How to Use Social Media to Find Your Next Job

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Social media is all the rage. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more seem to be everywhere. In social media like these, we get constant updates about the relevant and not-so-relevant aspects of everyone’s lives. Here, we’ll consider a practical application of social media: finding your next job.

Social media gives you great tools for sharing information electronically with a potentially very large audience.

Try these strategies to help you land a great job:

  1. Focus your attention on people instead of companies. For instance, if you’re interested in a particular company, look at blogs and on Facebook for people who work there. You’re likely to also see the other people they know. Maybe you share an acquaintance or two. You can submit resumes to them, ask for advice, and get more contacts.
  • You’ll want to be subtle; people are unlikely to be happy about being bombarded with job requests on their own time. By starting out with a few non-intrusive messages, you should be able to make in-roads toward your goal.

 

  1. Start your own blog. By putting out content that showcases your knowledge and expertise, people will begin to see you as an expert. Blogs are easy to start, and many websites will host yours for free. Other than the work involved, it’s free advertising for your skills.

 

  1. Use Twitter. It’s becoming common to hear stories of people getting laid off, sending out a few Tweets proclaiming their new unfortunate job status, and ultimately finding a new position as a result of their Tweets.
  • With Twitter, word spreads quickly.
  • Companies are beginning to use this tool as well, for this same reason. Recruiters use Twitter to announce positions and give updates.

 

  • Here’s a quick Twitter tutorial:

1)     Go to Twitter.com and fill out your profile completely, including a professional photo of yourself.
2)     Follow everyone you know. Also follow everyone who seems like they might be able to help you find a position.
3)     Tweet away.

 

  1. Take advantage of video. In addition to more usual social media tools, video is becoming increasingly relevant. Upload a video resume to YouTube and let the world know what you can do and what you’re looking for. Check out other video resumes to get a feel for how it’s done.
  • When creating a video, keep brevity in mind. Explain your background; describe what you’re looking for and why you’d be the best person for the job. Take your time and get it right – you can rerecord as often needed.

 

  1. Consider Paid Advertising on Social Media. Also, consider Google AdWords and Facebook advertising to put the word out that you’re in job-search mode. To do this, you’ll need to make a landing page with your resume. Adding a blog, video resume, and any publications you authored would be helpful as well.

 

Social media is here to stay, so you might as well use it for something constructive. Finding employment is never enjoyable, but utilizing social media can really make a difference.

Never before has the average person had so much capability to reach so many people. Craft your message and get it out there every way you can think of.

 

Transcending the Ego

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The ego is a tricky thing. It drives us to do impressive things, but makes us miserable in the process. Many of the most successful people have the biggest egos, and most of them are also unhappy. This is because the ego is never satisfied. It always requires more to feel comfortable. Each success or accomplishment must be bigger than the last. There’s no peace.

Move beyond your ego to find true peace and happiness:

Avoid taking anything personally. Other people have bad days too. You sometimes misinterpret the intention of others. Your imagination is partially fueled by your ego.

  • Even if someone insults you directly, their words are nothing more than sound. The sound of a tree falling wouldn’t offend you. An insult is no different. Only your ego makes it so.

Avoid comparing yourself to others. Are you better than someone else if you own a bigger home or wear nicer clothes? Is someone better than you if they get the job you desire? Each person has a value that is immeasurable. Comparisons prove nothing.

Seek a healthy body, rather than society’s ideal. Your ideal body is the one that gives you the greatest level of health.

  • The best body shape for you is unlikely to be the most attractive possible body to others. Do you want to be healthy or impress others?

Recognize your separateness from your thoughts and emotions. You are not your thoughts or your emotions. You are the consciousness that witnesses these things. When you are able to see your separation from your thoughts, you can also see the separateness you have from the things that happen around you.

  • When you view the world in this manner, your ego can’t be touched.

Avoid reacting. Respond instead. The ego attempts to influence you to act quickly and without contemplation. The longer you wait to respond to your negative feelings, the more likely you are to avoid the ego.

