Reading time: 3 – 4 minutes

It’s time to meet the boss to ask for an increase and impress him/her that he/she should give it to you. Remember: Most companies do not give salary increase now unless you demand for it. If you are asking for one, that’s your right!

Here are 8 steps to a higher salary:

1. Schedule a Meeting with Your Boss

Take the correct time and/or situation to ask for a salary increase. Make sure that the company has the capability to give you an increase. If it’s losing, your case is lost. Although some companies do give salary increases even if the bottom line is red, your company may not be the -exception. Timing is crucial to getting the salary increase you want.

2. Go to the Meeting

Assuming that your company is capable and/or maybe willing to give a salary increase, set the meeting with your boss. The best time to do it is after a great work review or at the end of the financial year. Avoid Mondays when your boss is likely to be at his/her busiest. A good time to -aim for is early afternoon. Go to the meeting 30 minutes before the actual appointment.

3. State Your Case

Speak of your accomplishments in the company. Remind your boss what you’ve done for the company. Talk about how you’ve increased productivity or how you’ve contributed to its profitability. State them in a positive way. Mention any extra training or study that you’ve done. You can also present ideas for company improvements.

4. Know What You Want

Don’t dither. Such an attitude will make your boss think that you are not confident of what you want. Besides, it can make you nervous that you lose track of your ends. The best way to do this is, be firm of what you want. State a dollar amount that’s commensurate with your experience and the going rate for your position.

5. Suggest a Range

Don’t give a fix amount of the salary that you expect. You may give a specific amount hat is way too high of what the company can afford. It can also –work the other way around. Your quoting price may actually be lower than what your boss has in mind. A much better strategy is to give a range. This will give yourself and your boss room for negotiation.

6. Invoke Tenure and Qualification

Remind your boss how long you’ve been with the company and the accomplishment from the time you began until your salary request. Tell him/her the extra duties that you’ve assumed during the time. Be as specific as possible. If your boss asks question/s about them, answer as clearly as possible. Emphasize how they improve company operations.

7. Present Supporting Documents

It is best that you put your request for a salary increase in writing. Copy-furnish the personnel department. Bring other documents such as certificates and other papers in connection with your work. If you have received additional training and/or education, present them, too. This will make the presentation of your request complete.

8. Finish Up Quickly

Make your points. If the pitch works, you have done a good jab. If it does not work, it may be that your boss is unable to grant you a raise on the spot, so ask when you should check back with him/her. If the answer is “no” because of budgetary constraints, negotiate for perks. Do not show a negative reaction if you don’t ‘get it. It may work against you.

Good luck! Remember the, ever-reliable cliché: Practice makes perfect! Even men are turned down when they ask for a salary increase! They also must; practice to be perfect at it.

Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes

Evelyn is leaving her job and she’s actually excited about it. “The job was great,” she explains, “but it was simply not meant to be.”

According to Evelyn, she really has a lot to gripe about her job. “My officemates are awful,” she remarks, “no matter how hard I try to befriend them or at least work with them; they always made me feel like an outsider.” Worse, she notes, her boss is indifferent to her and even hostile at times.

“We simply didn’t connect,” Evelyn says. “I’ve spent a lot of time crying my heart out in private because of the things I’ve experienced.”

Luckily, Evelyn was accepted in another job. Soon enough, she filed her resignation (“To my boss’ surprise”) and prepared to leave the soonest that the company could say “go.”

Lately though, Evelyn’s thoughts, have become slightly darker especially towards her boss and the officemates she will be leaving behind. “Oh, I’ve a mind to speak out before leaving,” she notes, “but somehow, this little voice inside has stopped me from doing so. What should I do?”

Well, it is Evelyn’s (and other employees in a similar situation) choice to do what she pleases. However, it’s a small world out there and employees should be mindful of not readily burning bridges in exchange for a personally satisfying rebuff to people who have caused them harm.

Quitting your job? Here’s a list of dos and don’ts that would enable you to leave a lasting and good impression

Be professional. So you’ve decided to leave and are in fact ready to give your resignation letter. What to do? Well, dress the part. Dressing professionally (in a business suit or something appropriate) confirms the impression that what you are doing is professionally motivated and is no way personal in nature. Plus, it shows your superior and officemates that you are serious with your decision and happy with it—something that might infuriate them further perhaps, to your satisfaction.

Finish your job. You’re ready to move. Should you decide to stay on for the mandatory two-week’s notice or should you pack your bags immediately? Well, better stick with the former even if you do want to run outside the company premises shouting hallelujah. This shows that you are committed and loyal despite your ‘bad’ experiences with the company.

Moreover, you can take this time to prepare all the necessary paperwork with regards to the benefits you might receive from the company.

