10 Tips for Succesful Job Search Time Management

10 Tips for Succesful Job Search Time Management10 Tips for Succesful Job Search Time ManagementAt times, job searching can feel like one huge vortex that sucks you in- but it doesnt have to be. Implementing some job hunting strategies can help you with job search time management and help you be happier to boot.Heres how to manage your job search time successfully1. Be mindful.As soon as you open your eyes in the morning, you might feel compelled to race to the computer and look for any new job listings. Dont. Take some time to fully wake up and embrace the day. Cliched as it might sound, stopping to smell the roses (or your pumpkin spice latte) before turning on your computer can give you some much-needed moments of peace before job searching.2. Delegate when possible.Its hard to give people job searchrelated tasks when you yourself are sans job, but you should For example, if you think that your resume needs some refining, or that your cover letter is subpar, ask a friend or loved one who is skilled in that area to look it over for you. That way, you can spend more time focused on what youre good at, which is finding new job listings to apply for, and less time on what you might not be as good at.3. Learn to say no.There are so many distractions when youre looking for a job. TV and social media can clamor for your attention, especially when you feel like your job search is at a standstill. But learning to say no to what might feel good in the moment can save you big when it comes to accruing extra job search time. Focus your efforts on finding a job- and save surfing online for later.4. Have a game plan.Some people swear by to-do lists- and for good reason. With their easy ability to keep track of and check off completed tasks, lists are one of the greatest ways to know what you did, and more importantly, what still needs to get done. So at the end of your day, make a list of what youd like to accomplish the next day. It might be something as simple as follow ing up on a previous job application, or even cold-calling that company you want to work for and see if theyre hiring. But having a game plan will help you manage your job search time more successfully each and every day.5. Prioritize what matters.When youre job searching, it can feel like everything is urgent and has to be completed ASAP. Thats not the case. While there are some tasks that take priority over others (say, calling back an employer who wants to schedule an interview with you), many other tasks can wait. Know what really needs to get done, and when. By doing so, youll free your mind (and your time) of things that might not be as necessary as they seem.6. Take breaks.Sure, this story is about optimizing your time spent job hunting, so it would seem contradictory to state that you should take breaks in your job search. But the quickest way to burning out is by plowing through your job search every day, all day long, with nothing but a bathroom break. Schedule time to eat lunch, have a snack or two, squeeze in some exercise- anything but job searching. You need this time to refuel and take care of both your mind and body. Doing otherwise can actually thwart your efforts to have a successful job search.7. Dont confuse busy with productive.Your desk is a sea of resumes and job applications. But if you thought that being busy equals being productive, think again. Job searches are often comprised of a lot of busy work masquerading as being productive. Make sure that youre spending your time wisely, tackling tasks that will bring real results- like practicing your interview skills, or ensuring that you know how to properly video conference in case you need to do a remote job interview. But scanning your email every hour to see if an employer wrote you back? Take it off the list.8. Be realistic.A job search has one and only one goal- to get hired. Unfortunately, it can be rare to get hired right away, and youre going to have to put in some serious time an d effort in order to find a quality job (especially a remote one) that fits all of your parameters. Being realistic about how long it could take to find a job will help you to pace yourself and use your time to the best of your advantage.9. Strive for balance.Its important to be balanced when youre job hunting. So take the time to have lunch with friends, drinks with a former colleague, and be social. Include exercise into your routine, and youll reap greater benefits.10. Take 10.Maybe its company research. Or it might be editing your cover letter for each job application you submit. In every persons job search, theres one task (or three) that you probably dont like to do. If you find that youre putting off something important, try the take 10 theory. Tell yourself that youre going to spend only 10 minutes on that task and that task only- no more. Then, after 10 minutes, see what happens. You might find that being focused on that task has given you more headway and you dont want to lose momentum by stopping. In essence, youve tricked your mind into thinking that youll stop after 10 minutes, but youll probably want to continue and then finish that part of your job search.Know someone looking for a job? Refer a friend to with this link- youll get a month free service and theyll get 30% off

