Saturday, May 30, 2020

A career in media and journalism

A career in media and journalism Home career A career in media and journalismcareerA career in media and journalismBy Megha Bali - April 15, 20196330Facebook In the era of communication and technology today, people around the clock want to keep up with the latest changes and developments around them.What is journalism? Contents hide 1 What is journalism? 2 Eligibility, criteria and skills for the course 3 Career options in the print media 4 Journalism career options in media 5 Job prospects in Journalism 6 Salary package after the course 7 Scholarships and fundings for the course in India 8 Fees for studying the course 9 Tips for getting hired 10 Top companies to get placed 11 Top institutes to study this course Journalism is the role is to disseminate information about every relevant event in the world. Newspapers, radio, television and, more recently, the new media internet have revolutionized the way news is broadcasting. In this practice, journalists have a very important role to play.To day a career journalism stands for not only a prestigious profession, but also a challenging career option. Journalists have a key role to play in any nation’s growth. Journalism’s core purpose is to inform, educate and educate the masses about different issues that revolve around them.Since the new world has repeatedly verified the saying that the pen and camera are more powerful than the sword, numerous opportunities have been created around the globe for journalists. Simple reporting of events is no longer adequate. Today, there is a need for more specialization and professionalism in journalistic practices.Eligibility, criteria and skills for the courseEducational qualifications: The minimum eligibility for the course is a bachelor’s degree in journalism, generally set at 10 + 2 certificates and a graduate degree in journalism is required for postgraduate courses.Some institutes and private educational players also offer one-year journalism certificate courses for which 10 + 2 is eligible.There are also courses in journalism specialized areas such as sports, television, photography, press law, etc. The fact that no course or training can claim to make someone a qualified journalist should be kept in mind.Only the technical aspects can be educated by the courses. In addition to being able to write and produce news stories in the correct, concise and appealing style, one must have a nose for news for this profession.Personal attributes: One should have a curious mind, power, the ability to present information accurately, concisely and effectively. He / she should also be able to arrange and express thoughts in both written and oral forms of communication. In addition, during interviews with the public and celebrities, a journalist must be diplomatic, confident and structured.Journalists must have the ability to filter from the irrelevant relevant facts. Also crucial in this profession is the ability to accept criticism and willingness to do significant rewriting.Journalism is divided largely into two categories: Print and Electronic. Print media journalism jobs revolve around newspapers, newspapers, magazines, digests, and news agencies. On the other hand, journalism consists of television, radio and the new media-internet through the electronic medium.Career options in the print mediaReporter: As a reporter for a newspaper, magazine, news agency, radio or TV channel, reporting with speed, clarity and accuracy will be your job. In this role, the intellect to distinguish a story and objectivity is going to be very important.Special reporter: To be a reporter for a specific purpose, you need to have thorough knowledge in a particular field such as politics and sports etc. You also need to have the ability to read between the lines and explain the news based on your understanding.Feature writer: The job of a feature writer is to write in â€" depth stories and comments on specific topics.Proof reader: The task of Proof Reader is to e valuate and compare evidence with the copy edited. It is necessary to have grammar, spelling and punctuation skills for this job.Columnist: As a columnist, one writes in the newspaper or magazine for a specific segment. Your column would highlight your point of view on any subject under the sun, such as fashion, politics, or movies, etc.Photo journalist: In order to become a successful photojournalists or in simple words, a visual reporter must be quick to take photographs that represent a news story and be willing to work under difficult conditions. In addition, he / she should have the ability to