accused her of nepotism in landing her first post-college non-profit job -- which boasted a modest $22k/year salary -- through a sorority sister. He also dismissed a scholarship she received as a promising female writer as unfair since the prize excluded men.Things came to a head when Tim accused her of "being a naïve Karen." Her storyTo the surprise of nobody, Tim's reaction angered his girlfriend, who says her only advantage was hard work."it makes me angry to listen to him 'joke' about it, especially since I grew up blue-collar and worked full-time while going to school full-time to afford my degree."- Author of Redditor postTurns out the story didn't sit well with Redditors either. They had harsh words for Tim and strong advice for the woman. Another Redditor found Tim's change of morals amusing.One Redditor says that, if anything, Tim's comments reveal more about him.Support women who thriveInstead of making salty comments, Tim might want to ask better questions. Questions like "Why do diversity programs exist in the first place?'If he did so, he would discover that in the United States, women who work full time get paid 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, according to the American Association of University Women.He'd also be shocked to find that despite leading men in higher education, women hold nearly two-thirds of the outstanding student debt in the United States.Maybe then would he and those like him truly support the women in their lives . A great place to start is celebrating when women advance in the workforce. More uplifting stories:Instagram Influencer’s Ridiculous Attempt At Fat-Shaming Woman Quickly BackfiresWoman Unceremoniously Dumps Toxic Boyfriend After Constant Body ShamingWoman Too Heavy For Her Scale Has Major Wake-Up Call And Loses Over 200 Lbs In 1 YearMen Get Caught Harassing McDonald’s Worker, Sparking Outrage About A Harsh Reality

How I Never, Ever Worry About My Career
Career Growth

How I Never, Ever Worry About My Career

Of course, I have moments of angst like any other professional but generally speaking, my career isn’t something that keeps me up at night. I’m one of the lucky ones who has always known exactly what she wanted to do with her life, right from a young age. I have pursued my professional aspirations — with fervor — since the moment I realized journalism and writing could be a full-time gig. From endless internships and writing for free until someone finally decided to pay me, most of the time, my work doesn’t feel like work, but rather something I enjoy and happen to be skilled at. This confidence and calm has served me well throughout my journey, and it’s also taught me a few valuable lessons. Here, a few tips from someone who doesn’t get super-anxious about work and how you can apply the principles. How to stop to stop worrying about your career:Recognize the power of your thoughtsBlame it on having a mother who is an astrologer but I believe in the power of the universe. And more so, I am always alert to what words I’m using to describe myself, my work and my attitude. Because writing is a passion, the adjectives I associate with this part of my life are positive, exciting and encouraging. I’ve never doubted my ability to string together sentences, hustle for a byline or to land a client, so I rarely think negative about my professional sphere. On the other hand, I struggled for year (read: a decade) with dating before I met my partner. He was worth the ups and downs, but it wasn’t until I started to shift my mental patterns about finding love that I was in the right head space to meet him. If you are anxious about your career or your ability to snag that dream gig, start with the way you talk to yourself. What you say you are, you are — and what you think, becomes your reality. Pay attention and shift appropriately.Don't hold onto the failuresThe road to becoming a full-time freelance travel and lifestyle journalist and owner of a content strategy company definitely hasn’t been smooth sailing from day one. In fact, a big part of my job description is remaining collected when I receive a rejection. Or an article is returned for revisions. Or, I don’t get a client I thought I had in the bag. Whatever the case, I allow myself to mourn the setback… and then I let it go. I also have learned — over many trails and errors — not to take anything personally. Perhaps an editor had a rough morning, and they took it out on their writers. Or my writing style wasn’t a fit for a particular publication. The more you hold onto your shortcomings, the more they define your overall perception of yourself as a professional. Though I may be more sensitive about my body image, when it comes to my career, I’m able to absorb in the comments, release them, and move forward.Celebrate the winsIf there’s anything my friends know about me, it’s that I love a reason to celebrate. I always keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge, I have a drawer full of cards for every occasion, and I never let a birthday go by without doting on my loved ones to the extreme. I apply the same philosophy to my career: when my dream byline went live, I held an impromptu happy hour. When I managed to meet a savings goal, I treated myself (and my boyfriend) to a nice dinner. These milestones may not be much in the grand scheme of a career, but if you aren’t proud of yourself — how can you expect others to be? No matter how you take a moment to reflect on a win, that pause is non-negotiable. It will help foster your self-esteem and give you the motivation you need to push harder.Foster trust in yourselfEven though it isn’t 100 percent true, I find peace in the parts of my life that I feel like I can control. While I couldn’t magically snap my fingers and meet a wonderful guy when I was single, I could hustle hard-time and find new clients. Part of why I don’t suffer from as much anxiety from my career is because I know with diligence, ambitious and determination, I will always keep chugging along. Most importantly, I trust myself to never give up. I also trust my abilities, my judgement and my performance, which automatically sets me up for success. The more that you can remind yourself that hey, I’m worthy and I’m ready for the next big thing, the more convincing you will be to other people you meet along the way.You have to love itSure, not everyone will be head-over-heels for their profession. Not everyone has a lifelong passion. When many people struggle to figure out what to do with their careers, they will make an excuse that "I don’t really like anything that much." This isn’t true for anyone, since working doesn’t have to be the most fulfilling part of your life. In fact, you can love your job because it allows you to create the lifestyle that you want. Say, you’re in management and though it isn’t dreamy, you make six figures, have a flexible schedule and can go abroad four times a year. Instead of thinking about the aspects of your day-in and day-out that you don’t enjoy, you can shift your thinking to focus on what your gig gives you in return. Love can be defined in many ways, after all.So how can you stop worrying less about your career? And manifest the life you want? Start with one positive thought — and you’re on your way.

