Report from my own happiness lab

Report from my own happiness lab After about a decade of doing research on happiness,  I realize that my favorite research  comes from university labs that use self-reported data. Most of  our happiness lab research is based on self-reported data  about who feels happy. Which means, maybe, that I am my own lab. I can self-report just as well as anyone else. So here is my self-reported research. And, like all good university lab results, there is a little third-party oversight at the end. 1. Do not look for external validation. The unusual  thing about my family is not that my parents abused me and I was removed from the house. I mean, seriously, that happens in families all the time. The thing that makes the family different  is that my mom and all my brothers are colorblind. Female-passed colorblindness is very rare. My mom is visiting and dinner-table talk wanders to my son’s bar mitzvah. We are a family that has an incredible ability to focus on the negative, so we don’t dwell on how my son is a Hebrew-learning savant. Instead my son says, “Mom! Let’s talk about the time when you were reading Torah at your bat mitzvah and you were lost and you said, Oh fuck I’m lost.' I say, That’s the whole story. Mom says, “Remember my dress? Was it gray?” “No, it was purple but you thought it was gray.” “Well, maybe.” My  mom  thinks I’m so untrustworthy that she doesnt trust me even with color.  2. Its way easier to find bad in people than good, so challenge yourself.   My driver, Carla,  is out of town so Jeanenne is driving. But Jeanenne never drives, and I fear for our tires. I tell Jeanenne it  takes special driving talent to  not get a flat in Chicago. Its so serious  that  Jim Bachor  makes activist  art out of potholes  as he fills them. I tell myself to trust that Jeanenne is watching. But just in case, I pack extra reading material.   Once we get to the music school there are three cello lessons in a row. I don’t know how my son does it. This is what happens when you have a mom who is a writer going to ten hours a week of music lessons:  I bring colored pens  and draw the alphabet over and over to keep myself from dying of boredom. I get so anxious that I’ll run out of the colors I like that I keep three extra packages on hand at all times. Jeanenne spends three hours being the highest paid coffee drinker in the world. I guess this makes up for the first two years I lived on the farm when I was in constant nervous breakdown mode from the transition and during that time Jeanenne was the lowest paid mental health worker in the world. I ask Jeanenne to get  me coffee while she’s getting coffee for herself. She says, “But then I’d have to come back early.” I say, “Wow. I really miss Carla.” 3. Be fine with where you are. Driving home I discover that Jeanenne can’t see. My mom and my brothers do not see green traffic lights. They only see white. And they are still legal to drive. So maybe its just that Jeanenne can’t see any signs. She thinks it’s just the GPS, that she can’t read that. This is the tipping point for me. It’s ridiculous that Jeanenne and Carla won’t wear glasses because it makes them look old. I also can’t see because I should be in bifocals and not contacts and I have been resisting. Carla  comes back the same day my glasses arrive. I tell her I’m getting old because I need bifocals. She says, “I know lots of people who wear bifocals.” I say, “Who?” She says, “My mom.” Jeanenne falls on the floor laughing. Fine. So I am old. I was going to tell you about how I am old but I couldnt tell you about my neck, because Nora Ephon did that already. And I cant tell you about vaginal dryness because my husband said no writing about sex. So I have to tell you about bifocals. 4. Foster empathy by trying to see the world  through other peoples eyes. In the Wall St. Journal, Bret Stephens reviewed  Hillary Clinton’s new book. Bret  starts by reviewing the Acknowledgements and complains that Hillary thanks a team of writers for turning her scribbled notes into books. Now thats a great example of  paid friends. The more I think about it, the more I think all the best friends are paid friends. Who is a better friend than the person who makes it so you can write your own memoir without writing it? Bret  also complains that now we can’t rewrite history because the surest way to forget history is to write it down. Because then people think they don’t need to remember because it’s written. Which is why my family hates that I write this blog. They worry that I am writing their history and then  no one will bother remembering any version of events that is not mine. Other complaints about me from my bothers:    That I pay people to do everything. My brother sent an article about mothers in NYC paying people $1000 to pack up their kids for camp. I wanted to respond, “What a great idea! I wish I were sending kids to camp just so I could hire someone!” But then I thought maybe my brother was making fun of me. 5. Get a second opinion.   I am in the perennial vegetable garden and my mom decides  to weed next to me, behind the rhubarb. I tell her the  purple  flowers are edible, so leave the purple, and pull the blue  flowers. Those are weeds. She says okay and then starts pulling purple. I tell her forget it. Leave all the flowers. We do not talk about how she can’t see the colors. But we talk. My mom tells me that of all her kids, I’m the one who surprised her the most. I ask her why. She says, Because you’re happy.

