3 Way-Better Ways to Measure Your Success

3 Way-Better Ways to Measure Your Success3 Way-Better Ways to Measure Your SuccessLast week, I conducted a workshop for a team of healthcare professionals as they kicked off a new fiscal year. Prior to the workshop, I had the attendees complete a survey about their work what was going well and where they encountered challenges.Not surprisingly, a few very common themes emerged, which we addressed during our time together. The big three included the size of their workloads, the poor quality of communication, and the difficulty of working with others unlike themselves. Who cant relate to those workplace challenges? As we worked through each topic, the discussion certainly provided tools to help them resolve the issues we identified. However, I also realized that if they took proactive steps every day to prevent those issues, they could alleviate a lot of their daily job stress. extra Future meetings could focus on exploring more innovative and creative concepts. To that end, here are t hree measures you can use in your work each day to stay ahead of the challenges that bog down many teams. As you read, consider how, if you looked at these three key performance indicators each day, your work life might transform. 1. Percent of Time You Spend on Your Three Critical PrioritiesNearly every client I see struggles with an oversized workload. However, when we take the time to really break down the work, it usually involves a lot of wasted time and energy. Work avoidance, procrastination, multi-tasking, and distractions all sidetrack essential work, add stress, and make any workload seem bigger than it is.If you are workload-challenged, heres an exercise to complete each day Put two columns on a page. On the left, record your three to five biggest, most important, most performance-influencing priorities- you know, the ones that are going to show up on your year-end review, get you a raise, and make the department score a touchdown.On the right side, each day, keep track o f the work you actually do and the amount of time each task takes. Then, track the percentage of time youre spending on your most important priorities versus everything else. What do you notice? If theres a gap between your most important priorities and what you spend your time on, youre likely suffering from workload inflation. Youre working on lots of tasks and staying late, but not getting the most important stuff done. On the other hand, if youre giving your priorities the right amount of attention and leaving the less critical work until later (or undone, if thats what it takes), your workload will seem more realistic. Bonus Youll feel much more focused and accomplished in the process. Heres another tip As a manager, if someone came to me saying his or her workload was too big, Id want to see this analysis before any further conversation. Before you take your workload issues to your manager, be sure you have the facts about whats really driving its size.2. Percent of Your Commu nication Thats Tailored to Your Listeners StyleAh, communication. I love the quote from George Bernard Shaw, The single biggest dicke bretter bohren mssen with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. How right is that? Poor communication between and among team members (and bosses) gums up the works and makes everything harder. Though there are many reasons for this, theres one major cause that came up in the workshop, and its one that I see frequently When communicating, you often think more about what you have to say, rather than how the other rolle needs to hear it.Let me give you an example. All of us have different strengths, work styles, and personalities. I tend to be a driver, which means I have a very direct, straight-to-the-point communication style. At times in my career, Ive been told I was intimidating or unapproachable. Hard to believe, I know- I never considered myself to be either. But my audience did, and thats all that mattered.In response, I learned to tailor my communication style and content to my audience. So, if my target is someone whos very relationship driven and concerned with the social aspects of rapport-building at work, my direct, to-the-point style may feel intimidating or overwhelming. By adjusting my approach- delivering the same message, but slower, with more social grace and a focus on tending to the relationship with that person- that person can better hear me. Then, they actually listen, instead of feeling intimidated and growing defensive. You will communicate more effectively when you keep your audiences needs in mind. Look at the different communication styles in your workplace and see how you can reframe your messages so that others will better receive what youre saying.Remember, its not your audiences job to interpret your message. Its your job to communicate in a way your audience will understand. 3. Actions Youve Taken to Nurture Relationships in Your WorkplaceLets face it The way work gets done today is through the relationships you have with those around you. When you dont have strong relationships, your work will suffer. Weak workplace relationships create a negative environment. Think about it Are you likely to go to bat for someone you dont really care that much for? What will morale be like if there are weak or indifferent relationships in the office? Will you enjoy going to work as much?Our workshop attendees strained under the challenges of coming from different departments, different cultures, and different generations. In the workplace, you can easily choose to let those qualities divide you. Or, you can work toward overcoming those divides by intentionally creating and nurturing relationships with those who arent like you. There are many ways to build rapport with others- and it doesnt have to be difficult or time consuming. For example, make it a point to meet one person for coffee each week, or to sit with a different group at lunch. Compliment others (authentically) on the work they do send notes of appreciation when warranted.And if you sense conflict between yourself and another co-worker, dont avoid it (and stress out about it as a result)- invite him or her into a conversation to discuss and resolve your differences. Taking action to nurture relationships strengthens your ties with the team and boosts your own self-confidence, as well. Now, youre equipped to assess your workday through a very new lens. If you can focus on priorities, the effectiveness of your communication, and the quality of your relationships, youre going to have amazing results. Photo of rulers courtesy of Shutterstock.

