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Employees Are on Smart Phones While Driving – and What’s An Employer Got to Do With It?

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March 10, 2010 at 10:13 am

There are six words that, when used together, can cause a bit of anxiety (no, I’m not talking about So You Think You Can Dance?).

Consider this scenario: Your employee is rushing to get to work. He or she is driving a car, one hand on the wheel — and one hand on the smart phone. Every once in a while your employee anxiously glances down at the phone, anticipating the inevitable work correspondence. Your employee doesn’t have to wait long, because five minutes into the drive, you, the frazzled boss who’s up early and thinking about a project, decides to e-mail said employee, knowing full well your employee will check the message right away – and feel compelled to respond. You type those six very important words: What is the status on this?

You hit send.

This type of situation may be more of a problem than you realize. Whether you’re a boss who’s always connected and expects the same of your employees, or you’re an employee who feels pressured to be “on” at all times, even while driving – you may need to slow down a bit. According to the results of a new CareerBuilder survey of more than 5,200 workers, more than half (54 percent) of workers who have a smart phone or similar device said they check it when driving a vehicle — and many are risking safety on the road because they feel pressured to respond.

Which Industries are Most Connected On the Commute?

In comparing industries:

  • Sixty-six percent of sales workers used their smart phones while driving, more than any other group surveyed.
  • They were followed by  professional and business services workers (59 percent).
  • Health care workers were third in terms of industry use (50 percent).

How Bad Is It?

It’s bad enough that almost of quarter (21 percent) of workers say they check their mobile device every time it vibrates or beeps — but worse that 18 percent report they are required by their company to be accessible beyond office hours via mobile device. In addition, 14 percent of workers said they feel obligated to constantly stay in touch with work because of the current tough economy.

It’s true that the lines between work and home lives are often blurry at best due to our ability to be connected in so many ways and at all hours of the day. It’s important for bosses to keep in mind, however, that if employees are not at work and you require them to correspond or make work decisions, there’s a possibility you could be putting them in danger.

And while it’s also true that employees are not always in the precarious position of driving while texting or e-mailing, consider that your employees have personal lives just like you. By corresponding during off-hours, you may be forcing them to respond while they’re mid-first-date (and nervous to begin with), enjoying a Broadway show, praying, or even attending to other “personal business” — in the bathroom. Workers with smart phones said they are checking in with the office on their smart phones from virtually anywhere and everywhere, including:

  • During a meal:  62 percent
  • On vacation:  60 percent
  • While in the bathroom:  57 percent
  • Lying in bed at night:  50 percent
  • At a movie, play, or musical:  25 percent
  • On a date:  18 percent
  • Working out at the gym:  17 percent
  • At a child’s event of function:  17 percent
  • At church:  11 percent

Think Before You Hit “Send”

While sometimes communication outside of the office may be necessary, consider your options before contacting — and decide whether the message you’re communicating is important enough to hit “send” regardless of where your employee may be at that moment. And think of your frequency — are you abusing your power as an employer, as well as your employee’s time? Or are you acting in good faith?

“It is challenging for workers to maintain a good work/life balance when they are constantly connected to the office, so turning their devices off is important for their health and safety,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder. “The lines between work and life can be very blurry these days – 17 percent of workers said they feel like their work day never ends because of technology connecting them to the office. To reduce burnout and avoid potentially risky behavior, workers should allot technology-free time when away from work.”

Consider the three tips below to help you and your employee to work together on a work/life balance:

  • Encourage employees to turn off the smart phone while driving. Not only is it illegal in many states, but using a mobile device while driving is dangerous to both your employee and others on the road. Let your employees know that if it’s necessary to leave his or her smart phone on and a conference call or other urgent matter comes up, you want them to pull over to safely handle the situation.
  • Help your employee create a backup plan: Help your employee plan to have an out-of-office message or voicemail at the ready, and arrange for them to leave contact information for others on your team familiar with your employee’s area of the business who are able to step in if needed. Alternately, arrange to handle business yourself if you’re able to in a sticky situation. That way, any emergency can be handled appropriately if your employee can’t get to it — and you’ll still be aware of what’s going on.
  • Have a personal policy in mind. What are your parameters for getting in touch with your employees on off-hours or while out of the office? Where do you draw the line — and if you don’t, consider whether there are ways you can modify your plan and communicate that out to your employees.

