productivity

Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Work in Your Downtime

Carrie Kirby — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 09:30:10 +0000

Americans are known workaholics. We rarely bat an eye at working more than 40 hours per week, or skipping a few vacation days for the year, or answering emails from home on a Saturday.

Working when we should be unwinding helps us get stuff done, right? Not really. In fact, while you might feel like you’re “getting ahead,” you may actually be harming yourself, your company, and the U.S. economy. And when you think of it that way, it’s pretty much your patriotic duty to close your laptop and turn on Stranger Things, stat.

Here are the main reasons working during your off hours is bad for you.

1. It can ruin your career in the long run

Working more than 40 hours a week can lead to burnout, pushing you to leave your job sooner than you planned. A 2017 survey by Kronos Incorporated and Future Workplace showed that human resources professionals cited burnout — with after-hours work as one of the leading causes — as the top reason for employee turnover. (See also: 4 Signs You're Burned Out (and How to Recover))

2. It makes you less productive

Many studies have shown that overtime hours are less productive than regular hours. It’s not a new idea; Henry Ford is reported to have cut his employees’ workweek down to 40 hours in order to maximize productivity. An analysis published by the International Game Developers Association posited that “at approximately eight 60-hour weeks, the total work done is the same as what would have been done in eight 40-hour weeks.” They would know; the video game industry is famous for subjecting workers to endless periods of crunchtime.

But most of those studies analyze workers clocking time at the office or in a factory. Does productivity also benefit from putting away your work email and refusing work phone calls over the weekend? Yes, according to research by a Harvard professor working with Boston Consulting Group, who forced hard-driving consultants to take “predictable time off” even during busy times. At the end of multiple months-long experiments, the consultants reported that they had been able to deliver a better product to their clients with regularly enforced nights off from phone calls and emails.

3. It can break your heart — literally

A recent study published in European Heart Journal found that “compared to people who worked a normal week of between 35 to 40 hours, those who worked 55 hours or more were approximately 40 percent more likely to develop atrial fibrillation during the following 10 years.” Researchers adjusted for factors such as age, obesity, and smoking. Atrial fibrillation contributes to both stroke and heart failure.

A Centers for Disease Control report linked working too many hours to other physical problems, such as unhealthy weight gain, increased alcohol use, increased smoking, and overall increased mortality. That’s right: You can literally work yourself to death, with a relatively modest amount of extra hours.

4. And it can break your soul

A 2015 study of Korean workers linked working more than 52 hours per week with an increase in suicidal thoughts.

And it’s not just the number of hours worked that is burning people out: A 2016 study by Lehigh University revealed that employees who are expected to answer work emails after hours experience more “emotional exhaustion” — caused just as much by the anticipation that email could arrive at any time as by the actual time spent answering them.

5. It’s lowering your IQ

Believe it or not, a 2016 Australian study found that, for people over 40, cognitive ability declines after just 25 hours of work a week. That means if you’re putting in 40 hours in the office, and another two hours in the evening, your performance should start declining sometime around Wednesday.

Even worse, putting in extra time may actually be shrinking your brain. If answering those late-night emails is stressing you out — and why wouldn’t it? — that chronic stress can lead to a decrease in brain volume and cognitive impairment, Yale researchers have found.

6. It’s ruining your family life

According to a 2015 work-life balance survey, more than half of 9-to-5 workers say that answering work emails and texts has ruined their familial meals. Nearly 40 percent say poor work-life balance is completely wrecking their time with family and friends. Another 40 percent of respondents claim they've missed life events such as weddings and birthdays due to work. (See also: 9 Signs Your Work-Life Balance Is Off)

7. It’s also also terrible for your company’s bottom line

Most workers say they work during off hours because of company expectations — but those companies may be shooting themselves in the foot. Not only are they losing out due to decreasing productivity rates and increasing turnover, they’re also costing themselves money. Think about all of the health issues mentioned earlier that can be brought on by stress. Companies that don’t respect their employees’ work-life balance will end up paying for it with higher health insurance premiums and more employee absences.

8. You need your sleep

Business leaders surveyed by consultancy McKinsey reported that the expectation that they’d always be available to answer emails and phone calls prevented them from getting adequate sleep. Sleep deprivation leads to almost every problem on this list, and what’s more, it’s dangerous at work: The National Sleep Foundation reports that sleepy workers are 70 percent more likely to be involved in an accident. A Swedish study even found that workers with sleep problems were twice as likely to die in workplace accidents.

9. It takes opportunity away from others

Helicopter parents deny their kids the chance to develop independence by being constantly available to help. Are you a helicopter boss or coworker? If you are completely unavailable while on vacation or a day off, the staff covering for you will have to make decisions without you, giving them the chance to grow. If you make yourself constantly available, you could be stunting that growth.

10. It makes you gain weight

Anyone who ever pulled an all-nighter in college knows that when we’re sleep deprived, we make terrible food choices. There are scientific reasons for that, but for me, I just know that if I can’t have my cozy bed, I deserve All. The. Chocolate.

There’s also the decrease in physical activity. If you’ve been sitting at your desk for eight hours, plus an hour or more in your car to get to work and back, you should be using a good chunk of your remaining waking hours to be active. If you end up sitting in front of your home computer catching up on your team’s Slack channel, you’re missing out on active time.

Working during your off hours also cuts into time for preparing healthy meals. And if you find yourself actually eating your dinner in front of your computer, so much the worse. Research shows that when we are distracted by a screen while we eat, we’re more likely to snack later.

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This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Build a Side Business While Keeping Your Day Job

Denise Hill — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 09:30:09 +0000

The saying, "Don't quit your day job," has become all but obsolete. We live in an era of entrepreneurship. Being your own boss is the chic new trend. But while throwing caution to the wind and only having a Plan A is tempting, keeping your day job while turning a side gig into a business is a great way to mitigate risk, learn your market niche, and test ideas and business models.

However, building a business and a brand while working a nine-to-five is tough. Below are a few tips to help you ease your way into doing both. (See also: 15 Ways to Make Money Outside Your Day Job)

1. Consider getting a business partner or co-founder

Taking on a business partner is an excellent way to hedge risks, gain access to additional resources, and split the workload. It is also the quickest way to ruin a friendship and drag your business down before it gets off the ground. Before jumping into bed with your bestie, here are a few things you should consider:

What type of partner do you need?

The first step in getting a partner is to determine the type of partner you need and the role he or she will play. Do you need help with ideas, branding, marketing, balancing the books, procuring finances or additional resources? Or, do you need a silent partner — someone who helps financially and that's it?

How much of the business does your partner own?

Drawing lines in the sand early is essential. The longer you wait, the murkier things become and the harder it will be to determine who owns what. It is critical that you state upfront who is in charge or if everything will be split 50/50. Draw up a contract that reflects this decision. A contract between friends, you ask? Absolutely.

How do you make decisions?

Who has the final say? Establishing how decisions are made during the infancy stages of the partnership is beyond important. If you are the sole owner, should your partner make decisions on your behalf? If so, which decisions? Or should they run all decisions by you? A great way to work through this is by establishing roles and areas of responsibility. Your partner will clearly know his or her sphere and the boundaries will be better defined.

