Power to the People

Power to the People Power to the People Power to the PeopleThe 1933-34 Chicago Worlds Fair kicked off with an exotic lighting display powered by actual star light. Organizers set up a remote network of photoelectric cells which converted rays from the star Arcturus into electricity and transmitted it to the exposition site. Because that light had taken about 100 years to reach Earth, the gimmick fit the fairs Century of Progress theme to a tee. But only miles outside of Chicago and across vast swaths of Americas isolated rural areas, millions of families were still living as their forebears had 100 years before in the dark. It would take one rich and powerful mans astronomical electric bill and one engineers unwavering vision to help rural America see the light at last.This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Rural Electrification Act (REA) and the resulting ambitious and once-controversial federal lending agency launched in May 1936 to extend the benefits of electric power to al l Americans. Championed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a component of his New absprache policies, the REA provided low-interest five-year loans to locally owned non-profit electric cooperatives to build power lines reaching farms and small communities the large power companies would not go near.Farmer watching an REA lineman at work in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. Image FDR Presidential Library & Museum / Wikimedia CommonsIn the mid-1930s, 90% of rural homes were without electricity. Nearly every major population center had been enjoying the utility and the labor-saving machines and appliances that came with it for decades. Electricity brought instantaneous news and entertainment into the homes of a coast-to-coast urban audience, and Hollywood then at the peak of its golden age welches cranking out new classics every week, further fueling a cultural sophistication gap between Americans with access to these conveniences and those without it. Down on the farm, cows were sti ll milked by hand, water was still fetched from wells, and trips to the outhouse were still part of the routine. If electric companies had the know-how to get power from a star all the way to Chicago, why then couldnt they also light up rural America?One answer is money. According to author Felix Rohatyn in his 2009 book Bold Endeavors, the power industrys focus on profit over people fueled its emphatic resistance to rural electrification. Industry estimates of a $2,000-per-mile investment to extend power lines into a typical rural area, with perhaps as few as one or two homes per mile, would never pencil out. The handful of large utility companies that monopolized the industry simply wrote off millions of people, in Rohatyns view.Morris Cooke, 1911. Image Wikimedia CommonsA Bill Inspired by a BillThe federal government had been studying the growing urban-rural divide since the administration of the first President Roosevelt, Teddy, whose 1908 Country Life Study sought ways to make country life as effective and satisfying as big city life. Electrification was part of that equation, and the study inspired Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot, who had served Roosevelt as the first head of the U.S. Forestry Bureau, to explore rural electrification in his state. His pick to run the project was Lehigh University-trained mechanical engineer Morris Cooke, who proposed construction of power plants near coal mines and a rural network of public transmission lines. The plan was rejected, but it caught the attention of the governor of neighboring New York state, Franklin Roosevelt.Years earlier, FDR got a first-hand taste of rural Americas electric-power woes. His remote but beloved Warm Springs, Georgia, cottage had been equipped with electricity. Yet to his shock and despite his wealth, the future president faced electric bills for the resort home more than four times higher than the cost of electrifying his huge estate in upstate New York. So began his long study of p ublic utility for electric current and the whole subject of getting electricity into farm homes. As president, he enlisted Cooke as his close advisor on matters of power and conservation, specifically tasking him with rural electrification projects in the Mississippi River valley and elsewhere. Cookes zealous belief in the moral and economic virtues of rural access to electricity give rise to the federal legislation that, after much industry pushback and political compromise, was ratified and signed into law in 1936.When we mark the 80th anniversary of the REA, we celebrate the success of a partnership between rural communities and the federal government. Rural electrification changed peoples lives and boosted the rural economy. The partnership remains robust today, said Jeffrey Connor, interim CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.Rural Electrification Act ad. Image NRECAPowerful ImpactWithin REAs first two years, 350 new cooperatives brought power to 1.5 milli on farms in 45 states. By the 1950s, REA reached more than 90% of U.S. farms. The availability of electricity gave rise to 100 new types of machines to automate traditional farm chores and create new efficiencies. Lighting was the most pervasive innovation, and electrical pumps, heaters, chillers and motors give rise to new practices like irrigation, milk collection and processing, egg incubation, and livestock watering. The arrival of electricity in remote homes made domestic life easier for hardworking farming, fishing, logging and mining families. Refrigeration and electrically pumped water gave rise to indoor plumbing and long-term food storage, which had a positive effect on human health. Country families now could tune into the same radio broadcasts their big-city brethren enjoyed. The cultural divide gave way to a melting pot effect as rural traditions such as country music and dance caught on in urban areas.It was pretty exciting, recalled Lionel Youst, 82, a Pacific Northwe st historian and author whose boyhood home in the rugged forestlands near Coos Bay, Oregon, was the last house on a rural power line completed in 1940. It was thefirst house I ever lived in that had electricity. By sticking wires and chains and other objects into the lightsockets I learned very quickly that electricity was nothing to fool around with. Years later, Youst bought that very house and still lives there today. I moved back here with the family in 1975 and the same circuit breaker box, black from overheat, was still in use. Why the house didnt burn down nobody will ever know.Today, 99 percent of all farms have electric service from co-ops originally kickstarted with REA loans. The program continues today as the Rural Utilities tafelgeschirr within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Investments in electric infrastructure have greatlyimproved the quality of life for rural residents and increased farm productivity, making America the breadbasket to the world, said RUS adminis trator Brandon McBride. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested $31.3 billion in 963 electric projects that have financed more than 185,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines serving 4.6 million rural residents.Michael MacRae is an independent writer.Learn about the latest trends in energy solutions at ASMEs Power Energy Conference and Exhibition. For Further DiscussionRural electrification changed peoples lives and boosted the rural economy. The partnership remains robust today.Jeffrey Connor, Interim CEO, NRECA

