7 things successful people never apologize for at work

7 things successful people never apologize for at work7 things successful people never apologize for at workIf you work, you have guilt. Whether its deadlines, time with family or shutting off email, its easy to fall into the trap of believing we owe our whole lives to our employers and, as a result, apologizing all the time.We can even end up apologizing for things were good at. What about that time you finished a project early and your co-worker gave you some side-eye, so you apologize for being ahead of the curve? Or when you got a promotion and someone at your same level was passed over - did you drop that sorry bomb then, too? While being mindful and grateful are always important qualities of any successfuls persons career path, it is also important to be confident and bold with your abilities and responsibilities. Being self-assured is an attractive career quality. False humility can be cloying and will make people dislike you.Confidence should be your greatest tool for your c areer- assuming of course that you are in a job that fits your skills. Without confidence your employer would not have found you. Everything about the job search, and being promoted in your career is supported by confidence, executive career coach Tina Mertel explains. Confidence allows you to state what you deserve, whats not working, and what you want. Confidence helps you build relationships with those you manage, your peers, your customers, and your vendors. Without confidence you may be hoping to be noticed or wondering why your work isnt recognized.Here are things you should never (ever) apologize for at workThings That Are Out Of Your ControlAs a hard-working professional, there are certain parts of your career that you should take ownership of meeting deadlines, being an active participant in meetings and following directions. But regardless of industry, there are certain experiences and outcomes that frankly, you just cant control, no matter how well you do your job. A lot of those things are related to how other people, or other kollektivs, behave. Take for example if a client misinterprets you, and you thought you were very clear, Mertel says. You should go to the facts, relay them to your manager, and ask or suggest what should be done next. Skip the apology. While it can be an unfortunate situation that puts your company or manager in a bad light, if you did everything you could to do your job, you shouldnt apologize for a reaction that you couldnt predict.For Working Faster Than OthersSo your bestie likes to spend a lot of time catching up on the Facebook interwebs and on G-chat, but when it comes to her deadlines at work, shell wait until the last, hottest, second to submit her work. We all have different working styles, and while neither are right or wrong, neither warrant an apology, either. Sometimes, people feel uncomfortable if they hand in their portion of an assignment early. Its good to be prompt and responsible, explains Amy Cooper Hak im, Ph.D., an industrial-organizational psychology practitioner and workplace expert. Submitting work early shows that youve planned your time well and that you are organized and on top of things.For Standing Up When Something Doesnt Sit RightThough its true that no one likes a tattle-tale, its also true that your gut is the smartest source you have at your disposal. If you do see something that you know could pose a threat to an employee or the company as a whole, you have to follow that Spidey-sense and say something. If you state your truth, it may be uncomfortable but needed, Mertel says. If you witness an act against company policy, you should report it to menschenwrdig resources. It doesnt make sense to apologize to another for reporting them. You are simply prioritizing company policy and most likely your job in front of a friendship or relationship.For Being Vocal in a MeetingIts sometimes simpler to nod along instead of engaging your brain in every long meeting. But, if y oure not engaged, then youre not a productive member of the team. However, as business psychologist, career coach and content director, Kate Sullivan explains, if you do have a useful opinion in a meeting, you should never apologize for sharing it with the group.Dive right into your point.Meetings are meant for an exchange of ideas- if everything was completely decided and no input was needed, youd probably get a memo instead. So dont feel guilty for giving your input- thats what the meeting is for, she notes. Instead of apologizing for speaking- the dreaded Im sorry, but or Excuse me, but interjection- just speak up when theres a break in the dialogue. This is important If you really need to give yourself a lead-in, link it to what someone else is saying instead of apologizing for speaking. Try saying to build on what Dan just said or An interesting thing Jill, if you look at the figures, I think youll see thatJust make sure youre not talking so much that other people are shutting down.For Focusing on Your WorkThough water-cooler chit-chat can be engaging and ripe with gossip, its not a productive way to spend your workday, when really, youd probably rather get home to your partner or out to happy hour with your friends earlier than later. If one of your co-workers tries to loop you into a conversation, dont apologize for needing to get back to work. As Hakim says, youre there for a purpose and it doesnt need an explanation. Politely and directly, share that you have a deadline and look forward to chatting another time. But, never say that you are sorry for doing so.For Taking a Vacation or Personal DaysRepeat after us vacations are necessary. Did you say it out loud? No? Say it now. As Sullivan reminds us, breaks are not only needed but theyre healthy for our mental health and happiness. ur careers cant flourish unless we take time for self-care, and lounging on a beach or gallivanting about Europe will help you disconnect. Rather than skipping your vacation or apologizing for requesting time off, think about it as a financial transaction. How many vacation days do you have in the bank? Two weeks? How much is your average biweekly paycheck? Now think about giving up a full paycheck and working for free for two weeks. Doesnt feel great, huh?, Sullivan asks. Thats what giving up your vacation is- giving up compensation that youre owed. Apologizing for asking for part of your compensation doesnt make sense its like saying youre sorry for asking for your paycheck. Take your vacation with no guilt and no apologies. Youve literally earned itFor Setting Boundaries on Your Own TimeYou never need to say youre sorry for logging off, taking off or removing yourself from situations that make you uncomfortable as an employee. You work a certain set of hours in the day and its perfectly okay to not be available at midnight or on a Sunday. Be clear about when you will and wont work and stick to that without apologizing. Its your right to have persona l time- and itll set a good example for other people on your team to start dialing back their availability and putting some boundaries on their life balance, Sullivan says. That will help everyone on your team perform better, because theyll be able to recharge outside the office instead of constantly checking in.