Oh! The Places Youll Go! with Flexible and Telecommuting Jobs

Oh The Places Youll Go with Flexible and Telecommuting JobsOh The Places Youll Go with Flexible and Telecommuting JobsIn honor of the incomparable Dr. Seusss birthday on March 2nd, we thought wed examine how his book, Oh The Places Youll Go fits perfectly with the benefits of flexible work arrangements. After all, telecommuting and flexible work is all about challenging yourself to think and work differently, and hopefully better, than you have in the past. Its about freedom and control and forward-movement in your life and your career.Inspirational quotes for people looking for flexible and telecommuting jobsOverall, its a pretty fantastic way to work. And with that in mind, here are some of our favorite inspiration quotes from this beloved childrens book for people who are on the brink of switching to a mora flexible or telecommute-friendly work arrangement. Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss, and Happy Telecommuting to allYou have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.Flexible and telecommuting jobs allow people to take control of their career and life trajectories and steer toward the best direction for them.Youre on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy wholl decide where to go.Instead of waiting for your employer to suggest flexible or telecommuting opportunities, why not take the reins and suggest them yourself? Here are some great resources and tips on asking your employer if you can telecommute.Youll look up and down streets. Lookem over with care. About some you will say, I dont choose to go there. With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, youre too smart to go down a not-so-good street.Each individual knows whats best for them at work and in life, and its up to each one of us to treat ourselves well, and choose smart paths on which to travel.So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Lifes a Great Balancing Act.Life is a balancing act indeed Flexible and telecommuting jobs help us to find a balance between our work and our personal lives. And, actually, Lifes a Great Balancing Act has been our CEOs long-time favorite quote. -)Kid, youll move mountains Today is your day Your mountain is waiting. Soget on your wayIts easy to put off big changes like switching to a flexible or telecommuting work arrangement. But once youve made the big change, youll wonder why you hadnt done it a whole lot earlier. So, as Dr. Seuss so brilliantly said, Youre mountain is waiting, so get on your way And if getting on your way means finding a new job that is supportive of flexible and telecommuting work, check out our latest telecommuting, part-time, flexible schedule, and freelance job listings.

Help Recruiters Find Your Resume on Google

Help Recruiters Find Your Resume on GoogleHelp Recruiters Find Your Resume on GoogleUnless youve been hiding under a rock for, oh, the last 15 years or so, youve probably heard of that little web search service called Google. The king of everything information on the internet, chances are if you want to know more about a topic all you have to do is Google it. For Savvy job-seekers, this modern upgrade in data and technology access is aelendher chance to get seen by those looking to staff the most in-demand positions. Ready to learn more? Lets delve into our tips for helping recruiters find your resume on Google. Publish Your Resume Through Google DocsWeve previously addressed the how-tos of publishing your resume through Google docs, but if youre new to our blog, or feeling a bit too lazy to click on a link to read yet another article on the topic, heres a quick refresher.Publishing your resume on Google docs with public privacy selected allows anyone to search the web and come up w ith your relevant information. Google docs is also a handy platform for quickly and easily sending off your cv to a recruiter or prospective employer. All you need to get started is a Gmail account. Simply upload your resume in format of choice directly to your Google docs account. Be sure to click on the share button to adjust privacy settings to allow the world to view freely and youre all set. Your resume is not only easily accessible on demand, it also gets its very own web address. Not too shabby a way to attract attention. Include Keywords in Your ResumeHaving a resume out there in the world is one thing, but if your document isnt chock full of relevant experience, skills, and keywords, chances are it isnt going to get much in the way of recruiter attention. Spend some time perusing your current or desired job description at your own company and at other major players in your particular field. After reviewing several samples, youll start to see a pattern in qualifications, can didate descriptions and more. Spend some time editing your own resume to work as many of these keywords in as possible. Remember not to fib on your resume, but rephrasing adjectives, strengths, duties, responsibilities and more into the catchphrases that employers in your field understand can make a huge difference. Be sure to include specific qualifications in programs and any advanced certifications specifically by name. Know a programming language? List out which one. Have a management certification? Let everyone know the organization that issued it. A recruiter is much more likely to add your resume to the keep pile if it looks relevant and on point with the jobs desired aspects. Add Relevant Hyperlinks to Your ResumeThis last piece of advice for helping recruiters find your resume on Google is definitely a nod towards modern methods of staffing open jobs. Whenever possible, utilize hyperlinks to help make your resume and more in-depth professional information as accessible as p ossible. Include links to your LinkedIn account, professional website or blog and links to publications, if any. Doing this will up your Google visibility and also gives any recruiter who comes across your resume online the chance to dig in for more information on why youd make a great candidate.Also, dont forget to link back off of each of those pages listed above. Your LinkedIn profile should have a hyperlink to your Google Docs resume front and center. Any personal website or blog should include a copy or link as well. Finally, dont be afraid to promote yourself if youve contributed to relevant industry publications. For closing thoughts, remember that in todays modern day and age technology is changing faster than traditional recruitment methods can keep up. Stay on top of the latest trends utilizing Google or other outlets to be sure youre giving your candidacy the best shot at being seen. Have another tip or trick we missed? Be sure to drop us a line in the comments to share y our knowledge

