5 habits that will make you more productive at work

5 habits that will make you more productive at work5 habits that will make you more productive at workWhen most of us brainstorm how to improve our wertzuwachs at work, we think of trying harder and putting in more hours. But the truth is, our productivity is also affected by habits we never stop to consider - habits that sometimes seem to have nothing to do with our jobs.In this post, Ill point out five areas you should be focusing on if you want to get more done in less time at work, set yourself apart as a top performer, and accelerate your career.1. Schedule your day around your energy levelsMany people simply write out their tasks on a to-do list and attack them one by one. Others abflug their day with easy projects to build momentum. And some people eat their frog first - which means trying to get your most important task out of the way in the morning. But bestselling author Dan Pink has a different approach to scheduling. Pink explains that our bodies follow unique biologica l rhythms that affect our energy levels and mood. Generally, your energy will peak and dip at roughly the same time every day, and if you schedule around these cycles, you can accomplish more work in less time.According to Pink, we should schedule analytical work, projects require focus and attention to detail, when were most awake and alert. Administrative work, like responding to emails, is a smart choice for the hours when our energy dips. And creative work is great for the times in between, when were a bit less focused and alert than our peak, which helps our minds consider out of the kasten ideas.2. Be intentional with how you spend your downtimeWhether its a vacation, a weekend, or just the hours after you go home from the office, what you do during your downtime can have a big effect on your performance at work. Make sure you spend this time intentionally, prioritizing healthy sleep and activities that help you relax and recharge, so you can come back to work refreshed. 3. Be discerning when it comes to who you hang out withIt was Jim Rohn who famously observed, You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Even if youve heard that saying before, take a minute to ask yourself, Who are the five people I currently spend the most time with? What are some of the habits each of those relationships inspires in my life? Who are some people I would be smart to spend more time with? Is there anyone I should consider spending less time with?Its worth noting, this proximity effect doesnt only apply to friends in your personal life. Studies show the people you sit next to at work have a big impact on your performance too. Researchers from Northwesterns Kellogg School of Management analyzed the performance of employees at a large technology firm. They found that workers who sat within 25 feet of a top performer were 15% more effective than those who worked farther away.4. Pay attention to what you eatProfessional athletes are strict with what food they put in their bodies. They recognize that the wrong meal could have a big impact on their performance. Surprisingly, the same is true for those of us who work at a desk. The food we eat can fill us with energy and focus or leave us feeling drowsy and distracted. Dr. Ron Friedman, Author of The Best Place to Work, offers two actionable suggestions to help us eat for productivity. First, consider eating smaller meals throughout the day to avoid the highs and lows of energy that follow big, spaced-out meals. Second, be careful with highly processed foods (pasta, cereal, soda, etc) which lead to a short burst of energy followed by a slump.If youre looking for ways to make eating healthy foods more convenient, smoothie subscription services like Green Blender, Daily Harvest, and Sub-Zero Superfoods are great options because they send you easy-to-prepare ingredients for tasty superfood smoothies you can sip at your desk. Or if you find yourself relying on drive-through dinners be cause youre still learning how to cook, meal delivery companies like Blue Apron or Hello Fresh can be a huge asset because they send you pre-portioned ingredients and clear instructions to help you start preparing healthy home-cooked meals. 5. Set aside time for reflectionSome of us are so busy working in our jobs that we forget to pull back and invest in our own development. Elite performers accelerate their careers by working smarter than everyone around them. And since each of us is unique, different strategies will work for different people. Thats why its so important to schedule time at least once a month to pause and reflect on how your work is going. Consider giving yourself a performance review where you ask the following questionsWhat was my most productive day this week? Did I do anything differently that day?Whats an area of work that drains my time and energy? How can I do this smarter?Whats an area of work where Ive been trying to improve? Am I seeing progress? Each of these questions is powerful, but its the second one thats been having a big impact on my life lately. It helped me realize just how much time I was spending in my inbox - not really getting anything done, just maintaining the status quo. This led to several changes in my life. A simple one was installing Grammarly to review my emails for me, which cut my proofreading and editing time down significantly and helps me reply to emails faster. You dont always have to put in more hours or even try harder to improve your performance at work. Each of the 6 strategies Ive shared can help you become more consistently productive, and the most customized insights will come from this final approach - learning from your daily experience through intentional, consistent reflection.Kyle Young is helping creative people achieve big goals that matter.