Greener Aerospace with Nanotechnology

Greener Aerospace with Nanotechnology Greener Aerospace with Nanotechnology During flight, aircraft parts are subject to varying loads, and can develop cracks in high-stress areas. If structural parts are not regularly inspected and repaired, cracks could increase, eventually causing structural failure and loss of life. But aircraft inspection and repairs are costly to airlines. Moreover, high fuel prices and international efforts on climate change have brought attention to the need for greater fuel efficiency. Increasing international competition favors the rapid, low-cost production of reliable, efficient, and easy-to-maintain aircraft capable of increased load and range. In short, the aerospace industry faces a challenge to develop advanced materials that are simultaneously stronger, lighter, safer, fuel-efficient, and cost-effective. With nanotechnology, it now may be possible to create almost perfect materials that can increase performance and passenger safety while saving signi ficant money. Improving Aluminum Aluminum alloys have long been materials of choice for aircraft fuselages. But viewing the microstructure of a typical aerospace aluminum alloy through an electron microscope reveals that the arrangement of atoms is far from perfect. Dislocations, grain boundaries, and voids all weaken an alloy. Indeed, analysis reveals that the theoretical strength of a defect-free aluminum alloy can be 100 times greater than actual measurements in a mechanical testing lab. That suggests that fabricating defect-free aluminum alloys could allow structural parts of required strength to be made of less material, and thus be lighter weight. Perfect alloys could be produced using an atomic force microscope or a scanning tunneling microscope to position the arrangement of individual atoms without voids, displacements, and other defects. Such capability was demonstrated as far back as 1989, when researchers at IBMs Almaden Research Center in San Jose were able to spell out their companys name in xenon atoms. More recently, researchers at the same lab were able to measure, down to the piconewton, how much force was required to move a cobalt atom across a copper surface. Exploring Composites Composite materialsthose in which fibers, commonly of carbon, are embedded in a matrix of resin or other polymer-are increasingly used for structural components in aircraft and space vehicles. Composites are exceptionally light and strong. But their behavior is not yet well understood in the presence of damage by lightning (composites have poor electrical conductivity), exposure to the suns ultraviolet rays, or delamination caused by out-of-plane load, impact, or moisture. A composite in which nanoparticles are dispersed into the polymer matrix may be more resistant to fracture and fatigue. Distributing nanoparticles throughout a polymer matrix is quite difficult, however, and strong chemical bonding between the nanotubes and the matrix are essential to the ultimat e performance of the nanocomposite material. Because experimental trial-and-error is costly and time-consuming, multiscale modeling may prove useful in establishing a link between the nanoscale chemistry and a materials macroscopic behavior when subjected to flight load. The Bottom Line That such advanced materials are possible is not enough to warrant their use. They must also be cost effective to employ. A back-of-the-envelope calculation reveals that advanced materials, even if quite expensive, are economically viable to research and develop. Consider a simple cost analysis for the fuel consumption of a typical commercial aircraft for a nonstop flight from und ab Angeles to New York. The total weight of a medium-range aircraft after takeoff is approximately 500,000 pounds, including the 40,000-gallon weight of fuel that yields a gallons-per-pound ratio for this aircraft of 40,000/500,000, or 0.08 gallon/lb. Assuming there is a 20 percent reduction in weight as a result of new nan oscale-assembled aluminum alloys or nanoparticle-reinforced composite materials, let us calculate the total monetary savings during the life of the aircraft The gallon/lb. ratio (0.08) x The cost of jet fuel (typically $5 per gallon) x The weight savings (500,000 pounds times 20 percent, or 100,000 pounds) x The number of flights in the life of the plane (about 60,000) The savings is an astonishing $2.4 billion per plane. Furthermore, if we assume the total number of aircraft that will be fabricated with the new material is conservatively estimated to be 1,000, then the total monetary savings throughout the life of a 1,000-aircraft fleet will be almost $2.4 trillion. I am optimistic that advanced aerospace materials for lighter-weight aircraft are worth the investment. The fuel savings would be significant for airlines, while increasing strength and safety. Adapted from Can Nanotechnology Make for Greener Aerospace? by Bahram Farahmand, for Mechanical Engineering, March 2010.With na notechnology, it now may be possible to create almost perfect materials that can increase performance and passenger safety while saving significant money.

Networking, Interviewing and the Age-Old Pants Suit vs. Skirt Suit Debate

Networking, Interviewing and the Age-Old Pants Suit vs. Skirt Suit DebateNetworking, Interviewing and the Age-Old Pants Suit vs. Skirt Suit DebateThere is still time to sign up for this afternoons Ask the Experts webcast, hosted by LexisNexis. A panel of experts- along with moderator Rachel Marx Boufford, Vaults Law Editor- will answer questions includingHow do I make myself stand out from other applicants?How early in law school should I start looking for a job?How do you conduct a job search as a 3L?What questions should I ask interviewers?How do you demonstrate your fit with an employer?Can women wear either a pants suit or a skirt suit to interviews?What do people mean when they say law firms have different cultures?How do I turn a networking meeting into a job?What are the best strategies for going solo right out of law school?What kinds of alternative careers benefit from a law degree?The webcast will air today at 3pm EST. Sign uphereAs an added bonus, the first 500 2L/3L stude nts to register, attend and complete the email survey at the end of the webcast will win a complimentary 30-day gold membership to Vault.com. The first 500 1L students will receive a complimentary membership to the ABA Law Student Division.