Signs Your Interview Went Well

Signs Your Interview Went WellSigns Your Interview Went WellIf the following ever happened to you, they were signs your bewerbungsinterview went well. It is important to find out when interviews go bad or good. But interview feedback in such rare supply. Here are some signs your interview went well.The hiring manager questions you about other interviewsBeing asked about interviews with other companies is one of the best signs your interview went well. It is a good sign your career is about to go in a new direction.Why? They are feeling out if anyone else has interest in you. They want to get an idea whether or notlage you would accept a job offer. If this ever happens to you, take note and try to remember all you did for the job interview. It went very wellYou start discussing specifics of the jobA great sign your interview went well is when the interviewer starts to talk about your ability to handle job responsibilities. If they start talking about what will happen on day 1, they ha ve gained a level of confidence in you to discuss details of the job, as if you already were hired.A bigger sign your interview went well is if they start talking about who you would report to and other people within the company. They are revealing information about their company to you. When interviews go bad, you are shown the door, not more info about the company.The hiring manager starts selling you to other people in the companyYou already did your sales pitch in the interview. And it must have worked because now the hiring manager is selling the idea of hiring you to other people.It is a great sign for you when someone you have just met in a job interview feels confident enough to say, Ive been talking to this candidate and he/she would be great. When interviews go bad, you usually hear a polite, Thank you for coming in. But if they seem to be bragging about the fact they interviewed you, you definitely have someone on your side.The company starts to sell you on the jobThis is a great feeling. One of the most reassuring signs your interview went well is when they start to sell you on the job a bit more.The interviewer starts talking about the perks of the company and its culture. They may also go into why they work there. A better sign your interview went well is when they discuss the date you would start if hired. If they had no interest in you they never would have gone into such detail.The interview covers salary and went a bit longSigns your interview went well would include discussions on how much you will be paid and if the interview went longer than usual.Job interviews usually have the basic questions about intentions and plans. So, when the interview seems to go longer and the interview becomes more of a business discussion, you have done well. An even better sign is when the interviewer extends the interview past a deadline while making others wait.Finding the perfect employee is hard work and if they are spending extra time with you it may be a sign you have seriously peaked their interestYou get physical bekrftigung through body languageThere is a big difference between saying Thank you to someone you will never see again and Thank you to someone who wants to see you again.There are great signs your interview went well in the body language of the interviewer. Did they wink, shake hands, or seem to send a message that they enjoyed having you in for an interview?When your interview is ending, watch for the body language of the interviewer. See if it says, Please...just leave or This was greatWhen we want someone to stick around longer, we send messages with our body and voice. Watch and listen for them

