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Time To Update Your Resume

Published on February 1, 2008 in Career Development and Quick Tips. 0 Comments

If you have not updated your resume recently you could be jeopardizing your career.

Most of us don’t think about our resume unless we are actively looking for work. That can be a big mistake. Having a current and up to date record of your career achievements allows you to respond almost instantly to a request for information, or an unexpected layoff. Even if you are not looking to change employers your resume can help you advance your career. Many times, new positions or promotion opportunities within your current company require a resume to start the process. Good opportunities don’t last long and if you take a week to update your ten year old resume you might just lose out to the less experienced person who has a well written and up to date resume they can provide the same day.

Take some time to review and update your resume. Doing this on a regular basis might just be the difference between getting your dream job or staying in that cramped cubicle. If you need some help or want tips on how to write a good resume take a look at this site.

Rubberband Man

Published on January 27, 2008 in Health and Fitness. 0 Comments

Just how flexible are you? No, I’m not asking about you ability to adapt to new situations (that’s the subject of another post to be) but rather your ability to touch your toes or lift your leg without pulling a muscle. Seems like a strange question, but life is more fun when you are healthy and in shape. Flexibility is a key component of overall health. Exercise is easier and you have a lower risk of injury. I am probably as guilty as many of you when it comes to a lack of flexibility. In fact, my lack of flexibility probably contributed to my recent injury.

I have committed to becoming more flexible this year and so far I am doing OK but I have a ways to go. Stretching is something that takes time, you can’t improve a lot overnight. But, if you work at it on a regular basis you will see definite improvement. So, how do you get started? Well, there are plenty of resources available to you on the internet. This site is a good place to start, along with the Wiki Page on stretching. If you are a fan of the “Dummies” books, as I am, they have one for stretching.

You don’t have to spend hours each day stretching in order to get the benefits. As little as five to ten minutes can make a big difference. If you exercise, make stretching a regular part of your warm-up and cool-down. Your risk of injury will be cut down and your performance will increase. Even if you are not a workout fiend you can benefit from regular stretching. You will be able to perform regular day-to-day activities with less stress and strain.

So, put on some workout clothes, load up your Ipod, or, if you want to see the original “Rubberband Man”, watch this video of the Spinners on Burt Sugarman’s Midnight Special from 1976 and start stretching!

Go Ahead, Have A Little Fun

Published on January 25, 2008 in Sports and Hobbies. 0 Comments

What do you do for fun? If you answer “well, I don’t really know” that probably means that you need to stop taking life so seriously. You know what they say about “all work and no play”, right?

Seriously, having a hobby or pastime outside of your regular work is an important part of life. We all need diversions from the day-to-day in order to relax, unwind, and enjoy life. Finding a hobby you enjoy will have a positive effect on your entire life, including your work.

Your hobby can be anything that you enjoy doing, or want to do better, or just want to try. There are no right or wrong hobbies. You can have one or many. But, whatever you do for your hobby make sure it is something that helps you relax and refocus, and maybe even learn something. By relaxing I don’t mean sitting in a chair watching TV, that is just a way to spend time. A hobby helps you relax by challenging your mind or body in new ways.

I have had numerous hobbies over the years. Most have been relatively short term because I either wanted to try something different or I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought. I don’t feel bad about the hobbies I have left behind, I learned something from all of them. I have come back to hobbies I have “abandoned” in the past and enjoyed them more the second time around. Right now my hobbies are home brewing, road biking, reading, blogging, and barbeque/grilling. I like the mix that I have, especially the road biking, as that allows me to barbeque and home brew more!

If you are wondering how to find a hobby take a look here, or take a quiz to find your hobby here. There are other resources online to help you, just Google “hobby” or “finding a hobby”. There will be lots of possibilities for you to consider.

So, if you are looking to expand your horizons and enjoy life a little bit more, take up a hobby. There’s nothing to lose and who knows, you might actually have some fun.

What are your hobbies? Tell us about them in the comments.