History of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars

History of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign WarsHistory of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign WarsThe Veterans of Foreign Wars(VFW) and the American Legion organizations are thetwo best known veterans associations for U.S. military veterans. They have done a large amount of good not only for veterans but for society as a whole for over100 years. After you have honorably served in the military, you are classified as a Veteran. Being a veteran has its perks whether you are retired military or not. Easy access to home loans, education benefits, veteran group insurance programs, and many other organizations allow the returning veteran better assimilate into civilian society. The American Legion The American Legion (sometimes referred to as The Legion) began after World War I as a group of twenty officers who served in the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France. The AEF Headquarters had asked these officers to suggest ideas on how to improve troop morale. One office r, Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (eldest son of the 26th President), made the proposal of an organization of veterans. In February 1919, this group formed a temporary committee and selected several hundred officers who had the confidence and respect of the whole army. The following month, about 1000 officers and enlisted men attended the first organizational meeting, known as the Paris Caucus.At this meeting, the group adopted a temporary constitution and the name The American Legion. The American Legion welches chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help war-time veterans organization and the first American Legion post in the United States was General John Joseph Pershing Post Number 1 in Washington, D.C., organized on March 7, 1919. Since then, the American Legion has evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States - the American Legion is a community-service organization w hich now numbers over 2.4 million in 14,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines. Eligibility for American Legion membership is limited to those honorably discharged veterans and current personnel of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or Air Force who served at least one day of active duty during any of the following periods World War I April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918World War II December 7, 1941, to December 31, 1946 (except that for the U.S. Merchant Marine eligibility dates are December 7, 1941, to achter monat des jahres 16, 1945)Korean War June 25, 1950, to January 31, 1955Vietnam War February 28, 1961, to May 7, 19751982 Lebanon War and Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada) August 24, 1982, to July 31, 1984Operation Just Cause (Panama) December 20, 1989, to January 31, 1990Gulf War/ War On Terror (Desert Shield, Desert St orm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom) August 2, 1990, to today The Veterans of Foreign Wars The VFWs forefathers were two smaller veterans groups that started in 1899 when to two veterans organizations, the American Veterans of Foreign Service and the National Society of the Army of the Philippines merged to form the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1914. These first veterans groups were formed as local organizations after the Spanish American Wars and Philippine Insurrectionto secure veterans rights and benefits for their service, as many had arrived home wounded or sick. In those days, there was no Veterans Administration care or pensions for medically retired. These organizations enabled veterans to care for and help each other with the transition from the battlefield to normal life. The first VFW chapters were formed in Colorado, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.Of the three posts that claim to be the first, the VFW national organization recognizes the Denver Post as being first it is now officially VFW Post 1. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000 by 1936, when it became a government-chartered non-profit organization, membership was almost 200,000. Today, membership stands at around 1.4 million (though, National membership in VFWs has fallen from 1.8 million in 2004). To be a member of the VFW, the individual must be a U.S. citizen or national with an honorable discharge from the U.S. military, or currently serving in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard. Membership also requires military service overseas during an operation or conflict and decoration with an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, a campaign medal (or ribbon). This requirement is the major difference between the two organizations. Both the American Legion and the VFW have extended beyond the realm of simply being veterans helping fellow veterans - from their beginnings of providing financial, social, and emotional support to members of the United Sta tes Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents, and being leaders in community involvement in such areas as mentoring youth groups, helping in community food kitchens, and volunteering in blood drives, and other civic voluntarism(to give a few examples).