Upgrade Browser Experience To Optimize Performance

Upgrade Browser Experience To Optimize PerformanceUpgrade Browser Experience To Optimize PerformanceUpgrade Browser Experience To Optimize PerformanceWhy upgrade? Good question. Browser versions are frequently updated to offer new features, address problems, optimize performance, and fruchtwein importantly, ensure security.Therefore, its good practice to upgrade your internetbrowser whenever the most recent version is available.At Monster, were constantly optimizing our site to be in line with current web standards and user trends.To ensure this, we support a limited set of browsers that best match and meet our performance requirements.In order to plan ahead and take full advantage of the features on site as well as ensure optimal security, we recommend that you upgrade to a supported browser or version.This way youll get the safest, fastest and best experience possible.The following list contains links to supported browsers organized by platform. Click on the links to go to the site s where you can safely download the latest browser versions for free.Supported on PCIE8 IE11Compatibility View Settings for IE 10 Download InstructionsFirefox (Latest version)Chrome (Latest version)Safari (Latest version)Related browser issues Mac users do not have access to the formatting toolbar during the job posting process. Mac users may experience issues with copying and pasting job description text, including the appearance of unwanted characters and HTML code. Please remove unwanted characters/code prior to submitting the job posting.

Employee Benefits Can Support Weight Loss

Employee Benefits Can Support Weight LossEmployee Benefits Can Support Weight LossObesity has reached frightening proportions in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 39.8% of all adults are considered to be obese. Obesity affects more than 93 million Americans. The costs of health care are typically higher for obese people who suffer from other health-related problems. This can affect plan premiums, so its not surprising that more employers are trying to find ways to help employees maintain good health and reduce the incidence of obesity by creating benefits programs that rckendeckung weight loss and fitness goals. Fortunately, you have a good many options available to accomplish this, and some can actually be quite affordable. Preventable diseases can be caused by obesity, or obesity can be a factor or symptom, but this doesnt mean that every obese person is sick or out of shape. Many are very healthy and stay physically active throughout their lives. Being large can be caused by a number of issues, including genetics, hormonal challenges, injuries, and illnesses that can make it hard to shed weight. Provide Access to Affordable Weight Loss Services Its estimated that weight loss surgery can cost as much as $25,000. Millions of dollars are spent each year on weight loss products and services. It shouldnt be necessary for employees to go into debt to lose a few pounds. Make sure that your employee benefits are affordable so everyone can access weight loss services like nutritional counseling, fitness center memberships, and medical care. Employee benefits for wellness programs that are geared toward supporting fitness and weight loss must be communicated and promoted to all workers, regardless of their weight. Give Employees Ongoing Support Weight loss isnt a temporary fix. Its a complete lifestyle change. You should expect to be in it for the long haul if your organization is going to get involved with employees who are trying to lose weight. Make sure employees have access to on-site support like peer-to-peer groups and counseling. tischset up fitness teams and encourage all employees to participate each week in at least one physical activity. Encourage Employees to Reduce Stress Stress is a huge problem in America as people are overworked and continually dealing with stressful situations that can cause cortisone levels to increase. Science has shown that cortisone can result in added belly fat and the tendency to overeat. Provide safe spaces for employees where they can de-stress and have quiet time when they need it. Set Up Fitness Options for All Levels If your company opts for an on-site fitness room or walking paths, make sure theyre accessible for all levels of employees. You might have employees who are experiencing mobility issues, so youll have to modify some aspects of your facility to make sure they can participate. Take the time to visit off-site fitness centers and find out ab out handicap accessibility. These things can make a big difference for an employee whos struggling to lose weight. Offer Healthy Food and Beverage Options Motivate your employees with healthier food and beverage options. Stock your snack machines choices that wont tempt employees to indulge in sugary and salty snacks. Every department should also be provided with a water cooler to encourage more water intake. Set up a small kitchen area if your facility allows so employees can bring healthy lunches to work, or you can have a catering company provide a healthy meal at least once a week. Provide Fitness Wearables to Track Success A great benefit to offer employees is the opportunity to use a wearable fitness device. This can be very motivating because they can track things like the number of steps theyve taken, calories burned, the number of stairs climbed, and total miles theyve walked. Wearable fitness devices also can be connected to online communities of other folks who ar e trying to lose weight and get fit. Set up a team page for your company, and consider launching friendly competitions and incentive goals so all employees can jump on board. Provide incentives for reaching important milestones, and be sure to recognize employees who reach those goals. When Corporate wohlbefinden Programs Go Wrong Targeting only your obese employees is actually discriminatory by its very nature, so youll want to steer well clear of this. A workplace thats hyper-focused on wellness can alienate employees who are considered obese. They might feel singled out, guilty, and threatened by corporate initiatives to reduce their weight. This is when benefits and wellness programs backfire. Its important that all employees be treated with respect and compassion regardless of their size or shape so theyre receiving positive reinforcement rather than negative looks and comments. Never pull an obese employee aside and grill him about participating in the program. Instead, co ntinue to educate and inspire all employees to reach their healthgoals with positive reinforcement. Whats in It for Businesses? Most obese individuals are very aware that they have a problem, but theyre not sure how to go about fixing it. Maybe theyre just too intimidated to get started. Youll improve their energy levels, productivity, and even their moods if you provide them with options and if you encourage them to use them. This can increase workplace morale overall. Youll probably also find that it cuts down on sick time and absenteeism, both of which can negatively affect your organizations productivity and your bottom line. Its a win-win for your company and your employees.