write adequate captions and knowledge of photography technical aspects.Cartoonist: In order to be recognized as a cartoonist, you have to be artistic and humorous. In a satirical way, a cartoonist comments on public personalities and other events.Also read A career in interior designing: complete guide?Journalism career options in mediaResearchers: The work of researchers revolves around doing the channel or site research work. You need to be creative and inquisitive to be a researcher.Broadcast Reporters: There must be good communication and presentation skills for a broadcast reporter coupled with a news nose.Presenters: good communication skills, command over speech, diction and language, general knowledge, intelligence and composing ability in stressful conditions are essential to this job. Additionally, to convey the right tone of the news, the presenter must also have a word control and a good quality of face expression.Job prospects in JournalismA professional mass communication course opens doors to a film TV career, publishing, public relations, journalism, editing, direction, filmmaking, scriptwriting, production, etc. Mass Communication, in nutshell, expands a person’s horizon of career options. A mass communication professional may choose a job depending on personal interest and inclination. Attractive and highly paid jobs are available to talented an d trained individuals as a journalist, actor, director, editor, screenwriter, RJ, producer, VJ.Salary package after the courseWhile candidates from IIMC, MCRC Jamia, Symbiosis College and many other institutes are attractively placed after their classes and beautiful wages, students from not â€" so-known institutes have to work hard to get placed.The starting salary could be between Rs 12,000 and 25,000 for a mass communication professional. A professional can expect higher salary in the range of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per month after five years of work experience.Scholarships and fundings for the course in IndiaIIMC offers candidate scholarships in each branch, i.e. print media English and Hindi and Electronic Media, which is nearly half the feesâ€"for the first two tops. At the Institute, several other memorial scholarships are based on merit.Other institutes of mass communication also provide freeships and scholarships based on merit. Education loans are available from national ized banks like Allahabad Bank and Punjab National Bank where a student can borrow at low interest rates up to Rs 7.5 lakhs.Fees for studying the courseMass communication courses are expensive because there are quite high tuition fees and fees and expenses for projects, internships and field work. Most of the institutes that offer graduate courses charge Rs 60,000 to Rs 2, 00,000 per year anywhere. It means you’re going to have to pay almost three lakhs for a three-year course. Similarly, for one year, a PG diploma course from the Indian Mass Communication Institute may cost between Rs 40,000 and Rs 1,00,000. PG course at Jamia Millia Islamia in Mass Communication from MCRC can cost about one lakh for two years.Tips for getting hiredA candidate is required to have certain skills or interests that help him get a job in addition to pursuing a course from a mass communication institute. Candidates interested in news media should have keen interest and sound news and current affairs k nowledge.Global perspective on different issues helps candidates to acquire a reporter or journalist position. Similarly, those interested in electronic media need to have practical video editing knowledge. Most institutes of mass media training offer internship programs with news channels or entertainment channels that help candidates get a job after completing the course.Top companies to get placedHindustan Times Group of PublicationNDTV NetworkZee TV NetworkTimes of India Publication GroupViacomBBCTV 18 GroupBig Entertainment and numerous others.Top institutes to study this courseSymbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune-411004AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110025Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi-110067Asian College of Journalism, ChennaiMakhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, BhopalMass Communication is not limited to journalism alone. To a great extent mass media is a modern reality which covers all aspects of human life. Moreover, a great change can be observed in the concept of people working in mass media. Careers in Mass Communication are not only high paying but also bring in a great deal of job satisfaction and expression of creativity.

