HowToDoThings.com Recent Workplace Survival & Success Articles

How To Be Punctual

niko — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:00:33 -0500

Punctuality is a quality most appreciated and admired, but more often than not people find it difficult to manage being punctual. Not only does this create a bad impression on others, especially if it is related to your career or emergency situations, it also makes life stressful and crammed on account of poor time management.

Being punctual or on time is not complicated or rocket-science. A few simple and easy-to-follow tips as listed below will definitely help in ensuring your punctuality improves, they are also not set in stone, you can think up many creative ways to improve your timing and thus, your credibility amongst your circle of family, friends, colleagues and others.

How To Stop Swearing

gin rummy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:42:21 -0500

Good habits are hard to cultivate and bad habits are hard to get rid of!! Getting rid of a bad habit takes a lot of patience, perseverance, hard work and an open mind, considering the so-called ‘pleasure' or ‘satisfaction' we derive from it; think smoking for example. If you're one of those people who's given to swearing, everywhere and in everything you do, it's time you made a resolution to stop with this filthy habit. Given below are some suggestions on how you can go about doing just that!!

How To Successfully Prepare for an Interview

a2yands2n — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:40:06 -0500

An interview is in fact a magic wand. It can get you a new job, change your present boring career into an exciting one, and get you a job that pays many times your current salary. It is something that can improve your career and make your life into a much better one. Successfully handling an interview has indeed become a necessity rather than a luxury! However, along with the good points associated with an interview, it has its rough edges as well. It is a place where one's abilities are challenged to the greatest extent and his/her entire personality/attitude evaluated. It tests all your skills and can bring out certain facts about you, which you yourself wouldn't have been aware of! However, with proper practice and effort, you can successfully face an interview. This article outlines the important points that you need to remember while preparing for the interview.

How To Effectively Work from Home

bronwyn — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:21:19 -0500

How To Exercise Your Creativity

a2yands2n — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:46:36 -0500

This article is a continuation to my previous article, ‘How to think creatively'.

How To Think Creatively

a2yands2n — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:17:56 -0500

How To Be Charming

Cassandra — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:13:42 -0500

How To Wake Up Without an Alarm Clock

marcalex — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:11:42 -0500

Does the scream of the morning alarm set the tone for your entire day? If you find you are grumpy or cranky every morning in response to the dreaded alarm, consider ditching this noisy instrument. It's possible to wake up without an alarm clock; just follow these steps.

How To Call In Sick When You Need a Day Off

marcalex — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:07:32 -0500

Every one needs a day off now and then. If you are out of vacation or personal time or you don’t have these benefits, calling in sick may be your only option. If you want to learn how to call in sick when you need a day off, follow these steps and you will be able to get the time and keep your job.

How To Choose a Childcare Provider

Elizabeth69 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:09:27 -0500

Finding the right person to care for your child while you are at work can be a difficult task, but most parents must rely on someone to look after their children at least some of the time, so finding the best care possible is important. While is can take a bit of effort to locate the ideal caregiver, it is well worth the effort.

How To Ask Your Boss for a Raise

jasonkeeley — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:56:38 -0500

How To Quit Your Current Job

aphrodisiac101 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:26:30 -0500

One of the difficult parts of being an employee is quitting your job. There are a lot of preparations that need to be made before deciding to quit your job. It's not as easy as 1-2-3. A job gives a person the chance for growth as well as earning money for survival and for some for luxury. However, before thinking of quitting your job, you have to have a valid reason to quit, so that at the end of the day, you will not regret your decision.

Here are some indications that would help you decide when to quit your job:

How To Screw Up a Job Interview

Mattheller — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:05:22 -0500

Your interview for that new position starts before you sit down in the uncomfortable chair. It begins with the submittal of an application or resume and includes communication to schedule an interview, the interview itself, and post-interview conversation. Each interaction tells your prospective employer about who you are and what type of employee you will be. If you want to be sure you do NOT get the job you are looking for (or a future opening at the company), follow these steps:

How To Be Fit for Promotion

aesta — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:55:12 -0500

While your managers are staring at the walls and sorting their brains out on how to replace those moving on or the boomers retiring, don't stay in your cubicle praying that you will get the promotion simply because it's your turn! Start planning, too. And start your personal "Fit for Promotion" campaign. To get fit and keep fit, here are some of the steps to take:

How To Stand Up for Yourself

Marilisa560 — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 14:13:37 -0600

"Standing up for yourself": kind of a dated term. It's what we now call assertiveness. But I still kind of like "standing up for yourself"; this phrase creates a clear directive for action. Research shows that people respond better to active vs. passive verbs. We also prefer to be told what to do, rather than what not to do. So I am going to give you a set of active verbs -- your 'to-do list' to stand up for yourself in any situation.