Research report How to have a happy family in 7 steps

Research report How to have a happy family in 7 stepsResearch report How to have a happy family in 7 steps1) Having dinner together mattersKids who have dinner with their families do better across pretty much every conceivable metric.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much moraA recent wave of research shows thatchildren who eat dinner with their families are less likely to drink, smoke, do drugs, get pregnant, commit suicide, and develop eating disorders. Additional research found that children who enjoy family meals have larger vocabularies, better manners, healthier diets, and higher self-esteem.The fruchtwein comprehensive survey done on this topic, a University of Michigan report that examined how American children spent their time between 1981 and 1997, discovered thatthe amount of time children spent eating meals at home welches the singlebiggest predictor of better academic achievement and fewer b ehavioral problems.Mealtime was mora influential than time spent in school, studying, attending religious services, or playing sports.Doesnt work for your familys schedule? It doesnt have to be dinner. And it doesnt have to be every night.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much moraMany of the benefits of family mealtime can be enjoyed without sitting down together every night.Even the folks at Columbia Universitys center on addiction, the ones responsible for a lot of the research on family dinner, sayhaving joint meals as infrequently as once a week makes a difference.2) Share the family historyChildren who know the stories of those who came before them have higher self-esteem and a sense of control over their lives.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreMarshall and Robyn asked those questions of four dozen families i n the summer of 2001, and also taped several of their dinner table conversations. They then compared the childrens results to a battery of psychological tests and reached some overwhelming conclusions.The mora children knew about their familys history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem, and the more successfully they believed their families functioned.Ive posted many times aboutthe power of story. Having a family narrative is great for children.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreThe fruchtwein healthful narrative, Marshall continued, Its called the oscillating family narrative.Dear, let me tell you, weve had ups and downs in our family. We built a family business. Yourgrandfather was a pillar of the community. Your mother was on the board of the hospital. But we also had setbacks. You had an uncle who was once arrested. We had a house burn down. Y our father lost a job.But no matter what happened, we always stuck together as a family. Marshall says that children who have the most balance and self-confidence in their lives do so because of what he and Robyn call a strong intergenerational self. They know they belong to something bigger than themselves.3) Reduce stressNot easy, I know, but its what kids want from their parentsmore than anything else.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreIn a survey of a thousand families, Ellen Galinsky, the head of the Families and Work Institute and the author ofMind in the Making,asked children, If you were granted one wishabout your parents, what would it be?Most parents predicted their kids would say spending more time with them. They were wrong.The kids number one wish was that their parents were less tired and less stressed.Studies have shown that parental stress weakens childrens brains, depletes their immune systems, and increases their risk of obesity, mental illness, diabetes, allergies, even tooth decay.Hereshow to reduce stress.4) Be part of a larger communityTons of research shows religious families arehappier. Why is that?Further study has shownits the friends that a religious community provides.A community of ten supportive friends makes families happier.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreThe most comprehensive study ever done on this topic, in 2010, gives some clues about why this might be. After examining studies of more than three thousand adults, Chaeyoon Lin and Robert Putnam found that what religion you practice or however close you feel to God makes no difference in your overall life satisfaction.What matters is the number of friends you have in your religious community. Ten is the magic number if you have that many, youll behappier. Religious people, in other words, are happie r because they feel connected to a community of like-minded people.5) Use checklistsIve posted before aboutthe amazing power of a simple checklist, as described in Atul GawandesThe Checklist Manifesto How to Get Things Right.Bruce Feiler applies the saatkorn research to helping families.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreI was interested in applying his technique to the problems families face when leaving home for a trip. He gave me a number of recommendations.1.Create different lists for different times in the process. Checklists have to be linked in time and space, Pronovost said. So I have a checklist for ICU admissions, and another for blood transfusions. You should have a checklist for one week before the trip. Then two days before youll likely need another. Then one more for when youre walking out the door. But you always need time to recover, so if you have one for when youre at the airpo rt, its too late.2.Make it specific. A checklist should take less than a minute to complete, he said. Each item should be a very specific behavior. Avoid vague language.3. Killer items only.Target your checklist on things that commonly go wrong,he told me. If you put down things you dont fail at, youll drive people crazy. This has been borne outin aviation, where accidents have been caused by checklist fatigue.4. The rule of seven.I have a rule that checklists can be only seven items,Pronovost said. Its the same reason our telephone numbers are seven digits. Otherwise, people will take shortcuts and items will get missed.5.Include the kids.I would sit down with them and say, Hey, girls, Im trying to improve how we travel, so I made a checklist. Does this make sense to you? What else can you add? 6) Empower the childrenDown with parental dictatorshipKids do better when they make plans themselves or at least have a say.You should even allow them to pick their own punishments. It creat es greater motivation to obey the rules.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreScientists at the University of California and elsewhere found thatkids who plan their own time, set weekly goals, and evaluate their own work build up their prefrontal cortex and other parts of the brain that help them exert greater cognitive control over their lives.These so-called executive skills aid children with self-discipline, avoiding distractions, and weighing the pros and cons of their choices.By picking their own punishments, children become more internally driven toavoid them. By choosing their own rewards, children become more intrinsically motivated to achieve them. Let your kids take a greater role in raising themselves.7) Grandmoms have superpowersScores of studies show the incredible benefits that grandmom brings, like teaching kids to cooperate and to be compassionate.Children who spend time with their grandparents are more social, do better in school and show more concern for others.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreCountless studies have shown theextraordinary benefits grandmothers have on contemporary families.A meta-analysis of sixty-six studies completed in 1992 found that mothers who have more support from grandmothers have less stress and more well-adjusted childrenSo what are these grandmothers actually doing?Theyre teaching children core social skills like how to cooperate, how to be compassionate, how to be considerate.Researchers at Brigham Young University in Utah interviewed 408 adolescents about their relationship with their grandparents.When grandparents are involved, the study found, the children are more social, more involved in school, and more likely to show concern for others.I hope this post helps your family be happier.Join 300,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via em ailhere.Related postsParent myths How much of what your parents told you was crap?Important Life Lessons Whats The Most Important Life Lesson Older People Feel You Must Know?What 10 things should you do every day to improve your life?This column first appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.Research report How to have a happy family in 7 steps1) Having dinner together mattersKids who have dinner with their families do better across pretty much every conceivable metric.