Robots Form Surveillance Teams

Robots Form Surveillance Teams Robots Form Surveillance Teams Robots Form Surveillance TeamsA robot that can perform a task better and more accurately is valuable indeed. But what if a group of robots could work together to accomplish goals and tasks better than they ever could individually? A team of researchers recently put their minds to just that concept.Working TogetherWe formed an interdisciplinary team in response to an ONR Office of Naval Research project on distributed perception, says Prof. Silvia Ferrari, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Cornell University and the principal investigator for this ONR-funded project. We decided to collaborate across computer science and mechanical engineering to develop systems that would take advantage of both the latest developments in computer vision and robotics.The result was a computer system that can combine information and data from multiple robots to track people or objects. The philosophy behind the system is pa rtly based on the robots not always being able to communicate with each other. The communications are wireless and, as such, can be unreliable due to the environment or to jammed communication channels, she says. Similarly, the robots may at times be in a GPS-denied environment. So the question is Can the robots learn how to cope with these circumstances and reconfigure accordingly to develop, together, a perception of the scene.Engineers teach computers to combine many possible views of the same area from fixed and mobile cameras. Image J.P. Oleson / Cornell UniversityWhat are the parts involved in this system? There are multiple Segway-type robots equipped with onboard sensors and communication devices, she says. Sensors include simple cameras, stereo vision cameras, and range finders. The robots will be collaborating with stationary pan-tilt-zoom cameras as well as interacting with the datenwolke and the World Wide Web.She says one thing they didnt anticipate was how difficult it is to interpret the scene for a robot despite all the advancements in sensor technologies and processing algorithms. Ferarri also learned just how different the perspectives of various team members can be. Generally, I am surprised at the different perspectives on common problems, such as tracking and classification, on which we think we know so much, but, when we get right down to it, they mean different things to different people, she says.She says applications of this technology include security and surveillance, along with enhancing perception for autonomous systems, in order to help them understand their environment. This could spill over into areas ranging from medical robotics to self-driving vehicles, she says.But the work is not without its challenges. A major one is to provide performance guarantees on the perception, tracking, and mapping algorithms when communication is changing, she says. Fusion allows better perception and mapping, but it is difficult to perform with intermittent communications, she says. Another big challenge is to develop a broad understanding of the scene that goes beyond simple classification and detection and mapping. Namely, what does it mean to understand what is happening to the scene? How can we extract context and detect unusual behaviors and actions?Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further Discussion We decided to collaborate across computer science and mechanical engineering to develop systems that would take advantage of both the latest developments in computer vision and robotics.Prof. Silvia Ferrari, Cornell University

