If you’re searching for a job, you need to have a strong sense of what you want to do and what you can do in order to demonstrate that you’re a good match for a job.

However, the truth is that many of us have held a variety of seemingly unconnected jobs.

As a result, we’re stuck: How can we make sense of our employment history so we can figure out what we love doing, apply to the right jobs, and catch the eye of a hiring manager?

Laura Simms of Create As Folk has created a workbook that helps you, “connect the dots between random jobs you’ve had.” She asks you to write down all of the meaningful jobs, volunteer opportunities, projects, etc you’ve ever been part of; opportunities where you enjoyed what you were doing and said, “I’d like to be doing more of that.”

She then asks you to pick a few of your favorites, list what made them meaningful, and highlight the patterns. To get started, download the workbook for free here.

Making this work for your job search

What’s great about this workbook is that in addition to focusing on how you felt about where you worked (fit and culture), you can also focus on work you did (skills and experiences). So at the end of the activity, you could have a list of jobs that are related and the skills and experiences you gained in each of them.

When applying for a job, you can take these related jobs and skills and flesh them by adding accomplishments on your resume and explaining why your experiences make you a good fit on your cover letter.

That being said, while this document is certainly helpful for folks who have wandering career paths and want to make sense of their work, it’s also a great way to give yourself a little guidance if you think you need a change. For example, if you’re feeling bored, what were some moments in your career that made you feel alive? There’s so much flexibility in this form of reflection.

SEE ALSO: The single most important thing to remember during a job interview

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The sleep habits all successful people share

Body language plays a crucial role in our daily lives, whether we know it or not.

From casual interactions with strangers to more formal exchanges with colleagues; we can reveal to people what we’re all about (or not about) with just a few simple gestures.

For confident and successful people, positive body language tends to be part of their make-up but for others, a bit of gentle reminding may be required.

SEE ALSO: 10 proven tactics for reading people's body language

Avoiding eye contact

A lack of eye contact can indicate that you’ve got something to hide or that you lack confidence and interest.

When it comes to communicating in the workplace, maintaining eye contact is crucial – it conveys confidence, leadership and strength.

Weak handshake

Although a handshake only lasts a couple of seconds, a bad one can leave an enduring impression on someone.

A study done by the University of Iowa in 2008 found that those people who start job interviews with a firm, strong handshake are always perceived in a more favorable light than those who have a limp handshake.

Slouching

Slouching or bad posture signals that you lack confidence and have low energy levels. If your back is curved and your shoulders are pointing inwards, it makes sense that you will appear physically smaller.

On the other hand, good posture, i.e. a straight back and perked-up shoulders, maximizes the amount of space you fill and so denotes control and assertion

NOW WATCH: The sleep habits all successful people share

LinkedIn Influencer Adam Grant published this post originally on LinkedIn.

Here’s a preview of the exciting new books on work and psychology.

Instead of just spouting their opinions, these authors bring us real data:

SEE ALSO: The 15 most influential business books of 2015

1. "Presence" by Amy Cuddy (December 29)

Building on her wildly popular TED talk about power posing, Cuddy explains how we can achieve greater success and sincerity by changing the way we carry ourselves.

It’s a captivating, charming read on harnessing confidence and poise.

2. "Unfinished Business" by Anne-Marie Slaughter (September 29)

As the first woman to direct policy planning at the U.S. State Department, Slaughter ignited a national conversation with her Atlantic piece on why women still can’t have it all.

Now, she boldly examines how individuals and policymakers can create equality for men and women — at work and at home. 

3. "Superforecasting" by Philip Tetlock and Dan Gardner (September 29)

One of the giants of behavioral science reveals how to improve at predicting the future.

Find out how a farmer does a better job anticipating major world events than political and intelligence experts, and how we can all become smarter and wiser.

NOW WATCH: The sleep habits all successful people share

When you think about your perfect Sunday, it could involve sleeping in, going out for brunch, and then binge-watching Netflix.

Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs can't enjoy that luxury.

Either we're tied down to a completing a deadline or we simply just can't sit there and not be productive.

The thing is, you do need to enjoy some time away from the business.

You can actually step away from work and still have a productive Sunday by doing the following six things.

If you do, you'll notice that you'll be more productive, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle the workweek when your alarm goes off on Monday morning.

SEE ALSO: Why creating a meaningful morning routine will make you more successful

1. Spend some time alone.

While you should definitely spend some quality time with friends and family, you also need to have some time to yourself.

Why? Because being alone has several benefits. It gives you the opportunity to reflect, clear your mind, improve your creativity, do the things that you want to do, and meet new people.

Spending time alone can also increase your productivity since you aren't relying on other people to share the workload on a project.

If you really want to enjoy your solitude, unplug during your alone time so that you aren't bothered by email, text messages, and Facebook notifications.

2. Pursue a passion.

We all need a hobby that is going to recharge our batteries and spark our passion. Whether it's writing, repairing an old car, painting, or hiking, you should use your free time on days like Saturday or Sunday to do activities that you normally can't during the work.

Ideally, you should find a hobby that either lets you blow off some steam, gets the creative juices flowing, refreshes you in some way, or is something that may be related or unrelated to your business.

For example, if you sell custom bicycles, then maybe you spend your Sunday afternoons going for bike ride with your family or participating in a race. I personally like to write and feel it makes me a better entrepreneur.

3. Get some exercise.

The benefits of exercise have been discussed multiple times. While there's no denying that we all need to be physically active, the busy workweek may not leave us with too much to squeeze in a workout. You can always catch up on your physical fitness on Sundays.

Whether it's kayaking, riding a bike, playing a game of basketball, or going to the gym, Sundays offer a great chance for you to get in a bit of exercise before you head back to the daily grind. I personally love a walk around the block with my wife, dog, and sometimes friends.