Top 10 Ways to Show Your Appreciation to Employees

Top 10 Ways to Show Your Appreciation to EmployeesTop 10 Ways to Show Your Appreciation to EmployeesYou can tell your colleagues, coworkers, and employees how much you value them and their contribution any day of the year. Trust this. No occasion is necessary. In fact, small surprises and tokens of your appreciation spread throughout the year help the people in your work life feel valued by you all year long. Looking for ideas about how to praise and thank co-workers and employees? The opportunities are endless and limited only by your imagination. Dont reserve your appreciation for special occasions, but make it standard practice to thank employees regularly, let employees know you care and promote their happiness at work. You can also get in touch with what you appreciate from your coworkers at work. While every employee has different needs for appreciation, your own needs can serve you well as a starting point. 10 Great Ways to Express Your Appreciation to Employees at Work He re are ten ways to show your appreciation to employees and coworkers. Why dont you go ahead and make their day? Praise a job well done. Identify the specific actions that you found admirable. This praise feels sincere since you took the time to spell out details- not just, You did a good job. You also emphasize the actions that youd like to see the employee do more often and everybody benefits when people experience clear direction.Say thank you. Show your appreciation for their hard work and contributions. And, dont forget to say please often as well. Social niceties do belong at work. A more gracious, polite, civilized workplace is appreciated by all. Learn your co-workers interests. Questions and acknowledgments about their family, their hobby, their weekend or a special darbietung they attended are always welcome. Your genuine interest- as opposed to being nosey- causes people to feel valued and cared about. Demonstrate this interest regularly by asking questions such as, How di d Johnnys tournament turn out this weekend?Offer flexible scheduling. If work coverage is critical, post a calendar so people can balance their time off with that of their coworkers. (Note that a flexible work schedule is a benefit that employees desire all of the time.) Present a personalized gesundheitsgefhrdender stoff. Know your coworkers interests well enough to present a small gift occasionally. An appreciated gift and the gesture of providing it will light up your coworkers day. A greeting card serves the same purpose. You can give a card for no reason at all, to celebrate a special day such as a birthday, or to offer sympathy when a coworker is ill or experiences a family death.Give financial incentives. End of the year bonuses, attendance bonuses, quarterly bonuses, and gift certificates say thank you quite nicely. Treat them to a meal. Take coworkers or staff to lunch for a birthday, a special occasion or for no reason at all. Let your guest pick the restaurant. Or, order pizza or lunch from a caterer or a store that delivers. Schedule a brunch for a team that has met its current goals and over-delivers on its promised timeline.Create a fun tradition. ReCellular employees draw names for their Secret Santa gift exchange. Alison Doyle, a job searching expert, used to work in Career Services at Skidmore College where they did a gift grab at their annual holiday party.LuAnn Johnson, who works in Human Resources at the Schaller Anderson Mercy Care Plan says, We celebrate Treat Tuesday, every Tuesday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We match up departments or people who dont normally work together as a unit and assign a day to provide gooey, healthy or scrumptious treats for the other groups. Its a great mixer, an opportunity to show off our culinary skills and a morale builder- to say nothing of the sugar high. Bring in little surprises. Offerings such as cookies or cupcakes, particularly anything that youve baked personally, are a huge hit. (Have you tried baking cupcakes in ice cream cones? People love them.) Another hit? Bring chocolate- chocolate anything.Provide opportunity for advancement. People want chances for training and cross-training. They want to participate in a special committee where their talents are noticed. They like to attend professional association meetings and represent your organization at civic and philanthropic events. Do you currently have only your executives attending these events? Spread the wealth of opportunity to all employees. They will genuinely appreciate the opportunities. Employee appreciation is never out-of-place. In fact, in many organizations, its often a scarce commodity. Make your workplace the exception. Use every opportunity to demonstrate your gratitude and appreciation to employees.

