Forget Multitasking Your Secret to Acing Productivity Is This

Forget Multitasking Yur Secret to Acing Productivity Is This Science has long established that multitasking eats up around 40% of your productivity in any given undertaking. But do you continue to live in denial by constantly alternating between numerous tasks at work in the hopes that youll be able to accomplish more throughout the day?The most obvious answer to multitasking is its direct oppositemonotasking. But monotasking is just one dimension of enhanced focus. Matt Dubin, a doctoral candidate in Organizational Psychology and a Culture and Leadership Development consultant, identifies three alternatives to multitasking monotasking, deep work, and flow. Dubin studies under Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who pioneered the theory of flow in the 1970s.Dubin says that while unterstellung three methods of focused work are interrelated, they should not be considered synonymous. Monotasking is the ability to fully focus on a single task, free of distraction, but it doesnt necessarily nee d to be cognitively demanding, he says. On the otzu sich hand, deep work implies single-minded focus on one cognitively demanding task, usually in a professional context. Finally, flow defines the experience you have while engrossed in a task. Dubin says when you are in flow you are completely focused on the task at hand, time flies, and you forget about your stressors and anxieties because you lose yourself in the flow activity. Applying this definition, we might say that athletes, painters, musicians, and other skilled professionals can all experience flow in their respective vocations.Years ago Dubins advisor, Dr. Csikszentmihalyi, observed that people of all trades and skills from rock climbing, to painting, to surgery, shared similar experiences when they lost themselves in an activity. While people in flow do lose their sense of self and their sense of time, they simultaneously feel more control over the activity. They are motivated to pursue the activity for its own sake, acc ording to Dubin, rather than in pursuit of some external reward. And through that impartial motivation they are able to give over all their attention to the point that effortful activities feel effortless.When we are in a state of flow, Dubin says, we are more fully engaged in what we are doing and we are building our capacities by binnenseeking out challenging experiences, allowing us to reach our full potential. Flow has been found to increase our well-being at work, our level of creativity, and ultimately our performance.Does that sound blissful? You arent alone if you think so. The good news is that even in our hyperconnected world it is possibleif somewhat difficultto drown out that noise and lose yourself in the work you love.Through his research Dr. Csikszentmihalyi identified three preconditions for flow. Here are each of those preconditions, and tips for meeting them in order to achieve flow in your own work1. The individuals skill level must match the demands of the activi ty.The key to meeting this precondition is to constantly challenge yourself. While it may be easier to work on mindless activities that you know you will succeed at, we enter a state of flow and really improve when we pursue activities that stretch our capabilities, Dubin says. So instead of only accepting tasks that you know you can accomplish, seek out opportunities to work on new and challenging projectsthen rise to the occasion and see how you might surprise yourself.2. The activity must include a clear goal.Set a quantifiable goal, and a deadline, before you dive into a task or project. Then to ensure you meet your predetermined goal you should set aside time on your calendar for that task.Many of use our calendars only to block out times for meetings and appointments, Dubin explains, but its important to also block out time to throw ourselves into that challenging project that will require our complete attention.Warn co-workers ahead of time that you will be focused on an impo rtant project. Some workspaces have established visual signals people can use to alert others that they are engaged in deep work, but you can also implement individual cues like wearing headphones when youd rather not be disturbed.3. The individual must experience immediate feedback about their progress throughout the activity.Dont tap your anfhrer on the shoulder and ask for feedback every ten minutes while you work on your task. While you should certainly seek feedback from leadership at appropriate times (such as one-on-one meetings or weekly emails), set benchmarks for yourself on each task.For example, if you are working on a project that will take a few weeks, plan to meet certain goals within that project by specific dates. On each designated date, evaluate your progress so far and adjust as needed. You can even do this on smaller tasks that will only take an hour or two, by recognizing what you need to accomplish in the next ten minutes, half hour, and so on.Dubin suggests t hat you seek feedback from your boss after each project, too ask what specifically made it great and what you could specifically improve to make it better the next time, he says. Then, the next time you are working on a similar project, you can have a better sense of how youre doing while you are working on it without needing someone else to give you feedback on it, allowing you to more easily enter the flow state.Dubin also points out that there are always at least a few responsibilities in a job that are less conducive to flow, like answering emails or filling out simple reports. Set aside time for ansicht other tasks as well so you dont forget about them during your periods of flow.He also recommends that you find ways to apply flow in areas of your job that will help you progress in your career. You may experience flow while designing the slides for a presentation, but if you fail to devote equal attention to the content itself, you run the risk of disappointing your team. On th e flip side, imagine the benefits youll reap if you can use flow to write the content for that same important presentation.By applying flow to your daily work habits, you will not only enhance your productivity but you will find increased satisfaction in your career.--Kelsey Down is a freelance writer in Salt Lake City who has been featured on publications including Elite Daily, VentureBeat, and SUCCESS. Shes covered fun stuff like why TV reboots need to stop and how to hack sleep as a workout, and she also writes about personal and family wellness. Follow her on Twitter kladown23.