NOW WATCH: The sleep habits all successful people share

Remember your 7th grade math teacher, who introduced you to algebra for the first time? Of course you do.

Similarly, people remember a good manager from early in their careers.

A good math teacher can make uncharted terrain and new intellectual topics approachable, good-challenging, and confidence-building.

A good math teacher makes her students want to stick with it, for the short term and the long-term. Same goes for managers.

Below, soak in six things successful young managers do to motivate and teach their teams—while also knowing when to give them space to do their best work.

1. They give up their “work FOMO.”

“I have a fear of missing out (FOMO), really in every aspect of life. I didn’t know that I had work FOMO, too. I needed to give up some of the responsibilities I had in order to allow my team members to learn and grow in their roles. I didn’t want to be a micromanager! Every member of my team adds so much value to the creation and execution of our strategy. I don’t know everything, and I can’t do everything myself.” — Katie Wiebusch, 24, director of franchise consulting at Pure Barre

Related: How to Be an Awesome Young Manager

2. They communicate the company culture and a love of the work.

“I feel very strongly about leading by example. I want employees to be as passionate as I am about the company we are building together, and make sure that they see my dedication to the cause through the work they see me do. Make the work fun (for your own sake too!) as much as you can, because people work harder if they get joy out of what they are doing.” —Nicole Gardner, 29, chief operating officer at Dormify

Related: 10 Millennials Confess Their Secret Self-Care Habits

3. They know the job isn’t just to put out fires — it’s also to put a spotlight on good ideas.

“Remember that your team is looking for your support, and not just when they need help. I need to remember that they are looking to me for guidance and feedback when they’re doing their best work, too. Sometimes people need advice or ideas and don’t even realize it, so don’t cancel 1:1s. When things get crazy, they can be the easiest meetings to push off, but they’re so important.” —Tessa Wolf, 30, creative director at Framebridge

4. They encourage their team members to ask themselves, “What am I learning? Am I growing as a person?”

“A big, big value at our company is learning: learn by doing and by trying new things. I want to help my team see and recognize the learning opportunity everywhere. Starting out in your career, you’re asked to do new tasks and they’re often things you’ve never done before. This is where you can encourage people to take inventory: ‘What am I learning, where I am growing?’ When people do this, they can see the contributions they’re making to their own success and across the company as well.” —Meghan Gage, 28, senior associate, public relations at GrubHub

5. They nurture their team members’ careers.

“I don’t think I would have expected to feel so responsible for the career development of each person on my team. Yes, I manage their day to day work and output, but I want to make sure I’m also managing a clear career path for them as well. As the company grows, they should too.” —Ashton Wall, 26, director of customer marketing and brand at Tradesy

6. They make sure their staff feels valued.

“It’s important for a manager to create an environment where employees feel that their opinions and contributions are valued. Employees who are highly engaged will do whatever it takes to ensure the success of the team.” —Janet Park, 30, manager of marketplace operations at Poshmark

SEE ALSO: 20 successful entrepreneurs share the most important lesson they learned in their 20s

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The sleep habits all successful people share

Having a nightly routine is as important as your Morning Routine.

This way you can get the rest you need, and you will be prepared for an energetic and focused tomorrow.

The Nightly Routine doesn’t have to be as long as the morning  —  mine is only around 15 minutes or so; however, I wake up feeling refreshed and ready to crush the day.

After recently writing a post about my Morning Routine I was being asked by some of you what time I go to bed at if I get up at 5:30 am. 

To to get the average 8 hours we’re advised, do I go to bed at 9:30 every night?

No.

Research has proven that the quality of sleep is much more important than the quantity of hours you sleep. Have you ever slept 9 hours but woken up still feeling tired and groggy? This is where the lack of quality of sleep comes in.

I sleep between 6–7 hours per night on average, and I’ve applied certain practices/sleep hacks into my nightly routine that help me to get the highest quality of sleep possible.

The 6 things before bed:

1. Reflection
2. Priorities for tomorrow
3. Wins
4. Gratitude
5. Clean Desk = Clean Mind
6. Sleep Hack

1. Reflection

Benjamin Franklin was known for his routines and continued effort toward self-improvement. At the end of each day would ask himself,

“What good have I done today?”

It’s important to look back on your day and reflect on what went well and what you have achieved. If I have a rough day, I write down 1 to 3 things I could have done to make the day better so I that I’m ready for “next time.”

2. Priorities for tomorrow

When I was in Architecture school, I would write an absolute beast of a “to-do” list each day  —  a list in which I would never ever be able to complete even if I worked every minute of the day and night. It was pretty dumb. I would get to the end of the day, and, despite having worked all day, feel unaccomplished and overwhelmed. No bueno.

These days, I try to bookend my day in a much more positive way. At night, I take stock of my day and how it went. First, I’ve stopped writing impossible to-do lists, and I limit myself to 3 prioritized tasks per day, which I set during my nightly routine so that I wake up the next day knowing what needs to be completed.

This doesn’t mean I only do 3 things a day. It means I drill down to the things that matter  —  the things that if I did nothing else that day I would still feel accomplished at completing.

3. Wins

We’re generally our own worst critic. Take a few minutes to appreciate the things you did well, and stop beating yourself up about what you could have done better. Feel free to unapologetically brag to yourself about what you accomplished that day, whether it was a gym session, a sales call, or finally cleaning out your closet. 

Making a daily habit of being positive about yourself will grow the confidence you have in yourself and your abilities.

4. Gratitude

A recent study by Nancy Digdon shows how grateful thoughts can help your sleep due to the fact that having more positive thoughts than negative thoughts make it easier to drift off to sleep. By taking a few minutes and writing down what you’re grateful for, you are focusing on the positive.

I write down 3 things I’m grateful for that happened that day. Again, it doesn’t have to be deep thoughts or something out-of-this-world. It’s not for anyone to read but yourself.