What Businesses Need From the Best Professional Resume Writing Services in Boston

What Businesses Need From the Best Professional Resume Writing Services in BostonIf you are planning to employ the services of a Boston resume writing company to develop a professional resume for your future career, you have to be fully aware of the fact that not all professional resume writing services are created equal. In order to get a professional resume that will stand out among the others and get you hired by the most appropriate company or position, it is important that you carefully assess the kind of work a resume writing service can do for you.A professional resume can be produced using various professional resume writing services in Boston. These services provide companies with qualified and experienced professionals who can tailor-fit resumes to meet specific business requirements. These services will guide and advise companies on various topics, including:* The corporate sector is no longer limited to only those individuals employed by a particular firm or organization. Instead, the corporate sector encompasses diverse types of firms that employ individuals in different roles such as human resources, financial management, product development, marketing, strategy, operations, and operations. In order to achieve a more comprehensive picture of the corporate sector, professionals who are capable of crafting professional resumes, in the best manner possible, need to be consulted.* Every company has its own distinct corporate culture, therefore, creating a professional resume that is suited to each individual company will be a good idea. The development of a well-written professional resume is an art that can be developed and perfected by experienced professionals. In order to produce quality corporate resumes, and ensure that all details are properly presented and understood by the hiring manager, it is important that companies seek the services of professional resume writing services. One-size-fits-all resumes do not work for every company, which is why these services have been developed to cater to the needs of a wide range of companies.* Each company has its own set of personal and career options, and that means that the development of a resume that will fit each of them requires unique attention. In order to produce customized resumes that cater to each specific requirement, it is important that a professional resume writing service is consulted. Professional resume writers who are experienced in composing resume packages tailored to each of the companies' needs will be able to produce the right results in an appropriate amount of time.* Personal information regarding the applicants, for instance, contact information, names, and employment details, needs to be handled very carefully. It is therefore crucial that all pertinent personal information is shared with the prospective employer. A professional resume writing service will handle this matter for you.* The development of a marketing strategy, even when properly drafted, will not help in creating a strong professional resume. A highly successful marketing strategy must be defined and formulated before any work begins. In order to develop a good marketing strategy, a professional resume writing service is consulted to help businesses implement the right strategic plans.Creating a professional resume is an art that can be developed and perfected by professional resume writing services in Boston. With the help of these services, companies can be assured that their efforts will pay off and that their professionals will be able to produce the best professional resumes. Once a good marketing strategy has been written, and the rest of the details are finalized, the job will finally be handled by the professional resume writers and they will be able to present it in the best manner possible.