Are You the Office Grouch How to Get Along at Work

Are You the Office Grouch How to Get Along at Work One of my very first clients called meto say he had committed career suicide. He had yelled at everyone in his office and kicked the trash can. He needed help rebuilding his workdistributions-mix image.Every workplace seems to have that one person who is known for not being a kollektiv player. You know the person the grouch, the gossip, causing discontent wherever they go. Everyone avoids this person but what do you do when you are that person?Here are some tips on how to build rapport in your career, overcome self-sabotage, and be recognized as a team player1. Keep a Candy Jar on Your DeskThis will make you approachable. People will stop by your desk to say hello and take a piece of candy. This gives you the opportunity to greet your coworkers and strike up friendly conversations. It may seem simple, but this strategy worked for my client.A twist on the candy jar concept is to bring donuts occasion ally or, if youre like me and love to bake, bring in home-baked goods. No one can resist homemade chocolate chip cookies or brownies.2. Make It a Point to Greet PeopleAs you enter your place of employment, greet everyone with a warm and friendly Good morning. Your greeting and smile may be just what someone needs to put them in a positive mindset.3. Participate in Office FunctionsParticipating may mean giving up an evening to go to a coworkers baby shower or heading to the office picnic on a Sunday. Be present and positive. Do not be the disgruntled employee.4. Occasionally Go to Lunch With Your CoworkersEven if your normal routine is to go home and walk the dog or eat lunch at your desk, make time once a week or once a month to go to lunch with your coworkers. If your coworkers do not go to lunch together, you can be the one to invite them to join you.One of my clients welches new to her workplace and started inviting coworkers even the negative Nellies to join her outside at th e picnic table at lunchtime. She learned a lot about her coworkers and developed a respect and understanding for them. You never know what burden someone is carrying until you get to know them.Invite gloomy Gus and negative Nelly to join you and others at lunch. Maybe they are a bit negative or gloomy because they feel left out. Make them feel welcome.5. ContributeIf your employer allows you to celebrate birthdays and acknowledge special events, I encourage you to contribute. Dont be the I wont contribute $5, and you cant make me guy. Again, be a team player.A great idea that doesnt cost anything and was recently used at my daughters workplace is giving someone a treasured book to mark a special occasion. The birthday girl loved to read, so my daughter asked everyone to bring in a book off their bookshelf they liked but probably wouldnt read again. Each employee wrote a note to the birthday girl inside the book they gave her. It was a huge success. The birthday girl posted on social media that she had the best birthday ever thanks to her coworkers. She told everyone how she had cried happy tears because their kindness so touched her. This consideration didnt cost anyone anything, but it went a long way in building a cohesive team.6. Be ApproachableYour body language reveals a great deal about your attitude. Be mindful of how you carry yourself. Actively listen when people are talking to you.7. NeverParticipate in Office GossipIf someone runs to you with a juicy story, shut the conversation down fast. Politely, yet firmly, let the person know you do not want to engage. Also, be mindful that you are not the one oversharing or gossiping.Being a team player is critical to your career success. You do not want to be invisible. You want people to remember your name for the right reasons, of course. The above tips will help you become someone who exudes positive energy in the workplace instead of the office grouch.Jaynine Howardis a military veteran whose work as a c areer strategist and reinvention specialist has been recognized by professional organizations throughout the nation.