5. Clear desk = clear mind

Each evening as I finish work or before I go to bed, I organize my desk and clear up any clutter that has accumulated over the day. There is something about having a clear work area that gives our mind the focus needed to be more productive. This doesn’t mean the rest of my apartment is tidy (our secret), but I make sure my workspace is.

It’s so much easier to be productive and get your work done if you create the environment that allows you the head space for it.

I’m currently finishing up development on a product for optimizing your day and being intentional with everything we do so that it makes reaching your goals simple. We just launched on Kickstarter yesterday.

6. Sleep hacks

Most of the sleep hacks I have learned I got from The Bulletproof Diet and other biohacking resources. Some quick and free things you can do today for better sleep:

1. Sleep in a pitch black room (to stop melatonin suppression)

Melatonin, a biochemical produced to regulate our sleep-wake cycle only works when it’s dark. Even a small amount of light can be sensed by our eyes and skin which halts melatonin process and causes disrupted sleep. Here’s a great article explaining why melatonin is so important in more detail. I recently purchased some blackout blinds that have helped with this and am already noticing a difference.

2. Track your sleep so you wake up at the best time

I use an app called Sleep Cycle to track my sleep each night. The best part about the app is its smart alarm function that only wakes me during a light stage of sleep to avoid the groggy feeling I used to get when I woke up.

Here’s the type of stats you get:

3. Put your phone on airplane mode to avoid EMFs

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) exposure from your phone will impede the production of melatonin, so make a habit of putting it on airport mode to prevent this.

4. Stop drinking coffee after 2 p.m.

(I’m not always awesome at this one)

5. Avoid bright lights and minimize blue light exposure

Blue light from phone screens, computer screens, and TV trick our brains into thinking it’s daytime and thus causes melatonin suppression which affects our sleep-wake cycle. Here’s 2 ways to help avoid this:

1. Install F.Lux on your computer. This will adapt your screen to your surroundings. When the sun goes down, it will dim the blue light from your screen and revert to normal during the day. It works in the background, so you’ll set it once and forget it. (Be sure not to do any graphic work involving color picking in the evenings or your project will look a little funky in the morning.)
2. Use blue-blocking glasses in the evening 1 to 3 hours before bed. And yes, as you can see from the link, they’re extremely glamorous. For more detailed info on blue light and sleep go here.

6. Don’t workout within 2 hours of when you plan to sleep

7. Avoid big meals before bed

Sleep supplements

Following the 80/20 rule, if you do all the things above, you’ll see a huge improvement in sleep quality and may not need anything else. Personally, as well as the things above, I take a few supplements before bed to get more quality sleep. Below is what I take and why:

Magnesium

Magnesium is a component of more than 325 different enzymes in the human body. It plays an important role in hydration, muscle relaxation, energy production, and the deactivation of adrenaline. With that said, due to the very low levels of it found in food, most people are deficient in it unless they take supplements.

A more detailed article about it and its role in sleep here. I take a magnesium supplement, Natural Calm, about 30 minutes before going to bed. This gives me much more restful sleep due to natural calming and relaxation effects. It’s also pretty tasty.

A Spoonful of Raw Honey

Your brain uses a lot of energy to fuel all the processes it goes through during the night. An efficient form of energy comes from sugar stored within the liver. A spoonful of raw honey has shown through rigorous self-experimentation by Seth Roberts and The Honey Revolution to improve sleep by keeping liver glycogen full. It’s important however that it is raw honey and not cooked honey that you typically find in grocery stores.

Krill Oil

Krill oil is a great source of Omega–3s, which have been proven to reduce anxiety and depression while also improving muscle growth and insulin sensitivity. Take a Krill Oil pill 2 hours before bed.

GABA

I only take GABA on occasions when I have been travelling or I’m working crazy hours on a product launch and know I need a long restful night of sleep. It is a neuro-inhibitory transmitter, which is what your brain needs to shut down. I’d definitely recommend this over sleeping pills.

And there you have it  —  my evening routine and how I hack my sleep. Since I’ve started, it’s been helping with morning decision fatigue (by knowing my priorities for the day), and it’s given me a much more restful sleep so I have much more energy throughout the day.

SEE ALSO: This one-minute morning routine can improve your productivity all day long

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The sleep habits all successful people share

Hey, I’m not sure if you have the time right now, but it would be great if you can read my latest blog post.

Is that OK?

… said the weakest communicator ever.

Confidence is a powerful tool to gain respect and get stuff done. The world moves quickly today and people make decisions in the blink of an eye. 

Look at Amazon and its new food delivery service via the app Prime Now. Like GrubHub, UberEats and all the rest, we can now order a meal on Amazon with the click of a mouse.

But if the wording (or foodie pics) doesn’t fill us with confidence, we may spend our time and money elsewhere.

As you compose emails (and in conversation too), remove these five words/phrases from your vocabulary. They make you look weak.

1. Just

“I just want to ask you…”

“It’ll just take a minute…”

“I’m just saying…

Weak, weak, weak. “Just” is a little word with big implications. Each time we use “just,” it suggests we’re wasting someone’s time. No, if you have something important to say, then say it.

Well, anyway…it’s just a writing tip.

See how that sounds? Weak.

Moving on.

2. Sorry

Don’t apologize all over the place. In most cases, you didn’t do anything wrong. “Sorry” is more like “Sorry for bothering you” or “Sorry for taking up your time.”

Of course, if you did screw up, then yea…say “Sorry.”

But if you have worthwhile information to send in an email or say aloud, then go for it. Respect yourself and the value you add to the conversation.

3. I’m not sure if you can, but …

Such an inferior tone. As if the other person is SO important and SO busy that you need to kneel down and beg for assistance.

How about “Would you like to…”?