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Tips About Jobs Resume Writing Review

Tips About Jobs Resume Writing ReviewA Resume writing review can really help you make sure that your resume gets read, and gets you the interview. A resume can often be the most important part of your application, but it doesn't have to be this way. If you are looking for a way to make sure that you get a job interview, then you need to take the time to learn how to make a well-written resume.Resume writing reviews are important if you want to get a job with any amount of success. You should look at as many resumes as possible. This will give you an idea of what companies are looking for in a candidate. This will also help you decide which resume to write yourself.One of the most important things to remember is to focus on the skills that you possess. You need to put together a resume that is going to allow for some type of employment to occur. Your resume needs to catch the attention of the hiring manager and get them to call you for an interview. You do not want to cut corners by l eaving out any of the skills that you possess.Another thing to remember is to leave off any skills that you don't possess. The only skills that you should include on your resume are the ones that you do have. Skills like organization, problem solving, and communication skills are important and they should be highlighted. If you leave these skills off of your resume, then you could be risking getting a job with an employer that does not need the skills that you possess.Something else to remember is to use a professional to write your resume. There are plenty of people who are professionals in this field. They will not only be able to write a great resume, but they will also be able to write a resume that is up to date. You can find a lot of these professionals online. Resume writing reviews can also be done by using the Internet. You can post your resume on several resume sites and get feedback from others. These sites will also offer you links to experts in this field.You can also f ind a lot of information about these professionals through search engines. These sites will help you find the professional that you need to hire. You will also be able to find articles about how to write a resume, and where to find expert resume writers. These sites will offer you the chance to make sure that you have a great resume in front of the hiring manager.You should remember that you can find a lot of information online about making a resume. You can find review sites that can help you find a professional that you need to hire. These resumes are designed to get you the job and that means you need to make sure that you follow all of the rules when writing a resume.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Real Goal Of The HR Interview To Eliminate You! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Real Goal Of The HR Interview To Eliminate You! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Great news! The Human Resources Department of a company to which you recently applied, and which may have already successfully “screened” you as a potential candidate with a preliminary telephone interview, now wants to set up a face-to-face interview with you at company headquarters! The company must really be serious about you as a candidate, right? Well, perhaps, but it’s far more likely that the real purpose of the interview is to eliminate you from further consideration, and, quite probably, scores of other potential candidates with whom HR may also have  scheduled face-to-face interviews around the same times as yours. If there was ever a time for you to be on “full alert” during your job search, this is the time! It’s crucial to keep in mind that the HR interview process is driven by one principal goal: To weed out any potentially “unsafe hires.” That is, they want to eliminate anyone and everyone who might even remotely end up costing the company more money, cause legal issues, not be a good cultural fit, or in any other way cause the company some type of embarrassment and/or inconvenience. Contrary to popular belief, companies do not necessarily always hire the best candidates. It is usually the safest candidates who get hired! Anything said to HR can and WILL be Used Against you! HR also tends to ask potential candidates very direct and pointed questions. If you are not on full alert you can easilyâ€"and quickly!â€"fall into the various “traps” they are trying to set for you and you will therefore quickly be eliminated from further consideration. So, it’s important to keep in mind that “anything you say can and WILL be used against you” during an HR interview. Let me give you a specific example of what I’m talking about here. My executive recruiting firm recently had a candidate in for an HR interview and the very firstâ€"the very first!â€" question the HR representative asked was, “What is your current salary?” Now, think about it, while it certainly isn’t all that unusual for HR to inquire about current salary and/or salary expectations, would this in fact be the first question you would ask a candidate if you were looking for the best talent available for a position? Of course not! But, as I just stated, HR is all too often not looking for the best talent, they are looking for ways to easily and quickly eliminate all but the safest candidates! If you don’t answer this salary question in an acceptable manner, you will be quickly eliminated, by the way. (Click on this link to learn the best way to answer “the salary question,” regardless of when it comes up in the early stages of the hiring process.) You see, HR generally see itself as “the first line of defense” for the company and, in fairness to these men and women, not totally without at least some justification. As a result, they usually don’t view hiring in terms of, say, the extra value a more costly person might bring to the company. Rather, they view hiring in terms of the extra costs the company will incur if they pass along to hiring managers candidates whose current salary and/or salary expectations exceed the amount budgeted for the position. Your new best friend is the HR representative Well-trained HR representatives know the value of immediately putting applicants at ease by projecting a friendly, totally non-threatening attitude, to make the applicant feel as though they (the HR representative) are their “new best friend.” The theory isâ€"most times, quite true, by the way!