How I became a paid public speaker ... and how you can, too

How I became a paid public speaker ... and how you can, tooHow I became a paid public speaker ... and how you can, tooPublic speaking is big business. And its a business that doesnt have a formal on-ramp for breaking into. In the past three years, corporate training and public speaking has become the biggest revenue generator in my entire business model. And, I have to admit, I love this kind of work mora than anything I do.I get such a podium high from feeding off of the energy of a room full of people with whom Im creating an electric environment of learning and growth for both of us. I learn something new every time, and make it my mission to hone my craft and clarify my message with each opportunity Im given to take the stage.Heres what Ive learned about breaking into the industry and becoming a paid public speaker1. Develop your voiceBefore anyones going to think about booking you for a speaking gig, they need think of you as a thought leader or expert. What kind ofscholarare y ou? What issue areas have you made it your mission to master?Whether ansicht subjects are directly related to your work and career or mora of a hobby, it can take a while to prove that youve got a unique perspective to share.For me, blogging and writing became my first avenue to develop my voice and my unique perspective on issues relating to gender in the workplace. Creatingonline courses, developing curriculum for in-person workshops for individuals likeBossed Up Bootcamp and even developingthe Bossed Up podcastall helped me showcase my unique perspective while providing value to readers and listeners for free.If I didnt show that I had something to say first, it would have been unlikely that anyone would give me a chance and just put me on stage in front of their employees or their conference attendees without having an idea of what I was about to share.2. Tailor your messageIts one thing to come up with a message that speaks to workers, but its a totally different thing to cons ider how your message will be of value to the people whoactuallypay for public speakers.For example, one of my favorite ways to help individual women get bossed up is to provide training and coaching on salary negotiation. Its an art form Im obsessed with and I absolutely love helping more women talk positively about their strengths and get paid for all theyre worth. But what company is going to PAY for me to come in and train their employees on how to negotiate? Ill tell you NONE.So I had to think about which components of my message really speak to what companies and conference organizers care about. My most popular training is on Assertive Communication. The reality is, my assertive communication workshop helps women make their voices heard in a world thats not always listening to women, but the other reality is, it also helps with leadership development, employee retention, and cutting down on passive-aggressive behavior in the office. Thats the kind of framing that makes manag ers and HR directors alike see the value in what I can bring to the table.My second most popular talk is all about burnout prevention. Ive opened conferences with my Beat Burnout keynote across the tech industry, legal field, and even medical industry. Why does that one work so well? Because its not just about helping the individual, its about a collective consciousness-raising for an entire industry to do better.So for anyone thinking about entering the ring of public speaking, know that your message needs to resonate not only with members of the audience, but with their bosses and their conference-organizers, too.3. Start for freeSpeaking is a weird business. Figuring out your pricing for workshops and keynotes can feel like venturing into the wild, wild west. But in order for me to get my speaking sea legs, so to speak, I was more than happy to speak for free.Id show up for any nonprofit or association or womens empowerment group that could fill a room. Id barter to make sure tha t everyone who attended could sign up for my email list, at the very least, and saw these engagements as opportunities for me to try out new material and see what landed.Stand-up comedians are known to do the same thing, and lets face it theyre superhuman public speakers and total masters of the craft.Whenever I speak for free, my goal is the room with a handful of leads for future speaking opportunities, too. Right after you wow an audience is the best possible time to focus on new business development. If youve done your job and people are feeling fired up and impressed, its time to ask them who else they know who needs to hear your message and ask for their help to make that happen.4. Rock those referralsOnce I come down from my stage buzz and re-enter earths stratosphere, the real work begins. Leads are just that a fhigkeit for potential business. Those leads take serious nurturing and further networking to actually turn into business. But over the past year especially, Ive act ually really come to love that process.100% of my speaking business comes in from referrals. Good old fashioned word of mouth people whove seen me speak or seen my stuff online and want to see if I might be a good fit for their team of their upcoming event. I also get business from picking up the phone and just catching up with my friends in the industry or past clients whove brought me in before. What are they up to this year? How is gender playing a role in their workplace these days? Is there any way I can support them or their colleagues this year? I find that when Im genuinely interested in staying friends and keeping up with people, more business comes my way from spending lots of time simply reconnecting with people and seeing whats up.Plus, even when those phones calls dont necessarily lead to paid gigs, theyre still a great opportunity to hear more about whats happening in their industry and keep up with workplace trends.5. Hone Your CraftI view public speaking as something of an art form a performative practice all about inspiring and informing others with your message. To that end, every artist needs years of practice to go from good to great.Thats how I view my public speaking practice these days especially as a craft I want to hone to really take it to that next professional level. As such, last year I joined the National Speakers Association to rub elbows with other folks who can make me better. I joined at the strong recommendation of a terrific speaker,Linda Swindling, with whom I shared the stage at a recent conference. Linda completely blew me away with her delivery, style, humor, and content and was kind enough to berater me a bit over the past year as she shared some secrets with me about how to build a career in public speaking.Im all about lifting as I climbAnd thats why Im thrilled to share everything Ive learned about making a career out of public speaking. For folks who want to go deeper with me on this topic, I just re-opened applicat ions to join theBossed Up Trainer Team,a cohort of business-owners, public speakers, and coaches who join me for an intensive, 8-hour Certification Program all about developing your public speaking and then afterwards join me for ongoing quarterly mastermind calls. These are the trainers I then feature on Bossed Up webinars, guest blog posts, and even Bossed Up Bootcamp, too.Learn more and apply nowto join me at upcoming Certification Programs Im hosting in Denver and DC in February and March.This article first appeared on Bossed Up.

