This is the single worst piece of advice still given out by people

This is the single worst piece of advice still given out by peopleThis is the single worst piece of advice still given out by peopleNice guys schliff last.That saying, without a doubt, is the absolute worst advice people still give.Im sure everyone has heard that one before. If not, well, its a clich saying here in the U.S. and Ive heard it more times than I can count.The basic point of the phrase is to warn people If youre too nice, youre going to be used and constantly taken advantage of by others.Its a stupid saying that bears no real meaning whatsoever.I know plenty of super nice people that are highly successful. And do you know how they became highly successful? You guessed it - BY BEING SUPER NICE.The problem with the advice to be wary of how nice you are, is that, most people take it WAY too literally.Let me give you an example.I was out to dinner with a relatively large group of friends. As were all college kids, deciding to pay with individual, separate checks was automati c.Ladders is now on SmartNewsDownload the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.Somehow at the end of the meal, there were a few items unaccounted for (items that were shared by the table). As it was obvious no one was going to offer to pay, I said without hesitation, Just put it on my bill- no problem.Immediately, the table responded with phony appreciationAww, are you sure?Want me to Venmo you $2?Ill get you back next time broAs we left the restaurant, one of my (sort of) friends turned to me and genuinely thanked me for paying for the unaccounted for appetizers, but his thank you was followed by an explanation I would have paid, honestly, but you know how it is, nice guys finish last.No, actually - I dont fking know how it is. Please, enlighten me (I thought to myself).His reason for not helping me out with that portion of the bill was because nice guys finish last. At some point in his life, some idiot must have told him that offering to help a friend pay the bill was being too nice and he didnt want to be taken advantage of.Ridiculous, right?You know why I offered to pay? Because thats what decent person would do. I could care less about $16.64. If paying that portion of the meal meant nobody else had to worry about it, thats cool with me. Id rather pay extra for people to have a good time than argue about 16 freaking dollars.Being a nice person doesnt mean being taken advantage of. I chose to pay the extra portion of the bill. That was my decision.At the end of the day, being nice to people is how you build friendships. Its how you network and fasson new relationships with people.Being nice is always a good decision.And to those who disagree, let me make something clearIf you think Im a loser or that Im going to be taken advantage of for the rest of my life because I choose to be nice, youre an idiot.Its very, VERY easy to spot the people that try to take advantage of others. If this is you, trust me, you are not as sly as you think. People - especially nice people - can see right through you.If all you like to do is use people, well, I feel sorry for you. Because when its all said and done, youre not going to have anyone that will vouch for you. No one will offer to help you out in your time of need. Nobody is going to invite you to parties or to dinners or to sporting events because nobody wants to hang around a moocher.It is always, always, always worth it to be nice.Thisarticleoriginally appeared on Quora.

The Productivity Hack That Could Earn You More Money

The Productivity Hack That Could Earn You More MoneyThe Productivity Hack That Could Earn You More Money Theres a reason so many CEOs are morning people Its just easier to get mora done in a day when you get started before everyone else. The problem? Lots of people dont consider themselves early risers. While its true that research recently showed that whether youre a morning person or night owl may be partially genetic , its also true that the morning has certain advantages, especially for those in the business world who may be dealing with people in various time zones and are constantly searching for more hours in their day. Though plenty of successful people consider themselves night owls, waking up earlier is a tried-and-true strategy for those hoping to maximize their time and increase their productivity . 1. It Allows for Time to Look at The Big PictureWhen youre totally focused on your to-do list , it can be tough to platzdeckchen aside even a few minutes to think about overarching career objectives and strategies. I use early morning time to consider long-term business goals and identify key things that I can do during the day that link in with them, says Chris Speed, Managing Director at Passion Digital . Regardless of ones line of work, its very easy to get caught up in day-to-day tasks and not work strategically, he adds. Setting aside time at the very beginning of the day, before your energy is depleted by tasks that require your immediate attention, ensures youll get time to focus on whats truly most important to you work-wise. Regardless of what time youre supposed to get to work, being there early tends to look good- even if its just on a surface level. The truth is that people who get a head start finish first or tend to make more progress in their careers than their peers, explains Roy Cohen , career coach and author of The Wall Street Professionals Survival Guide . Your early morning efforts will rarely go unnoticed. Co hen also points out that senior management often takes note when someone is putting in extra effort, which can be the little push they need to take an interest in your career.3. It Carves Out Hours for Passion ProjectsSome people are lucky enough to be incredibly passionate about their full-time jobs, but if you have a side hustle , professional certification, or graduate degree application that youd really like to devote more time to, those early morning hours are some of the best for making that happen. I am the founder of two startups, the first of which I started when I was still in full-time employment, says Steph Taylor, founder of Wildbloom Creative . I was working late in the evenings, so my only option was to get up early to work on my new business before heading off to work. It can be challenging to focus on getting more work done in the evening after being in the office all day, so getting it done first thing in the morning means youll be able to give it your full att ention. 1. Create a List of What You Want to Get DoneFinding the motivation to change up your sleep schedule isnt always easy, but laying out some concrete incentives for yourself is a great way to get the process started. Keep a list of the things you could get done if you only had more time, suggests Nancy Halpern, Principal at KNH Associates . These could include anything from exercising to reading for pleasure. Then, start doing the things on your list when you get up earlier, she says. Once you start checking things off your list feeling the benefits, like the endorphins from your new exercise routine or the fact that youve actually finished a book for the first time in years, youll start to look forward to getting out of bed.When you wake up is undeniably linked to when you go to bed, so one of the easiest ways to start getting up earlier is to change your overall schedule. When I have my lights out by 11pm, a 6am rising time is no problem, says Danielle Kunkle, Vice Presiden t at Boomer Benefits . Ive got a clearer head when I get to work because Ive been awake longer and Im ultimately more productive, she adds. As for how to get yourself to sleep when youre used to staying up late, a major piece of the puzzle is powering down your tech at least 45 minutes before you want to be asleep. Spend those last 40 minutes doing something calming, Kunkle recommends. For me, thats reading a non-work related. For others it could be taking a bath, writing in a journal, or spending some quality time with your significant other. 3. Have Something to Look Forward ToIts all about the rewards. Instead of just putting work on your AM agenda, make sure to add in something that you actually like to do. I tell clients who want to start getting up earlier to think of a small reward that can only come early in the morning, says Sara Skillen , a Certified Professional Organizer and productivity coach. This could be heading to an exercise class that you never make it to in the evening, a brewing up special kind of coffee or tea, taking a sunrise walk with your dog, or practicing a few moments of mindfulness. Acknowledging and appreciating the quiet potential of the morning by stepping outside or staring out a window for a ten minutes can help to set a positive intention that lasts the whole day, Skillen notes.

