5 Steps to Stop Wasting Time

5 Steps to Stop Wasting Time Whether applying for a job or managing one’s career, there are constant pressures in  the work environment toward unproductive and wasteful time-use. When analyzed closely, a great deal of one’s day is spent on activities that do not  contribute to the overall goal of either the individual or their company. The problem is  that while other resources are in abundance (i.e. money), time is scarce. No matter how high the demand, the supply will never rise; time is a unique,  irreplaceable and necessary resource. Time-use does improve with  practice, but only constant efforts at managing time can prevent drifting. While yesterday’s time is  gone forever, below you’ll find key  exercise to ensure that you make the most of this scarce resource  going forward. 1) In detail, define what you want to achieve: Instead of wanting to make more money”  or  â€œget a job in marketing,” strive to  â€œmake $60,000” or  â€œobtain a digital marketing position in healthcare.” When you spell out your goals in vivid detail, you begin to see what activities will get you to where you want to be and which  serve little to no purpose. 2) Perform a time- diagnosis and keep track of hours and days real-time: Prior to being able to manage time, you must possess a firm grasp on how your hours and days are used. As opposed to going off sheer memory, the most efficient way to do so is to log where your days are going. The problem with relying on memory is  that psychological  experiments have shown that human beings  are  naturally inept of estimating how much time has passed performing a certain activity. Therefore, if we rely on our memory of the activities we’ve performed, we won’t get an accurate measurement of where our hours and days go. 3)  Pinpoint and eliminate the activities that don’t need to be at all: When  examining your activity log, go down the list of daily functions you perform and ask yourself a key  question,  â€œWhat would happen if I didn’t engage in this  activity?” If the answer is  â€œnothing,” you’ve just defined a time suck that no longer needs to be part of your daily routine. 4) Learn to delegate where possible: Effective delegation can mitigate opportunity cost, relieve stress and allow you to focus on your  strengths. Unfortunately, lack of delegation is a problematic shortcoming of the majority of job seekers whom our recruiters deal with. Over 70% of applicants our sales headhunters deal with spend up to 100+ hours  writing, formatting and tweaking their resume when, in  reality they could have a professional write  the document for under $1,000. Mathematically, unless they are making less than $10 per hour, it is time inefficient to write  their own CV. 5) Don’t bounce from activity to activity, rather break your time into large chunks: Studies have shown that to spend 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there on a project results in little being achieved. When something needs to get done, the name of the game is to lock the office door, disconnect the internet, turn off the cell phone and sit down for 3+  hours without  interruption. In the End Time is a costly thing to waste.  Learn to concentrate on what counts.  While the immature mind hops from one thought to another, never truly getting anything done, those who master concentration realize that time is an  irretrievable resource that you can’t recoup.

Apprenticeships Vs University

Apprenticeships Vs University It’s an overwhelming problem that many teens face when approaching the end of High school trying to figure out what they City and Guilds of London Institute (Photo credit: Wikipedia) want to do in the future, whether to go to college, then University; or join an education program which will help them find apprenticeship vacancies and guides which will help them in an apprenticeship while working. Sceptically, Apprenticeships were falsely seen as the route to take for those that hadnt always achieved fantastic grades,  or commonly thought of as plumbers, electricians and engineers, but now it seems there are a number of apprenticeships out there which can lead to a specialised job such as care assistance and it is usually a cheaper and more valuable option than University for a lot of students. Qualifications While a student spends 3 â€" 4 years at unniversity, an apprentice would have gained 3 â€" 4 years hands-on experience within an industry and NVQ qualifications which can be approximate equivalent to the following. NVQ 1 = foundation GNVQ, three to four GCSEs at grades D-E, Business Technology Education Council (BTEC) first certificate. NVQ 2 = five GCSEs at grades A*-C, BTEC first diploma. NVQ 3 = two or more A levels, BTEC Ordinary National Diploma (OND), City Guilds Advanced Craft. NVQ 4 = BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND), or City Guilds Full Technological Certificate / Diploma NVQ 5 =NQF 7-8 Benefits of University However, there are benefits of going to university, besides the debt from the student loans, the hangovers from fresher’s week and a diploma once you have graduated, you should have gained the following: More  confidence in social situations Being able to use your own initiative at university or in a work place. Becoming more independent. At first this might just mean learning to cook or wash your own clothes, but in years time, it will be self-reliance and ability to organise and motivate yourself. Apprenticeships or University While going to university and completing an apprenticeship both provide valuable life skills, these skills often differ New Era for Apprenticeships campaign star Nisar Ahmed with his employers Incommunities (Photo credit: Apprenticeships) massively, from how to set goals and manage time to how to negotiate, use contracts, and not get taken advantage of. As mentioned above, there are pros and cons to be considered before taking a place on either an apprenticeship or university but in my honest opinion, apprenticeships are more beneficial to students than a university course, especially if considering doing less academically challenging subjects. Unless interested in the legal or medical industry, where you cannot miss out on education, as there are other people’s lives involved and where learning on the job isn’t an option. ________________________________________________________________________________________