Professional Summary Resume Sample Features

Professional Summary Resume Sample Features Organized is a superb action verb which can be utilized to start off many possible bullet points you might have organized files, meetings, events, office space, and any range of different things, both big and small. A specialist summary is the very first thing people are likely to see on your resume. The piece you truly need the hiring manager reading is your latest work experience (and be sure you tailored that info to fit the work description). 1 possibility is to visit her LinkedIn page, start looking for endorsements and pull out a number of the best quotes. Some folks call it an expert summary. Whats more, the majority of people dont bother writing an expert summary. The applicant managed to mention important qualifications in just a few sentences. Now imagine if this SAME resume had had a summary statement on top clearly outlining why youre the ideal candidate. You may want to think about a qualifications summary which we ou tlined in last weeks postbut if you simply need to have a summaryhere are a number of examples to help you begin. Your LinkedIn summary is among the main components of your profile. What to Expect From Professional Summary Resume Sample? When you have come to be a certified medical assistant, the next step to have the job in the exact field requires you to understand how to write a health assistant resume. Your jobs might be varied, your experience and techniques vast, and it can be hard getting it all on paper. Whats more, you must incorporate the experience which youve gained by working on projects that are outside the prototyp medical assistant duties. Volunteer experience is also a great add-on to healthcare resumes as it shows the hiring manager you have compassion off the work also. It is possible to also provide a concise overview of earlier experience and be certain to include awards or honors if youve won them. In spite of no experience, you still ought to show exp erience. It can be very useful if youve got no relevant experiences to speak of yet. Stressing Other Qualifications whenever you have no appropriate work experience to highlight, you will need to stress other relevant qualifications. The Basic Facts of Professional Summary Resume Sample A thriving application is only the very first step. OurA Sample ResumesA for skilled summary come with each available examples from various job categories that may find any user covered. Make certain you get the information youre looking for. If you believe that this sort of sheet of information about the medical assistant resume examples ought to be shard then be our guest and share it on various social networking channels. The New Angle On Professional Summary Resume Sample Just Released Most employers utilize computer scanners in reviewing resumes so you must make sure which you are only writing words that are associated with the job. A resume is also thought to be an advertisement of a persons self to a prospective employer. You will need a good resume, and our receptionist resume examples are an excellent place to start. Notice how the example resumes are extremely specific when it has to do with technical skills. Top Choices of Professional Summary Resume Sample Resume is a type of document utilized by individuals that are seeking for employment. A resume summary statement is comparable to an objective statement in that its a quick way for a work seeker to catch a hiring managers attention by summarizing critical information at the peak of your resume in a simple to read format. You should make sure your resume summary statement concisely demonstrates why youre a perfect candidate for the particular job and business. Be certain to tailor your resume summary to the particular job listing. Top Choices of Professional Summary Resume Sample The main purpose of an expert summary is to create your most important abilities and experiences immediately noticeab le to hiring managers. Resume objectives are occasionally thought to be the old schooltype of resume. The absolute most helpful summaries target one career objective. The startup business is grueling and demands an individual with a certain set of skills. The Ultimate Professional Summary Resume Sample Trick You must bear in mind that if youre still studying then its fine to list wherever your education progress stands. Telling someone you managed a huge project is excellent. There are means to work around a deficiency of experience, just because there are methods to work around a scarcity of relevant education. The important thing here is to demonstrate you have experience interacting with many different people (use the job posting as a guide for crafting an appropriate bullet point).

