Email how to let go of anxiety and be more productive

Email how to let go of anxiety and be more productiveEmail how to let go of anxiety and be more productiveDo you ever feel like your schmelzglas is running your life?Laddersspoke with Jocelyn K. Glei, the author of Unsubscribe, about why schmelzglas causes anxiety and how we can rethink our approach to it to be less stressed and more productive.Ladders What dont we understand about email? Glei Email is still peoples number one distraction at work, but weve become so inured to it that we dont think about it in a productive way.We are all still hanging on to this idea of inbox zero. Right after Merlin Mann coined the phrase in 2007, the first iPhone was launched. All of a sudden, email could follow us everywhere. Today, inbox zero isnt relevant to volume of email we receive.We live in a world where anyone who has access to the Internet has access to you. We can all Google someone, find their email address, and show up in their inbox uninvited to ask them to do something.We have to shif t the way we think about email and letgo of theidea of inbox zero. If we want to do work thats actually meaningful to us, we have to say no to some opportunities so we can say yes to our priorities.Why are we so addicted to email? Email is like a slot machine. Most of the time when you pull the lever, its a requestfrom your boss asking or a message from an angry client. But every once in a while, you pull the lever, and its something great an email from a long-lost friend or an invitation to speak at a conference.Those random rewards mixed in with all the junk makes you want to keep checking you email again and again because it activates aprimal seeking mechanism in your brain.This is also true of services such asSlack, Twitter, text messages, and Instagram.You have to be really clear about yourgoals so that yourenot sucked into this black hole of busy work.One thing I do is sit down every three months and identify the two or three goals that are really going to help me move the nee dle in my career. Even small acts like making your to-do listthe night before can make it easier to resist those random rewards or prioritize them.Can services like Slack replace email? I dont think Slack is an alternative to email. Slack is meant for real-time communication and collaboration. Its excellent for that specific purpose, whereas email is intended for more asynchronous communication.What happens is that we get confused about when we should use whichtool. For example, we send people emails and expect them to respond immediately.We need ahigher level of consciousness to choosewhich communication mode is appropriate to the type of message we want to communicate. Its takes a lot of effort.Why does email make us anxious? Daniel Goldman, who created the concept of emotional intelligence, found that theres aninnate negativity bias to how people react to email. In between the writing and receiving, the emailgets downgraded a positivity notch.For example, if I feel good about sen dinganemail, youll feel neutral when you receive it. If I feel neutral when I send it, youll feel negative. And if I feel negative when I send it, youre probably going to feel distressed.The social feedback loop is missing. Tone of voice, facial expressions, and hand gestures shade how you process what someone is saying. In the absence of that,we tend to assume the worst.Negativity biasis a powerful concept in emphasizing why emails can make us so upset. It also shows why its important to put in effort when youre crafting emails to make sure theywill be received in the emotional register that you intend them.Theres also a cultural concept of askers versus guessers. If youre in an ask culture, youre taught to ask for something with the understanding that the other person can say no. If youre in a guess culture, youre trained to only ask for something if you think its very likely theyll say yes.When askers confront guessers, they run into problems. If a guesser gets an email from an a sker, they guesserassumes theyre expectedto say yes. This conflictcauses a lot of anxiety.For me, understanding that concept made feel that I had more freedom to make a judgment for myself. Now I feel more empowered about only saying yes to the requeststhat align with what I want to accomplish.What can we do to reduce email anxiety? One of the problems of emails is that its a black box. You dont know how the other person is reacting.When you receive an email, you tend to either do the request, which can make you feel anxious because its interrupting other things you have to do,or put it off, which can make youfeel anxious because you know the otherperson wants a reply.Rather than doing either of those things, make a habit of letting the other personknow that you got their emailand its on your radar. These expectation-setting replies let people know where theirrequest fits within your schedule.This way, theycan stop feeling anxious about whether theyre going to get a reply, and you c anreassert control over your schedule.You can also shift to a batch-processing approach. Rather than reacting in a notification-driven way, where youre constantly multi-tasking, set aside a few times a day to focus 100% on your email and attempt to ignore it the rest of the time.Research has shown that the more frequently you check your email, the more stressed you feel. People who process their email in batches are more productive, less stressed, and happier.

The French riviera off the beaten path

The French riviera off the beaten pathThe French riviera off the beaten pathPristine beaches, charming villages, mouth-watering food, and deep blue Mediterranean waters - the Cote dAzur is a destination that many dream about visiting. Aroundfive million tourists visit the areaevery year making it the 2nd most popular destination in France after Paris. If its on your bucket list too, and youre starting to plan, no doubt youre considering the super popular destinations like Cannes, St. Tropez and Nice. But stop right there.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAdding a few of the ultra-charming out of the way towns to the itinerary will ensure an escape from the crowds and provide some cultural insight. Plus, an off-the-beaten-path French Riviera experience will add a little of the magic that youve always imagined was at the core of the luxurious south of France.crme de cassisCassis is a fishing port flanked by dramatic limestone cliffs and overlooked by an age-old chteau (where you can actually stay). But the real reason to visit is for the many trails that lead to Calanque Den Vau, a national park boasting dramatic views of the Mediterranean and secluded beaches that can only be accessed by hiking to them.After a day on the trails, enjoy the lovely white wine made by local wineries situated near the narrow streets and pastel-colored buildings of this tiny town close to Marseilles. Cafes and restaurants lining the streets create the perfect end of the day setting for a true French meal and the casual atmosphere and seaside locale are ideal for sunsets.Where to StayChteau de Cassisibis La Ciotat HotelLe Jardin dEmileMentonBordering Italy, this village is a wonderful juxtaposition between French and Italian culture, architecture, and cuisine. Menton is a must-see, an oft-overlooked town as picturesque as they come. Its 18th-century bell tower adds an elegant air t o the medieval city with colorful buildings and restaurants lining the marina. Menton boasts a micro-climate that is said to be regularly 3 -degrees Celsius warmer than the rest of France on any given day.When visiting, make sure to enjoy the culinary delights at the 2-Michelin starred Mirazur, which has consistently been ranked inthe Worlds 50 Best. Mirazur is going to be far less crowded than the other fantastic restaurants on the Cote dAzur simply because of its location here. After enjoying the exotic gardens around Menton, be sure to stroll to the edge of the marina to capture the best shot of the charming town.Where to StayPrince of Wales HotelHtel NapoleonGrand Htel des AmbassadeursNiceNice is not exactly off-the-beaten-path. Its the 4th-largest city in France and a prime destination on the French Riviera with one of the largest international airports in the region. Still, this very popular, crowded, and touristy city should still not be missed. The city has the most museums and cultural sites in the south of France. It can be the perfect home base if you prefer to stick to one hotel and enjoy day-trips to the small towns and villages along the coast and in the surrounding hills.The beaches in Nice are the best on the Cote dAzur. Along the sea is a pathway called The Promenade des Anglais that andrangs about 7 km stretching from the Nice airport to Castle Hill. Beginning in the 18th century the English aristocracy chose Nice for their winter residences and convinced the French to construct the path which is still aptly named today. Lining the beautiful walkway are numerous private beach clubs where you can snag a lounge chair on the smooth rocky beach for the day and enjoy the brilliant sun and warm Mediterranean waters.Where to StayMarch aux FleursLa NegresoMercure Nice Centre Notre-DameVencePerched in the mountains off the coast lies the ultra-charming city of Vence. Strolling along its streets youll feel as if youre taking one step after another back in time. The beautiful stone buildings in this market town make it seem like its the most authentic French Riviera escape. While the other towns lining the sea are bursting with French culture, they dont come close to transporting you to the real France like Vence.The Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence boasts some of Matisses last works surrounded by stunning, colorful stained glass. Vence is an art town. As you walk the streets, youll find plenty of galleries with both paintings and sculptures by local artists for an affordable price. Vence is up and away from the coast so its elevation provides dramatic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding area.Where to StayChteau Saint-Martin SpaHtel Les Vergers de Saint-PaulChteau Le Cagnardle Sainte-MargueriteEnjoy island life on the le Sainte-Marguerite, a small island off the coast near Cannes. Regular ferries run from Cannes run every 15-minutes making it convenient to go for the day. There are only about 20 houses on the island in a historic village by the dock, but its still worth adding to the itinerary. It boasts quiet forests and secluded coves that make it easy to escape the commercial side of Cannes to perhaps explore a romantic daydream of your own.The 17th-century fort on the island gained notoriety for housing theMan in the Iron Mask- a prisoner during the time of Louis XIV and immortalized by writers Voltaire Alexander Dumas. The tour is fascinating and the island boasts beautiful beaches and scenic trails where you can lose track of time. le Sainte-Marguerite is a special and very unique addition to your visit to the Cote dAzur.Where to StayInterContinental Carlton CannesJW Marriott CannesHtel Barrire Le Majestic CannesThis article first appeared on TravelSquire.com .

Second Interview Questions and Answers

Second Interview Questions and AnswersSecond Interview Questions and AnswersYouve made it through your first bewerbungsgesprch with flying colors, and you have been invited to a second-round interview. What will you be asked during asecond interview? Some of theinterview questionsmay be the same as the questions you were asked at thefirst interview, but others will be very different. To make it through the next round, youll need to be comfortable with both the standard interview questions and thecurve-balls, while paying special attention to topics that are most likely to come up in this phase of theinterview process. During a second interview, you will also be asked more specific interview questions about the job, the company, your ability to perform in the role, and how your skills and abilities translate into what the company is seeking in the candidate they are going to hire. SampleSecond Interview Questions and Answers What challenges are you looking for in a location? -Best AnswersWhy do you want this job? -Best AnswersWhy are you the best person for the job? -Best AnswersWhat applicable experience do you have? -Best AnswersWhy are you interested in working for this company? -Best AnswersWhat can you do for this company if we hire you? -Best AnswersWhat do you know about this company? -Best AnswersWhy do you want to work for this company? -Best AnswersWhy should we hire you? -Best AnswersWhat are your salary requirements? -Best Answers Further samplequestions about your career goals. -Best Answers Company and Job-Specific Interview Questions Depending on the type of position youre interviewing for, youll be asked questions that will require detailed responses. For example, if you are interviewing for a sales job, youll be askedinterview questionsabout your sales achievements. Be clear about how you can help the company and how you will grow sales and market share. For these types of questions, youll need to tailor your responses to reflect the com panys products, services, and goals. The best way to prepare to answer questions about how you will perform is to learn as much as you can about the job and the company. Review job specific interview questions. The more you know, the easier it will be to relate your skills to the companys needs. Also,review examples of the questions interviewers askcandidates for specific types of positions, so youre ready to respond. Talk to your connections. If you have connections at the company, talk to them to get as much insider information as possible. You want to know both how the company wants to be seen and what they might prefer not to advertise (although, of course, youll concentrate on the former during your interview). Review what you learned in the first interview. Think back to the information that was shared with you during the first interview, and use it as a starting point to prepare for the second. Check out the companys website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, Instagram, and Linked In page. Check Google News for the latestinformation about the company. Share an example of what youve learned. Heres an example of aresponse to a question about what you are most looking forward to about the position I am excited by the opportunity to play such a critical role in helping the organization achieve its goal of providing excellent customer service. I know your company prioritizes customer satisfaction across all departments, and that is something I have been passionate about in my ten years in retail management. I would love to bring my experience in managing retail staff to your organization. Be Prepared to Share More Information If you have aportfolioor other work samples, its important to bring them with you to this round of interviews, even if you showed them in your first meeting. During the second interview, its not uncommon for companies to bring in other people, such as prospective team members or other employees who might work with you on a day-to-day basi s. Some of these people might be fairly spontaneous additions to the interview process, so youll want to be prepared to give yourelevator speechand demonstrate your skills and abilities effectively and efficiently in order to catch them up on who you are. Its important tosell yourself to everyone you meet, because each person you talk with may have input into the hiring decision. For example, if you aretaking partin apanel interviewand are asked about your previous experience, you can use this as a chance to show the entire group your portfolio I have five years of experience working on marketing campaigns in the healthcare sector. Ive brought along the three samples from my most recent marketing campaigns, which I showed Mr. XYZ the brde time we met. However, I also have materials from another campaign I worked on, for which I was personally commended by the director of the organization. Make a Match Before the interviewis the right time tomatch your credentials to the employer s job requirements Reviewthe job postingyou applied for, as well as other company job listings. You will get a good idea of what the company wants from the people they hire by reviewing the job descriptions.Make a list of your qualifications that match what the employer is seeking in the perfect candidate. Prepare some examples of how youve used the attributes that are the best match at work. Your goal is to convince the company that you are the candidate who can help them reach their goals. If you provide actionable information in your responses, youll be well-positioned. In addition, reviewbehavioral interview questions and answersbecause they are designed to elicit responses that include specific examples of how you achieved results. Think of some examples of how you handled situations that are similar to what you would be doing if you were to be hired for this job. Give Consistent Responses Remember to be consistent. Your interviewers are going to compare notes, so it is imp ortant that what you tell one interviewer matches what you tell the others.Review yourresumeahead of time and take notes after your first interview. This way, youllremember what you said the first time around. When asked a question similar to one you were asked in your first interview, you might even refer back to your previous answer,as follows Yes, I am very confident using a number of content management systems, including WordPress and SharePoint. As I mentioned when we met in April, I am currently taking an angeschlossen course to learn how to use Django. I have one week left in the course, and now feel very confident with this system as well. Second Interview Questions to Ask the Employer Its important to have questions ready to ask the interviewer. Since you dont want to repeat what you asked in the first interview, have adifferent set of interview questionsready to ask during yoursecond interview. Here aresomeexamples ofquestions to ask the employerduring a second job int erview. What is one thing you love about the company culture here?How do you think an employee in this department can best impact the company?How do you measure job performance in this role (department)? Tips for Acing the Interview Just because youve been invited for a second interview doesnt mean youwill get a job offer. In this competitive job market, most employers conduct second interviews and sometimes eventhird and fourth interviews. Be prepared for your interviewer to either remember everything you said in the prior interview, or to need the occasional refresher on your details. Dont take it personally if he or she seems to draw a blank momentarily the interview process is long and involved for hiring managers as well as applicants. Even the most meticulous note-takers can lose a detail or two. Most importantly, dont assume that because youve made it this far, its a done deal.Prepare carefully for each and every interviewto enhance your prospects of turning your intervie w into ajob offer.