2. Respect your nine-to-five

Understand and respect the fact that your nine-to-five is your main, primary, and most important job. Your side gig has to be done outside of business hours. Until you are ready to divorce your employer and make your side gig your new bride, you must prioritize your day job as such — even if you hate it.

Just remind yourself that your day job is paying the bills and providing you with the means and motivation to launch out on your own. Here are a few ground rules when it comes to respecting your nine-to-five:

Work while you are at work

Do your best to be the best at your current job. Work to be fully present and to always do a good job. This will translate to your business as well.

Beware of conflicts of interest

If your side business is in the same market or area as your current employment, you need to tread lightly. Your employer's clients, business procedures, and intellectual property should not be used for personal gain.

Check what contracts you've signed

If you signed a nondisclosure or noncompete agreement, then you may be prevented from working for a competitor or against your employer for a specific amount of time. Find out exactly what your rights are and what you can and cannot do.

3. Do the hard, boring, and expensive stuff

While you are gainfully employed, it's a good idea to do as much foundational work as possible. Draft your business plan, secure any licenses or certifications you may need, and establish your business as an LLC or sole proprietorship.

It's also a good idea to begin buying equipment and paying any legal fees associated with your business niche. It may feel like a waste of money to shell out this type of cash upfront before you begin earning revenue, but it's worth it. The more you can take care of before launching the business, the more profits you keep and the less capital you'll need down the road.

This is also a great time to work on branding and developing a solid marketing strategy. It's easier to nail these things down before you begin doing business versus winging it after you're officially open. (See also: 6 Simple Ways to Market Your Side Business)

4. Start generating revenue

If it is in any way feasible, start generating revenue while you are still employed. Test out your prototype. See how much of your product you can sell or which services you can provide on a smaller scale before you go all in.

This allows you to test the market, make better financial projections, and properly scale your business before you open. You can tweak processes, find new vendors, and get a sense of your business's flow. It will also help you answer these questions:

What adjustments do I need to make?
How are people responding to my marketing campaign?
Am I properly branded?
Are my prices too high or too low?
Do customers pay on time?
How much business can I handle alone? At what point should I hire additional staff?
Is my service or product in demand? How can I increase demand?

Generating revenue before you officially dive into business ownership is also crucial if you need investors. You need to demonstrate the profit potential of your business in order to entice people to invest. And the best way to show that you can make money is by actually making money. (See also: 10 Fundamentals of Naming a Small Business)

5. Use downtime efficiently

The biggest myth concerning entrepreneurship is that you get to set your own hours. As a business owner, your time is no longer truly your own — your customers, the market, and the need to get work done are your new bosses, at least at first. You work when you need to work — or you go out of business.

You've got to learn to use downtime efficiently. Days off from your nine-to-five become full workdays for the business. And yes, you will have to work on holidays.

It also means getting up an hour or two earlier to reconcile the books, answer emails, or order more inventory. You lunch hour is now time for you to nibble on a sandwich while you update your website, post on social media, and generate new marketing ideas (on your own computer). And the evenings — which used to be a time for socializing with friends and vegging out with Netflix — are now devoted to doing whatever needs to be done to keep the business running.

The schedule may sound brutal, and it is. But hopefully, it's only temporary. Success comes at a cost, and in order to make it in business, you have to initially pay up. (See also: 8 Common Myths About Starting a Small Business)

6. Set a date

Make your business Plan A and your current job Plan B. Set a firm date for quitting your day job and work diligently toward that goal. Structure your life around achieving that goal. Restructure your personal finances to help you reach that quit date. Cut back, reduce your overhead, downsize, and save as much money as possible to help stabilize your income while you shift business gears. See if your employer will allow you to work part-time for a while before quitting.

Quitting your job and going into business full time must be your end game. If not, your business will become and forever remain a hobby. With a good idea, proper planning, and a bit of luck, your business will eventually be able to provide you a full-time income, and then some. (See also: Starting Your Dream Business Is Easier Than You Think — Here's How)

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This article is from Denise Hill of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Flashback Friday: 46 Easy Ways to Be More Productive

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 08:30:32 +0000

It's incredibly easy to lose focus at work, especially if you wear multiple hats at your company and often have to multitask in order to stay on top of your workload. But with a few simple shifts in mindset, you can become more productive, and a lot less stressed, too!

5 Ways to Stay Productive While Working From Home — Your home has distractions around every corner, so if you work from home, you are constantly trying to resist being pulled away from the work task in front of you. But if you master these tips, you'll be just fine.

10 Productivity Tips for IT Professionals — When you spend eight or more hours a day looking at a computer screen, it's easy to lose focus. If you work in IT, a few task management apps, software updates, and communication tips could turn a day of distractions into a brilliant work day.

Give Yourself a Break: The Productivity Secret That'll Change the Way You Work — Not everyone can be productive for eight straight hours, and according to recent studies, some can only be productive for three of those hours. But once you understand the way you work and when you're most productive, you can harness that energy and become a more efficient employee overall.

The 10 Best Productivity Apps for Really Busy People Like You — We could all use a few more apps, am I right? And these productivity apps will help you stay on track during a workday, at the grocery store, or while organizing things at home. Plus, once you become more productive, you can start pursuing your goals with gusto.

6 Rules of Creating a Powerfully Productive Workspace — It's hard to be productive when your desk is a cluttered mess. Your workspace should always remain tidy and organized so you know what needs to be done, and in which order. Besides, clutter leads to stress, and nobody needs more stress.

The 10 Most Productive Ways to Spend Your Lunch Hour — Your lunch hour is that sacred block of time that's just yours during a workday. However, most of us spend it thinking about all the things we still need to do before the workday ends. Trade those worried thoughts in for meditation, a nap, or a nice walk and you'll come back to work refreshed and ready to rock.

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

This Simple Negotiating Trick Puts Money in Your Pocket

Paul Michael — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:30:19 +0000

When you hear the word "anchoring," what comes to mind? No doubt something that involves a ship dropping anchor, or perhaps fixing something to a wall or floor. But it's also a known technique used in sales and negotiations that helps people get what they want.

The basic premise is not unlike that ship dropping its anchor, only instead of keeping the vessel in one place, it keeps your mind there. Whether it's a price, a salary, a sale, or a goal, this technique anchors your mind at a certain level. Then, all decision-making is based on that first piece of information you were given.

Let's take a look at how it can be used to help you get what you want, save money, and even achieve a lot more around the house.

Negotiate a Bigger Raise or Starting Salary

Many people foolishly wait for the other person to make the first move when it comes to salary negotiations. The thinking here is that you don't want to show any of your cards too soon. Well, that's the complete opposite of what you should actually do. Using the anchoring technique, you can choose a salary that sets the starting point for the negotiations.

If you're an employer, throw out a figure that is way too low. If you're an employee, raise the bar higher than you'd expect to hit. If you ask for a $180,000 salary, and the actual salary on offer is $120,000, you may actually get a little more than what they originally intended to pay. It's much harder to come down to $120k from $180k than it is from $130k. Similarly, giving an employee an offer of $70,000 for a job you'd be willing to pay $120,000 is just as effective.