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreA recent wave of research shows thatchildren who eat dinner with their families are less likely to drink, smoke, do drugs, get pregnant, commit suicide, and develop eating disorders. Additional research found that children who enjoy family meals have larger vocabularies, better manners, healthier diets, and higher self-esteem.The most comprehensive survey done on this topic, a University of Michigan report that examined how American children spent their time between 1981 and 1997, discovered thatthe amount of time children spent eating meals at home was the singlebiggest predictor of better academic achievement and fewer behavioral problems.Mealtime was more influential than time spent in school, studying, attending religious services, or playing sports.Doesnt work for your familys schedule? It doesnt have to be dinner. And it doesnt have to be every night.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreMany of the benefits of family mealtime can be enjoyed without sitting down together every night.Even the folks at Columbia Universitys center on addiction, the ones responsible for a lot of the research on family dinner, sayhaving joint meals as infrequently as once a week makes a difference.2) Share the family historyChildren who know the stories of those who came before them have higher self-esteem a nd a sense of control over their lives.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreMarshall and Robyn asked those questions of four dozen families in the summer of 2001, and also taped several of their dinner table conversations. They then compared the childrens results to a battery of psychological tests and reached some overwhelming conclusions.The more children knew about their familys history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem, and the more successfully they believed their families functioned.Ive posted many times aboutthe power of story. Having a family narrative is great for children.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreThe most healthful narrative, Marshall continued, Its called the oscillating family narrative.Dear, let me tell you, weve had ups and downs in our family. We built a family business. Yourgrandfather was a pillar of the community. Your mother was on the board of the hospital. But we also had setbacks. You had an uncle who was once arrested. We had a house burn down. Your father lost a job.But no matter what happened, we always stuck together as a family. Marshall says that children who have the most balance and self-confidence in their lives do so because of what he and Robyn call a strong intergenerational self. They know they belong to something bigger than themselves.3) Reduce stressNot easy, I know, but its what kids want from their parentsmore than anything else.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreIn a survey of a thousand families, Ellen Galinsky, the head of the Families and Work Institute and the author ofMind in the Making,asked children, If you were granted one wishabout your parents, what would it be?Most parents predicted their k ids would say spending more time with them. They were wrong.The kids number one wish was that their parents were less tired and less stressed.Studies have shown that parental stress weakens childrens brains, depletes their immune systems, and increases their risk of obesity, mental illness, diabetes, allergies, even tooth decay.Hereshow to reduce stress.4) Be part of a larger communityTons of research shows religious families arehappier. Why is that?Further study has shownits the friends that a religious community provides.A community of ten supportive friends makes families happier.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreThe most comprehensive study ever done on this topic, in 2010, gives some clues about why this might be. After examining studies of more than three thousand adults, Chaeyoon Lin and Robert Putnam found that what religion you practice or however close you feel to God makes no differe nce in your overall life satisfaction.What matters is the number of friends you have in your religious community. Ten is the magic number if you have that many, youll behappier. Religious people, in other words, are happier because they feel connected to a community of like-minded people.5) Use checklistsIve posted before aboutthe amazing power of a simple checklist, as described in Atul GawandesThe Checklist Manifesto How to Get Things Right.Bruce Feiler applies the same research to helping families.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreI was interested in applying his technique to the problems families face when leaving home for a trip. He gave me a number of recommendations.1.Create different lists for different times in the process. Checklists have to be linked in time and space, Pronovost said. So I have a checklist for ICU admissions, and another for blood transfusions. You should have a chec klist for one week before the trip. Then two days before youll likely need another. Then one more for when youre walking out the door. But you always need time to recover, so if you have one for when youre at the airport, its too late.2.Make it specific. A checklist should take less than a minute to complete, he said. Each item should be a very specific behavior. Avoid vague language.3. Killer items only.Target your checklist on things that commonly go wrong,he told me. If you put down things you dont fail at, youll drive people crazy. This has been borne outin aviation, where accidents have been caused by checklist fatigue.4. The rule of seven.I have a rule that checklists can be only seven items,Pronovost said. Its the same reason our telephone numbers are seven digits. Otherwise, people will take shortcuts and items will get missed.5.Include the kids.I would sit down with them and say, Hey, girls, Im trying to improve how we travel, so I made a checklist. Does this make sense to you? What else can you add? 6) Empower the childrenDown with parental dictatorshipKids do better when they make plans themselves or at least have a say.You should even allow them to pick their own punishments. It creates greater motivation to obey the rules.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreScientists at the University of California and elsewhere found thatkids who plan their own time, set weekly goals, and evaluate their own work build up their prefrontal cortex and other parts of the brain that help them exert greater cognitive control over their lives.These so-called executive skills aid children with self-discipline, avoiding distractions, and weighing the pros and cons of their choices.By picking their own punishments, children become more internally driven toavoid them. By choosing their own rewards, children become more intrinsically motivated to achieve them. Let your kids take a greate r role in raising themselves.7) Grandmoms have superpowersScores of studies show the incredible benefits that grandmom brings, like teaching kids to cooperate and to be compassionate.Children who spend time with their grandparents are more social, do better in school and show more concern for others.ViaThe Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much MoreCountless studies have shown theextraordinary benefits grandmothers have on contemporary families.A meta-analysis of sixty-six studies completed in 1992 found that mothers who have more support from grandmothers have less stress and more well-adjusted childrenSo what are these grandmothers actually doing?Theyre teaching children core social skills like how to cooperate, how to be compassionate, how to be considerate.Researchers at Brigham Young University in Utah interviewed 408 adolescents about their relationship with their grandparents.When grandparents are invol ved, the study found, the children are more social, more involved in school, and more likely to show concern for others.I hope this post helps your family be happier.Join 300,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related postsParent myths How much of what your parents told you was crap?Important Life Lessons Whats The Most Important Life Lesson Older People Feel You Must Know?What 10 things should you do every day to improve your life?This column first appeared at Barking Up the Wrong Tree.