Avoid criticizing others. When you offer criticism, you’re saying that there is a better way. Give up your need to be right and correct others. Ask yourself why you criticize. In the end, it’s only to make yourself feel better.

  • Even if you believe you’re trying to be helpful, you’re still trying to feel good about yourself. If you’re ego-free, you’ll lose the desire to criticize.

Question your motivations. Imagine you’re buying a new car. Ask yourself why. Do you really need a new car? Is your current car adequate? If you need a new car, ask yourself if you’re considering appropriate cars and for appropriate reasons.

• Are you considering what your friends, family, and neighbors will think about your choice?

• Are you buying a more expensive or larger car than you need?

• Always question your motivations. You’ll often find your ego is a driving force.

The ego can limit your success and happiness. Consider that your ego can stop you from trying if you’re afraid of failure. Your ego can make you unhappy if your neighbor has a boat and you don’t. Your ego has a million ways it can undermine your future and your present. It can even make your past look worse than it was.

Our society worships things that often come more easily to those with insatiable egos. However, it’s a trap. Learn how to move past your ego and you’ll find life to be more satisfying.

8 Strategies for Successfully Dealing With Rejection

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Rejection can sting, but it doesn’t have to derail your efforts or your future. Rejection is a part of life that everyone must face. While rejection isn’t enjoyable, it’s rarely fatal. Luckily, there are strategies you can use to help you use rejection as a stepping-stone to success.

Try these tips to deal with rejection quickly and effectively, so you can move on:

1. Take a short break. Whether a potential romantic partner, your boss, or a Hollywood director rejected you, take a short period of time to grieve and pull yourself together. Avoid taking too long to reengage with your life, though. Take the time you need, but get back out there as quickly as possible.

2. Realize that many other opportunities exist. How many potential romantic partners exist in the world? Millions. You’ll have other ideas to pitch to your company. A single rejection only means that you’re participating in the world. The only people that don’t get rejected are at home on the couch.

• There are plenty of opportunities in your future. Many of them are far better than your recent miss.

3. Learn from the rejection. Was there something that you could have done better? Take the opportunity to really look at the rejection and learn from it. If you can learn one small thing from each negative experience in your life, you’ll have far fewer of them.

• If appropriate, ask what you can do to improve. A job interviewer might be very willing to give you a few pointers that you can apply in the future. Listen closely to the answers you receive.

• Some quests have a low success rate. For example, you can offer home sellers fifty cents on the dollar to buy their house and 99% will reject your offer. Accept that a certain amount of rejection is part of any endeavor.

4. Avoid automatically assuming that the reason for the rejection is related to you. For instance, there are hundreds of reasons why a woman might refuse to go out with you that have nothing to do with you personally:

• She’s already involved with someone else.
• She’s interested in members of the opposite sex.
• She just got out of a long-term relationship.
• She’s moving soon.
• Her mother is ill and she’s caring for her.

5. Remember that each rejection is bringing you closer to success. How can you fail if you avoid quitting? Keep at it and you’ll eventually find the success you’re seeking. Sales people are trained to believe that every “no” is another step closer to a “yes.”

6. Remember that everyone deals with rejection. The most successful people get rejected the most. They just do a better job of forging ahead than those with average results.

7. Monitor your self-talk. Keep your thoughts positive and upbeat. A poor mood and expectations give poor results. Say good things to yourself and good things will happen.

8. Treat yourself well. A failure isn’t an excuse to mistreat yourself. Overeating, consumption of alcohol, or excessive spending isn’t the answer. Celebrate the fact that you made an effort. Maybe your rejection even deserves a small reward.

Rejection is just an undesired outcome. It’s no different than missing the strike zone during a baseball game. You wouldn’t walk off the mound after one errant pitch. You’d keep throwing the ball. Avoid allowing rejection to have a negative impact on your mood or behavior. Learn, grow, and try again.