Stay on equal footing with the person across from you. You’re no worse (or better). Eye to eye is the way to play it.

4. I hate to bother you, but …

Similar to #3, “I hate to bother you, but…” connotes the other person has all the power in the relationship. Even if you’re an intern, new hire or several years junior to someone at the company, you have every right to stand proudly and say, “When you have a minute, I’d like your opinion on…”

And let me tell you, plenty of business execs can “suddenly” find 15 minutes in their jam-packed schedules if someone wants their opinion. Maybe even 30 minutes or an hour.

No need to tiptoe around hiring managers either. Send a self-assured email, and let them know you exist.

5. I hope that’s OK.

Don’t give up authority in the conversation — you have the same rights to the territory. Instead, go with “Thanks for the consideration” or “I appreciate the help.”

Well, I hope you like my advice. If not, sorry for the trouble!

… said the blogger you don’t respect.

Your words set the tone. Use them wisely.

SEE ALSO: 6 phrases that will keep you from earning respect

Join the conversation about this story »

On September 9, after more than 23,200 days on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II overtook Queen Victoria to become Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

More than 63 years after she succeeded her father — who, to millennials, was George VI of The King’s Speech — she remains celebrated as a “a rock of stability in a world of constant change,” as noted by Prime Minister David Cameron.

She has reigned over 12 prime ministers, from Winston Churchill to David Cameron, through decolonization and the diversification of British society.

And she has managed a number of hardships within the royal family itself, from the wave of divorces and family strife in 1992 to the traumatic death of Diana. Through ups and downs, she has persisted.

So what do we have to learn from her? Perhaps because I’m an American, or perhaps because I’m trained as a business academic, or maybe it’s quite simply that my parents grew up in British India, I see the Queen as a manager. In addition to its many symbolic roles, it’s a job like any other — and an incredibly tough one at that. And anyone that’s survived in a challenging job as long as Liz can teach us a thing or two.

Here are five lessons we can learn from the Queen:

You never know when you’re going to be thrust into a position of responsibility, so get ready for the top job.

Prep for the top job … you could end up Queen. 

It’s not the craziest thing in the world that Elizabeth ended up the monarch of England, but it also wasn’t entirely expected. When she was born, she was third in line for the throne. But less than a year after her uncle Edward VIII succeeded King George, he unexpectedly abdicated the throne in pursuit of love.

So when her father succeeded his brother as king in 1936, she was next in line. Few in top positions predicted years earlier where they’d end up. Always prep for a job above you — someone important might fall in love, and you could find yourself in charge.

Embrace technology. 

Even at the very beginning of her career, Elizabeth was on the cutting edge and incorporated new media into the spectacle of her accession. For her 1953 coronation, she insisted — against the advice of Prime Minister Winston Churchill — to have the ceremony televised. It was a huge hit. 

She also embraced email, becoming one of the first heads of state to send an electronic message in 1976! In a role steeped in tradition, Elizabeth defied conservative forces and was open-minded enough to experiment. As luck would have it, media would go on to enhance, rather than diminish, the importance of the monarchy.

Reach out in person. 

Communication at a distance isn’t the only way for one to stay in touch. Early in her career, Elizabeth gained popularity by actually visiting Australia. She was the first sitting queen or king to do so, and has made more than a dozen subsequent visits.

Not surprisingly, this personal touch has helped assure support despite episodic Australian opposition to the monarchy. Lesson for us: sometimes an email or phone call isn’t enough. Actually go see people. The sacrifice of travel is often seen as a gesture of respect.

Keep calm and carry on. 

Since Liz got the top job at the age of 26, Britain has become a diverse, multicultural society and the nation’s role in the world has shrunk as it decolonized. Rather than rail against such changes (as other monarchs have), she presided over them with dignity and grace. The record of Britain under Elizabeth reminds us to be thrilled by change rather than fear it.

She also remained calm throughout a series of violent encounters, including the 1960s riots by Quebec separatists, getting shot at in the early 1980s and braving a bedroom intruder around the same time. Cultivating poise in the face of chaos is crucial for those in positions of responsibility and leadership.

Stay above the fray. 

It’s the duty of British monarchs not to express political opinions but rather to encourage, warn and provide counsel. Elizabeth has been so good at balancing this role of advising without an opinion that when news broke of her candid opinion of the Scottish referendum, it generated lots of attention.

The lesson for us seems clear: not every matter merits our attention. And further, sometimes it’s important to keep our opinion to ourselves, despite what our egos tell us.

SEE ALSO: What 'Shark Tank' investor Robert Herjavec learned from legendary UFC fighter Georges St. Pierre

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The sleep habits all successful people share

Our generation receives a lot of flack for being spoiled and entitled, but there's no denying that we're ambitious.

We want to be in control of our lives and careers, and for some, this means becoming the person who calls the shots.

The best way to do that is through entrepreneurship (I had to slip that in there), but if you're hellbent on taking the corporate path, here are five ways you can claim your rightful position at the top faster than all those naysayers think you can.

1. Volunteer for leadership roles

To move up faster and become a boss sooner, you have to show your employer from the very beginning that you're capable of a leadership role. This isn't the time to second-guess yourself or hide in the background.

Jonathan Coughtrey, content manager of the personal finance blog Action Economics!, advises volunteering for leadership roles whenever there's an opportunity.

"I became a supervisor over a crew of six people in my company when I was 23," he says. "This year — at age 28 — I was promoted to management and I am responsible for the day-to-day implementation of all the work on our project, which encompasses 75 people per shift."

If you're young and fresh out of college, your boss may underestimate your ability and unfairly question whether you can effectively lead or manage a team. Volunteering for leadership-type assignments, however, showcases your abilities, giving your employer the opportunity to see you in action. You might have knowledge and traits that some senior employees lack, putting you in line for promotions sooner.