How to fine tune emotional intelligence to get ahead

How to fine tune emotional intelligence to get aheadHow to fine tune emotional intelligence to get aheadEmotional intelligence or EQ a buzz-word that was coined in the 90s, is still regularly explored by academics and psychologists today. Based on self-awareness and empathy, EQ is recognized as an important personal and professional quality, but few truly understand how to enhance it or leverage its benefits.Like training for a sport or learning an instrument, EQ can be developed at any age and better yet, it can be strengthened, conditioned and fine-tuned.Defining EQEmotional intelligence is the ability to identify, manage and express yur own emotions and the emotions of others. A great place to see EQ in action is in the world of music. When artists play and perform they need to be in tune with those around them, including their fellow band members and the audience. The fruchtwein successful bands are made up of artists that not only master their own craft but have an ear for wh at others are expressing anticipating the emotional highs and lows, the flow and pace of a performance.VH1 made a name for itself documenting music legends shredding each other apart in Behind The Music a series that might have been more appropriately called Epic Music EQ Failures. Rivalries, jealousies and the furies of fame always seemed to get in the way and drowned out the music.On the flip side, if you look at bands with longevity U2 or Pearl Jam you see musicians with heightened self-awareness and a greater aptitude for harnessing their emotions. It was remarkable to me to see Pearl Jams acceptance speech at the Rock Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony as the band thanked all of the people who helped propel and sustain them.Understanding EQIn order to build emotional intelligence, we first must understand why it really matters both in ur own lives and to those we care about.Consider the role of EQ in business. The authors of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 point outEQ drives more than half of our job performancePeople with high EQ make almost $30,000 more each year than their lower EQ counterparts90% of top performers in business, sports, and the arts have high EQGood leadership is at times subjective, but a common thread is an ability to assess and take bold risks. EQ is an essential tool in calculating the risks worth taking. In his seminal book on EQ What Makes a Leader, Daniel Goleman notes 5 EQ key qualities Self-awareness, Self-Regulation, Social Skill, Empathy, Motivation.The capacity to be aware of and express emotions is the oldest and arguably the most effective mode of communication.Enhancing EQSo, how do we get there?Locate the source. While IQ resides in our brains, which trigger our thoughts, EQ lives in our limbic system, which triggers our feelings. The danger is that feelings fire quicker than thoughts. Just as we can train our brain, we must take hold and direct our emotions.Exercise emotional restraint. At the center of EQ is self- control. Exposure to different cultures through diverse relationships and international business assignments will build understanding and will fine-tune control and emotional restraint.Observe, listen and empathize. Buddhists remind us that like our arms and legs, eyes and ears, our emotions are key parts of who we are, of what we become and are central to the life we build. Weve all met people who seem eternally happy or perpetually sad. We learn whos easy to incite and who shows restraint. Observing, listening and empathizing are important skills that allow us to adapt, connect and influence, to build more effective and, I would argue, more fulfilling relationships.Embracing EQEQ is not just about job performance its a life skill that can enhance all our personal interactions.As we grow and add more complexity to our lives, or our companies, industries, and markets, intelligence becomes more instinctual and therefore soft skills play an even bigger role. Imagine the partnerships w e could forge, the songs we could write, the creativity and collaboration we could unlock, just by increasing our EQ. Not because were smarter, stronger or more talented, but because weve trained our emotions to check with our brains first to understand before we act.The world is loaded with self-help books and websites that offer EQ building techniques. Ive developed my own EQ enough to know not to tell you which is best for you. Only to promise that its worth your search.Dinesh Paliwal is president and chief executive officer of HARMAN, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Interview Questions About Upgrading Your Skills