5 Nosy Tactics to Help You Get Ahead - The Muse

5 Nosy Tactics to Help You Get Ahead - The Muse5 Nosy Tactics to Help You Get AheadAs a kid, I hated when people told me to mind my own business. In fact, I still dont like it. Im a curious type (I mayve been called nosy once or twice), and nothing frustrates me more than having my natural curiosity shut down. Luckily, Ive turned my nosiness into opportunity. With social media at my fingertips, I can find the answers to many of my questions, such as How did he get that dream job? or How was she chosen as a guest speaker for that incredibly cool conference? Interest in how people in your network got where they are is natural- and you shouldnt feel badly about wanting to find out more. So read on for five tips on how to harness your nosiness and use it to serve you on your career path.1. Keep Tabs on Your NetworkYou notice that a friend of a friend started a new job at a company youve been coveting for months. Youd love to work there, but you have zero clue how to get your foot in the door- until now. You, my friend, have an in, so dont be afraid to reach out to that acquaintance and binnenbinnensee if you can take her to coffee. If she meets with you, go ahead and ask her how her new roles going- what made her leave her previous one for this company. You may not be able to ask for a referral at this point, but at least you can get some insight about the company from a current employee, and you never know where the connection may lead you. 2. Stalk Personal SitesAlways look for the personal websites of people you admire- you can typically find their sites by just typing their names into Google or looking at their social media. Compile a list of your favorites, and jot down musiknotes on why you like them Is it the format, the tabs theyve included, or how they present themselves in their bios? If youre creating your own site- you can learn a lot from the examples in front of you- instead of staring at a blank page and feeling overwhelmed. If youre digging through the sites as a part of your career research, dont forget to see if theres a resume tab- many professionals will have a link to their own, which is a bonus for you.Look to it for examples of what to include on your own and to see what kinds of positions people in your industry have held, helpful especially if youre considering a career change. 3. Bring Up Salary With Close FriendsThe next time the conversation turns to careers, boldly initiate a discussion about salaries. Its easiest to find out how much a certain position pays when you can ask a friend directly, rather than poke around Glassdoor, hoping that the estimate is accurate. Assuming youre pretty close with the people youre speaking to, its not crazy to ask how much they make- if not the exact amount, the general range, or at the very least, what kind of benefits and perks theyre offered. Arming yourself with this insider info can come in handy if youre applying for a similar job at a different company and arent sure what t o say when asked about your own salary range.4. Utilize LinkedIn to Get to Know StrangersIf youve got your sights set on a particular job plan your way there by using LinkedIn. Once you identify your target contact (the person who works at the perfect company with your ideal position), see what steps led him or her to that job. Notice what positions preceded the ideal job title- take note of what duties and responsibilities accompany each role, and use that info to help shape your next move.You might discover that you need to take additional courses to gain a certain skillset for the career you desire. Or perhaps you need to pivot and start out at a junior level in the field you want to transition into. Whatever it is, your LinkedIn research will help you build a roadmap for your next move. 5. Purposefully Stay NosyKnow whats going on in the professional lives of your friends- from major career changes down to the little details. Is your old roommate a keynote speaker at a marketin g conference youve been dying to speak at? Congratulate his win, and ask him how he made that happen. Keep an eye out for any opportunities that would suit your friends, and pass along the information- you never know when your helpful actions could lead someone to consider you for an opportunity. Using your curiosity as a tool for career development will help you get ahead- just be cautious of thinking that you have to follow the exact paths of the people you admire. While your nosiness can help inform you of all the opportunities out there, its up to you to buckle down, and make a plan for what you want to pursue next, and then do the work (and maybe get back to minding your business, at least, for a little while).Photo of people at desk courtesy of Hero Images/Getty Images

3 Job Interview Mistakes, As Seen in the Movie San Andreas

3 Job Interview Mistakes, As Seen in the Movie San Andreas3 Job Interview Mistakes, As Seen in the Movie San Andreas2Ahhh, San Andreas. Its what youd expect a natural disaster summer blockbuster film to be, full of destruction, devastation, awesome CGI effects- and Dwayne Johnsons (aka The Rock) bulging muscles and overarching eyebrow. What you dont expect, though, are the multiple job bewerberinterview mistakes shown in this movie. San Andreas provides several lessons in how not to handle a job interview.But thats just what you get from San Andreas. Job interview mistakes at every turn.3 Job Interview Mistakes, As Seen in the Movie San AndreasEarly on in the film, the audience is introduced to Ben (played by Hugo Johnstone-Burt). Hes on a job interview at the company owned by mega developer Daniel Riddick (Ioan Gruffudd). He meets Blake (Alexandra Daddario), who happens to not only be Rays (Dwayne Johnson) daughter, but also the daughter of mdma (Carla Gugino). Ray and Emma are on t he brink of divorce, and Emma has (sort of) moved on, and is now dating Daniel. It doesnt take long once the characters are established for the earth to start shaking- but not before job seeker Ben makes some catastrophic job interview mistakes of his own. Here are just three of his biggest goofs.He brings his brother on the job interview. Ben and his kid brother Ollie are from England, and taking a vacation in the States while Ben also has his job interview. But instead of leaving his brother back at the hotel or with a hired sitter, he brings him along on the interview. Bringing another person along on a job interview is one of those really big job interview mistakes that should be avoided at all costs (even if you do have a fabulous English accent), because you might be perceived by a hiring manager as not taking your interview seriously.Also, with Ollie chatting up the beautiful Blake, Ben becomes distracted and not focused on having a strong interview. And while Ben and Ollie a re just brothers, if you bring along, say, your child during a job interview, a prospective boss might get the idea that you dont have adequate child-care coverage for your kid- and reisepass you over for the job.He doesnt know what he wants. While waiting to be called in for the job interview, Ben and Blake start a casual conversation as they get to know each other. When Blake asks Ben what kind of position hes interviewing for, he responds with, I dont know. Im neither picky nor proud. This can be the kiss of death during a job interview. After all, when youre going in for a job, you should know exactly what type of job you want, and be prepared with all of the reasons why your previous work experiences, job skills, and personality are perfectly suited for this position.If you were to say this to a potential employer, not only does it show that youre a) desperate, but b) you dont really care what type of work you do. Employers want people who are going to be passionate about their jobs, because its then that they will be productive and loyal workers. Not knowing what you want in a job is a job interview mistake that can be easily avoided with a little preparation.He gets personal. Its obvious from the moment they meet that Blake and Ben like each other and will be the obligatory love story line in the midst of chaos and despair. But lets remember that Blake is the daughter of the girlfriend of the big boss. By letting his feelings show, Ben is definitely crossing the line between professional and personal. While forming a bond with Blake ultimately winds up in his favor (spoiler he survives in the film), he wouldnt fair as well if this were a real job interview.It goes without saying that if youre attracted to the person youre interviewing with, you should keep your feelings to yourself, for fear that it could ruin your chances of getting hired for the job. And office romances (even those that are done via home offices) rarely last, anyway. Job interview mis takes involving romance rarely work out well in real life.When youre looking for a job, you can find inspiration anywhere- even in a movie about massive earthquakes taking out most of California. So learn from the job interview mistakes of others as a way to improve your own job interviewing skills- and learn what to do (and not to do) during a job interview.Readers, have you seen San Andreas? Have you made any of the job interview mistakes that Ben made? Let us know in the comments below

The Characteristics of How to Create a Good Resume

The Characteristics of How to Create a Good Resume Work experience and qualities The employers are extremely much interested to understand what all tasks you performed in your prior workplace. The fundamental job of a nursing student is to help the wellness professionals in various therapy procedures. You dont have much time to grab the interest of the employer. There are some things, which you must look after, as you prepare your resume, for a dietary technician. Theres no need to compose your resume in over two pages. Plan how to construct a resume that features recommendations throughout or place them right following your summary. You only need to include all the particular details in your resume. When you create resume, make certain you create a distinct bit of paper that lists some expert references. The How to Create a Good Resume Game A lot is dependent upon your resume objective. You ought to have good understanding. To start with, the main matter to chat about is a work objective. How to Create a Good Resume - What Is It? Each category includes accomplishments from a number of jobs. A resume is a significant document in your career. Resume writing needs to be carried out to be able to sell yourself in market. Resume services can vary from very little money to huge amounts and each resume service will provide a wide variety of services for you to select from. It is very important to understand how to compose a resume. The Fundamentals of How to Create a Good Resume Revealed It is possible to also save a lot of time by making a resume all on your own with only a bit of help from a anwender friendly downloadable template. The size and the kind of the font ought to be appropriate. You do bedrngnis need to understand which format to utilize in order to finish the steps in the outline below, though. The great thing about a completely free blank resume is that youll have the ability to utilize it like a guideline to make your own re sume. If youre confused regarding what things you should include and emphasize in your resume, and what things to avoid at all price, there are numerous websites you can discover on the Internet that offer tutorials about how to compose a resume, and free resume examples. Regardless of the kind of word processing software which can be found on your computer, it can be employed to make an outstanding resume. For instance, a web developer might not have worked on a payment gateway before, but he can have a good comprehension of the internet growth technologies and languages. If your resume is only one page its still very much appreciated. Resume writing isnt a simple endeavor. Resume writing may seem to be among the most daunting tasks, but the reality is that its not as tough as it appears. Writing a good resume is extremely vital for obtaining a good job. Writing a good resume is extremely vital since its the very first thing that enables you to make an impression on your future employers. What You Need to Do About How to Create a Good Resume Beginning in the Next 6 Minutes If you get a totally free printable resume to compare with, there is a possibility of including all the important details about yourself which you might not have thought about otherwise. An internet developer is accountable for planning, building and maintaining a sites infrastructure. All you have to do is modify the info thats already included and then youre set up to go. If youre making an attempt to obtain a new job thats different from what youre accustomed to, you might prefer to think about a completely free printable resume which you will have the ability to adopt and modify to your own info. Get the Scoop on How to Create a Good Resume Before Youre Too Late Numerous job seekers incorporate work objective in there resume. The job of a company lawyer isnt in any way easy. There are various places online together with in many cities and towns that offer to create r esume for individuals that are seeking work. Lots of people are extremely hesitant in regards to create resumes for themselves and ask an expert to do the job. After all it is the very first item a possible employer encounters concerning the job seeker. Your experience should reveal only jobs, the essence of duties of which, are very similar to that of the job which you are currently applying for. You need to spell out the job and youll need to make certain that the work seeker is ready to understand about the job. If you would like to receive a respectable job as an entry level student then you have to write a productive job application. It is astonishing how many fantastic managers out there may run a profitable restaurant einzelschritt inside and out, but they havent any idea what things to write when it is time to shop for their next prospect. When you success to allow it to be perfect, the company is going to provide great points for you. At this time you have to discuss your work experience. No matter what you do, never go with the least expensive service it is possible to find that offers you the planet, since if it appears too good to be true, that is most likely because it is. The 30-Second Trick for How to Create a Good Resume Men and women who are employed in the clerical field handle plenty of paperwork and incoming work requests. Make sure it does not include any marks of erasing or is totally free from errors. There are 3 basic kinds of resumes. One other important component to consider here is that while recruiting you could encounter people who might not have worked in a specific aspect but they might have the fundamental comprehension of the execution of the necessary tasks.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making a Big Career Change