The Not-to-Do List 10 Job Search Tactics to Stop Now

The Not-to-Do List 10 Job Search Tactics to Stop NowThe Not-to-Do List 10 Job Search Tactics to Stop Now3There is so much information available about how to job search and what to do to get the job. However, many job binnenseekers often wonder where they have gone wrong. Below is our not-to-do list for job searching, including 10 job search tactics to stop now. You may be surprised to find that you are making mistakes in your job search and not even know it.Here are 10 Jobs Search Tactics to Stop NowApplying for Every JobApplying for every job listing you come across is not an effective way to spend your time when job searching. While you may think of it as getting your resume out in order to get a job, instead you are actually hurting your chances of ever hearing back. Use your time more wisely to find jobs that you are qualified for.Sending Formulaic Letters/ResumesMany hiring companies provide specific instructions as to what they want to see on a cover letter and resume. Dont sen d them pre-written form letters that do not address these requirements. Not only does it show you cant follow their directions, it hurts your chances of getting a call for an interview.Being UnprofessionalWhen you are trying to get a professional job, you must act like a professional. Use a professional style email, avoid using slang in your documents, and if you get an interview, make sure you are dressed appropriately.Not Following UpBy following up with the hiring parties after phone calls and interviews, you can increase your chances of being remembered and being considered for the job. Saying thank you is a simple gesture that goes a long way.ProcrastinatingWaiting until the very last minute to submit an application, to return emails or phone calls, or to send in required documents is a good way to keep yourself out of the running. Make sure to be prompt in your responses to all communications and requests from the company.Being InconsistentThis applies to how you act and what your social media pages say. HR managers ARE looking at social media sites and if you come to an interview acting like a professional, but your facebook inc page is littered with inappropriate pictures and posts, you may find you never hear back. If you talk the talk, walk the walk.Using One Method of Job SearchingWhile you may find some success by only using one method of job searching, you can greatly increase your chances of finding open jobs by using different forms of job searching. Make sure to use your network, search online, use targeted keywords, attend job fairs, and check out professional organizations. Dont limit yourself.Not NetworkingSome jobs are never publicly advertised. By networking you can open up opportunities that you may have never been able to find on your own. For those who hate networking, a small network is better than no network.Being UnrealisticThere are so many ways this can hurt your job search. From overselling yourself to thinking you should have eve ry job you apply for, being unrealistic in your own skill level and in what you expect from the employer can be detrimental. Step back and analyze things before being too demanding- or not demanding enough.MiscommunicationThere is a pretty narrow path to follow when it comes to staying in communication with hiring companies. If you are not prompt in returning emails and phone calls, it can give the impression that you are not reliable. On the other side is the act of over-communicating. While you dont want to take too long to respond to communications, you also dont want to be overbearing and annoying by sending emails every few hours until you hear something.Although it sounds like job seekers need to walk a fine line when trying to get a job, it is really about finding balance and being persistent. There is no doubt that a job search is hard work. However, by being mindful of details, acting professionally, and making sure to keep an open mind, it may be a bit easier to find the j ob you have been looking for all along.Readers, what other job search tactics should you not partake in? Share your tips with us in the comment section below