What’s your take on the issue — is it a problem or a necessary evil in our current work environment?

Thought about Teaching a Cooking Class

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March 10, 2010 at 7:19 am

Author : Art Gib

Whether you’ve opened up a restaurant or you simply want to earn some extra cash, those cooking skills you’ve honed could be your ticket to success While your friends and family have bee reaping the benefits of your cooking for years, maybe it’s time to turn your kitchen into your new office

You can start finding out if your family and friends were just being nice by teaching a cooking class With this experience, not only will you meet others who enjoy cooking as much as you do, but you will also begin to see how far you can take your skills

What Can You Cook?

If you’re going to teach a cooking class, it’s best to teach something that you know a lot about If you get up in front of everyone and try to teach them how to roll sushi, but you’ve only done it once, you’re not going to look like an expert — you’re going to look like a fool Find something that you can cook and cook well each and every time It doesn’t have to be anything really exotic either — a lot of people don’t know how to cook a decent chicken breast meal Once you’ve gotten comfortable with this particular dish that you want to cook, then you can move onto things that are more complicated

Fun things to each include:

- Pizza making

- Chinese dishes

- Baking and pastry making

- Candy making

- Family dishes you can make quickly

- Holiday dishes

- Sushi

Where Can You Teach?

Many restaurants and community centers have areas where you can teach a cooking class to others — all you need to do is ask If you already own a restaurant, taking students back into the kitchen is a great way to drum up business for your place, while also giving them the backstage pass to your inner workings If all else fails, you can also cook from your home — though things might get a little more crowded there if you don’t have a lot of space

What’s the Point?

Teaching a cooking class is about more than just using a ramekin to show off the spices you will use; this is an opportunity to learn how to teach others and how to interact with others in relation to cooking You can use it to advertise a cookbook you’ve written or the restaurant that you’re planning on running Advertise your class in the local papers and online to see what kind of response you get

Chances are good that it’s going to be worthwhile to everyone And don’t forget to charge for this Everyone should pay a fee to offset your food costs as well as your time Money for doing what you love — now that’s a tasty combination

Able Kitchen (http://www.ablekitchen.com) sells restaurant supplies online for great prices due to large bulk purchases. The author, Art Gib, is a freelance writer.

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Is It Time For A Career Change

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March 10, 2010 at 7:19 am

Author : James Copper

There are times when every individual feels that he or she needs a career change The reasons are abundant It may be low pay packets, lack of opportunities in your current job, problems with the boss: anything

Whatever the reason is, you need not worry about it because a career change is not a negative thing In fact, it can be a great thing for your career Right now, there are numerous openings in the job market and you can go ahead and look for the job that perfectly suits you This is not the time to stick to one job throughout your life and be a stagnant professional

Gone are the days when you had to stick to one single job Right now, you need to take a risk or two and go ahead to look for new jobs or a career change that will change the way you live

Before looking for a career change, you need to consider certain things First of all, think of the reason why you really left the job Be honest to yourself and you will find the reason Do not crib about the conditions or whatever Just be honest about yourself and then ask yourself about what kind of job you want

Ask yourself about what your interests are And then look for a career that will help you pursue your interests and give you immense job satisfaction Look for something that excites you, interests you and at the same time, gives you enough growth opportunities

Once you find out what you really want to do, you will see that there is no dearth of openings in the job market You will see that there are many companies who are looking for someone exactly like you This is the best thing about a career change; it opens new vistas for you and goes a long way in boosting your self esteem Be it working from home because you need to be with the kids or a job involving loads of travelling because you love to see new places, you will see that there are numerous options for everyone

Whatever skills you have, be it organizational, communicational, creative, leadership or administrative there are multiple jobs with great prospects for everyone All you need to do is think about your own potentials, identify your special skills and get out there and look for jobs that will help you realize your potential to the greatest extent