Interview Questions About Upgrading Yur SkillsInterview Questions About Upgrading Your SkillsYoure about to leave a job you dont really like, and youre getting ready to interview for a job at a company you think is head and shoulders above your current company. Its fine to be excited about the new opportunity, but its crucial to tread carefully when the interviewer asks questions that require you to compare your current job to the job youre hoping to get. Take a moment to think before you answer questions such as, How is our company better than your present employer? When asked this question, a job applicant might tell the interviewer that the company he orshe works for is just awful. Maybe he or she talks about how the company treats employees terribly, and he orshe hates working there. But what if his orher current company happens to be a big customer of the company where he orshe is hoping to land a job? Its unlikely that a candidate in this situation would be hired and it doesnt matter whether he orshe is telling the truth or not. With that kind ofattitude, there just isnt any way he orshe can have had a positive relationship with the client if he or she hated working for them. An invitation to differentiate your current employer from your prospective company presentsa profil trap, albeit a very tempting one. The interviewer might be testing you to determine if you have a negative attitude or difficulty with authority. In addition, he or she will also be assessing whether you have done your homework and have realistic expectations for the interviewers organization. So, while you dont want to say bad things about your current employer, you shouldnt glorify the next one either. How to Answer Questions About Your Present Employer One key to answering this question is to make sure you have an accurate view of the hiring managers company. You need to know that whatever you see as potentially beneficial actually fits the bill. Do someresearch on the companya nd dont over-hype the new opportunity with hopes that the interviewer will fall for your gushing enthusiasm. He or she will know if youre being unrealistic. Always Keep Your Answer Positive Another key is to be careful not to mention any negative information about your current company. Keeping it positive makes the most sense in this situation, even if your work experience isnt, or wasnt, the best. The safest approach is to frame your current employer in a positive way, and then notenzeichen how the prospective employer is even more attractive to you. One way to accomplish this goal is to mention the positive features of the new company which builds upon, but also exceeds, the positive aspects of your current company. For example, you could say As a salesperson, Im very concerned about how consumers perceive the quality of the products that I sell. My current employer has a solid reputation for quality, but your firm is universally recognized as the industry leader in quality an d service. So, I would love to part of your team. Stick to the Facts and Avoid Any Hype Sticking to the facts is important, and this means avoiding references to subjective considerations like the quality of management and leadership. Theres no need to denigrate your current employer or put the potential employer up on a pedestal. Be realistic.For example, you could say I am excited that your company has introduced three new products this past year which have gained traction and garnered increased market share. My current company is in a more stable phase. It produces well-known and respected brands, but has not opened up new markets. Make it Professional Not Personal Your emphasis should be placed on aspects of the company that would enable youto be productive on a professional level. For example, you might say Its my understanding that you invest considerable resources into training employees to utilize the latest technology. A statement like that is not emotional, doesnt say anything bad about your current company, and while it puts the potential employer in a positive light, its not ridiculous and overbearing. What Not to Say When Answering This Question Its best to avoid references to features ofcorporate culturethat are personally beneficial. For example, I find the ability to work from home and your generous vacation policy to be very appealing, isnot a good answer, because it focuses on your needs and not the company itself. You dont want the hiring manager to think that the onlyreason you want the jobisbecause of how it personally benefits you. Of course, the potential personal benefits that a new job might offer are important, its just not something to bring up during a job interview. Instead, youre much better off on focusing on how the new position will benefit you professionally rather than any personal benefits youll experience if hired. Then, your best next step is to explain how hiring you will benefit the company.

Civil Engineer Sample Job Description

Civil Engineer Sample Job DescriptionCivil Engineer Sample Job DescriptionCivil Engineer Sample Job DescriptionThis civil engineer sample job description can assist in your creating a job application that will attract job candidates who are qualified for the job. Feel free to revise this job description to meet your specific job duties and job requirements.Civil Engineer Job ResponsibilitiesA civil engineer completes construction projects by preparing engineering design and documents confirming specifications.Civil Engineer Job DutiesDesigns construction projects by studying project concept, architectural drawings, and models.Prepares engineering design by collecting and studying reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photographs and tests on soil composition, terrain, hydrological characteristics, and related topographical and geologic data.Determines project costs by calculating labor, material, and related costs.Prepares feasibility study by analyzing engineering design condu cting environmental impact studies assembling data.Prepares engineering documents by developing construction specifications, plans, and schedules.Confirms adherence to construction specifications and safety standards by monitoring project progress inspecting construction site verifying calculations and placements.Fulfills project requirements by training and guiding operators.Maintains operations by enforcing project and operational policies and procedures.Provides engineering information by answering questions and requests.Complies with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation anticipating future legislation enforcing adherence to requirements advising management on needed actions.Maintains project data base by writing computer programs entering data completing backups.Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.Civil Engineer Skills and QualificationsCAD, AutoCAD, Design Skills, Site Development, Database Desig n, Planning, Conceptual Skills, Legal Compliance, Drafting, LISP, harte nuss SolvingEmployers Post a job in minutes to reach candidates everywhere. Job Seekers Search Civil Engineer Jobs and apply on now. Learn more aboutthe hiring processVideo How to Conduct an InterviewMake the most of Hiring ToolsMaximize your Job Description Results