Vets at the Ready to Fill Green Industry Jobs

Vets at the Ready to Fill Green Industry JobsVets at the Ready to Fill Green Industry JobsVets at the Ready to Fill Green Industry JobsApril 24, 2012 Blaszczyk, Managing Editor, Resource CenterFrom wind turbine technicians to solar panel installers, the demand for green industry jobs is growing.Who is best positioned to fill the demand for these green jobs?Our nations Veterans, says John Toth, Senior Director of Veterans Programs at Veterans Green Jobs.The non-profit organization is calling on all green employers to look at the many benefits that Veterans provide in helping fill green industry jobs.The organizations Veterans Green Force program matches Veterans military experience and career interests to the skills needed by green sector employers, linking them to training and educational programs and ultimately available green jobs.The program has already trained and placed hundreds of Veterans in outdoor conservation and home energy efficiency jobs.We spoke with Lieutenant Colonel (Retired, U.S. Army) John Tothfrom the Veterans Green Jobs Denver headquarters.MONSTER How can Veterans Green Jobs help employers find the talent they need particularly growing companies that have larger hiring needs?TOTH We go out and connect with Veterans, sit down with them one-on-one, learn their job skills and career goals, and then match them with employers.We want to build relationships with both the Veteran and the employers to meet both their needsMONSTER What are some of the success stories youve facilitated in matching Veterans skills with the green job industry?TOTH Dan Conerdis one of our success stories. He came to us two years ago and we recommended he look into the solar degree program at Red Rocks Community College.Recently, after earning his diploma, he returned to us and we were able to find him a job with one of our industry partners Namaste Solar.MONSTER What are some of the new job opportunities youre seeing for hiring Veteransin green technology jobs?TOTH The re really are multiple opportunities out there, depending on your skill set and you career goals.When people think of green industry, they think in terms of solar and wind power.The reality is that there are many different avenues Veterans can pursue including recycling, green builders, energy efficiency, natural gas distribution, and green agriculture.MONSTER What job skills do Veterans possess that align with green industry jobs?TOTH Veterans have a strong work ethic, a team oriented approach, an ability to adapt to adverse conditions, and a desire to continue giving back to the community.MONSTER Does military training and experience enable Veterans to hit the ground running in a new job?TOTH I think it does in terms of their ability to quickly adapt to a new situation and immediately make a contribution to the organization based on the leadership skills, initiative, and motivation they bring to the workplace.Ultimately they will still have to learn new procedures and the companys way of doing things, but they are used to change and can switch roles quickly and efficiently.MONSTER Are Veterans better able to relocate for a job mora so say than the general population?TOTHI dont think they necessarily like relocating, especially if they have kids in school and spouses with jobs but given the nature of the military, they are used to moving every 2-3 years and can handle the process better than someone who is new to the experience.MONSTER How are employers repurposing Veteran skills to meet the demand for green industry jobs?TOTH Solar industry employers are hiring Veterans who have experience in construction and training them to install solar panels on residential rooftops. Veterans to Farmersis training Veterans how to be successful in sustainable agriculture.MONSTER What about the Returning Heroes Tax Credit how can such tax credits help employers?TOTH Well, its a financial benefit to the company.A tax credit of $2,400 for a Veteran who has been unemployed a t least four weeks and up to $5,600 for a Veteran who is unemployed longer than six months is a great way to offset the potential expense for providing training for that new employee.Read more Veteran Employment ResourcesLearn More about Hiring a VeteranHire a Veteran to Fight the Battle of Business Uncertainty

Ruthless What Is C V Resume Strategies Exploited

Ruthless What Is C V Resume Strategies Exploited Using What Is C V Resume A CV can fluctuate from two pages to a number of pages. By abiding By a template, you will be in a position to swiftly create your curriculum vitae. You are able to also see Resume Templates. This template provides you with an illustration of what things to have in your CV and shows the proper format for a curriculum vitae. In your Resume or CV do elend concentrate on your achievements, pay attention to your value-add that you have done. 1 page resumes work very nicely with recruiters whore made to read through many resumes each day. A Combination Resume is also called the Hybrid Resume. The Benefits of What Is C V Resume There are several things that you can do. Are there any benefits of Telling Lies and Not Speaking the Truth We reside in a society where its challenging to think of a day whenever you dont come across an individual who isnt lying or a circumstance when youre not being lied to. Ex plain that youre choosing an interview and seek their help. Every individuals resume looks slightly different. Bear in mind, valuable transferable skills are developed and demonstrated in a wide assortment of activities that you might have undertaken. A CV may also be described as an advertising device an individual uses to endorse himself. Frequently, the application instructions for a specific position will state if a CV or resume is requested. Even if your information is in bullet format, it may still be hard to quickly recognize the pertinent abilities and accomplishments which are important to the possible employer. The Hidden Treasure of What Is C V Resume When applying for certain kinds of positions in the USA, and for fruchtwein international employment and educational opportunities, you will require a curriculum vitae, commonly called a CV. If your resume is sufficiently impressive, the prospective employer will subsequently get in touch with your references that h ave been hand-picked to provide you the very best recommendation. So, when you put in an application for work in Greece, the united kingdom, or Denmark, your prospective employer will ask you for a CV. In a CV, for instance, if youre asking for work in education, you may want to set your teaching experience at the very top of your CV. In america, the primary difference between a CV and a resume is the function of the documents. Resume CV is a little bit of a misnomer. Whether or not you take advantage of a CV or resume, you must thoroughly edit your document. Your CV may include everything which youve done up to now. In america and Canada, theres a difference between a CV and a resume. Once your resume is prepared then you may use numerous on-line job sites which focus on Malaysia. Every industry differs and you should be certain that your resume reflects your industrys standards. If youre facing any challenge associated with HR domain, please dont hesitate to connect. If you are uncertain, its worth your time to get hold of the agency and ask which would be most suitable for the position. Whats important is to make sure everything on your resume is vital. Consider why you are interested in getting the job they are providing and compose an objective that will demonstrate you have paid attention to what they need, and you have a reason behind wanting the job. If your resume isnt up to date you may not obtain the job of your dreams. An Objective is what kind of job that you want to find. The OBJECTIVE section could possibly be tailored to every job youre applying for, while the remainder of the resume stays the exact same. Its possible to make your resume information and formatting stick out from all of the rest submitted for work by exerting a good, superior, recognizable personal brand. Dont neglect to name the many computer programs youve mastered Make a thorough collection of the info that youll need to include, and use it in order to co mpile your CV. Its far better keep a resume to a single page and pull out any unnecessary details. If you get a personal site, published writing samples, or a web-based portfolio, link that in your Contact Information section, provided that its related to your preferred job. Again, youll need to be mindful not to give up an excessive amount of info. You always need to have a fundamental draft of your resume available, even when you arent currently on the lookout for employment. Show which you have skills about the job that you would like. Consistency plays a significant part in developing a streamlined, professional appearance. When applying for employment, the candidate should carefully read the work description, identify the essential abilities and demands of the job and after that tailor their resume to coincide with the job. So brush up on your resume skills and be sure that your resume is up to date whenever youre looking for employment. Imagine youre the interviewer.

