The Best Career Advice from Richard Branson - TheJobNetwork

The Best Career Advice from Richard Branson - TheJobNetworkEver wonder how Richard Branson founded Virgin at the age of 20 and went on to own an unheard of eight different billion-dollar companiesall without a business degree? Well, now you can find out. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Here are 10 of Bransons best suggestions for how to achieve success, starting with his number one suggestion for 2017.1. Always write things down.What good are good ideas when you dont remember them after youve had them? Dont forget your best ideas. Keep a notebook handy and write every single one of them down To-do lists also fall under this advice. Dont let anything important (or potentially important) fall through the cracks.2. Love what you do.If you dont love it, you probably should find a way not to do it. Building a business takes every ounce of everything youve got. Dont waste all that energy on something that isnt enjoyable to you even a little.3. Make a splash.You need to be seen out there in your industry and in the world. You have to go out and sell yourself, appear in print, travel, and otherwise be visible. Meet as many people as you can and loop them all into your massive network.4.Brand yourself with care.When choosing your brand and personenname, make sure that name represents everything you want your brand to say. Pick a name that matches how you want the world to see your product. Its worth the extra time and effort brainstorming.5. Understand that risk is necessary.Every business requires taking risks. Take smart ones, rather than trying to avoid any risks at all. Playing it safe wont get you far.6. Dont forget the second impression.We all know how important the first impression can be. But the second shouldnt be forgotten. Once you bring in a customer, make sure their second impression is so good that you abfahrt onto them for life.7. Perfection is a mirage.Nothing and no one is ever 100% perfect. There is always room for improvement. Embrace this and use it to push yourself ever further.8. Go where no one else has gone.Venture into uncharted territory. Figure out what hasnt been done or thought of yet, and do that thing. Find the hole in the market and fill it. Spark new ideas and innovation and stay on the cutting edge.9. Start using we.You want all employees to be using the word we to describe their company and their relationship to their work. An absence of this is a sign that management and those down the chain of command arent communicating, and arent on the same page.10. Know that everyone isnt a born leader.Managers and leaders bring the best out in people, and communicate extremely effectively. Not everyone does this well. If you found a company but dont find yourself suitable for management, appoint people to manageits okay

How NOT to Tell Your Boss Youre Pregnant

How elend to Tell Your Boss Youre Pregnant Congrats, youre going to have a babyYoure probably over the moon about your upcoming arrival and already daydreaming about baby names and nursery decor. But if youre like the many moms-to-be Icoach, youre also a little nervous about the road ahead, and what it means for your career.Youre probably wondering how your pregnancy will be perceived by your coworkers. Whether youre the first pregnant woman in the office, or the tenth, it can be tricky to navigate telling your employer that youre expecting.Your first conversation with your anfhrer about your pregnancy and maternity leave is an important opportunity to set the tone for how motherhood will impact your career.Set yourself up for success in this initial conversation by avoiding these six pitfalls.1. Framing yourpregnancyas bad news or a problemSometimes we mistakenly think that motherhood will make us appear less focused professionally, but the opposite is true. Arecent studyeven found that mothers of at least two children are, on average mora productive than mothers of only one child, and mothers in general are more productive than childless women.So becoming a mom can make you even more productive than you ever thought possible because you value your time away from home more than ever before.Dont apologize for being pregnant or see your news as an inconvenience for others.2. By waiting so long its really obvious (i.e. that bump is BIG)This is just awkward for everyone involved so do yourself a favor and tell your boss before your bump is a basketball. If you feel like youre majorly showing before youre in the second trimester and youre not ready to tell your boss, then it can be helpful to