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Problem Solving: The Basics

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Problem Solving: The Basics

Problem Solving Basics

If you had to mark your problem-solving skills out of ten, what score would you give yourself?

Have a good old think about it… how good are you at solving those issues that leap across your path every once in a while?  Now think again… would you give yourself the same score across all scenarios?  Are you effective at solving problems whatever area of your life they appear in?  What about problems at home?  With your family?  Concerning money?  How about work?  Or with your boss? read more

How To Survive When There’s No Promotion

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How to Survive at Work…

when there’s no Promotion

praying hands

Make Do and Mend

The economic climate has resulted in big-time business belt-tightening.  Employees have found themselves propelled from workplace abundance to career scarcity.  Gone are the liberal littering of business-related expenses, overtime boons, bonuses (well for most of us!) and opportunities for advancement.

In their place has emerged that great old spirit of Make Do and Mend.

Overtime?  Do it in your own time.

Expenses?  Take your own squash and sandwiches.

Bonuses?  Cough… sorry, I just choked on my homemade sarnie. read more

Survive at Work when you’re Hungover

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How to… Survive at Work when you’re Hungover

Drunk
Ian knew his hangover had been spotted when Derek from Accounts arrived at his desk with a sombrero and hair of the dog.

I have to confess that when I was asked to cover this topic, my instinct was to perform a little side-step and flee for the hills.  After all, as professional things go, the combination of alcohol and work is a contentious area.  In a climate where it’s an employers market and competition is tight, turning up for work with a blatant hangover is akin to clotheslining Harry Styles in front of a group of frenzied teenagers.  You’re asking for trouble.

That said, I’m not a job-snob and I woke up this morning feeling rather bold.  So, let’s do this! read more

Survive your Colleagues

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How To… Survive your Colleagues

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Dilbert.com – Link

There’s that old saying about being able to choose your friends but not your family.  That’s all well and good, but do you know what else you can’t choose?  Your colleagues.

Mostly that’s not a problem.  But sometimes… well, sometimes you’re left with the colleague from hell… which is far, far worse.  Not only do you get to spend your working days with them, but the blow isn’t softened by the compensatory benefits which come with having relatives from hell.  There’s no begrudging-yet-dutiful invitation to their wedding with the free bar, and there’s no outside chance that they’ll end up leaving you that lovely vase (kept in the family for years for sentimental reasons, but you actually suspect could be a Ming) in their Will when they die because your grandfather once bailed out their father’s business in the 70’s. read more

Without Chains & Without Limits

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Without Chains & Without Limits

Chains

The Elephant and the Chain

I once read a story about how circuses train elephants.  As you’d expect, it begins when the elephants are very small.  A metal cuff, connected to a chain, is placed around their ankle and shackles them to a pole in the ground.

Naturally, the little elephant tries to wander off.  But the chain dictates his boundary.  He spends days, weeks and months trying to venture elsewhere; but each time, the chain prevents him from doing so.

Eventually, the little elephant stops trying. read more