5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Get Ready to Shine in 2020
Career Growth

5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Get Ready to Shine in 2020

Do you know what date it is? Or rather, what month? The midway mark of 2019 has already come and gone — and we’re getting closer and closer to 2020. Though it’s important to live in the moment in most situations, when it comes to your career, thinking ahead is beneficial. In fact, leadership development and career expert Elizabeth Whittaker-Walker says many professionals feel a variety of emotions as they star down the second-half of the year. “Most people find themselves shocked that so much of the year has gone by,” says Whittaker-Walker. “For some, the thought of the coming seasons and new opportunities on the horizon are exciting. Others are met with anxiety, as it may feel like there’s not enough time to get all of the things done that have not yet been accomplished.”The good news? There is still plenty of time to set yourself for success in the coming year by rolling up your sleeves and getting started ASAP.Here's what you can do to prep for 2020 now:1. Review your goals -- short and long-termThe most strategic executives are highly skilled at setting goals. Not just the ones they can meet in the immediate future, but also the ones that push them to stay focused for the long haul. Amy Cooper Hakim, Ph.D., an industrial-organizational psychology practitioner and workplace expert says it’s important to check-in with yourself on how you’re tracking. “Are your everyday activities helping you to accomplish your short-term goals? Are you making important business connections and working on meaningful projects? It is important to ensure that daily activities help you to accomplish short-term goals, and that short-term goals lead to accomplishment of broader, larger goals and objectives,” she explains.She also stresses that it’s okay to change directions and shift your deadlines. In other words: maybe what you wanted in the long-term six months ago isn’t what’s on your mind today. “Make adjustments, as needed, based on where you see yourself in one, five, and ten years. Ensure that short- and long-term goals align,” she recommends. It can be helpful to write down goals with good old fashioned pen and paper, and then hang them in a place you can see them. This helps motivate you and keep you working toward something larger than the day-to-day grind. 2. Nurture relationshipsWhen you think back on the last few months, it may seem like a blur of meetings, emails, travel and conversations. This makes pinpointing specific memories difficult, and can cause you to forget just how many people you’ve met this year. Whittaker-Walker says most professionals would be surprised by the vast amount of networking that goes unnoticed or continued. Consider this your wake-up call to check in. “If there are a few folks in your contacts list that you haven’t spoken with lately, this is a great time to reach out and check-in,” she continues. “Perhaps someone is changing jobs, launching a new role, or in need of a listening ear. Use this season to catch-up, reconnect, and nurture the relationships that help you stay grounded, inspired, motivated and sharp.” 3. Request a planning meeting with your bossWhen you think about the next year — do you see yourself staying at the same job? If so, do you want a raise? A promotion? A lateral shift — or a complete pivot? Whatever your intentions, Hakim suggests setting up a meeting with your manager now. This not only shows how much you value your job and how committed your are to the company, but it’ll give you a head start on your colleagues, who don’t think about planning their futures until it’s review season. “If you are interested in remaining with your organization in 2020, take initiative and ask your boss how you may best be of help as you wrap-up 2019,” Hakim explains. “Don’t be shy to mention some top projects you’d like to lead or a new goal you’d like to hit next quarter or next year.”If you have been browsing through job openings lately because you’ve felt less than stoked about your current gig, Whittaker-Walker suggests using this as motivation to dive into your own description. Especially if you have been at your company for many years, your roles and responsibilities may have shifted dramatically and significantly – without reward or recognition. “Does your title adequately speak to the nature of your work? Are you meeting objectives? Are there opportunities to explore untapped functions of your role? Is it still aligned to your purpose? These are great questions to ask yourself when revisiting your job description,” she explains. If you discover you’re performing above and beyond, you definitely don’t need to wait until review season to ask for the extra money or title you’ve earned. “Discuss any variances you experience with your manager. Your thoroughness could position you for a title change, promotion, or special recognition for stretch roles you’ve taken on,” she says. “It could also help you understand points of dissatisfaction in your work and give you the clarity you need to explore a change.”4. Invest in yourselfThere’s a difference between being comfortable in your position and being complacent. If you can’t remember the last time you gave any thought to your LinkedIn profile, your resume or your skill set, you now have a solid five months to invest in… yourself. Hakim suggests joining a professional organization, taking a virtual course, brushing up your personal brand and other career-oriented activities that will have you soaring ahead, instead of sitting pretty. 5. Reflect on lessons learnedRather than giving into the Sunday scaries, pour yourself a glass of something bubbly while the sunshine is still out and think about your accomplishments. Your lessons. Your achievements. With a solid hour to really dive deep into your internal wisdom and to celebrate your progresses, Whittaker-Walker says you’ll gain valuable insights. “A lot can happen in 6-months, but sometimes life moves so fast that we don’t take time to reflect on all we’ve learned,” she explains. “Maybe you learned some new ways to approach communication with a particular colleague. You may have even learned that a midweek workout can make the difference between a stressful and easy work week. Take note of your discoveries and think about ways you can apply these lessons with intention as you move into the new year.”