Delivery Driver Resume - Overview

Delivery Driver Resume - Overview The Fight Against Delivery Driver Resume You can employ your education section as the ideal proof. Then you need to earn a thorough description of every facet of your work. If you would like to demonstrate how much experience youve got, be certain to use the chronological format. The aforementioned abilities and qualities when acquired should be utilized in producing the skills part of your resume. The True Meaning of Delivery Driver Resume Usage of effectual titles ought to be considered. You have to offer relevant, concise info. Submitting incorrect info on your resume is another typical mistake, though its one thats simple to avoid. Our resume builder will provide you with tips and examples on the best way to compose your resume summary. In a resume the choice of a layout is crucial. Theres a significant guide here on how best to earn an expert LinkedIn profile. Download your very own free copy by clicking the hyperlink below. You c ant work as a Delivery Driver if you arent professionally licensed. Delivery Drivers are also predicted to understand how to read a fundamental road map because this will be handy in regards to searching for unfamiliar territory. fremd from all these essential qualities, they need to be good gruppe players. Commercial drivers perform to a far higher standard of road safety, and they have to maintain a history of excellence in driver performance to keep a valid license. Products from warehouses differ from packed goods, tiles, automotive components and a good deal more. Driving an industrial truck takes a distinctive license and training because the course of action is more complex than driving a conventional passenger vehicle or cargo van. Regardless of the kind of material being transported, delivery drivers must have the ability to deal with cargo responsibility and deliver their loads in time. The shipping driver sample resume below is intended to draw a possible employer in with an overview of critical qualities before continuing on to tangible work experience. On your resume, list all of your delivery experience, for example, kind of vehicle used. Successful history of driving different type of light and heavy vehicles. What You Should Do to Find Out About Delivery Driver Resume Before Youre Left Behind You should be prepared to work as part of the shipping team in order to ensure the items are complete, packed correctly, and safely delivered to the right client. You are going to be requested to do limited resume work and some customer support. Youll be requested to do limited administrative work together with some customer support. Make boxes and organize the shipping section of the business. The Dos and Donts of Delivery Driver Resume You can also see Forklift Resumes. Determine what jobs youre qualified for. It is possible to also see Chef Resumes. Assistant Managers also need to understand how to prepare pizzas and deliver to design ated places where the orders are made. To find this job, you require a well-crafted resume alongside an attractive Pizza Delivery Driver Cover Letter. Experience might be required or preferred. Things You Should Know About Delivery Driver Resume Because work hours and advantages are extremely important to their interest in the job, they will probably continue reading. You would like money and when you take a look at your paycheck, youre going to be satisfied with the job you did. A growing number of folks are finding jobs through internet connections. UPS is an organization that values training, spending tens of millions of dollars within this area annually. If youre looking forward to work as a pizza delivery driver, here is an illustration of the sort of job description you might be asked to perform. You get about five orders, maybe 3 orders at one time, depending upon your experience at work. Something that only took a few hours can appear great on an expert trucking r esume. You might be working 6 months at one time per job contract.