Who Else Wants a Resume That Captures the Real You?

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To write a resume these days you need to squeeze yourself into one page, check off all the required keywords, and avoid saying anything that might get you screened out. No wonder you often wind up looking like just another systems administrator or social studies teacher!

Meanwhile, employers want to know who candidates really are. Researchers at Texas Christian University studied 244 recruiters and found they made inferences about applicants’ extraversion, openness to experience, and conscientiousness based on their paperwork. Unfortunately, those guesses were largely invalid and unreliable.

It’s time to help each other out. Learn how to use the style and content of your resume to let the real you shine through.

Style Tips

  1. State your name. Small items like nicknames and middle initials can add up to a big difference in the impression you make. Ask a friend for their opinion of what sounds professional and engaging.
  2. Choose your font. As long as it’s easy to read on a phone or tablet, you can pick from a wide range of options. Maybe you prefer the traditional Times Roman or Calibri or you’re prepared to be a little more daring with the less-common Garamond.
  3. Set your margins. Even your margins can say something about you. Justified text that’s even on the left and right tends to look more formal. On the other hand, ragged edges look friendlier, and can be easier to skim.
  4. Print it out. As long as your potential employer isn’t committed to minimizing paper, you may want to send a backup copy after your electronic submission. Take the opportunity to stand out with lightly patterned paper that won’t interfere with readability. Choose a neutral color like cream or light grey.
  5. Proof read. In addition to anything else you want to communicate, let the hiring manager know you’re conscientious. Have a second pair of eyes check your materials for grammar and spelling.
  6. Videotape it. Call ahead to see if the company you’re interested in welcomes video applications or tries to avoid them to minimize the risk of bias. If you receive the go-ahead, you can use technology to make a personal appearance early in the process.

 

Content Tip

  1. Tell stories. Why settle for saying you’re energetic when you can use a real-life example that shows your strengths in action? Edit your accomplishments and career summary to include some interesting anecdotes.
  2. Focus on recognition. Reinforce your point by mentioning what others say about you. Drop in a testimonial from a former boss or client. List your honors and awards.
  3. Use numbers. Create a vivid and specific image by quantifying your track record. Tell how many employees you’ve supervised or how much time you’ve saved.
  4. Include skills and training. Your proficiency with computer software or foreign languages may give you an advantage. Make it memorable by adding in some background on how you stay current, whether it’s summer travel or evening courses.
  5. Describe interests. Personal interests don’t have to sound silly. You may discover that you and your new boss have something in common like tennis or baking.
  6. Report your volunteer work. Community service will impress any progressive organization, and suggest your values. Record the hours you’ve spent building homes or answering phones.

 

Personalizing your resume helps you stand out and find a workplace where you’re more likely to feel like you belong. When you’re customizing your application for each positon, take a few extra minutes to include some details that will tell hiring managers what makes you special.

Why Your LinkedIn Head Shot May Be Holding You Back

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Recruiters, colleagues, and potential clients are 14 times more likely to click on your LinkedIn profile if you have a photo. If you’re spending hours editing your summary statement, ensure you give equal time to the images.

Speaking of images, researchers also say that most viewers take only about one-tenth of a second to form judgements about how trustworthy and competent you are. Learn how to make your LinkedIn photo say what you want it to say and deliver the message quickly.

Tried and True Tips for Your LinkedIn Photo

Numerous studies show some techniques are effective for any line of work or any stage in your career. When you’re trying to convey your professionalism, it’s usually okay to look a little conventional.

