Cities with the Most Stressed Workers During the Holidays

Cities with the Most Stressed Workers During the Holidays Cities with the Most Stressed Workers During the Holidays */Read the infographic text.CITIES WITH THE MOST STRESSED WORKERS DURING THE HOLIDAYSRank* City1 Pittsburgh, PA2 Philadelphia, PA3 (tie) Cleveland, OH3 (tie) Salt Lake City, UT5 Los Angeles, CA6 (tie) Chicago, IL6 (tie) Minneapolis, MN8 Boston, MA9 (tie) Dallas, TX9 (tie) Houston, TX11 Indianapolis, IN12 (tie) Denver, CO12 (tie) Raleigh, NC12 (tie) St. Louis, MO15 Phoenix, AZ16 Austin, TX17 (tie) Cincinnati, OH17 (tie) Des Moines, IA17 (tie) Washington, D.C.20 Detroit, MI21 Seattle, WA22 New York, NY23 Charlotte, NC24 Miami, FL25 Atlanta, GA26 San Diego, CA27 San Francisco, CASource Accountemps survey of mora than 2,700 workers in the United States*Cities ranked from most to least stressed. 2017 Accountemps. A Robert Half Company. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Landlord Consent to Sublease FAQ - United States

Landlord Consent to Sublease FAQ - United StatesLandlord Consent to Sublease FAQ - United StatesDefinitionsWhat is the difference between an assignment and a sublease?A sublease transfers only some of the Tenants rights to a third party by leasing the property to the third party for a portion of the Tenants original lease term, or it only transfers a portion of the space rented in the Original Lease. A lease assignment transfers all of the rights that a Tenant had under the Original Lease to a third party for the remainder of the lease term. In other words, a lease assignment transfers all of the Tenants rights to the third party, while a sublease transfers only a portion of the Tenants rights to the third party.Who is the Landlord?The Landlord is the person who has title to the property which has been leased to the Tenant by the Original Lease between the Landlord and the Tenant.What is the Original Lease?This is the lease that the Tenant and Landlord originally entered into, from w hich the Subtenants leasehold interest will be created.Who is the Subtenant?The Subtenant is the person who is entering into a lease for some or all of the Landlords property that has been leased to the Sublandlord.Who is the Tenant?The Tenant (or sublandlord) is the person who has leased the property from the Landlord, and who now wishes to sublease the property to the Subtenant.Consent to Sublease DetailsCan I sublease the property without the Landlords consent?Unless the Landlord expressly consented to subleasing in the terms of the Original Lease, the Tenant canbedrngnis sublease the Landlords property without the Landlords consent. Most leases require that the Tenant obtain the Landlords prior written consent.Can the Tenant sublease a portion of the property rather than the entire property?Yes, the Tenant can sublease a part or all of the leased premises to the Subtenant.What additional purposes can the Subtenant make of the property?The Tenant can only authorize the Subtenant to use the property for purposes that have been approved by the Landlord. Before allowing the Subtenant to use the property for additional purposes that are not stated in the Original Lease, the Tenant must obtain the consent of the Landlord.Who should the rent be paid to?The Tenant can choose whether to receive the rent from the Subtenant and pass it on to the Landlord, or the Tenant can elect to have the Subtenant pay rent directly to the Landlord.I do not know when the Consent will be signed. Can I fill in the date later?Yes, by selecting Unsure as the date the consent will be signed, a blank line will be inserted into the contract so that you can add the correct date after printing the document.Who should sign the consent form?The Landlord must sign the consent, but it is advised that the Tenant (Sublandlord) and Subtenant should also provide an acknowledgment.