5 Questions to Ask Yurself Before Making a Big Career Change Even the most confident women I know struggle with the decision to resign from their job and move on to something else. Lately, Ive seen many women in my life jumping ship. They have looked deeply into what makes them happy and come face-to-face with the future staring back. The road they take isnt without some nerve-racking potholes resigning from secure jobs, ditching stable clients, taking (gasp) less money, and quitting without having a new gig lined up. They attend workshops on how to freeze eggs, revisit family planning, and blaze new paths against the advice of significant others. But is there some secret guiding them? Not at all. Like many women making a drastic change in their lives, they struggle with the unknown.Few of us make these decisions lightly. Some of the things you may weigh before making the change could include fact oring in what you will lose or at least, what you think you may lose. zu siche are five questions you should ask yourself before pulling the trigger on a life-altering careerdecision.1. Why Change Your Life and Start a New Career?Why not be happy? Youve been in the same position long enough to see the company change, and you are no longer satisfied with your job. This is what tipped the scale for my friends- Your role changedA friend of mine was bumped to another section. One minute, shes leading a multimillion-dollar growth initiative at a company worth $40 billion the next, shes assigned to the tedium of the corporate strategy unit because hercompany lacked a culture of experimentation. She knew her value and quickly started the job search, receiving offers from both Twitter and Facebook. She is now enjoying her new role as a product manager at the latter.- You deservecareer advancementAnother one of my friends felt that her small team did not allow for growth. She wrestled with moving out of EdTech, and only after months of soul-searching and career coaching did she find a perfect fit as an interactive producer for an advertising agency.- Youre seeking a challengeOne of my friends reached the top of the ranks and was running the distribution policy like a champ, but she became bored with the minutia. She craved something more creative. Rather than taking a similar type of job with Pandora, she opted for a pay cut and now serves as a project manager for a highly-regarded agency with clients like Netflix, Amazon, and Google.- Youre in the wrong industryTwo friends, after years of law school and big firm work, found themselves in what was (for them) the wrong career. One went directly into nursing school, while the other lived off of her savings, taking time off to find the right job and is now director of development for a solar energy company.- You need a better environmental fitA different friends favorite boss left, leaving a management void in an alread y negative company culture. She left to spend a year at home with her two youngkids before landing a program management position at an innovative technology company.The result? I can assure you that none of them have ever looked back.2. What Matters fruchtwein in Your Career?Here are some common answers Ive seen- FlexibilityYou like the prospect of having more time to travel or work on personal projects.- LearningYoure looking for new challenges.- OwnershipYou want work that matches your need for a sense of fulfillment.We want money, yes, but we also want jobs that suit our lifestyles which could mean fewer hours, nicer people, more freedom of choice, childcare on site, and anything else that will make us happy.Other things to considering include Do you have the support of your significant other? Are you planning on conceiving soon? Adopting? Freezing eggs? Remaining childless? Considering what all of these things mightmean to you and your career, taking stock of themcan contribute to your decision. We tend to feel more at ease when our personal and professional lives exist together in harmony.3. What Am I Afraid Of?Many are afraid of leaving a career theyre good at, the short-term financial insecurity, the lost camaraderie of current workplace friends, or having to start over at the bottom. Rest assured, however, that virtuallyallof these fears are experienced by confident women who make successful career transitions.One such woman, Gazelle Javantash, says, Considering how much I spent on my education and a masters degree, I told myself I couldnt start at entry level with this much debt. So I hired a career coach.Through this process, Gazelle moved from education into the private tech sector. Her coach helped her to weigh all of these questions and identify therole she wanted her career to play in her life.4. What Do I Have to Gain?The answer to this question is different for everyone. Maybe your desire for a career change comes from career and personal sati sfaction, or you anticipate thisnew role giving youmorefree time, or this new direction provides the financial boost to start saving for retirement or a home. In any case, confident women who make career transitions know that doing so alwaysrequires a leap of faith.5. How Do I Ultimately Decide What to Do?How did all of these powerful women in my life come to the decision to pick up their padfolios and hit the road? We talked to our partners, and we talked to each other. Most of us, in fact, had been thinking about jumping ship for months. We would casually mention the idea in passing over a glass of wine, in the pool, on an airplane, or while hiking up a mountain. We listened to one another, helped each other weigh all of the pros and cons, asked ourselves what we had to lose, and then finally deliveredour recommendations to one another.Ultimately, no one else can make the decision for you. Everyone will give you advice and try to help, but in the end, you are the only one who tru ly knows whats right for you. In your heart, you will know when its time for a change.The final decision will not be easy. Its never easy to choose the road less traveled and dive into something new. While change is scary, you know in your gut when its necessary.Once you do decide to takethat first step, dont look back. We did it, and you can, too.-This article originally appeared on BusinessCollective.Heather McGough is cofounder, with Eric Ries and Melissa Moore, oflila drink Startup Company. For five years, she has been providing education, tools, and partnerships to entrepreneurs and corporate innovators, empowering them to overcome challenges in building new companies and products. Heather develops new ways to support the global community of aspiring and existing Lean Startup practitioners for companies both large and smallin any sector. She has also formed the event production firm Urbanity Events and startup Adoptful.