  1. Smile and squinch. A smile makes you look friendly and approachable, and even increases your happiness. Squinching refers to the lines that appear when you narrow your eyes, a sign that your grin is genuine.
  2. Stay updated. You may lose some credibility if your photo doesn’t look like you when you show up in person. Take a new shot every couple of years.
  3. Focus on your face. Making your face about 60% of the image is a good rule of thumb. Crop it from the shoulders up.
    Make eye contact. Holding eye contact encourages positive feelings. Take off your sunglasses and watch out for glare so the viewer will be able to connect with you.
  4. Dress for work. Put on clothes that you would wear to an interview for your dream job. For most professionals, that means business or business casual looks. Solid colors tend to be more flattering than busy patterns.
  5. Hire a professional. Investing in a visit to a professional photography studio could pay off. Ask around for referrals and check out work samples. If you’re on a tight budget, ask a friend or family member who’s handy with a camera.
  6. Skip recycling. Suppose you have a shot you love from your last vacation or your cousin’s wedding? Unfortunately, you’ll probably lose points if you have to crop out the background or your girlfriend’s knees.
  7. Be consistent. Become more recognizable. Use the same image on other social media platforms and websites.
  8. Seek feedback. Check out photofeeler, a free online service that gives you unbiased opinions from strangers. It even breaks down the ratings for qualities like confidence, trustworthiness, and influence.

Innovative Tips for Your LinkedIn Photo

 On the other hand, maybe you need to stand out or communicate your unique personal brand. Experiment with these more creative ideas.

  1.  Play with color. Vivid background colors grab attention. See how you look in a field of orange or purple.
  2. Highlight your passions. While it’s usually a good idea to leave pets and children out of LinkedIn photos, you may be the exception if you’re a veterinarian or a nanny. Similarly, a musician playing or a chef cooking may be more persuasive than the usual head and shoulders shot.
  3. Create balance. If your photo is a little daring, let the rest of your profile show your serious side. Write a compelling headline. Gather impressive recommendations and endorsements. Change your custom LinkedIn URL to your full name.
  4. Supplement it. Add additional media to your profile. SlideShare presentations, YouTube videos, and Instagram posts help to make you more interesting and engaging.

Your LinkedIn photo is an important ingredient in your professional brand. When you’re picking images that will advance your career, appearing approachable and competent is more important than looking like a movie star.

8 Mistakes Successful People Don’t Make – or Don’t Repeat

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Do you keep making the same mistakes? If you do, you might find that you make little progress in your life. There is a huge opportunity to learn from your mistakes. Those that successfully learn from their mistakes wind up being highly successful. Those that repeat them struggle. Imagine how your life would be different if you never made the same mistake twice.

Learn from your mistakes and vow to never repeat them:

1. Successful people avoid making excuses. Excuses are preparations for failure. An excuse is a justification to fail or quit. No one will resolve your challenges for you. Take responsibility and do the best you can.

2. Fail to have an objective. Life without goals is a random experience. Unfortunately, without a direction, your life will tend to get worse rather than better. Have a goal or expect to be disappointed.

• What are your goals right now? Do you have them written down? What do you think you’ll accomplish over the next six months if you don’t have any goals?

• Create 3-5 goals that you can accomplish over the next six months.

3. Fail to have a plan. If you have a goal, you must have a plan for achieving it. One isn’t much good without the other. Avoid hoping and wishing your goals will come true on their own. Take the bull by the horns.

4. Successful people don’t repeat their mistakes. Most of us make the same mistakes repeatedly. Whether it’s making a poor choice in a mate, overspending, or trying to gain new customers through ineffective means, people are creatures of habit. Make habits of your effective behaviors, rather than your ineffective behaviors.

5. Expect others to change. Is it easy to change your own attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors? And you want to change! Consider how hard it would be to change someone else. And they don’t want to change! You can’t change others.

6. Choosing comfort over progress. Perhaps the largest mistake of those who struggle in life is the tendency to place short-term comfort over long-term advantages. This is a very ineffective way to deal with life. This is the friend that asks to sleep on your couch for a few days and is still there after three months.

7. Not playing to their strengths. The most successful people take full advantage of their strengths at every opportunity. While it’s admirable to work on your weaknesses, most successful people choose to avoid them. You can’t be good at everything. Use your talents and strengths as much as possible.