How to Learn When Youre Alone in Your Department - The Muse

How to Learn When Youre Alone in Your Department - The MuseHow to Learn When Youre Alone in Your Department We all know that ongoing learning is an important aspect of career success and happiness. Many of us dream of a job that provides opportunities to learn new skills, take on new projects, and be mentored by senior colleagues (that is, in addition to free lunch and unlimited vacation). But what happens when you dont get to work alongside a team of inspiring co-workers? When theres no senior mentor to take you under their wing? How do you continue learning in your role when youre the only one in your workplace who does what you do? Have no fear Here are five tips to keep you growing, even when youre a team of one. 1. Read Everything (and Often)While writing this article, I spoke to professionals from a variety of industries who have had experience working solo. By far, the most common strategy they used was to read aggressively. Look for news articles, blog posts, and books that c an help you keep updated in your field. Also, it never hurts to monitor what your competitors are doing (and publishing). Liz Heijkoop is a one-woman marketing department at a ride-sharing startup called Ridj-it. She suggests making a daily habit of reading relevant publications If you spend just 30 minutes of each day browsing the news in your field, youll not only keep yourself up-to-date, but also leave yourself open to new inspiration and ideas that could wind up being rocket fuel for your company, she says. 2. Join Virtual CommunitiesEven if youre the only one in your company who does what you do, there are probably many people out there who occupy similar roles at other companies. These days, its easy to connect with these kinds of people using social media. Youre almost guaranteed to find a group dedicated to professionals who do what you do. Use LinkedIn, Facebook, and other platforms to find and join these groups. Then, make a habit of contributing your voice to the discuss ion and asking questions. If youre at a larger company with multiple offices, you may be able to connect with others at your company who are in similar positions but at different locations. Some companies even have internal systems that make it easy to establish these connections. You may have to get creative to find the other professionals in your field. That was the case with Dee Dee Mendoza, who works as a university fundraiser. Dee Dee created a unique fundraising model in which startup founders pledge to support their alma maters when their equity becomes liquid. She ended up starting a blog as a way of sharing her innovative model and connecting with those who occupied similar roles at other institutions. 3. Get Educated OnlineAdding some specific skills to your repertoire could improve your performance in your role. There are literally thousands of courses online, many of which are free or available at an affordable cost (we even offer some on The Muse). Some of the people I spoke with also suggested searching YouTube for tutorials and attending webinars. If you find that the training you need costs money, dont be afraid to ask your boss for a professional development budget. 4. Attend ConferencesWhile its great to tap the resources of the digital world, nothing beats a bit of face time with others who do what you do. Find out where professionals in your role meet up in person. Are there industry conferences you can attend? Local meetings or networking events? Aim to attend at least two in-person events per year with others in your industry. Need a budget? Use the saatkorn approach you used when asking for funds to cover an online class. Focus on what you hope to learn at the conference, and make the case that your participation will help your company achieve its goals. 5. Continue to Seek Out New ChallengesFinally, continue to take on new challenges at work. Volunteer for interesting projects, even if they dont fit neatly inside your current role. Step up to be part of new initiatives, especially those that dont have an established plan or owner. That way, youll be able to experiment with new methods and learn new skills as you work to solve whatever problems you encounter. The most important thing is that you continue to learn and grow on the job. Otherwise, you risk career stagnation, and nobody wants that Rest assured that many people have used the strategies in this article to keep learning while on a team of one, and you can, too.