Sell a Product or Service for More Money

You don't have to be in a big business to use this effectively. It can work online, at a market stall, or even a garage sale. Here, you will use anchoring as a comparison tool.

For instance, let's say you're selling vinyl records, which are very popular these days. Set a few vinyls on the table and mark them way above the price you actually want. Then, further back, put a larger selection of vinyls set at a price slightly above what you would like, but much lower than the other, more expensive records. When the patron comes to peruse the stock, they'll initially get sticker shock. But then, they see a vast drop off. That initial price of $20 per vinyl just dropped to $8. These $8 vinyls seem like a bargain. However, if they had all been marked at $8, or some cheaper ones had been placed first, that initial anchor price would have set the standard. Try it out. You'll be amazed at the results.

Get More Done at Home or at Work

If you're having trouble getting all of your tasks done, either at home or at the office, you can use anchoring as a way to be more productive. In this case, it can be overwhelming to have 20 different things to do when you get home. You are anchored to a task list so large that you simply don't do any of them.

Instead of 20, anchor yourself at a more manageable number. How about five? Divide those 20 tasks into five groups of four, and attack them that way. For example, instead of organizing the fridge, doing the dishes, cleaning the stove, and wiping the counters, your task instead becomes "clean the kitchen." By grouping your activities, and creating a smaller list of tasks, you are anchoring yourself at a much more achievable goal. At the office, it's the same thing. Don't give yourself a massive list of tasks. Instead, divide and conquer.

Get a Better Price on a Car or a House

Car dealerships use anchoring all the time to get you to pay more for a vehicle. The sticker says $18,000, but in reality, they're willing to go as low as $13,000; they just never tell you that. It's time to turn the tables on them.

When you go into the dealership, never tell them what you are prepared to pay for the car. Instead, set your price way lower. If you're ready to spend $20,000, tell them the most you can pay is $15,000. It's your hard stop. No more. The salesperson will now be anchored at that lower price, and will do whatever he or she can to get you to go past it by a few thousand dollars. This is good news for you, because in reality, you're going to spend a few thousand less than you actually wanted to pay. (See also: 17 Things Car Salesmen Don't Want You to Know)

The same goes for buying a house. Your initial offer should be low. Not low enough to price yourself out of a bidding war, but low enough to set the expectations of the seller. And as an aside, if you're selling the home, go high. When you list the home at $300,000 and sell it for $280,000, the buyer thinks they saved $20,000. However, you may well have wanted $270,000 for the house. You just made an extra $10,000 and the buyer is happy with the deal.

Use Your Knowledge of Anchoring to Beat the Sales Staff

Whether you're buying a car, a bag of apples, a new set of wireless headphones, or a few books, anchoring will often come into play. Trained sales staff know how to use anchoring to get what they want. But, if you're prepared, you can become "anchorproof" and pay less. Here are a few techniques at your disposal.

First, you can simply ignore their anchor, especially if it's ridiculously high or low. Now, you don't want to say "No way," as this halts the process. Instead, use language like "I see, that's not quite what I had in mind, let's look at this at a different way and find something we can both be comfortable with."

If you don't want to do that, try an anchor that negates theirs. For example, at a car dealership, when the salesperson gives you the old "We can take $3,000 off this car," you can reply "Wow, that still puts it $3,000 above my maximum price."

You can also deflect an anchor by offering one from a different company. At that same dealership, you can say "That's a great discount, but it's still $2,000 more than the same vehicle on offer at ABC Dealership." Of course, to do this you have to have done your research. Make sure you know exactly what the prices are at competitors, and be ready to back it up.

So, armed with all of this, you should now be ready to use anchoring to make and earn more money, and save money every time you have to negotiate a price. Go get 'em.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Organize 8 Key Areas of Your Life With These 17 Smart Apps

Kyle James — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 10:30:38 +0000

There's no doubt the phone in your pocket is a great time killer while in a crowded waiting room, but the truth is that smartphones are actually amazing little tools that can really improve your productivity — both personally and professionally. Here are eight tasks you can do on your phone, with the help of 17 apps, that will help you organize your life and even boost your savings account with almost no effort on your part. (See also: 10 Great Productivity Apps for Really Busy People Like You)

Track Your To-Do List

Skip the Post Its, notepads, and notes scribbled on napkins. Take your pick of task management apps, depending on how simple or robust you'd like it. Some will integrate with your calendar while others can be shared with friends and family. Find the one that will keep you on task and ditch the pen and paper for good.

1. Wunderlist

Wunderlist allows you to create to-do lists, set due dates and reminders, and even assign to-dos for others.

2. Todoist

Todoist manages all of your projects — both personal and professional. You can also seamlessly manage all your tasks and events from any device.

3. Any.do

Any.do lets you link your calendar and to-do lists, so you always know what's coming up. You can set reminders for both so you never lose track of deadlines again.

Log Your Time

Have you ever wondered how much time you waste every day on things like social media or TV? The first step to managing your time effectively is understanding how your time is currently being spent, and where it's being wasted. Use a time tracker app to determine where your time is going. Some apps will work in the background, automatically gathering data on where you spend your time, whereas others allow you to manually select activities.

4. Awesome Time Logger

Awesome Time Logger Free features an intuitive interface that allows you to quickly track and log your time throughout the day and get custom reports that you can use to improve productivity.

5. My Hours

My Hours works as a stop watch, tracking time you spend on each task. The app also allows you to assign billing to hours if you are a freelancer or contractor.

6. Toggl

While Toggl is an ideal time tracker for teams, it's also great for individuals seeking an easy way to track time spent on tasks and bill accordingly.

Take Notes

There are few things more frustrating than needing to jot something down, and not having a pen and paper to do so. But luckily, this is 2017, and you no longer need traditional writing tools to record your thoughts. Note taking apps have moved way beyond just allowing you to type a few words on a file. Some allow you to create useful filing systems, set reminders, collaborate and share with others, and include everything from links to photos to screenshots.

7. Evernote

Evernote lets you create full project to-do lists that can be shared across multiple platforms.

8. Google Keep

Google Keep allows you to take quick notes, add lists, photos, and voice memos to track your every thought. Seamless integration with Google Docs makes it easy to turn those quick notes into longer documents.

Organize Your Projects

You're busy. I'm busy. We're all endlessly busy. Sometimes we don't even know where to start, when to stop, and how much to do. Use time management apps that will allow you to schedule your tasks throughout your day.

9. Trello

The Trello app helps you create "boards" for all the projects you're currently working on and lets you easily add notes, to-do lists, photos, videos, and even customized workflows for your projects.

10. Asana

Asana lets you track projects from start to finish, and easily chat with project collaborators as you go along.

Protect Your Passwords

In an era of cyber security breaches and identity thieves running amok with personal information, protecting passwords has become serious business. You want to make sure your passwords don't all match, are not easy to guess, and are updated frequently enough to protect yourself from data hacks. But you also need a way to remember or access all those secure passwords! There's an app for that.

11. Keeper

Keeper creates, organizes, and auto-fills strong passwords on your behalf for all your accounts.