wear loose maternity clothing to give you some extra time. Plus its comfy.3. In a group setting, such as when mentioning that you cant have a glass of wineTell your boss in private, I repeat, tell your boss in private. The conversation will go more smoothly, I promise.4. Throu gh a co-workerIf you want your boss to respect you, then you need to respect your boss. She needs to be the first to know that youre expecting so that she can plan and be prepared for your maternity leave. While you might be wanting to tell your office friends that youre expecting, hold off until youve talked to your boss.5. By talking about how you plan to quit after you return from maternity leaveAs Sheryl Sandberg says, dont leave before you leave. Even if you think you want to leave the workforce after your baby is born, its impossible to know how youll feel until your child actually arrives. Give yourself space and permission to make this big decision after your baby is born, and you get a chance to adjust to the demands of motherhood. You never know, you might welcome the break of going back to work, as youll be able to drink your coffee in peace. 6. In the midst of an especially stressful time for your boss/company, in the middle of a negative performance review, or alongside bad newsYou cant completely orchestrate the perfect timing to tell your boss that youre expecting, but you can try to schedule the conversation during a non stressful time. So if the quarter is about to close and everyone is rushing to meet their numbers, maybe wait until after that final push.Need tips for navigating maternity leave? GrabThe Wise Mama Guide to Maternity Leaveon Amazon or hire an executive coach to help set you up for success.--Lisa Abramsonis an executive coach,TEDx speakerand bestselling author ofThe Wise Mama Guide to Maternity Leave. She is the founder ofWise Mamaand the co-founder ofMindfulness Based Achievement, which teaches high potential women leaders how to create sustainable success.

Secret Facts About Writing Fiction on Resume Revealed by Industry Leaders

Secret Facts About Writing Fiction on Resume Revealed by Industry Leaders You should make it exquisitely clear in the summary that you have what is necessary to find the business done. All jobs do elend need to be directly related to the position youre applying for, but you should be confident that the descriptions of your job duties are worded such they enhance your accomplishments and duties. Again, you simply wish to mention accomplishments that are related to the job youre applying for. Know the purpose of your resume Some people today write a resume like the intention of the document was supposed to land work. The Benefits of Writing Fiction on Resume Use action words to describe your job abilities and make each work description specific and productive. After you determine the skills you wish to concentrate on, do some research and see whether they line up with job requirements listed for the positions youre seeking. If youve got many abilities, the previous skill para graph may be called Additional Skills. Learn about the three sorts of skills it is possible to highlight and the way it is possible to incorporate them into your resume. Therefore, if youre planning to include things like a romantic facet to your story, you ought to be certain to develop it thoroughly and convincingly. Resume writing can be an enjoyable diversion from long hours alone before your PC. Most writers incorporate the dates or semesters of attendance too. If you own a college education, omit details about high school. Writing Fiction on Resume One of the greatest methods to tackle any daunting writing project resumes included is to begin with a little step. Its far better include published work, but inexperienced writers may consist of work thats unpublished. You already know that you have to self-edit your work. Its also important to think about the sort of work you genuinely wish to be hired to do. Using Writing Fiction on Resume YA fiction isnt an exception . Romance is a typical element throughout all kinds of young adult literature. Vital Pieces of Writing Fiction on Resume Your summary should present your career objective and the chief reasons you are a great candidate. Analyze job ads You will discover a great deal of helpful info on job ads. Erotic fiction has existed for centuries but, in the past few years, has enjoyed a surge in popularity. Some writers elect to explore current work in the current tense. A group of professionally written resumes aimed at whoever has left work for a time period and then wished to return.