4 Reasons Complaining to Your Coworker About Another Coworker Is a Bad Idea

4 Reasons Complaining to Your Coworker About Another Coworker Is a Bad Idea Jack drives you crazy at work.He is on your project kollektiv, and his laziness and lax standards are pushing you to the edge yet again. So you pop into Susans (another coworker) office to vent your frustrations.You have just inadvertently started a firestorm that has the potential to further erode yourrelationshipwith Jack, compromise your relationship with Susan, and sabotage the trust and cohesion that exists within the entire team. Of course, you didnt mean to cause problems you simply wanted to vent your annoyance.Here are four reasons whycomplainingabout a coworker to another coworker is never a good idea (and four things you can do instead that will help)1. Venting might feel good at the time, but when it comes to talking trash about another person, it always has a bite.Its one thing to vent outside of work to someone not associated with the team.This expression may rel ease steam, and trusted friends canhelp you craft a plan for movingforward with the object of your frustration.But at work, on a team, it will feel at best like gossip and at worst like total and complete betrayal to the person in question.Missing the opportunity to get directpeer feedbackincreases the likelihood that the person in question will feel caught off guard, slandered, and treated poorly. Broken trust is hard, if not impossible, to rebuild.What to do insteadVent with friends at home, seek empathy on your challenges, and then take your issue straight to the source. The brde step is the most important because it eliminates the dangerous triangle that gossip creates.2. The innocent coworker you speak with cant help but be affected by your perspective.Susan, in the scenario above, may have previously really liked and trusted Jack. But now that you have sharedyour complaints, her view of Jack is forever tainted. She no longer sees him in a positive light, and she may go on tose ek confirmation of the problems you mentioned, whereas she used to open-heartedly interacted with him in true partnership. Plus, she now has to try to keep a secret, since you asked her not to share anything, so she has to suppress what she knows you feel about Jack every time she sees him.What to do insteadIf you need it, ask the non-involved colleague for feedback onyourapproach toaddressing the situation. This makes it about you, not the coworker who is upsetting you. Make sure you let the non-involved coworker know that your intention is to work it out with the other person and that you know you have contributed to the problem.3. Trust is the primary currency of healthy partnerships, and talking behind someones back erodes trust.To trust, we must be vulnerable. At work, that often means admittingmistakes,being honest aboutwhat we dont know, and/orasking for help. Receivingcritical feedbackis the ultimate vulnerability, and strong partnerships allow us togrowthrough this critical feedback.But if we get feedback from athird-partyinstead of the person who should be delivering it, thaterodes the faith and confidence that are essential for team health.What to do insteadSpend time thinking about and preparing to deliverfeedback forthe colleague who annoys you in a caring, concise, and clear way. Delivering this to them willbuild trustand confidence, resulting in an increased ability to talk honestly with each other, solvehard problems, and work together oninnovations and ideas. The coworkermay not stop the annoying behavior altogether, but at least they can now begin working on it. What really matters is that you are clear, direct, caring, and compassionate. Your goal should belearningto work better with your coworkers, not drawinga line in the sand.4. Most of us want to know the truth and strive to improve once we get it.Despite the fact that most of us want to run screaming to the hills when we hear those dreaded words, May I give you some feedback? we also se cretly crave it.The impression we make on others is our impact at work, and when delivered with care, most of us want to embrace and learn from the observations of others.Jack, in this scenario, is not consciously trying to annoy you. Bringing his behavioral impact on you to his attention guarantees that at least the two of you now have a basis for co-learning and sharing as you work together.What to do insteadOffer feedback in the spirit of learning and with an intention to remain in partnership, rather than exit stage left. In addition togiving feedback, ask for it, so that you can walk your talk with this colleague. Most problems between people are contributed to by both parties, so what do you have to learn?A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.Moe Carrick is the founder ofMoementum Inc.and haswoven a cohesive and provocative tapestry of personal leadership experiences,Fortune100 consulting, academic and institutional learning, keynote addresses, authorshi p, strategic partnering, and masterful facilitation. Moe grounds her approach in a unifying and undeniable truth Successful work is dependent upon human relationships. Shefeels privileged to work with clients likePrudential Financial, REI, Nike, TechSoft3D, and many others.