7 Essential Habits of Incredibly Happy People

7 Essential Habits of Incredibly Happy People7 Essential Habits of Incredibly Happy PeopleMake these commitments to increase your happiness and improve your life.In her book The How of Happiness A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want, University of California-Riverside professor of psychology Sonja Lyubomirsky explains how each of us has the ability to attain greater happiness.According to her research, 50 percent of our happiness is determined by our genetics. Each of us is born with a genetically determined happiness set point says Lyubomirsky. Life circumstances, such as where we live, our marital status, our physical appearance, and our levels of wealth and health, have little bearing on our happiness only 10 percentThe good berichterstattung? Lyubomirsky says the remaining portion of our happiness 40 percent is within our control. Here are seven different ways you can consciously boost your happiness.Nurture your relationshipsTheres no denying the value of a stro ng professional network. In fact, the most successful professionals are often adept at networking. However, the personal connections you make offline are just as invaluable. People who maintain five or more close friendships tend to be happier, live longer and have a higher quality of life.Make time to visit with friends and loved ones. It may be convenient to text, email or tweet, but the happiest people make a point to nurture their close relationships face-to-face. Pick up the phone, call your best friend, and schedule a coffee date ASAP.Actively pursue your goalsWhen was the last time you thought about your long-term goals ? According to David Niven, author of 100 Simple Secrets of the Best Half of Life, those who could identify a goal they were pursuing were 19 percent more likely to feel satisfied with their lives and 26 percent more likely to feel positive about themselves.Take some time this week to write down your goals. Then, break your goals into smaller, more manageable chunks so youre less likely to get overwhelmed and discouraged. Click on the following link for more tips on goal-setting.Help othersAccording to studies, giving back to the community has the power to boost your happiness and the happiness of those around you. It doesnt matter whether you regularly do community service or randomly perform acts of kindness. When you help others, you increase your self-confidence and self-esteem and reduce your risk of depression. As an added bonus, volunteering is a great way to boost your job search.Want to get involved in a cause you truly care about? Visit sites like VolunteerMatch.org and All for Good to find the right opportunity for youLet go of resentmentForgiving and forgetting may be easier said than done, but experts say its a necessary step to achieving greater happiness. According to the Mayo Clinic, if youre holding a grudge, youre also holding on to negative emotions that are standing in the way of your own happiness. When youre able to let go of your bitterness and embrace forgiveness, youre freeing up more space for positive emotions. Unsure how to begin this healing process? Check out Huffington Posts article on the best way to get over a grudge.Express your gratitudeA survey by Ladders found that saying thank you isnt just a polite gesture its an essential part of the einstellungsgesprch process. However, showing gratitude does more than simply boost your job search. Those who regularly reflect on the things theyre thankful for sleep better, feel more alive and are overall happier. According to Robert Emmons, UC Davis psychologist and author of Thanks How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, simply keeping a gratitude journal where you document moments for which youre thankful can considerably improve your well-being and life satisfaction.Take the first step to expressing more gratitude by participating in Huffington Posts 10-day gratitude challenge and see how it affects your outlook on life. Click on the following link to read more about the science behind gratitude.Get movingIts no surprise that exercise can improve your health, but did you know that it also has the ability to increase your long-term happiness? Studies have found that regular exercise can relieve stress, release endorphins, boost your immune system and improve your mood. If your crazy workload has usurped your exercise routine, nows the time to get yourself back on track. Dont have time for the gym? Check out Forbes list of exercises you can do at your desk.Stop trying to have it all Its difficult for high achievers to accept the fact that they cant have it all. But the simple truth is you cant excel in every role you take on at the saatkorn time. In fact, research shows that those who attempt to get it all done work, play, family, et al. are at a greater risk for depression due to the increasing pressure they put on themselves. Instead of trying to have it all, Barnard College president Debora Spar recommends focusing on having what matters most.Eric Sinoway, co-author of Howards Gift Uncommon Wisdom to Inspire Your Lifes Work, agrees. As you progress in your career and life, more responsibilities and opportunities will come your way. At some point youll need to drop something to maintain your balance. The key, says Sinoway, is to consciously decide what to relinquish rather than accidentally let go of the most important item.Want to learn more? Check out this cool infographic created by Happify, which breaks down the science behind happiness in easy to understand, tangible ways.