8. Ignoring the little things. It’s the little things that will derail your efforts. It’s easy to ignore the seemingly mundane details, but those details can make all the difference in the end.

Make use of your mistakes. Learn from them and decide to avoid them in the future. Life is easy if you don’t repeat your errors.

What are the major mistakes you’ve made repeatedly? Why do you think you repeat them? Do you lack awareness of your mistakes?

Examine the challenges in your life and ask yourself why they occurred. What could you have done differently to avoid those challenges? It’s worthwhile to spend some time each week reviewing the past week. Determine your mistakes and ensure that you don’t repeat them. Watch how quickly your life changes!

The Secret to Staying in the Loop at Work

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Whatever your job description says, staying in the loop is a primary responsibility. You need information and knowledge to do your work effectively.

However, there are many reasons why you might wind up on the sidelines. While your employee manual probably tells you how to fill in your time sheet and follow the dress code, it doesn’t mention how to ensure you’re invited to essential meetings and debriefed when you return from business trips.

Discover the secret to keeping current on what’s going on at the office. Use these tips to identify and fix common obstacles to staying in the loop.

Internal Obstacles to Staying in the Loop: 

  1. Network internally. To see the big picture, you probably need to look beyond your own department. Reaching out to staff members in sales or human resources can show you how your tasks affect each other. Invite someone out to lunch or join them in the break room.
  2. Attend meetings. Accept invitations even when your presence is not required. Let others know that you’re interested in upcoming events.
  3. Manage projects. Volunteering to coordinate activities helps you stay on top of details. You have a valid reason to confirm whether milestones are being reached and how that affects related deadlines.
  4. Contact former colleagues. Ex-employees may feel free to discuss sensitive subjects. Stay in touch.
  5. Monitor your industry. Do you keep up with business news in your field? Being informed about downturns or key leadership changes could prevent unpleasant surprises.
  6. Share information. The more generous you are with your resources, the more likely others are to reciprocate. Try to be transparent whenever possible.
  7. Confirm rumors. The office grapevine may contain some gems, but you need to separate fact from fiction. If appropriate, ask management to clear up the confusion while you keep your eyes and ears open.
  8. Be patient. There may be legitimate reasons why some information is confidential. Give others the benefit of the doubt. Instead of taking things personally, work at finding solutions.

 

External Obstacles to Staying in the Loop: 

  1. Promote cooperation. Employees might hoard information as a way to protect their turf due to insecurities and competitive pressures. You can help them to relax by encouraging team spirit and demonstrating a commitment to helping others succeed.
  2. Appeal to self-interest. For fast results, let your peers know what’s in it for them. Your office mate might give you those figures you’ve been waiting for right away if she knows you’ll finish a report you’re both responsible for.
  3. Repair oversights. Is a former buddy giving you a cold shoulder because you forgot to tell them that a project was cancelled? Let them know that you appreciate their efforts and regret how your actions affected them.
  4. Find alternatives. Maybe your co-workers are just too busy to give you the status reports you’re hoping for. Be creative about taking another route like checking meeting minutes or reorganizing the work flow.
  5. Communicate with your boss. Your supervisor may not realize how much time and energy you waste digging for data to complete your assignments. Collaborate on procedures that make optimum use of your resources, whether it’s weekly calls or daily chats. Treat each other with respect and earn each other’s trust.

 

Feeling left out can take a heavy toll on job satisfaction and performance. Focus on building an inclusive office culture where each team member has the opportunity to be valued and connected. Staying in the loop will help you to enjoy your work and accomplish more.

 

Tired of Working Without Recognition?

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Employees want it, managers know it’s important, and it usually doesn’t cost a dime. When you look at it that way, you’d expect to be drowning in recognition at work.

Yet, a recent Gallup poll showed that lack of workplace appreciation is a major concern among employees.