12. LastPass

LastPass keeps all of your precious passwords in one safe space, and alerts you to any duplicate passwords that may put you at risk for being hacked.

Control Your Documents

Even after signing up for paperless delivery for all our accounts, we still can't escape the daily receipts, business cards, and other documents that we end up collecting on a daily basis. Use an app to quickly scan and file these away.

13. Shoeboxed

Shoeboxed lets you scan receipts and business cards, track mileage, and even send expense reports with receipt images attached.

Save Effortlessly

If you've made it a financial priority to build up your savings accounts in 2017, you know it can take time and due diligence to make it happen. Personal finance apps help you manage your money, pay your bills on time, and also effortlessly save money.

14. Acorns

Acorns automatically funds your savings for you by rounding up your purchases and adding the change to your Acorns savings account. They'll even invest the "change" for you so you can potentially make much more than what your savings account is currently paying. (See also: Here's What I Learned About Money After Using Acorns)

15. Digit

Digit is the perfect savings sidekick. Once you link the app to your checking account, Digit analyzes your spending and sets aside small amounts of cash to save. (See also: Can a Robot Called Digit Really Help You Save More?)

Schedule Appointments

Tired of having to open up your calendar each time a meeting request comes in via email or text? Integrate your emails and even your text messages with your favorite calendar app to see everything in one place.

16. Gyst

Quickly determine potential meeting dates with Gyst, both with friends and business colleagues by linking your text messages and emails with your calendar.

17. Handle

Handle does just what it says and handles your life by linking your emails, to-do lists, and calendar, so you always know what's expected of you and where you need to be.

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This article is from Kyle James of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Use the Holiday Quiet Time to Boost Your Career

Kat Tretina — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 11:30:08 +0000

Depending on your office's culture, it can become a barren wasteland starting right after Thanksgiving, and stay that way until after the New Year. Especially if your office is open the week between Christmas and December 31, it's completely common to find yourself as one of the few people in the office — if not the only one!

And while bingeing on Netflix or having chair races with the only other person in the office may sound appealing, office quiet time is a golden opportunity for you. The empty office gives you a chance to prepare for the new year and build your skills. Instead of whiling away the hours on Candy Crush, try the following ideas to be productive.

Take a Course

Whether you want to learn how to code, dream of graphic design, or think mastering advanced Excel functions will help you in your current work, there are free and low-cost courses available to help you meet your goal.

Coursera

Coursera offers free classes from top universities like Yale, Harvard, and Brown in subjects like psychology, neuroscience, or fundamental programming concepts. While you cannot get credit for the classes you take, these are excellent resources for developing new skills.

Udemy

Similarly, Udemy offers free classes, but they also have more in-depth classes with a fee, too. Udemy courses tend to be more niche-focused. If you want to learn about the latest in social media, such as how to use Periscope for brand promotion, or how to use Photoshop's editing features, Udemy offers many options and self-paced learning opportunities. While even Udemy's paid classes tend to be very affordable, if the lesson can be applied to your work, check with your manager to see if the company will cover the cost. Your initiative will show a good use of your time during the slow season.

Research Tools That Can Improve Your Work

During the busiest months, it can get so crazy you don't have a lot of time to research ways to streamline processes or make your job easier. So you stick to what you know and what works, even if it is inefficient. The slow weeks can be a great time to find new ways of doing business that can make your life simpler in the new year.

There are many free or cheap tools available for every line of work. Below are just five free options that can help you in different industries, but there are hundreds of tools that can improve efficiencies and empower you to be more productive.

Asana

If your company struggles to keep up with deadlines and track who is accountable for what, Asana can be a gamechanger. Asana allows you to create tasks, assign people to each step, and set public deadlines. Asana is free for for teams up to 15 people, so it can be great for individual departments to stay on track and keep projects moving forward.

Canva

If you run social media pages, coming up with images for the different channels can be a major timesink. And if you have to wait on someone else to do them for you, that can make it difficult to capitalize on breaking trends. Canva allows you to create polished, professional-looking images in minutes, even if you have no graphic design training yourself. There's thousands of free templates, and while you can upload your own photos, they also offer stock photos for just $1.

FullContact Card Reader

Whether you work in sales, procurement, or marketing, gathering business cards is part of the job. And it's all too easy to accumulate a stack and forget about them, or lose them altogether. The FullContact Card Reader scans the business card and saves the information to a designated place that you can organize and search. You can save up to 1,000 contacts with the free version.

HemingwayApp

If you're a writer, you'll enjoy HemingwayApp. Not only does it recognize typos and grammatical errors, but it also highlights bad habits like passive voice, excessive adverb use, and overly complicated sentence structure.

Written Kitten

Have you been delaying writing an email or starting on a sales report? Meet Written Kitten, an utterly ridiculous free tool that may get you inspired. After you write 100 words, the site rewards you with an adorable picture of a kitten. Just don't allow yourself to cheat the system and start writing nonsense just to see the next cat.

Take Advantage of Your Time

It can feel like a real drag as the only person in the office. But this time of the year can be a fantastic chance to invest in yourself, learn new skills, and optimize your productivity. Dress comfortably, load up your phone with great music, and try these courses and tools to set yourself up for a strong new year.

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This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 7 Best Free Tools to Improve Your Work Performance

Kat Tretina — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 10:30:15 +0000

With tight deadlines and heavy workloads, there are never enough hours in a day to get everything done. If you find yourself constantly pressed for time, your work performance can get impacted. Constant stress at work can cause mistakes and delays. But there are free tools that can help improve productivity, stay organized, and catch errors, and improve your output at work.

1. Reduce Typos With Grammarly

Grammarly is a free grammar checker, more powerful than the standard spell check tools in Word or Outlook. While you can use it to proofread your projects, you can also install the extension so that it will scan your blogs, social media posts, and emails for typos and errors and correct them — before you send them to your boss (or the public). Unlike other tools, Grammarly uses context clues to identify issues with misused words, such as if you typed "manger" instead of "manager." It will also highlight grammatical errors, explaining the issues and how to fix them. If you have always struggled with past participles and direct objects, Grammarly is an easy way to get in-the-moment guidance. While there is a premium version that is more detailed, the free option is robust enough to help improve your daily communications.

2. Manage Your To-Do List With Wunderlist

Between work and your home life, juggling errands, tasks and shopping lists can be overwhelming. To-do list apps can help make things simpler. Wunderlist is a powerful platform that lets you create and share lists, prioritize tasks, and set up reminders for deadlines or recurring projects. It is available on your phone or desktop, so it can be accessed any time, anywhere.

3. Take Notes on the Go With Evernote

If you're the type of person who depends on a notepad and a pen to take notes and stay organized, you know how frustrating it is if you have a great idea and don't have paper in front of you or if you forgot your notes at your desk. Evernote is a solution that lets you take notes anywhere. Type reminders to yourself, take a picture of something that inspires you, or save a snapshot of whiteboard drawings to refer to later. The free plan offers 60 MB of storage and can help you manage various projects and long-term plans.