The former is also the smart thing to do as you are legally obligated to show your replacement the ropes. You could also take this as an opportunity to teach your replacement the finer points of office politicking (i.e. who to keep away from and who to approach in order to get the juiciest office gossip).

Nonetheless, set a reasonable limit to your departure because you never know if your present boss might decide to jeopardize your chances of moving on. As such, be sure to explicitly state the terms of your departure (“two weeks that’s it”) with or without extension as you see fit.

Show appreciation. Saying ‘thank you’ despite the horrible experiences you had in the job you are leaving shows good breeding and office savvy. Again, what goes around comes around and you never know just when and where you might bump into your boss and officemates.

Resist the urge to say a mouthful you might regret later on. Such an act further mitigates the chance of your previous boss and officemates badmouthing you in the future. Indeed, they’d probably be confounded by your class act and may even feel guilty.

Resist saying the last word. This is related to showing appreciation. Sure, you felt bad during your stay in the company but that is almost in the past. Resist saying anything that would be misconstrued as negative as this would be a bad mark towards you. After all, despite your experiences, no job is perfect and you should be able to discern that by now—evil bosses and officemates notwithstanding.

Give stuff away or return them. You don’t have to bring everything you’ve accumulated in your office desk to your new job. Clutter is clutter no matter how much you infuse it with memories. Just bring your personal effects and leave the rest behind. Return the office equipment given to you. Try to make a list of the equipment and provide personnel with a copy.

Parting is such sweet sorrow—so say goodbye! Believe it or not, if your office experiences are horrible in the first place, saying goodbye to your officemates and boss will be a cathartic release unlike any other. As such, be sure to say `goodbye’ as often as you can to the people around you. Again, the world we are moving in is so small that you just never know if you and your officemates will cross paths again. As such, say ‘goodbye’ honestly and sincerely. After all, you never know when you just might meet anew to say “hello.”

Reading time: 3 – 5 minutes

Here’s how to turn your regular old job into your dream job:

1. Devise a sound plan. Use your imagination. If you feel that something is lacking in the current setup in your job, what exactly would it be? What do you expect to happen on a typical day to break the monotony of it all? Write every detail of your personal scheme and carefully follow each specification.

Take the case of Ellen, a 40-something teacher who works in high school. Aware that she was unlikely to be offered further promotion, she approached career counselors for advice. “I learned that I was in the right job, and that the only problem was that I gradually lost sight of the real challenge in my profession. Changing profession was not really what I wanted in the first place, but an improvement in what I’m currently doing,” she said.

Ellen accepted that she alone was responsible for her career and sought ways of focusing less on kids and more on adults. She discussed her dilemma with some of her contemporaries and soon realized that there were other means by which she could be of service to her school. She spent time absorbing expert’s knowledge about teacher assessment and eventually became in-charge of the in-school training on the subject. Now, Ellen is fully backed up by the educational institution she’s involved with, giving her more room for career growth.

2. Sharpen your time management. Your time at work may be occupied even- second but it doesn’t mean that you’re producing effectively in required amount of time. Some precious minutes could be wasted doing unnecessary things. Don’t carry the burden of the work exclusively on your back. It’s always beneficial to bear in you’re out of it. If there are no direct personnel under you, delegate your tasks sideways. A job that seems dull to you may be stretching to a co-worker. Learn to be a tolerant worker but be careful not to end up too many tedious jobs.

3. Let your problem be known to your boss. Never keep your dissatisfaction as a top-secret professional issue. As soon as you’ve identified the source of your problem and come up with potentially workable solutions, send your manager a note. In there are the changes you’d like to make yourself, the positive consequences of giving you the leeway to carry out the change, and the essential steps needed to accomplish the change and the timeframe you’re reserving for them. For example it will save the department money; it will ensure faster accomplishments of task. Make sure you put the accent on the benefits your company will reap rather than what you yourself will keep.

4. Discuss everything with your boss. When your boss finally got a mental hold of your proposal, it’s time to strengthen your position by tackling the details with him in person. So as not to get caught off hand, anticipate the possible counterarguments that your boss will make. Then list down your answers to these questions. Your boss remains the final judge of your proposal, so it’s important that you thoroughly convince him via the substance of your responses as well as your manner of presenting your ideas. Each objection should be met by sensible explanation and appropriate words that demonstrate your loyalty and concern for the business organization.

5. Learn to count your blessings or devise your escape route. Negotiate for a better deal if the company treasures your work, your job can be rearranged to jibe with your requirements. However, management may also give your request a thumb’s down sign. Under this eventuality, know what weighs to you more. If you believe that your desire to bag a new job is greater than your need for your present employment, ft’s time to engage in a job hunt. Because you know what you want now, you should be in control of your fate.