What Social Media Influencers Can Teach Us About Personal Branding

What Social Media Influencers Can Teach Us About Personal Branding What Social Media Influencers Can Teach Us About Personal Branding Do you ever scroll through your Instagram feed and marvel at those users who have reachedrapid, stunning success? Whether its the fashion blogger who now appears on international magazine covers orthe food photographer who has published a bestselling cookbook of their own, you have to wonder How did they do that so quickly?The success of these people inst random. They sometimes along with their teams worked hard to establish and maintain their personal brands. If you lookacross their social channels and different projects, you will find similar themes. These themes constitute that individuals personal brand and define how they stand out in the crowded internet space.By modeling your personal brand after the brands ofinfluencers, you can find similar success1. Find Your NicheMost people come across new social media users in the course of searches re lated to some personal interestlike fashion, comedy, or gaming. Peoplethen decide who of the thousands of options to engage with based on each persons mission and how they communicate it.The first step in creating your personal brand is defining your niche. Highlight a few of your top interests. What do you love to do?Whatdo you do better than anyone else? What are the results of yourpassion and expertise? Prove that you have something different to say and say it.2. Develop a StoryTo tell the best story possible, first outline it. Think in time periods Where do you want to be a few years or months from now? You dont have to be in a transitional stage to think about your goals and position yourself accordingly.Take that personal trainer who published a recipe book. They first focused on fitness inspiration. Then, they slowly introduced posts about their meals. They saw their followers take an interest in these new posts, and they were able to extend their story accordingly.You can f ollow a similar path. Focus on your current expertise, but take time to demonstrate other interests as well. Look for ways these interests can intersect with and supplement your current expertise to push you toward your dream career. Use your goals as a guide to where you want to go and your mission as a reminder of how you want to get there. The story will basically write itself.3. Engage ConsistentlyLike they say out of sight, out of mind. When an influencer takes a hiatus, you usually dont notice theyve left until theyve returned. Thats not to say you dont care about what they have to say rather, theres just so much content out there to fill the void.Think of social media profiles as assets. Recruiters look at social media to learn about you beyond your resume. If your LinkedIn profiles says nothing newabout you, you are not doing yourself any favors. Choose a few channels to showcase what makes you interesting beyond your education and work experience.Engage to stay top of mind. If you have time, create a blog or YouTube channel. Use it to target your niche with valuable content. If your schedule is too tight for that,carve out at least a few minutes a week to simply comment on others posts. Share articles that reflect how you think and offer your opinion when people ask for it. You may not produce the content yourself, but your input is still valuable.Your personal brand isrelevantbeyond the internet. Bringing your online story into real-life interactions strengthens your katechese and helps you network more effectively. Social media influencers are perfect examples of why personal branding is the secret to modern success.Glenn Laumeister is the CEO ofAllWork, a talent-matching platform for brands and retailers.

