4 decision-making techniques to advance your career

4 decision-making techniques to advance your career Being able to make good decisions is not just an important part of managing your career, but an important part of life.  As individuals, we make decisions all day long, about our families, our careers and ourselves. These range from small choices, like what to make for dinner and how you are going to get kids from A to B, to bigger choices such as going back to work after a career break or making the career change you’ve been thinking about. Some decisions are made easily without even considering how we are making them they just feel right. In fact, it is estimated that we make 35,000 decisions in a day! Other times we get stuck, and no matter how many times we go over the options, we just cant land on one. An unmade decision can be a bit like a house guest that has overstayed their welcome. Every time you sit down to relax and watch TV, they are there, in the corner of your eye, tapping on their phone and sighing audibly enough to distract you from your show. We begin to lose sleep and toss our options around and around in our mind until we become paralysed with indecision. The more we talk about it with other people, the more opinions are voiced making the process mentally stressful and even more difficult and time-consuming. We start to lose patience, snap at the kids and inevitably start to feel frustrated by our own paralysis. Sound familiar? The good news is there are some straightforward steps you can follow to help the decision-making process become easier. Streamline: Streamlining simpler decisions allows you to save your decision-making energy for bigger and more important ones. It is a well-known anecdote that President Obama only wore blue suits because he wanted to conserve his decision-making energy for more important things like running the country. Eating the same meals each week might sound a bit boring (Taco Tuesday anyone?) but it sure makes shopping easier and saves you from that sinking, panicky feeling of wanting to make spaghetti bolognaise at 7pm without the right ingredients. Use your values â€" When considering the outcomes of your decision, the values you hold important can help make that decision. One client wanted to return to work after her kids started school, yet she was struggling to find enthusiasm and motivation to look for jobs in her previous industry. So much so, she took to avoid applying for jobs altogether and became deeply frustrated. Together we identified her values. She admitted she wanted to work in health again but didn’t want to be travelling far from home. It was a high priority. We narrowed her searches to within a 5 km radius and she found success in doing medical referrals close by to her home and her children’s school. Considering how well each of your options reflects the values that are most important to you can sometimes make what was a difficult decision an obvious one. Certainly when it comes down to career decisions. Know your decision-making style: Think about the last good decision you made. What was the process you went through to make it? Did you talk it over with friends and gather a range of opinions on the issue? Or did you research your options in fine detail? Are you someone who goes with your gut feeling? Or are you a fan of a pros and cons list? Most of us dont actually think about the processes we use to make decisions but reflecting on the way we have made successful decisions in the past can often be helpful and insightful in making a difficult or important one. A friend of mine, with a successful career she loves, takes a recruitment approach to decision making. She develops selection criteria for the outcome she is looking for. She lists that criteria in order of importance and then scores each option against that criteria. The outcome of the decision is based on the highest score. She has made all her important career decisions this way and even used the same approach in finding her ideal partner! Sleep on it: If you make a big decision when you are tired, you are likely to regret it. By leaving any difficult or big decisions until the morning, you give yourself the chance to focus on your decision without the distraction of a whole day’s worth of thoughts and events competing for your headspace. Those 35,000 daily decisions are an impressive number! So it comes as no surprise that the more decisions we make in one day, the more we risk making bad ones due to tiredness and overwhelm sets in. This is called ‘decision fatigue’. If someone is pressing you for a decision and you feel you have hit the decision fatigue wall â€" stall them. It’s OK. Tell them you need more time to think and you will get back to them within a reasonable timeframe. A final word It is so tempting to rush to a decision just to alleviate the uncomfortable feeling that lingers in your head when you can’t make one. We all know how good it can feel to make a decision because when we do, we are discarding all unsuitable alternatives and moving on to our vision for what the future will hold now the decision has been made. Career decisions, like any big decisions, need to be given the full consideration and be made at the right time in order to be successful. So why not offer that houseguest a cup of tea and let them stay a while before showing them the door after a good night sleep. About Jo With over 15 years experience as professionally qualified Careers Consultant and Human Resources practitioner across various industries,  Jo‘s passion lies in assisting people to manage their careers and supporting organisations for positive growth. Her areas of expertise include career coaching,  Resume writing, Job search strategies, Redeployment Case Management and HR Consulting among others. FlexCareers offers a FREE 30-minute introductory meeting with our  FlexCoaches, to help you establish if coaching is right for you.  You can contact Jo through FlexCareers  here  for help in preparing for interviews, defining a job search strategy and building your confidence.