Reading time: 2 – 3 minutes

Work time has never been meant to be fun time. With the pressure of keeping up with the pace of your day-to-day activities, the constant nagging of your boss about the completion of a particular task, the extra hours of pushing yourself to produce, and the difficult challenge of performing up to par in spite of uncooperative workmates, it’s impossible to derive pleasure while trying to cope with all these hassles.

Yet there’s an inner part of you that yearns so eagerly to break out from this modern form of bondage. Deep inside, you want to find enjoyment in the things that you do. You want to seriously climb the top of the career ladder while still flashing a brilliant smile in every flight that you take. You want your job to be not just your source of livelihood but to be your spirit-booster, your happiness-supplier and your dream-weaver.

How many times have you spoken to yourself about staying put to your current line of work? How many times have you tried to come to terms with yourself and just hope for a better day to come? And how often have you countered yourself feeling that your work is devoid of enjoyment and will never become an ideal one for you, now or in the near future?

Regular 9-5 o’clock workers who go through this repeated cycle often end up seeking the new employment. They begin to cling to the idea that shifting job is the only logical option. They believe that when your interest in your present career slowly dies, the only way to resuscitate it back to the world of the living is to find another place where you can suitably exist.

However, changing jobs may not be the direct answer to your problem. There are instances when hanging onto your present employment is better than transferring to where the grass is presumably greener. Indeed, who can guarantee you that moving on will not present you with exactly the same problem? Before you call it quits, give your plan of changing careers a second or third thought. You may still turn your long-time job into your dream job. All that you may need is a few routine changes, willingness to experiment, and a freshly developed work perspective.

Reading time: 2 – 4 minutes

Continued from How To Tell If You’re Considered For Termination – Part One

4. You committed a blatant mistake. There’s a rather cute saying that say, “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Well, it sure doesn’t hurt if you make occasional slips from time to time. For as a human, you are not created to act and think perfectly. Unfortunately, the workplace is a world where there are practically no rooms for errors. It is not like in school where you are allowed to have mistakes in a quiz and still earn a satisfactory grade in the end. In the office, one wrong move could spell total doom to the company, and subsequently, to your career. So rather than treat your major mistake as an insignificant oversight, do something to rectify it right away. Failure to do so may mean packing up your bags for good.

5. Your newly arrived workmate has taken over. It pricks your pride like it has never been pricked before. You’ve been loyal to the company and diligent to your work all through these years. And now, your boss has suddenly repaid your efforts by assigning a new man to call the shots in your department. He carries outstanding credentials and glowing work experience. On the job, he knows how to play the game smoothly and when to take charge. You try to protest but management seems comfortable with his services. The guy has been personally hand-picked and you can’t do anything to bend that fact anymore.

6. There’s a change in management control. Powers have shifted hands. New executives have barged into the scene and, sadly for you, they are starting from scratch. That means your previous reputation as the department’s resident star may not at all be recognized. Put your feet back on the ground. Management has expressed its interest in retaining the body essentials and melting the excess fats. Are you in or out?

7. You get unsatisfactory review from your superior. When your boss scrutinizes every move you make and every word you say, you know that something is wrong somewhere. You don’t have to seek the help of a cartomancy expert to realize that the reason why he’s breathing down your neck is because he really is evaluating your performance. Think of what you can do to change his view while there is still time left. Don’t wait for your boss’s personal appraisal to finish. Your future in the organization may be on the line now, so improve your overall performance and prove that you are truly a prized recruit. That will give them reasons to think twice before booting you out.

Reading time: 3 – 5 minutes

Job security is a big deal among the members of today’s workforce. With economy still standing on shaky grounds and the cost of living rocketing to almost sky high, it is not hard to fathom why every employee’s primary concern now is how to hold on tight to his steady source of livelihood.

A regular worker certainly knows the importance of clinging on to his job. What he may not know is how to make sure that he won’t be singled out by management once dreadful company decisions like downsizing and merging come striking. Needless to say, to be given the pink slip is the worst nightmare that every nine to five guy could have. It messes up one’s career plans. It jeopardizes one’s future. It demoralizes one’s spirit:

Yet to be bumped off from your post is a fact of professional life. When the wheel of competition rolls, no one is completely untouchable. Even CEOs and other company executives can be given the axe under certain circumstances. What more for an ordinary workplace fellow who is always regarded as an expendable part of the organization?

For sure, no one wants to be fired from his job unceremoniously. But then again, if your time is up you’ve got nothing else to do but accept it. The important thing is that while you’re giving your best shot at all time, you are also prepared for the worst that could happen.

If you suspect that you’re being considered for termination, confirm your feelings by looking at these signs:

1. You get the feeling of an outsider. Two years ago you were considered the company’s go-to- guy. You orchestrated some of the plays and were always one of the first people in the office to know it there’s a corporate scoop coming. Your boss trusted you with vital information and the prospect of your future looked bright. However, things have alarmingly changed these days. You’re no longer invited to attend crucial meetings. Your immediate superior seldom seeks your suggestion. Your responsibilities have been significantly decreased. When there’s an apparent lost of trust from the person you’re working for, you might be headed for the nearest exit in a matter of days or weeks.