It’s not that surprising when you think about the possible reasons. Some of your coworkers could feel too competitive to notice you. Your boss could think that keeping you on the payroll proves they’re satisfied with your performance, and any of your colleagues could be uncomfortable or unfamiliar with handing out praise.

If you want to feel valued, you may need to shake things up. Start with these suggestions for creating more recognition for yourself and your colleagues.

Giving Recognition to Others

If you encourage a more grateful and caring office culture, some of the benefits are bound to come your way. Plus, you’ll avoid the potential pitfalls of conspicuous self-promotion

  1. Share credit. Put your ego aside and show that you’re interested in the whole team. If you acknowledge others’ contributions, they’re more likely to do the same for you.
  2. Praise skillfully. Specific feedback is more effective than general statements. Recognize your coworkers for their negotiation skills or marketing savvy instead of just saying that they did a great job. Remember that sincerity counts too.
  3. Support formal programs. If your employer has established recognition programs, learn the details and participate enthusiastically. You may be the next employee of the month.
  4. Socialize more. Ensure you get to know your colleagues. Take time out for small talk and listen closely to what they have to say. Communicate in person rather than relying on email and texts.
  5. Build your network. Develop a habit of helping others. Nurturing relationships will give you allies who believe in your abilities and talents.

Gaining Recognition for Yourself

You can still call attention to your accomplishments in a constructive way. Learn how to increase your visibility without having to brag

  1. Ask for feedback. Find out what others think of your performance. Constructive feedback helps you to learn and grow.
  2. Track your achievements. Document your victories on a regular basis so you’re ready to show how your work makes a difference. Come up with compelling stories to make your experiences interesting to share on social media or your next job evaluation.
  3. Stay updated. Be knowledgeable and informed about your industry. Read annual reports and news stories. Attend conferences and networking events.
  4. Accept compliments graciously. When you do receive recognition, take advantage of the opportunity. Express your gratitude and let others know that they’ve brightened your day. Enjoy your moment in the sun without feeling self-conscious.
  5. Talk with your boss. Work at having a strong and positive relationship with your supervisor. Clarify their priorities and make them your own.
  6. Expand your role. Pay attention to how your position fits into the bigger picture. Think strategically and look for ways to take on more responsibility. Volunteer for high-profile projects or serve on a committee with coworkers you want to get to know better.
  7. Project confidence. You’re more likely to receive recognition if you believe in your own worth. Stand tall and minimize nervous gestures. Make eye contact and speak up at meetings.

Unconditional self-esteem is the most profound recognition you can receive at work or home, but it’s nice to know that your colleagues appreciate you too. Being acknowledged for your contributions makes your job more enjoyable and increases your chances for advancement.

Is Working From Home a Good Choice for You?

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Do you fantasize about waking up in the morning, walking sleepily down the hall to your home office with a steaming Cup of Joe, and plopping down in your chair to start working? Imagine the amount of money you’ll save on gas, clothing, and childcare working from home. With today’s technology, it’s possible to make your fantasy of working at home a reality.

Consider the following as you decide whether you’re a good candidate for working from home:

  1. Do you work for a national or international company? The larger the company, often the more flexibility you’ll have to work from home.
  2. Is your company progressive? If the owners and management think out of the box and embrace change, you’re in a great position to inquire about working at home.
  3. Do you have a computer-oriented job? If most of your work is on the computer, present a good argument as to how you can remain productive working from home. As long as you have a computer at home, you can get the proper software to perform your job at home.

          You’ll have less co-worker interruptions when you work at home. If your house is quieter than working in a buzzing, lively office setting, you might be able to get more work done each day.

  1. Can you obtain the special supplies your job requires? For example, a design architect will need a drafting table and various drawing tools, plus a computer to work from home. The nature of your work is a huge determinant as to whether you can work from home.
  2. You’ll need a designated workspace. Nothing fancy, a desk and chair devoted to work will suffice, along with a computer and internet connection.
  3. How flexible is your boss? Supervisors and managers who demonstrate more flexibility in the work setting are more likely to agree to a trial period where you work at home. If your supervisor knows you well and understands your work, then they might be more willing allow a trial work at home situation.

