Restructuring your work space

Questions for you: Where do you do your best work? Are there places where you do a certain kind of work better? What is the right space for you for a certain kind of work activity?

Me: I need to have multiple work environments for my best productivity. For example, I do my best writing either sitting outside on the deck (as I am now), in my living room, or, believe it or not, in a cafe. There is something about the ambient noise that allows me to write creatively.

Howe…

When you get right down to it, your career is shaped largely by just a few key decisions, conversations and actions. I call these "key career moments."

Take a look at my full Monster article - Make the Most of Key Career Moments to learn more.

Downshifting. Does it ever make sense to take a step down the career ladder? If you can get past that nagging, inborn sense that “going lower” can only be a sign of downward career mobility, the answer is yes. Taking a lesser position can help move your career forward if the job fits into a larger long-term plan. Read on to find out when a lower position might make sense, and how you can make such a transition successfully. When to take a lower position.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS | Downshifting can help mo…

My most recent Monster.com article was published today. The topic is Recovering from a Career Setback.

“You’re good at your job. You fit well with your team and within the organization. You receive solid performance appraisals and have a track record of accomplishment. Then, when the chance for that promotion you’ve been working toward finally arrives, you get passed over…”

Go here to read the article.

There is a growing and disturbing trend among US and Canadian companies to implement a policy of work confirmation-only references. In other words, their policy is to confirm employment, and that’s all. This is a major career management hurdle for all of us.

We all deserve references for work well done. They are, in effect, part of our compensation, a reward for work well done. So, given that you cannot impact company policy, what can you do?

What this trend does is highlight the importance of r…

The importance of career investment

Not investing in yourself is like floating down a fast river without a paddle, map or knowledge of what’s around the next bend. Things may go fine for a while, but at some point, you’re going to realize you made a giant mistake.

To avoid such unforeseen disaster, you need career investment to proactively and thoughtfully create a plan for achieving your career and life goals.

And if that doesn’t convince you, here are 10 reasons why investing in your career…