How to Have Work-Life Balance Without Looking Lazy -The Muse

How to Have Work-Life Balance Without Looking Lazy -The MuseHow to Have Work-Life Balance Without Looking Lazy In todays always-on workplace, where being busy is a badge of honor and around-the-clock availability has become the norm, employees who seek a healthy work-life balance can get a bad rap. Those who try to find the balance between personal quality of life and career success are sometimes accused of seeming lazy and uncommitted. Theres an assumption that people who want balance are skirting responsibility, while in fruchtwein cases, theyre really just trying to engineer a workday that promotes long-term productivity and keeps their motivation and focus high. Its no wonder, then, that so many of us fail to speak up when were feeling burned out or want mora flexibility in our day-to-day we fear being labeled the office slacker.So how can you achieve work-life balance without seeming like youre bailing on your responsibilities? The secret is working more strategically, so you ca n excel at your job and have more time for your life outside of the office. Here are some tips to help you navigate working smarter and more efficiently- rather than harder and longer- to both avoid burnout and deflect any question of your work ethic. 1. Remember Parkinsons LawAccording to Parkinsons Law, work expands to fill the time available for its completion. If you give yourself until the end of the day to write a report, guess what? Itll most likely take you until the end of the day. This illustrates the importance of setting boundaries for your projects. To avoid spending more time on tasks than is really necessary, you have to learn to implement more structure, so you can work efficiently- not constantly. Try this Instead of leisurely spending the first 30 minutes of the day checking email, give yourself five minutes to process as many messages as you can. Or, schedule your day creatively by using enjoyable personal or social activities to sandwich your to-do list. For exam ple, make plans to attend an art class or meet a friend after work to put a hard stop on the time you leave the office. Limiting the amount of time you have available to crush your tasks can push your focus through the roof. 2. Eliminate the Urgent, elend the ImportantBefore you start working on a project, make sure you have a clear sense of why youre doing it and the tangible outcome or impact you expect to achieve. Often, urgent tasks, like emails, phone calls, or emergency meetings can keep us on a perpetual hamster wheel, while important tasks that actually contribute to long-term mission and goals get pushed to the wayside. So before you dive in to any task, ask yourself the hard question, Do I actually need to do this? You may find youve been superfluously tracking metrics or busying yourself with projects that could be trashed- which could free up significant time for you to focus on what really matters. 3. Create SystemsIf you complete any activity or task more than once, do cument your process from start to finish. Not only will this save you time the next time you have to replicate that assignment, but itll also help you get a clearer view of which tasks you can delegate. Routinized, repeatable projects- such as filing reports in a certain way or formatting a presentation to fit your companys template- are perfect targets for delegation since they include clear instructions and are generic enough that you dont have to be the person who completes them.The same goes for your personal life, too. For example, if you host a birthday party every year, make a note of when to send out invitations and to whom, when to decide on a venue, and which friends to call to help with different aspects of the planning and set-up. This will save you time and stress in the long run.4. Know Your Lazy HoursMost of us realize that were more productive at certain times of the day, but the key to benefitting from this information is being able to identify those times and adapt your schedule around slumps. Over the next few weeks, pay attention to the times when youre at peak productivity and when youre the least motivated. Do you power through the morning, but hit a wall just before lunch? Are you mentally checked out from work tasks around 5 PM in favor of trolling the internet? unterstellung are your lazy hours. Once you figure out your peaks and valleys, you can set yourself up for success by structuring your days so that youre tackling the most important, attention-grabbing work before or after your slow blocks. (If youre struggling with this, this quiz can help.)5. Set Expectations Early and OftenStraightforward, candid, and frequent communication with your boss and team is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. They should understand exactly what youre working on, what types of tasks you dont work on, and what they can and cant expect from you when youre working from home, during the weekend, or when youre on vacation. For example, rather than giving the general expectation that youll be traveling for a few days and will have limited access to email, specify your availability and the best way to reach you (an out-of-office message is good for that). Getting more specific by saying, I will be traveling and available via email from 10 AM until 12 PM. After 12 PM, please reach me by phone, helps avoid miscommunications and ensures youll be pinged at times that wont interfere with your other plans.As long as you share your boundaries in the spirit of team collaboration and transparency, your co-workers will appreciate- and respect- your honesty.6. Outsource Your LifeFree time is precious. When you have downtime, you want it to be restorative- but that cant happen if youre running around looking for an open washing machine, waiting in line at the grocery store, and cleaning your apartment. When your downtime becomes just as stressful as your workday, you can create more time for yourself by outsourcing errands to o thers. These days, theres an app for everything, and depending on how busy you are, the benefits of hiring someones services can seriously outweigh the costs. Too busy to cook? Look into a meal delivery service. Laundry piling up? Send it out to be cleaned professionally. Apartment cleaning, home improvement, grocery shopping, errand-running- you name it, theres a service for that.Work-life balance is incredibly important for your physical and mental health, and its perfectly reasonable to fight for it. When youre able to spend more time doing the things you love, youre better equipped to confront challenges when they arise. And having time for activities outside of work will help stoke your creativity in the office and propose out of the-box-ideas. And altogether, this will make you a more productive, more valuable, healthier, and happier employee.

