If you're looking to hone your skills to advance your career, focus on time management, communicating well, paying attention to details and learning to problem-solve, says Maurie Backman. "If you learn to pay better attention to detail, you'll prove that you're the one worthy of leading projects or being trusted with high-profile assignments," he writes.
A job hunt is a physical and emotional commitment so seekers should be prepared for all phases of the search -- kicking it off, finding leads, converting opportunities and negotiating, according to Kourtney Whitehead. "Finding a new and better job will test your emotional fortitude, but don't get discouraged. It is ultimately worth the effort," writes Whitehead.
Improve communication with employees by giving them several convenient platforms to use, actively soliciting their feedback and creating a sense of community, writes Davis & Co. CEO Alison Davis. "Instead of pushing content, use the channels you manage -- large meetings, intranets, social networks, events -- to connect people, facilitate interactions, and build connections," she writes.
The start of a new year is a good time to get organized, and there are many apps available to help you manage your time and projects (see story below). Do you use a productivity app?
The jobless rate remained at 3.5%, the lowest rate since 1969, with 145,000 jobs added last month, according to the Labor Department. Top industries for job growth are retail, leisure and hospitality, education, and construction; the most jobs lost came in manufacturing and transportation.
The US economy created jobs last year at the slowest pace since 2011, according to the Labor Department. Job creation averaged 175,000 monthly in 2019, compared with 225,000 in 2018.
Business travel can be mentally draining so it is crucial to get a break from work while on the road. "If you have any free time, checking out a local cafe or park can bring a bit of adventure to your life, which is always good for our mental health," says Amanda Stemen, owner of counseling practice FundamentalGrowth.
Humans have actually gotten cooler -- and this has nothing to do with stylish clothes or aviator sunglasses. Researchers at Stanford found the body temperature of men born in the 2000s is on average 1.06 degrees Fahrenheit lower than that of men born in the early 1800s, while the body temperature of women born in the 2000s is on average 0.58 degrees Fahrenheit lower than that of women born in the 1890s.