4. Produce Professional Graphics With Canva

Whether you're a social media manager or simply need to make professional looking graphics as part of your job, design software can be prohibitively expensive — the basic cloud-based version of InDesign alone can cost over $230 — and cumbersome for new users. Canva makes it easy to create polished images, even if you have no graphic design training. There are free templates, images, and elements that are fully customizable. Premium content, such as stock photos, can be added for just an additional $1. You can also upload your own images to use to create custom artwork.

5. Simplify Timesheets With Timely

If you need to track billable hours, you know how difficult it can be to manage and reconcile your timesheets. Unlike other tracking platforms, Timely allows you to track hours as you work but also provides a calendar so you can plan ahead. That way, you can compare time you actually spend on a project versus how much time you thought it would take, helping you budget your time more accurately.

6. Manage Emails With Boomerang

Boomerang can completely change how you handle email and increase your productivity. It allows you to hide emails for a certain amount of time and schedule emails ahead of time. If you're one of those people who just can't ignore an email in your inbox, the hide feature can be useful in helping you focus on your tasks at hand. You can set reminders so that when you do need to address the email, it will flag it for you. By scheduling emails, you can write out notes as you think about them, but plan to send them the next morning or when a coworker is back from vacation, keeping it from getting lost in an overcrowded inbox (or you can make your boss think you work long into the night by scheduling emails at 2:00 a.m.). Boomerang also allows you to set up a follow-up feature, so if you have not received a response, it will notify you and ask if you'd like to send a reminder.

7. Automate Tasks With If This Then That

If This Then That (IFTTT) is a free service that allows to create "recipes," or actions in response to specific triggers. For instance, you can set it up so that if someone tags you on Twitter, a private message to that user is automatically generated. Or, if you get a new follower on Facebook, ITTT can establish a recipe which saves a photo of that user for your archives. It can help you manage social media platforms around the clock — and a whole lot more.

Do you use any free tools to help with work performance? Share with us!

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This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Healthy Habits to Take to Work

Kat Tretina — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:30:31 +0000

From weight gain to carpal tunnel syndrome, working a desk job takes its toll. According to the Mayo Clinic, sitting all day can cause high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, and even increase your risk of developing cancer. But by being proactive and taking some precautions, you can minimize the impact of sitting all day and keep yourself healthy and happy.

1. Drink Water

Many people are so busy at work that they forget to eat, or drink water, and all those cups of coffee can dehydrate you. As your body craves water, you can feel hungry, irritable, or listless, just because you're thirsty. Keep dehydration at bay by keeping a large water bottle at your desk. If you need a boost of flavor, add some fresh fruit to it to give it some extra zing. Having it within reach will encourage you to drink throughout the day and stay hydrated. You might be amazed by how much more alert you feel with enough water in your system.

2. Avoid Sugary Snacks

The best part of any workday when surprise bagels or doughnuts show up at a meeting. But those extra sweets and carbohydrates add up. Not only can they cause a sugar crash, leaving you feeling exhausted, but the extra calories can cause you to gain weight. Instead, plan ahead to have healthy snacks instead. Hard boiled eggs, string cheese, nuts, and peanut butter and crackers are healthy treats packed with protein, so you feel full and satisfied. (See also: 11 Smoothie Bowls You Want Right Now)

3. Walk Whenever You Can

Sitting at your desk not only contributes to obesity, but also to hypertension and other health issues. Get up and walk several times throughout the day to keep your muscles moving. If possible, step out at lunch for a brisk 20-minute walk. Better yet, schedule walking meetings to catch up on status reports and new updates. You'll find yourself more energized after your meeting than if you sat in a conference room.

4. Eat Lunch

With so much going on at work, you may skip lunch or forget about it until you're ravenous at 3:00 p.m. That makes it even more tempting to grab a candy bar from the vending machine. Instead, make eating a healthful lunch a priority. A salad made with vegetables and chicken can give you energy, while a sandwich made with lean meats, tomatoes and kale can make you feel full for the rest of the afternoon.

5. Protect Your Neck

Whether you look down at the computer, or hold the phone against your shoulder to keep your hands free, your job can be hard on your neck. And all of that strain can cause your muscles to tense and tighten up, causing pain later on. Raise your computer to a comfortable height so you can see it looking straight ahead. You don't need expensive equipment; a few reams of copy paper can do the job. And a simple phone headset can allow you to use the phone while typing, without hurting your neck.

6. Prevent Eye Strain

All of that time in front of the computer screen can hurt your eyes, causing headaches, sensitivity to light, and dry eyes. Keep your computer screen about an arm's length away from you. If you can't clearly see the text on the screen, just increase your font size. There are also screen covers you can use to minimize the glare from the monitor to decrease the strain on your eyes.

7. Fidget

Fidgeting and moving can help minimize the effects of a sedentary work life. Whether you use an exercise ball as a chair or have a minibike under your desk, even occasionally moving around can help increase blood flow and circulation. A recent study showed that fidgeting, or just doing small movements every day, could counteract the negative effects of sitting at your desk. (See also: 10 Exercises You Can Do at Work)

8. Invest in Lighting

Fluorescent lights can be brutal on your eyes. If possible, ask maintenance to disable the lights in your office or directly over your cubicle, and bring in a floor or desk lamp of your own with softer light. If that's not possible, a small desk shade can help shield you from the fluorescent light's rays.

9. Focus on Posture

When you're on a tight deadline and typing away, it's all too easy to end up hunched over your computer. But that position can be harmful to your back and joints. At the end of the work day, you can end up feeling sore and stiff due to your work habits. Invest in a good office chair or cushion to help encourage good posture. Apps like PostureMinder send you reminders throughout the day to sit up straight, helping you break a bad habit.

10. Take Vacation

Most importantly, if you have vacation days, use them! Vacations are physically and mentally important for you to unwind, de-stress, and spend time with loved ones.

While office jobs can be hard on your body, you can counteract the effects with some ingenuity and preplanning. By preparing healthy meals and snacks and by reminding yourself to get moving, you can keep yourself energized all day long.

What other healthy habits can you do at your desk? Share with us!

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This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 5 Best Apps for Busy Working Parents

Janet Alvarez — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 11:00:11 +0000

Working parents need to maximize their time in order to be most efficient. These apps will help working moms and dads better manage kids' routines, plan family outings, and manage family budgets effectively.

1. Happy Kids Timer

Having a hard time keeping kids on schedule, especially in the mornings? HappyKidsTimer is an app your kids use to help them manage their daily morning routines, like making their beds, getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and so forth. The app features timers and fun incentives to help your kids get on their way.

Available for Android and iOS.

2. KidsEatFree

Busy parents often don't have time to cook — and dining out with the whole family gets expensive, fast. Restaurateurs have responded with a variety of kids eat free promotions. Too many, in fact, for busy parents to track. KidsEatFree is the free app that helps you find free kids' meals nearby, keeping your family on time — and on budget.

Available for iOS.

3. Mint.com

Speaking of budgets, busy parents need to manage their family's money while they are managing the kiddoes. Mint.com remains the gold standard free app for tracking all your spending, paying bills, setting and tracking budgets, and monitoring overall net worth.

Available for Android and iOS.