Saying Thank You Is Good for Your Career - The Muse

Saying Thank You Is Good for Your Career - The Muse Saying Thank You Is Good for Your Career A weekend ago, my better half and I went to a thank you supper facilitated by a neighborhood equine treatment program. We bolster the program since it offers an astonishing assistance to our locale: Children and grown-ups with any sort of extraordinary needs-physical, clinical, enthusiastic, or social can take part in restorative horseback riding at practically zero expense. The program is by and by important in light of the fact that our most seasoned kid has extraordinary needs and advantages from it. In any case, we were never inspired by any sort of thanks or uncommon acknowledgment for supporting the program; we just acknowledge what the association gives and need to be a piece of its prosperity. In any case, guess what? It was extremely ideal to get such a benevolent articulation of appreciation through the supper. That sort of thankfulness doesn't need to be restricted to your own life. Saying Thank you is a regularly disregarded approach to put resources into yourself expertly. Along these lines, as we enter the start of the period of gratefulness and appreciation, here's the means by which to benefit as much as possible from saying those two little words. Perceive Help When You Get It It tends to be anything but difficult to blow through a bustling day, failing to slow down enough to perceive when-or the amount somebody encourages you and rather, overemphasizing your own commitments. However, that can be a hazardous propensity. Consider when you helped somebody, however the person in question couldn't be tried to state, Hello, much obliged! Do you review that occasion affectionately? Do you partner it with constructive sentiments toward the individual? I didn't think so. To utilize appreciation as an approach to fabricate your notoriety, connections, and vocation, you have to begin focusing on the occasions you profit by another person. How has somebody helped you today? This week? The previous a half year? Perhaps somebody talked you through a minor specialized glitch, presented to you a top off on your espresso, or loaned you a pen in a gathering. Make certain to really say the words Thank you for these little signals. At the point when somebody goes past a little, basic motion to help you, consider sending a thank you email, card, or even a little blessing. Perhaps a partner remained late to assist you with working through an issue with one of your ventures. Does she like cupcakes? Take a stab at astonishing her with her preferred flavor. Perhaps a partner set the ball rolling in a good direction for you with a key player in his system. An email or manually written note to say thanks is all together. Maybe your director got the job done to get you a critical raise or an advancement. That is likewise worth a written by hand note or a sensible blessing, similar to blossoms, lunch, or an unexpected conveyance of their preferred request at Starbucks. Be Genuine in Your Appreciation I have two cards to say thanks stuck to my announcement board at this moment. The creator sent each note after an occasion I was engaged with, taking note of subtleties that let me realize she saw how much work went into each capacity. I would twist around in reverse for her since I'm thankful to the point that she sees and really acknowledges the things I do. The catchphrase here, be that as it may, is certified. Hurling a speedy much obliged behind you as an untimely idea or sending a sweeping, A debt of gratitude is in order for everything you do email that doesn't recognize an individual's particular commitments won't fabricate connections and truth be told, may really accomplish more harm than great. Sooner or later, shallow, absentminded appreciation passes on you truly don't have the foggiest idea (or care) what the individual on the less than desirable end does. That is a formula for hatred. Then again, state your note sounds something like this: The uncovering occasion was superb. I realize you put a great deal of work in the background to make it meet up. Everything about to be all together, from the food to the projects to the speakers. You worked superbly! Those subtleties pass on that regardless of whether you don't know precisely what the beneficiary does, you comprehend the exertion behind the outcomes, and you care enough to note it. At the point when you're expressing profound gratitude, explicit proclamations go much farther than unclear, cover explanations. Receive the Rewards At the point when you begin focusing on the manners in which individuals help you and offering veritable thanks for that help, prepare to receive the benefits. Examination joins appreciation to various individual advantages, including expanded bliss, improved rest, better in general wellbeing, and improved connections. On the off chance that, by rehearsing appreciation, you're resting soundly and are commonly more joyful, at that point you're probably going to be progressively gainful and fulfilled at work. What's more, your expert connections will profit by your demeanor of appreciation. Simply think: Have you at any point helped a partner, who later assumed the entirety of the acknowledgment for that work? Presently, do you recall that somebody who left their approach to perceive and thank you for something you did? Which individual would you say you are well on the way to help in the event that the person in question comes requiring your help once more? The last mentioned, obviously. You need to be the charitable individual individuals wouldn't fret making a difference. The year is rapidly finding some conclusion. For the remainder of 2015, I challenge you to focus on the numerous ways individuals around you help out and state Thank you to somebody at any rate one time every day. Past that, consider how somebody has helped you in a significant manner over the previous year, and compose that individual a real and explicit note. With a little appreciation, you'll receive benefits in your own and expert life-and start the new year on the correct foot! Photograph of composing note graciousness of Shutterstock.