The Importance of Professional Networking

The Importance of Professional NetworkingThe Importance of Professional NetworkingTheimportance of the professional networkshouldnt be underestimated. It is hugely advantageous for job hunters in particular as a personal recommendation to an employer from a trusted source is invaluable.Your professional networkshould already be in place when you need it and you never know when this might be. It can help you to find a job and move up the career ladder but it requires effort to maintain.Expanding your professional network is not something you should only think about when youre job hunting. It should be a part of your work life and something you invest in over time. All relationships work in both directions so you cant just expect to reap the benefits, you have to reach out to others when they need help.If you want to improve your long-term career prospects, it is essential to understand theimportanceof career networkingand how to use it to your advantage. Along with your professional r esume, your network is one of the most powerful tools you have to make the next big career move.What is a professional network?Professional networkingsimply means building professional relationships. It is about meeting and establishing mutually-beneficial connections with people in your profession or industry. The goal of networking is to build a professional networka group of people who would do you a favor for, and who would do a favor for you.The launch of professional network sites such as LinkedIn has made the process much easier as you can make connections with a simple click. However, this can be deceiving.A purely online connection is probably neither strong or genuine. Stronger professional relationships naturally develop between people who have met in person.The importance of the professional networkThere are numerous benefits of networking. You are much more likely to hear about job opportunities and, even more importantly, be recommended to the hirer by someone in your network. A strong professional network can help you in a job search and make important career moves.A personal recommendation is likely to advance you straight through to the interview stage or even further. If an ex-colleague can vouch for the work youve done in the past and show their faith in you as a person, this could immediately make you the frontrunner for the position.However, you should take nothing for granted. It is stillessential to focus on selling yourself by using a resume builder to produce an attractive resume and to work on your job interview technique.5 professional networking tipsHere are five tips on how to build a professional networkwhich will help to improve your long-term career prospects. Remeber, building a professional network isnt something you can do overnight. You should keep this career advice in mind throughout your professional life.1) Reach out to the right peopleBuild relationships with people whocan help you make a career move. Past and present c olleagues and bosses are particularly good contacts but also include friends in similar professions, alumni from college, people from school, and more generally, anyone who can help you.2) Keep in touch with your contactsDont just contact people when you need them. Invest in each relationship and try to stay in touch, even if its just the occasional message to ask how someone is. The stronger your relationships are with your contacts, the more they will be willing to help you.3) Build your professional network onlineThere are a number of online professional network services, such as LinkedIn, which are useful tools for staying in touch with people and for making new connections. If youre a student you should start building a young professional network as early as possible as it will help you in the future. This is one of the top career tips after graduation. Remember that making an online connection is just the starting point, you will need to maintain the relationship.4) Attend pro fessional networking eventsNetworking face-to-face is very effective. If you have the change to engage in professional networking activitiesor go to events, take advantage of the opportunity. They are designed for helping people to build mutually-beneficial professional relationships. There are manyprofessional networking groups you can join whichregularly hold events.5) Do favors for your contactsYou cant expect to only receive the professional networking benefits. The phrase what goes around comes around is worth keeping in mind. If you have the chance to help someone, take it, as it wont be forgotten. Point your contacts in the direction of job vacancies and share other valuable information.

Study What to watch out for if you enter an office romance

Study What to watch out for if you enter an office romanceStudy What to watch out for if you enter an office romanceWorkplace romances are one of those things that are really easy to idealize, but the second you apply principled reasoning, the concept can just as easily fall to pieces. Relationships dont need any help in the headache department without having to adjust for professional hierarchies, conflicts of interest and property damage. Maybe Im just a close-minded cynic, considering a recent Monster survey found thatone in four employees are totally okay with the potential for office rendezvous. The implications of dating a coworker are best examined on a case-by-case basis. Thoroughly understanding a companys policies and culture is imperative. This appraisal comes from a Career and Advice Expert involved in the report. Mary Ellen Slayter believes its less about the professional position of the worker and mora about the perspective of the relationship in question. She continues , No one should jeopardize a good job for a quick fling. But, if you develop a very special connection with a coworker, remember that exploring other career options is easy true love is hard to find.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreYoung Love at WorkPerceived Effects of Workplace Romanceamong Millennial Generation Organizational MembersA peer-reviewed study published earlier this year in theJournal of Psychologyfurthers a kinder prognosis for instances of coworker romance. The results were derived from a survey of 171 organizational members between the ages of 18 and 29. These members either participated in a romantic relationship with someone from their office or had a privileged insight into one that occurred at their place of employment.Ultimately the study pools weigh of the professional implications of an office romance depended on its outcome, with a few exceptions. For in stance, however well the relationship faired, fruchtwein agreed productivity and gender dynamics were doomed to suffer, but if it was a healthy long-lasting relationship, a similar majority occasioned boosts to employee satisfaction and general-collective office morale.The consequences reported in the cases wherein a picket fence simply wasnt in the cards, seemed to fractionally rival the boosts attributed to the contrary psychological unrest, power imbalances, harassment, etc. Were all used to the question being posed as How does a romantic partnership affect office culture? but rarely the other way around.Love at first siteParticipants in the new study that reported being in a healthy office relationship themselves said that the circumstantial proximity actually improved their love life, in addition to supplying an important base understanding of their career struggles. The cons cited a loss of boundaries, awkwardness, communication-related complications andthe burden of negative perceptions from others.In fact, it should be noted that on balance, coworkers that experience the relationship, irrespective of its length, cited positive implications, while employees that merely witnessed these relationships, by and large, were less likely to index positive effects. The authors wrote, Results indicate Millennial workplace romance partners focused on personal benefits and difficulties, whereas coworkers tended to identify organizational impacts. Women were more likely than men to identify drawbacks of workplace romance, and employees reporting on hierarchical versus peer-peer romances were more likely to identify the partners gaining workplace advantages. Implications for work-life blending and workplace romance policies geared toward Millennial organizational members are discussed.

A Tip for Moms, Retirees, or Any Reluctant Job Seeker

A Tip for Moms, Retirees, or Any Reluctant Job SeekerTip for Moms, Retirees, Reluctant Job SeekersA Tip for Moms, Retirees, or Any Reluctant Job SeekerThanks to the flippin recession, there are two groups of job seekers Those who really want to be working (but arent), and those who dont want to be working (but have to). This latter group, thereluctant job seekers, includes parents (mostly women) who left the workforce to raise their families but are now being forced to return for financial reasons, and retirees who worked and saved all their lives, only to have their investments shrivel by 25% or more. Here they are, with battered egos, rusty interview skills, and outdated resumes, trying to play the part of the shiny job candidate who rises above the crowd. Nobody ever said life was fair.If you consider yourself a reluctant job seeker, your best move might be to invest in a professional resume writer. Why? Because once youve grown accustomed to speaking of your career in terms of wh at you used to be, it can be next-to-impossible to switch your mindset back to the present, let alone clarify your future value to an employer.Thats where a pro can help. Professional resume writers know how to present your work history, volunteer roles, skills, and strengths in a way that appeals to todays employers. They can review your old resume, ask you questions, and help pull a strong personal value proposition out of your unique collection of experience and qualifications. Full disclosure offers a professional resume writing service, but Id be advising this regardless. HonestOf course, professionals cost money, and you could be looking at anywhere from about $100 to several hundred dollars, so its notlage an option for everyone.However, if youre like most people in this particular boat, youve already been stewing about this for months, knowing you need a resume because you need an income, but youre paralyzed to make a move. If you can manage the investment, its almost guaran teed to pay for itself in time saved before you finally get a paycheck.If you do decide to go for it, be sure you get someonewhos certified by theProfessional Association of Resume Writers (PARW) and/or the National Resume Writers Association (NRWA).The added bonus of going through the professional resume writing process is that it gives you a new way to look at yourself and see in writing all the value you still have to offer.

Un-Answered Questions Into Project Manager Resume Summary Uncovered

Un-Answered Questions Into Project Manager Resume Summary Uncovered Project Manager Resume Summary - the Story An entry-level position for a project manager usually requires three to five decades of experience in a specific field before you receive the reigns for a whole project, so remember to include prior company projects you lent a hand in. Managing projects is a critical part of any organization. Project Managers should know a number of topics, including information technology, advertising, and construction, based on the facts of their undertaking. They work within an organization to spearhead specific projects. Project Manager Resume Summary Options The point is to organize all of the info in a manner that immediately captures the readers attention, to make sure that the whole summary becomes reviewed. Its far better comply with the fundamental guidelines of resume writing, then use these ideas for giving your resume that distinctive twist. If you follow the suggestio ns above you are going to have an interesting, compelling resume summary that is likely to make the reader want to find out more about you even regardless of your lack of work experience Usually, you need to always concentrate on putting your fruchtwein powerful information first. However you decide to organize your project list, stick to the exact same rules throughout the document. If you set certain numbers of job applications and resumes sent each week, it is going to enable you to keep moving forward and keep up a positive attitude. One very significant part the work experience section is finding the best method to list your contributions to the provider. If you dont have a fantastic summary, however, the excess work theyll have to place in to review the resume will diminish your chances. Unlike an objective, which tells an employer what you aspire to gain from work, a summary statement emphasizes what you could provide a company. Youre going to compose a resume summary which gets many more interviews. You should make sure your resume summary statement concisely demonstrates why youre a best candidate for the particular job and business. Try to remember you must ask someone to serve as a reference before you may list them as one. A History of Project Manager Resume Summary Refuted If you do decide to move forward with a resume summary statement, be sure to take care of it as your personal highlight reel. The summary goes at the exact top of the webpage. You may want to look at a qualifications summary which we outlined in last weeks postbut if only you need to have a summaryhere are a couple of examples to help you begin. Whilst you write your summary for your resume, attempt to consider what you want them to discuss with you, and what exactly you desire an opportunity to discuss. For instance, youre searching for executive secretary job openings. A nicely presented objective can be precisely the high-impact tool that could find a hiring s upervisor s focus from the beginning. A good idea is to appear more formal than the normal employee in that organization. The comprehensive project manager job description can help you. What You Should Do to Find Out About Project Manager Resume Summary Before Youre Left Behind Along with any degree-level qualifications, in addition, it is important to incorporate any courses and qualifications pertinent to project administration. Be sure that the skills are related to the job which you desire. As soon as you determine the skills you wish to concentrate on, do some research and see whether they line up with job requirements listed for the positions youre seeking. Your abilities and experience sections need to be spot-on for a hiring manager to take notice. Scanning through the work description is a significant means to pick out the keywords. Looking at examples are able to help you make a decision as to what sort of content you should include, in addition to how to format y our resume. As stated previously you will need to to obviously tell your story utilizing keyword and proper project experience. Resume examples for free will help you in a comprehensive procedure about how to compose your own resume. Gossip, Lies and Project Manager Resume Summary Youve got to clearly state what your experience is centered on. In spite of no experience, you still ought to show experience. Most folks will at least try to have some appropriate knowledge in the work field theyre attempting to enter. Also, mention different roles you have undertaken during your complete expert experience. Employers dont wish to waste time reading a great deal of meaningless babble. Furthermore, you can look for warehouse associate jobs on Monster. What Is So Fascinating About Project Manager Resume Summary? In the end, dont be shy when it has to do with using contacts. Make certain that you choose high quality websites and examine theyre active or you might be regarded as u nprofessional. Your internet presence is a lot more important now, and thus your header should consist of links to anything relevant and of expert quality. Such resumes are sent to possible clients of the enterprise to enlighten them regarding the company background.

How Do I Video Interview...Recent Graduates

How Do I Video Interview...Recent GraduatesEvery candidate comes with their own set of unique bewerbungsgesprching challenges. Thats why were tackling video interview tips for different types of candidates with this how-to series. Today, well be talking about how to use video interviews to connect with recent graduates. Now that theyve turned the tassel and started looking for their dream job, how do you figure out if these young and eager candidates are right for your organization?Recent graduates can make great employees. They bring with them fresh blood and new ideas. A recent grad might just have the innovative new idea your company needs to get ahead. However, their dearth of professional experience can make hiring them feel chancy. How can you be aya theyll thrive in your office environment if this is their first professional job?With an unemployment rate of 12.7 percent for 20 to 24-year-olds, your company is obviously not the only one tackling these issues. Dont make the mist akes everyone else is making by ignoring this valuable applicant pool. If you know how to use the video interview to find out about recent grad candidates, you will be able to nab this top talent before they get scooped up by a competitor.Here are some things to keep in mind when using a video interview to evaluate recent graduatesKnow what Millennial candidates are looking for out of their careersThere are a lot of misconceptions about Millennials and what theyre looking for in an ideal career. An infographic we recently posted looks at some of these Millennial myths and debunks some of these tall tales. What are Millennial candidates really looking for in their careers? The answer is engagement, opportunity for growth and job satisfaction.While speaking to Millennial candidates in the video interview, make sure to stress how your company provides plenty of feedback and gives employees the chance to better themselves through challenging work. If you sell your company as a place whe re recent graduates can begin moving up their career ladders, youll attract more motivated employees.Look for their passion for the industryWith the high unemployment rate for recent graduates, you want to make sure youre hiring someone who is truly passionate about your industry instead of someone just looking for a paycheck. Those willing to take the job for the paycheck only will be the first ones out the door when something better comes along. This is why its important to use the video interview to evaluate Millennial candidates passion for the industry.Some of this passion youll be able to see right on the resume, whether its a traditional resume or a video resume. Did the candidate take part in industry-related activities and groups? Did they join a professional organization? Do they talk about industry trends on their social media profiles? Did they use their skill set to give back to the community through volunteer work? All of this will tell you something about how passiona te and dedicated your Millennial candidate is.Evaluate their five-year planMost recent grad candidates hate this question, but ask about their five-year plan anyway. This will allow you to see if their career goals align with your companys. If their goals dont include your industry or dont seem to align with the position, watch out before hiring. behauptung are the kind of employees who will leave when something more fitting to their career aspirations comes along.Find their working styleHaving never held a professional job before, the working styles of recent graduates can be a bit of a mystery. Do they work well with others or are they a lone wolf? Will they fit into your company? You know what kind of employees you need in your company, whether youre searching primarily for self-directed workers or team players.Ask questions in the video interview about how theyve worked in the past on projects with team members and evaluate what their career goals say about their ideal working s tyle. Then determine if this is the kind of employee your open position calls for.Recent graduates can be a valuable asset to your company as long as their career goals align with your companys hiring needs. Look at these evaluation criteria in the video interview to hire the best young employees for your company.What are some of your tips for evaluating recent graduates in the video interview? Share in the comments

What a Manuscript Is and How to Write One

What a Manuscript Is and How to Write OneWhat a Manuscript Is and How to Write OneA manuscript is essentially the earliest draft of a book. It is the unpublished version of a book submitted to agents and editors for publication consideration. In book publishing, agents and editors will often refer to books in manuscript gestalt, noting that the book is in the earliest stages of preparation. A book in manuscript form will always need to be edited. And, sometimes, once the editor has gone through it, it is sent back to the author for a rewrite. Either way, it will likely be sent back to you once its been edited and proofread so you can make the requested changes. Once it is deemed to be fully ready, it is then sent to the production side of the business, where it is prepped to be printed into an actual book. Writing a Manuscript Some authors begin work on their manuscript without first having had a book proposal accepted by a publisher. They write first, then look for a publisher. And if they cant find a publisher, they self-publish. Other authors only begin to work on the manuscript once a book proposal has been accepted by a publisher. When you are composing your book, many people recommend not worrying about the format. You can compose your manuscript writing longhand with a quill on parchment if thats what gets your creative juices flowing. There are still writers who use paper and pen, schriftartwriters. or record their manuscripts verbally before transcribing it or having it transcribed for them. Bestselling authorDanielle Steel has written more than 100 books- all on her trusty 1946 Olympia manual typewriter. However, it is probably safer to compose using a computer and word processing program so your work is saved and wont blow away in the wind. You also have the advantage of using spell checking and grammar checking. Style and Preparation Guidelines Whatever method you use to compose your manuscript, it must eventually be made to conform to the s tyle guide and manuscript preparation guidelines required by the publisher. There may be different style guides and manuscript requirements for the type of books, such as fiction, nonfiction, childrens books, scripts, and poetry. Ask the publisher or your agent for their guidelines before you submit your manuscript. Common rules for formatting a manuscript stem both from tradition and a need for the copy to be easy to read and annotate. You should follow these rules Use one-inch margins on the top, bottom,and left- and right-hand sides.Numbering should begin on the first page following the title page.Each page should have a header with your name, the book title in all caps, and the page number.The entire text should be double-spaced, which leaves space for comments by editors.Indent each paragraph five spaces without adding extra lines between paragraphs.Use a standard font type such as Arial or New Times Roman in 12-point type.Printed manuscripts should be produced on 20-lb. bond p aper. It is easy to reformat manuscripts you have saved in a computer compared to the days of old when you had to retype them completely. And speaking of saving, I cant stress enough the need to back up your work on a memory stick or external hard drive. That way, even if your computers hard drive crashes, your work will be saved.

15 Tips to Boost Your Productivity

15 Tips to Boost Your Productivity15 Tips to Boost Your ProductivityConsider productivity at work. You might think you could get more done if only you had more hours in the day. But your capacity for getting work done is more nuanced than that.An Accountemps survey found 65 percent of professionals believe they are more productive during the holidays. Could it be that theyre motivated to work smarter and increase their work performance so they can take time off later?What if that holiday spirit gave a boost to workplace productivity all year long? Youd definitely get more done.Meanwhile, if you want to turn every day into a day of productivity at work, you can get started with these 15 tips.1. Trim the to-do listToo often people overestimate what they can accomplish at work and become frustrated by their lack of progress. Try a shorter, more realistic to-do list that leaves room for unexpected projects and interruptions will help you be more productive.2. Aim for quality, not quantit yMultitasking seems like a good way to increase productivity, but repeatedly switching gears is mentally taxing and can slow you down. Do your best to focus on one item at a time.3. Know your prime time for productivityUse your internal clock to your advantage by tackling critical or challenging assignments during the time of day when youre most alert and productive.4. Bring in reinforcementsIf everyone is efficient and productive, yet your team is still falling behind, consider asking for temporary reinforcements. Hiring specialized temporary professionals is a cost-effective way for employers to meet rising business demands while lifting the burden off overworked core employees.START HIRING NOW5. deutsche bundesdeutsche post dhl a Do Not Disturb signWhen working on important assignments, boost productivity by turning off mobile devices and signing out of email and social media. Doing so allows you to give full attention to the task at hand. Also, dont be afraid to occasionally pos t a do not disturb sign in your workspace.6. Explore project appsTake advantage of the wide selection of software specifically designed to help people increase productivity, keep track of projects, meet deadlines and be more organized. Evernote and Focus Booster are two free apps worth trying.7. Break down big projectsIntimidation can lead to procrastination. So break big, complicated projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Youll feel less overwhelmed. Plus, youll gain a sense of accomplishment each time you reach an incremental milestone.8. Just say no (and yes to productivity at work)Sometimes you simply cant take on another assignment no matter how small. Give yourself permission to say no at times. While you want to build a reputation as a team player, you cant afford to become a doormat in the process.9. Closely monitor your online reading habitsKeep your focus when online. If youre not disciplined, one second youre reading an industry report, the next youre scanning Face book, and a few minutes later youre staring at a post about 16 Glorious Ways To Make Mac N Cheese. (Well help you out by not giving you that link)10. Take care of your healthProductivity at work can hinge on what you do off the job. Eat healthy, exercise regularly and get adequate sleep. Being out of balance in any of those three areas can throw off your ability to concentrate.11. Mitigate meeting maniaHumorist Dave Barry once observed If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be meetings. Rethink routine meetings that have outlived their purpose. Or prune meeting times by 25 percent to force yourself and others to stay on point.12. Give yourself a breakIt sounds counterintuitive, but taking time to unplug and recharge can help you get more done. Solutions to complex problems often surface when were not intently focused on the issue. Likewise, getting some fresh air or engaging in water cooler banter can help you recharge.13. Clean up your actIf you regularly lose time because youre scrambling to find files, go in early or stay late one day to do a clean sweep of your desk. Then, get into the habit of investing a few minutes each day to organize and tidy up.14. Recondition your email reflexesChances are you read email the instant it arrives. Fight the impulse to immediately react when you hear the pinging sound of an incoming message. Pick specific times to check your inbox throughout the day.15. Reward yourselfWhen you reach a milestone or finish a project, give yourself a pat on the back - and more. Go out to lunch or dinner, quit work early, go for a run, have some fun. Reward yourself often for performance well done.Want to read more about productivity at work? Read the Five Trouble Spots That Hurt Employee Productivity Most. Also see the results of another of our surveys, which shows just how special Tuesdays are. Productivity Facts Every Employee Should Know from Robert Half

Totally unsure about something Do this now (like right now)

Totally unsure about something Do this now (like right now)Totally unsure about something Do this now (like right now)Ive always had a weird interest in time time machines time capsules. You name it. Ive been into it. Theres something about the idea of allowing ur present selves to talk to our future selves. And to let our present selves hear from our past selves. Its both hard to wrap our heads around and also wildly intoxicating at the thought of what thatd actually be like if every sci-fi movie were to become a reality.Over the past few years, Ive been tapping more and more into my future self, emotionally. She shows up in a bright cloak of wisdom and creativity. Sometimes her hair is white with bright streaks of color. Sometimes shes in long kimonos just off an international flight. And shes always un-fkwithable. And encourages me to do the same. When Im sad, or discouraged, or unsure, Ill go talk to her in my thoughts and see what she would tell me to do. She always feels like a combination of my best friend, my best self, my mom, and every woman Ive ever loved and respected.But a few weeks ago I did a proper, guided visualization to go spend time with my future self and meeting myself 20 years in the future was wild. So wild. She had a lot to say, not as much in her words but in how she showed up and what her life looked like.She communicated to me to keep creating. That all that matters is family. That curls are the way to go, keep rocking them. That love will be worth it. That the choices now have been hard but right and to just believe. We drank ros in front of beautiful Bay Area views and laughed loudly.Ive always known our future selves have so much wisdom to share with us, but Id never realized just how specific, informative and calming it could be to see them in their current, future worlds. Because we are those people, right now. And the choices, decisions, and priorities we make now will be important to future nows, later. Your future self is a treasure chest of insight that can open up clarity for today.So if youre at a crossroads, if youre doubting your choices, if youre confused about whats nextclose your eyes or open a journal and ask her that future self one year, five years, 20 years or beyond ask for the help, the wisdom and the encouragement to take the step.This article was originally published on MaxieMcCoy.com.