Confidential Facts on It Technician Resume Only the Experts Know Exist

Confidential Facts on It Technician Resume Only the Experts Know Exist Consider what youre likely to be putting on the work application, and select your template accordingly. When it has to do with creating your resume as a technician, youve got to present your very best shot. You will be whipping up resumes on the fly in almost no time. Your resume should give the recruiter a notion of who you arent just what you could do. Receive a friend that will help you create a mock interview scenario. Thus, a great technician resume should reflect the subject of wisdom of the candidate including an overview of the field of work that the individual in question is anticipated to do. In nearly all instances, the response is yes. It is to tailor your online portfolio to the job you want to land. Communication is important if youve got to create a status report to the Doctor. Experience is essential. Its perfectly fine if youve got an entry-level Patient Care Technician resume. Netwo rk with men and women in the industry too, learn from them. If youre more experienced, then you dont will need to include as much, as you want employers to pay attention to your experience more. A number of the patients is going to be the elderly. For example, if you are asking for a job for a budtender its a fantastic concept to speak about your previous expertise in customer relations and retail operations. For example, if you created a program for a community non-profit to deal with donor info, thats something whichs related to include on your resume. If you are searching for a permanent position with a company, some individuals feel its important to get a very good objective statement for your resume. At this time the cannabis business is growing at an astronomical speed, new jobs are being created each day, and there are an infinite number of individuals attempting to break in the area. A whole lot of times there are particular abilities or knowledge that pharmacists wan t in a candidate that are tough to include in different elements of your resume. If youre looking for work in the cannabis industry then there are a number of hurdles you will want to overcome. font of It Technician Resume Once the requirements are ascertained the subsequent steps become easy. In some states, its mandatory to have a whole certification. Hence, no 2 resumes will probably be the exact same. Hence, no 2 resumes is going to be the exact same. Whatever They Told You About It Technician Resume Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why Do not lose out any essential details in regards to the electrician resumes. A maintenance technician can arrive in many diverse varieties and can have many various degrees of education and expertise. The same holds for apprenticeships. Know the skills necessary for the work which youre applying. The extra skills section is the ideal place to incorporate such a basic, but essential skills. Soft skills are interpersonal skills like leadershi p and the capability to effectively communicate. The templates mentioned previously would be of fantastic help when youre looking for standard expert technician resumes. Things You Wont Like About It Technician Resume and Things You Will Our impressive cover letter samples are guaranteed to provide you with the helping hand you want. Nail art has come a very long way. Employing a resume design saves you an excellent deal of time. Hence, ideally speaking, technicians job can be classified into various segments based on the sphre of expertise. Its also advisable to learn to fix, maintain and troubleshoot various parts of equipment. For instance, an automobile technician ought to be a master in understanding the elements of a vehicle and provide support and solve any technical glitch. When developing a maintenance technician resume, you must make sure you do your research and discover out which kind of maintenance the organization youre applying to needs. Moreover, make it a point to verify your resume for any errors before you print it. Before jotting down what you could offer, review the work description. Anyway, its far better to prevent generic words and rather you should concentrate on tangible action-oriented expressions. By making use of a template, you receive a feeling of what information to include in your resume and the way to arrange it. You should also make bulleted lists to neatly summarize key info. You may usually find something with a fast search of the site and news feeds. The information has to be relayed clearly. You have to offer relevant, concise info.

New Recruiters Tips to Help You Make Your Mark - Spark Hire

New Recruiters Tips to Help You Make Your Mark - Spark HireWorking as a recruiter is a rewarding way to connect with others, helping them to find passion and success in a new career path. However, for a rookie recruiter, the field may feel overwhelming. If youre new to recruiting and are looking to make your mark, keep these tips in mindWork on building your network Success in business ultimately comes down to networking, but this is especially true for those working in recruiting. If you want to do well as a recruiter, be proactive about building your network. Make it a point to attend events in your community, rekindle relationships with old connections, and focus on maintaining your dialogue with current contacts.Seek out a mentor Theres a lot to learn when it comes to recruiting, so dont be afraid to ask for help from someone whos more experienced in the field. Find someone in your firm who seems willing to share their knowledge, and start to observe how they operate. You may eve n want to take them to coffee and ask them some questions about their thought process pertaining to the field.Dont rely too heavily on e-mail For a new recruiter, it can be easy to fall into the trap of relying too heavily on e-mail. Recruiters should, instead, try to make personal connections with candidates over the phone or via video interviews. When trying to communicate with candidates by emailing, recruiters run the risk of slipping into someones spam folder. However, speaking with a candidate on the phone or through video interview will enable them to a put a face (or voice) to a name and increases the chance of piquing their interest.Dont skip out on the follow-up Many new recruiters make the mistake of finding a great candidate, contacting them about a position, telling them theyll submit their materials, then forgetting to keep them in the loop. Youll have a lot to balance, but dont let your follow-up suffer. Some recruiters find that keeping a spreadsheet of candidates is helpful for reminding them who they must update and when this must happen. Find a system that works for you and stick to it so that youre not leaving your candidates in the dark.Use technology to your advantage Recruiting is changing as people become more dependent on social media and their smartphones. Its now easier than ever to reach people all over the country at virtually any time of day. You want to be where your potential candidates are, so make sure that your social media knowledge is up-to-date. Have a strong presence on LinkedIn, and monitor these channels regularly so youre aware of whats going on.Finally, though its difficult, dont take anything personally when you work as a recruiter. Its a very fluid field, which means that there will be terrific weeks and stressful weeks. Dont let the less-than-perfect weeks make you feel overwhelmed dont let the terrific weeks make you overconfident. Maintain a strong work ethic and youll enjoy success.Image Ammentorp/BigStock.com