4. VarageSale

If you're keen on sticking to your budget, VarageSale is great for connecting busy parents with others who want to buy or sell used family and children goods. You can make extra cash off your used stroller or crib — or you can pick up gently used ones for a great price. Look at all the cute outfits!

Available for Android and iOS.

5. Trekaroo

Finally, even the busiest, most goal-directed families need some downtime. Trekaroo helps hardworking parents plan and budget family outings — everything from faraway vacations to local day trips. The app finds kid-friendly activities when and where you need them. Even better, each destination includes reviews from other busy parents who've already been, so you can get the inside scoop way before you get there.

Available for Android and iOS.

What are your go-to apps for managing life with kids?

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This article is from Janet Alvarez of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Powerful Reasons Companies Should Offer More Wellness Programs to Keep Their Employees Healthier and Happier

Dan Rafter — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 13:23:31 +0000

This post is sponsored by Aflac. For more resources, tools, and insights on small business benefits, visit Aflac.com.

From gym memberships and on-site massages, to mental health coverage and meal services, according to research by the Society for Human Resource Management, a growing number of companies are boosting the health and wellness benefits that they offer to their employees. In its 2015 Strategic Benefits Survey, the Society found that 69% of human resources professionals reported that their companies offered some type of wellness program. A total of 52% of companies responding to the survey said that employee participation in these programs increased in 2014. There are powerful reasons why more and more companies are doing so — they’re seeing the astounding benefits wellness programs have on their employees, and as a result, on their bottom lines.

Wellness Programs Help Employees Be More Productive

If you're healthy, you'll be more productive. At least that's the thinking of the country's most progressive employers. According to the Division of Population Health and Workplace Health Promotion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wellness programs can actually make employees more productive. They take fewer sick days and are more engaged and motivated when at the office. It's not surprising that companies that offer wellness perks continue to do so, and even expand their offerings.

Wellness Programs Save Employers Money

Companies pay less in insurance and workers compensation costs during the year when they offer robust wellness programs, the CDC says. Healthier employees are more alert and careful, preventing accidents and other dangerous incidents. Not only that, but a program that allows employees to get checkups and screenings to monitor their health will be less expensive than treatments after things get serious.

Wellness Programs Retain Talented Workers

These programs affect retention and recruitment, too. The CDC reports that companies that offer perks such as gym memberships, weight-loss programs, and health assessments attract, and keep the most talented employees. That’s not surprising since workers report that benefits, especially ones that contribute to their health and wellbeing, give them a sense of trust and loyalty to their company.

Wellness Programs Boost Company Earnings

A study published in the January issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found hard evidence that employee wellness programs benefitted not just workers, but companies. The study tracked the stocks of 45 publicly traded companies that offered robust health and wellness programs from 2009 through 2014. According to the study, the stock of these companies appreciated 235% during this time compared with an appreciation rate of 159% for S&P 500 companies in general.

Supplemental Insurance Adds Peace of Mind

To help support employees during a covered illness that wellness programs can’t prevent, supplemental insurance can be an integral solution to the rising costs of out-of-pocket expenses for health care. Rather than pay high premiums or make employees bear the burden of high deductibles, specialized supplemental insurance can help alleviate costs to both the employer and employee.

For all these reasons, it’s clear that wellness programs that promote health and wellbeing in employees benefit the employers as much (or more) than the workers themselves. It should be powerful motivation for any company to look into offering or even expanding their health and wellness benefits.

This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Ways to Get More Out of Business Trips

Jennifer Holder — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 10:00:03 +0000

Whenever I travel for work, I find the time on planes to be relaxing, and I get lots of work done. For me, recreational Internet use is a major distraction, and with less distraction comes more productivity. This travel work ethic is something that isn't just me either. The Atlantic notes the same phenomenon that occurs at coffee shops, where most people are more effective outside of their offices, even though it's noisy. But there also seems to be more personal responsibility. Because people can see your screen, you're more likely to actually do work and not just scroll through Facebook, as Life Hacker notes. These examples can be equated directly to travel.

And while Bloomberg Business doesn't recommend working on an airplane, there is a way to take advantage of your time without causing a headache or stress. Here are 10 ways to maximize your travel time when you fly.

Before You Take Off

Here are little things you can do before you're in the air that'll make flying an enjoyable — and efficient — experience.

1. Buy Noise-Canceling Headphones

Planes can be loud. That's where headphones come in handy. I even use them when I forget my iPod (yes, I'm probably one of the few who still uses an iPod). It helps me rest and keeps the distractions out. (See also: Best Wireless Headphones)

2. Download Podcasts

Don't forget to download any podcasts or songs ahead of time. Planes can be the perfect time to catch up on This American Life, a business podcast, or even a comedy podcast. My friend listens to a lot of inspirational podcasts that have been great for her as she has been trying to start a new business. Find something that works for you and make sure you have it on your phone or other electronic device.

3. Set Your Google Drive to Work Offline

If you do a lot of work in Google Drive, make sure to download your drive on your computer. It lets you make changes online and then loads them when you connect to the Internet again. It's great!

4. Get Your To-Do List Together

To maximize your time on the plane, make sure you have your to-do list together so you can be effective. I have a bad habit of writing down my list on every scrap of paper I can find. I now use Flow on my iPhone instead, which has been more effective lately since I can't remember when I've finished something, and deadlines help make me more productive. Unfortunately, they don't currently have an offline version, so you might have to print your list or save it elsewhere.

On the Plane

Once you're onboard, here's what you can do maximize time in your seat.

5. Meditate

Practicing mindfulness is quickly becoming one of my favorite ways to relax and become centered. On a plane, it can be used to quell those moments of fearfulness, but it's also a great way to get your mind ready for the big trip. If you're new to mindfulness, practice it a bit before leaving so you understand how to really take advantage of your time. Also download some soothing music to listen to.

6. Write

As a writer, I get some of my best work done while on a plane. Even if you don't enjoy writing, there are some great observations to be made while traveling. Carry around a little notebook and note every time the toddler behind you kicks your chair or demands crackers. It can actually help you put your mind at ease and make light of a stressful situation. If you love to write, plane trips can relieve writer's block.

7. Read

Because I never make time to just sit and read in my everyday routine, I rarely do it at all. However, reading is one of my favorite things to do. You don't have the pressure of the Internet calling your name or someone texting you while you're lost in the pages of a good book, so take advantage of being disconnected!

8. Brainstorm

Because I work at a nonprofit that provides affordable housing solutions, my mind is constantly buzzing with ideas for projects we can undertake. I also run a nonprofit that conducts classes, which means my brain never gets a break from ideas. I've spent a large amount of time on planes brainstorming and creating a vision for the coming months and I highly recommend it.

9. Budget

I recently had a hospital visit that proved to be very costly and I've had to really sit down and budget how I'm going to spend my money. On a plane ride not long ago, I figured out how to take care of my medical bills, and I've been using the method ever since. While online tools like Mint are great, I prefer using Excel to track my expenses. It really depends on what your goals are and how you want to get there.