2. Your boss has advised you to take a vacation. A break granted when you don’t need it or seek for it can raise many questions on your part. But if you think logically, you’ll understand what kind of message your superior is actually attaching to his statement. This is not the normal reprieve that a battered employee receives after weeks of non-stop work. This is not the ordinary vacation given at the end of the fiscal year when everybody else deserves a few rest days. In an indirect manner, your boss may be trying to say that he doesn’t want your presence around the office for the time being. Maybe you have put up a sub-standard performance in your latest project. Maybe you have fallen short of your job description.

3. You need an attitude overhaul. You say a word and the people around you never take it seriously. You do a thing and your colleagues just shrug their shoulders and never bother to comprehend. Instead of casting your influence on others, they are the ones who are mouthing off criticism to your direction. They complain about your bloating ego. They talk about your penchant to say the first thing that comes off your mind, even if such remark offends someone near you. In short, they have completely thrown off the window their respect on you. Are you still in-tune with the times? Are you still in control of yourself? Or do you need a refreshing course on how to be sensitive and decent in dealing with your co-workers?

For more please read: How to Tell If You’re Considered For Termination – Part II

Reading time: 3 – 5 minutes

One of the hardest pieces of advice I came across was this: “The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out and do it.” The person advising me even added, “Once you do it, you’ll move from a place of pain, paralysis and depression to one of power, energy and excitement.”

Up to now, I am still looking forward to the day when I can actually hold a spider, thank you! I fear spiders. And no thanks, I could rather remain in that “place of pain, paralysis and depression” that my adviser was alluding to. It will not ruin my life anyway, even if I do not muster enough courage to hold a spider until the day I die!

But then….

Some things in life, we have to try. More than spiders, we have to conquer many fears that limit us: The fear of speaking in public, of coming up to strangers, the fear of speaking up what’s on our mind, the fear of hurting people or being hurt by people… These fears and many more, can paralyze us. They can give us a miserable time.

So, how do we go out and face that which we fear? Here are some strategies…

First, imagine the new you. Go beyond your fear and imagine yourself when you have finally conquered that which you fear. In your mind, picture yourself with a higher salary because you came up to your boss and demanded what you deserve. Imagine receiving thousands of commission because you overcame your fear of approaching possible clients. Imagine having a sexy body because you finally went for that liposuction you’ve been dreaming of but were afraid to have. Imagine too, how you feel with your success. That ought to push you to actually conquer your fear!

Second, research for the facts. We fear the unknown. If we knew what’s there for us, what will happen–no exaggeration, no prejudice, then we will know how to prepare, how to counteract. We can arm ourselves–emotionally, physically and mentally if we know who and what our enemy and battle will be. Thus, if you are afraid of something, research. Know everything you have to know so you can prepare yourself for battle. Look for statistics, interview those who have experienced what you are about to, read, surf the net. Use technology to your advantage.

Third, change your routine. Let’s say you fear heights. Because of that, you avoid carnivals because you might be persuaded to ride the Ferris Wheel or the octopus or roller coaster. For a change, don’t play safe. Go to a carnival. At first, just watch your friends as they enjoy themselves. Who knows, you may be challenged. You may volunteer to try the rides without anybody having to cajole you. And once you do–even the simplest ride of all, you will feel braver.

Fourth, go for it! Going back to the carnival experience. Once you have tried to actually ride and not just watch your friends, you’re in. Go for it! Even if you still feel insecure, try the next complicated ride. Finally, aim for the highest, of all, the roller-coaster. After that, do it more often until you discover that you have successfully conquered your fear of heights! Once you’ve conquered your fears of heights, think of how much more wonderful your life will be: you can go nature tripping, mountain climbing, rappelling, and bungee jumping. You can ride see-through elevators and enjoy the breathtaking sights, you can look out from the window when you ride an airplane, you can…

As for me, since there’s nothing to lose, but in fact, more to gain because of my fear of spiders (I will be forced to keep the house clean), then it is okay. I’ll just try to face this fear some other time.
Hey wait a minute…who shouted “Coward!”?

Reading time: 3 – 4 minutes

Choosing the perfect career is a sure thing for success in life. However, in order to choose the most suitable career for yourself, you need to spend lots of time. Everyone has a purpose in life, from a farmer to a singer; we all want to contribute to the world in one way or the other. Knowing who you are and what you want is extremely important in the search for success.

When you are choosing your career, you can retrace your past steps. Take a look at your genealogy and childhood to recall what your interests and hobbies are; and who you initially want to become.