Top 5 Strategies for Landing a Job on Capitol Hill

Top 5 Strategies for Landing a Job on Capitol HillTop 5 Strategies for Landing a Job on Capitol HillMany young people with their newly printed political science, public policy and law degrees set their sights on Capitol Hill as a place to get their feet wet in the national political scene. They dream of working long nights crafting legislation, talking points, and press releases. They cant wait to get neck-deep in Washington politics and policymaking. But these people dont start in the thick of political drama. First, they have to master making coffee and copies. And only after performing well on menial tasks do they get to start taking on tasks theyve daydreamed about since they decided they wanted to work on Capitol Hill. Earning a job in a congressional schreibstube is not easy. The competition is stiff. Hundreds of well-qualified twenty- and thirty-somethings apply to the lowliest of jobs. So how do you emerge from such strong applicant pools? Here are five strategies you can emp loy to help you land a job on Capitol Hill. Network The best way to make your name more than just another collection of letters at the top of a resume is to meet people on Capitol Hill. Most applicant pools for congressional office jobs are loaded with people who had the quintessential college careers for work on Capitol Hill, but if you can be the one person who is a known commodity, you have an edge. And it doesnt have to be a huge advantage to pay off. It can be as simple as being the person who made an appointment to talk with the legislative director and then made a good impression. Think about who you know who knows someone important in politics. The connection can be a family friend, a professor, a former employer... anyone The trick is to find one or more paths from you to the person hiring entry-level staff in a congressional office. If you have no idea where to start, see if you can get a meeting with the district director for your congressman. Consider it both a learn ing experience and job interview. You probably wont get the job at the first meeting, but you definitely can lose it. Prepare well, and make yourself look good. Volunteer for Campaign Work To the victor go the spoils. No doubt youve heard the saying. In American politics, it means elected officials can help those who helped him or her get elected. And when a Republican ousts a Democrat or vice-versa, there is a considerable amount of churning among congressional staffers. Sure, the campaign manager is going to have his or her pick of choice jobs like thechief of staff, legislative director or communications officer, but there are many jobs to be handed out. Now, not every person working on a campaign can get a job right away, but if you prove yourself as dedicated and hardworking, you stand a good chance of at least getting a bit of help in moving your career forward. It may take working on a few campaigns before you get your opportunity at a Capitol Hill job, but keep doing goo d work, and good things will happen eventually. Move to Washington, DC Moving to a city especially an expensive city like Washington, DC is a risky move when you dont have a job. But doing so can give you an edge when it comes to Capitol Hill jobs. First, living in DC gives you more opportunities to meet people who can help you in your career. You can introduce yourself to people you meet, ask them about their jobs and tell them about your career aspirations. Who knows? They might be able to help you. And if you run into enough people, youre bound to get some help. The second reason to move to DC is hiring managers in congressional offices are more likely to interview people who already live in the area. Youre already in town, and that gives you more flexibility in scheduling. After all, hopping on the DC Metro will get you to an interview much more quickly than booking a flight to Dulles, Reagan or Baltimore. Plus, you wont incur travel expenses each time you have an intervie w. Sure, youre going to have to find roommates, and youre probably going to live in an apartment that is way too small for the number of people living there. But youre pursuing your dream, and its going to require some sacrifices. And youre going to have the same living situation once you land a low-paying entry-level job on Capitol Hill. Use the Senate Placement Office Each congressional office is its own employing entity. There is no central human resources office supporting members of Congress. However, they do have some help. In the Senate, help comes from the Senate Placement Office. The Senate Placement Office performs two key functions for senators offices and committees. One, they advertise vacant jobs. They do this through Senate Employment Bulletin. Each job posting has information about the employing senator or committee, job duties and how to apply. The other main function of the Senate Placement Office is maintaining a resume bank. Hiring managers in senators office s can ask the Senate Placement Office to refer qualified candidates. It only takes three steps to put yourself in the mix. First, you create an online profile. Second, you input your resume. Third, you participate in an informational interview. Remember, this only gets your resume into a big pile of others, so this cant be your only strategy for getting a Capitol Hill job. Use the House Vacancy Announcement and Placement Service Much like the Senate Placement Office serves particular human resources needs for Senate offices and committees, the House Vacancy Announcement and Placement Service supports House offices and committees. This placement office publishes the House Employment Bulletin and keeps a resume bank. Again, signing up to receive the House Employment Bulletin and putting your resume in the bank cannot be your only steps toward your internship or congressional staffer job. Work as many angles as you can. You never know which ones will pay off.

