Face your fears when faced with uncertainty | Blindly saying yes can negatively impact your career | Set clear boundaries around your email interactions
Face your fears when faced with uncertainty Face down uncertainty by writing out your fears, considering your biases and preparing as best you can for any outcome, writes LaRae Quy. "Most of our really hard decisions come down to values and how we weigh the ones that are most important," Quy writes. SmartBrief/Leadership (9/18)Blindly saying yes can negatively impact your career If you have a hard time saying no because it's easier to be agreeable and always say yes, you may be derailing your career, writes Eileen Chadnick. Practice the pause by acknowledging requests and taking the time to determine the consequences of your reply. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model) (9/9)
Making the Connection
Set clear boundaries around your email interactions Email is a great way to connect with others when you have set boundaries to ensure you're not spending too much time organizing, responding and systematizing your inbox, says Sarah Peck. Suggestions include utilizing signature disclaimers, setting communication guidelines, and providing specific instructions on social media. Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model) (9/20)
The Landscape
Opinion: JOBS Act could be a boon for employers The House version of the JOBS Act would expand Pell Grant eligibility to shorter-term training programs that could help employers find more qualified workers, writes bill co-sponsor Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio. "Opening doors to programs that teach important trade and industry-specific skills for our students is critical to not only to ensuring they can have the career they want but also to ensuring the success of our local businesses," he writes. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (9/18)
Your Next Challenge
Emphasize experience to explain job-hopping Job candidates who have worked in several positions for a short time or have gaps in their resume should focus on their experience and what assets they can bring to a new role, writes business coach Chris Westfall. "Leaving previous employers doesn't mean that you're a bad employee - it means you made choices," he asserts. Forbes (9/18)
Balancing Yourself
Strive for harmony in your life rather than balance Achieving a true work-life balance is not sustainable so concentrate on establishing harmony between your family, friends, hobbies and job, says Paula Black. "If you're willing to be honest with yourself and define your goals, I believe that with some creativity, you can create real harmony in your life," Black writes. Forbes (9/20)
Researchers found that students who stayed in elementary school for grades 6 and 7 performed better on math and reading tests than students who moved on to middle school for those grades. The results suggest students might be better off if middle schools were eliminated; with students staying in elementary school through grade 7 and then moving on to a high school for grade 8. ScienceDaily (9/20) Poll question: Should middle school be eliminated?
