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5 Ways To Return To Work And Combat The Post-Holiday Blues

Whether you like it or not, the Holiday Season is almost over.

After a substantial amount of time away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it is time to get back to your “normal” life. Gone are the few days of feast and serenity!

As you return to your regular routines at work, school, or home…you may feel stressed, uncomfortable, and disoriented. This unwanted feeling is called Post-Holiday or Post-Vacation Blues. However, with a bit of conscious planning and other strategies, you can actually ease back to normalcy without feeling its burden.

1. PLAN AHEAD

Instead of having the stress of last-minute preparations, it is best to come back from your overseas trip on Saturday instead of Sunday. The extra day will give you enough time to fix your things, to pick up a few essentials, and to browse your emails. Thus, it will lessen the impact and load of your “first” working day.

2. REVIEW YOUR CALENDAR

Since you have been away for quite some time, you will probably need to be reminded about what is going on. Regularly browse and mark your calendar for the next couple of days to stay updated with the upcoming projects, meetings, and other concerns. By doing so, you will be able to come prepared and avoid the embarrassment of being caught off guard.

3. CLEAN YOUR WORKSPACE

Upon entering your cubicle or desk, you may see stacks of unopened documents, scattered files, and untidy stationery items. Take a few minutes to take it all in. After which have a rubbish bin near you while you filter through the envelopes, emails, and files. Recognize what needs to be junked and what needs to kept. The earlier you complete this, the more time you have for other important tasks.

4. REMOVE DISTRACTIONS

To make your work as quicker and as efficiently as possible, you must remove all the unnecessary distractions such as electronic devices. Turn off your handphone and close your social media accounts for at least 20 minutes.

Use a productive writing tool such as Q10 to allow you to scribe without interruptions from your desktop clutter. Or you may install a free site blocking extension such as StayFocusd. With fewer or no distractions, use your time to focus on the task at hand!

5. SEEK HELP

In the early days of your transition, keeping up with your daily workloads may feel like a circus. Do not fret, as it is unavoidable. Ask for your co-worker or manager’s help. A well-staffed business should be more than capable to assist or even absorb your task.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Remember, you do not always have to do everything by yourself!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

Surefire Ways To Stay Productive At Work

The lack of productivity can lead to stress, missed assignments, overlooked opportunities, demotion, suspension, and even termination. Thankfully, you can gain productivity through healthy and inexpensive ways. All you have to do is to feel great. You read that right! If you feel better holistically, you become an efficient worker.

So, stay productive at work with these five tips:

1. WAKE UP EARLY

Waking up early gives you an opportunity to get more things done and to earn more in the process. Also, mornings are usually the time when your brain is most focused and alert. Not to mention, there are fewer distractions in the early hours of the day anyway so you can really achieve more things, smoothly.

2. PLEASE TAKE BREAKS

Much like a computer, your brain will needs resetting, refreshing, and de-fragmenting of data in order for the information and memory to be in order. And, if you are able to organize your memory and thoughts properly, you will be able to receive and digest new information easily. Furthermore, you can even solve the problems you had pending! A good 5-20 minutes of break will do the trick.

3. AVOID DISTRACTIONS

In a world where the Internet rules, you must avoid distractions by closing tabs that you do not need, keeping your phone on silent, and by not logging onto your social media accounts. If your browser and phone are kept away and only to be used in emergency cases then, you will find yourself to be more productive than ever!

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

4. REGULAR EXERCISE

A study found that 30-60 minutes of lunch break spent on exercise boosted the workers’ overall performances by approximately 15%. These employees reported better time management skills, increase in satisfaction, and increase in ability to meet the deadlines. Thus, taking a break to keep your blood pumping at work can elevate your productivity.

5. GET QUALITY SLEEP

Getting enough sleep brings you more energy and mental clarity. If your new sleeping arrangement does not seem to work, you can consider to take polyphasic sleep. Polyphasic sleep is a practice of sleeping multiple times throughout the day. It is usually consist of sleeping more than the two times a day. In result, you spend more time awake each day and that could make you more productive.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1 & 2

Which Would You Choose: Money Or Passion?

“Let your passion serve as your energy source to keep you going.”

– Psychology Of Love, Money, & Life

As you may have noticed, I am a firm believer of following what you love in work and in life. Dedicating your life in search for that one thing you love and value the most is paramount. Even Philosopher Dan Dennett claims that it is the secret to unlocking happiness.

If I were asked to choose between money or passion, I would choose the latter. However, reality entails that some people fail in the process of pursuing their passion.

Let me start by discussing the benefits of following your passion…

1. DESIRE IS IMPORTANT IN VENTURING THE UNKNOWN

In venturing the unknown, it is important to do something head on with your desire. You can either be doing something you are passionate about or do something that will logically lead to the work you love. Only then will you be able to give your 100% without feeling like work is forced upon you. Furthermore, you will be more motivated to work for longer hours.

2. COMING UP WITH BETTER IDEAS

Your passion will ignite your creativity and resourcefulness. You can freely pour yourself to you work and come up with better ideas.

3. PASSION AIDS IN NEW OBSTACLES

When you are trying to attempt something new or face new obstacles in work, you do not want to give up easily. Well, passion aids in that as it acts as your motivation to keep you in your career path.

4. PASSION BREEDS FULFILLMENT

Passion will certainly give you a sense of fulfillment. In fact, research showed that people who make regular progress toward something they care about reported not only being fulfilled but also satisfied.