â€"the more relaxed the applicant is the more easily and more quickly he/she will fall into the various “traps” the HR representative has planned for him/her. Let me explain. Let’s say the HR representative begins the interview, in a very casual, relaxed manner, by telling the applicant about the various company benefits, e. g., number of vacation days, sick days, group insurance plans, etc. Normally, this is followed up with comments such as, “How does this sound to you?” “How do these benefits compare to what you have in your current position?” The whole idea, of course, is to put you the applicant at ease and make you feel that you are practically a “shoo-in” for the position. The fact of the matter is, however, the HR representative is actually just setting you up to fall, quite willingly, into another “trap” so you can be eliminated! How? Well, suppose you come back with a response such as this: “In my current job I get three weeks of vacation, not just the two weeks your company offers.” A response like this will immediately set off alarm bells in the HR representative’s mind and quickly brand you as an applicant who certainly is not safe. The HR representative may well think:  It seems this applicant  is more interested in playing than in working. I’ll pass on him/her. The key here, as is the case throughout the HR (and subsequent) interviews, e.g., with a hiring managers and/or others within the company hierarchy, is never to “tip your hand” too early in the game. If you do, you will simply be eliminated from further consideration. The time to negotiate such things as salary and benefits is not in the early interview stages. That sort of thing is done once you are actually offered the position! Don’t be fooled by the ‘Grand Tour’ And finally, you may even get  the “Grand Tour.” As the HR representative shows you “your” workspace and the general company work/break areas, she  may say things such as, “This is where you will sit.” “This is where you will take your breaks.” “This is Bob, whom you will be working with.” Face it, you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t infer from these comments, from this tour, that you must have already been selected for the position! Don’t you be fooled, however. Don’t let down your guard at this point because that is precisely what the HR representative is hoping you will do! Another real life example of what I’m talking about here. This is how one candidate recently responded when the HR representative was showing him the break room: “Oh, I am glad to see that you have Diet Dr. Pepper in your machine. I get tired of just having Diet Cokes. I am a diabetic and too many places don’t give you a choice.” An innocent comment by the candidate? Certainly. Still, it was a comment that unwittingly branded him as being “unsafe” because he could potentially end up costing the company a great deal of money in medical expenses. Unfair? Yes. Nonetheless true? Yes, again. Probably the biggest risk a candidate can take after having taken the “Grand Tour” is that he/she will be so certain, so absolutely certain, that he/she will be offered the position that he/she simply discontinues all other job search activities. We actually had a candidate who did this recently, only to learn five weeks later that he was not the candidate selected by the company. Don’t you fall into a similar trap. Successful interviewing skills can be learned Successfully interviewing merely involves effectively employing another set of skills, and these skills can certainly be learned and refined. I covered how you can develop and then successfully utilize interviewing and other skills during the entire job hunting process in “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game have Changed Forever! If you have already purchased my book, or at least have seen it advertised on Amazon.com and other places throughout the Internet, then you know the cover design features a three-dimensional  chess board. There is a very good reason why I chose this cover design. Like chess, the hiring process is in every sense of the word a “game,” a very complicated, quite challenging game. And again, just like chess, at every step of the hiring “game,” the other “player” (in the case of this blog, the HR representative) can, at any time and without any forewarning, make a move that will literally take you out of the game! Don’t you fall into one of the many “traps” that the HR department, hiring managers and others routinely set up for you and virtually all other job seekers in today’s job market. Learn, and then consistently practice, interviewing skills that are known to be effective. If you do, you will be branding yourself as an applicant who is professional, knowledgeableâ€"and, yes, even as someone who is ostensibly a “safe” hireâ€"and one to be highly sought after by hiring companies. Author: Skip Freeman is the author of “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game Have Changed . . . Forever! and is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The HTW Group (Hire to Win), an Atlanta, GA, Metropolitan Area Executive Search Firm. Specializing in the placement of sales, engineering, manufacturing and RD professionals, he has developed powerful techniques that help companies hire the best and help the best get hired.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Why problem employees dont get fired