10. Sleep

If you're mentally exhausted, sleeping on the plane might be the best option. There are days when I get no alone time, and being an introvert, I really value that time. So sometimes I plan ahead to sleep on the plane. Just make sure you don't sleep during takeoff and landing.

What do you do to be productive while traveling?

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This article is from Jennifer Holder of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Make Your Sluggish Workday Go (a Lot) Faster

POPSUGAR Smart Living — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 09:00:34 +0000

How many times have you looked longingly out the window beside your office desk, wishing you were outside enjoying the fresh air — or taking a nap at home? We know you're raising your hand right now, and we understand 100 percent! Sometimes, the day feels like it's crawling by slower than a snail, and by the end of it, you're completely exhausted. Here's how to beat that workday rut and ensure that it flies by so quick, you won't know it hit you.

1. Find a Job That You Love or a Project You Enjoy Within Your Current Job

Ideally, you want to seek a job that you'd look forward to every day — but all hope may not be lost for your current profession. "If finding a job you're passionate about is tough, then find a task or project area to become an expert in," recommends Jenn Dewall, a career and life coach for female professionals. "Find learning opportunities to enhance your understanding, set up touch-bases with people who know more, and practice it!"

2. Set Up a Snack Drawer in Your Office

Nothin' like a good old chocolate chip Clif Bar to boost your mood. "[Fill your drawer] with healthy snacks to keep your energy up and some of your favorite things you look forward to indulging in," suggests Hallie Crawford, career coach and founder of HallieCrawford.com.

3. Have a Five-Minute Conversation With a Co-Worker

Constant corporate jargon gets old, fast — and drags the day on. "We need to infuse fun into our workday, [because] it reduces stress and can increase team building," Dewall says. "Ask a question that is unrelated to work and start a conversation. In similar fashion, you can also pick a pop culture topic and talk about it for five minutes."

4. Take Walks

Don't be a bump on a log all day; get up and move! "Either walk during your lunch, or take short walks after accomplishing a bigger task," Dewall recommends. "Walking will give you energy and can also break up stressful work projects." Want to take it up a notch? "Schedule coffee walks with work colleagues so you can get some caffeine, fresh air, and positive conversation all at once," suggests Rebecca Dallek, a career and leadership coach for women.

5. Have a Look at Other Businesses

If you've got a little free time and you're feeling bored, "Research the competition," says Jill Jacinto, a millennial career expert for WORKS. It will give you a leg up on keeping your company sharp, and it may spark a few ideas. Plus, it's more interesting than repeatedly refreshing your email!

6. Work With People You Like

"This is critical to overall workplace enjoyment and to make each day fly by," Dallek says. Think about it. If you're sitting next to a co-worker who complains about everything from the temperature of his coffee to the new manager, your eyes are going to be glued to the clock.

7. Focus on Your Accomplishments, Not Your Never-Ending To-Do List

Don't allow your pending work tasks to submerge you in stress. "The more you focus on what has happened successfully during the course of your day, the faster it will go by, because you're less overwhelmed by the next thing on the list and enjoying a sense of accomplishment instead," Crawford says.

8. Jam to an Inspiring Song in Between Each Task

Whip out those headphones, stat. "Allow yourself to get lost in the music for a song, and once the song is completed, go back to work," Dewall recommends. "This is another mental break where the intention is to focus on how the song is making you feel — it's not just music to drown out your co-workers." She suggests starting out with coffee house favorites and then amping up to lively, high-energy music (think Carly Rae Jepsen) as the day comes to a close.

9. Buy Fun Office Supplies and Add Items to Your Desk That Make You Smile

Crawford suggests thinking along the lines of pictures of friends and family, colored folders, and supercute pens. "Keep things professional, of course, but if having fun stuff on your desk makes you smile, go for it," she says. "You can hide things when a client comes in if you need to."

10. Attend a Presentation From Your Colleagues in a Different Department

Jacinto recommends this, because seeing other departments in action provides a unique angle on your company and will maintain your focus. Better focus means faster workday!

11. Sit in Another Location

If you have a flexible workplace design, this one is cake. "Sometimes a new location gives you a fresh perspective," Dallek says. And if your workspace isn't quite so accommodating or open? Simply transport your laptop to the kitchen for a half hour for a change of environment.

12. Set an End-of-the-Week Reward

You already know how important work objectives are. "Each week, set up five goals that you want to accomplish and schedule time to work on them each day," Dewall suggests. "If you accomplish the goals and fill your day with productivity, reward yourself! This can enhance your confidence and give you a sense of accomplishment when you walk out the door on Friday." Not to mention, as you center yourself and work toward those goals throughout the week, the days will zip by. And in the end, that's what we all want.

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When's it gonna be done o'clock already? Make the long workday hours go a lot faster with some shortcuts, treats, and fun ways to be productive.

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This article is from POPSUGAR Smart Living of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Things to Do Before Your First Day at a New Job

Mikey Rox — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 09:00:12 +0000

Starting a new job can feel like the first day of school. Sure, you're excited for this new chapter in your career, but the thought of walking into a new job with new faces and greater responsibilities might evoke fear and nervousness. Will you get along with your new coworkers? Will you be able to handle the job? Will your personality match the company's culture?

Truth is, the first day (or week) at a new job can be physically and mentally exhausting, and you won't truly know what to expect until you sit down at your desk. Even so, there are things you can do to ensure your first day is as smooth as possible.

1. Plan Your Route a Couple Days Before

You might know the exact route to get to your new job, but given that traffic conditions can be unpredictable, especially during rush hour, it's important to plan your route perfectly.

A couple of days before the start of your new job, do a test run of your commute to see how long it takes to get there. It's also a good idea to test your commute around the time you plan on leaving the house each day. This gives you a pretty accurate picture of traffic conditions at that time. Under normal conditions it might only take 10 minutes to get to your job, but during rush hour the commute might jump to 20 minutes.

Since you don't want to be late on your first day, it doesn't hurt to have a backup route in the event of an accident or another delay. Also, you might have a friend on standby, just in case you experience car trouble the morning of your first day and you need a ride.

2. Know the Dress Code

The first day at a new job is nerve-racking enough, so you don't need any issues that can potentially add to your nervousness or make you feel uncomfortable. Knowing the company's dress code is another way to make sure everything goes smoothly on your first day.

It can be awkward showing up in a three-piece suit while everyone else wears jeans, slacks, or a polo, and vice versa. You might be able to gauge the company's dress code during your interview, but you should always confirm this with your boss after receiving your start date.

3. Connect With New Coworkers on LinkedIn

Search for your company on LinkedIn and read the profiles of your new coworkers — and don't be afraid to connect with them. If you become familiar with their names, titles, and faces ahead of time, the first day at your new job might be less scary. It'll feel as if you already know them, and it may even reduce the amount of time it takes to learn everyone's name.

4. Practice Introducing Yourself

Some people are outgoing, talkative, and they can make friends anywhere. If this doesn't sound like you, you can practice introducing yourself and making small talk before the start of your new job.

Depending on the size of the company, you might meet 10, 20, or 30 new people in the span of only a couple of hours. You'll likely cross paths with a coworker at the vending machine, in the elevator, and you might have lunch with coworkers on the first day. It'll be nice if you're able to say more than "nice to meet you."