Celebrities Who Took Unusual Paths to Career Success

Celebrities Who Took Unusual Paths to Career SuccessCelebrities Who Took Unusual Paths to Career SuccessImage courtesy of CourtneyA career path is rarely a path at all. A more interesting life is usually a more crooked, winding path of missteps, luck and vigorous work. It is almost always a clumsy balance between the things you try to make happen and the things that happen to you. Former Viacom President Tom FrestonDo you find yourself struggling to visualize your career path? It can be difficult to see the next steps in your career when youre focused on the day-to-day responsibilities of your job. Not where you want to be? Relax. Many of the worlds biggest successes took some interesting turns down their own winding career paths.Martha StewartImage courtesy ofquiltingmickBefore she became the lifestyle and homemaking powerhouse she is today, Martha Stewart was a child model, and from the age of 13 she appeared in fashion shows, print advertisements and television. After attending Ba rnard College, Stewart left the lights and glamour of the fashion world for the cutthroat world of Wall Street as a broker with the boutique firm Monness, Williams, and Sidel.Christopher WalkenImage courtesy ofindieflickrChristopher Walken has appeared in over 100 films that have grossed over a billion dollars. Before his inspiring film success, however, Walken worked as a lion tamer for the circus and dropped out of Hofstra University.George ClooneyImage courtesy ofhotgossipitaliaDid you know that George Clooney was an avid baseball player growing up? Before he became one of the most recognizable faces in film, he tried out for the Cincinnati Reds Major League Baseball franchise. Although ultimately unsuccessful in making his professional baseball dreams come true, Clooney has since become an Academy Award-winning actor.Ashton KutcherImage courtesy ofjdlasicaBefore being recruited by a model scout at the University of Iowa, Kutcher studied biomedical engineering. Kutcher also worke d in the cereal department of General Mills to make extra money during school. Since then Kutcher has become a model, actor and entrepreneur.Marissa MayerImage courtesy ofleandroCurrent President and CEO of Yahoo, and No. 8 on Fortune Magazines 2013 most powerful businesswomen, Marissa Mayers name is recognized worldwide for her innovative and controversial leadership. After beginning her career at McKinsey Company in a consulting job and teaching at Carnegie Mellon University, Mayer became employee No. 20 at Google and the companys first female engineer.A career isnt about an end destination. Sometimes the twists and turns of your winding path may bring about more insight and learning than you could ever imagine. Take a lesson from some of the worlds most well-known names and try many things on your own road to success.

10 habits that change boys into men

10 habits that change boys into men10 habits that change boys into menThe demise of ur culture will result from the demise of its men if something isnt changed quickly. Far too many men remain directionless, devastated and scared children.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraMale suicide rate increasedto three to four times higher than the female suicide rate.Men are twice as likelyas women to become alcoholics. Andmales are far more likelyto commit juvenile crime.Much has been said and written in recent years about the challenges of men and boys. A sampling of book titles includesWhy There Are No Good Men LeftThe Demise of GuysThe End of MenWhy Boys FailThe End of Men, And The Rise of WomenBoys AdriftManning Up How The Rise Of Women Has Turned Men Into BoysA common theme is that men and boys have become increasingly confused about their identity and role in society. Kay Hymowitz, au thor ofManning Up, put it this wayIts been an alfruchtwein universal rule of civilization that whereas girls became women simply by reaching physical maturity, boys had to pass a test. They needed to demonstrate courage, physical prowess, or mastery of the necessary skills. The goal was to prove their competence as protectors of women and children this was always their primary social role. Today, however, with women moving ahead in an advanced economy, provider husbands and fathers are now optional, and the character qualities men had needed to play their role fortitude, stoicism, courage, fidelity are obsolete and even a little embarrassing.It is the norm in Hollywood films, TV and cable shows, and even commercials to portray men as incompetent, immature, or self-absorbed. This underlying message has subtly and increasingly become the collective unconscious with devastating repercussions.Academically, it is reported in the United States thatGirls outpergestalt boys now at every lev el from elementary school through graduate school.By eighth grade, only 20 percent of boys are adept in writing and 24 percent adept in reading.Young mens SAT scores in 2011 were the lowest theyve been in 40 years.According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), boys are 30 percent