Why problem employees dont get fired We finally got a dog. Sparky. His original name was Prince. But I decided you cant have a prince on a farm. So we changed the name. Sparky is five years old, so he was probably pretty used to the name Prince, but name changing, is of course, normal in our family. (After all, Im on my fourth name.) We picked Sparky at the pound because my son wanted a lap dog. I am not a fan of lap dogs. They scream Paris Hilton to me. A study at the University of California at San Diego confirms our hunches that people pick dogs that resemble them, and sure enough, the rat terrier is like my son in that they are both delicate and jumpy. I think I am more labradorstrong and funso I thought I was being an extra good mom getting a dog I would never choose myself. At the dog pound, Sparky sat in my sons lap, but as soon as we got him home, he looked for larger laps. It turns out, Sparky prefers adults. At first we thought it was my sons jumpiness. We told the kids to be calm around the dog. But the dog got snappier as the week went on. And growly. During this time, however, the Farmer and I were becoming attached to him. Sparky jumped into our laps every chance he got, and his rat terrier nature meant that he would find a snuggly part for his nose every time he sat down. He is kissy and cuddly and loving. To adults. So I said we had to give him back. I am mercenary in this way. Very practical. The point was to get my son a dog because dogs are calming for people with Aspergers. And the dog hates kids, so the dog has to go. The Farmer, who does not have Aspergers, fell in love with the dog. And the Farmer, who said when I met him that he did not want animals in the house, now proposed that we get two dogs. One for the adults and one for the kids. So, the Farmer was at my goat mentors house, and she needed to get rid of her dog because he bit a goat. The dog was big and good with kids, so the Farmer brought him home as a surprise: Max. If Max and the Farmer were in that University of California study, everyone could have pegged them as a pair. Max is strong, sturdy, a little scraggly and has a sort of a slouch like he holds the weight of the world on his shoulders. Just like the Farmer. It turns out that Max wants to be petted every second. He wants to sit in the kids laps. He follows the kids around. And, the truth is he has no interest in the goatshe just wanted someone to play with. Sparky sees all the attention that Max gets, and it turns out Sparky can be nice to kids after all. He doesnt want to be left out. So now, everyone is happy. Sparky is nice to the kids, and Max is no longer nipping goats to get attention. And I cant help noticing that this illustrates three truths about hiring and firing employees: 1. Initial selection is largely dependent on being similar to the hiring manager. The term for choosing people (and dogs) who are like you is homophily. Miller McPhearson, a sociologist at University of Arizona, confirms that race and ethnic background are the biggest factors in this selection process. But those of you who are upper-middle class have a different set of hiring criteria to meet. Lauren Rivera, at Kellog School of Management, shows that when it comes to the upper-middle class, hiring managers discriminate based on extracurricular activities and how you dress rather than on race and ethnicity. 2. If the boss likes an employee, it doesnt matter how terrible he is to everyone else. The employee will not get fired. So often people write to me to tell me that their co-worker is terrible but never gets fired. This is how the world works. Its such a ubiquitous problem that Bob Sutton, professor at Stanford Business School, wrote the book The No Asshole Rule to quantify the costs of keeping a jerk instead of firing him. (The cost, by the way, is about $150,000 year.) The only thing you can do is work to become as well liked by your boss as the terrible co-worker is. 3. Bringing in someone new to the team can make everyone change, in unexpected ways. People are always responding to each othereveryone changes as other people enter the picture. Sometimes this means the leader introduces someone who is not as talented as others, but has a good personality, to help the team. Sometimes you have to experiment. We got lucky with Max. Which is good, because I dont think I could handle a third dog.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Reflective Writing For Your Resume Cover Letter

Reflective Writing For Your Resume Cover LetterWriting a reflection for your resume cover letter is a crucial element in the writing process. The purpose of a resume cover letter is to convince the reader that you are worthy of being contacted by the recruiter.Job hunting has become more competitive than ever. If you have not fully prepared yourself for a new job, now is the time to start. Your resume, cover letter is your first chance to make a great impression on the potential employer.Writing a reflection for your resume cover letter can be difficult at times, but the end result will reflect positively on your performance. The trick is to use all the tools available to help get it done right. Here are some tips.First, let's start with an individual project. Think about the position you want to be filling. Have you already thought about how you would be presenting yourself to them? What do you feel is lacking in your resume cover letter? Try to identify these things before you begi n the writing process.Reflective writing takes practice. If you find that you struggle with this, consider hiring someone to help you. A professional copywriter may be able to help you. They can help identify areas of your resume cover letter that you may have trouble with and make suggestions for improvement. You may also need to hire an editor to assist you in editing your work.Reflective writing can be challenging at times. A professional editor or copywriter will offer you suggestions for making your words more impactful and more relevant to the person reading them. For example, using specific verbs and words that will draw their attention. This will make a strong first impression on your prospective employer.You will want to make sure your initial reaction to your writer is one of enthusiasm. You don't want to send in a few revisions for your resume cover letter. Your initial response should be one of excitement. Follow up on that enthusiasm.Reflective writing for your resume c over letter is something that is important. Always take your time and consider all your options. Once you have completed the initial reflections, you will feel more confident about your resume cover letter and be able to produce a better product for your future employer.