Considering a Career Change 3 Unexpected Industries for Baby Boomers

Considering a Career Change 3 Unexpected Industries for Baby Boomers Considering a Career Change 3 Unexpected Industries for Baby Boomers Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. - Nelson MandelaYou can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude. - Eleanor RooseveltWhen people are ready to, they change. You cant make them change if they dont want to, just like when they do want to, you cant stop them. - Andy WarholAs evidenced by the famous quotes above, change means something different to each of us. Yet most people agree on one aspect of change its hard.Making a career changeis difficult in todays job market- and it can be even more trying if youre a Baby Boomer. Youve seen the working world move from a set of steady 30-year career tracks into recession and then emerge as a totally different animal. Career change can be overwhelming and frustrating, but its all worth it when you find the right fit. As you forgeahead, consider thes e three industries for your new career path . . .they may surprise you.1. Finance.Think finance is only for fresh-faced master of business administration graduates? Think again. As reported by TIME.com earlier this year, portions of the financial sector are making room forworkers over 50. Barclays and (to a lesser extent) Goldman Sachshave both implemented programs designed to bring the skillsof older job seekers into their businesses. These companies value the life experiences Baby Boomers bring to the table and may be a good career change fit. After all, would you rather apply for a loan from someone still awash in debt or a longtime homeowner who knows her way around a mortgage?2. Green jobs.For many Baby Boomers, career change isnt just about paying the bills. Its a search for something that matters. An encore career, as its been dubbed, is an excellent way to both work and contribute to a greater cause. If sustainability and the environment are important to you, consider a gree n job. Green jobs span a wide range of industries and can help you connect with your local community. Whether as a recycling plant worker or an energy services consultant, going green may save you from career burnout blues.3. Healthcare.Specifically, retirement care. This might seem odd given that many Baby Boomerswill soon be implementing their own retirement plans. However, the number of jobs available in continuing care is poised to grow by 21 percent over the next five years. And the diversity of job types available within that sector makes it an attractive, flexible career change choice. Other health sector employers, such as the National Institutes of Health, specifically place a premium on caring for and retaining workers aged 50+.(One of their biomedical researchers is 95)Michael Jordan (who turned 52 this year, making him quite a successful Baby Boomer) said it well, I thinkIf you accept the expectations of others, especially the negative ones, then you never will change th e outcome.There are countless reasons for Baby Boomers to seek a career change, from flexibility to finances to a desire to give back. Much of the career advice offered to Baby Boomers who wish to continue working focuses on work that, put politely, might be described as less than engaging. Considering the possibilities available, Baby Boomers could instead turn to one of these three exciting career paths.