Worthington Steam Pumps Designated as Latest ASME Landmark

Worthington Steam Pumps Designated as Latest ASME Landmark Worthington Steam Pumps Designated as Latest ASME Landmark Worthington Steam Pumps Designated as Latest ASME LandmarkSept. 9, 2016 ASME Past President Reginald Vachon (center) presents the ASME landmark plaque to Paul Ticco of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (left) and John Quarstein of the USS Monitor Center during the ASME landmark designation ceremony on Aug. 25. (Photo courtesy of The Mariners Museum and Park) brde month, the Worthington Direct-Acting Simplex Steam Pumps, which powered the famous ironclad Civil War vessel the USS Monitor, were recognized by ASME for their role in revolutionizing the U.S. Navys fleet. The devices, which are the earliest known surviving direct-acting steam pumps, were designated as an ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in a ceremony at the Mariners Museum and Park in Newport News, Va.The simplex steam pumps, which were invented by Henry R. Worthington, one of AS MEs founding members, were reciprocating systems that automatically sent water to the boilers that powered the ship. The pumps simple design featured directly connected steam and water pistons, which eliminated the need for the crosshead, rod and flywheel used in earlier steam pumps, resulting in a small, efficient device that was ideal for use in confined spaces such as ships. Will Hoffman (far left), senior conservator and conservation project manager at the Mariners Museum and Park, gave the ceremonys guests a demonstration of the Worthington pump replica during the landmark designation ceremony in Newport News, Va. (Photo courtesy of The Mariners Museum and Park)More than 115 people attended the designation ceremony on Aug. 25, including a contingent comprising Reginald I. Vachon, ASME past president Richard Pawliger, immediate past chair of the ASME History and Heritage Committee John W. Ralls, chair of the ASME Eastern Virginia Section and Paul C. Ticco, Northeast and M id-Atlantic regional coordinator for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. The event was also attended by representatives from area companies Curtiss-Wright, Hampton Rubber Co. and Master Machine and Tool. Curtiss-Wright sponsored the event with the ASME Eastern Virginia Section. Hampton Rubber Co. and Master Machine and Tool collaborated with Curtiss-Wright on a project to create a working replica of the Worthington steam pumps.The Worthington steam pumps stand apart for their efficiency and reliability, said Vachon, who presented the bronze ASME landmark plaque to officials of the Mariners Museum during the ceremony. Their compact size and lightweight design are vital features in marine applications, and the pumps also serve as the fundament for a variety of other industrial applications. (Left to right) Jeffrey Weise, chair of the ASME Central Virginia Section John Ralls, chair of the Eastern Virginia Section Paul Ticco, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regional coordinator for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Reginald Vachon, ASME past president John Quarstein, director of the USS Monitor Center Richard Pawliger, immediate past chair of the ASME History and Heritage Committee and John Zinskie, treasurer of the Eastern Virginia Section. (Photo courtesy of The Mariners Museum and Park)Landmark status for the Worthington steam pumps recognizes the contribution of the steam pumps to industrial history and to the progress of mechanical engineering, said current ASME President Keith Roe. The Worthington steam pumps join a roster of more than 250 other ASME engineering landmarks throughout the world. Each represents a progressive step in the evolution of our profession, while exemplifying the innovation and vision personified in engineers everywhere.For more information on the ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks Program, or to see the complete list of ASME landmarks, visit www.asme.org/about-asme/who-we-are/engineering-history/lan dmarks.

What You Need to Know About Romance Fiction Genre

What You Need to Know About Romance Fiction literaturformWhat You Need to Know About Romance Fiction GenreIf you want to write a romance novel, it makes good sense to understand the romance publishing industry. From understanding the business to understanding the hallmarks of the romance literaturform, heres what you need to know about writing romance. Romance Publishing Romance novels are big business. According to the Romance Writers of America, the romance fiction industry is worth $1.08 billion dollars a year,* which makes it about a third larger than the inspirational book industry, and about the size of the mystery novel genre and science fiction/fantasy genre markets combined. Romance novels regularly top the major bestseller lists (New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today), and have a large, dedicated audience of readers. The Audience The core audience of regular romance readers numbers a whopping 29 million and the extended audience of those who occasionally p ick up a romance novel is likely much greater. 84% of romance novel readers are women. Romance fiction buyers span all age ranges but the largest segment (41%) is between 30 and 54 years old. The Market According to Nielsens US 2014 Q1 Romance Landscape report,* ebook romance sales have outpaced the formerly dominant mass-market paperback format, and 39% of all romance novels are purchased in digital format (with the mass market now fairly close second at 32%). Eighteen percent of romances are purchased in the trade paperback format and only 9% are now bought in hardcover. While the report cites that 1% of romances are purchased for listening on audiobook,growth in the audiobook market indicates the number of romance audiobook listeners might be growing. Most romance is purchased from e-commerce sites, large chain bookstores, and mass merchandisers. Book publishing sales trends indicate that there is a robust market for romance fiction e-books. This could be due to the fact that regular romance buyers tend to be voracious readers and e-readers and e-books are convenient for multiple-book consumption. Hallmarks of the Romance Genre You think youre writing a romance novel, but are you sure? What makes a novel a romance?A novel is generally considered to be romance fiction if A love story is central to the plot The main idea of the story must be that two people who are in love must struggle through obstacles to their having a relationship. While there can be sub-plots (job, family, etc.), the love story must be the main element that drives the narrative. And...The ending is emotionally satisfying and optimistic The appeal of the romance novel for many is that the struggles of the lovers are rewarded and the risks they take pay off in a happy ending for them both. A romance novel may be a one-off (single title), or it may be part of a series. Within the parameters of the romance novel, there are many romance subgenres, which yield endless variations in Tim eframe Romance novels can be set in the past (historical) the present (contemporary) or in the future.Setting Whether the Scottish Highlands or a made-up universe or even Topeka, romance novels can be set anywhere. The story can take place during a family reunion or a murder investigation (which would put it in the romantic suspense subgenre).Hero He can be an average guy (as long as he looks better-than-average with his shirt off) a man in uniform (whether military, fireman... or kilt) or notlage even a man at all, as happens in the popular paranormal subgenre (Hello, Werewolf). Tone The sexual explicitness of romance novels ranges from demurely warm (the inspirational genre is generally not explicit) to hot and steamy... to super-sizzling.