Robotic Suits May Transform Manufacturing

Robotic Suits May Transform Manufacturing Robotic Suits May Transform Manufacturing Robotic Suits May Transform ManufacturingWearable powered or unpowered robotic suitsmetal frameworks fitted with motorized muscles to multiply the wearers strengthare set to dramatically change the manufacturing industry.In 2003, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, created Bleex, a robotic device that attaches to the lower body to complement the users strength. Fourteen years later, variations of these devices, which go by a number of names, including robotic exoskeleton and exosuit, are used primarily in health care rehabilitation. They allow wearers to operate, for example, a paralyzed limb, and help stroke victims move limbs as they regain strength and range of motion, says Dan Kara, robotics researcher at ABI Research, a technology market research company in New York.In 2014, the ReWalk system became the first personal robotic exoskeleton to be approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration. The battery-powered robotic suit, from ReWalk Robotics of Yokneam, Israel, attaches to the legs and lower back. It contains motors at the knee and hip joints and sensors to help it adjust with each footfall. While wearing the device and holding two forearm crutches, someone with complete lower-limb paralysis can walk.The full-body, wearable exoskeleton from Ekso Bionics is used to help paralyzed patients walk. Image Ekso BionicsBecause the suits are expensivethe ReWalk suits cost about $80,000their makers have looked to uses in other industries. Manufacturing, agriculture, and construction were obvious matches because the suits could be worn to enhance strength, Kara says.In manufacturing, the exosuits augment human motion to allow for more lifting strength and for improved production on repetitive tasks like squatting, bending, or walking, Kara says. Worker wearing the suits will also be less prone to severe injuries from accidents or overwork. Worker overexertion c osts U.S. employers around $15 billion annually in compensation, he adds.When bending forward while wearing an exoskeleton from SuitX, compressed-air springs in the back of the suit take some of the lifting load off the wearer. A shoulder unit uses a similar assist-mechanism for lifting or working overhead, says Homayoon Kazerooni, chief executive officer at SuitX of Berkeley, CA, which makes exoskeleton systems for the legs, backs, and shoulders as well as a full-body version.ABI Research forecasts the robotic exoskeleton market will reach $1.8 billion in 2025, up from $68 1000000 in 2014. This year, about 6,000 suits will be sold, mainly for rehabilitation. By 2025, ABI expects to see about 2.6 million on the market thanks to adoption by the manufacturing and construction industries.Still, the suits have yet to see widespread adoption within factories and plants. Thats slowly changing as implementations begin.Audi is using the Chairless Chair from Noonee to ease production workers strain. Image Audi.Since the end of 2016/beginning of 2017, the BMW Group Plant in Spartanburg, SC has deployed 66 Airframe Exoskeletons from Levitate Technologies, San Diego, CA, which provide shoulder support, and multiple Chairless Chair units from the Swiss company Noonee.The EksoWorks Vest is a shoulder and arm support exoskeleton with a headrest designed to alleviate the strain of continuously working with heavy tools above waist level. It uses no power, but provides ergonomic upper body and arm support that makes objects seem to weigh much less than they do and enables a worker to operate in a factory line posture without fatigue, according to Ekso Bionics.The Chairless Chair locks into distributions-mix when a worker has to crouch or stand for prolonged periods. It reduces the pressure on the knee and the rest of the leg.Both the chairless chair and the should and arm support suits sell for about $5,000 each, far less than the suits mean to help those who are paralyzed walk .Eleven lower-body exoskeletons are already in use across several BMW Group plants in Germany. The exoskeleton consists of movable splints affixed to the legs or torso and locked in different positions. The leg support structure can transform prolonged standing into sitting to improve the comfort and flexibility of working conditions, says Christian Dunckern, Head of BMW Group production system, planning, toolmaking, and plant engineering.It will be possible to further reduce ergonomically unfavorable and strenuous tasks, giving workers an opportunity to apply their cognitive skills to the best effect, he says.German carmaker Audi is also using the Chairless Chain in production.We also anticipate new applications for colleagues with reduced physical capabilities, says Mathias Keil, head of industrial engineering methods at Audi AG.Parker Hannafin, Cyberdyne, Rex Bionics, and other companies currently make these suits, most of which were first created in tandem with military develope rs.For BMW Group, the exoskeletons complement other robotic and factory digitization efforts. They push robotics down to the operator level by allowing production-line workers to benefit from the robots strength, Dunckern says.BMW may bring in more exosuits in the future, after further evaluation, he adds.In the time of smart devices and digitalization, we must still keep an eye on the added value the applied technology offers to the company, Dunckern says. Nobody is better qualified to judge this than the people who actively shape our production system on a daily basis.Jean Thilmany is an independent writer. For Further Discussion Nobody is better qualified to judge this value than the people who actively shape our production system on a daily basis.Christian Dunckern, Head of BMW Group