Untold Stories About Sample Resume Pdf You Need to Read or Be Left Out

Untold Stories About Sample Resume Pdf You Need to Read or Be Left Out Whichever format you select, it should make you become selected for the job youre applying for. Theres so many to pick from in his package that theres no use in describing a number of the features, because youll certainly be able to get what you need within. Most resume templates may be used to apply for different kinds of jobs. The style of resume you will use greatly is dependent on yur professional work background and qualifications. Where to Find Sample Resume Pdf The resume format sample ought to be accomplished well. Whatever you want to accomplish by writing your eBook, or whatever reason youve got for creating it in that particular format, its imperative that you understand the method by which the message is driven by the objective. There are several online resume maker tools which will aya help you to have a resume in pdf format only as long as you pay them. Simple resume formats assist you in m aking your resume. The Good, the Bad and Sample Resume Pdf Giving a PDF copy will be a better choice. Creating a resume with the assistance of a template can help you become mindful of the resume areas that you should fill. Employing a resume template is extremely useful in making your professional profile. It has become an acceptable and smart practice for a number of reasons. Sample Resume Pdf Explained LinkedIn plays a crucial part in Job hiring procedure and frequently the job seekers will appreciate if its provided. Research about the technical skills needed for the work position that youre applying for. HR will be quite so impressed with your resume they might even ask how you built it. If thats the case, dont fret about what it appears like, because it is going to be consistent with the other resumes in the database. The Argument About Sample Resume Pdf For managers, it can be advantageous to acquire an expert design and fashion mainly because it is going to suppl y a fantastic impression to all your future businesses. There are many techniques to compose a resume. Wiki claims A functional resume format is widely employed by men and women with 1 to 3 decades of experience. There are varieties of general resume types youre able to follow based on what sort of approach you want your resume to have in applying for your preferred job. Understanding Sample Resume Pdf Furthermore, there are a number of set of internet templates on the web. Resume Templates also be sure that you dont miss out any practical object of information about yourself which can be important for the business. You might need to edit your resume within the text box to ensure it still appears professional. The Sample Resume Pdf Game As soon as you have created a resume employing a work search engine resume builder, the website will make it possible for you to share it together with employers on precisely the same job search engine. When applying for jobs on the websit e, you merely should click the saved resume you created on the website. To save a whole lot of heartache later on, make sure you use our resume builder to create a document that could be easily transferred to different job applications. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that can help you get your fantasy job.