How To Eliminate Stress in the Workplace

margnorton — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:23:18 -0600

According to a study by the American Psychological Association, work was the leading cause of stress for the American worker in 2005. Even more disturbing is the fact that this figure increased by 59% from the prior year. Stress has been linked to all major illnesses and a shortened life expectancy. For companies, stress means lost productivity and higher insurance premiums. Are our lives out of balance or do companies expect more than we can deliver? As a life coach, these are my suggestions on how to deal with stressful work situations:

How To Make Family Your Number One Priority

Ae640 — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:40:06 -0600

Juggling the responsibilities of being wife, mother, and career woman is a tough act. So just how can you do it?

Every one says that family should always be your number one priority. Unfortunately, many parents fail in this endeavor simply because... IT’S NOT EASY. Other things could easily get in the way, or could just leave you lost in plain confusion. What you probably need is a clear thought of what your priority is, and how you could work on it and stick with it.

How To Handle Difficult People in the Office and Workplace

Waheedaleko — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:55:50 -0600

We all have experience dealing with difficult, unpleasant and problematic people at our offices and workplaces.

Difficult people are those who:

How To Recognize the Biggest Mistakes Women Make at Work

goldenpen — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:06:09 -0600

Many women let the “chick difference” stand between them and career success. Sometimes success is so close, yet so elusive, when well-meaning women sabotage themselves. Do yourself a favor; find out where you may be making a flub-up at the office.

The biggest mistakes women make when trying to climb the corporate ladder:

How To Handle Office Politics

Elizabeth69 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:51:06 -0600

Office politics come into play in virtually every workplace. No matter how efficiently you perform your job, your place in the pecking order is going to be influenced by your ability (or inability) to read people and conduct yourself in ways that present you in the very best light. While it can be easy to say that career advancement should be based solely on job performance, the fact remains that whether you like it or not, if you are employed, you must know how to play the game. That doesn’t mean, however, that you have to leave your ethics at the door – you can work to advance your career while staying true to your values if you keep a few things in mind:

How To Impress Your Boss

Mattheller — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:54:48 -0600

Making a positive impression is important when establishing any relationship. Impressing your boss is essential if you wish to be successful in the workplace. There are no shortcuts to making a lasting positive impression. Hard work, respect, and sincerity are key factors. You will be sure to impress a boss in any work setting by following these steps.

How to Earn Money from Home

a2yands2n — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:17:40 -0600

Gone are the days when you had to go out to work every morning. Rushing to the office daily, working hard throughout the day, returning home late in the evening, and hardly finding any time for your family and friends, is slowly turning out to be a thing of the past. The advent of the Internet has helped millions earn from the comfort of their homes. In the beginning, people like moms with infants to look after, drop-outs who failed to get a job, the disabled, and others who couldn't go to work every morning (due to their constraints) were the ones to prefer online earning. But lately, a lot of people have quit their jobs and work from their homes. They seem to be much happier and relaxed than before, and often earn a very good income!

How To Juggle Kids and Career

teamlarson — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:43:50 -0600

It's a moment many of us have shared ... you've woken early in anticipation of a big deadline, armed yourself with a cup of coffee and your power suit, and just as you're rounding the kids up for the daily commute to school or daycare, one of your little ones looks at you with doe eyes and says the dreaded words, "Mommy, I feel sick." For most working moms, having a career is not an optional thing. It's not just a matter of keeping up with the Joneses. With the cost of living going up and up, working outside the home is pure necessity. And, married or single, more and more women are attaining their own personal goals through their careers. Our generation has been taught that we can bring home the bacon and fry it up, too. It's no wonder the stress of trying to be everything to everyone can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to maintaining your sanity through it all:

How To Give Gifts at Work

bronwyn — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 11:32:54 -0600

Buying gifts for coworkers can be a tricky business. When should you do it, and how much should you spend? Is it going to be awkward if a colleague buys you a Christmas present and you get him or her nothing in return? Should you buy gifts for your boss? Although each office is different, there are some tips that can apply universally.

How To Know When to Quit Your Job

bronwyn — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:51:40 -0600

A lot of us get frustrated with our jobs, our bosses, our colleagues, or our workplaces. But how do we know when we just need to take a deep breath or a vacation and when we need a real change? Quitting your job is a serious decision that requires a lot of thought. There are several factors that you should think about and discuss with your family before quitting your job.

How To Use Instant Messaging in the Workplace

christphe6 — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:32:02 -0600

The use of instant messaging in the workplace is on the rise. Many people, myself included, believe that IM will someday replace email as the main communication tool for companies -- large and small. Given my current occupation, I think IM is fantastic -- it allows me to quickly and easily share code snippets with other developers, easily communicate non-technical information with other members of my team, and keep in touch with a few friends that I don't have the luxury of working with.

Having said that, companies for the most part don't have any "formal" guidelines in place when it comes to the use of IM by employees. However, just because said guidelines may not be in place, there are some "best practices" that you should try and stick to when using IM at work:

How To Network at a Holiday Party

Margaret — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:37:59 -0600

It’s that time again, peace on earth and goodwill to all. Or at least it would be if you were not worried about those darned office parties. What are they anyway? Are they work or are they parties? Here are some tips to help you navigate the maze of professional pitfalls that lurk behind that innocent invitation to celebrate with your co-workers.

Keep these tips in mind and emerge with your reputation clearer and stronger than ever before.

How To Work with an Embroiderer

mcdesign — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:56:32 -0600

The service industry is so widely varied and too numerous to even list, yet it may well be the most important industry in our daily lives. These are the people you come in contact with every day. It might be the coffee served to you by a smiling wait-staff person. Or the gas attendant that goes the extra step by genuinely wishing you a happy day. Think about the check-out person that double-checks the price of an item to help you save.

Maybe you only see a person once, or maybe you do so every day -- and you might even get to know them as friends. They are there helping to make your day go smoother, to assist you in completing a task you may have been employed to handle, or even the one person that puts a smile on your face that day.

How To Manage Your Professional Brand

Margaret — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:56:03 -0500

If you are not clear about who you are as a professional, others will make up their own image for you. Then they will broadcast that image. Wouldn't it be better if you took control? If you heard an associate describe you, would you be shocked? You don't have to let that happen. Your character is your own. Your reputation is defined by others. It is your job to make sure they get it right.

If you want your management and associates to ‘get' you, then first you need to understand just who you are. You need to define your true professional self or professional brand. Then act in a way that clearly reflects the real you. Then you are not taking any chances. When you hear your management describe you, it will be as if you have put the words in their mouths yourself.

What are the steps?

How To Analyze Handwriting

David Block — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:47:44 -0500

Handwriting analysis, or 'graphology', is based on analyzing the way the writer creates words and sentences through the physical action used to do so. Here are a handful of simple and basic principles that can provide intriguing insights to those around you.

It can help you better understand your partner, business colleagues, competitors, celebrities, family members, friends, yourself, and everyone else.

It can reveal aspirations, creativity, energy, fears, inhibitions, potential, sexual stability, strengths, weaknesses and much more. But it cannot accurately reveal a person’s age, future (other than potential), gender, left- or right-handedness, race, religion or sexual orientation.

How To Plan a Meeting

Mattheller — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:45:57 -0500

Face-to-face meetings are the best way to reach a decision that requires discussion. Great meetings don't happen by accident. They are a result of advance planning that considers the desired outcome of the meeting and the needs of meeting participants. Here are some planning steps you can take to make your next meeting truly terrific.

How To Lead a Truly Terrific Meeting

Mattheller — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:35:27 -0500

Face-to-face meetings are the best way to reach a decision that requires discussion. A well-planned meeting can fail miserably if the person leading the meeting does not perform well. Great meetings don't happen by accident. They are a result of an effective leader who understands the purpose and desired outcome of the meeting and considers the needs of meeting participants. Here are some steps you can take to make your next meeting truly terrific:

How To Write a Business or Social Speech

David Block — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 13:59:50 -0500

Your audience first and foremost. Remember that speeches are not just about something, they're for something. So ask yourself what you want your speech to achieve. Then consider the nature of your audience and how best to approach them to achieve your aims. When deciding on the tone and content of your speech, answer the following:
- What is your relationship with the audience?
  
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How To Write an Effective Email

Mattheller — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:28:46 -0500

The internet is full of tips for creating professional and effective emails. Much of this practical to-the-point advice is aimed at young people trying to land their first job. Unfortunately, ineffective emails are very common among those already in the workforce. Some ineffective emails are written by people who are unused to computers and electronic communication. Others are written by folks who have poor overall communication skills. The vast majority are written by ordinary people. We are most likely to write ineffective emails when we are busy, feeling lazy, trying to avoid confrontation, or starting a new position. Here are steps we can take to write effective emails.

How To Build a Strong Support System

Brian McClellan — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:37:59 -0500

The people who surround you--your support system--will determine how well you will build and maintain the self-confidence necessary for success. Why? They are the ones that are feeding your mind on a regular basis. Having self-confidence that will never fail is a manifestation of a strong mind. Anything we want to be strong in the future needs to be fed well in the present. An Olympic athlete that dines on milkshakes and candy bars will be a former Olympic athlete in no time. A delicate flower that dines on Coca-Cola and darkness rather than water and sunlight will be a dead flower eventually. The car that has sugar in its gas tank rather than premium petrol will not go. By the same token, your mind needs to be fed well to become a strong, confident mind. So, how do you build a strong support system that will help you become successful?

How To Spot a Liar

JohnStejskal — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:06:52 -0500

The techniques bellow will show you how to tell if you are being lied to. These techniques are used by government agencies for interrogation. They can easily be utilized in relationships and in business situations. To make successful use of these indicators, it helps to know the suspect's ‘normal' body language and reactions to different situations.

How To Develop a Pleasant, Approachable Appearance

SteveBoyd — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 13:14:30 -0500

Some years ago, The New Yorker had an article about people who commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. About every two weeks, someone jumps from the bridge. The article told of a victim’s psychiatrist who was going through the person’s apartment after he jumped. He found a hand-written note left on the man’s bureau. The note said, “I’m going to walk to the bridge. If one person smiles at me, I will not jump.”

How To Keep Yourself Motivated

galbaras — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 07:40:26 -0500

Often, when we get ourselves ready to do something, we are not happy to do it. No matter how hard we try, the task just seems difficult, boring or both. Here is how to get motivated.

How To Date Co-Workers: NBC's "The Office" Style

The2 — Thu, 03 May 2007 11:46:00 -0500

Office relationships are always a bit of a sticky situation. There's no question that dating in the office can make things awkward, especially if things don't work out. That's why it's so entertaining to watch relationships develop and disintegrate around the water cooler. And that's also why shows like The Office capitalize on this uncomfortable, unavoidable situation.

"The Office" presents the top 5 approaches to inter-office relationships...

How To Improve Your Punctuality

Brian263 — Wed, 02 May 2007 20:03:00 -0500

Ever wonder how it is that people who seem perfectly reasonable, intelligent and otherwise considerate somehow never learn to be on time? It's as if they're in a state of perpetual bafflement when it comes to their tardiness. How is this possible, you wonder, when they're chronically late for every engagement in their lives? Well take it from me, a person for whom punctuality had always been an elusive beast - it is possible for lateness to be a constant, unpleasant surprise for someone, and there are ways to break the habit.

How To Shake Hands

Vanessa264 — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:37:00 -0500

Let's face it: Some people--like the Kennedys--know how to shake hands. And considering that you can make or break a deal--or an election--depending upon how well you shake hands, it's important that you learn how to shake hands well:

First impressions. Your handshake will do much to establish a first impression of yourself. Even if your hand is greasy, sweaty or otherwise less-than-presentable, give it a quick swipe, and extend it anyway. Extending a hand is an important symbol of friendship, approachability, trustworthiness and it is all-important in establishing an initial connection with another person. Really, the significance of a handshake cannot be overstated--if you don't have a passable handshake, you aren't getting the job.

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How To Deliver an Acceptance Speech

Vanessa264 — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:40:00 -0600

While we're not sure how many of our readers are actually celebrities, we know that a number of you are celebrities in your own minds. Seriously, even if you're not going to be at the podium accepting an Oscar anytime soon, there is likely to be some occasion that calls for an expression of humble gratitude for accolades received. Here's how:

Humility not Hubris. Let the accolade say it for you. You have been recognized to the point of receiving an award: No need to self-aggrandize. Halle Berry demonstrated how not to do this with her acceptance speech for an Oscar for "Monster Ball" in 2001: "And I thank the Academy for choosing me to be the vessel for which His blessing might flow..." Uh-huh. Even if you do feel hand-picked by God, best keep that fact to yourself during an acceptance speech.

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How To Observe Etiquette In a Conference Call

Staff468 — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:33:00 -0600

"Conference call in the family room in 5, people." Have you ever read an email like this and rolled your eyes, dreading the myriad annoyances that are collectively associated with conference calls? "Why do we call it a family room when we can't stand one another?" you might wonder. In the office world, many of our daily frustrations, pet peeves and discordant moments revolve around communication. In order for your office to become more like a family, you must all observe proper etiquette in your communications, whether your mode be instant messaging, email, phone call or conference call. For now, let's focus on the conference call.

How To Behave at the Office Holiday Party

Tonya249 — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:24:00 -0500

Most holiday parties can be categorized in one of two ways - the ones that are social and the ones that are not. Your office holiday party definitely falls into the "not" category. Although on the surface, it seems like a social occasion, you should think of it as a way to improve your standing within the company. This isn't to say that an office party can't be lots of fun, but just remember - everything in moderation!

How To Resolve Personality Conflicts in the Workplace

Victoria116 — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 08:43:00 -0500

Interpersonal relationships between co-workers are one of the most important factors in any work environment--and personality conflicts are a leading cause of problems in the workplace. If two co-workers continually butt heads on work-related issues, it affects everyone around them and impacts the workplace in a negative way. Here are some tips on how to resolve personality conflicts in the workplace.

How To Improve Your Communication Skills

Victoria116 — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 06:28:00 -0500

One of the most common causes of work-related conflict is lack of communication between co-workers. Because good communication skills are essential in just about any workplace, it is important that you master the basics. Here are some tips on how to improve your communication skills.

Listen. Active listening is one of the most important communication skills you can acquire. By listening intently and not allowing your mind to drift off during meetings and discussions with co-workers, you can ensure that you are retaining the important information being discussed. Take notes during meetings and ask pertinent questions about the subject matter--repeating what the speaker has said will also help to keep the information in your brain.

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How To Encourage Workplace Etiquette in Employees

Stacy451 — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 07:53:00 -0500

Workplace etiquette can have a great impact on the atmosphere of a workplace. A workplace where employees have poor etiquette can create a negative environment where employees are always in conflict with each other and productivity is low. A workplace where employees practice good etiquette can be a place where employees thrive professionally.

Learn the ins and outs of workplace etiquette. You need to know exactly what workplace etiquette is if you are going to expect your employees to practice it. Workplace etiquette is a set of rules that employees are expected to follow where their behavior conveys respect towards others and the work of the workplace. You need to decide on what rules you think are important and will aid you in creating a more positive environment. You can use your common sense and speak to other managers to help you decide what rules you want to uphold.

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How To Practice Email Etiquette

Syndi446 — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 11:43:00 -0500

Start to finish.
- Always begin each message with a cordial greeting, such as dear or hello, or at very least the person's name.
- Never ramble on and on. Be as concise, specific, and brief as possible.
- Remember to sign your messages with both your first and last name and to configure an auto "signature" into your system which will contain all important contact information (including your full name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and a repeat of your email address).
Proofread messages.

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How To Practice Dining Etiquette

Syndi446 — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 11:32:00 -0500

When extending the invitation...

Always use the phrase "I would like you to be my guest" when extending the invitation orally or in writing.

Never say "how about joining me for lunch?"or "let's do lunch."

Remember the host always chooses the restaurant, not the guest.

Confirming details.

Always confirm details in writing, either by regular mail, e-mail, or fax.

Never assume a person will remember the appointment from memory.

Remember to call a day ahead of time to confirm the appointment.

Arriving at the restaurant.

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How To Practice Business Office Etiquette and Manners

Syndi446 — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 11:20:00 -0500

Monitor the volume of your conversations. Be sensitive to how loudly you may be speaking. Do you notice that people down the hall comment on your conversations?

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