You need to now your exact values. These values will become extremely important in your career choice. Such values as independent thinker, freedom, being your own boss will help you decide what type of job you want.

Choosing the right career also depends on your ability. To do well in a job, you need to have the skill set that the job requires. Consider what you can undertake and what you can accomplish if you take a job; evaluate the pros and cons of that job to give yourself an idea of the possibility of your success.

There are many options available to you. You should do a search on Google or in the library to find different career paths options. There are plenty of jobs available on the market and waiting for you. If you feel stuck in your current employment and find no option, it is because you haven’t done enough research.

Another important point to remember is to follow your heart.  You will succeed at anything provided you love to do it. That’s a very simple sentence but it contains all the information you need for your career choice. Don’t just choose a career because other people advice you to do so. You understand yourself best, so why you distrust yourself and believe in someone else who doesn’t know you thoroughly?

If you are still unsure of what step you should take, a career adviser may help you. He/she will give you a career test and see what you are most suited for. You can talk to the adviser about what you really want and your ability, he will be glad to give out useful information about what you should do.

A perfect career is something all of us dream of. But many of us constantly change their career. It is common for an average person to have at least two career changes in his life. When you are changing your career too fast, it means you haven’t put enough thought in your career decision. To achieve the most in life, we need to plan our future wisely, and choosing the right career is one important step towards achieving what you want.

You can get started making money today by considering Paid Surveys, an Online Job or a Real Writing Job.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

One secret many people are unaware of when it comes to a career is to be an Independent Contractor. With this status, instead of being an employee, can result in substantial increases in privacy, tax savings and time freedom. California attorney Bill Rounds discusses how to be an independent contractor.

Reading time: 3 – 4 minutes

There are many opportunities as well as challenges associated with being unemployed.  When we are working on a job, we put all our strength into it, whether we are satisfied with it or not. When we lose that job, we feel rejected and unwanted. If we can not find another job quickly to fill in the gap, we will feel very stressful or even depressed.

However, if we look at unemployment from a positive point of view, it is an excellent time for us to refresh ourselves and make crucial changes that will have a positive impact on our lives.  Choosing the right career is extremely important.

The first “resolution” you should make is to take this free time to repair things around the house. You can also choose to work on a project that you have wanted to do but haven’t got the time. You will find fun in doing small things and have a sense of accomplishment. This will certainly improve your mood if you are under stress.

You can provide your service for free to prove your ability in order to attract employers. You can search public records.  Volunteer to do jobs for your neighbors or help the community with social activities is just some ideas you can follow. You will feel elated when being able to help others and the people who receive your free service can become your potential employers.

You can also start your own business. Many people after being unemployed start their own business and succeed. What you need is a passion and determination to turn that passion into a lucrative business. You will be your own boss and there is no more “regular schedule”, or “late for work”. But remember, starting one’s own business requires lots of energy and knowledge. You have to learn about the facts before beginning to do anything.

If you can’t start your own business then think about the possibility of part-time or contract employment.

Job. At least a part time job will provide you with a means to cover your basic expense. It is better to work for your pay than to wait for an unemployment check. Many part time jobs offer the possibility of full time employment.

You should maintain a positive attitude all the time. Follow the tips for choosing a career.  Although it is very hard to keep feeling well while you are unemployed and have nothing to do, you still have to keep confident feelings with you so as to be truly successful afterwards. A positive attitude is everything you need to advance in life. Just a minor setback should not ruin your confidence. People will have difficulties some time in their lives, you are just one of them, and therefore, you should learn to deal with these adversities effectively.

In summary, you need to keep your chin up and fight the adversities. You have to be someone an employer wants to hire. By being confident and doing various constructive activities you will greatly increase your chance of getting a job.

Reading time: 2 – 4 minutes

Continued from Reforming Habitual Latecomers Part One

Is There Hope?

There are many other possible reasons why a person becomes a habitual latecomer. But the bigger question is: Can they be reformed?

Luckily, yes.

The process of reforming a habitual latecomer is not simple. It requires the help of those around him, but most of all, his own conviction to change. A latecomer who is determined to change must let the people around him–his immediate family, his close friends and co-workers–know that he wants to change because he will need their help.

Here are some strategies:

First, instruct your friends not to wait for you longer than a specified length of time. If they can have the nerve to wait for you for half an hour (or even longer), tell them to wait for only up to 15 minutes. After a week, adjust the allowance to only 10 minutes. The next week, cut it down to only five minutes… until you are forced to arrive on time. Do not hold grudges if they leave you. That should force you to be more punctual.

Second, fine yourself or ask your friends, relatives, or co-workers to fine you the next time you arrive later than 10 minutes. After a week, let them fine you if you arrive one minute later than the agreed time.