During the trial period, you have an opportunity to demonstrate how well you can perform in your own home setting.
When speaking with your supervisor, remember to mention that companies that promote more flexible work schedules benefit from less absenteeism and have reduced turnover. 

  1. Can you motivate yourself to get your work done? If you want to work from home, it’s important for you to possess certain personal and professional characteristics. Are you a self-starter? Can you diligently follow a work schedule?

If you’re self-motivated and super-responsible, it’s likely you’ll be able to work from home with great success.

  1. Can you prevent distractions at home? Think about everything that could interrupt or disturb your work efforts at home. It will be necessary for you to take steps to ensure your work won’t be disrupted.

However, if you live alone or with a partner that works away from home full-time during the same time you’ll be doing your job, you’re already ahead of the game in terms of creating a productive work environment

Depending on your company, the type of work you do, and your motivation, working from home might be a perfect solution. Think through these considerations to help you determine whether working in a home office setting is right for you. In the end, it just may pay off for you and your employer in terms of productivity and employee satisfaction.

6 Ways to Make Time for YOU in Your Hectic Life

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Do you push yourself to be all that you can be? In your drive for excellence, you may take on so many projects that life often seems chaotic. In the midst of doing it all, do you remember to take time for yourself?

Spending time on YOU is critical! It enables you to feel rested, calm, stress-free, and fulfilled. When you’ve had proper rest, you can accomplish more and maintain the stamina to continue.

On the other hand, if you neglect to make time for yourself, you’re more likely to become depressed, stressed, or unhappy.

Perhaps you feel that there’s just not enough time for you. Somewhere in the mix, you lost any time you ever had for yourself. However, the good news is that, with some creativity and perseverance, you can recapture some of that critical you-time!

Consider using these strategies to reap some rejuvenating time for yourself:

  1. Pencil yourself in. Make time for yourself by adding it as a priority in your schedule. As you fill out your planner, include it along with your other important tasks and stick to the appointment!
  2. Give yourself 15 minutes when you get home. Insist on at least 15 minutes of recoup and rejuvenation time when you get home from work. If you have to lock yourself away from stressors or even family members, than that’s what you must do! This time allows you to properly transition from your work life to your home life.
  • Explain this new technique to your family so that they understand its importance. This way, no one feels like you’re just avoiding them!
  • A simple strategy is to soak in the bath for 15 minutes. The water will relax you, and you’ll feel refreshed after a long day.
  1. Take advantage of your lunch break. Your lunch break is there for you to do what you please. After you eat, make good use of your time by going for a walk, exercising, listening to inspiring music, or even get in a bit of shopping if that’s what relaxes you.
  2. Enjoy a break while the kids nap. Here’s a good tip for stay at home moms. Give yourself some much needed “you” time whenever your children sleep. You might be tempted to get as much work done as you can while they’re asleep, but you’ll find you actually get more done if you give yourself a chance to rest and rejuvenate yourself.
  • Explore new ways of accomplishing things like household tasks while your kids are up. For example, turn chores into learning games that you can all participate in.
  1. Go to sleep earlier. Going to sleep earlier at night will enable you to get up in time to enjoy some morning “me” time. Just think how pleasant it would be to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning without having to look at your watch.
  2. Take a vacation day. Take a vacation day to just relax and do whatever you like. You don’t have to take a trip to take a vacation! Time spent on your favorite hobbies will also rejuvenate you. When you return to work, your renewed energy may surprise you!

At first glance, these strategies may look difficult to implement into your busy routine. A good way to get started with them is to incorporate just one at a time. That way, you only have to adjust to one small change. As you become accustomed to that one strategy, you can add another, and then another, until one day you’ll find that making time for yourself is easy.

Once you learn to make time for you, you’ll have more energy and time to enjoy the good things life has to offer.