Possible conversation starters might include, how long have you been with the company? What do you do here? These questions require more than a yes or no answer, and can hopefully facilitate a back-and-forth dialogue.

5. Know Which Documents to Bring With You

On the first day at a new job, you'll go through training, meet your coworkers, and you'll likely speak with human resources to fill out various employment forms. Make sure you bring the appropriate documents so you won't delay this process.

For example, your employer will need to see and make a copy of your Social Security card and government-approved ID, such as a driver's license or passport. You should also bring your bank account information if you're planning to have earnings direct deposited into your account. You'll also complete IRS form W-4 when starting a new job, so think ahead and decide the amount of taxes you want the employer to withhold from your check.

Are there other tips you'd like to suggest on what to do before the first day on the job? Let us know in the comments below.

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The Easy Way to Cure Chronic Procrastination You Should Try Now

POPSUGAR Smart Living — Fri, 29 May 2015 21:00:09 +0000

Some people may wonder why procrastination advice seems to never work for them and if there is a deeper issue at hand. Well, for 20% of the population who are chronic procrastinators, it is a serious problem that needs to be addressed, according to Joseph Ferrari, a psychology professor at DePaul University and a leading expert in the study of procrastination. For those 20%, telling them to just "do it" is like "telling a clinically depressed person to cheer up," says Ferrari, author of the book Still Procrastinating?.

It's a Serious Problem If . . .

So how do you know if you're a chronic procrastinator? "You find that you procrastinate at home, at school, at work, in relationships. You don't pay your bills on time . . . You miss sporting events, concerts because you never got the ticket," says Ferrari. "You're late for any social gathering, you'll miss doctor's appointments because you're never there on time, the refrigerator is empty because you never restock it in time, food goes bad because you never eat it on time. If you do all those kind of things, you probably are a chronic procrastinator."

Read on to find out how people become procrastinators.

How People Become Chronic Procrastinators

There are several factors that can lead one to becoming a chronic procrastinator. Here are a couple of them, according to the procrastination expert:

Your dad: "It's typically cold, demanding, stern fathers that cause boys and girls to be procrastinators," Ferrari says. Children with strict dads use procrastination as a way to cope because they can't rebel.
You care too much about what others think of you: Some people procrastinate because they care too much about public perception. The pressure to seem perfect is particularly strong for these people. The chronic procrastinators prefer people to see them as procrastinators that don't get around to doing tasks rather than simply being incompetent.
Society: We live in a world where society doesn't reward punctuality. Instead, we're penalized for being late, which doesn't give any of us incentive to complete tasks ahead of time. "We punish people if they file their taxes late. We give them a bill. If we pay off our credit card late, we charge them a late fee. But what if you pay your card on time and what if you've paid your mortgage off? There's no gift here."

The Cure for Procrastination

For those who have deep-rooted issues with procrastination, it seems that cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of mental health counseling, is the most effective method. This kind of psychotherapy attempts to reroute inaccurate, harmful, or negative thoughts.

Ferrari suggests a couple more ways that might help chronic procrastinators:

Surround yourself with doers: It's healthy for a chronic procrastinator to surround herself with people who are likely to do things. It'll be a good influence on those with a tendency to delay tasks.
Just start somewhere: Just take a small step at a time. For example, if you're supposed to write an essay, start with a few paragraphs, and if that's too much for you, resolve to write just one. If that's still overwhelming, stick to a couple of sentences or even a few words.
Set up a reward system: "People like to do things they enjoy doing," says Ferrari. He recommends rewarding yourself with something you enjoy after you complete something that you've been dreading to do. For example, reward yourself with half an hour of Desperate Housewives after doing laundry.
Public posting: Because procrastinators care so much about how others view them, they are more likely to do tasks when they publicly announce it. Take to Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media outlet and state the task you're going to do. Then when you've completed it, let everyone know that you've done what you set out to do. The "likes" and congratulatory tweets will feel very satisfying.

So What if I Am One?

If you're reading this and feel that you fit the profile of a chronic procrastinator, you may think that it's not a big deal to be one. After all, your life might be functioning fine, and you've made it through many of the setbacks caused by your procrastination.

However, keep in mind that it may catch up with you one day, and it can get to a point where it disrupts your life and negatively impact other people's opinion of your character. Further, it's not exactly comfortable living as a chronic procrastinator. In fact, Ferrari found that procrastinators have more regrets than nonprocrastinators for things that they didn't do. "Stop stressing yourself over it. Life is short — leave a legacy," says Ferrari. "There are too many places to see and too many things to do in life to just procrastinate and wait and living in a bubble of fear of getting it done."

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40+ Cheap or Free Ways to Make the Most of the Weekend

POPSUGAR Smart Living — Fri, 15 May 2015 17:00:12 +0000

The weekend is the perfect time to catch up on things you're behind on, get started on tasks you've been putting off, and recharge your body and mind. To make the most of your two-day break, why not start planning for the upcoming week to take the edge off of those Monday morning blues? Here are some ideas for how to be productive over the weekend, and all of them are super cheap or even free!

1. Go grocery shopping.

2. Try out new recipes, and plan lunch for the week.

3. Get all of your laundry done.

4. Get rid of clutter that's been getting in your way.

5. Watch an inspirational movie that will get you pumped for new challenges.

6. Organize your kitchen so everything is easy to find when you're in a rush.

7. Check out a new book from the library.

8. Research quicker or cheaper routes for your commute.

9. Pick out what you plan to wear on Monday — or for the whole week.

10. DIY a gift for an upcoming bridal shower or birthday so you don't have to go shopping after work.

11. Wake up early.

12. Get caught up on all of the major news.

13. Sleep, so you'll be well-rested when Monday rolls around.

14. Clean out your inbox to make room for more emails.

15. Try upcycling items that may be useful on your commute or at work.

16. Meditate or practice yoga.

17. Avoid overdoing it if you go out at night.

18. Catch up with friends you don't get to see during the week.

19. Give your house a deep clean so you don't have to worry about it after work the next week.

20. Start a motivational book that inspires or challenges you.

21. Get in some of the workouts you skipped over the past week.

22. Practice new hair and makeup tricks so you don't waste time in the morning before work.

23. Pay your bills.

24. Make a to-do list for the upcoming week, month, or even year!

25. Network and connect with other professionals in your area.

26. Detox from everything going on with your job.

27. Spend quality time with your significant other.

28. Sell some of your old things so that you have extra spending money for the week.

29. Polish your jewelry with DIY cleaner.

30. Schedule or cancel any appointments.

31. Call your friends or family that you've been meaning to catch up with.

32. Update and refresh your résumé.

33. Search and apply for jobs.

34. Download useful organizational apps.

35. Do something you feel passionate about, like gardening, painting, or volunteering.

36. File your paid bills and legal documents.

37. Recharge your body and mind.

38. Update your finances.

39. Make a great playlist for your work week.

40. Take out the garbage and recycling.

41. Paint your nails and toe nails.

42. Shop for any home supplies you might need during the week, like toilet paper, dish soap, or shampoo.

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