Third, ask a member of your family (your mom or sibling) to act as your timer. For instance, ask her to wake you up at six in the morning and not to leave you until you actually step out of bed. Then ask her to pester you so that you leave the house at exactly seven. If you rely on yourself alone, you won’t be able to do that because you have no sense of time! You need someone else to discipline you until you become disciplined on your own.

Fourth, if you agree to meet friends or relatives at a certain time, agree too that if you arrive more than five minutes late, you will shoulder all their snacks or perform their library research! You can also agree to be their “slave” for the day if you come late!

Fifth, work at your self-esteem. This is a more difficult strategy and it takes longer to achieve. The effort is worth it though, because once you gain self-confidence, you will improve as a whole and not only where it concerns punctuality. Develop a talent that you have. (Yes, you do have a talent. Everybody has!) Excel in your own field so that people will admire and respect you.

Sixth, ask your mom, sibling or your spouse to advance the setting of your alarm clock without your knowing.

Seventh, psyche yourself. Keep reminding yourself that you can do it, that you can be punctual. Repeat this every time you have an appointment,

Reading time: 3 – 4 minutes

Whether women have or don’t have the right to be late (even for their wedding), it doesn’t matter. The point is, both men and women can be habitual late comers. There’s something more about being a habitual latecomer than just a faulty alarm clock, a hang-over, the blasted traffic, surfing the net till three a.m. or any other reason that is to blame. For habitual latecomers, the problem is more of psychological and emotional. May I repeat–we are talking of habitual latecomers here in Comstock.

I am sure you know them: people who arrive 30 minutes to an hour late, people who are always late, never mind if their appointment is just three blocks away from where they are coming from!

Countless studies made psychologists come up with different reasons why people become habitual latecomers.  Here are five:

First, the desire to be above reality – This may be hard to believe. One theory is that habitual latecomers have a subconscious desire to prove to themselves and to those around them that they are above reality: that they have their own perception of time and even their own ethics. Most habitual latecomers believe that there’s nothing wrong about being late, about making other people wait for them. What is important for them is that they arrived!

Second, Freud’s finding – Sigmund Freud was among the first to analyze the psychology of habitual latecomers. In a breakthrough experiment, he gave several people their own stopwatches. They were then instructed to stop their watches every ten minutes. Amusingly, the habitual latecomers in the group likewise stopped their watches late! The test results proved that habitual latecomers have their own perception of time!

Third, the childhood connection – It is believed that kids who had difficulty with toilet training, finishing their food or sleeping are the ones who become habitual latecomers when they become adults. That is because, as kids, they associated certain times of the day with the difficulties and discomfort they experienced. In the child’s mind, he may be thinking “10 a.m. is when I will be forced to take a bath, one p.m. is when I will be forced to take a nap, six p.m. is when I will be forced to relieve myself before I go to sleep…” Therefore, the child subconsciously thinks of ways to stop the clock so that those dreaded times won’t come!

Fourth, self-esteem – Aside from childhood hang-ups, being habitually tardy was also found to be connected to a low self-esteem. People with low self-esteem may unconsciously find ways to feel important and powerful. One is by making other people wait for them. In their mind, they believe that “I am important. Even if I always arrive late, they will still wait for me. They enjoy my presence so they won’t mind if they always wait for me!”

Fifth, discipline deficit – The lack of discipline is another reason for being a habitual latecomer. A person who grew up in a household where he was seldom or never assigned responsibilities will find it hard to handle responsibilities when he grows up into an adult. He won’t care if he arrives on time (or if he arrives at all) for appointments. He won’t be bothered if he can’t submit projects and assignments on the given deadline.

Continued in Reforming Habitual Latecomers Part Two

Reading time: 2 – 4 minutes

To find the perfect career that best suits you, you really have to consider everything you have achieved in your life to date, and in addition to that, you need to take into consideration everything you would have wished to achieve.

You can ask yourself important questions like:

Why you chose you last job?

Have you ever considered every possible career you can undertake?

One sure thing you should not do is to follow other people’s mainstream ideas. Do some reading at the public library.  There’s no need applying for a job just because many others are applying to it. Acting upon other’s advice is also not very good for your career path. You need to think for yourself and decide.

If you would love to become an English teacher teaching English to foreign students, you should choose that career. Do not dismiss it just because it seems a bit odd at first thought. You will only succeed when you are able to do the thing you like. Therefore, you should be bold in your career choice.

Have you had a burning desire to do something different in your life? Maybe now you realize how valuable past career experiences are for your future development. You know the common mistakes that can cost you jobs and the important of your past achievement to your future employment.

To truly evaluate yourself.  Ask yourself hard questions like:

What type of personality do you have?

What do you expect from a job?

How do you know when you have got the perfect job?

What is your decision based on?

Do you have the required skills for your ideal job?

Who else will be affected by your career choice?