3 Ways to Address Salary in Your Cover Letter

3 Ways to Address Salary in Your Cover Letter3 Ways to Address Salary in Your Cover Letter3 Ways to Address Salary in Your Cover LetterSalary is such a delicate part of every job search. You want the job but you dont want to work for free, and you dont want to take a pay cut if you dont have to. To complicate the issue even more, addressing salary is more delicate today than a year ago because too many job seekers are chasing too few job openings.What does that mean? Well, the employer appears to have the advantage. If youre unemployed and really desperate to find a job, you dont want to play hard ball and risk losing an offer. If youre not so desperate, you have more flexibility in what you say about salary to the employer, but you still have to play it safe. So if you find a job ad that requests salary requirements, how do you addressit in your cover letter? Here are three optionsBeat around the bush by saying something like this Salary is only one of the factors I consider importa nt in weighing a job offer. Id be happy to discuss it once we determine Im a strong candidate for the position.Give a range youre comfortable withBased on my understanding of the job responsibilities listed in the ad, positiv the value I could bring to your organization and my understanding of the market, my salary expectations would fall in the range of $40,000 to $60,000 per year.State an exact number youre hoping to settle onBased on my understanding of the job responsibilities listed in the ad, plus the value I could bring to your organization and my understanding of the market, the salary I have in mind is $35,000 per year.The important thing to keep in mind is that if you are desperate, you dont want to appear to be. An employer can pick up on that and extend a low salary offer. If youre not desperate, you have to consider current economic conditions and be as realistic as possible when stating a salary range. Use salary research sites like Salary.com, PayScale, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to get an idea of what the job might pay.Theres no right way to talk about salary, so base your expectations on your research, what youre comfortable with, and what you can live with.

Stop saying my team and start saying us

Stop saying my team and start saying usStop saying my team and start saying usDo yur employees work for you, or with you? When discussing team accomplishments, do you say we or me? Is your employee staff or a colleague? Do you say my team instead of this team?How you describe your employeesmatters, because it does a lot to signal autonomy. Workers who feel autonomous tend to be mora effective. Using inclusive languagein the workplace is a small but significant way that employees and employers can create a positive workplace culture and signal that everyones voice is welcome at the table.Leaders can break down hierarchiesAs a boss, its important and humbling to remember that employees work for the company, not specifically for you. Even if theres a strong loyalty to an individual, most people in a corporate environment will feel a close identity tie to the company. As proof, bosses also change, and people dont leave with them very frequently.Heres one case study When John Timpson, CEO of a U.K. shoe chain was asked whether calling employees colleagues was disingenuous, Timpson,explained thatit wasnt.He knew that he was the boss, but he wanted to make a point to his employees about avoiding hierarchies We use the word colleague rather than staff or employee because we want everyone to recognize that the usual rules of command and control dont apply at Timpson.We thought hard but couldnt find a better name than colleague. Neither associate nor teammate felt right. Comrade gave the wrong vibes and, although partner is perfect for John Lewis, our people dont have shares in the business.The royal we is different from the teamwork weKing Henry II started using the royal we in proclamationsto show his constituents that he was speaking on behalf of himself and for God. Its a good strategy for a King its hard to argue with divine will.Now that most Western monarchies are only for show, the context around the word has changed and aHarvard Business Review article argues th at leaders who use plural pronouns like the royal we are landseen to bemore inclusive, considerate leaders.The researchers studied pronoun use among individuals inthe workplace and found that it would signal a persons position in the workplace.Workers who were lower on the totem pole used more singular pronouns like I compared to people at the top. Leaders would use more we pronouns compared to their underlings. The researchers suggested that this was because pronouns help to signify a speakers focus of attention and leaders needed to have more of an outward focus than other workers.By using more we and us, leaders were signaling that they were thinking beyond their individual needs and cared about the thoughts and feelings of others.Language signals respect and powerThere are takeaways outside of the workplace that we can look to as cautionary tales.The Chicago Tribune describedGreen Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the nameless ex-boyfriend of actress Olivia Munn in aheadl ine about their breakup. Some men were disgruntled at seeing Rodgers given short shrift, with one tweeting that the paper needed to respect that manWhether or not you agree with that opinion about Rodgers, thats what these language debates around possessive terms come down to individual respect.How you are definedin conversations signals how people seeyou and how you will be remembered. Employees and employers can signal that they see people as important whenthey make their language accessible and inclusive, so that employees feel empowered.