more likely than girls to drop out of both high school and college.In 2017, women will earn more than 60 percent of bachelors and more than 63 percent of masters degrees.Boys make up two-thirds of students in special education remedial programs.Women deserve the increased success they are getting. Theyve been oppressed forfartoo long. Theyre hungrier and more motivated than most men. And hopefully, society will continue to allow them the increased equality they deserve.However, this articles focus is on helping the struggling and confused young man. Indeed, many young men have taken the adverse cues of society as an excuse to evade responsibility and never really grow up.If you are a youn g man and youre struggling,youare not alone. This article is intended to challenge you to rethink your entire approach to life. If applied, unterstellung habits will radically set you apart from the decaying norm.1. Think BeyondYourselfKids look to their parents for all the answers. When they become teenagers they know all the answers. Many never mature out of this stage and remain incredibly narcissistic, which is displayed inthe followingwaysBelieving you are better than othersExaggerating your talents or giftsExpecting constant praise and admirationFailure to recognize other peoples emotions or feelingsExpressing disdain for those who seem inferiorTrouble keeping healthy relationshipsActing as if you have nothing to learnMoving beyond self-consciousness requires an increase in overall consciousness.By heightening your level of consciousness, youll see the brilliance of humanity in general, be able to relate deeper with others, experience greater joy, and have enhanced ability to manifest the destiny of your choosing.The followingare ways to increase your level of consciousnessAllow yourself to experience your feelings, rather than spektrum them out. Meditation is a helpful way to do this. You experience your thoughts and feelings, learn from them, then let them go.Let go of framing your idea of what should be and genuinely accept what is. The journey is the end, not simply a means to an end.Identify the meaningless things to which youve assigned meaning. Happiness and security can never be experienced when dependent on the external they can only be achieved internally.Begin trusting your inner voice. If you feel a prompting to bring an umbrella with you, even when the weather report says the contrary, bring it.Explore the world, experience new cultures, and have your paradigm shaken and reframed.Question your own intentions and motivations.Be humble about your own humanity.Act with love, and become aware when you are not.2. Stop Playing VideoGamesThere are a hostof both positive and negative effects of playing video games. However, approximately15 percent of American youthhave an unhealthy addiction to video games.Another study reportedthat 31 percent of males and 13 percent of females have felt addicted to video games.Naturally, boys have a strong need for accomplishment and challenge. Yet,studies suggestthat some of the most popular video games are disengaging boys from real-world pursuits. Boys need for accomplishment is satisfied by leveling up in the game so they dont feel the need to go out into the world and solve real problems. Thus, society is not being served by their efforts.Gaming often gets in the way of important relationships or meaningful life pursuits.15 percent of divorces are filedby women because their husband prefers video games over them.This point is particularly significant to me. I myself spent a large portion of my time in junior high and high school playing World of Warcraft. Literally thousands of hours log ged-in and lost.I see many of my high school friends and family members who are now in their late 20s and 30s continuing to play 4+ hours of video games per day even when married with kids.Playing video games isbeing toutedas a healthy way to escape reality. Yet, one must ask Is escaping reality (especially for extended periods of time) ever healthy?3. Learn In Healthy Environments And Lay-Off TheMedsThe industrial classroom model is killing our boys. It is not a healthy environment for them. Young boys need more physical stimulation.The result is that many are improperly and lazily diagnosed with ADHD. Their natural characteristics, emotions, passions, and gifts are being curbed by medications.Although it is not a popular notion, boys and girls are wired differently. Girls are often exclusively motivated by praise. They will perfect their handwriting just to have it noticed.Boys on the other hand, are often motivated by tangible experiences that relate to real life. Thus, many boys see no point in having good handwriting if one day they will spend their time typing. They dont care as much what other people think. They just want to be challenged.4. Get Intensive Physical StimulationShort and intensive learning spurts,followed by rigorous physical stimulation is a powerful and positive way for boys and men to learn. Rough-and-tumble play helps develop the frontal lobe of the brain, which is used to regulate behavior. Sadly, many