The Mid-Mid Life Crisis

The Mid-Mid Life Crisis The Mid-Mid Life Crisis So instead of giving you some advice about getting a job so that you can leave your parents, Im going to give you some advice for getting through this hurdle in life. However, I hope this also helps those going through a midlife crisis. We Gen-Yers really do share more in common with older folk than many people think. Were all freaking out at the same time about paying the bills, right?1. Do what you want to do.If you dont, youll be miserable, and youll probably suck at the job that you do have. That being said, dont walk away from a chance at another career that you think might work for you. Ive said it before, and Ill say it again those that seem lucky are just those that take advantage of opportunities when they see them.For the writers, painters, musicians, whatever if you cant make any money in the beginning, take up a part-time job. I know you dont want to do that. I certainly dont. I hated working at a cafe, and I really dont feel like doing it again, but if I have to take a part-time job at Starbucks so I can pay my rent in some hipster alcove, so be it. I heard they have health insurance2. Talk to someone.About whatever is worrying you Need help getting a job? Talk to someone. Feeling overwhelmed? Talk to someone. Just want to play Mario gokart in your friends dank room and forget about your troubles for a while? Talk to someone. Im not just talking about reaching out to people for favors. Hanging out with your friends or family when youre feeling low will boost your spirits and motivate you to keep grasping for legitimate adulthood (as in, not living with your parents).3. Think like a dog.I once had a professor (at a liberal arts school in the Mid-West) that told me his secret for getting over hurdles in his life was to think about what his dog would do.A while back, the dog missed a step on a flight of stairs and rolled down. My professor and his wife thought she was seriously injured, but the dog ju st got up, shook herself and walked off. She was always happy because she wouldnt dwell on stuff. So be like the dog. If youre stressing out about your career, just remember that it isnt the end-all and that youll eventually be okay again. You wont get anything done if you succumb to your fears.4. Dont make a 5 year plan.Youll be much happier. Why? Because if you had a five year plan and then started feeling that you should be doing something else, theres a good chance that youll feel like a failure. If you allow yourself flexibility, youll be much more open to whatever else can make you happy. I had a 5 year plan for almost every 5 years of my life. Thats not an exaggeration. When I was 3 years old, I made it my goal in life to attend Harvard so I could be pre-med and become a dentist. By high school, I had no interest in Harvard, dentistry, or Barney for that matter. Considering Ive never been that great at anything scientific, its a good thing I gave up the dentist dream early.It s good to have some kind of idea of what you want to do, but dont take it too seriously.

Lying On Your Resume and Other Workplace Mistakes

Lying On Your Resume and Other Workplace MistakesLying On Your Resume and Other Workplace MistakesI am always surprised that most workers believe they wont be fired (short of a company shut-down) unless they are either grossly incompetent or theyve taken cash out of the till. The fact is there are many kinds of workplace behavior that could land you out on the street.Here are 10 workplace mistakes to avoid if you want to keep your hard-earned jobLying on your resume Truth matters, and most employers will do educational and background checks to corroborate the information youve provided. False claims about your degree or achievements will almost always lead to dismissal.Too much web surfing Workplace computers can be monitored. Spending too many work hours surfing in cyberspace is a good way to find yourself unemployed.Indiscreet job hunting Again, computers may be monitored, and that includes instant messages. If youre in the job market, dont send resumes or job applications to other employers from your workplace computer.Gossiping Sometimes the walls really do have ears. Stay away from the rumor mill if you want to keep your job.Too many personal calls Theres no such thing as privacy in the workplace. Employers frown on taking or making too many personal calls.Alienating co-workers Its the old works and plays well with others. Dont get yourself a rep for being detached or unpleasant around other employees.Forgetting to check your work Double-check your facts and figures every single time. Too many mistakes will likely get you fired.Not taking responsibility Pointing fingers never gets you points. When mistakes happen, take responsibility for any error that may have been yours.Getting involved with the boss Whether its romantic involvement or providing too much sympathetic ear, the result is often somebody leaving the company and its more likely to be you than the boss.Drinking or drugs on the job It should be obvious Sobriety on any job is mandatory.

What Fergies National Anthem disaster (and response) can teach us about embracing failure

What Fergies National Anthem disaster (and response) can teach us about embracing failureWhat Fergies National Anthem disaster (and response) can teach us about embracing failureIt was truly a noteworthy performance, but for all the wrong reasons.When Fergie took to the microphone to sing the National Anthem before the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, herbei delivery didnt quite get the reaction youd hope for. In fact, far from it.Although some came to her defense - including former Lakers playerShaquille ONeal - the damage just couldnt be undone.Watch Fergies performance at the NBA All-Star GameThe games players and attendees clearly had trouble keeping their reactions to themselves. However,theres been some debate about whether or not Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was actually reacting to the singers performance (he addressed Fergies performance after the game, among other topics).But the criticism also poured in online, of course, with people airing their discontent a nd comparisons being made to unique national anthem performances of the past.Roseanne Barr appeared to think that Fergies performance wasnt even in the same category as hers, done in 1990, which also made waves for all the wrong reasons, garnering sharp words from President George Bush.But the songstress didnt disappear into the shadows following her performance.What we can take away from Fergies apologyFergie didnt let the public roasting get her down, reportedly telling TMZ,Ive always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA. Im a risk taker artistically, but clearly, this rendition didnt strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best.She didnt shy away from the spotlight after her performance or stay in the shadows. Instead, she embraced the moment and instead of lashing out at others for the chilly reception, she took full responsibility for how her rendition went.Her apology also seems to show that she took the opportunity to sing Americas national anthem seriously and that musically, she went out on a limb to try something different, even though it didnt work in her favor. Fergie also makes it abundantly clear that although people didnt largely praise her performance, her failure shouldnt be considered intentionally disrespectful. Saying that she honestly tried my best shows that Fergie is human, and she seems comfortable with that.So when you make a big mistake in your career or while representing your employer, its better to be upfront about it than to shy away or blame someone else.