4 Women Who Are Redefining the Concept of Working Mother

4 Women Who Are Redefining the Concept of Working Motzu sich4 Women Who Are Redefining the Concept of Working Motzu sichIn zu sich speech introducing her husband at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama told the audience that, during her first term as First Lady, her most important title welches mom-in-chief. This statement was met with extended applause. I love Michelle Obama. I love the causes she stands for, from fighting against childhood obesity to supporting womens rights abroad to addressing poverty. When I go for runs around DC, I often jog past the White House and imagine Michelle Obama doing 50 push-ups and then rewarding herself with a homemade bowl of lobster mac and cheese, and this image inspires me for another two miles. I simply adore her. Theres no question that Michelle Obamas work is a significant force in the fight for equality.I know that Mrs. Obama loves and cares about her family, but her nod to mom-in-chief is a familiar move, one Ive found m yself making. Many successful professional women feel constantly inclined to say, but of course my kids come first or first and foremost, Im a mother. When you look at the Twitter profiles of some of the worlds most successful women, their bio often follows this formula Im a mother, a wife, and also a insert incredible, globally significant accomplishment and title here. Listen, being a mother is an important (and difficult) job. At this very moment, I am listening to Elmo sing a song about tricycles for the fourth time in three days. This morning my son walked into the kitchen with a box of tampons and demanded to know their purpose. And there are times, particularly when Im reading Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site for the fourth consecutive time, when the gravity of my maternal responsibilities- the fact that I am responsible for turning this person into a productive member of society who will raise a family of his own- consumes me. Being a parent makes you learn about yours elf and your morals and your definition of success and happiness. But my role as a mother is not always my most important role. And certainly saying that other roles and responsibilities are important does not diminish the importance of parenting. Unfortunately, many working parents- both mothers and fathers- feel inclined to constantly qualify their accomplishments, saying that, of course, nothing is as satisfying or rewarding as being a parent. Sure, my Saturday mornings with my son are much more enjoyable and rewarding than a four-hour conference call. But a brand workshop with a client I love that leads to a creative breakthrough? Hands-down more satisfying than pushing my son on the swing. And that doesnt make me a bad mom.When we refuse to speak honestly about how much we value our work, or when we downplay our love for our work for fear of being judged, we reinforce the incorrect assumption that career-driven women would stop working if they could afford it. And for many wome n (like me), thats just not true. Furthermore, requiring constant assurance from a working woman that she loves her children (she shouldnt have to demonstrate that to anyone except her family) also reinforces the assumption that women cant be both loving mothers and capable leaders, employees, and colleagues. The good news is that a number of women in the media are abandoning outdated cultural conceptions of what it means to be a working mother. By doing so, theyre defying the expectation that working mothers must always be assuring the people around them that they do, in fact, care about their children. For example1. Leslie KnopeLeslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) from Parks and Recreation has been one of my favorite characters on television for years. When she and her fictitious husband got pregnant at the end of last season, I was worried that, like so many sitcoms of the past, the show would completely change directions and focus exclusively on her life as a mother. But, to my pleasant surprise, it didnt. In fact, the final season of Parks and Recreation continued to center on the heart of the show- Knopes dedication to public service, her relationships with her friends and co-workers, and her deep love for her city. Her children are part of the story, but theyre not the main event. And by showing that a woman can continue to be a productive, high-achieving professional while having children (a totally common occurrence), Parks and Recreation refuses to cater to misogynist stereotypes.2. BeyoncBeyonc began recording songs for her self-titled album just a few months after she had her daughter and released the album around her first birthday. I was already a Beyonc fan, but what I love about this album is that songs that wed expect from Beyonc- sexy, catchy, edgy- co-exist on the album with songs about being a mother. Theres no contradiction between having Partition (a song that uses the verb Monica Lewinskied) alongside Blue, which features Beyoncs daughte rs little voice. Its a perfectly packaged demonstration that women can pursue their personal passions, celebrate their sexuality and successes, and be mothers all at the same time. 3 and 4. Maria and Gina of Sesame StreetMaria (played by Sonia Manzano) has been on Sesame Street since 1971. She co-owns the fix-it shop with her husband Luis and spends quite a bit of time on the show being a handywoman. In fact, in the episode I watched this morning, she exclaimed to two needy child-monster-puppets, Im sorry, but I only have time for work today. She has a daughter, Gabi, who also helps out in the shop. Over the years, her character has evolved from a teenager to a librarian to a business owner and a mother, and shes never had to sacrifice her personality or her caring relationships with the monsters of Sesame Street. Except for that bit about being a maternal figure to magical puppets, its a pretty realistic- and normal- storyline.Gina (played by Alison Bartlett OReilly) is another wor king mom on the show. Shes a veterinarian and single mom who adopted a son from Guatemala a few seasons ago. Again, like Maria, much of her time on the show is spent in her veterinary practice, giving advice to the animals of Sesame Street. Sesame Street is a show exclusively designed for children- the demographic group that is most at risk or influenced by the policies and expectations that seek to govern the behavior of parents. And yet none of Gina or Marias lines are dedicated to explaining how they prioritize their families over work or how they handle work-life balance. Its simply a given that they do both.So, while unterstellung portrayals of working mothers and their successes at normalizing a co-existing love for work and family- without the need to defend or justify- have us heading in the right direction, we need to translate this movement into our everyday lives. Women, if you stay at home with your children, you should not feel the need to explain to anyone that you are still smart or that you still have hobbies or that you plan to go back to work. Women, if you are a working mother and love your job and couldnt dream of giving up your career, then you shouldnt have to justify your choice, either. We need to stop making these categories mutually exclusive.