Hobbies and Interests For Resume

Hobbies and Interests For ResumeMany people know that hobbies and interests are important aspects to any person's resume. However, not all of them realize that there are specific things that could be considered as hobbies and interests that can really help you in your job search.Hobbies and interests could include a wide variety of activities that you may enjoy doing. For example, if you like to cook, it may not necessarily mean that you don't have a job yet. That is why hobbies and interests for resume should contain plenty of examples of how these activities can help you get a job. Take the time to list down what exactly these things are that you are interested in doing so that it will be easier for you to find these jobs in the future.One of the best ways to demonstrate the fact that you like these activities is to post pictures on your resume. Photos are an excellent way to show how you have fun with these activities. In fact, these should be included in the hobby section of your resume because you can always include pictures of yourself cooking, playing games, or just hanging out with friends. There is nothing wrong with showing these things to potential employers when you write about what you enjoy in your resume.There are several ideas for hobbies and interests for resume, but most of them focus on activities that you can do at home. If you are someone who likes to make things, start making crafts to give your resume a modern look. You can also plan a vacation or visit a museum or even learn to play an instrument. Be creative in order to show your knowledge of your hobbies and interests for resume.Hobbies and interests for resume can also include sports. You may be surprised to know that many people don't consider sports as a hobby. However, some people enjoy spending their free time by participating in sports.You can include some sports in your hobbies and interests for resume, such as tennis, basketball, football, baseball, and swimming. However, you n eed to have the right skills in order to perform these sports in order to make sure that you do not become injured.There are lots of things you can list as hobbies and interests for resume, but it is important to choose specific sports. You need to remember that these sports need to be enjoyable activities in order to show that you are committed to these sports. You need to also be able to show that you are hard working in order to avoid any injuries.Hobbies and interests for resume are an effective way to show that you enjoy these activities. It is also important to be creative in order to prove that you are capable of performing these sports successfully. It is also a good idea to note down the sports you participate in so that it will be easier for you to access them later on in your job search.

4 Simple Ways To Revitalize Your Outdated Professional Network

4 Simple Ways To Revitalize Your Outdated Professional Network 4 Simple Ways To Revitalize Your Outdated Professional Network Except if you work in outbound deals, staying aware of your system may be low on your plan for the day. Tragically, poor support of business connections regularly prompts a stale and obsolete associations that are done working for you. While this is regular, it's bad for your profession. The estimation of your system and the estimation of your pay or compensation are firmly related. Subsequently, it's to your greatest advantage to remain associated with your system with new connections. Not certain how to step forward with an obsolete business contact? Here are four thoughts you can use to break the ice: Send a connection You don't need to overemphasize each connection or even offer a unique expression. Get back in contact with a business contact searching out an ongoing website article or study identified with their industry. Send it to them by email or through LinkedIn and disclose to them you thought of them. At that point ask a subsequent inquiry to get the show on the road. Practice appreciation Take 30 minutes every week and think about your work history. Attempt to consider various minutes in your profession in which somebody helped you or said something adroit that lead you to another chance. Compose a written by hand note, email, or LinkedIn message to express gratitude toward them for their commitment and let them realize you're considering them. In the event that the kindness was especially valuable, you may even consider a thank-you blessing. Make an association The chances are low that you're the main individual in your system feeling disengaged. Step up to the plate and make an association between two individuals in your system who you think could profit one another, or just get along. Compose an interfacing email to them two giving a short lift pitch about each contact and a brisk outline of why you figure they may have the option to help one another. At that point line up independently with every individual to ask how the association worked out. Utilize the brilliant principle The brilliant guideline is to regard others as you might want to be dealt with. In case you're anxious about reconnecting with your system on account of how much time has passed, consider how you would feel if the circumstance was switched, and an old contact connected with you. You'd almost certainly invite the reconnection and feel complimented that they thought of you. At the point when you aren't effectively looking for another position or going out to systems administration occasions, it's anything but difficult to drop distant from your system. Try not to let that transpire. Utilize these four stages to draw in with your contacts and constantly put resources into your connections.