public schools are removing gym class and recess, further exacerbating problems among boys.In the recent book,Spark The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain,authorsJohn J. Ratey and Eric Hagerman share some amazing science and stories. For instance, despite many schools removing gym-class from their curriculum, others have put more focus on it and found staggering results. When kids exercise in the morning, they learn far better. In fact, they improve in all areas of their lives. Human beings are holistic. Your brain, you r emotions, your relationships, are all tied together.If youre living a sedentary life as a man, youre not getting the needed stimulationyou need.Research has foundthat males thrive in kinesthetic learning environments learning through moving.Healthy Testosterone LevelsIntensive physical activity, like sprinting or heavy weight lifting (followed by extended rest periods) are a good outlet for mens need of physical stimulation. Moreover, these intensive physical activities can activate healthy levels of testosterone which produce many positive effects includingFat lossMuscle gainHealthier bone densityNormalized blood pressureLower likelihood ofobesityandheart attacksIncreased energyMore enjoyment of career and familyFeeling younger, stronger, sexier, and healthierHealthy sex driveStudies have foundthat healthy testosterone levels affect mens cognitive perfassonance, and can improve focus, motivation, and memory.The Need For PhysicalPainInterestingly, boys and girls experience pain di fferently. For boys, physical pain can be a stimulant fueling mental clarity. On the other hand, physical pain for girls can be a narcotic, making them feel hazy and confused.Ive seen this in myself. Some of my greatest insights have come while pushing myself to the extreme while doing yard work or while exercising. This phenomenon is also seen in endurance athletes who push themselves through pain for many hours at a time.5. Take Responsibility For Your Life And Set Your Standards HighIn his book,Boys Adrift,Dr. Leonard Sax explains that boysneed not want to be responsible. If they are not needed, they dont flourish.Men step down if theyre not needed. And because of societys message that men are no longer needed, many are staying in their parents basements.Although most men will not go out of their way to take on challenges and responsibility, this is the very thing they should do if they want to thrive. Indeed, it is becoming common knowledge that perception is followed by physica l experience in the form of self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe you will succeed, you often do.If you set your sights high in life, you will achieve incredible things. In order to do this, you can no longer play the victim to circumstances. Blaming the world, your parents, school, or the challenges youve faced in life is not going to solve your problems. Its going to keep you stuck and bitter.Instead, take the time to imagine and mentally create your ideal life. Mental creationalwaysprecedes physical creation.You have the inner power to create whatever life you want to achieve. All you have to do is spend the time creating that world with intention. Write down exactly what you want in life. Set your standardsridiculouslyhigh. Dont hold anything back.Read, rewrite, and reread your ambitions often. These will soon consume your subconscious mind creating new patterns in your brain. Eventually, youll manifest the world youve been creating in your head.6. Prayer, Meditation, And Jou rnalWritingChristianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and every other religious and spiritual tradition strongly stress the significance of regular prayer. Although the form of practice may be different, the purpose is the same -GratitudeInspirationSelf-realizationDeepened connection to God/existenceThe improvement of humanity as a wholePrayer (and modifications such as meditation and gratitude journals) areregularly foundto increase physical and mental well-being.For me, I often combine prayer with journal writing as a form of meditation. I seek inspiration, direction, heightened perspective, and gratitude.Scientifically supported benefitsof prayer includeImproves self-controlMakes you nicerMakes you more forgivingIncreases your trustOffsets negative health effects of stressPeople are often turned-off by prayer, believing it is a strictly religious practice. Even if organized religion is not your thing, you can still have a positive and healthy relationship with prayer.7. Ea rn GoodFriendsYou are who you surround yourself with. Theres no way around it. If you want to evolve past your current state, you need to remove yourself from the negative forces in your life. This will not be easy. Misery loves company.However, when you decide to remove yourself from negative people and instead surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you your life will dramatically improve.Take the leap. Invite your friends to come along with you. If they dont understand your needed evolution, kindly bid them a loving farewell.8. Commit