What I Learned From Working at 65 Hotels Across 6 Continents
Career Growth

What I Learned From Working at 65 Hotels Across 6 Continents

As a travel journalist, my texts with friends almost always go like this:“Hey, want to get drinks on Thursday?”“Sorry, I can’t! I’m going to a hotel opening in Miami this weekend for work. How about next?”“Tough life, Linds!”Before you nod along with my pals here, I will preface with this: I am lucky to have a job where traveling to all parts of the globe is part of my responsibility. But also — and more importantly, in my humble opinion — I hustled hard for it. In fact, I spent 18 months traveling non-stop, where I visited and reviewed 65 hotels on six continents. In many ways, outsiders (and yes, even my dear friends) view my gig as the dream one. Who wouldn’t want to hop between one luxury hotel to another, or have the opportunity to dine at some of the most critically-acclaimed restaurants on the globe? There are so many aspects to my career that sound straight out of a movie, but the reality is much different than the glossy Instagram photos you see on your feed. Here, a few of the lesser-known hurdles — and lessons! — from being a digital nomadic writer.Lessons from freelancing:1. The job doesn’t pause for reviewsOver the next two months, I’ll travel to Turks & Caicos, Houston, Beirut, Copenhagen, and London. No matter what plane I’m boarding or what hotel I’m checking into — I’m still on deadline. In terms of writing (and many marketing gigs), a reliable income is often found in quantity, so I average 60 to 80 articles a month as a full-time freelancer. While some of these are tied to my zest for wanderlust, others are content or brand work, SEO writing, copywriting or ghostwriting. There are very few journalists — or let’s be real, professionals! — who only do one thing and have a sustainable lifestyle. To pair my travel adventures with my obligations, I have to compromise when I’m abroad. This often means skipping a sightseeing adventure to ensure I can turn in copy to my editor a few time zones away. It means declining a drink invite, or waking up at 5 a.m. for a call on another coast. It also means staying at a five-star resort under the beautiful Caribbean sun — and writing about something completely unrelated for another publication. 2. You don’t travel like most other peopleThink about when you and your family or gang of friends go away on a vacation. Your out-of-office is up, you’re ready for the drinks to free-flow ,and you will sleep in as long as your heart desires. When a travel journalist goes to a destination, it’s for work-- not for play. This means plenty of meetings, lots of experiences (dinner, classes, tours) — but they’re all on the clock. This requires professionalism, as well as self-restraint, especially when I’d prefer to have three margaritas rather than one, or want to wake up at 9 a.m., instead of 7. Truth be told? I’m more than happy to do it and consider it part of my job — but it creates that same feeling that you probably have post-work trip when you can’t wait to come back to your bed. Or when you need a day to relax and unwind before diving back into meetings, emails and duties. 3. Ethics are a constant battleIf you follow influencers, you’ll probably see #Ad or #sponsored on some of their posts. As a new requirement to stay on the right side of the law, social media superstars have to disclose when they anything for free or they’re being paid to endorse a product or place. For journalists who can’t be given a dollar amount to write specific copy, the shift in the media world has required all of us to be ethical warriors. Even if I thank a property for hosting me — which I often do — I’m under no requirement to write a word about them. This is something that has to be communicated from the get-go, as promises are never something any writer, in good faith, can make. This is where the keyword of "review" becomes essential to remember: a travel journalist accepts a visit to truly dissect a property. After all, if I wouldn’t recommend a friend to stay at a specific hotel, why would I feature the resort in a round-up of the best honeymoon destinations? Many folks see travel journalism as free travel that only requires a few sentences — but it’s the opposite. It’s forking over your time — with flights, commuting, and jet lag — to give an honest take on a place. Though I do jet set once or twice a month, I turn down many opportunities since I need time to, well, work.4. Productivity is a learned skillBefore I built my homebase in Boston, I lived in 11 countries around the world, and visited so many cities, I’ve lost count. Along the way, I would stay at various hotels for a handful of nights before retreating back to my homebase apartment. There was a stint of six weeks when I had many Mexican-themed stories and hopped across 17 different resorts across the nation. I’ve written stories on buses, trains, boats, and tuk-tuks. I’ve worked from a cabana bed, a hotel lobby, a room, the random office of a stranger — you name it. Being forced to remain on task and focused in a wide variety of circumstances and locations has made me extremely productive, no matter where I am. Most days, I write between four and six articles, all of which range from 800 to 2,000 words. Sometimes I pen these at home, other times at WeWork, and many afternoons or mornings at an airport or miles high in the air. How do I do it? Practice, mostly. But also: meditation music on Spotify, headphones, and a strategy against distractions. I close out all social media, tuck my phone away, and write until the story is finished -- no exceptions.As the digital nomadic lifestyle continues to trend in popularity, you could find yourself growing green with envy as you stalk professionals on Instagram. It’s tempting, sure, but never discount the type of discipline and hustle it takes to resist the world in lieu of a paycheck. Even if I’m living throughout the planet — my laptop is never far away. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Can This MasterClass Turn You Into a Business Genius?
Career Growth

