The telephone is the most common business tool and its proper use is essential for career advancement. Are you telephone savvy? When you make calls do you: State your message briefly and clearly? Leave your name, organization and phone number, repeating these twice, slowly and clearly? Give the full name of the person for whom you're leaving the message? State the date and tim...

We're supposed to look forward to the holiday season and hope that it will be a time of happiness, friendliness, and peace. Yet often our anticipation and excitement turns into feelings of depression, commonly called holiday blues. Symptoms can include headaches, anxiety, sadness, insomnia, intestinal problems, and conflict with family and friends. Part of what happens during the holiday season, in terms of mood chan...

Does hiring come to a halt as the holidays approach? Is the Holiday Season a good time to find a new job? Office parties, professional get-togethers, and year-end meetings abound during the Holiday Season. While it may be tempting to put your search on hold, that could put you at a disadvantage. When organizations have a need, they hire regardless of the time of year. As companies complete their financial planning for...

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” Friedrich Nietzsche. Do you jump out of bed on Monday mornings and look forward to the week? Do you have a clear sense of purpose? Having a sense of purpose and striving towards goals that enable you to express your purpose gives life meaning, direction and satisfaction. It not only contributes to health and longevity, but also enab...

Are You Living Your Goal?After Labor Day we enter a productive time of year. But sometimes we may find it challenging to stay on task.Do you let your mind wander? Welcome interruptions? Get sucked into social media, extra coffee breaks or other? If you find yourself slipping out of the “work mode” these motivational quotes may help get your mind where it needs to be.Inspirational Quotes• “It seems the harder I work, the mor...

What does Labor Day mean to you? Labor Day is so much a part of our culture that we rarely pause to consider its purpose and meaning. Labor Day is a public holiday in U.S. and Canada that is dedicated to workers across the countries. The holiday always falls on the first Monday in September. Labor Day weekend is also considered the unofficial end of summer.Test your knowledge of Labor DayAnswer T (True) or F (False):1. Labo...

Have you been in a situation where you have been discriminated against due to your age? Although ageism is often seen as a workplace issue, you may face it when you’re out shopping, at the doctor’s office, or even when ordering products and services over the phone. Older people may experience:• Losing a job or not being hired for a job.• Being refused interest-free credit, a new credit card, car insurance or travel insuranc...

Darryl wants to establish his own business, but thinks he’ll deprive his family of their comfortable lifestyle. Kelly wants to return to school, but fears she’ll lose her independence.What’s stopping you from going after what you want?We often hesitate to follow our hearts, because of perceived fears. To take charge of our lives we need to state what we fear. Are any of the following stopping you from pursuing dreams?• Afra...

A Japanese proverb tells us that ‘the bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists,’ for when the monsoon strikes the oak breaks, while the bamboo bends but quickly recovers.Do you, like the bamboo, tend to bend when disasters strike, or do you stay where you've been thrown?We all have the innate capacity to manage life’s challenges, whether everyday disappointments or extraordinary disasters. Research in brain s...

Do you look at the bright side of life and anticipate good fortune and success? Or, do you feel that you are missing something when it comes to good luck and fortune? Do you have winning personality traits?Answer “Yes” or “No”1. I expect to win.2. I often follow my intuition.3. I see the bright side of a problem.4. I seize opportunities in unexpected situations.5. I'm open to new opportunities.6. I'm optimistic.7. I take s...