Why You Cant Take a Job for the Perks - The Muse

Why You Cant Take a Job for the Perks - The Muse Why You Cant Take a Job for the Perks My first “real world” job had a lot of great perks. On top of being granted five weeks of vacation, my schedule was flexible and, ultimately, up to me. I could come and go as I pleased, exercise or visit the doctor in the middle of the day, and not have to worry about logging sick time or telling people where I was. Time spent in the office was pretty sweet, too. On a daily basis, the cafe was stocked with snacks and drinks- fruit, veggies, hummus, granola bars, coffee, cappuccino, you name it. One time, the head of HR even popped into a meeting and presented us with a six-pack. Common spaces came equipped with large comfy couches, a ginormous TV, and many video and board games we could use at our leisure. I often walked in to find people battling it out via video game or an intense Jenga match. And the week before I left, almost half the office was gathered in the kitchen to watch the World Cup. The team worked hard, and we were often rewarded for our perseverance and dedication with in-office celebrations- Halloween parties, desk-decorating competitions, and company-wide happy hours. And the big shebang? A holiday party hosted at a swanky art museum, complete with unlimited food and ever-flowing drinks, reimbursed Uber rides and hotel rooms, and a photo booth with the most props I’ve ever seen. Go big or go home, right? For the first few months, I was elated. Several times I found myself thinking “I’m going to be at this job for a really long time,” and I felt excitement and security in that thought. But, two months after cheersing champagne glasses with my superiors at the swanky museum, I found myself crying in a bathroom on Valentine’s Day. And no, my boyfriend and I didn’t break up. I was crying because I got a work email that made me feel like, well, crap. Sent to my entire team, it announced the promotion of two of my colleagues- one of whom held my same exact role and had been there for about the same length of time as me. This was despite recently being told those in my position would need at least four more years of experience before advancing. It was a confusing mixed message to say the least, and I went from feeling my team had my back and best interests in mind to feeling lied to and skeptical. This email was, as they say, the icing on the top of the cake. Except this cake didn’t taste very good. Though only a couple sentences long, it brought me to the realization that, though I was saving $15 a week on fruit, I was unhappy. Really, truly, Grumpy Cat unhappy. And that realization led to some serious soul-searching and trying to figure out how exactly I could be so miserable surrounded by so many perks. After all, it was just one email, one promotion. Well, it turns out all the video games in the world can't make up for the following: I Didn't See Any Value in What I Was Doing Other than ordering Panera for big meetings or mastering Outlook’s scheduling assistant feature, I didn’t see the point to my job. And though others expressed appreciation at times for what I did, I often felt disposable. Don’t get me wrong- I completely understood that menial tasks went along with an entry-level job. Someone once told me “Even the CEO has to take out the trash sometimes,” and I strongly agree. But this was more than that. There were times I felt invisible, and I was increasingly convinced that no one would notice if I didn’t show up for weeks at a time. I Needed a Different Kind of Work-Life Balance Yes, when I went on vacation, I was told I better not read or respond to any emails. And yes, even the COO went completely off the grid when he took time off. But when you weren’t on vacation, the respect for your non-work life kind of went out the window. I was getting emails at all times of day and night- and more often than not, expected to answer them ASAP. So, by the time my vacation rolled around, I really (really!) needed it. While some people thrive in environments like this, I learned that I’d rather have work-life balance every day, rather than a few concentrated weeks a year. I Wasn’t Interested in What We Were Doing Here’s the real kicker- at the end of the day, I just wasn’t passionate about the line of work I was in. The company was (and still is) doing great things, and yet I still didn’t really want to be a part of it. Even if there had been ample opportunity for growth, it wasn’t in an area I wanted to continue pursuing. So after doing this for months and months, I found myself questioning if there was a point to even going into the office. Looking back on it now, I feel like I pulled the wool over my eyes when I accepted the offer. I let the glam of the fringe benefits mute the voices in my head saying “You never wanted to work in this field before,” “You loathe your job responsibilities- admit it,” and “No, really, what are you doing?” I let the free food and the fancy parties blind me to the fact that I was moving in the wrong direction. However, while I’m glad I left this job, I don’t regret taking the position because it taught me a valuable lesson about company culture and what I ultimately want. Sure, toward the end I was miserable, but the company showed me how well employees can be treated, and that they should be rewarded for their hard work. Basically, I had one part of the equation figured out- the type of culture I want to work in. But I was missing the other part- doing meaningful work I’m excited about. So when I looked for my current job, I tried really hard to fulfill both sides of the equation- I looked for a position that had a healthy mix of work I find value in and enjoy doing (most of the time) and some awesome perks. I’ll continue to job search this way in the future, and you should, too. And, if the perfect position comes with free lunch, then that’s an awesome bonus. Photo of happy co-workers courtesy of Shutterstock.