Why Everybody Is Talking About Free Resume Writing Tool...The Simple Truth Revealed

Why Everybody Is Talking About Free Resume Writing Tool...The Simple Truth Revealed A fundamental text editor at no cost, providing you a printable resume template. You fill in your info in a form, and you may then switch between different templates if you prefer to. The tool isnt hard to use and also comes with a cover letter and thank you letter builder. The templates are made in such a manner they make the resume be noticeable. In case you have experience in using medical-related software, be certain that you include it. Whats more, it would be great to continue to keep your professional resume online during the expert networking site LinkedIn. The tool is fast and user-friendly and requires no special skills. It has a free trial. Possessing an original and special nursing resume can help you stick out from the crowd and get you noticed which is necessary to gaining work interview. Wherever youre in your nursing career, weve got a resume sample that may help you writ e or update your nurse resume. Utilizing the correct nurse resume format is crucial to find an interview. If youre a nurse professional searching for employment, remember that the resume format is just one of the most crucial factors appreciated by recruiters. Our objective is to create the creation process simple for you. The thought of marketing is developing a lasting impression. There are various ways to organize your resume. Be aware that the report is directed at US readers, so if youre in a different nation, you might discover that a number of the advice doesnt necessarily apply and even if youre in the United States, dont feel you have to follow along with each and every point slavishly. The reply is yes in case you wish to. You may find a lot of great resume templates, but youre going to have to decide if theyre likely to help or hurt your likelihood of landing an interview. You will definitely discover the ideal template that will help save you time, offer you a professional look, and leave a long-lasting impression to land the interview. You should convey, clearly and concisely, exactly why you are going to be a fantastic fit for a specific part in a typical format that supplies tauglichkeit employers with all the information that theyll anticipate. In order to work in assisting you to realize your objective the nursing resume should target the specific job which you are applying for. Its possible to pick the resume help that specializes in the sort of career youre aggravating to pursue. The nurse resume performs lots of unique functions.

Who Else Wants to Learn About Good Verbs for Resume?

Who Else Wants to Learn About Good Verbs for Resume? Resumes should be loaded with the correct buzz words. They are more effective with the right adjectives. Career Development is here to assist you with your resume Resume Keywords are centered through your base abilities. Presentation needs to be clean and clear. Top Choices of Good Verbs for Resume If you dont, you might be in for a huge trouble in your interview. In case you have any appropriate experience, though, a summary guest is better. Just make sure not to overembellish, or you might get into trouble during the interview. Utilize diligent to demonstrate your love of a great job done. A hundred other applicants like you do the exact same. Bubbly As a new job applicant, you can be keen to showcase your effervescent personality at work, where everything appears to be new and exciting, but you should be cautious not to make yourself sound as if you are ditzy or giddy. Ideally you desire the recruiter so stunned they havent any choice except to call you. Organizational skills are necessary for anybody in assistant or managerial positions. The Hidden Truth About Good Verbs for Resume Regardless of what industry you work in, proving that you have what it requires to do your work effectively is crucial. In years past the objective proved to be a common and expected characteristic of the resume, stating your preferred job target, environment etc.. So, when submitting an application for the job, mention that youre a team player, a crucial komponente or the component. Naturally, that reliance on the job posting will also help keep the remainder of your resume focused also. The Advantages of Good Verbs for Resume Employers may want to know that youre qualified to serve as an SPL in their region. Committed Show that youre devoted to your work, begin to finish. Make certain your resume conveys what you have to give. In the USA a resume and a CV are two distinct varieties of documents. Steer clear of technical or job-specific jargon unless its regarding the job you are searching for. On your CV you wish to communicate how good youre as fast as you can. Should you need a person to edit your CV, just make an application for assistance with your resume. Employers will probably be sifting through a great deal of resumes, therefore its no use being subtle. Companies feel their workplace is stressful and wish to make certain job seekers can handle the stress, he explains. You may also provide more info on the prior jobs which are most relevant to the position. It isnt necessary to list every job. The Foolproof Good Verbs for Resume Strategy For instance, you might consist of keywords from the work listing in your job descriptions. By way of example, recruiters at the same company might be looking for men and women that are hands-on, collaborative, innovative and determined, which you are able to learn from how they talk about their company online. Check to be sure youre providing all of the info required and clearly define your skill sets regarding application requirements. Generally, your resume ought to have an expert summary as opposed to an objective statement, even though there are certain instances where you might use the latter. The One Thing to Do for Good Verbs for Resume Furthermore, it provides the outcomes of your actions. Since recent graduates dont often have a bunch of experience, its important to demonstrate the method by which they have the proper spirit to attack challenges they may run into in the workplace. Make certain youre highlighting the most relevant and topical experience essential for the position. Occasionally its better to permit the accomplishment speak for itself. fruchtwein Noticeable Good Verbs for Resume Besides the forementioned details, its important to realise that its good to create the look and feel of your resume attractive, it shouldnt be overdone in order to defeat its objective. More than anything, employers are seeking your achievements. Contents Often when folks are constructing their resume, the biggest thing on their mind is simply whether theyre ready to fit all their abilities and work experience onto the webpage. There are a lot of highly qualified people who have just no clue how to sell themselves. Top Choices of Good Verbs for Resume Inside my opinion, using buzz words applies only to words that we need to use, not words which are best left in a bar or inside an object of fiction writing. If youre not genuinely meticulous, as an example, pick another word. Resume Language The crucial words and phrases you pick for your resume and cover letter is able to help you catch the eye of a possible employer. Use the resume words below to demonstrate that with a tiny zest. You might go through the effort to discover suitable synonyms, but really, the very best approach to go is to use the words in the work description. In fact, there are thousands of ve rbs to select from, so feel free to talk about your favorites. The perfect way to come across the most essential nouns for you is to have a number job descriptions for the work font youre seeking and search for common nouns used. The key issue is to make certain you use clear and strong adjectives to convey your abilities and accomplishments.