Once you have identified the kind of career change that you want and the new job that will be the best for you, you need to look for people who are already in the business and have a lot of experience in what you are about to do You need to seek the advice of these people on how to go about a career in that particular field A little advice from the expert will help you a great deal in narrowing down your preferences and zeroing in on the right job for you

Meeting people who are already from the industry will help you broaden your knowledge base about that industry and prepare you for the interviews etc So go ahead and seek a career change if your heart says so! Just follow certain things and you will be able to handle a career change successfully

James Copper is a writer for http://www.newcareerskills.co.uk where you can find ideas for a career change

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Success and The Law of Attraction

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March 10, 2010 at 7:19 am

Author : Paul Warren

A number of books have been written on the law of attraction William Walker Atkinsons’ Thought Vibration or the law of attraction in the Thought World was one of the earliest writings on the law of attraction The book focused on the relation between the law and the ‘new thought’ theories of the late part of the 19th and early 20th century Atkins’ book showed the different ways in which a scientific approach and positive thinking can bring about radical changes in a persons life The book is one of the best written works on the law, and, along with ‘think and grow rich’ by Napoleon Hill and ‘the science of setting rich’ by Wallace D Wattles is part of the framework behind The Secret, a film made on the law of attraction in 2006

Success, in the light of the law of attraction means abundance This abundance should not be mistaken as mere monetary gain or instant fame Success here delves much deeper The law aims to bring maximum happiness in relationship, career, finance or life in general The philosophy teaches us to look at life from a different perspective The law of attraction teaches the individual to probe into the inner self, to unravel the unconscious mind and realize the true purpose of living It also helps one listen to the inner voice This, according to followers of the theory does wonders to their life

The law helps you to understand your true potential It is because the philosophy separates you from external surroundings and develops concentration of the mind Meditation and affirmation are two suggested means by which the law will bring success in life

Success, according to the law also means the overcoming of negative influences in life through the power of thought This is possible because if a person maintains a positive attitude and calmness of mind and does not give in to negative situations or thought, problems can be risen above This happens because, positive thinking and adherence to the law of attraction creates a sense of preparedness in the individual, which imbibes the strength to confront challenging situations This in turn results in fears being dealt with and the disappearance of negative thought

Finally the law teaches that success is immaterial It is an abstract concept It comes through realization of ones end in life and fills a person with immense happiness once his mission is achieved This happiness implies a sense of accomplishment, a sense of fulfillment and completeness

For more information on the Law of Attraction and 100 FREE wealth creation e-books visit Paul Warren’s websites mymillionairebuddy.com Also find other articles by Paul Warren at OriginalReviews.com and health-information-articles.com

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Your Thoughts Become Things

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March 10, 2010 at 7:19 am

Author : Joe Farcht

Remember those powerful words from “The Secret”?

It’s so true What you think about expands and manifests Those thoughts get bigger and dictate what is attracted into your work and life

What are you thinking about right now? The Law of Attraction – or “The Secret” – states that “whatever we think about, we bring about” This law may initially seem like new age fluff but believe it or not, there are scientific merits to this proposition The top quantum physicists of our time have discovered that our universe and our reality is very much directed by the “observer”

Easy to say and understand but difficult to use in daily work and life Allow me to share one individual’s story with you

I was coaching a manager recently and he was telling me that his supervisor wasn’t showing any interest in his management development program He stated that his supervisor didn’t care to find out what or how he was changing and what new insights and competencies he was developing

That opinion could be a fact However, it’s not based on a balanced perspective which must include all information The supervisor holds at least 50 percent of the needed information The opinion is also quite negative and judgmental

Remember, the Law of Attraction states that what you think about is attracted into your life So, if this manager was thinking thoughts along the lines of “my supervisor is incompetent”, what do you think was attracted into his life?

I had been coaching this manager for some time and he knew the Law of Attraction and that what you think about expands His opinion just “came out” automatically in our dialogue It illustrates the power of the subconscious mind and the development and automatic use of habits of thought or attitudes

As the manager became aware of his expressed negative thought about the supervisor, he displayed that “Ah-ha” look of insight And he finally got it!