Professional Growth, or Equilibrium

Professional Growth, or Equilibrium Professional Growth, or Equilibrium BALANCING ACT/Image Michael MoffaBreathing Again vs. Breathing BetterImagine two very different recruiters Recruiter A is always on the go, striving to make progress, to do better today than yesterday, to set himself or herbeiself challenges, records and goals that will push the performance envelope, while filling the pay envelope, and to climb higher and faster, toward the ever-beckoning summit of (competitive) success.Recruiter B is altogether different, and perhaps everywhere rarer in business circles. Bs only goal is to have no long-term goal other than to maintain an enjoyable status quo- no new records to be set, no harder challenges and tests to engage, no progress to be targeted. Instead, B likes things as they are, is satisfied with the status quo, and wants to conduct business the way his or her body conducts breathing- the same tomorrow as today, namely, smoothly and enjoyably, with no requirement th at the job results or the breathing be better tomorrow than they are today or were yesterday. Stability, elend progress, is the overarching goal- a variant of early retirement.Considering Your Opposites StyleAs a result, recruiters A and B will have very different, contrasting bedrngnisions of what constitutes job satisfaction, success, security, and meaningful work. What makes this important for you are the following questions and conjectures that follow later and one very intriguing fact The two styles are very similar to two physiological processes- homeostasis and heterostasisthat our own bodies use to keep us going and healthy.But first, the relevant questionsIf you are primarily a schrift A recruiter, how did you end up choosing this as your preferred style? Same question for type B. (Here, type A is a broader concept than Type A, the popular categorization of time-stressed, goal-driven, short-fused, impatient go-getters, although it overlaps and includes it in many instances. In this context type A means a recruiter like the one referred to as recruiter A, above. The same applies for type B.)Have you ever considered switching from your habitual style to the contrasting style or at least giving it a try? If not, why not?What do you see as the costs and benefits of the two styles and the net gain/loss of the style you have adopted?Have there been any suggestions or indications that a style switch from type A to B, or vice versa, would be good/bad for you?How do you feel about the other style? Uneasy? Envious? Something else?Climbing Ladders vs. Skating on PondsThese are two ways of looking at and creating career goals and outcomes- ways that reflect two key physiological processes of life itself growth vs. equilibrium. The first- the vertical ladder approach- career goal/outcome and corresponding physiological process emphasize growth as an objective or outcome of paramount importance the second stresses equilibrium- maintaining a career or physiological status quo, such as having static but stable client numbers or maintaining an optimal body temperature. Using body temperature as analogy, it could be argued that the ladder climber, type A needs the challenges that cause a rise in body temperature to a fever pitch, instead of maintenance tweaking to preserve the normal, basically unchanging stable temperature of 98.6 F.Are You Heterostatic A or Homeostatic B?Interestingly and arguably, unterstellung two styles approximately correspond to not only Type A and Type B personalities- the ladder climbers and pond skaters, respectively, but also to the two fundamental modes of existence, becoming vs. being and to two vital and contrasting physiological processes, mentioned above, known as heterostasis and homeostasis, a pair of concepts popularized by the researchers Hans Selye (the progenitor of stress science) and pioneering Harvard professor of physiology Walter Cannon, respectively.The aforementioned example of increasing body tempera ture, in the form of fever, as a response to an acute challenge, such as the flu, is a prime example of heterostasis, a process involving the activation of physiological defense through an adaptive departure from the normal stable state. In the domain of psychology, heterostasis, which is not yet in conventional dictionaries, has been derivatively defined as a tendency to seek new stimuli and challenges that will further growth (Raymond J. Corsini, Dictionary of Psychology, Routledge, 2001).Heterostasis is also manifested in having to run faster or longer to get the burn- ramping up the response to the challenge of maintaining fitness gains and rewards. By contrast, turning up your hypothalamus thermostat in the winter to maintain your body temperature or repeating familiar maintenance exercise routines with no new demands, no new levels of achievement exemplify homeostasis, the tendency to maintain normal physiological states by means of corrective physiological negative feedback- much as a household thermostat regulates and maintains room temperature.If your style and career goals/outcomes are growth-oriented, i.e., focused on becoming better and better, on advancement, on progress or on setting new and possibly harder challenges, on having evolving goals of advancement, you are in all likelihood a type A heterostatic ladder-climber who is not satisfied with mere endless equilibrium, and, as a result, will have priorities, rewards, stresses and perspectives that are completely different from the homeostatic pond-skater type B sitting next to you in your office.Health Risks in Overdoing a Good Thing?To the extent that there are correlations among having this heterostatic type A style, being a Type A personality (in the clinical sense of the time-stressed, impatient, short-tempered, controlling, competitive, etc., personality) and cardio-vascular disease, a type A or Type A recruiter may face heart-health issues related to this work and life