Fully ToSomeoneWere supposed to believe that relationships tie people down, that they are the death knell for creativity and ambition. Nonsense. Ryan HolidayWith all the productivity and success advice going on in the world today,very little is writtenabout the benefits of finding a spouse who supports you and makes you better.It is quite rare for people to stay committed to anything or anyone these days. There are countless fatherless children. Many seek easy sexual prey followed by the internal pit of emptiness too afraid to reveal and confront their true identity.Research has foundthat committed relationships can reduce the chance of illness and increase the length of life. Other benefits of long-term commitment in relationships includeGreater sense of life satisfactionIncreased happinessA host of practical benefits, such as shared assets and childrenLess likely toengage substance-abuseDecreased likelihood of depression and neglect of ones healthChoose your love, love your choice. Thomas MonsonI got married at age 24. Ive never felt restrained by that decision, only liberated. Now 29, we have three foster children, what most would consider a huge blow to our freedom.This could not be further from the truth in my experience. Instead, Im challenged to become a better person every day. Im challenged to think beyond my own needs and to learn patience, humility, and love.I would never make such monumental decisions without prayer, fasting, meditation, and journaling. However, when youre in a state of clarity, you can follow your intuition and consistently make good decisions. As Malcom Gladwell expounds in Blink,snap decisions are often more accurate than well-thought-out ones.Of course, marriage isnt easy. Its the hardest thing Ive ever done. But why choose the easy path? As a man, challenge and responsibility is precisely what is needed to thrive.9. Fall In Love WithLearningOrdinary people seek entertainment. Extraordinary people seek education and learning.We now live in a world where you no longer need to go to college (or high school) to become educated. At your fingertips is an unlimited and ever-increasingly well of information. You can become an expert at anything.Many of the worlds most successful people attribute their success to a love for learning. They often read one or more books per week. With a few books, you can learn how to build wealth, healthy relationships, and the life of your dreams.With more information and education, you will make better lifestyle choices. Youll be less likely to have destructive addictions and make ignorant decisions.Youll be more likely to surround yourself with brilliant people, learn new languages and explore the world, come up with solutions to the worlds problems, and have passion and zest for life.Stop gaming and start reading. Therealworld awaits. And its amazing.10. Take BiggerRisksDont fail by default. Richard Paul EvansRichard Paul Evans, the famous writer, often tells a story of being a shy high school kid. In one of his classes, he sat next to the girl of his dreams. He spent an entire year wishing he could work up the courage to ask her out. But he never ended up talking to her.Why would she be interested in a loser like me?he would say to himself.A few years later, at a high school reunion, they met and talked.I just have to ask Why didnt you ever ask me out?she asked.I always liked you and hoped you would talk to me.Evans was shocked.He had been wrong that entire time and missed the opportunity he spent over a year dreaming about. In that moment, he determined toneverfail by default again.If Im going to fail, Im going to fail big,he has said.If I fail, Im going to fail after giving it everything Ive got.Stop playing life small. Date people that seem absurdly out of your league. Theyre not only in your head.Dont be conservative in your career until youre in your 40s. There is little risk while youre young, energetic, and motivated. Now is the time to take huge risks. Embrace rejection and failure. In turn, embrace enormous and unimaginable success.ConclusionYou can have whatever life you choose.Dont be afraid to dream big for yourself.Have the courage to seize that life and trulylive, rather than only imagining living.The world needs you.How I Turned $25,000 Into $374,592 In Less Than 6MonthsIve created a free training that will teach you how to become world-class and successful at anything y ou choose.Access the free trainingherenowThis article first appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Your Side Hustle May Help You Land Your Dream Job