Can This MasterClass Turn You Into a Business Genius?

The internet has been a boon for distributed learning. First came opportunities for self-directed research, like Wikipedia and Investopedia. Soon enough, actual higher learning institutions opened up online shops, allowing students to enroll from across the globe. The latest iteration of online learning focuses on personalized instruction in specific fields, offered via outlets like MasterClass.Though the site offers classes from dozens of experts across multiple subjects, entrepreneurs will likely be most interested in former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’s MasterClass in business leadership.What’s A MasterClass?MasterClass is a website that offers anyone access to lessons from some of the best minds in their fields. The instructors tend to be extremely high-profile: Think cooking lessons from chef Gordon Ramsay, acting lessons from Natalie Portman, or music production tips from Timbaland.MasterClass offers multiple access plans. For $180 per year, you can stream their entire catalog of classes, which as of now boasts 50+ celebrity instructors. Some (but not all) classes are offered a la carte, though that usually comes at a steep markup. In all cases, the classes are streamed in short-ish, easily digestible video segments.Who Is Howard Schultz?Howard Schultz is a world-renowned businessman, best known for his role as the CEO of Starbucks, which he held from 1986 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2017. He’s also a former owner of the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics, and was heavily involved in the team’s sale and eventual move to Oklahoma City.Most of the modern touches you associate with Starbucks -- the rewards program, the mobile payments, the innovative coffee drinks -- were Schultz’s brainchildren. His second stint as CEO came at a time when the company was experiencing rapid growth, but only because they were opening so many stores; same-store sales were flagging. By closing weak stores, calling for technological upgrades, and retraining the entire company, Schultz got the company back on the path to organic growth.What Will I Learn In The Howard Schultz MasterClass?The Howard Schultz MasterClass focuses on business leadership from what feels like a high-level perspective. Here’s the course listing:Jump InValues and Profits Are Not EnemiesBe CuriousDon’t Pioneer. Disrupt.Focus and Get in the MudFind the Right InvestorsCoffee BreakOverinvest in CultureHire a Values-Based TeamDon’t Manage. Lead.Cannibalize YourselfReal Leadership: What Do You Do in Crisis?OnwardAs you can see, it’s pretty pie-in-the sky stuff, more a collection of guiding principles than specific business advice. The course is structured in such a way that entrepreneurs will find the A-Z nature useful, but people in current managerial roles should still find plenty to get out of it.All told, the 13 videos span 90 minutes. (It should be noted that chapter 7, “Coffee Break,” is literally Howard Schultz showing you how he makes his favorite French press coffee.)Howard Schultz MasterClass Pros And ConsShould you sign up for Howard Schultz’s MasterClass in business leadership? Consider the following to decide for yourself.ProsHoward Schultz is world-renowned as a successful business executiveThe course takes a holistic, high-level approach that could apply to any businessHoward provides insights at all phases of a business’s lifecycle, making it useful for both budding entrepreneurs and seasoned managers.ConsIt’s extremely high-level, not technical. If you don’t have a formal business education, a 90-minute course won’t teach you the basics of finance, accounting, and managementHoward Schultz only has one perspective. If you’re truly looking to become a business leader, you’ll probably have to supplement this course with classes and books from other business icons like Jack Welch and Carl Icahn.It’s expensive. Right now, the Howard Schultz MasterClass is only available as part of the all-access package. If his MasterClass is all that interests you, $180 is a lot of money for 90 minutes of Howard Schultz talking (and making) coffee. But if the rest of the catalog interests you, it could be a great value.If you decide it’s for you, you can sign up for the class here.