Active Listening The Job Seekers Secret Weapon

Active Listening The Job Seekers Secret Weapon Active Listening The Job Seekers Secret Weapon Uh, what did you say? Most of us feel we listen pretty well, almost all of the time, but in reality we dont listen very well at all much of the time. I can say that with confidence because good listening is exhausting, takes complete concentration, and doing it regularly is extremely hard work for all of us. Even expert communication people fail at listening well some of the time. So, what is a job seekers secret weapon when it comes to communication? Find out below! I recognize that we’re all pretty distracted in general these days, with multiple activities and technologies filling our every moment and long lists of things we need to get done on our minds. Listening almost feels like a luxury. The problem is, however, that not taking the time to actively listen as much as possible means we can miss a lot of really useful- and even key- information that could be helpful when searching for a job or when interviewing for one. So what is deep  or active  listening, and how does it become a job seekers secret weapon during a job search? Firstly, hearing and listening aren’t the same thing. I can hear you ask me to take out the trash, but until I actually process that information in my brain through listening, the trash is going to stay under the sink and start to stink. Hearing is part of the process, but listening means having that internal conversation with ourselves around what to do with the information we hear. If I hear you ask me to take out the trash, and I tell myself I will do it at the next commercial break, then there’s a better chance I will remember to do it. There are no guarantees but a better chance. If you ask me to take out the trash, and I tell myself I will do it before I go to bed, AND I write it down on my to-do list, chances are even better that I’ll remember, because I have heard and listened and processed the information. Active listening, listening deeply, and even listening beyond words are a job seeker’s secret weapons, and these techniques can make a huge difference in what you learn about the company for which you wish to work. In print format, there are clues you might pick up to help you learn more about the company before you even apply. For example, when reading a job posting, notice not just the words written, but the tone of the posting itself. Is it formal? Casual? Conversational? Does it use technical jargon or industry language? What about the website? What tone does the company website set with the words and the images it uses? What are other people saying about the company when you research the organization? What are you finding when you type the company name into your search engine? There are ways to listen when reading that can tell you the story behind the place to which you’d like to apply. Getting this extra information doesnt work in print the way it does when speaking on the phone or meeting in person, but language, word choice, and tone can be conveyed somewhat through the written word and as such will sometimes provide you with more insight into the organization if you pay attention. Of course, its easier to actively listen in person and to pick up more information. During actual face-to-face job interviews, deep listening is utterly essential. Listening beyond words means not only paying attention to the words the other person is using but to their body language, vocal tone, and facial expressions. You can learn more about the interviewer through listening well than any other means. If there’s a look you see that shows interest, for example, then what you are saying is resonating. If the look you see seems confused or unhappy, you might say, Im sensing something Ive said isnt sitting rightcan I ask what it is? This opens up more honest discussion and could lead to a learning opportunity. Often, we hear what we want to hear, especially when our interests are at stake. In this case, as with all soft skills, deep listening is a practice that requireswellpractice! It’s not something you will suddenly be able to do after reading this article, but you will be on the right track. Heres how to practice and hone the job seekers secret weapon techniques: Choose an unsuspecting person perhaps during the next face-to-face conversation you have. Make sure that you’re looking at the person and have all devices and potential distractions put away. Listen to the words spoken and to the tone of voice they’re spoken in. Do they match? Try not to interrupt. Ask clarifying questions- questions that clear up any confusion you might have about the situation the person is relating or about what the person is saying with words. Be curious! You can even say you are curious. For example, Im curious, Lee, you say you enjoy your job, but you sound sad when you say that. Would you like to tell me about that? Active listening means that you listen more and talk less. (This might not be the case during an actual job interview when the interviewer wants to hear all about you, but it will be the case when you’re simply practicing this skill.) Watch for body language. Eye movements, facial expressions, how the person is positioned, and what they’re doing with their hands can all give more information than words alone can. You’ll also be able to tell by noticing these elements whether or not you’re connecting with the person. Use small words like uh-huh or right to encourage the person to continue speaking. Use silence sometimes, too, as silence in our North American culture often causes people to want to fill the void. This will often spur the other person into continuing. Evaluate your own listening skills once your conversation is over. What did you do right? What could you work on next time? What messages did you pick up on that weren’t verbal ones? Honing your deep- or active- listening skills is absolutely free and can be done anytime and anywhere. This skill is often an unspoken yet highly valued skill employers want their employees to have, and you can begin your practice immediately. Not only will excellent listening skills guide you to choosing better-fitting job postings, they’ll serve you well during the interview process and far beyond. Happy listening! Readers, what challenges do you need to overcome in  communication? Will you utilize the  job seekers secret weapon- active listening- to enhance your success? Tell us why in the comments below! Jennifer Swanson is the author of a best-selling new book What They See: How to Stand Out and Shine in Your New Job. She has taught communication and human relation skills since 1993 to college students entering the medical field. She is also the creator and host of the Communication Diva Podcast, which has an international audience and helps people deepen workplace and personal relationships through more effective communication. Swanson has a masters degree in public and pastoral leadership and is a certified conflict coach and master NLP practitioner. She’s also a mother and stepmother to two young adults and two teensand to a four-legged hairy little beast named Bandit. You can connect with Jennifer on Twitter @JennSwanson2 and on iTunes with the Communication Diva Podcast.