With its bountiful benefits, why do some people fail in the pursuit of their passion?

1. THEY FOLLOW WRONG ADVICE

Some people listen to the “so-called experts” that sells strategies to get rich quick. But let us face it, if money is your passion, you would have to work for it. There is easy way to get the pot of gold!

2. THEY DO NOT HAVE REALISTIC PLANS

To be successful while following your passion, you need to develop a well-researched realistic plan that covers all bases. You must understand what your “meaningful work” requires physically, emotionally, and financially.

3. THEY LACK COMMITMENT

Some people who quit their jobs to pursue what they love may not realize the amount of time and effort it requires. So when bad things happen, they lack the commitment and hard work to continue on.

4. THEY LACK KNOWLEDGE ON MONEY MANAGEMENT

If you cannot afford to do something you are passionate about then, you better contemplate on your decision. Before doing so, make sure that you can attend to your basic needs such as food and shelter (as seen on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs). To be financially successful, you need to appreciate and love money too, not just for the sake of making them.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

After knowing all these, analyze the Pros and Cons and evaluate your situation while keeping in mind the cost of living comfortably in Singapore.

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

How To Land Your Dream Job Without Spending A Dollar

Landing your dream job or any job can be a challenging task. But, it is definitely worth the effort. Throughout the process, you will have to tap into your creative mind and stay motivated. Here are 6 tips that can help you…

1. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS

Job portals or online classified ads such as Jobstreet and Monster have articles that can teach you how to make a professional Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) wherein your qualifications are presented efficiently. For example, it is recommended to have no more than a page for every 10 years of experience.

2. MAKE YOUR C.V. EYE-CATCHING

Your C.V. will stand out from a pile of other candidates if you add a sparkle of creativity. Use Adobe Photoshop for retouching your photos or Prezi.com for making an interactive presentation. As much as possible, make the content specific and concise.

3. MAXIMIZE YOUR ONLINE JOB SEARCH

If job portals have no listings that match your qualifications, then submit your C.V. to the employers’ websites directly. Most websites have “Careers or Jobs” tab on the home page. By doing so, you are actively pursuing new openings.

4. SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND

Aside from researching for job openings online, go outside and talk to your friends, family, church-mates or fellow spinning classmates…they might just have a position for you. But, you shall never ask a person you just met for a job; ask them for career advice and contacts. The more people you share your goals to, the greater your chance of scoring a lead.

5. RESEARCH

Research the companies that interest you. Find out about their job operation, products, and services. If you are acquainted with some of the employees in the firm then, ask them about the skills that are valued most when hiring and the job opportunities that are available at the moment.

6. WORK YOUR WAY IN

You will never know if you’re suited for the company unless you try it yourself. Even though there are no current full-time positions available, consider internships, freelance, and volunteering opportunities.

Image Credits: Kevin Dooley

This will benefit you because big companies tend to hire within and the experience will fill the gaps in your C.V.

How To Earn Decent Money While You Travel

Tired of spending money while you travel? Then, do the opposite instead. To help you survive on the road or to give your travel fund a boost, explore creative ways to earn money while traveling. Here are 5 Ways to help you start…

Image Credits: Moyan Brenn via Flickr

1. TEACH ENGLISH

Hundreds of job opportunities that cater to TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certified individuals, native English speakers or people who are fluent in the said language. A simple way to make a buck is to check out Dave Sperling’s ESL Cafe.

ESL Cafe is a website that is open for people who teach English and provides them students from around the world. You may send your resume or C.V. to schools and individuals in South Korea, China, Japan, and other locations.

You can also teach English online abroad while you travel.

2. ONLINE FREELANCE WORK

Whether you have a talent in writing, marketing, administrative work, advertising, legal work, engineering, illustrating, and web design among others…there are websites that provide opportunities for online freelance work. You can do your job anywhere even if you’re inside your Bali hotel’s balcony enjoying seaside view.

You can be an Odesk.com online freelancer. Payment is painless because Credit Cards, PayPal accounts, and Bank Accounts are accepted. There are work diaries that capture your work-in-progress and snapshots your screen so don’t try to cheat.

3. GET A WORKING HOLIDAY VISA OR WORK HOLIDAY PASS

By getting a working holiday visa or a work holiday pass you may legally work in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, France, Ireland, and Canada while you travel. The general age of qualification is aged 18 to 30. Aside from working, one sweet deal is that you may stay for up to a year in some cases.

Singapore also offers the same pass to people who studied or graduated in universities from nine countries namely: New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, and United States.

4. HOSTEL, RESTAURANT, AND RESORT JOBS

In exchange for free bedroom accommodation, why don’t you work in either the hostel’s front desk or the cleaning services? Hostels are usually looking for new staff and the same goes for resorts.

For resorts, you make take on jobs on the front desk, restaurant, and entertainment department.

Lying on the country’s classified ads are cafe or restaurant job opportunities. Flip it open and apply. Explore your options to choose the best working hour that fits your travel itineraries.

5. BE CREATIVE

There are tons of ways to earn and all you have to do is get creative.

Image Credits: martinak15 via Flickr

What valuable talent or goods can you offer in exchange of money or free accommodation? You may teach Yoga or musical instruments, sell your photographs or timeshares, and housesit a property overseas. Your imagination is the limit!

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