This is a lesson for us all We all must vigilantly and continuously guard our thoughts

Every negative condemning thought or judgment will return to you in some form That form, according to the Law of Attraction, will be a manifestation of what you thought It behooves you to think positive and productive thoughts throughout your day both at work and in life

All your thoughts are a choice that you make What thought choices will you make in this and every moment of work and life?

Joe Farcht is the founder and president of Leadership Advantage, Inc. Order his FREE Report: The Eight Elements of Exceptional Performance.

Contact Joe at joefarcht@cox.net or at 602 996-1802.

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Gemology As A Career Choice

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March 10, 2010 at 1:19 am

Author : Victor Epand

Many jewelers are very detail oriented and enjoy looking at high-end jewelry, such as diamonds and other precious stones, and many individuals would like to professionalize their interest in jewelry and thought about gemology as a potential career option

Gemology is definitely the key element of the jewelry business as gemologists are the specialists that grade gems and precious stones Gemologists must be detail oriented, which is critical since they inspect and appraise the value of gems and stones The gemologists use the information obtained to prepare written documentation and appraisals for their customers For instance, when observing a diamond, gemologists will assess its features commonly known as the four Cs, which are clarity, cut, color and carat

Gemologists are able to answer specific questions posed by customers about the characteristics of diamonds and stones Their additional duties include sorting gems and stones, and coordinating inventory control of incoming jewelry items Gemologists may prepare the gems and stones for use by jewelry designers Instruments that are used by gemologists include refractometers, which measure the extent to which light is bent or refracted from a stone, leverage gauges, lopes, and polariscope

Career options available to gemologists include jewelry buyer, inventory specialist, diamond grader, and appraiser The GIA offers a six-month Graduate Gemologist Diploma Program, which instructs on topics such as grading and detentions With this programs you will learn how the four Cs actually affect the value of a diamond You will learn how to grade diamonds in the normal color range and to use gemological equipment that has been designed to help you grade and identify hundreds of different gemstones

This program will also give you the ability to learn how to detect synthetics and treatments, to describe color in gemstones, to work with diamond stimulants, and to detect fracture-filled diamonds The cost of this program includes your books, instruments, and materials that you will need The GIA also has a career services department that helps their graduates find employment The career placement services center offers assistance with resumes and other issues pertinent to the job search Graduate gemologists are typically recruited by GIA to work at their various laboratories, plus they also maintain a web listing of jobs nationwide

Once you have become a certified gemologist, then it is imperative that you join the International Gem Society, which is also known as the IGS This is an international society of gemologists, which gives its members industry updates through newsletters and professional development courses An additional benefit is the opportunity to become designated as a Master Gemologist by the IGS, which can be earned by taking a written and practical exam

In order to qualify to take these exams, one must provide proof of certification as a gemologist, which the GIA certification should suffice Once the exam has been taken and passed, then you will receive your certification as a Master Gemologist Given your passion for gemology, you might want to visit the International Gem Society web site, which provides a listing of gems ranging from agates to zircons and the details provided include re-tractability, wear-ability, heat sensitivity, and other pertinent characteristics

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for personalized gifts, invitations, and fine jewelry. Find the best shopping for personalized gifts, invitations, greetings, and gemologists.

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Court Reporters Stand Together In Hard Times

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March 10, 2010 at 1:19 am

Author : Christine Harrell

The court reporting profession has changed substantially in recent years, and not always for the better The average court reporting agency has seen a drop in both clients and employees and it has left reporters with real concerns about the future Good times are ahead, but reporters must be prepared to meet them

A Changing Profession

Court reporters have watched in frustration as technology seems to make their positions obsolete Some court systems have replaced reporters with digital recorders and it has some people doubting their future in the professions

However evidence shows that an audio recorder is not an adequate substitute for a certified court reporter New York learned the lesson and is desperately struggling to correct their critical shortage of reporters Other states are still in the process of learning and it may be some time before the profession picks up again in those areas

Add to that increasing unemployment in all industries, soaring gas prices, the struggling economy and it paints a grim picture Is this the right time to be working for a court reporting agency? The answer is yes