"I had to learn more about our procedures than the other crew members, and this knowledge helped me become a subject matter expert and go-to person," Coughtrey continues. "Upper management noticed this and when opportunities opened up, my name was on the top of the list."

2. Develop the qualities of a boss

It takes more than education and stellar performance reviews to become a boss early in your career; you also need to act like a boss. Employers look at the big picture when deciding whether to promote an employee to a management or supervisory role. Do you think you have what it takes to lead people and contribute to the company's success?

Some Millennials make the mistake of only setting their eyes on becoming a boss, and they fail to consider what it actually takes to get to this point.

"Focus on what traits and accomplishments are needed to get to where you want to be," says Brock Murray, co-owner and director of web marketing with seoplus+, a digital marketing agency. "A good boss leads by example, communicates well, shows passion, discipline, organization, creativity, and goes above and beyond the status quo."

Learn how to embody these traits and you'll not only win the boss title, you'll also win respect and become an effective leader.

3. Learn how to build face-to-face relationships

As a tech-savvy generation, you're a pro at e-mail, text messaging, and social media, to the point where you might not remember the last time you picked up the phone and had an actual conversation. (I'm with you, brothers and sisters; I rarely use the phone for voice activities myself.)

However, while knowledge of technology and the digital world is highly beneficial in today's corporate world, being a boss requires familiarity with all types of communication. People of older generations often prefer face-to-face communication, so you have to be adaptable.

Tim Elmore, founder and leader of Growing Leaders, a leadership prep program for students, explains the danger of relying too heavily on technology.

"Leaders of younger generations are from the most social generation in history," he says. "They are in constant contact with peers and family through iMessages and social media. But, they are also highly isolated because so much of their relational contact is through technology. This has led to poor people skills, low emotional intelligence, and the inability to handle interpersonal challenges."

This doesn't imply ditching social media or text messaging, but at the same time, don't be afraid to take advantage of opportunities to meet face-to-face or network, which can improve your communication and people skills, and help you become a well-rounded boss.

4. Ask for what you want

Because of your age, your employer might think becoming a boss is the farthest thing from your mind. So even if he knows you're capable of this role, he might hold off offering you a promotion.

Additionally, you might hesitate expressing your desire to move up for fear of coming off as overconfident or arrogant. But according to career and leadership coach Kamara Toffolo, who's also a Millennial, you're only holding yourself back by keeping quiet.

"Often your own boss has no idea you want to be a boss yourself, so have the conversation," she advises.

Toffolo also believes it's important for Millennials to realize they don't have to sit idly on the sidelines and think hard work alone will get them to the top. This doesn't always work.

"Ask them how you can groom and prepare yourself for a management role and become an attractive candidate," she says.

5. Pave your own path

Of course, advancing up the career ladder at work isn't the only way to become a boss. If you're feeling unfulfilled, boxed in, or like you're losing your mind, don't be afraid to jump ship and become the boss of your own company.

"The biggest mistake most Millennials make is assuming that the path their parents took will still work for them. Starting in the mailroom and working your way up to CEO just doesn't work anymore," explains Nick Fox, career coach and founder of Success Hacking. "It wasn't until I jumped ship to run my own business that I realized that the greatest way to become a boss is to forge your own path."

If you're living at home or have minimum expenses, or if you don't have a spouse or children, now might be as good a time as ever to build a business from the ground up and be in complete control of your income and time. It's much harder to take a leap when you're older and carry more responsibilities.

"When you're young, you have a lot of leeway to make mistakes," says Fox.

In other words, the time is now.

SEE ALSO: 4 key ways 20-somethings are standing in the way of their own success

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The sleep habits all successful people share

Stanford's Graduate School of Business admissions office isn't only interested in your previous education and work experience.

They want to know who you are. That includes your personality, values, and motivations, says Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, which helps clients earn admission to top MBA programs.

To find out what defines its applicants, Stanford asks two open-ended essay questions. And applicants have to get right to the point — the combined word count is just 1,150 words.

Here are the two questions Stanford asks, and the best way to answer each:

1. What matters most to you, and why?

Stanford recommends applicants use roughly 750 of their allotted 1,150 words for this response, Blackman says. The key here is to focus on the "why" rather than the "what."

"Do some deep self-examination, so you can genuinely illustrate who you are and how you came to be the person you are," Blackman says in her Stanford MBA Essay Guide. "Share the insights, experiences, and lessons that shaped your perspectives, rather than focusing merely on what you've done or accomplished."

This question gives you a golden opportunity to prove who you are and what motivates you, and it doesn't even have to be career-related. In fact, the strongest answers aren't, Blackman says.

"Your accomplishments and achievements are part of why you've developed into the person you are today; however, it's far more important to explain your influences, lessons learned, and motivations," she says.

While brainstorming ideas for your response, consider asking yourself the following questions: What keeps you awake at night? When you look back at your life, what will you admire and regret about your choices?

"Though the question may seem open-ended, answering with vivid and specific examples will provide solid evidence that you have demonstrated or experienced 'what matters most' throughout your life," Blackman says.

2. Why Stanford? Enlighten us on how earning your MBA at Stanford will enable you to realize your ambitions.

Don't waste your remaining 400 words with generic responses like "Stanford is a great school because...". This is a chance for you to "explain the distinctive opportunities you will pursue at Stanford," Blackman says.

It will take research. "You should know everything about the aspects of that program that most appeal to you," she says, including information about current students and alumni, professors, and programs that will be unique and helpful for your career.

"When you discuss how Stanford will help you achieve your ambitions, consider that Stanford likes to see applicants who dream big and have the credibility to achieve their goals," Blackman says. "Be bold with your aspirations."

Identify your dream career, and picture your life in 20 years, she suggests. The key is to prove yourself as an ambitious candidate and back it up with how Stanford can help you accomplish your goals and aid in your development.