How many options are available to you?

There are resources both online and in print to help you make your choice. . One of the most effective methods is to go online and take a personality test to determine your skills, values and interests. Once you have evaluated your peculiarities, you can start your real journey the best matched career of your choice.

When you think about the past and consider what made you got to where you are now, have you ever thought of where you will be standing in the future? And how can you get there?

Setting up your expectations and goals is the first and most important step to achieve what you want in your career and also in your life.

You also have to consider the location and type of the job (permanent or contract), the work structure, reward and recognition, and any pressure associated with the job.

It is in fact a very simple process if you know what your values are. I wish you best luck in your career!

Reading time: 2 – 4 minutes

Continued from Eight Steps To Be Self Reliant Part One

Fifth, mingle. Forget burying your head in the punch bowl. When you arrive at a party, stride over to someone who seems interesting and strike up a conversation. Introduce yourself to the woman in the leopard-print dress. Ask the shy guy in the corner how he knows the host. Request a martini-making lesson from the bartender. You’ll probably help other people beat their anxieties in the process of beating your own.

Sixth, make the perfect toast. When you want to congratulate a pal on her promotion or drink to your uncle’s birthday party, stand up after everyone has arrived and settled down– but before you’ve had too much bubbly. Rehearsing ahead of time is a good idea. As for your word choice, “the only rule is that you be short, to the point and whenever possible, sincere.” Gentle jokes and teasing are fine but avoid sensitive subjects and questionable humor.

To expertly open champagne, cover the bottle’s neck and cork with a cloth napkin. This serves to “check the cork’s propulsion across the room” and secure your hold. Twist the cork slowly until you hear a pop.

Seventh, take charge in a medical emergency. In the United States someone is injured in his own home every nine seconds, reports the National Safety Council. Your best defense? Keep a well stocked first-aid kit on hand and be prepared. Memorize these tips from the Junior Girl Scouts Handbook:

• If someone is bleeding profusely, place a clean cloth directly on the wound and press firmly. If possible, elevate the bleeding part above heart level.
• Recognize the signs that a person is going into shock. Nausea, shallow breathing and cold and clammy skin are all indicators. If you suspect shock, keep the person lying down. Elevate feet and keep the victim warm by using blankets or your own clothing.
• Take a class in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Eighth, do not burst into tears. Your, boss/beau/enemy has just slapped you with one nasty insult. You burn with anger and embarrassment. And you feel tears welling in your eyes. How to stop a blubbering scene before it starts? “Imagine terrible revenge,” recommends a psychiatrist. Thinking about what you could—but never would– do is empowering. “If someone insults you, they’re putting you on the battle field,” explains one expert. “If you retreat or break down, you paint yourself as weak. You’ll give your attacker the advantage.”

However, bottle yourself up indiscriminately. “If something tragic happens, it’s appropriate and healthy to cry,” says an expert.

Reading time: 2 – 3 minutes

Confidence is one of the most valuable attributes a person can possess. Luckily, you don’t have to be born with it. Here are eight strategies that can turn even the shiest doe into a strong, self-reliant person.

First, know you can protect yourself. Learn the basics of self-defense. Start by walking down the street especially at night with your head up. “Looking down paints you as vulnerable,” says a martial arts expert. Stay away from doorways, alleys and other places where an attacker might hide.

If someone actually attacks you, scream like a hell. In addition to alerting others, releasing your fear and anger will enhance your feeling of power and prevent you from holding your breath or freezing,” say the folks at Resources for Personal Empowerment, a national non-profit organization that offers Street Smart seminars and self-defense courses.

Second, change a flat tire. Never again be a damsel in distress at the mercy of male passerby. Put on the emergency brake and grab the spare. Position the jack on the bumper or look for a jack notch near each tire. Crank the car up according to the instructions in your owner’s manual or inside the trunk lid. Use a screwdriver to pry the hubcap off and a socket wrench or tire iron to loosen the nuts. Slide the flat off, put the spare in the place, and tighten the nuts, let down the jack. You’re on your way! Practice this and other fast fixes in your driveway until you can do them in your sleep.

Third, make number crunching easy. Learning how to figure ten percent is a quick solution to many Math problems, says one psychologist. Just round up and move the decimal point one place to the left. Say, you’re bargain shopping and you find $4.95 fashion hair accessories and that’s 30% off. Round off the price tag to $5.00 and figure ten percent by moving the decimal point one space to the left triple it and subtract from the original price to get the sale price.

Fourth, learn to accept compliments. “Remind yourself that a person who compliments you is giving you a gift,” suggests a therapist. To refuse the gift would be uncomfortable for both of you. Instead, calmly say, “Thank you.” No ifs, no buts. “You may have to look in the mirror and practice until it’s automatic,” says another therapist. But that’s a small price to pay for putting yourself and others at ease.