10 Tips for Interviewing Landing a Job in a New City

10 Tips for Interviewing Landing a Job in a New City 10 Tips for Interviewing Landing a Job in a New City Wondering how to find a job in a new city? The truth is, it can be challenging . After all, you are not there already, and you can’t just go to an interview on a moment’s notice. But along with challenges, moving to a new city presents tremendous opportunity. For example, many of the cities that made Glassdoor’s Best Cities for Jobs  offer tons of job openings, high job satisfaction and great salaries. Some research even shows that moving to a big city can boost your earning potential . If you really want to find a job in a new city, what you need to do is find ways to convince potential employers that you are the person to hire regardless of location. To do that, you need to show them that you have all of the skills and qualifications necessary to do the work you are applying for. With that in mind, here are 10 tips that will help you land a job in a new city. It is never a good idea to wait until just before you are ready to move to start applying for jobs. You should actually begin the job search process as soon as you know you are going to be moving. Start joining job search pages, and see what type of work is available in the area that you will be moving to. The sooner you start, the better. If you get an interview immediately, tell them when you intend to move, and when you will be available. Chances are that you know at least a few people in the city you are moving to. Talk to them , and let them know that you are looking for a job. They can recommend jobs that they may know are currently open or that will be coming up, and tell you about other opportunities in the area. They can also recommend you to business owners that they may know, and may even be able to set up interviews for you. They can also help you with many other aspects of your move, including finding a place to live. There are many considerations when choosing a work location. For instance, will you need to commute , or is it within walking distance? Choose a central point, and then choose companies within a specific radius of that point, so you don’t have a lot of commute time. Start with a 10-mile radius, and work out from there. Unless you don’t mind a lot of commuting, try to stay within a 25-mile radius of that central point (preferably less in areas with heavy traffic).   You’ll also want to consider factors like a city’s hiring opportunity, salary, job satisfaction and more. Wondering which cities in particular you should look at? Here are the top five locations on Glassdoor’s Best Cities for Jobs list: There are many job search sites that offer alerts . You can enter the criteria you are looking for, including location, salary, type of work, etc. There are also many companies that offer their own job alerts, so make sure that you sign up for any that pertain to you. You may not be interested in every job that pops up in one of the emails, but if you don’t sign up, you could be missing out on exactly the type of job that you are looking for. You should always be available for an interview online , and whenever possible, be able to travel for an interview. Some employers only want to interview candidates in person, and if you are not able to get there, you are likely not going to get the job. Luckily, many employers don’t mind doing interviews via Skype. You get to talk face to face, without having to travel for the interview. If you do this, make sure that you are dressed as you would for an in-person interview. If you are able to travel for interviews, make sure that you are prepared. Look up all of the free Wi-Fi hotspots in the area, including restaurants and coffee shops like Cheesecake Factory , Waffle House , IHOP , and Chop House . After all, you are going to want to explore your new area once you arrive, and eating out is a great way to start. When considering how to find a job in a new city, remember: You don’t always need to change employers! I f you have a job you don’t want to leave,   talk to your manager and see if they will allow you to work remotely . All you need is a space to work and a laptop, and you can do the same work that you do in the office. Many companies are allowing people to do this nowadays, and the great thing is that you have a lot of freedom. If your company has offices in other cities, another option is to ask if you can get a transfer to one of those locations. If you are a dedicated employee who has proven that you can get the job done, chances are that they are going to be willing to accommodate you. If they happen to be setting up a new office in the area that you are moving to, they may even want you to be part of the team that gets the new office up and running. If you are unable to find a full-time job before you move, you may want to consider temporary work. There are plenty of temp agencies out there that are looking for a variety of skills, and you can be working until a full-time position comes along. In addition to temp agencies, consider doing freelance work . There are many websites that you can use to find freelance positions that pay very well, including Upwork.com and Freelancer.com. You might be surprised at the power of social media when it comes to finding employment. There are several options. Start with your LinkedIn profile . Set your desired geography, and make sure that you join groups that are specific to that area. Join Facebook groups, and check out the Facebook pages for the various companies that you would be interested in working at that are located in the area you are moving to. Moving is stressful enough - don’t let worrying about   how to find a job in a new city preoccupy you more than it needs to. Follow these simple tips, and your odds of scoring a new job in a new locale will greatly increase.