Why Skills Testing Can Help Your Job Search - FlexJobs

Why Skills Testing Can Help Your Job Search - FlexJobsWhy Skills Testing Can Help Your Job Search 24Whether youre returning to the workforce, just starting out, or somewhere in the middle of your career, it can never hurt to learn new skills and brush up on old ones. Competition for jobs is fierce, and the person with the best-matching skill-set gets an upper leg in the application process. In case you need a friendly push to update your skills, here are three reasons why skills testing can help your job search.New ways of working require new skills.With the rise in telecommuting, freelance, and flexible jobs, once-in-demand skills are less necessary, and employers are seeking job candidates whose skills match where their industries are going, not where theyve been. Former fax machine whisperers need to update their skills to document scanning and PDF creation, for example. Make aya youve got the proper skill-set for the ever-changing workplace by testing out your skills and gaining new ones. If youre trying to work from home, try out these 5 must-have skills for the future of telecommuting jobs.When you add new skills to your resume, be sure to erase old ones. Some out-dated skills can push employers to look for other candidates with more current skills. Millions of people are out of work, and yet millions of jobs are open and waiting to be filled all because of the mismatch between the needs of the employers and the skills job seekers have to offer.Free and inexpensive skill-building opportunities are all over the place.If you want or need to learn a new skill, or polish an old one, tons of opportunities exist. Here are some ideasCommunity education courses for quick skill buildingApprenticeships, Internships, or Externships to learn and gain experience simultaneouslyPart-time Jobs or volunteering to get a foot in the door and make connectionsFree online classes from colleges and universitiesCommunity education classes are especially good for learning new co mputer software, practicing public speaking, trying out basic web design, and learning a wide range of important skills. And nothing is better than learning while doing through part-time, temporary work experiences like internships and volunteering. The only thing thats worse than having outdated skills is doing nothing to bring yourself back up-to-date.You may not be as good as you think you are.Five years ago, you might have been the bees knees of Microsoft Word, but the software has changed a lot since then. If youre claiming proficiency in any technology-related skills on your resume, but you havent utilized the programs in a while, its time to test just how proficient you still are. members have a way to test their skills to see if they still stack up. We have over 85 Professional Skills Tests to choose from, and if you do well on the test, your score can be displayed to employers through your Resume Profile(s). Choose from tests related to.Net Technology Computer Skills DatabasesEnglish Language Finance and Accounting General ManagementGraphics Designing Intelligence and Aptitude zwischenstaatlich LanguagesInternet Concepts Internet Programming Java TechnologiesOffice Skills Operating Systems Sales and MarketingSoftware Testing Translation Skills Web DesigningMiscellaneous Certifications NetworkingApplying for writing jobs? Test your vocabulary, proofreading, and creative writing skills first. Want to work in customer service? Take skills tests related to call center skills, telephone etiquette, and email etiquette. Want to land an information technology job? Test your skills in web services, SQL, software testing, and Ruby on Rails. The list goes on and on, so if youre a member, check out our skills tests todayimages Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net