Top tips for negotiating your employment contract

Top tips for negotiating your employment contract A carefully prepared and negotiated employment contract is key to starting off your employment on the right note. The goal of negotiation is to ensure that the agreement reached is one that meets your needs as well as your employer’s. This agreement should extend beyond negotiation of compensation, and encompasses a wide range of factors that if not discussed, can have significant impacts on your happiness within your workplace. Conducting negotiations with an experienced contract lawyer in Melbourne,  or any major city, will ensure that you are fully aware of all obligations and requirements under your employment contract. There are a number of important tips to follow when negotiating employment contracts that will have significant impacts when you commence your employment. Know your professional worth Before entering negotiations, it is important to know the average salary for the position in your specific industry. This should be considered alongside your professional worth which involves the consideration of your skills, qualifications, proven results and other individual skills. Having an expectation of your salary with this in mind can ensure that you establish a reasonable minimum salary that you will be willing to accept to ensure that you do not undervalue yourself and accept less than your professional worth. Understand the elements of a contract Before signing an employment contract, it is important to have at minimum, a basic understanding of the key elements of a contract. This ensures that the key considerations in an employment contract are very clearly and completely addressed including: The compensation package Business expenses Health insurance and retirement plans Paid leave Work status (full or part time) Moving expenses While it is easy to be fixated solely on the compensation offered in an employment contract, these other key terms will have long lasting and considerable financial impacts. Research the employer/practice Knowing the size of the practice and their need for your services will have an impact on their potential flexibility in negotiating the terms of your contract. Having an understanding of the future direction your employer is heading and any potential career progression that is available should also be addressed in negotiations. Researching the reputation and credibility of the company is also an important step to take before entering negotiations. Know when to compromise and when to stand firm Before entering negotiations, it is important to know which terms you are willing to be flexible on and which terms are non negotiable to you. The goal of negotiation is to work together to find a middle ground. In order for this to be achieved however it is important to enter with a firm understanding of the terms you may be willing to sacrifice in order to reach this middle ground. Take time to consider every offer If the employer makes the first offer, it is important to ask for time to think over and thoroughly read over the terms of the contract in consultation with an experienced contract lawyer. Whilst an offer can initially seem too low or too high, it is still important to examine the finer details and terms of the contract before it is signed. Seemingly low compensation can be accompanied by extra bonuses or other perks, while a seemingly perfect offer can have finer details that make the contract less appealing. Consultation with an experienced contract lawyer can ensure that when you sign an employment contract, you are fully aware of each detail and obligation that comprises the contract. Starting your employment with a full understanding of your rights, compensation and expectations will ensure that there are no unexpected surprises that may later affect the relationship between yourself and your employer. Bio: Laura Costello is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Law/International Relations at Latrobe University. She is passionate about the law, the power of social media, and the ability to translate her knowledge of both common and complex legal topics to readers across a variety of mediums in a way that is easy to understand. Image Source; Image Source; Image Source

How to Find a Career that Fits Like a Glove

How to Find a Career that Fits Like a Glove Nowadays, having a settled life, career wise and professionally, is considered to be more essential and integral than pursuing and working on the dream job. In this economy, no one has time to make sure that they are following their passion or a career, which eventually fits their style and needs. That is why we have seen and observed the highest level of frustration, agitation and distress in a working scenario. The reason behind this is that, people are unable to do what they wanted to do and therefore, are entangled in a career, which suits their needs financially, but not emotionally or mentally. One of the grave facts that the current economy is quite painful, which has left many individuals unemployed or in the process of finding the average job which suits their everyday and fundamental needs. But apart from that, finding a career which perfectly suits your needs and your working style is even more important. The reason is that, without the presence of this factor, your productivity will eventually tank and you will be unable to perform the basic functions of your job. If you find a career that actually fulfills all your needs, then you will be less agitated and more satisfied, eventually brimming with happiness and joy in the working environment and the workplace. Let us examine what are the essential factors that you need to see and observe for finding the perfect job for you. Preferences over time Organize your preferences; do not follow the trend or the latest inclination. Follow your heart and do whatever it says. Every individual is different; a young teen will have different preferences and after they reach the age of maturity, their penchants and likings could be totally dissimilar. Types of personality Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, people focused or task focused, your working style can be greatly influenced your personality. Some people are more motivated and encouraged when they leave their house and others find it better to work from their home environment. Some are more energetic and pumped up and seek for motivation on their way to the office, while there are some who are different and dissimilar from the above mentioned personality. Experiences Your preferences and your working style also depend on your past experiences. The way you have indulged yourself in basic volunteer work or internships will also be a strong determinant. So choose wisely and involve yourself in a productive workplace as an experience so that you have collected the desired knowledge for your career choice. Passion and fondness In the end, it’s all about where your heart is. Rather than blindly following the latest inclinations, it is better that you be what you wanted to when you were young. This way your productivity is heightened and elevated and you will enjoy more with less stress and anxiety hovering around you. Author’s Bio: Melody Wilson is an expert in the field of career assistance. She received her education from a respectable and an honorable institute and is currently assisting all the youngsters who are looking for professional help in career development. Apart from that, she is currently associated with Essay Writing Service firm at UK and has been providing assistance with her valuable set of knowledge. For more information follow here at FacebookTwitterGplus.

This is how you should handle your bad seminar tutors

This is how you should handle your bad seminar tutors This post is written by a member of the Debut Student Publisher Network. Read on for  Christines  guide to dealing with bad seminar tutors, whatever form they take: No one told  us how to deal with  bad seminar tutors. If you had a bad teacher at school, meh, there wasnt much you could do but grin and bear it. At university, its a different story. You and your seminar tutor are both technically adults. Youre dealing with them not as childish, naive students, but mature, intellectual grown-ups. Therefore, if  your tutor isnt doing whats right for you, you can absolutely change the scenario. I decided to reach out to people whove had bad experiences with their university tutors to see how they dealt with it. Hopefully, sharing these experiences will help you if you ever find yourself in a similar situation. 1. The not-so-personal tutor Anon, age N/A The experience: My personal tutor met me just the once. It was in my first term at university with 20 other people in the room. When I needed help changing my course, or accessing grades, he directed me to the school secretary. The response: I tried contacting my school about my awful tutor, which was apparently a running issue in the faculty. They eventually sent a survey around, which was used to improve the system. However, my tutor was never pulled up on any of my issues. The advice: There is always a second person to talk to, whether theyre the nice face at the school office, or the other class tutor. Use these people! 2. Wrong priorities Anon, 21 The experience: [My tutor]  told me they didnt have time and werent prepared to make [our appointments]. Apparently they were busy with academic paper submissions and October-December was the hottest time to get published. Their words exactly. The response: I switched out of their course and moved into a different module straight away nobodys got time for that! The advice: Find someone else. Dont waste your time with people that dont work for you. There are as many awesome academics as there are terrible ones and it is up to you to find something that works for you. 3. Ungrateful and unenthusiastic Soph, 21 The experience: [My tutor was]  awful. He was very negative, always telling us that our uni was awful and we should have gone to a better one. He casually mentioned we didnt need to even attend his lectures, as he just read off the PowerPoint slides, He would also use group work done by class members to show bad examples of work yet hardly offer any support. The response: We just got on with the year. The advice: Report them, because at the end of the day you pay for your education. 4. The ghost Charlotte, 21 The experience: In three years Ive seen my personal tutor twice. Despite problems with the marking and grading on my second year exams he still hasnt replied to my multiple emails. I fail to see the point in having personal tutors if they are this disengaged. The response: Tried to continue to email and ask questions but after a continual lack of responses I gave up. Instead, I now ask relevant seminar tutors for advice. The advice: Email the relevant departments undergraduate office and ask for the complaints procedure. 5. Lack of contact Anon, 25 The experience: Research MSc, finished now apart from minor corrections. I met my tutor roughly 5 times in a full year. Spent the first 3 months with no project to work on resulting in a 3 month extension at the end of the year. Due to the lack of contact, I didnt feel I could approach my tutor for advice/feedback in the final thesis. What small requests I did submit were rejected. The response: [I dealt with the situation] badly.  Mostly tried to just work around it, but realistically I should have been more forward in demanding the support I needed. The advice: Make sure you build a connection early, ask questions and follow through on obtaining answers. Dont be afraid to complain to higher ups if they are failing to support you. 6. Mismatched and misunderstood Anon, 21 The experience: I am a person who requires a more proactive tutor, one willing to ask me questions and make sure that I am on track. Unfortunately, my tutor did not notice when things were going wrong for me. I identify as female, but I was placed in an entirely male tutor group. Often, I  felt speaking up and being wrong would make me look stupid. I ended up failing the module that my tutor taught. At the time I also did not know I was autistic, which has made everything make much more sense in retrospect. The response: [Especially] after I was diagnosed with autism, my department transferred me to another tutor. I was really lucky that the department made things work better for me. The advice: Dont be afraid to speak up. If you are having problems with your tutor, talk to them about it first. They may be able to make some adjustments for you, after all, it is part of their job to make sure you are on track. If this still doesnt work, dont hesitate to go over their head and talk to someone else, you can change to a different tutor and if you are specific enough about what you want, your department may be able to work with you. 7. Bad vibes and bias Anon, 21 The experience: I had a seminar tutor who very clearly favoured certain students in the class. I was sadly not one of them, and never felt like I was able to ask this tutor  for anything. The modules I took with this tutor were quite specialised and niche, and I ended up barely passing them. The response: I couldnt do much about the tutor because I had already decided on my modules. Instead I relied on my peers for discussion after class and tried to read all the supplementary material provided. The advice: In hindsight, I should have at least tried to approach this tutor personally. If that hadnt worked, then I would have just done what I did. But the fact that I didnt even try to talk to the tutor because I was so intimidated is something I regret. Based on these experiences, it seems safe to say that the overwhelming advice for if you have a bad university tutor is this:  Talk to someone. Whether its the tutor themselves, another tutor, the departmental staff, or even just your peers, you have to let someone know youre having a bad experience. Thats the only chance youll get at improving your learning opportunities. *Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Download the Debut app and you could totally grab yourself a summer internship  way before anyone else. Follow Christine  on Twitter  @slytherchris Connect with Debut on  Facebook  and  Twitter