Pros and Cons of Getting a Corporate Credit Card

Pros and Cons of Getting a Corporate leistungspunkt Card Pros and Cons of Getting a Corporate Credit Card A corporate card sounds like a great perk, but dontforget the fine print.Most importantly, you need to clarify whether youre being offered a corporate card or a business leistungspunkt card. They may sound like the saatkorn thing, but theyre actually a little different. One key distinction Where business credit cards are concerned, employees are personally responsible if the company fails to make good on the payments not so with corporate cards.Corporate credit cards are a breed all their own. They come with some pretty nice benefits, but also a few drawbacks that are worth your attention. Consider these pros and cons before going all in.Pros of a Corporate Card1. Your Personal Credit Is Out of the MixWhen you receive a corporate credit card, the monthly billgoes directly to your employer. Your corporate card activity isnt reflected on your personal credit report because your c ompanytakes full responsibility for any expenses you charge. Your only responsibility is to use your corporate card in accordance with your companys policies. (Put another way Keep all personal expenses off this card.)Keeping work-related expenses away from your personal credit history has some other benefits as well. If you were to use a personal card, work charges would increase your credit utilization ratio (a.k.a., the amount of available credit youre currently using). This ratio makes up 30 percent of your FICO Score. Translation Carrying work debt from month to month could bring down your credit score.2. You Dont Have to Wait for ReimbursementsTheres definitely a convenience factor to having a corporate credit card. Using a personal credit card to pay for business expenses means waiting for your employer to pay you back.If you are flush with cash and can just pay it off and afford to wait for your reimbursement to come in, thats not going to be too much of an issue, says Bever ly Harzog,credit card expert and consumer finance analyst for US News World Report. If youre a person who lives paycheck to paycheck, waiting for that reimbursement can get a little dicey for you.3. The Card Isnt a Concern When You Exit the CompanyWhen the time comes for you to leave your company, your employer will cancel your corporate card. This wont affect your credit, since activity on the card doesnt show up on your credit report.However, if you were granted a business card - which is connected to your personal credit history - closing down that line of credit would reduce your available credit limit and increase your credit utilization ratio. As a result, your credit score could fall.Cons of a Corporate Card1. You Wont Reap Any Credit Card RewardsUnfortunately, you probably wont be able to cash in on any rewards you accumulate with your corporate credit card.Many people want to use their own cards because they can earn rewards, Harzog says. With a corporate card, those rew ards points just get funneled back to your employer instead.Some companies might make some sort of arrangement or exception, she adds. But, in general, you should not expect to be getting those rewards if youre using a corporate card.In other words Dontplan to cover your next vacations airfare with miles accumulated from your businesspurchases.2. You May Feel Pressured to Use It - Even When You ShouldntHaving a corporate credit card in your wallet does not give you license to whip it out whenever you want. Every company has its own set of guidelines around employee spending, and straying from them could put you in hot water.Youre held accountable for your expenses, even if youre not filling out an expense report, says Harzog. If you cant justify your expenses, its going to make you look bad and could put your job at risk, so practice setting boundaries.- Corporate credit cards are nice in that they keep your work expenses separatefrom your personal spendingand leaveyour credit scor e intact. The major downside is youll miss out on earning rewards. At the end of the day, only you can decide whether thats a worthwhile trade.Marianne Hayes is a longtime freelance writer and content marketing specialist.

What we know about the big Google Docs phishing attack

What we know about the big Google Docs phishing attackWhat we know about the big Google Docs phishing attackUsers of Gmails Google Docs, the popular cloud-based rival to Microsoft Word, were struck by a sophisticated phishing attack that swept through their networks. The scam appeared to start with influential users and spread rapidly over the course of a couple of hours in the middle of the workday on May 3.