Watching reality TV can make us less sympathetic to the poor

Watching reality TV can make us less sympathetic to the poor Watching reality TV can make us less sympathetic to the poor When you get obsessed with the rich and glamorous lives on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” “X Factor,” “The Apprentice,” and “Made in Chelsea,” there can be a downside to your binge-watching habits. A new study in  Media Psychology  suggests that the ritz and glamour on screen can warp your sense of reality and make you less sympathetic to social programs aimed at helping low-income people.How materialistic TV shows can change how we see the worldFor the study, Rodolfo Leyva of the London School of Economics and Political Science recruited 487 British adults, ages 18-49, to explain their television viewing habits, so that he could see if the portrayals of extreme wealth depicted would impact how they saw the world. Levya said he focused on television shows known for glamorizing wealth and material success.” ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘X-Factor’ emphasize luxury goods as highly desirable, and promote cutthroat competition for the chance to become rich and famous ,” the study noted. ” ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ and ‘Made In Chelsea’ center on the glamorous lifestyles of wealthy famous people, and heavy consumption of these types of shows has been found to be positively correlated with materialism.”When we watch the lives of the Kardashians, we may be absorbing more than plot lines. The study found that heavy consumers of these shows rated as more materialistic and had more anti-welfare attitudes than lighter consumers of the shows. They were more likely to strongly agree that, “Benefits make people lazy and should be cut or eliminated” and “The majority of people in poverty are mostly poor because they didn’t work hard enough and/or value education.” The study concluded that because the shows are “engineered to absorb audiences into the glamorous world of wealth and celebrities, they have a strong potential to function as cultivators of materialistic values and attitudes.”When material wealth becomes your n arrow measure of success, you may look at the rest of the world with less sympathy. “Humans are inherently materialistic but also very social and communal. The way this is expressed depends on our culture,”  Leyva said. “If there is more emphasis on materialism as a way to be happy, this makes us more inclined to be selfish and anti-social, and therefore unsympathetic to people less fortunate.”