"Though you should think big, don't make the mistake of acting as if you are already perfect with no development needed," Blackman says. "Remember that MBA programs want to help promising candidates reach their goals and be a step on an ambitious career trajectory."

SEE ALSO: Here's the one essay question Harvard Business School asks applicants — and how to answer it

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 rules for making a great first impression

Getting backers for your ideas takes energy and creativity. But it also takes a little bit of self-awareness.

Sheer volume alone won’t help push your project forward. Success isn’t a numbers game.

It’s about developing a feedback mechanism where you learn from each conversation you have and then refine each pitch as you go.

To help you devise that feedback mechanism I’m going to do a deeper dive and share some of the common mistakes people unknowingly make and 8 strategies that will help you overcome them.

I’ve tested these strategies out with engineers who were looking to lead projects, founders who were looking to raise money from investors, and even entry-level employees looking to get their first job!

Related: Coping With Anxiety, Finding Support: One Entrepreneur's Story

1. It’s not about you.

I’ve noticed that many people just sit down and start talking about themselves, and what they need. They don’t take the time to thank the other person for their time, and get to know what their interests are. Start by giving the other person 3-5 minutes. Let them speak and share their background.

Here’s a simple script you can use:

“Thanks for taking the time to meet with me. Before I dive into telling you about myself and what I’m working on, I’d like to get to know. I know you’ve done a lot, but I’d like to know what your current interests are and what you’re working on?”

This may lead them off-topic, but it will clear their mind. You’ll notice that they’ll put their cell phone down and that they’ll pause to reflect and then speak. They’ll open up to you, because you asked them to. They’ll also tell you something you can use to persuade them: what matters to them and what doesn’t.

2. Talk vision, not skills.

Pitches are about possibilities. I’ve come across many engineers who say, “Oh I’m a Ruby on Rails developer.” Instantly the person on the other ends think, “Oh too bad I was looking for a Python developer, moving on…”

The engineer should have instead said, “I’m a backend engineer, who has built web applications for growth stage startups. I pick up new frameworks pretty quickly. In fact, here’s an example of a time I had to learn iOS within a weekend for a hackathon…”

3. Offer unique expertise.

If you are a domain expert, highlight that, and give clear examples. Think about your own experiences and how that has led to you have a particular expertise.

I just met with a founder yesterday, who told me that everyone on his founding team had worked for at least one of the competitors. Talk about unfair advantage!

And if, after reflection, you find you truly don’t have any unique expertise to offer, consider this your wakeup call. Go out and find something that only you can offer so you – and your ideas – are truly irreplaceable.

4. Build trust.

I cannot emphasize this point enough. People are concerned about their ass being on the line if they back you in any capacity: hiring, financing your idea, even working with or for you. So you need to take the time to mitigate any concerns they have about risk.

Luckily, trust is built in a number of ways. You can have a set of referral customers, highlight where you went to school, past employers who are reputable, tell them about awards you’ve received and showcase things you’ve built. Even writing and speaking builds trust.

My best backers show up to a meeting or call having googled me, read a post, or watched one of my YouTube videos. They already have a solid impression of me before I’m in front of them!

5. Call out the competition.

If you’re doing something that everyone else is doing that is OK. It’s not about being original, it’s about how you’re better than the other person, and better also means highlighting how you’re different.

For example, when I was hiring an editor last year for my first book, I met with a handful of editors. Most told me: I do grammar edits, I cost $75/hour, and my turnaround time is usually 48 hours.

The editor that I ended up hiring took the time to tell me how she was different. She explained her process, she asked me questions about my audience, and she even gave me a sample edit of a chapter so I could get a taste of what the finished product would look like. It was a no-brainer for me to choose to hire her versus the pool of candidates who all sounded the same.

6. Plan – but experiment, too.

Clear visions are important, but you also need to bring it down to reality. Show how you are going execute. It’s OK to present people with a plan, and make it specific, and acknowledge how that plan might evolve or change. It shows great foresight

7. Explain the urgency.

Don’t end the meeting wishy washy. Tell them why you need their backing now, not five years from now. When someone isn’t interested, ask for intros for others. Just because they aren’t interested doesn’t mean their friends won’t be.

I had an investor who once didn’t understand my space, he referred me to his friend. His friend was psyched after our meeting, invested, and then convinced the original investor to put in capital along with another. Interesting things happen when you ask.

8. Practice, practice, practice.

If they aren’t asking to follow up or asking insightful questions, then they aren’t interested. This is not a sign of failure. This is another step closer to your turning point. You edge closer with each request as long as you stay self-aware and read their cues.

Ask for feedback, process it and address what you think is relevant to future meetings. Commitment to this strategy will help bring your project to life.

SEE ALSO: 10 mistakes that the smartest people never make twice

Join the conversation about this story »

Books suck. No question about it, almost everyone who writes a book is a crappy writer. 

And this is a good thing. 

It's because the writer spent his life getting GOOD at what he was writing about. He didn't spend his life being good at writing. 

He didn't spend his life typing. He ran a country. Or built a robot. Or discovered DNA or walked between the twin towers. 

He or She DID something. Something that changed lives. Something that went from his or her head out into the real world. 

But that's OK. There are a few good books out there. 

I like reading billion-person books. Books, that if read widely, would change a billion lives. 

I like reading books where I feel my brain have an IQ orgasm. Like, I literally feel my IQ go up while reading the book. 

And, (please let me stick with this metaphor one more sentence), I might have a little brain-child that turns into my own special idea or book after reading a great book. 

Before I give my list, I want to mention there are three kinds of non-fiction books: (and I'm only dealing with non-fiction. Fiction is another category). 

Business card books: 

These are books like "How to be a leader". 

They establish the author as an expert. The author then uses this book to get speaking gigs or coaching or consulting gigs. 