How Business Conferences Are Bringing People Together With Irreplaceable Live Experiences
Career Growth

How Business Conferences Are Bringing People Together With Irreplaceable Live Experiences

In our increasingly digital age, there are many social networks that claim to do the job of connecting creative and entrepreneurial people, replacing real human interaction. But if the industry conferences being developed and run by the major movers in media are any indication, sharing a live experience is still one of the best ways to stimulate fresh ideas and develop new connections. The New York Times isn’t just writing for readers anymore — it’s inviting them to join reporters and sources to tackle big, burning questions about everything from what’s next in luxury to artificial intelligence. The Globe and Mail was recently looking for a bartender and a venue supervisor to staff its new conference space in Toronto. What started three decades ago as a series of secret meetings on the future of music has become the gigantic conference/festival hybrid SXSW in Austin, Texas. TED — which launched in the ’80s as a conference about technology, entertainment and design — has ballooned into a library of 2,000-plus talks in 100-plus languages. And at the eighth edition of C2 Montréal this year, May 22-24, over 7,000 creatively curious industry leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and other forward-thinkers will once again get together to develop the tools to take on challenges in their industries and unlock new business opportunities.So, despite fears that we’re all becoming too web- and work-obsessed in an era of swipes, clicks and snaps, getting together in real life has definitely not gone out of style.In fact, conferences are still king.From big brands to small businesses, live happenings are having a(nother) moment. Not only do conferences allow us to get away from our screens and connect on a human level, but -- from branding, networking, revenue and happiness standpoints -- they are, quite simply, good for business.Nothing beats a handshakeYou might wonder why, in 2019, when we can all just Zoom, Skype or Hangout with each other anytime, it’s still worth it for some of the world’s busiest people to hop on planes and trains to actually meet. For most of us, it’s pretty simple: at a gathering packed with diverse and engaged minds, you might hit it off with your next mentor, partner, best friend, or business soulmate. Never underestimate the places a good conversation can take you and your company.It also turns out that we’re not as good at convincing people to do things over email as we think we are. A study, published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, found face-to-face requests to be 34 times more impactful than email ones.Science also says it pays off to literally reach out. Researchers at Harvard and the University of Chicago found — in four separate studies — that physically shaking hands bodes well for negotiations and is a welcome sign of cooperation to come.Don’t underestimate the power of being there in person.Experiences help us connectOur wallets have spoken: people are collectively more keen to spend money on experiences than on things, and the business community isn’t immune to this. Cornell University’s Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a professor of psychology who studies happiness, explained to Fast Company that one of the reasons we’re all attracted to experiences over things is because we can share them with each other — they help us connect.As Huffington Post founder Ariana Huffington told The New York Times, even though digital may rule the day, “the need to actually be live and connect with human beings and listen to people in the flesh” is one of the paradoxes of our age.Since most industries rely on building and maintaining relationships, in-real-life situations can effectively set you up to meaningfully meet other people. Who doesn’t love a chance encounter?It’s faster than an MBAAnother reason events are popular despite our increasingly time-strapped world is because they pack a lot of learning in. At conference events like C2 Montréal, talks, panels, workshops and, masterclasses are designed to teach participants something tangible that they can bring back to the office, and to generate those elusive “ah-ha!” moments.Walking through someone else’s creative process, prototyping or problem solving are fine ways to get synapses firing and to make important intellectual connections. It offers you a chance to skill-up without going back to school. And the takeaways are pretty great. Once a conference is over, you can take what you learned from your experience and pay it forward for the benefit of your entire team — and it’s hard to put too high a price on that.