Science behind the perfect nap to boost productivity, creativity

Science behind the perfect nap to boost productivity, creativityScience behind the perfect nap to boost productivity, creativityDuring the early 1900s, surrealist painter, Salvador Dali, developed a napping hack for generating his new creative ideas and staying productive with his work. Dali would sit on a chair with one arm resting on the armrests and his wrists draped over the chair, whilst holding a heavy metal key in hand, held over an upside-down plate.As soon as Dali would doze off and start to kiste asleep, the key would fall from his hands, hit the plate and wake him up from his nap.Ladders is now on SmartNewsDownload the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.In Dalis words describing this methodYou will have merely to let yourself be progressionively invaded by a serene afternoon sleep The moment the key drops from your fingers, you may be sure that the noise of its fall on the upside-down plate will awaken you. (Source 50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship)Decades later, this state of mind between sleep and the state of being awake, which Dali uncovered was later formally described as hypnagogia.Just like Dali, other renown innovators, artists and writers including Thomas Edison, Beethoven and Mary Shelley, have tapped into the power of naps to give way for their best creative breakthroughs.Lets dive in to discuss and uncover the science behind how to nap for better productivity, creativity and health.Why do we need to nap?Firstly, the afternoon nap, more so than other methods of productivity, requires little to no effort to execute with similar benefits. Napping could help you overcome feelings of fatigue and raise your energy for the rest of the day, however, napping the wrong way could also leave you feeling even more groggy and waste valuable time.Secondly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximately one in three adults sleep below the National Sleep Fou ndations minimum requirement of 7 hours of sleep per night.I have personally struggled to stay consistent with this requirement and just like most adults who are sleep deprived, taking a nap provides another opportunity during the day to catch up on sleep.Thirdly, if youve ever wondered why you may feel energized and sleepy during the same times of the day, thats because of your internal biological shifts between sleepiness and alertness in what is called the circadian rhythm.Most people experience their biggest soe of energy levels in the middle of the night between 200 am and 400 am and just after lunchtime (between 100 pm and 300 pm, when we usually crave that post-lunch nap).The afternoon nap could also help you to counter behauptung drops in energy levels during your circadian rhythm. This way you can more effectively match your peak energy levels with your most important tasks for improved productivity.Afternoon naps and mental wertmiger zuwachsRecently, researchers at the Uni versity of Pennsylvania published a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society on the effects of naps on our mental health and memory. 1The researchers studied 3,000 adults to examine the relationship between the frequency and duration of naps and their performance on various mental ability tests.These tests included basic tests including questions about the date, basic math problems, memorization and recall of words. In total, approximately 60 percent of the participants examined during the study took a nap after lunch, with an average nap time of 63 minutes.The researchers discovered that higher memory abilities and mental performances were significantly associated with taking a nap post-lunch compared to the participants who didnt nap at all.Additionally, the participants who napped for approximately one hour (moderate group) performed better on these tests than participants who took shorter or longer naps.Participants who took no naps, shorter or longer naps than on e hour experienced decreased performance in their mental ability up to four-to-six times greater than participants who took hour-long naps.These participants also experienced similar declines in their mental performance and abilities that a five-year increase in their age would be expected to cause.The key findings from the study suggest that the absence of napping could be associated with weaker mental performance than otherwise. This study also suggests that the duration of your naps is strongly associated with the benefits you gain from it. Too long or too short, and youd still end up without the benefits and feeling groggy.Now that weve covered some of the science on napping, lets discuss some practical strategies on how to take the perfect nap How to take the perfect napHere are some science-backed tips to use naps for better productivity, creativity and health.1.Time the duration of your naps.As previously discussed in the research study on napping, the duration of your naps i s extremely important. According to various sleep experts, a power nap duration of 10 to 20 minutes should be enough to boost your energy and mental capabilities, whilst being short