Pre-Interview Prep

Pre-Interview Prep If youve been applying for jobs, now is the perfect time to do your pre-interview prep.  Its never too early to start  preparing answers to job interview questions.   There are standard questions you can expect to be asked during a job interview. These questions are designed to see if you have the skills and interest to be a good fit for the job. You can begin thinking about these answers and prepare your responses today. Cramming for a job interview isnt the best idea. You want to come across confidently qualified during the interview and that takes practice and time. As part of your pre-interview prep, review the questions below and start preparing your general answers. These job interview questions are grouped by what the interviewer wants to know. About your application What made you apply for this role? Why do you want to work for this organization? Why do you feel you’d be suited to this role? Questions about your career choices and decisions What made you enter this [industry/profession]? What’s the biggest highlight of your career to date? Why was it a highlight? What’s your biggest career mistake to date? What did you learn from this mistake? Where do you see your career going in 3 years (…or 5 years, 10 years time) Questions about each of your roles What made you take that particular role on? What were your reasons for leaving that particular role? What did you deliver in each of your roles? Can you quantify these achievements? Questions about you What  type of work  have you enjoyed the most? What was it about them that you enjoyed? What types of work have frustrated you the most? What was it about them that was frustrating? What are your strengths? Can you provide me with a specific example to back each of them up? What are your  weaknesses? What are you doing about them? How would you describe your personality and working style? What’s unique about you? How are you different to all the other people we’re meeting? Behavioral Job Interview Questions Then there are behavioral job interview questions Tell me about a time when you had a disagreement with your manager. Describe a stressful situation at work and how you handled it. Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things your way at work. You can see a list of more behavioral interview questions here.  popular behavior based job interview questions There is a trick to answering these questions. You use the acronym STAR. STAR Stories Each of your answers should use a STAR story. And its really important to use quantifiable information in the results part of your story! Try really hard to quantify  the productivity, efficiency, performance or outcome of your actions. Situation what was going on (Briefly stated) Task what was it that had to happen Actions step by step, what did YOU do Results what happened because you did what you did It isnt enough to just think about your answers or write them down. YOU MUST practice these answers out loud.   Your answer sounds different when spoken than it does in your head or when youve written it out. Review The Job Posting- Again Youve already thoroughly reviewed the job posting when you created your resume. But dig out the job description again and review each requirement and develop a STAR story to provide proof you meet that requirement. Want more interviewing help? For more pre-interview prep help, plus tips to improve what you do during and after the job interview, get a copy of Do I Want This Job

10 most read posts in May - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

10 most read posts in May - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog These are the 10 most read posts in may on this site: 1. Cool name wanted 2. Selling fish in Seattle and having fun 3. Generosity in action 4. Happiness at work marches on 5. Book review: The fifth discipline 6. 100 things about me 7. How Denmark won the 1992 european soccer championship 8. Book review: The fifth discipline fieldbook 9. Book review: Pattern recognition 10. Book review: Getting to yes It seems that my readers interests are pretty varied, or maybe different people just read this blog for wildly different reasons. Who knows and Im certainly happy either way :o) Thanks to everyone who reads this, its a pleasure to share with you. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Tips for Helping Your Adult Child Develop a Noticeable Cover Letter - Hallie Crawford

Tips for Helping Your Adult Child Develop a Noticeable Cover Letter A resume is a great first step to finding a new job. But whether your adult son or daughter is fresh to the job market or is a relatively seasoned professional who needs to make a fresh start, there’s more to the job search process than just a great-looking resume. Many job hunters discount the importance of the cover letter that accompanies the resume â€" or overlook its importance entirely. Remind your young adult that a solid cover letter is key it is their first chance to communicate with their potential boss or employer. Offer these tips to your son or daughter to help them along when writing a compelling cover letter: He/she should be specific and articulate their relevant knowledge He/she should specifically address the position for which they hope to land an interview He/she should explain specifically how their skills and experience qualify them for the job Further encourage your adult child to refrain from sending the general ‘mass mail,’ all-purpose types of resumes and cover letters, as they generally end in the recycle bin. Talk to them directly about putting some serious effort into a well-thought-out cover letter. Let them know that the time is well spent. After all, the cover letter is a reflection of them â€" it offers the first impression to a prospective employer, of who they are and whether they are qualified to land an interview. Help them make it count! Contact me to discuss my articles, career testing or my coaching programs and group coaching. Career Coach for Young Adults