How to Answer Sticky Job Interview Questions

How to Answer Sticky Job Interview QuestionsHow to Answer Sticky Job Interview QuestionsTo get a sense of your personal and professional passions,strengths, and weaknesses, interviewers may attempt to determine what type of work activities do not hold your interest. The underlying assumption is that you will put your best work intotasks about which you are passionate. Therefore, the question What wont you miss about your past or current job? helps the interviewer understand whether or not you will be suited for the responsibilities of the job at hand. The key to answering this question is to be honest, but also to remain positive, even while you are focusing on what seems like a negative question. This is not the time to badmouth supervisors or colleagues, complain about the companys facilities, or rant about a project or task you really despised. Compare Your Job to the New Job Along with being honest and positive, your answer should also look ahead to the job for which you are applying. Start by making a list of the various parts of your past or current position that held the least interest for you. Try to include at least some duties that you had to carry out only on rare occasions, and were not central to your overall success. Next, examine the job youre interviewing for and make a list of the different areas of responsibility included in the description. If the job advertisement lacks detail, then look at the employment section of the organizations website to see if there is a more elaborate description of the position. You can also scan major job sites by title to see what other employers incorporate into the job. Prioritize the list of work activities involved with your target job. If you are unsure about the relative importance of various components of the job, then ask professionals in the field to help you with your appraisal. Pick 3 Things That Are Not a Priority Finally, pick three aspects of your past or current job that held the least inte rest to you. Compare this list with your prioritized list of work activities for your target job. You want to make sure that any tasks you mention are not likely to be prioritized by your target employer, nor should they be frequently performed or highly important aspects of the position. Keep It Honest But Positive When you are answering the question, avoid any negative wording about whatever duties you share. Try to use a more neutral approach that shows that you were able to get the job done even though you werent very stimulated by the task. You should be honest about the tasks that did not appeal to you, but at the same time, you should take a positive approach in explaining your reasons why. You wouldnt want to say, As a retail schlussverkauf manager, I hated taking inventory counts. It was one of the most boring things Ive ever had to do, and it drove me crazy. Instead, you should frame your answer in a way that suggests you enjoyed more stimulating, challenging projects but still learned to cultivate the right degree of discipline for the type of tasks that might be tedious to carry out but are still necessary to complete. For example, you might say, As sales manager for a clothing boutique, I really enjoyed almost all aspects of my work. I suppose the aspect that held the least interest for me was taking inventory of unsold clothing, as I did not find it mentally stimulating. However, I was able to focus on the details of the job and made accurate counts, as I knew my results would be important when it came to projects I did enjoy, like selecting pieces for our new fall line. Sample Answers Take a look at some sample answers to this question, and use them for inspiration while coming up with a response of your own. While I loved my time as an administrative assistant at XYZ Company, I always wanted the option to demonstrate my fundraising and grant-writing experience, but never had the opportunity to expand my duties. I am excited at the prosp ect of this position, which offers a 60/40 split between administrative duties and grant writing. This kind of position will allow me to demonstrate my skill in multiple fields.As a salesperson for ABC Company, I gained valuable sales skills and had great mentorship from my superiors. While I enjoyed being able to make sales calls on my own, I always wished we also did some team sales, because I feel that I am extremely skilled at making sales in a group environment, and I love the opportunity to work with and learn from my colleagues. I believe I would thrive in a sales position at your company, because of the heavy emphasis you place on teamwork and group sales.

Category 2 Moral Offenses for Joining the Air Force

Category 2 Moral Offenses for Joining the Air ForceCategory 2 Moral Offenses for Joining the Air ForceAFRS Instruction 36-2001, Air Force Recruiting, lists the below offenses as Category 2 Moral offenses. This list is just a guide. The Air Force will consider violations of a similar nature or seriousness as a Category 2 offense. When in doubt, the Air Force will consider any offense in which local law allows for confinement for a year or more as a Category 2 offense. A conviction or adverse adjudication for any of the offenses listed is disqualifying for entry into the Air Force. The waiver approval authority is a recruiting group commander or vice commander. Category 2 Criminal Offenses Arson.Aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, intentionally inflicting great bodily harm, with intent to commit a felony (adjudicated as a juvenile only).Attempting to commit a felony.Breaking and entering a building with the intent to commit a felony.Bribery (adjudicated as a juvenile only). Burglary (adjudicated as a juvenile only).Carrying a concealed firearm or unlawful carrying of a firearm.Carrying a concealed weapon (other than firearm), possession of brass knuckles.Child pornography offenses. Conspiring to commit a felony.Criminal Libel.DUI or DWI driving under the influence of, or while intoxicated or impaired by, alcohol or drugs.Embezzlement.Extortion (adjudicated as a juvenile only).Forgery knowingly uttering or passing a forged instrument (except for altered identification for purchase of alcoholic beverages).Grand larceny.Grand theft.Housebreaking.Indecent assault.Involuntary manslaughter.Leaving the scene of an accident (hit and run) involving personal injury.Lewd, licentious, or lascivious behavior. Looting.Mail or electronic emission matters abstracting, destroying, obstructing, opening, secreting, stealing, or taking.Mail depositing obscene or indecent matter (including electronic or computerized e-mail or bulletin motherboard systems and files).Maiming or disfiguring.Marijuana simple possession or use.Negligent homicide.Pandering.Perjury (adjudicated as a juvenile only).Prostitution or soliciting to commit prostitution.Public record altering, concealing, destroying, mutilating, obliterating, or removing. Riot.Robbery (adjudicated as a juvenile only).Sedition or soliciting to commit sedition.Selling, leasingor transferring a weapon to a minor or unauthorized individual.Sexual harassment.Willfully discharging firearms so as to endanger life or shooting in public place.