Court Reporters Change With The Times

As mentioned, courts are learning the error of their ways when trying to replace people with technology However in some cases their learning curve seems to be frustratingly steep and a court reporting agency has to be able to survive today to reach a brighter tomorrow

Many agencies are encouraging their staff to use this time to expand their skill sets If you aren’t certified, start working on it If you have your RPR, congratulations – now start working on the RMR

Look outside traditional courtroom employment While court positions may be dwindling, the demand for closed captioning is higher than it has ever been Even if you prefer working in a courtroom, close captioning will keep your skills sharp for when the industry turns around

Talk to your court reporting agency about other opportunities and encourage them to expand their horizons as well

We Must Work Together

In these dark days we must not lose sight of who we are We are not starving dogs fighting over a bone We are respected and certified professionals who conduct ourselves with dignity and distinction

We are the quiet person in the corner, diligently clicking away, unnoticed among the court proceedings But we are always there even when they don’t see us, keeping the record and doing our part to keep the gears of the justice system turning And we will still be there when the clouds part and the sun shines through again

Your fellow court reporters are not your competition They are your allies We must remain united because there is strength in numbers If you are an independent practitioner, consider joining a court reporting agency It can be a cold world out there alone and the resources of an agency can mean the difference between survival and disaster

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on court reporting, visit http://www.huseby.com/.

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Your Dental Assistant Questions Answered

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March 10, 2010 at 1:19 am

Author : Mike Selvon

The healthcare field has had a rough time in the last five years There are far more patients now and there are more vacant job positions There is a great need for more people to fill doctor, nurse, nursing assistant, dentist and dental assistant roles than ever before Patients need quality healthcare

They need people who care about their health and who care about them It does not matter if it is their ankle bone, their heart or their mouth A dental assistant is a vital asset to the dentist office and in this article we will begin to uncover how great a role they play and how you can make a difference in the lives of so many people

Having questions about this field of dentistry is natural and hopefully you will find the answers that you are looking for or at least get enough of a start to want to find out more information on your own

What is a dental hygienist?

A dental hygienist works under the supervision of a dentist They will work with the patient on good oral hygiene and help them with cavity preventing practices such as by applying sealants and fluorides to the teeth

They also remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and gums They also perform the same roles that a dental assistant will perform such as working with the dentist during oral surgery, with orthodontic devices or removing stitches etc

Is there an association for dental assistants?

The American Dental Assistants Association is a great organization that has been around for over eighty years It is devoted to helping dental assistants with its benefit packages, employment opportunities, and scholarship program and even offers help with the test to become a certified dental assistant

Why should I join the ADAA?

A regular membership is $110 00 That is pretty cheap once you hear all the benefits you receive for that price You get $50,000 professional liability insurance, $2,000 accidental death and dismemberment insurance

A discount on home study courses and you get a discount on travel, hotel and rental cars That is well worth the price of a membership One further note: with a student membership, at a significantly lower membership price, you are eligible to apply for the Juliette Southard Scholarship

Can I get financial aid for attending a dental assistant course?

Yes, you can get financial aid but what type of financial aid depends on where you go A school has to be accredited in order to receive Federal financial aid If you choose a school that is not accredited you can still receive loans though and you can still use scholarships

What are the job prospects for a dental assistant?

The job prospects for dental assistants are great There are always open jobs in the dental field for dental assistants If you have experience and are even fresh out of school there is a job for you You can go practically anywhere in the country and find a decent paying job

As more people get older, the demand for qualified dental help will rise and the pay will increase as the need rises You will be in a great position to receive more money for your valuable services and the quality of care you bring to your job

Educate yourself further about the dental assistant profession from Mike Selvon articles portal. Your feedback is valued and appreciated at our medical technician blog where a free audio gift awaits you.