Continued in Eight Steps To Be Self Reliant Part Two

Reading time: 2 – 4 minutes

There are many types of jobs available on the market.

Full-time employment: This requires you to work for about 35 to 40 hours per week and receive full weekly wages. You can receive many benefits associated with full-time employment: annual leave, long service leave, annual Holidays, and maybe retirement pension

Casual employment or contract employment: This type involves working on an hourly or daily basis. This type of employment has many disadvantages including:

• No paid sick leave.
• No guarantee of the number of hours worked
• Limited unfair dismissal protection
• No guarantee of regular income
• No paid public holidays

Because casual employment carries high risk, casual workers are often offered an extended loading between 15% and 34%, besides normal rate of pay.  Some awards state that casual workers must be paid for a minimum number of hours per day. Other awards allow employees to work for an indefinite number of hours.

Here are some pros and cons associated with contract employment:

There are many benefits you can have when you are a contractor.  Being a contractor means being your own boss. There will be no one supervising you or reprimand you. Being one’s own boss is the dream of everyone. That’s why contract employment has drawn lots of interests and will continue to be hot for the years coming.

When you are a contractor, you can determine when and where you work. This flexibility of creating your own hours is also very attractive. Many people make a transition from full-time employment to contract employment because of this flexibility

You can work at home. There will be no restriction on “regular schedule” for you to follow, you can work either in an office or at home, it’s your choice that matters.

You can have plenty of work. If your client is pleased with your performance, he will give you unlimited work, even more than you can handle. This is a very good point because you can choose the amount of money you will receive each month by working more or less.

The disadvantages with contract employment are as mentioned earlier. There is no guarantee associated with contract employment. If you are depending on regular income then maybe you won’t consider contract employment as your option. When there is an economic downturn, you, as a contractor, will be the first to get laid off. There is no guarantee of continued employment and employers may fire you for no reason.

There are also no benefits such as life insurance, medical benefits, or paid holidays for contractor.

Personally I think contract employment is not for everyone. You have to consider the risks and rewards carefully before deciding to pursue your career as a contractor. In spite of much instability, contract employment still emerges as a very lucrative type of doing business, especially if you are the kind of person who values personal freedom.

Reading time: 3 – 4 minutes

Becoming successful is like cooking an intricate dish. There are many ingredients to make the recipe fantastic. Some ingredients are used more than the others. But each of them contributes to the overall taste of the dish.

You may be surprised to find out that you have all the ingredients to be successful. The problem is, most of the time, you do not know which ingredient to use and how much to use. If you have too much of one ingredient, you come up with a different dish!

Aside from using the right ingredients in the right portion, you also have to process the ingredients properly. Just like in cooking, you should not fry what you should boil. Some recipes taste better when baked rather than when fried and so on….

The same goes with success. As there are standard procedures, there are also common elements among successful people: They have a dream and a plan. They try to learn as much as they can about their goal and they are willing to work hard to achieve that goal. Finally, they don’t give up!

FIVE INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS

First, successful people are not easily swayed by other people’s opinions. Even if many people think that it is impossible to achieve their goal, successful people do not just give up without trying. But they do not stop at trying once. If it takes them years, they try and try. Each time they try, they see to it that they are better armed. They learn from every failure, that is why they are determined that they will someday succeed.

Important thought: Successful people produce results and not excuses.

Second, successful people are enthusiastic about what they’re doing. It is not enough for them to just accomplish something. They feel good about what they’re doing and thus, they enjoy while they strive. With enthusiasm, a person feels fulfilled and proud. They are willing to go the extra mile. Thus, success to them yields more meaning.

Important thought: Part of the joy of succeeding comes with working your way to achieve that final result.

Third, successful people look for solutions to problems. The path to success isn’t always smooth and easy. Many trials will test one’s determination. But the successful person does not give up because he does not run away from a problem. Instead, he tries to solve the problem. That way, the hindrance completely disappears, making the path ahead clearer.

Important thought: Problems are lessons in disguise.

Fourth, successful people think before they act. Since they are focused on their dream and they are willing to face and solve the problems that they encounter, they plan before they act. They analyze a problem before they attack. If something goes wrong, successful people have alternatives to fall back on. Successful people spend time researching about their goal. Thus, they know what they should be prepared for.

Important thought: Knowing your enemy is half the battle won!

Fifth, successful people are honest to admit their strengths and weaknesses. By knowing where they need to improve, successful people do not waste time neglecting the weak aspects of their personality. Instead, they work at it so that they will be well-rounded to be able to adapt to different situations. They are aware that there are many ways to strengthen their weak points. Before they go on the journey to their goal, successful people arm themselves with their strengths.

Important thought: Learning starts with knowing your own self.  As Shakespeare wrote, “Know thyself.”