How to Deal With Your Offices Control Freak - The Muse

How to Deal With Your Offices Control Freak - The MuseHow to Deal With Your Offices Control Freak I wouldnt do it that way. Why dont you try this? What are you doing? Thats not right. Dont do that. Do this.Sound familiar? Theyre all phrases youve likely heard from the notorious control freak in your arbeitszimmer. And, while youve somehow managed to continue trucking along without snapping, youre getting dangerously close to the end of your rope.Whetzu sich you have a control-obsessed boss or a ridiculously overbearing co-worker, weve all had to work with someone who has a my way or the highway sort of attitude. Of course, dealing with this person isnt easy- but its also pretty much inevitable.So, take a deep breath. You definitely can manage to tolerate this person- without constantly clenching your jaw and balling up your fists. Here are five steps thatll help you not only cope with this controlling colleague, but also get some great work done in the process1. Recognize Pure Intent ionsWhen youre dealing with someone who seems to want to micromanage every small detail of every single project, it can be tough to see him or her as anything more than meddling and obnoxious. But, recognizing the positive attributes of this persons work ethic will make working with him or her at least a little bit easier.Lets face it- this person probably doesnt behave this way to purposely annoy you or make your job more difficult. Instead, hes just incredibly passionate about the work he does and wants it to be as polished and professional as it can be. That dedication makes him a great employee- even if his approach is a bit overwhelming and aggravating.Of course, while its great to recognize and appreciate this control freaks enthusiasm and drive, that doesnt mean he or she gets to dictate every part of every project. But, making an effort to accept that his or her motivations are good will make the next steps easier. 2. Ask QuestionsHow do others in your office typically respo nd to this pushy and controlling colleague? Does anybody ever say anything? Or, does everybody just roll over without ever standing their ground?Chances are, if this person is still firing out orders, very few (if any) people in your workplace have made an attempt to refute the demands. So, instead of just accepting this persons directions and criticisms and then muttering under your breath, its time for you to encourage a thoughtful conversation about the course of your project.How do you do this? By following up his or her demands with questions. Lets say your meddling co-worker spies over your shoulder as youre drafting a report. She immediately jumps in and says, Youre structuring that report wrong. Do it this way Follow up by saying something along the lines of, I know that we dont have a standard template in place for behauptung documents. This process works really well for me, but Id love to hear the benefits of your method.She might be a little taken aback by your forwardnes s, but shell have no option but to explain her reasoning and open up a dialogue about the project. Who knows- she might even have some great ideas you can use. Plus, incorporating a few pieces of her feedback will help to placate her. Bonus 3. Voice Your OpinionsWe all know that control freaks tend to think their methods and tactics are superior to everyone elses. But, youre still entitled to some self-direction and independence. So, if you flat out disagree with his or her direction, dont hesitate to speak up. If the controlling person youre dealing with is a co-worker on the same level as you, youll likely have an easier time doing this. Explain why you chose the process youre using- but, dont feel a need to justify every single one of your choices. That only opens up an entirely new can of worms by making it look like you need a stamp of approval on everything you do. Ultimately, if that piece of the project is yours to work on, you have the right to approach it as you see fit. T hings get a little trickier if the control freak is your boss, though. Of course, youre still free to share your ideas and opinions. But its probably better to couch them with, I started doing it this way because If your reasonings valid and still getting the desired result, itll be harder for your boss to respond with, Well, still, do it my way. However, your supervisor ultimately has final say on the way you get things done. So, you might just have to suck it up and move forward with his or her instructions. 4. Avoid ArguingTrust me, I know that dealing with a control freak can be a really aggravating experience. And, sometimes he or she winds up so blinded by conviction that a productive, balanced conversation becomes next to impossible.But, at all costs, you want to avoid getting into a heated argument. If it becomes obvious that youre not going to reach any common ground, its time to walk away. I dont need to tell you that screaming over each other will get you nowhere. 5. Requ est MediationWhen it becomes obvious that youll just never be able to agree on something, its time to enlist some help. If youre on a level playing field where neither one of you has the upper hand or a final say on the project, you need to approach a superior to mediate the situation.Yes, it seems a little childish, and youd like to avoid this step at all costs. But, if youre not making any progress, its essential. Set a meeting with your boss or supervisor where you and the other employee can each present your case. Then, your manager can decide which method he thinks is best- or even pull pieces from both of your ideas to reach a compromise.Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, you need to accept the decision and move forward. So, that means no sticking your tongue out and lording your victory over your co-worker. It also means no under-your-breath muttering if things dont go your way. Ive totally been there- dealing with your offices control freak comes with its fair share of battles, headaches, and tense moments. But, its definitely still doable. So, take a deep breath, follow these steps, and prepare to handle that person with poise and professionalism. Photo of people working courtesy of Shutterstock.

