You have seen the articles. The ones that tell you things you already know. Get more exercise. Don't eat junk food. It's all just common sense isn't it? Well, we may all know it – but are you actually doing it? I know I struggle and based on information in the media it looks like I'm not alone. So while it's common sense it seems it's not always common practice.
Related: 9 Surprisingly Easy Ways To Achieve Your Goals (And Stick With Them!)
Let's face it, sometimes we need to be reminded that taking some time to look after ourselves properly isn't a luxury. We wouldn't think twice about making sure we keep our mobiles, tablets and ipods charged up and ready for action and it's about time we remember our bodies are the most essential bit of kit we own.
What simple things could you do that fits into your life without a huge amount of disruption? Why not just pick one and see whether it could make a difference for you?
1. Do Exercise – Any Way You Can
Let's stop thinking about exercise as recreation for people with 'spare' time. There may be different views about how much time we need to devote to it but there is a clear consensus that we all need to do some!
As I'm sure you do, I try to manage the demands of a very busy professional and personal life. I recently came across Shaun Thompson, a health and fitness specialist (amongst other things – he has a rather impressive CV) who's helping people like us find a way to make exercise time efficient and effective. I've recognised that, rather than a 'dramatic lifestyle change', the key is to slowly build in gradual improvements. Instead of getting frustrated when I don't get the chance to exercise, I'm getting in the habit of looking for opportunities when I can grab half an hour to do some. When I'm struggling I keep reminding myself what I'll gain – and for 30 minutes a day it's a pretty good investment.
When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, boosting your mood and making you feel more relaxed and invigorated. It improves your general self-perception which in turn makes you more resilient (and more disciplined!). The 'headspace' from all the other demands can actually bring a clarity that can help you with any problems or issues you're trying to address. Even a ten minute walk in your lunch break could make a big difference to how you feel in the afternoon.
And another benefit is exercise can help you sleep well…
2. Get Enough Sleep
Do you find it hard to get enough sleep? There are many different reasons why people struggle and while it isn't always something you can control, we're all guilty of putting in extra working hours by using up what should be sleeping time. And it's not a sensible or sustainable behaviour as feeling refreshed from a decent night's sleep is often a major factor in getting life under control.
Sleep is the only time your body has to restore itself. It's when your brain recharges and if you don't get enough you'll find your memory and attention are negatively affected. A lack of sleep also raises stress hormone levels (even if you're not in a stressful situation).
No one can avoid the odd late night but it's worth asking yourself whether some discipline around your sleeping habits could pay back considerably for you.
3. Eat Well
We all know the importance of a balanced diet. Are there a couple of changes you can make to improve yours? Most dietitians agree refined carbs are bad news so if your lunch is high in them (such as a white bread sandwich) try swapping it for something a bit healthier. It'll reduce the energy swings that leave you tired a few hours later and reaching for the biscuits and chocolate.
And never underestimate the benefits of water. As we speak, we lose moisture and the more dehydrated we get, the more tired we become. So get into the habit of having a glass or bottle with you all the time and take regular sips.
Start Small
Think about what could help you and just try adopting one change gradually. It could be more exercise or it could be trying to remember to have an extra glass of water every day. You may be surprised at how a very small change can start to yield results for you.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a Work It Daily-approved expert.
The leaves are changing, the kids are back in school, and that familiar chill is in the air. You think it's the perfect time to look for a job, and it is! But are your job search fears preventing you from making that leap?
It's not uncommon to feel lost when embarking on your job search journey. After all, school teaches us everything except how to get a job. What should you put on your resume? What questions should you ask in an interview? How can you stand out in the hiring process when there's so much competition?
Are you feeling spooked yet?
Believe it or not, there's no need to be afraid of the job search process! You can land your dream job with the right tools and strategy. You can find a job that won't give you nightmares. Here are three spooky secrets every job seeker should know as they look for a job this fall.
1. An Effective Job Search Starts With An Interview Bucket List
Bigstock
Despite your fears, you've decided to take the plunge and look for a new job. You might be asking yourself, "Where do I start?" The answer is simple: start by creating an interview bucket list.
An interview bucket list is a list of 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. Are you passionate about a company's products or services? Do you feel connected to its mission? Can you relate to its values and beliefs as an organization? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, that company probably belongs on your interview bucket list.
Once you create an interview bucket list, you'll be able to conduct a targeted job search, one with direction and a foundation upon which everything else will be built. An interview bucket list helps you focus your job search and networking strategies on the right opportunities, making it easier to get your foot in the door at one of your dream companies.
2. Your Job Application Needs To Disrupt Hiring Managers
Bigstock
In order to stand out in the hiring process, you need to disrupt recruiters and hiring managers. You accomplish this by doing two things: optimizing your resume and writing a disruptive cover letter.
A well-optimized resume includes keywords from the job description. This ensures your resume gets past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager. Once it's in front of the hiring manager, it needs to grab and keep their attention. Quantifying your work experience—adding numbers to your bullet points—will make you stand out from other applicants. Hiring managers will want to know more about you and your accomplishments, and that's how you land a phone interview.
Before that, though, a hiring manager will read your cover letter. To disrupt them, you need to write a disruptive cover letter (obviously!). A disruptive cover letter gives you the opportunity to tell a story about why you feel connected to the company you're applying for. It's that storytelling aspect that will stand out to hiring managers and compel them to pick up the phone and give you a call.
3. Employers Hire You Based On 3 Things
Bigstock
You can't get hired unless you know what employers are assessing you on in the interview process. While your skills and expertise matter, companies actually hire for three things: personality, aptitude, and experience (in that order).
Most job seekers don't realize how important it is to demonstrate their personality, aptitude, and experience in an interview. You could have the right experience for a job, but if the hiring manager doesn't think your personality is a good fit for the company culture, you probably won't get a job offer.
Make sure you demonstrate your soft skills and learn how to answer behavioral interview questions to prove you're the best candidate for the job you're applying for, not just the most qualified.
Want To Learn More Job Search Secrets?
As you look for a job this fall, it might be helpful to know some more spooky secrets so you can get over your job search fears and finally take control of your career.
We know the job search process can be scary. However, it's important to get clear on what you want to do next and focus on conducting a strategic job search, or what we refer to at Work It DAILY as job shopping. This is the only way to effectively market yourself to employers. If they can't see exactly where and how you add value, then that's going to decrease your chances of landing the job.
The competition is fierce, and there are a lot of factors that are out of your control. But the one factor you can control is your job search strategy, the tools and tactics you use to land a job.
If you want to learn the secrets to conducting a strategic job search, sign up for our Job Search Bootcamp, a two-hour, on-demand video workshop that comes with a free workbook.
In this video workshop, you'll learn:
How to use backchanneling to get directly to hiring managers.
The secret to using a connection story to stand out against the competition.
How social media can be your secret weapon to get job interviews.
The resume format that is getting job seekers more job interviews.