enough to fit into the work day without feeling groggy.The reason behind this is that your sleep happens in cycles of approximately 90 minutes, moving from one stage to another and inducing slower brain wave activity in each stage.Essentially, once you enter one of these slow stages of sleep youll struggle to wake up and experience the dreaded feeling of tiredness that you may have previously experienced.If youve got more time i.e. 60-90 minutes, free in the afternoon, take advantage of this to get a full revolution through the sleep cycle and the additional mental performance benefits from this.Dont forget to take account for the non-nap period of time spent before the actual nap itself. It takes the average person approximately 14 minutes to fall asleep at night, so chances are if youre like me, you pr obably wont nap immediately.Another quick tip here is to use your phones inbuilt timer to wake you up once your nap period is over.2. Pick the right time during the day for napping.As previously discussed, the best period to take a nap are during the low energy periods of your circadian rhythm. Typically, this would fall between the hours of 100 to 400 p.m. during the post-lunch energy dip.The danger with napping after this time window is that you risk messing with your bedtime sleep cycle because your body may keep you up at night. So id suggest you pay close attention to your how your naps affect the quality of your sleep at night.3. Practice napping.Yes napping takes practice, its a skill. Plus, just like other things in life, napping is habit that takes time to form and establish in your daily rituals. Be intentional about what, where and when you plan to take your naps. Fit your naps into your daily schedule and keep a record of your progress as you would a workout journal.If y ou struggle to nap quickly enough, you could use some deep breathing exercises like the 4-7-8 breathing technique to induce sleep faster.4. Nap in a dark and quiet environment.Ideally, the best conditions for napping would be dark and quiet, similar to those best for sleep. The problem is this unless you work from home or have flexible working hours, its nearly impossible to find these type of places around your office or school in the afternoon.The best ways Ive found to counteract this problem is to invest in and use these two affordable items an eye mask and a pair of headphones.The eye mask will help you to shut out the light in any room you choose to nap, whilst my personal favorite use of the headphones is listening to calm music, podcasts or sermons during my nap.5. Try the caffeinated nap.I know youre probably thinking that I made a typing error in the previous sentence, but theres a weird trick which involves drinking a cup of coffee or a caffeinated drink, followed immedia tely by a 20-minute power nap.As silly as this may sound, you could actually benefit from both the caffeine and the nap, because caffeine typically takes about 20 minutes to tritt in your system.Theres a bit of science that could also explain why this works.A chemical, adenosine (builds your desire to sleep) is released in the brain during the day. After you take a nap, adenosine clears out from your system and youll feel more energized.Interestingly, caffeine molecules are similar in structure to adenosine molecules and as a result, adenosine receptors may be blocked by these molecules, preventing the real adenosine molecules (that make you feel tired) plugging into the receptors.In short, the combination of the nap and caffeine, could make you feel more alert and energetic. However, Id recommend you only use this method as a last resort, to avoid caffeine dependency problems.Napping is not a substitute for quality sleepAlthough Ive made a case for the importance, benefits and how- to of napping, Id also like to emphasize that taking naps is not a substitute for quality sleep.If you struggle with poor sleep on a regular basis, like myself these days, the majority of your efforts should be directed towards achieving quality sleep first, before perfecting the art of napping.Naps shouldnt be a band-aid or cover up from addressing other bad healthy habits in your life. If youre constantly tired, your exercise, eating, thinking, social or work habits could be the culprit.Napping is just another effective tool in your arsenal that could give you that much-needed boost in productivity and creativity, for that extra edge to stand out in todays competitive world.Mayo Oshin writes atMayoOshin.com, where he shares practical self-improvement ideas and proven science for better health, productivity and creativity.To get practical ideas on how to stop procrastinating and build healthy habits, you can join his free weekly newsletterhere.A version of thisarticleoriginally app eared atmayooshin.comasThe science behind the perfect nap to boost your productivity and creativityFootnotesAfternoon Napping and Cognition in Chinese Older Adults Findings From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) Baseline Assessment. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.Hat tip to Thomas Frank and Lifehacker for inspiring some ideas within this article.