These books usually suck. Don't read one. But nothing wrong with writing one. 

In fact, writing one might be desperately important to your career. 

Books that should be chapters: 

A publisher will see an article somewhere like, "12 ways to become smarter" and say, "that should be a book". 

Then the writer mistakenly says, "ok" and he has to undergo the agony of changing something that was a perfectly good 2000 word article into a 60,000 word book. 

Those books suck. Don't read one. And DEFINITELY don't write one. Unless you want to waste a year of your life. I wasted 2004-2009 doing that. 

Braingasm books:

Here's my top 10 list of braingasm books. Books that will raise your IQ between the time you start and the time you end. 

By the way, there are more than 10 of these books. This is just my TOP 10. Although not really in that order. It's hard for a small mind like mine to order these.

[Note: I KNOW, Jeff, that I have a monthly book club. Don't yell at me!

But this is separate. That's 10 books A MONTH.

This is my top 10 of ALL TIME, although it might change. In fact, I know it's going to change tomorrow. I'm reading a good book right now. 

Sometimes it changes everyday.]. 

SEE ALSO: A Wharton professor recommends 7 new books to read this fall

"Mastery" by Robert Greene

This book is like a curated version of 1,000 biographies all under the guise, "how to become a master at what you love." 

"Bold" by Peter Diamondis and Steven Kotler

Basically if you want to know the future, read this. 

Supplement it with "Abundance" by the same two and "Tomorrowland" by Steven Kotler" and even "The Rational Optimist" by Matt Ridley. 

I feel "Abundance" is like a sequel to "The Rational Optimist". So I'm giving you four books with one recommendation. 

"Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

Gladwell is not the first person to come up with the 10,000 hour rule. Nor is he the first person to document what it takes to become the best in the world at something. 

But his stories are so great as he explains these deep concepts. 

How did the Beatles become the best? Why are professional hockey players born in January, February and March? 

And so on.

In a recent study at Bentley University, over 66% of millennials responded that they have a desire to start their own businesses.

Yet as of 2013, fewer than 4% of businesses in the US were owned by people under the age of 30.

Clearly there is a big difference between the number of young people wanting to be their own boss and those who are actually starting their own companies.

There are probably many reasons for this gap — not least among them a lack of resources, lack of confidence, lack of motivation.

If you're serious about starting your own business and you have a full-time job that you can't walk away from, it's possible to get there from here. Follow these 17 steps to begin creating and successfully growing your business without leaving (or shortchanging) the job that pays your bills.

Following these steps is like having your own business coach. Try them out, make them work — make it happen!

1. Set your vision. 

The first step in establishing your business is having a vision for the company. Your vision tells you — and others — what business you're in and where the company is headed. As you're developing your vision, focus on what you want to create. Most successful business feel a need and then find a way to meet it.

2. Determine your mission. 

Your mission statement is not the same as your vision; your vision is about where you're going, and your mission is about your planned impact on your customers and society.

3. Fix your purpose. 

Your purpose statement is what your business stands for. It lets people know why your business exists — not what you do, but why you do it. From the customer's point of view, it clarifies what your business is all about. The purpose should be compelling and bring meaning to your employees (once you have them).

4. Find your validation. 

Is there a need in the market for your vision, for your product or service? Figure out where you stand. Market research allows you to attract attention and create interest and it gives you the credibility you need when you're starting up.

5. Develop your skills. 

Are there new ones you need to learn, or old ones you need to brush up on? Will you go DIY or hire a pro? Mapping out the skills you need — and the ones you need help with — is important.

6. Figure out what sets you apart. 

What's your competitive advantage? What is the unique proposition you have to offer your customers or clients that will make your business a success? What will bring them in? What will make them stay? These are the points that make or break a business.

7. Set your values. 

Most companies have a mission and vision but few express their values. A set of company values provides a playbook for the choices you make and the actions you will take in your business.

8. Work through your pitch. 

Start working on your elevator pitch. How will you talk about your company and express what it does? Keep it concise, understandable, and straight to the point.

9. Plan your steps and timeline. 

Outline your goals and set a timeline for reaching them. Attainable realistic deadlines for yourself ensure that you don't spend a lot of time making lists and talking, but not actually getting anywhere. Develop both short- and long-term milestones.

10. Create your map. 

This is, in essence, your business plan — comprehensive, with definitions and details for each point. You should have both monthly and yearly points, along with notes about what is required at each step for implementation.

11. Delegate.

To run a successful company doing everything yourself is a sure-fire path toward failure. The most successful leaders, the most successful business men and women know what they are best at and learn to delegate and outsource the rest. Even if you don't have any other employees, you can learn to delegate and find strength in diversity by asking friends and family members for help.

12. Cultivate a circle of advisors. 

Start now to develop an inner circle of people who can give you feedback, coach you, and guide you along the way. Starting a business by yourself can be daunting — recruit people with experience to help you.

13. Walk the line. 

Make sure that what you are starting does not infringe on or take advantage of the work you are doing now. You want to walk the fine line between creating something new but not stepping on the toes of those you work for now — who, in a way, are making it possible.

14. Be respectful. 

Don't work on your new business from your current office. Get things done on your lunch break, on weekends, and after hours. Show respect to your current employer.

15. Learn about capital. 

Every new business needs capital. Where will it come from and how will you raise it? Read, study, and network to learn how venture capital works. You must become good about speaking about money, because capital is one of the most important resources to start a business and stay in business.

16. Grow your patience. 

Anything great takes time. One of the best qualities you can develop while you're starting to build your business is patience. Remember, not everything needs to move at 100 miles per hour.

17. Take the plunge. 

There will come a time that the new business will start to take over, a time when you really feel you have your feet under you. If you've done as much of the startup homework as possible while you were still employed, and if you have enough savings to get by for a set amount of time, then it may be time to take the leap.