A Startling Fact about Best Free Resume Builder Uncovered

A Startling Fact about Best Free Resume Builder Uncovered The users input is a significant component of our reviews. The user interface is a little outdated, but still quite easy to use. Getting the most of schablones and developing a CV by employing a resume building tafelgeschirr can definitely make things a good deal simpler. Now, take a look at best free online resume builder websites. You will be able to use their absolutely free online resume builder and make cover letters and a personal site. Not many websites are targeted, therefore we provide you with a few of the greatest online resume builders. You may think that there are already dozens of free resume building services out there in the internet world. Understanding Best Free Resume Builder The resume that is when submitting for jobs is possibly the most vital part of performing the work search today. Someone claims that resumes are dead and its important to have social media, but practice indicates that recruit ers continue to find applicants resume, choose more relevant ones and just then connect with applicants. To begin with, as soon as the recruiters go through your resume, they receive a very first impression of your profile. As an issue of fact, on an average, the majority of the recruiters do not start looking for at least 6 seconds at a resume. The Death of Best Free Resume Builder Unfortunately, if you would like to print or download that resume, you must pay at least $2.50. So, My Resume Builder is very helpful in creating an awesome ready-to-go resume. My Resume Builder can help you create a fantastic resume with the support of its tools. Resume building doesnt need to be as hard as it once was. Resume Builder The resume building process is extremely straightforward. Our resume builder wont bother you with any kind of annoying watermarks. Resume Builder The resume builder is extremely simple to use. So far as features are involved, its much more versatile. You also r eceive the choice to settle on a template from the bunch of beautiful resume templets out there. There are many templates to select from ranging from the traditional formats of conventional resumes to more modern entwurfs which are getting more popular (see example above). The site supplies a gamut of formats to pick from. By making use of a template, you receive a feeling of what information to include in your resume and the way to arrange it. Speaking of the premium templates, when you produce a new resume and decide on a template to work with, the selection page is a little too stylized, or so the template selections look as a mishmash of ads instead of an organized list. In reality, you could pick from other examples templates to have you started. The Free Resume Builder helps prepare resumes even when you dont possess the slightest idea on how best to do so utilizing a seven step procedure. Nowadays, its a lot easier to create an ideal CV with the aid of some relevant ap plications. With the usage of Smart Resume Builder, you will prevent the mistakes while making CV which might cost you a great job Several formats and designs to pick from, Resume Now-Resume builder is the ideal spot to earn job winning resumes. Using Best Free Resume Builder Finding a resume facing an authentic human is step one in the work interview approach. Only 3 steps which you want to complete to be a step closer to a job of your dream. There isnt any time for procrastination once it comes to getting your perfect job. The ideal thing is that you can observe a choice to check grammatical mistakes, which is crucial as you are unable to afford an error in your resume or CV. It is possible to receive an exceptional URL for your resume that it is possible to use. A great description functions as a possible organic advertisement and encourages the viewer to click through to your website. Double check to make certain that everything on the last version of the resume is a bout you. What the In-Crowd Wont Tell You About Best Free Resume Builder A basic resume is also simpler to read. You may download your ready resume in numerous formats. Best Features Very user friendly. Share your work when youre completely satisfied with your design and work, you can share it to the world via your social networking accounts, personal site, or quite a few different channels you might utilize. Free resume builders help you to save money, but you must consider what youre giving up in return. Its possible to follow resume examples to get inspired, but you have to never copy somebody elses work. Once you have gained enough knowledge, you might get started building your own.