10 Most Promising Jobs for 2019

10 Most Promising Jobs for 2019 10 Most Promising Jobs for 2019 Every new year people start looking to enhance a new skill or search for a new job. But one important question lies ahead of this is what to learn and which job role has a great future and high paying. Here is a list which answers that. A curated list of jobs that are going to be most promising in 2019 and has a great future. The Data collected is from LinkedIn (US market) and almost true all over the globe. Data Scientist Average Salary ~ $130,000 Job Openings up by (56%) Skills Required for Data Scientist job: Data Science, Data Mining, Data Analysis, Python, Machine Learning Site Reliability Engineer Average Salary ~ $200,000 Job Openings up by (72%) Skills required for Site Reliability Engineer job: Linux, Software Development, Python, Cloud Computing, SQLProduct Designer Average Salary ~ $120,000 Job Openings up by (86%) Skills required for Product Designer job: Product Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface Design, Graphic Design, Adobe Photoshop, SketchEngagement Manager Average Salary ~ $130,000 Job Openings up by 43%Skills required for Engagement Manager job: Program Management, Business Analysis, Business Process Improvement, Analytics, Customer Relationship Management Solutions ArchitectAverage Salary ~ $140,000 Job Openings up by 47%Skills required for solution Architect job: Solutions Architecture, Cloud Computing, Software Development, SQL, Software Development Lif ecycle Information Technology Lead Average Salary ~ $120,000 Job Openings up by 141%Skills required for this job: Information Technology, Technical Support, Business Process Improvement, Business Analysis, Troubleshooting Cloud Architect Average Salary: $155,00 Job Openings up by 88%Skills required for Cloud Architect job: Cloud Computing, Software Development, Amazon Web Services, Solution Architecture, Linux Product Marketing Manager Average Salary ~ $130,000 Job Openings up by 30%Skills required for Product Marketing Manager job: Product Marketing, Product Management, Digital Marketing, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Product Development Product Manager Average Salary: $120,000 Job Openings up by 29%Skills required for Product Manager job: Product Management, Product Development, Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Engineering, Product Marketing, Data Science Machine Learning Engineer Average Salary: $180,000 Job Openings up by 96%Skills required for Machine Learning Engineer jo b: Machine Learning, Python, Data Mining, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science Good luck. Try our Free Resume Builder https://myresumeformat.com in order to download a beautiful resume in pdf format for free.

This is why you should write a career mantra

This is why you should write a career mantra This is why you should write a career mantra So there’s this largely forgotten film from 1999 called Bowfinger. Seen it? In the film (and most things he’s starred in, actually), Eddie Murphy’s character, Kit Ramsey, has loads of issues. Whenever he’s spiraling towards a breakdown, Kit’s therapist suggests that he calm himself by repeating a personal mantra: “Keep it together. Keep it together. Keep it together.” K-I-T.Maybe because I happen to share a first name with Eddie’s character, every time I hear the word “mantra,” I think of that scene - and a little part of me squirms. To me, a personal mantra has always sounded life coachy, cheesy, even cultish. When I imagine the sorts of people who have one, I don’t think of creative, interesting women - I think of strangely ageless dudes who do a lot of yoga in white linen.So let me clarify: under no accounts am I about to ask you to write a personal mantra. No judgment if you want one, just maybe do it on your own time. Instead, I’m suggesting you create a career mantra for yourself.It just takes three simple steps - no yoga or weird voodoo rituals necessary.Step 1: Start thinking of yourself as a brandJust like Apple and Coca-Cola, you are your own brand. (After all, that’s where the term “personal branding” comes from). If that sounds inauthentic or salesy, consider this: every time you write a cover letter or sit down for an interview, you’re selling your skills, services, and personal qualities.So before writing your career mantra, you’re going to need to start thinking like a marketer and of yourself as the product. While it may be easier for a graphic designer to think of herself as a one-woman company or “brand,” this perspective isn’t limited to an elite crowd of creatives. You too can be your own brand, even if your ultimate goal is to work in finance.Step 2: Learn what a company mantra isEvery brand relies on a mantra to express their core values and guide their big-picture decisions. Think of Federal Expr ess’ “Peace of mind,” Apple’s “Think different” or Contently’s “Be awesome.” (A good rule for work and life, really.)Since we’ve now established you are also a brand, you’ll need your own mantra. But first, let’s break down what a company mantra is - and what it’s not. Step back from any stereotypes you might have in mind. It’s not a yogi mantra or self-help slogan. And it’s not a mission statement. According to Guy Kawasaki, those run long (often unnecessarily so), whereas “a mantra is 3-4 words long. Tops.” Given that he was the guy behind the marketing for the original iMac, we’ll take his word for it.A career mantra should sum up your core values quickly and memorably. But it’s not just a pithy phrase, it’s an actionable statement that you can always refer back to whenever you’re considering a new direction.For a heavier breakdown of brand mantras, try this, this, or this. But really, it’s pretty simple. A mantra defines a company’s values and goals in a single breath. Your career mantra shouldn’t make you think. It should make you feel.Step 3: Create your own career mantraYour turn! Now that we’ve established that you’re a brand and defined what a brand mantra is, it’s time for us to discuss how to actually write one for yourself, the best brand of all.1. Consider Your ValuesWhat are your biggest strengths, and what do you value you most about your work? Your organization? Your integrity? Your innovation? Use those qualities to make a list of power words that you associate with yourself and how you’d like your career to evolve.2. What Problem Can You Solve?This is maybe a glaringly obvious statement, but people hire you to help them solve the problems that they can’t or don’t feel like fixing by themselves. So, when writing your mantra, think about how your strengths can provide a service to your employers, coworkers, and the public. What’s the big picture problem you’d like to solve in your career? Consider ways to fold those answers into your mantra.3. Make It ActionableOnce you write your mantra, cross-check it. Make sure it’s an actionable statement that you can use as a roadmap moving forward.When you’re presented with a new opportunity, refer back to that mantra to determine whether it aligns with your core values and future goals. Does that job offer check the boxes? Or does it just mean more money? Especially if you’re caught in that classic “passion versus paycheck” debate, your mantra can give you the confidence to walk away from a bad fit.To help you get started (and maybe just to torture them), I asked some of the CC team to write their own mantras. Here’s what we came up with:Lauren, Founder and CEO: “Clarity comes from engagement.”Because there’s nothing more engaging than running an advice website.Kit, Director of Content and Editorial: “Keep it together.” Psych. More like: “Don’t sweat it.”Really. My career goal is to take ri sks in favor of fulfilling, creative endeavors- and to not beat myself up when things go wrong.Sarah, Senior Designer: “Clear is the new clever.”Enough said.Jacqueline, Social Media and Content Coordinator: “Comfort equals boredom.”I am most fulfilled at work when I am learning, tackling new challenges, and pushing myself. I’d rather struggle than be bored!Jacq, Editorial Assistant: “Do your best, and assume everyone else is, too.”In life and in your work.This article first appeared on Career Contessa.