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Centuries of Contribution Social Service Careers in the Field of Criminal Justice - CareerAlley

Centuries of Contribution Social Service Careers in the Field of Criminal Justice - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The very first evidence of social service work in the criminal justice system was in 1817 when Elizabeth Fry took on the challenge of prison reform in Britain. Known as the angel of the prisons, Fry advocated for humane treatment of prisoners, the separation of genders in prison facilities, and post-release support through education and paid work. The profession was officially recognized almost 100 years later as a result of ongoing philanthropy and changing social mores. Today, social service workers are an essential part of the criminal and juvenile justice system. They fill an important need in the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals. Professional Challenges, Personal Rewards Social service careers in criminal justice can be extremely fulfilling for individuals who seek to contribute to an often under-served sector of American society, including a disproportionate number of young males and minorities. These jobs also have an impact on the community at large, as appropriate treatment can reduce recidivism. Statistics from the United States Department of Justice indicate that 650,000 people are released from federal and state prisons each year. Unfortunately, without effective counseling and support after release, over half of all prisoners eventually reenter the system. There are a lot of challenges to consider when entering this field. However, a social services worker can have a positive personal impact on the lives of others, including the families of detainees. Career growth opportunities are plentiful: Correctional Treatment Specialist Median Salary: $47,200 Job Outlook: 18% growth by 2020 Correctional treatment specialists monitor criminal offenders who have been released from prison. Much like a probation officer, these professionals help previously incarcerated individuals transition back into society. Individuals with a masters degree in criminal justice can often be hired without any previous experience in apprehending criminals. However, they should be aware this job can be a dangerous one. Correctional treatment specialists need to carry a firearm for protection when conducting home visits, employment checks, and property searches. Substance Abuse Behavioral Disorder Counselors Median Salary: $38,100 Job Outlook: 27% growth by 2020 Counselors can find job opportunity in prisons and juvenile detention centers, as well as with parole and probation agencies. Licensure in this field requires a masters degree, two to three years of experience, annual recertification, and continuing education. Counselors are also regulated by their state of residency. The growth rate of this profession is very favorable as drug offenders are required to undergo treatment as part of their rehabilitation within the criminal justice system. Social Workers Median Salary: $42,500 Job Outlook: 25% growth by 2020 Social workers play an essential role in criminal justice, working with the incarcerated as part of a multidisciplinary prison health team. The position plays an important role throughout the prisoner lifecycle, from intake assessments of new inmates to exit counseling of those being released. Licensure varies by state, as do educational requirements. Individuals with a degree in social work, coupled with a masters degree in criminal justice, will be dually prepared for the challenges of this role. Adding Value in a Growing Industry The United States criminal justice system has become more punitive in recent decades. More prisoners are being housed across the country than ever before, including juvenile offenders. Mentally ill people who fall through the cracks also end up in jail when no other options are available. Many prisons struggle with overcrowding, creating the opportunity for new and more modern structures to be built and ultimately staffed by criminal justice professionals, including those in the social services field. While many jails and detention centers hire directly, an increasing number are managed by separate companies with expertise in corrections and behavioral health. Outside the prison walls, social service workers can continue to support the criminal justice system in helping prisoners make a successful transition back into society. This career is not for everyone, but those who follow the path are highly valued contributors in todays world. Author Byline: Laura Mingo writes in the field of higher education. This article aims to offer career advice for university students in relation to criminal justice and promotes the benefits of advanced study regarding an online masters in criminal justice Sources: www.socialworkers.org www.urban.org www.census.gov www.bls.gov www.naswil.org www.historyofsocialwork.org photo credit: brizzle born and bred via photopin cc This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Visit me on Facebook

Friday, May 8, 2020

What Is a Workaholic 10 Signs That You May Be One.

