Month: June 2020

Do you overcommit yourself, agreeing to do too many things and finding yourself overwhelmed? Whether it’s job related or not, you have the right to say no to some things. In fact, it’s actually a useful skill to know how to say no without letting guilt drive your decision-making process. Guilt can be a powerful motivator, but it shouldn’t be the reason you do or do not do something.

Guilt is tricky. Don’t mistake guilt for a sense of obligation to your employer or loyalty to someone else. There are many times when it is not only within your right to say no, it is actually beneficial and wise to do so. When do you do things because you feel guilty, you won’t have the physical, mental and emotional capacity to deal with the things that are actually important and necessary.

Learning to say no is about learning to have a measure of control over your life, your time and your work. The key to this is figuring out how to prioritize things. For example, guilt should not cause you to commit to things that are not in your job description at work or things that will cause you to lose focus from the critical aspects of your job. Ask yourself if you really can or should say yes and how that choice will impact other obligations you have.

The same applies to your personal life. You have the right to save space for the things that really matter. When you prioritize well and refrain from saying yes to too much, you will be in a place where you can be more present and purposeful in your everyday life.

Guilt can be powerful, but you can train yourself to set aside this feeling and think practically about the things you’re asked to do. When you are in control of whether you say yes or no instead of guilty feelings, you’ll make better decisions that will set you up for success and more peace of mind.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Do you have trouble making a decision? Do you feel like you have to carefully weigh every single option in order to get the right outcome? Does making a choice sometimes give you anxiety? You aren’t alone. Decision-making can be difficult and stressful, especially when you have to make choices in a hurry. Thankfully, you can train yourself to make good decisions faster.

Some decisions are simple, and the implications are not that significant. Other decisions have the potential to alter the trajectory of your career or entire life, and those deserve careful and thoughtful consideration. If fast-paced decision-making skills are an important part of your job, the following may be helpful for you:

• Determine whether it’s a major or minor decision. Major decisions get more time, while simple ones just need a definitive answer. Limit the time and energy you give minor decisions, saving yourself for more important choices.
• Stop worrying about what others think of your choices. Not everyone is going to like your decisions, and that’s okay. That doesn’t mean that you made the wrong choice. Move forward confidently, and don’t sweat the opinions of others.
• Think long-term. Will this decision matter tomorrow? If not, just decide and move on. If it can have a longer and more significant impact on your life, set aside the time to think though it carefully.

Stop agonizing over every decision you have to make. Trust your skills, knowledge and experience to make good decisions quickly. Train yourself to go with your instinct. Save your worrying for bigger choices that deserve more of your time. Worrying about every choice you have to make can lead to more stress and less productivity.

You make choices all the time, both in your personal life and at work. Confidence in yourself and your decisions will make you a better employee, boss and well-rounded individual. Start training yourself to approach any decisions with clarity, rationality and self-assurance.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC

Older workers may face certain challenges in the workplace, and it’s more important than ever for these individuals to know how to protect their rights and long-term interests. Business is rapidly changing, and people who are over a certain age may find it more difficult to prove their value. If you are an older employee, you will want to think long-term if you plan to remain in the workforce well into the future.

Thanks to longer life expectancy and financial concerns, people are working past what many consider to be a reasonable retirement age. In the midst of economic turmoil, employees may find it beneficial to consider how their jobs may change during the downturn and recovery. Thinking ahead means it will be easier to transidtion to other roles and even new employment opportunities if it becomes necessary.

This may require diversifying skill sets and becoming fluent in certain aspects of a job in order to remain a valuable employee. The unfortunate reality is that employers sometimes value younger individuals over older workers; however, continual growth and learning can help an employee remain a crucial part of the team, even when the company faces hardship.

Proficient skills, in-depth knowledge of the job and a solid performance history may not be enough to shield some individuals from unfortunate treatment in the workplace. For workers who are 40 and up, age discrimination can be a real concern, regardless of the specific type of workplace. It’s in the interests of each employee to be knowledgeable of employee rights and how to proceed in the midst of discrimination or other types of unfair treatment.

Older workers are capable, knowledgeable and important members of the workforce, and their age plays no part in the value they bring to the table. While there may be certain challenges this group faces in the workplace, they can take certain steps to make sure they remain in control of their career paths and future best interests.

By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC