You're Fired

The next time you go on a job interview, I’ve got the 5 words NOT to say...

Good jobs are hard to come by. If you don’t want to blow your chances during the interview, Paul Powers, author of “Winning Job Interviews,” has 5 words we should never say:

• Crisis. Avoid using this word for problems you solved – use challenge instead. Unless you’re a hostage negotiator, the word crisis is probably overstating the task. It could make you sound like an alarmist.

• People-person. It’s cliché and can sound like you have no other skills to point out. The same goes for people-oriented.

• Can’t. Negativity is a big turn-off, and using words like can’t, no way or impossible during an interview won’t help much. Try using positive words in your response, such as “Let’s discuss some options for that.”

• Irregardless. It’s not really a word. The correct word is regardless.

• Fired. It suggests you messed up. It’s fine to say that you were laid off or that your position was eliminated, if that’s the case. If you were fired, be prepared with a simple, streamlined explanation if you’re asked about it.

Lost Your Keys?

If you ever lose your car keys...

Most of us misplace our car keys from time to time – but what if they’re REALLY lost? You can get them replaced. First, you’ll need your vehicle identification number. Next, call the dealership and ask how much it will cost. Then, call a locksmith. They can usually do it for less money and in less time than the dealer. If the key involves a computer chip, that will cost a little more. If you’re not sure, the dealer will know.

If you’ve just locked yourself out of your car – call a cab. Most taxi companies have a lock-out service with equipment to get your car open. If they do, they’ll usually get there a lot faster than a locksmith or a tow truck.

Try Try Again?

If at first, you don’t succeed – should you try, try again?

If at first, you don’t succeed – go ahead and try again. Then, move on. According to the late Peter Drucker, author and business guru, the saying should go: “If at first you don’t succeed, try once more, and then try something else.”

Drucker also noted that people with one primary goal or passion are making a big mistake. If that goal doesn’t pan out – we have nothing to fall back on and are bound to feel defeated. When we strive to succeed on more than one thing, we’ll dwell less on any mistakes and increase the odds of success.

Boomeritis

More and more Baby Boomers are winding up in the emergency room....

A lot of Baby Boomers are really getting fit – and winding up in the emergency room. It’s a phenomenon known in the medical field as Boomeritis. As the Baby Boom generation started to hit their 40s and 50s, fitness and wellbeing saw a big boom as well. Boomeritis is described as injuries to older, amateur athletes, who are determined to push themselves to physical extremes to stay fit. Marathons and vigorous workouts or tennis matches are resulting in an explosion of ligament injuries and Boomer blowouts of the knees and other joints.

Plant Pics

If you’re heading to a gardening center this weekend – do this first...

Before you head out to the gardening center or nursery – take pictures. By snapping photos of the area you’ll be planting in or landscaping, you’ll have a pocket reference to remind you of available space, pots or existing plants. It’s also a good idea to clip out some pictures of plants you like but may not be familiar with. Employees might be able to help you identify them or find something similar or more suitable.

Affairs To Remember

We may act shocked when a big celebrity has an affair, but it's certainly nothing new...

Psychologist Douglas LaBier says he’s diagnosed 6 different types of affairs:

• The “It’s Only Lust” affair. This one is the most common and is mostly about sex and the thrill of the risk. It may be intense but usually burns out the fastest.

• The “I’ll Show You” affair. This one is used for revenge. It’s usually not fulfilling and can even traumatize the avenger.

• The “Just in the Head” affair. This is the platonic affair of the mind. It’s bound to be frustrating and the inevitable suspicion can be just as damaging as the real deal.

• The “All in the Family” affair. One person’s available, the other one isn’t. It’s usually women who get caught in this trap, believing he’ll leave his family for her. 90% of the time, that won’t happen.

• The “Mind-Body” Affair is the most threatening of all. When two people really feel they are soul mates, it will most likely lead to divorce and remarriage.

Sleep Skinny

Your bedroom could be making you fat!

If you’d like to lose some weight - start in the bedroom. Michael J. Breus, The Sleep Doctor, says quality sleep helps with weight loss and the first step is to LOVE your bedding. If you don’t, consider switching it up. Next, change your alarm clock. Set one alarm for bedtime – going to bed at the same time every night can really help with weight loss. Then, skip the snooze bar in the morning. REM sleep burns the most calories and happens in the last third of your slumber. You want to avoid interrupting that with the alarm.

Before you hit the sheets, try the power-down hour routine. Start with 20 minutes for small tasks, followed by a 20 minute hygiene routine. Finally, spend the last 20 minutes relaxing or meditating. Skip the electronics for that last hour.

Skip the Workout

If you need a reason to skip your workout – here are 5...

If you’re not feeling up to your regular workout or exercise routine – you might not want to force it. Your body might be trying to tell you something. Here are 5 reasons to skip it:

• Something hurts. If you’re mildly achy or sore, that’s okay – but if it’s a lingering pain that really hurts you could be doing some damage.

• You’re sleep deprived. Exercising when you’re exhausted is counter-productive and not good for your overall well-being. Skip the workout until your back on track with sleep.

• You feel dizzy, thirsty or clammy. Those are signs of heatstroke. Call it quits for the day and get hydrated immediately.

• You’re feeling queasy. If you have stomach bug, exercise will make it worse. Take the day off and it could pass in 12 hours.

• You have a fever. Throw in the towel and get in bed. Exercising not only stresses your system, you’re probably contagious.

Drinkable Sunscreen

Soaking up some sun this weekend? Drink this...

Before you head out into the sun, drink something red. Juices like tomato, pomegranate and cranberry can actually block damaging UV rays. The natural pigments in dark fruit juices are absorbed by our skin cells. Drinking 4 to 8 ounces a day can reduce UV damage by more than 26%.

While you’re at it – have some carrots. They’ve got the highest levels of vitamin A which is another natural skin protector.

Likeable

Would you like to be more likeable?

Most of us like to be liked. If you’d like to be even more likeable, James Borg, author of “Body Language” has the basics:

• Dress well. People do judge a book by its cover, like it or not. We also usually feel better when we look good, and that makes us more likeable.

• Smile – even if you don’t feel like it. It makes other people feel good.

• Eye contact can really effect how strangers react to you. The expression in your eyes can covey warmth, concern, romance and more – use it wisely.

Being a good listener is probably the most effective likeability tool. If you can really master your focus and listening skills – others WILL gravitate towards you.

Salary Injustice

Is the new hire at work making more than you? Probably...

If they’re hiring where you work – check the salaries. There’s a good chance a new hire will be starting at a higher rate than you, even if you’ve been there a long time. Companies often throw in some extra perks to attract the best candidates which could put them above you on the pay scale.

If you’re a valued, loyal employee, it’s worth your while to point out a blatant salary injustice. Ask your manager if there’s something they can do to even the pay or perk scales and reward your hard work.

Stormy Dreams

Have you dreamt about the weather lately?

With so much weather in the news – it’s no wonder it could be stormy in your dreams. Lauri Quinn Loewenberg, author of “Dream on It,” has a dream forecast for us:

• If you dream about snow, something or someone in your life could be on hold. Take that as a hint to start moving towards a warmer situation.

• If it’s raining in your dream – you’re probably sad. The heavier the rain, the worse you might feel. The good news is, that downpour could be cleansing and your mood on the brink of improving.

• Run for your life – it’s a twister. Dreaming about a tornado suggests something in your life is out of control. Just identifying what it is could tame the dream.

• Dreaming about lighting is your cue to act on something. Chances are you’ve got a really good idea bouncing around in your head and you should try to harness that energy or insight before you forget.

Dreaming about sunshine or rainbows is all good. Both are signs that you’re on the right path. Take those as a subconscious pat on the back.

Puffy Eyes

There’s something you can do to avoid puffy eyes in the morning...

If your eyes are puffy when you wake up in the morning, you’re probably not drinking enough water. Excess salt in our bodies can cause a buildup of fluid around the eyes while we sleep. Try drinking a large glass of water before bed. That will help cleanse some of that salt out of your system.

An extra pillow while you sleep can also help. That slight elevation will prevent fluids from settling under your eyes.

Turn It Up

If you’re late for work, turn UP the radio...

The louder your radio - the faster you drive.  A recent study found drivers went about 10 miles per hour faster when they turned the volume on their radio way up. If you'd like to save some gas, turn it down a notch to a moderate level. Whatever you do, DON’T turn it off. People NOT listening to the radio are more prone to road rage.

Say Yes!

If you’d like a “yes” answer for something - try these tricks...

If you’re planning on asking someone for a raise, a date or a favor – there is a way to increase the odds of getting a “yes” answer. Taste sensation can have a significant impact on the perception and decision making area of the brain. If they’re eating or drinking something bitter or sour, like black coffee, lemon or broccoli, wait a while, they’re MORE likely to see the down side of your proposition.

Another great way of getting a “yes” is to overstate the importance of the favor. “I have an ENORMOUS favor to ask…” “It would mean SO much to me…” When we preface the question with big talk, the payoff we’re hoping for seems much smaller.