What Is a Workaholic 10 Signs That You May Be One. My top 10 signs  that you may be a workaholic: 1. You have your bosses birthday on your calendar but not your anniversary. 2. The last thing you think of at night is work. 3. Then you dream about it. 4. You play out a conversation with a team member in your imagination over over again. 5. You check your email while driving because you cant wait to check it when you reach your destination. 6. Leaving your desk for lunch is the rare occurrence, instead of the other way around. 7. Work is more rewarding than relaxation. 8. Unwinding doesnt enter your mind. 9. The first thing you do in the morning is check your work email. 10. Your spouse tells you. Now we all do some of these things some of the time.   With all joking aside, the real topic of discussion is a lifestyle choice. The work/life balance debate is alive and well. It seems to be the hot topic in recent years. But how do you know where the line is between work and life?   Where does it really start and stop and how can you tell when work has invaded your life for the worst?   The short answer: only you can answer that for yourself. There is no magic here or 5-step plan. Here are some questions to consider in an effort to seek the right balance for yourself. Can you stop when you want to stop? With any addiction, a true test to determine if you are indeed addicted, is to see if you can stop when you want to stop. If work is a compulsion over which you cant stop, even when you know you should or want to, you may need to think about why. Work can be very fulfilling. Its nice to be good at a certain skill. I would argue that to be truly great at something, time and investment are necessary.   However, when other priorities are compromised and you keep working regardless of how dire the consequences, its time to reflect on what is really going on. Work is meant to be fulfilling for work, not a substitute for all things. Do you seem to cover up how much you work to others? If you are attempting to minimize how much you work to others, this may be an indication that you yourself do not like how much time you are putting in at the office (or home office). I would consider that if you are trying to hide the truth, there is something off. If you feel balanced with a 60-hour work week, it brings you fulfillment and you are enjoying yourself, then I dont see why this would be a problem.   There is nothing to hide here. Others may have different views than you, but that is okay. What you want to focus on here, is what you feel comfortable with, not what others feel comfortable with. How are your relationships? Honestly. This is a great question to ask yourself. I dont know anyone personally or any stories of people who, on their death bed, didnt mention the value of relationship. They matter they just do!   Sometimes work can be a safe place to hide out so you dont have to deal with the hard work of relationships. However, relationships are worth the effort. Relationships also have a way of getting back to your own issues and perhaps that is the reason to work overtime as well. Emotional health is just as important as physical health.   Make sure you dont have regrets later on because when you look back, you will want to know that you made time for those important to you. Im not saying all will be perfect, its just that Ive never heard anyone look back and say I wish I worked more!. Be honest with yourself with these three questions and you may realize that you are a workaholic. If you are theres no need to panic. Ask yourself what you want others to say about you at your funeral those are the things you should take some time off work to focus on. By Dawn Shaw|2017-04-21T18:10:17+00:00February 9th, 2016|Motivation, Performance|0 Comments