Tasks

3 posts



We've all experienced those days when we just don't want to work and can think of a million other things that we'd rather be doing.

Please, no more meetings! No more boring conference calls! No more spreadsheets and flowchart presentations! We just want to go home, get back into bed, and take a nap with our dog. We feel unmotivated and don't like thinking of the responsibilities that await us in the office.

However, there are bills to pay and careers to make, so we do our best to make it through the day. On those (rare) occasions that you just need to power through the rest of the workday when you're feeling unmotivated, here are a few suggestions:

Focus On Only The Most Crucial Work Tasks


Business woman on laptop sitting at her desk and focusing on her most important tasks at work

Staring at stacks of files on your desk and tons of emails awaiting your reply can feel overwhelming. Check your calendar and determine what things need your immediate attention. Review what is most urgent, make a list of those action items that need to be completed by the end of the day, and address any major issues first.

Then, focus on any "quick hits" before tackling your larger assignments. Breaking down your workload into smaller, more manageable tasks will help you feel more energized throughout the day. Before you know it, you'll be on your way home!

Take A Break


Young professional man drinking coffee and taking a break from work

Sometimes you just need to walk away from your desk and change your perspective if you're feeling unmotivated at work.

Leave the office to get some fresh air. Stand up and stretch. Listen to music. Get some coffee, tea, or a light snack. Make a phone call or send a text to a friend. Check the score from this afternoon's baseball game. Create your grocery shopping list. Order that jacket that you've had your eye on for the past month.

Take at least 15 minutes to yourself to clear your head from all things "work" before you buckle down and survive till five.

Plan Something Fun To Do After Work


Happy professionals go shopping for new work outfits and walk together

Planning something you can look forward to can really help you deal with feeling unmotivated.

Make a dinner date with a friend. Find out if your gym has a new class scheduled for that evening. Research local activities to visit that night. Register to attend that networking event a co-worker mentioned. Buy a ticket to the movie you've wanted to see for months.

Knowing there is something great planned after work gives you something to look forward to at the end of the day. It will help motivate you to complete your work and make you feel good about rewarding yourself later!

Remember, for one reason or another, everyone from the CEO to the intern has had a bad day where they feel unmotivated at work.

So the next time you reach your desk in the morning after a poor night's sleep, or return to your office from a meeting that zapped all of your energy, or get into another argument with your cubicle mate about how loud he talks on the phone, take a breath and think about what you could do to help get you through the rest of the workday. It'll be 5 o'clock before you know it!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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How To Create A Resume With Impact: Duties vs. Results



When preparing your resume, remember this is a document to market your experience and skills and showcase what you have to offer. Your resume is much more effective and attractive to employers when it demonstrates what you have achieved with your previous experiences and what you can potentially achieve for the new employer.

Unfortunately, a bunch of the resumes employers receive today still read like a laundry list of duties. Avoid this common mistake with the tips below to create a resume with impact.

Don’t State The Obvious


If you’re simply describing your job duties on your resume—a generic job description—there’s probably going to be little interest from employers. Although today’s applicant tracking systems (the software that reads and ranks resumes) will need this information, employers really need to know how you performed against goals or your peers.

Quantify And Qualify Accomplishments


Woman writes her resume

Your accomplishments on the job are what will differentiate you from the next candidate. They're also what will help demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job.

For instance, if you have a career in sales, rather than state the obvious (“Contact prospective customers to introduce new product releases") tie in the results you’ve achieved. A more effective statement would read: “Initiated contact with 20+ prospective customers on new product releases and secured 15 sales contracts, ranking as the top salesperson of the year.” This latter statement, which includes numbers that quantify your work experience, provides insight into why you're a great candidate for a job in sales.

If you are in a position where it's not easy to quantify accomplishments, then consider these questions:

  • Are you the only person doing this job?
  • If not, how many peers do you have, and how does your performance compare?
  • Are you the go-to person for anything in particular?
  • What are some of the things that your managers have put in your performance evaluations?

Be The Problem Solver


Man writes his resume

Job postings will include details of responsibilities, but sometimes they may also hint at situations where they seek candidates with particular experience in the area. Be the problem solver by demonstrating on your resume a similar situation that you took action on and resolved. Whether it was to help streamline order processing or enter a new international market, bullet points to convey experience on the matter and results achieved offer greater impact than detailing your general duties on the job.

Employers simply want to hire the best talent so show them what you can accomplish for them, not the general job duties of a position. Keep that in mind and you’ll create a resume with impact!

We know writing an effective resume isn't easy, especially if you're not excited about any of the jobs you're applying for. If you're feeling trapped, lost, or burned out in your career, we're here to help.

We'd love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It's time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

How To Create A Resume With Impact: …