Self-management How to get your routine right when working from home

Self-management How to get your routine right when working from home Self-management How to get your routine right when working from home If you work from home, whether as a freelancer as just occasionally, you can probably vouch for many merits of working in this way. For example, you don’t have to spend time and money on commuting, while free tools make it easy to still keep in touch with others.However, working from home can also mean lacking a rigid 9-5 work structure, and that can risk your schedule disentangling. Here are some measures to help you avoid just that.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!Compile a to-do list then stick to it!The second part of that sounds like one of those “much easier said than done” tasks, but you could be pleasantly surprised by how quickly you get your productivity into gear once you’ve got that to-do list on the desk in front of you. After all, you might not need to assign specific tasks to specific times.Adopt the attitude that the only important thing is to get th ose responsibilities done by the end of the day, regardless of when or how often you might get interrupted along the way.Get dressed in the morningYou might be tempted to leave your nightwear on; after all, clients on the phone don’t need to know that you haven’t slipped into a business suit. Still, you should probably wear one anyway â€" not least because it could help you to get into the right attitude for working productively.Take advantage of your flexibilityDon’t be hard on yourself if you occasionally feel your attention wavering as you attempt to work. It could be just the right time for you to take a break, such as by cycling around the neighborhood or going for a swim. After all, you would be at liberty to do such things.“Because my work schedule can be as flexible as I need it to be, sometimes it’s important to walk away,”  Patti Hill, who founded the US-based Penman PR, told Inc.  â€œIt’s amazing what a cool dip on a hot day can do for helping boost creative juices.”Adopt your work routine to lifestyle changesAs the years pass, your life situation could change in numerous ways. For example, your kids might grow up and become less dependent on you. Furthermore, you might spot fresh, exciting job opportunities, leading you to shed more of your old responsibilities.All of this could influence the daily routine to which you should adhere for maximum productivity, so don’t be afraid to make changes as you see fit.Look after yourselfYou are your own largest asset in the world of work. However, when working from home, you could find family responsibilities drawing too much attention away from your own needs.The Balance Careers urges you  to “make time for what’s important for your own mental and physical health.” Consider exercising, meeting up with friends, and abandoning smoking for vaping, which is 95% healthier,  recent reporting from  The Guardian  has suggested.Buying a vaping device like the  Smok Alien 220W box mod  could he lp you to get started.This article first appeared on Your Coffee Break.You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people