The Unexpected Truth About Resumes with References

The Unexpected Truth About Resumes with References For a lot of job applications you wont need to incorporate any references with your resume. Following your interview, your references could be an essential component on whether you get a job offer from an organization. The references on resume have to be applicable to the job youre applying for. The only time that it is acceptable to include references with the resume in a work application is when theyre requested directly in the work vacancy description. Tell a bit about yourself and why youre interested in the job, scholarship, or internship for which you require the reference. If their interview procedure includes references, employers will request that you provide them. 1 advantage for employers to web resumes is the substantial cost saving in contrast to traditional hiring methods. LiveCareer offers assistance at each step along the work seekers journey. Sales is much like customer service as salespeople can be effective in a variety of industries. The health care industry can be quite competitive. There are a great deal of jobs out there within this exciting field. Transportation jobs involve plenty of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can take care of that. Lies Youve Been Told About Resumes with References Possessing a crystal clear and professional resume is vital in the medical field. Resumes might be organized in various ways. You also have to chat about past experience. Distinct kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with lots of the exact skills. Real estate is a rather lucrative industry so its obviously a competitive one. The Resumes with References Trap Perhaps while trying to find examples you notlageiced poor samples all around the internet. In this instance, you are able to simply include your contacts here. For instance, if youre asking for a project lead position, you desire a reference who can describe your capability to manage teams and deadlines. Choosing who to request a reference is a significant step in your application procedure. Some people can not really need to get bothered with phone calls. Although fruchtwein people are pleased to help colleagues out with references and recommendations, there could be personal circumstances preventing them from doing this at a specific moment. When you first think about somebody to use as a reference for a work program, you must ask their permission not just to use and give out their contact info but directly if theyd be in a position to supply a reference as some individuals may prefer not to. Its usually simpler to trust someone who you know than to select the word of someone who youve never met. Some individuals only share their reference sheet if its specifically requested. Give the reference a little background about why it is you are calling. When you ask a person to provide you with a reference, its always a great idea to give them a chance to d ecline. If a person pauses or seems to be uncomfortable at all, thank them and continue on to the upcoming possible reference. If it isnt clear from your resume, you can also want to include details about your relationship with the reference. The sample reference page provided here can readily be adapted to satisfy your wants. Its also advisable to state the length of time you have known the reference. The expert reference doesnt need to be a buddy or somebody you are friends with. How to Get Started with Resumes with References? Your finest references is going to be the people who know you best professionally. Youre also likely to need to understand how to choose and request references. Thus, build relationships and grow your references. Keep in contact with your job references. Its important you keep in contact with your references periodically, as you want current contact info, and you want to guarantee your reference remembers who you are. If you are requested to send references, develop a distinct document rather than placing them directly on your resume. List the references most likely to supply you with a glowing recommendation close to the peak of your list. Please contact all your references and ask them for permission to be put on your reference list. Its very impressive if you are in possession of a diverse collection of references. Only submit your references if youre asked to. Usually, you would like to have the ability to provide a few references. Second, your references may not wish to openly share private information.

8 Steps to Make your Time Work for You

8 Steps to Make yur Time Work for You Besides money, what is the one thing on any given day most people will say they dont have enough of? Time. Subtracting the recommended 8 hurs of sleep (that most will say they dont get anyway), 16-hour days just dont seem to be enough. Between work, school, friends and family, and activities, where does all of our time go?The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics most recent American Time Use Survey gives us an idea of how most Americans spend their time.Stat 1 Employed persons spent an average of 7.6 hours working in 2011.Okay, there goes almost half of our 16-hour day, assuming we got an adequate nights sleep.Stat 2 Household activities housework, cooking, lawn care, or financial and other household management averaged 2.6 hours (women) and 2.1 hours per day (men).Now, were down to about six hours (rounding up).Stat 3 On an average day, 95 percent of those aged 1 5 and over engaged in some sort of leisure activity such as watching TV, socializing, or exercising men for 5.8 hours and women for 5.2 hours.Wellthere goes our day.For the majority of Americans, our jobs and/or careers account for a large part of our day. It can already be daunting that we spend most of our lives in the office, but what about when that time spent is actually time wasted? How many of us have been on the job yet failed to see much work done?The ability to manage your time well is critical not only for a successful professional life, but also for a well-balanced personal life. They say time is money and most of us spend our time working in order to receive a paycheck. Consider the following eight tips for better time management skills, a sure way to reverse the roles and make your time work for you.1. AnalyzeThe first step on the road to better time management skills is to analyze how you spend your time. How do you currently divide your time? What are some good and b ad habits youve noticed? Do you face any challenges with sticking to your schedule? Understanding exactly how much time we give to different areas of our lives will show us 1) if were making good use of our time and 2) how to maintain in certain areas and how to cut back in others.2. IdentifyOnce you see how youre spending your time, the next step is to identify time stealers. Be honest in your evaluation when deciding what is a good use of your time and what isnt. Do you really need to spend three hours per day watching TV? Should you focus on that task at work as long as you do? Identifying time stealers is a detrimental task to the step 3.3. PrioritizeNow that you know how you spend your time and have identified the areas that take up too much of your day, prioritize. Sometimes, everything can seem important every task, event or meeting can seem like a must on our to-do lists. Really examine the level of importance each task requires and arrange your schedule accordingly. Be sure to consider outside factors when prioritizing, such as family and friends. Maybe you think staying at work a few hours later each week is necessary to finish a project, but how will this affect your commitments outside of work? How does this affect your spouse, children and their engagements? Our time doesnt just affect our lives, but others lives as well.4. Divide Many times it seems like we dont have enough time in our days because were trying to do everything at once. Divide your tasks into smaller segments, platzdeckchen short-term goals (with deadlines as needed) and then go to work accomplishing each one. By breaking down your time youll quickly see how much more you fit into your seemingly busy days.5. Create Be sure to make a checklist of all your duties, tasks, and commitments. Check off each one after completion. This not only keeps you on track, but will show just how much youve been able to get done.6. AddInclude a little flexible/free time for yourself. Getting work do ne and being productive is great, but everyday moments where you have the chance to just be are extremely necessary. Even if its just 5-10 minutes per day, or one Me day out of every week, be sure to make time for yourself to get away from work and commitments and just relax and clear your mind.7. LearnLook up best practices for changing or improving your current habits and time management practices. This is a great way to see how others manage their time and possibly learn new tips and tricks that can benefit you.8. EvaluateMost important, evaluate your progress. Look back at your checklists to see how much work youve been getting done. Think about how youve been feeling mentally, physically and emotionally compared with before you began a new time management process. Ask those closest to you how if you have improved managing your time (especially if this was a major issue in a relationship). Evaluating your methods will show you the strengths and weaknesses in your time management approach.

Animal Career Profile for a Dog Breeder

Animal Career Profile for a Dog BreederAnimal Career Profile for a Dog BreederDog breeders are responsible for producing purebred puppies designed as future show dogs, companion animals, or breeding stock. Duties Dog breeders are responsible for a variety of daily duties related to caring for the needs of their dogs. These tasks may include activities such as cleaning kennels or runs, feeding, grooming, bathing, providing fresh water, giving medications or supplements, assisting with problem births, maintaining breeding records, studying pedigrees, assisting with breedings (e.g., artificial insemination), and registering dogs with the American Kennel Club (AKC) or other relevant breed associations. Dog breeders must also work closely with veterinarians to ensure that their dogs receive proper health care and nutrition. They also work with groomers to trim their dogs in the appropriate style for the breedor learn how to clip and style their dogs themselves. Dog breeders use their knowledge of canine pedigree to select superior animals for use as breeding stock. Responsible breeders have their breeding animals genetically tested for hereditary defects common to their specific breed, and will provide proof of such testing to parties interested in purchasing puppies from them. Many breeders also compete with their breeding stock (and/or their progeny) at dog shows, either showing the dogs themselves or enlisting the services of a professional handler. Career Options Most dog breeders specialize by producing just one breed of dog, though some breeders choose to produce several different breeds. If producing more than one breed, it is common for a breeder to produce dogs of a related type (such as herding group breeds or working dog breeds). Some breeders produce so-called designer cross-bred dogs that are not yet recognized by the AKC as new breeds behauptung dogs are bred primarily for the pet market. Breeders may also specialize in breeding dogs of a parti cular breed that are intended for a specific purpose such as hunting dogs or indoor pets. Education and Training While no college degree is necessary to start a career as a dog breeder, some breeders do have animal-related or business-related degrees. Degrees in areas such as animal science, animal reproduction, or biology may prove useful. Coursework for these degrees may include studying topics in anatomy, physiology, genetics, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, behavior, and production. Courses in marketing, advertising, communication, and technology are also beneficial for those who are running their own business venture. Dog breeders should be well-versed in the standards of their breed, the behavioral traits of the breed, and the coat cuts that are desired for the breed. Many breeders are also groomers, and this skill can be acquired either by attending a formal grooming school or learning as an apprentice from an experienced groomer. Salary The salary for a dog breede r varies widely based on the number of litters their dogs produce per year, the quality of the breeding stock, the going rate for puppies of a particular breed, and the breeders reputation in the industry. Some breeds command higher prices than others due to limited supply, such as new cross-bred dogs. Some breeders command higher prices because they have top quality stock from championship lines, especially when this has been demonstrated at major shows such as the famed Westminster Dog Show. While it does not separate out dog breeders from the more general category of animal breeders, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that animal breeders in the United States earn a mean annual wage of$40,310. While it is possible to earn a living by just breeding dogs, most breeders earn additional income by offeringdog training, grooming, or boarding kennel services at their facility. Job Outlook There is always a market for quality pedigreed puppies. Puppy mill style breeding operati ons (where dogs are bred in dirty, confined quarters) are very much looked down upon by reputable professionals in the pet industry. However, the industry (with the help of the media) has gone far to shut down puppy mills. Reputable breeders use extreme discretion when selecting animals for breeding purposes and do not allow inferior representatives of the breed to become a part of the gene pool. Superior progeny will enhance the breeders reputation and ensure their continued success in the industry.

Infographic Resume of Chewbacca (Wookiee) from Star Wars

Infographic Resume of Chewbacca (Wookiee) from Star WarsInfographic Resume of Chewbacca (Wookiee) from Star Wars This famous Wookie warrior and Hans Solos copilot is considered the favourite Star Wars character by many. Do you wonder what his resume would look like? You may be surprisedThis popular character of Star Wars universe was inspired by George Lucas big hairy Alaskan malamute called Indiana. Lucas said Indiana would always seat in a cars front seat as a copilot and people would actually confuse the dog with a big hairy person.This theory explains a lot. Name Chewbacca is based on a Russian word Sobaka (??????) meaning dog. Chewies voice is a combination of walruses, lions, camels, bears, rabbits, tigers and badgers mixed with postproduction effects. He speaks Shyriiwook, which is the official Wookie language.Chewies resume is filled with experience. Its because in Episode IV A New Hope he was already 200 years old We will say no more, here is Chewbaccas resume, which speaks for itself.Do you like this story? Share it with your friends.Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments

This is how to be productive without being miserable 8 proven secrets

This is how to be productive without being miserable 8 proven secretsThis is how to be productive without being miserable 8 proven secretsTheres plenty of good advice onhow to be productive. But most of it makes you feel like you need to turn yourself into a machine.You dont want to be Robby the Robot.Heres the thing you often dont need help with thedoingpart. You know what to do. Sit down and finish the damn task. But you dont. Why? Often its aboutfeelings.What really gets in your way?It scares me.I dont feel like it right now.This sucks and I dont wanna do it.Those are feelings. And if you dont deal with those feelings, all the mechanistic lifehacks in the world arent going to help you scratch things off your to-do list.The best productivity system is the one you stick with. And if a system makes you miserable, its not going to last. End of story.So can you be mora productive without turning into Siri or Hal 9000?The research and experts say the answer is, Yes.Lets get to itStart t he day happyThe sound of the alarm clock should not signal, Time for the pain to begin.So indulge yourself a little in the morning. Whatever puts you in a good mood, allow yourself some of that. TV, video games, something tasty - whatever.Research shows yourmood in the morningaffects your productivity all dayResearchers found that employees moods when they clocked in tended to affect how they felt the rest of the day. Early mood was linked to their perceptions of customers and to how they reacted to customers moods.And most important to managers, employee mood had a clear impact on performance, including both how much work employees did and how well they did it.Youll never be as productive as you could be if you dont make a little effort to improve your mornings.(To learn the 7 step morning ritual that will keep you happy all day, clickhere.)Okay, youre starting the day off happyand that leads to productivity. But how can you come up with new ideas and clever solutions to problems without a machine-like 27 step brainstorming process?This answeris easy, fun, and feels greatScrub your way to creativityResearchshows theres a strong relationship between feeling relaxed and being creative. And whats the most relaxing part of the average persons day?That morning shower.Scott Barry Kaufman, a prof at the University of Pennsylvania, found that 72% of people have new ideas in the shower- in fact,far more often than when theyre at work.Heres ScottWe did this international study and found that more people reported having great insights in their shower than they did at work. Disconcerting, I guess. It binnenseemed like theres definitely some benefits to being in a relaxed state.So step into the shower with more than soap - bring a problem to noodle on. Youre primed to be at your most creative, so take advantage of the opportunity.(To learn what Harvard research says will make you happier and more successful, clickhere.)Your rubber ducky is giving you the Eureka moment you needed. But bad feelings can be an obstacle to getting things done onceyou hit the office.Your mindcan be filled with worries that play over and over like a popsong stuck in your head. Thiscommon condition has a name. And a solutionClose loops to kill worriesResearchers call it theZeigarnik effect. But nobody can pronounce that so you and I willjust call it, Oh-Lord-God-Please-Make-The-Anxiety-Stop.When youve got something you know you need to take care of but you havent done anything about it, your brain is like anannoying smartphone app that wont stop with thenotifications.And guesswhat? The problem iseven worse than you thought. Those constant worries arent just annoying and anxiety-inducing, studies show they alsomake you stupidFive studies examined whether the processes associated with unfulfilled goals would interfere with tasks that require the executive function, which has a limited focal capacity and can pursue only one goal at a time. In StudiesStudy 1andStudy 2, activ ating a goal nonconsciously and then manipulating unfulfillment caused impairments on later tasks requiring fluid intelligence (solving anagrams Study1) and impulse control (dieting Study2).So how do you clear your head? Write down the concern along with a quick plan of what youre going to do to address it.Once youve done that, your brain can relax. It closes the loop and ends theZeigarnik effectCommitting to a specific plan for a goal may therefore not only facilitate attainment of the goal but may also free cognitive resources for other pursuits. Once a plan is made, the drive to attain a goal is suspendedallowing goal-related cognitive activity to ceaseand is resumed at the specified later time.(To learn how to use writing toovercome anxiety, tragedy or heartache, clickhere.)Youre happy, creative and your head is clear. But now the task in front of you is filling you with dread. How can you get motivatedto startsomething you absolutely do not feel like doing?Make awful tasks your ownDan Pink, bestselling author ofDrive The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, says the research showsone of the keys to motivation is a feeling ofautonomy.FromDrive The Surprising Truth About What Motivates UsThink for a moment about the great artists of the last hundred years and how they worked- people like Pablo Picasso, Georgia OKeeffe, and Jackson Pollock Nobody told themYou must paint this sort of picture. You must begin painting precisely at eight-thirty A.M. You must paint with the people we select to work with you. And you must paint this way.The very idea is ludicrous.So take five minutes and find a way to make an awful task your own. Rather than mechanistically following a standard process, think about what you can bring to this. How willyouchoose to handle it?How much of yourself can you inject into the process? What will make this more interesting? How can you leverage your strengths or your abilities to do it your way?The more you make the work something uniqu ely you, the more motivated youll be.(To learn more from Dan on how to motivate yourself, clickhere.)The dread is dead. But you still might procrastinate. You can make a task your own but you might be downright afraid of it, overwhelmed or just insecure about your ability to handle the project.How do you get those awful feelings out of the way so you can unleash the kind of productivity that will put a dent in the Earth?Break down procrastinationAnything that increases yourperception of controlover a situation - whether it actually increases your control or not - can substantially decrease your stress level.ViaYour Brain at Work Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day LongSteve Maier at the University of Boulder, in Colorado, says that the degree of control that organisms can exert over something that creates stress determines whether the stressor alters the organisms functioningOver and over, scientists see that the perception of contro l over a stressor alters the stressors impact.And dont just trust the research.Astronauts, Special Forces soldiers and even Samuraiagree a feeling of calm control can reduce how much you stress about a task.But whats an easy way to get that control flowing through your veins?David Allen, the guybehind the popularGetting Things Doneproductivity system, says we often feel stressed because projects seemtoo big and scary. So break intimidating tasksdown into tiny steps that you can easily manage.FromGetting Things Done The Art of Stress-Free ProductivityDefining your work entails clearing up your in-tray, your digital messages, and your meeting notes, and breaking down new projects into actionable steps.Im pretty sure Genghis Khans to-do list didnt say, Remember to conquer Asia tomorrow. Whoa. Too big.The post-it note on his desk probably said, Just decimate the tribe next door. And then the next tribe. And then the next.Thats manageable. And before you know it, youve got your own conti nent.(To learn how to stop being lazy, clickhere.)Okay, youre conquering the bad feelings that preventaccomplishment. But how do youincrease thegoodfeelings to get even more done? Its not hardKeep progredienz visibleYou probably have a to-do list. But Ill bet you dont have a did-it list.When I spoke to the awesomeJosh Kaufman, bestsellingauthor ofThe Personal MBA, he said a did-it listis a critical tool.It allows you toseeyour progress. AndTeresa Amabiles research at Harvard found that the single mostmotivating thing is progress in meaningful work.ViaThe Progress Principle Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at WorkThis pattern is what we call the progress principle of all the positive events that influence inner work life, the single most powerful is progress in meaningful work of all the negative events, the single most powerful is the opposite of progress- setbacks in the work.So keep a list of all the things youve accomplished today where you can see it. T hats dehydrated concentrate of motivation, thats what that is.You might think, Well, Iknowwhat I did today. Thats not enough. Write it down. Take a tip from the happiness research. When youtake a moment towrite down the thingsthat made youhappy that day, they have more power.(To learn the best way to manage your time, clickhere.)So you do all these things but youre still not as productive as you need to be. And that makes you feel lousy. How do you prevent those feelings from putting you back in the productivity doghouse?Forgiveness keeps you goingWhen you dont get everything done that you expected to, the most common reaction is to beat yourself up. Again, mood and productivity are connected. And guess what?Beating yourself up only makes it harder for you to get things done.Forgiving yourself is like a miracle drug. Instead of letting you off the hook and making you lazy, research shows it actuallyreduces futureprocrastination,increasescreativity, andboostsself-control.Want to be m ore self-compassionate? Its easy. Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a friend who was feeling down about not being productive.Kristin Neff, a professor at University of Texas at Austin, explainsOne easy way to be self-compassionate is just ask yourself, What if I had a very close friend who was experiencing the exact same thing that I am experiencing now? The idea is you use that same quality of warmth, support, encouragement, tenderness, understanding with yourself that you more typically show to other people.Be nicer to yourself when you screw up and youll not only feel better - youll get more done.(To learn the schedule that the most productive people use every day, clickhere.)Alright, weve learned a lot. Lets round it all up and get the final tip on the emotional path to improving productivitySum upHeres how to be productive without becoming a miserable robotStart the day happy How you wake is how you work. Having a little fun early means better results later.Scrub your way to creativity Bring a challengeinto the shower and come out with a solution.Close loops to kill worries Make a plan and write it down to silence the voice in your head.Make awful tasks your own Put your own spin on how you do something andyoull be more motivated.Break down procrastination Conquer Asia one tribe at a time, Genghis.Keep progress visible Put a did-it list next to the to-do list for motivational rocketfuel.Forgiveness keeps you going Beating yourself up kills productivity. Treat yourself like you would a good friend.These days one of the biggest enemies you deal with is distraction. But theres a fun solution to this work neara super-productive friend.Even if theyre not helping you, just being around them can improveyour focus. How powerful is this? Powerful enough to help people with ADHD.ViaFriendfluence The Surprising Ways Friends Make Us Who We AreJust having friends nearby can push you toward productivity. Theres a concept in ADHD treatment called the body doub le, says David Nowell, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist from Worcester, Massachusetts. Distractable people get more done when there is someone else there, even if he isnt coaching or assisting them. If youre facing a task that is dull or difficult, such as cleaning out your closets or pulling together your receipts for tax time, get a friend to be your body double.You wont be super-productive by trying to pretend yourea machine.If you really want to get things done you cant justkeep your head down. You also need to keep your smile up.Join more than 320,000 readers.Get a free weekly update via emailhere.Related postsHow To Get People To Like You 7 Ways From An FBI Behavior ExpertNew Neuroscience Reveals 4 Rituals That Will Make You HappyNew Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More SuccessfulThis article first appeared at Barking up the Wrong Tree.