The Difficult Employees and Co-Workers in Every Office - The Muse

The Difficult Employees and Co-Workers in Every Office - The MuseThe Difficult Employees and Co-Workers in Every Office Chances are youve dealt with your fair share of unsavory co-workers, employees, and bosses. And every time, you learn a little bit mora about how to deal with the difficult scenarios they throw at you. However, there are some types of problematic people who seem to pop up more than others, and after a while, you might be wondering if there are better ways to deal with those co-workers. You know, besides just complaining about them. The infographic below shows five of the most toxic types of employees that exist and how to keep their problems from affecting you and your fellow co-workers.Infographic courtesy of Get Voip. Photo of caution head courtesy of Shutterstock.

Simple Microsoft Word tricks to improve your resume

Simple Microsoft Word tricks to improve your resumeSimple Microsoft Word tricks to improve your resumeStart your job search on the right foot with a clean, easy-to-read resume. Heres how to make it.Everyone knows that a strong resume can propel you ahead of the competition. However, even if you have the proper qualifications, arranging your information in a neat, organized format is still important. The clearer and more concise your resume, the better. Optimizing your resume to ensure cohesiveness is a necessary step if you want employers to actually read it and consider you for the position.The hiring manager, recruiter or employer reading your resume is probably very busy, and these people dont have time to leaf through long sentences about your experiences. The best way to approach a resume is to use it to convey your top strengths.This article will review key formatting tips to keep in mind while constructing your resume. Though the tips are geared towards Microsoft Word, they ca n be applied to any word processor.Use the header and footer to save space in your resumeYou can take advantages of blank margins by putting relevant information in there that would otherwise take up precious space (which would be best-utilized to expound upon your expertise). Its common practice to list contact information in the header, but you can be creative and try something original.To access the header and foot settings, click on the Insert tab. You will see a drop-down menu for header and footers in the top menu bar. Once you choose a layout you like, you can type and arrange your text in the header or footer.Your layout should complement what you use your header for. The three-column layout is a foolproof option for a resume. You can put your phone number on the left side, name and address in the middle and email address to the right. But again you can get creativeUse bold font to convey job titlesEach time you divide your resume into a new section, you should use a headin g to signify the separation. Headings are great for organizing and categorizing your resume, alerting employers to the fruchtwein important sections. A bolded font as a header will catch attention, but it wont distract in fact, itll make the resume easier to follow.Use headings to your advantage and guide people to your most impressive sections. Use bold and Italic formatting where appropriate. If you want to draw attention to any special achievements, use bolded or italicized text surrounded by normal text. As a rule of thumb, when you begin a new section and list a new job, school or position, you should bold the words.Use bullet points to list crucial skillsUsing a bulleted list is a great way to organize your resume. The easy-to-follow format allows readers to scan quickly, which is important for busy managers reviewing your resume. When referencing or explaining your experiences, keep the sentences on your bullets short. You should start with the most important points and move down.If youre going to experiment with the types of bullet points, choose a simple design. You should steer clear of colored bullets if you have a black-and-white resume, for example. Try and keep it sleek and professional by using simple bullet shapes that wont distract from the content of your resume.Prioritize your expertiseMake sure to prioritize your expertise that is most relevant to the potential position. For example, if your practical work experience is more impressive than your educational achievements, put your work section first. You should reveal your major skills immediately. Start your resume off with a bang and let recruiters know what your biggest strengths are.The same thing applies if your volunteer experience is more impressive than your education You would list the volunteer section first. By prioritizing and playing up your skillset, you can create a resume that clearly directs people to where your strengths are on the page. People reading your resume shouldnt have to hunt to learn what you excel at.Use a portable document format format to ensure securityYou should also always save your resume as a PDF file, so no one can alter your work without your consent. If you send out a Word document, you put yourself at risk of someone copying or falsifying your resume.When it comes to selecting fonts, the motto remains the same Keep it simple and select a professional-looking font. Try a classic like Arial, or another tried-and-true option. Stay away from elaborate fonts when it comes to your resume layout, the simpler the better.Microsoft offers free resume templates you can use as inspiration to get started. Just erase the arbitrary text and replace with your relevant information. This is an easy way to ensure your resume is organized properly. You can view the templates by clicking here.Overall, your resume should be easy to scan and clearly show your strengths. Start with your most impressive accolades and work your way down. You can view th e links below if youre having trouble converting your resume to PDF format.Try and look at your resume from the point of view of the person who will be reading it. Dont leave out any key skills or achievements, but keep your explanations brief and concise And finally, make sure you dont sell yourself short by not properly organizing your resume for clarity.PDF conversionfreepdfconvert.com/