style.However, it must be stressed that although various studies report significant positive correlations between low anger control and cardio-vascular disease or hypertension, critics argue that the correlations among all of the Type A traits are not so clear-cut. Hence, being future goal-oriented, a ladder-climbing heterostatic type or becoming oriented in and of themselves are not generally agreed-upon markers for heart-health risks or hypertension.What is also worthwhile to note is that to the extent that physiological heterostasis plays an important, albeit transient emergency role complementary to normal homeostasis, there may a question to pose to recruiters who psychologically have made heterostasis permanent, rather than temporary- e.g., in endless pursuit of higher levels of performance and achievement, as though gripped by a never-ending fever. That question is whether they have opted for a life style based on too much of a good thing, by making the heterostatic growth mode permanent, rath er than occasional, and in so doing whether they have plunged themselves into something like a permanent crisis mode and exposed themselves to any risks.(Analogies between this question about being in a permanent heterostatic individual growth mode and debates about the wisdom of endless economic or population growth should be obvious.)If permanent, unceasing career heterostasis is an unhealthy aberration, it would be akin to making what should be a temporary physiologicalfight or flight response a permanent, rather than emergency posture in the office or at home- which, as I reported in Zebra Stress Management for Recruiters, demonstrably correlates with elevated health risks, such as hypertension, ulcers and cardio-vascular disease.Mixed Functions, Mixed TypesEven though the two pure types- heterostatic ladder climbers and homeostatic pond skaters- are easily sharply distinguished conceptually, in fact, these are not mutually exclusive in their operations and can therefore be mix ed in various proportions and aspects of your work, just as every organism blends them. For example, in a bout of the flu, temperature will advance to the level of a fever, in order to heterostatically fight off a virus- but only as long as necessary, i.e., temporarily, while heart rate may, as a result of homeostasis, remain unaltered.Hence, having a long-term homeostatic, equilibrium job base, e.g., with fixed and stable hours, that is supplemented with interspersed occasional heterostatic spurts of growth and moments of Type A behavior would perfectly parallel the behavior of a healthy body and its physiology.Career Ladders and Two Kinds of PondsRecruiter A wants to move vertically and climb ladders recruiter B wants to move horizontally and skate an unchanging pond that is large enough to be interesting.However, to the extent that both A and B can be described using a pond metaphor and as pond dwellers, recruiter A, the heterostatic Type A, becoming achiever, is much more likely to have bigger challenge hunger and strive to be some kind of fish (preferably a big one) in a big pond filled with very big (rival) fish, even if it means starting out and possibly indefinitely remaining a small fry. On the other hand, recruiter B, the homeostatic pond skater, looks forward to effortlessly gliding over a much smaller pond, in and over which he or she can, comparatively, enjoy being a reigning big fish or at least becoming one without nearly as much effort as would be required by emulating heterostatic recruiter A.When Your Job Mimics Your BodyJust as your bodys physiology will, when required, complement its normal homeostatic functioning, e.g.,, maintaining O2 levels, with emergency heterostatic activity, e.g., elevating your bodys temperatures, on the job, you may attempt to homeostatically maintain hours worked per week, i.e., endeavor to keep them constant, while heterostatically ratcheting up your income, your client numbers, your geographical range of operati on or your network size- thereby redefining new equilibria (stable equilibrium points or states) for yourself, from which to launch your next heterostatic advance when the need or urge arises.The disanalogy with heterostatic physiological processes is that some of the results of your efforts, e.g., a larger number of clients, unlike body temperature after a fever, do not fall back to earlier levels, but hopefully remain permanently elevated. However, what should taper off like body temperature and the processes that elevated them is the level of effort that was required to create those new achieved highs, even though some lesser effort may be required to maintain and sustain them. Hence, if the key work parameter is effort, then it should increase and subside just like body temperature during and after a case of flu. If it never does, then your efforts will have become permanently heterostatic- which represents an abnormal prolongation of that kind of process and activity.Heterostat ic Becoming vs. Homeostatic Being Einsteins ObservationViewed commonsensically and intuitively, it stands to reason that the type A, Type A ladder-climbing growth-oriented heterostatically-driven recruiter is also more likely to be becoming-focused, always with at least one eye on the future and progress, rather than being-focused, the latter designating a focus on the present and the goal of keeping it as pleasant as it has been, again, like maintaining ones breathing or blood pressure just as they are, when one is satisfied with them as they are.This is the distinction reflected in Albert Einsteins observation that Americans are much more preoccupied than Europeans are with becoming, at the expense of being (satisfied living in the now, in the moment). The type B, Type B, pond-skating, equilibrium-oriented, homeostatically-regulated recruiter is, in progress-preoccupied America, going to be harder to find.Unless, of course, all the type A recruiters switch, keel over or quit from stress or worse.