Definition of a Graf and Other Common Terms

Definition of a kurve and Other Common TermsDefinition of a Graf and Other Common TermsThose new to the world of journalism will soon learn that the word graf, which to the uneducated ear sounds like a mistake (i.e., gaffe ) is, in newsroom parlance, the industry term for a paragraph. The term graf is usually tossed around by editors and is either written in the margins of a pending story, or it can be used verbally. Graf is part of a general editorial shorthand that editors at newspapers, magazines, and other written publications use very often. For example, an editor (whether a newsroom editor or not) might tell you to fix your first graf. Or, an editor might writethe word graf on the pages of a story youre writing to reference a paragraph he or she wants you to work on. Although the word is used in abundance, because the term is slang, it is not a word that would be used in a sentence. It would, most often, appear on the draft of a story. Other Common Journalism Terms Slug A l ine of type that is setin metal on a what is called a zeilensetzmaschine machine. Also, the one-word title given to an article as it moves through the editing and design process. Above the Fold Used in reference to a broadsheet newspaper folded in half for display. The top half of the page, above the fold, is considered the most important part of the paper from a readership (and consequently advertising) standpoint. Reporters, in general, aim to have their stories printed on the front page, above the fold. Point Size Size of the typeface. Advance A story outlining a future event. Pasteup This process consists of assembling multiple pages by pasting type onto (page) mock-ups, which are then photographed and made into metal plates for printing. Originally, all print publications were assembled this way. Today, most publications are designed oncomputers. Pica Pole A metal ruler used by printers in the composing room to measure type by picas. There are 12 points to apica, and six picas equal an inch. The actual pica pole is pounded against a metal surface in the age-old ritual of banging to denote an employee leaving the premises for the last time. Wires Stories or photographs sent electrically to your computer or mobile device. Transparency In the world of news and information, this term refers to openness about information. In many cases, it is used to refer to the transparency of government agencies releasing information to journalists and to the public. It is also used in the context of journalists being open about their reporting process (and the material they have) by sharing it with readers before the final report. Tick-Tock A step-by-step account of how a particular event occurred. 30 A numeral indicating the conclusion of a story. Stet Derived from Latin, it means Let it Stand, as in, let the original copy go as written. It is often the hardest word for a copy editor to use with a journalist eager to do a re-write. Run To publish a story. Retraction A wit hdrawal of a previously-published story or fact. Revision A rewritten or improved story, often with additional quotes or facts.