Having Trouble Writing Job Duties on a Resume Features

Having Trouble Writing Job Duties on a Resume Features Before you compose a work description, you have to understand what you're searching for. Don't have the proper skills, and you may lose out on your perfect job prospect. Don't forget, the upside is receiving the job that you want, so spending a little more effort is well worth it. If you're not content at your present job, look at changing it. If you want to compose a good resume that may help you raise your probability of getting hired, you're in the appropriate place. If you attempt to rush things, it may bring about more mistakes and you may overlook some essential things. Spend some time contemplating your previous experience and the way you are able to relate it to the job in question. If you're having trouble recalling all your duties and accomplishments from a prior job, you'll have to jog your memory a little. Ideas, Formulas and Shortcuts for Having Trouble Writing Job Duties on a Resume Each work experience consists of necessary facts, like the work title and the dates of employment. If you give your recruiter a work description that's lacking information, they could need to re-write it. Just take a look at the work description, in case you have this, and customize your resume accordingly. In the event the work description is unclear, it may be because you don't know the perfect candidate you require. What's Actually Happening with Having Trouble Writing Job Duties on a Resume The logistics manager is only going to scan your resume for 6 seconds, the very first time around. As an overall guideline, a resume should include a single page for every 10 decades of work experience. The War Against Having Trouble Writing Job Duties on a Resume You might think about hiring a recruiter to assist with the hiring process steps. The main reason is that although the job descriptions seem the exact same for certain positions, every provider differs. A work description is an advertisement that contributes to applications. An employee job description should consist of information on the subject of the duties you expect potential employees to be in a position to do. If you don't meet the requirements, you just won't be considered. Even if your work description includes all of the information on the open job, you will likely still receive applications which don't meet the requirements. Instead, you will highlight relevant abilities and achievements from previous work in the neatly-aligned bullet points. If you're asking for a job which has unique requirements, you might need another edition of your resume to completely demonstrate your qualifications. How did your job duties help or increase the organization's capacity to operate. As you list your abilities and experience, consider how they've benefited employers before. Every employer would like you to be passionate about what you do. It's simpler than ever to find your prospective employer and the team mem bers on social networking. Finding the Best Having Trouble Writing Job Duties on a Resume Writing your resume and cover letter are only the very first actions in the employment approach. Your career advisor will be able to help you review your resume and cover letter and make the very best version to submit. When writing bullet points it's important to go beyond just your duties at work. It's very likely that you would like to be successful in writing a great resume but you might not be sure of where to get started.

4 Cs To Career Success - Work It Daily

4 Cs To Career Success - Work It Daily Creating the life and career success you want and deserve is simple common sense. It’s not hard, but you need to do it right. First, focus on the four C's of success: clarity, commitment, confidence, and competence. 1. Clarify The Purpose And Direction For Your Life And Career Create clarity by figuring out what success means to you personally. Create clarity by creating a vivid mental image of yourself as a success. Create clarity by determining your personal values. 2. Commit To Taking Personal Responsibility For Your Life And Career Take personal responsibility for your life and career success. Take personal responsibility by setting and achieving high goals. Take personal responsibility by choosing to react positively to the people and events in your life; especially the negative ones. 3. Build Unshakeable Self-Confidence Build your confidence by choosing to be optimistic. Build your confidence by facing your fears and acting. Build your confidence by surrounding yourself with positive people. Build your confidence by finding a mentor to help you create your success. Build your confidence by sharing your knowledge and wisdom through mentoring others. Get competent: create positive personal impact, become an outstanding performer, become a dynamic communicator, build strong relationships. 4. Positive Personal Impact Create positive personal impact by creating and nurturing your unique personal brand. Create positive personal impact by being impeccable in your presentation of self; in person and on line. Create positive personal impact by knowing the following basic rules of business etiquette. Outstanding Performance Become an outstanding performer by keeping your skills up to date by becoming a lifelong learner. Become an outstanding performer by learning to manage your time and life. Become an outstanding performer by living a healthy life style. Dynamic Communication Become a dynamic communicator by demonstrating strong conversation skills. Become a dynamic communicator by writing clearly and succinctly. Become a dynamic communicator by mastering public speaking skills. Relationship Building Build relationships through self awareness. Use this knowledge to better understand others. Build relationships by paying it forward; give with no expectation of return. Build relationships by using conflict to strengthen, not weaken, relationships with the important people in your life. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join For Free!