Your Side Hustle May Help You Land Your Dream Job Your Side Hustle May Help You Land Your Dream Job When I say side hustle, Im not only talking about a side business. Im alsotalking about all of the little things you do aside from your day job or career. This includes volunteer work, freelance work, hobbies, and even part-time work.I spoke with two separate clients last week who didnt mention the extra work theyd been doing because they didnt think it would benefit their resumes. The funny thing is that both clients left off pieces of information that could potentially score them their dream positions.The Power of Side HustlesWhen I first started college, I applied for a PR internship in San Francisco. I didnt have a huge amount of office experience, but I had worked at the front desk in a cupcake shop. I didnt think much about it, and Iconsidered the position to be filler onmy resume, but it turned out that the PR company had just landed a major cupcake shop as one of itsclients. The company wasthrilled that I had inside experience. I dont know if this was the deciding factor in landing the internship,but I do know that a jobI thought wasinconsequentialended up weighing heavily in my favor.Another great example of when highlighting your side hustle can be extremely beneficial is when you are between jobs. Almost everyone will have that experience in their lifetime, and mora and mora employers have come to understand that its a natural result of the market. However, whats really important what will really wow potential employers is what you do during the interim.If youre in between jobs, try doing some volunteer work that is related to your industry and career. For example, if youre in marketing or events management, you can offer to help plan an event at alocal charity or school. Whilevolunteer workmay not be a traditional job or a source of income, it will boost the power of your resume and showcase your motivation, work ethic, and sense of community.When someone hands me aresume showing that their last job ended more thana month ago, my first thought is always, What have they been doing this whole time? Employers will have similar thoughts, so be sure to fill your gap time with valuable work.Everyone needs a break at some point, and there is nothing wrong with taking a little time for yourself when youre in between jobs. However, if your transition lasts for more than a month or two, you need to be sure you are staying active in your industry. As mentioned above, volunteering is a great way to do this, but there are other options as well. Taking classes or adopting a constructive hobby (e.g., building websites or starting an industry-related blog) are also great ways to show employers that you arent just sitting around all day, waiting for your next role to land in your lap.Today, it is rare to have a perfect career path, and most people do a lot more than just their day jobs. If you are one of those people, dont be afraid to show offeverything you do even the things that arent directly related to your career.Remember, your side hustle may just help you land your dream job.Michele Lando is a certified professional resume writer and the founder of Write Styles.

4 compelling reasons you need to be more self-aware

4 compelling reasons you need to be more self-aware4 compelling reasons you need to be more self-awareIn the FBI Academy, we trained how to run down and tackle individuals who resisted arrest. I was a lousy runner and came up at the rear of every race. The idea that I could run down or even catch up with a suspect produced snarky comments and rolled eyes from my classmates.My ego took a big hit, but I also knew my competence as an FBI agent must be grounded in reality. I needed to be self-aware so I could make an honest assessment of my skills and strengths. Only at that point could I plan for ways to grow my strengths so I could manage my weaknesses.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHow important is self-awareness? Astudy by Green Peak Partners and Cornell Universityexamined the performance of 72 executives from a variety of companies. It found that a high self-awareness score wa s the strongest predictor of overall success.As entrepreneurs, business owners and leaders, self-awareness is essential to yur success. Its stupid to pretend that you dont have flaws or weaknesses. Instead, be smart and get ahead of them so they dont sabotage you when youre confronted with a stressful situation.Here are four compelling reasons you need to be more self-aware1. Understand how you come across to othersThe way we perceive ourselves is distorted, but most of us are not self-aware enough to recognize it If we dont want to be known as stingy, arrogant or self-righteous, we dont look for those qualities in ourselves. Of course, we readily identify those qualities in other people If we want to be perceived as competent, polite and generous, guess what? Those are the qualities we find in ourselves.There is enough ego in all of us to produce a flattering self-stellung that might not be congruent with how others see us. The way we see ourselves is often an illusion, and it can be a dangerous one if we misjudge how we come across to our colleagues and supervisors.Conversely, if you suffer from a lack of self-esteem, you could be undermining your position and chances for advancement as you navigate the quagmire of office politics.How to make it work for you Be mentally tough enough to keep your ego in check. Ask trusted friends or colleagues to give an honest evaluation of how you come across to others in a variety of situations. Dont take the easy route and ask