Federal Employees Retirement System

Federal Employees Retirement SystemFederal Employees Retirement SystemThe Federal Employees Retirement System is the primary mechanism for US government employees to save for retirement. It consists of three components a pension, a savings plan and Social Security. The History of FERS FERS was created by the US Congress in 1986 and became effective at the beginning of 1987. It was meant to replace the Civil Service Retirement System that federal employees participated in before 1987. When FERS began, CSRS workers could switch to FERS. bedrngnis all did, so the US Office of Personnel Management maintains two retirement systems. The most basic difference between the two lies in the robustness of each plan. CSRS is strictly a pension program whereas FERS provides federal workers with three mechanisms for retirement savings. The Three Components of FERS These mechanisms are Social Security, Basic Benefit Plan and Thrift Savings Plan. These three components diversify a federal wo rkers retirement income sources. Together, these three pieces of the retirement puzzle are designed to give a retiree a life at a similar standard of living the retiree had during his or her working life. A stable retirement is one of the biggest perks government service offers. Together, the three components have elements of both defined contribution and defined benefit plans. In defined contribution plans, retirees know precisely what they will receive each month of retirement regardless of what the stock market does. In defined benefit plans, employees contribute a specified amount to be invested in any number of investment vehicles. Market forces dictate how much the investment grows. 1 Social Security The first component of FERS is Social Security. Federal workers contribute to social security like almost all other citizens who work. Federal workers under CSRS do bedrngnis participate in Social Security. Some state and local government retirement systems allow their workers to opt out of Social Security, so they neither contribute to that system nor receive and benefits from it. Social Security provides a safety net for workers most commonly in the form of regular monthly income to workers who become disabled or retire after contributing to the system through federal payroll taxes over the course of their careers. 2 Basic Benefit Plan The second component is an annuity call the Basic Benefit Plan. Federal workers contribute a small percentage of their paycheck, and that money goes toward paying current retirees. When current workers become retirees, they draw their benefits from the contributions of workers at that time. It sounds like a Ponzi scheme, but as long as time goes on, there will always be contributors to the system. Between the creation of FERS and 2012, all federal workers contributed 0.8% of their paycheck to the Basic Benefit Plan. Starting in 2013, new federal workers contribute 3.1%. Workers who were hired before 2013 still contribute t he original 0.8%. The law increasing the contribution rate was passed in February 2012 predominantly to pay for a payroll tax cut extension for all US workers, not just for federal employees. The amount of money a retiree receives depends on that retirees years of service and how much money that individual earned in his or her three highest earning years. Plan rules define the exact calculations for regular retirement benefits, disability benefits, survivor benefits and how cost-of-living adjustments are applied. 3 Thrift Savings Plan The third component is the Thrift Savings Plan, which is similar to a 401(k) that any American can have on their own or through an employer. The US government kicks in an amount equivalent to 1.0% of the employees pay. Federal employees can contribute more, and the government will match it up to a certain percentage. Earnings on contributions grow tax-free.Not participating to the fullest in any plan where your employer matches your contribution is si mply giving away free money. Becoming Eligible to Retire To retire, federal workers must have a nadir number of years of service and meet a minimum age requirement. For federal workers born in 1970 or later, the minimum retirement age is 57. Older workers have a younger minimum retirement age. The minimum age rose incrementally between 1948 and 1970. Note The content of this article is for informational purposes only. This article is not intended to give tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for tax advice.

How to deal with a meditation meltdown

How to deal with a meditation meltdownHow to deal with a meditation meltdownWe hear the hype all the time Ten minutes of meditation a day keeps the doctor away. Actually, I dont think anyone really uses that phrase, but the message is there. People are always talking about how great meditation is for us and the positive impact it can make on our well-being and consciousness.I welches completely bought in. Alongside my 30-day partner in crime, Carly, I committed to an entire month of daily, 10-minute meditations. At first, Om was the word. I was waking up early to get the meditations in and was laser-focused on my audio-guided zen for about 10 days. Then a gluten-free pumpkin muffin happened and it was all down hill from there.Am I really blaming a GF Muffin on failing miserably at my meditation challenge? No. But its the first day I remember being completely unable to focus and feeling uncommitted to my self-imposed challenge. As the month went by and I missed day after day of medita tions to the point I saw no reason to try and salvage the challenge, I put the feelings of guilt on the back burner.However, when my calendar reminder went off saying Meditation Challenge Over Write About It I realized the most beneficial thing to do was not hide the fact I effed this one up, but rather own my own failure and assess what it was that led to my lack of committment.So heres the dirty on my meditation meltdownI did it for the wrong reasons In the same way that they tell you not to diet but instead to make a lifestyle changethe same should be true of meditation. I conceived this meditation challenge not because I wanted to make a positive, peaceful impact on my consciousness longterm but because I was so bogged down analyzing, analyzing and re-analyzing a manfriend situation that I felt like I was going crazy and needed something, anything (other than Xanax or wine) to fix it and cure my emotional breakdown ASAP. Thus, the entire commitment to meditation was born out of a quick-fix mentality. Never a recipe for success.I found SoulCycle Workouts are my stress antidote. If Im in a weird mental space, an intense sweat will get me out of that funk at lightening speed. I know this about myself so it makes total sense that once I started hitting SoulCycle a few times a week, I felt at more peace mentally than I had at any point in my meditations. Its nice to be validated even further that this is the most potent form of calm for me. We should all take the time to figure out what this healthy release looks like for us.Im not perfect My mom would probably tell you I think otherwise LOL But reallywere only supposed to be meeting 50% of our goals anyhow or theyre not lofty enough. So Im going to chalk this one up to falling in that unmet other half. And the greatest significance we can all take away from my mini failure of sorts is that unmet goals are a-okay as long as we learn something in the process and use that to demystify our own parameters for succe ss.Have you had any failed challenges or goals recently? Howd you move past them?This article was originally posted on MaxieMcCoy.com.