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Civil Engineers The Masters of Construction

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March 9, 2010 at 7:19 pm

Author : Daniel Millions

Civil Engineers are the chiefly masters of construction Engineering the generalized field of structure designs, concepts of building and establishments, and mainly the construction and durability of a structure at that

Civil engineering is a very broad yet detailed circle which encompasses construction and development of roads, bridges, water ways, sewage, and canals, commercial and residential establishments Civil engineering is all about basics and complexities of construction It is a field of expertise when it comes to the disposition and improvisation of a physical establishment

It is indeed a cirque of unsurprisingly means to civilization and modernization Roads and bridges are the main components for an effective transportation and accession for a more progressive locality or area Roads serve as to acculturation and familiarity to progressive cities Without roads and bridges, a remote area is not connected with the urban civility, thus making them left behind from way too far developed cities

Bridges are undoubtedly connecting means that reaches out to rural and less advanced localities With the emergence of roads and bridges, progress is just an inch away

Civil structures are implications for a highly progressive area You can conclude that a city or town is developing and further booming with commercial establishments scattered around the area Also, the construction of many trade and commerce businesses such as multi million enterprises, cargo businesses and airport constructions are vivid indications of a radical, fast moving and avant garde city

Civil engineering is indeed one of the most rewarding and promising professions which will never exemplify a dishonored field More over, civil engineering is an avenue towards utmost and revolutionized economic state

Jumping off from engineering, this article should generally discuss the men behind these total reformations and escalating taste for lenient progress and development They are the civil engineers who work behind every structure’s success One of the main fields which civil engineers are proficient of is structural engineering

Civil engineers are well- experienced with this aspect concerning the general framework of a building or establishment The civil engineers are responsible in making and assigning designs for structural support needed by the building in carrying specific amounts of loads The engineer ensures the capability of the building and its resistance on pressures

More over, the structural engineer is the overseer of the construction process, accurate in every detail of methods used in the construction He or she also is in charge of checking the safety, strength, stability and maintenance of the construction project They, however see to it that the structure is strong enough to support the needed loads and be able to resist any natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons

The design carried out by the civil engineer is where lie the success of the construction and the functional being of the building or establishment They are also responsible in the total project cost estimation, fabrication of materials to be used, the sustainability of the project plan and sometimes the aesthetics of the building Engineers are indeed one of the most innovative, ingenious and state-of-the-art professionals over time

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The 3 Keys To Building Self Confidence

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March 9, 2010 at 7:19 pm

Author : Robert Kokoska

Many of us know that we would benefit greatly from increased sense of self confidence; after all, a lack of it is often easy enough to identify! If you are lacking self-confidence, you are much more likely to let people treat you badly or take advantage of you You might also have a tendency to fall short of your real potential at work or school, or even in your interpersonal relationships If any of these above descriptions sound like you, chances are, you need to work on your self-confidence a little But actually building self-confidence can be a long and tough road – and it isn’t as simple as it might sound However, here are some useful tips for building self-confidence to get you on your way and on the right track

First, the big key to personal self confidence is to trully love yourself, and this can be really difficult if you weren’t raised with a sense of unconditional love or support That doesn’t mean that your parents didn’t love you – but some may have had trouble showing or expressing it, or they may have been so anxious for you to grow up ‘right’ that some disapproving messages were sent out instead As children, we pick these things up unconsciously, and grow to beleive them When beginning to build on your self-confidence, it will be a time to let go of self-critical thinking and beliefs Wherever you are at the moment is a fine starting point There is no need to criticise or berate yourself for what you percieve as your deficiencies so always to try catch yourself out thinking negatively and transfrom the thought into a positive one

Second, try to identify what you are really good at and enjoy, and perfect that skill The better you are at what you do, and the more positive feedback you recieve, the higher your self-confidence will be Confidence grows out of achievement and success Many of us have the common perception that we don’t enjoy working hard – this usually isn’t the case if the work you are doing is right for you and you enjoy it Once that happpens, you will likely feel confident, skilled and become more productive

Finally, another great way of building your self-confidence is to occasionally challenge yourself, maybe even doing things that scare you a little now and then Start small – by doing something you haven’t done before, but that doesn’t take you too far out of your personal comfort zone Then, build on that As you start taking more chances and becoming more adventurous, your sense of self will begin to expand If you really enjoy life and the work you are currently doing, building self-confidence should be a natural by-product It becomes something that evolves on its own rather than something you work on, and the rewards will be great in all aspects of your life!

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