for feedback on your best behavior. Let the good, the bad and the ugly hang out, and be brave enough to push for honest answers.2. Become aware of your deepest needsSince we all possess a somewhat muddled and inaccurate image of how we come across to others, it shouldnt be a shock to learn that we tend to justify our motives through rose-colored glasses as well. In fact, psychologists believe its important that our brain sees a clear connection between our thoughts, emotions and behavior. This stron g connection leads to good mental health. However, thinking or feeling one way and then behaving in a different manner causes cognitive dissonance, and we experience anxiety and stress as we try to justify the behavior.Behavioral science has proven that human beings are motivated by several needs. At a basic level is the biological drive to eat, drink and sleep. Another motivator is reward and punishment, such as when we work for a salary and are rewarded with a paycheck. It is the third motivator that requires self-awareness - the things we pursue because they bring us joy and contentment.Shelley E. Taylor, UCLA psychology professor,has argued that we are wired to nurture others and care for their needs.These are the hidden needs that ennoble the human spirit, but they also take effort and time to process because they are complicated and complex drivers of our behavior. Too often we settle for a fleeting emotion such as happiness because its both instant and a popular meme. But, a t the end of the day, our deepest need is to make a contribution to society that is meaningful to us.How to make It work for youYou can move toward a deeper and enduring sense of what motivates you if you are self-aware. Ask yourself, What do I really want? Another great question to ask yourself at the end of each day is this Was I better today than yesterday? Again, ask trusted colleagues or friends for feedback, but make sure it is honest and constructive.3. Create a mindset that winsIf you think of yourself as flexible and resilient, you will do much better in both business and life. Your image of who you are influences how you behave and thus becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.Carol Dwecks research at Stanford Universityhas determined that if we view a trait as mutable, we are inclined to work on it more. On the other hand, if we view a trait such as IQ or willpower as unchangeable, well make little effort to improve it.Dweck is well-known for her work on fixed vs. growth mindse t. People with a fixed mindset believe their basic abilities, intelligence and talents are fixed traits. They have a certain amount of talent and nothing will change it. People with a growth mindset, however, believe that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort and persistence.If you create a growth mindset, you have the mental toughness to learn from criticism rather than ignore it to overcome challenges rather than avoid them and find inspiration in the success of others rather than feel threatened.Self-aware people can create a growth mindset thats focused on personal growth because they believe they can improve and develop their skills.How to make It work for youThe best way to change the type of person that you believe you are is through small, repeated actions. Focus on the process, not the outcome. Dont worry about how to write a best-seller instead, commit to publishing your ideas on a consistent basis. Its not about the result. Its about how to create a mindset that enjoys the results.4. Prevent self-deceptionAccording to psychologists, our tendency for self-deception stems from our desire to impress others. We convince ourselves of our capabilities in the process.Human beings are masters of self-deception. We lie to ourselves about why we like to wear designer clothes, drive nahe daran sein cars and climb the corporate ladder. Most of the time, were completely unaware of the deception going on in our minds.Companies lose serious money every year due to their employees lack of self-awareness. Inaccurate self-assessment leads to sales targets that cant be met, deadlines that cant be carried out and performances that are promised but not delivered.Interestingly, most of us have no trouble seeing through the delusions of our colleagues We recognize the bumbling idiot who postures for a promotion or the incompetent supervisor who mumbles in meetings.If we are self-aware and see ourselves with greater clarity, we are more likely to land on our feet when confronted with the unexpectedHow to make It work for you Honesty is the best tool to combat self-deception. It means we will need to look in the mirror and take responsibility for who we are. Honesty requires a deliberate effort on a daily basis. We must learn to observe our emotions, thoughts and behavior without judgment or evaluation. If we are self-aware, it is easier for us to focus our mind, concentrate and direct our attention toward activities that will give us the opportunity to change.This article originally appeared on LaRae Quy.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people