Starting your new business while working a full time job is daunting, but it can be done. Many entrepreneurs before you have blazed this trail — follow in their footsteps and start creating your new successful business today.

SEE ALSO: 4 things to know before you start a family business

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The sleep habits all successful people share

Want to show up higher in LinkedIn search results, get more visitors (a.k.a., hiring managers) to your profile, and have a more impressive personal brand?

If you said, “well, duh” to that, I have good news for you. Getting those results is easy—all you have to do is update your LinkedIn headline.

Why you shouldn’t use the default

As Muse writer Jenny Foss explained in “Does Your LinkedIn Headline Suck?”, the site automatically makes your headline your current job title and employer. And that’s what most people stick with.

However, when you think about it, “Technical Lead at Core Communications” is pretty boring.

Plus, it doesn’t give your audience any new information. When people scroll through your profile, they’ll very quickly see your position and place of work in your summary and experience sections.

What your headline should accomplish

Of course, that doesn’t mean your headline can’t include where you work and what you do. It should communicate your expertise, your field, and why you’re special. But it also should be eye-catching. No matter what your LinkedIn goals are (networking, getting hired, establishing credibility or expertise, recruiting), standing out is a good thing.

I know, this sounds a bit intimidating. But it’s totally doable to hit all of these in one LinkedIn headline.

1. Add your specialty

Maybe, like me, you do a lot of freelance writing. Yet “Freelance Writer” is pretty generic. What topics do you cover most frequently? Maybe you’re a “Lifestyle Freelance Writer” or a “Freelance Writer Specializing in Personal Finance.”

If you’re a programmer or in another technical field, consider including the languages or technologies you use the most. “Java and Rails Engineer” is more interesting than “Software Engineer.”

Or, maybe you’re a project manager who’s worked primarily in e-commerce. You’d probably agree “Project Manager With 10+ Years in Ecommerce” packs a bigger punch than “Project Manager.”

The takeaway

To jazz up your headline, weave in your specialty.

2. Incorporate your future job

I’m passionate about content strategy and hope to get a job in the field after graduation. So, even though I don’t have any concrete experience in content strategy, I’ve put “Content Marketing Enthusiast” in my LinkedIn headline. Not only is this laying the groundwork for my post-grad job search, it also will help me show up in “content marketing” searches.

Perhaps you left your job in finance to go to coding bootcamp and become a web developer. You could add “Future Android Developer” to your headline. When tech recruiters look for Android coders, your profile will show up.

The takeaway

To show up higher in relevant searches, add the job you want, not the job you have.

3. Include what you do

Here’s a simple way to make your headline more interesting: Add the results of your work. Let’s say you’re an Account Manager for Chartbeat, which means you’re responsible for making sure your clients get everything they can out of Chartbeat’s products.

Rather than leaving your headline as “Account Manager,” write “Boosting Customer Experience as an Account Manager at Chartbeat.”

The takeaway

Highlight your professional value by incorporating how you make an impact. 

4. Show off tour accolades

If you’ve written for, appeared in, or been mentioned by a noteworthy media source, include that in your LinkedIn headline for an instant credibility boost.

For example, you’re a PR rep who’s been interviewed by reporters from The Boston Globe and Bostinno. Your headline could be:

“PR Manager Featured in The Boston Globe and Bostinno.”

If instead, Bostinno had placed you on a list of up-and-coming PR representatives in Boston, you could write:

“PR Manager Recognized as one of Bostinno’s 10 Up-and-Coming Media Specialists.”

The takeaway

People will both impressed and intrigued by a headline that name drops. (Yes, name-dropping is totally OK in this situation.)

SEE ALSO: How to write the perfect LinkedIn headline

Join the conversation about this story »

Crystal is a tool designed to help people better interact and communicate with each other. The app creates a personality profile that can be used to gain insight into using effective language with coworkers in person and in emails, improving work relationships, and recruiting new employees. 

Produced by Jacqui Frank

Follow BI Video: On Facebook 

Join the conversation about this story »

In today's business world, leaders are emerging at all ranks. The role of the leader is not exclusive to executive-level positions. 

But being a great leader doesn't have to mean going to management school.

You can emerge as an effective trailblazer in your office by being true to yourself and constantly learning from the information that is at your fingertips.

Start by watching these short lectures and embodying their lessons.

SEE ALSO: 10 TED Talks that will make you smarter about business

1. Carol Dweck: The Power of Believing That You Can Improve.

Unleash potential in yourself and in those you lead by encouraging a growth — rather than fixed — mindset.

In this talk, Dweck discusses the power of students receiving a "Not Yet" grade versus a failing grade — it increased their motivation and ability to succeed.

In another talk about mindset, Charlie Reeve found that employees with a growth mindset were constantly looking to adapt and to grow in their professional and personal worlds; they didn't believe that their talents and futures were predetermined.

Think about how you can shift your mindset to be more growth oriented. Now, imagine the results if you helped your peers and employees shift their mindset as well. 

Youtube Embed:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/_X0mgOOSpLU
Width: 800px
Height: 480px

2. Sam Richards: A Radical Experiment in Empathy.

This is, as the title suggests, a radical and often misunderstood TED Talk about the importance of putting ourselves in others' shoes.

Not only is empathy a quality of being a good person, it is also key to being a great leader.

It helps us understand how to better communicate with and understand our superiors, peers, and employees. Do not underestimate this key characteristic. 

Youtube Embed:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/9IgOVOPLTYI
Width: 800px
Height: 480px

3. Angela Lee Duckworth: The Key To Success? Grit.

Duckworth defines grit as "passion and perseverance for long-term goals."

Grit is one of those intangible concepts that we still know very little about, but one thing is clear: The grittier we are, the more successful we become.

This is just another reason to find your true passion and purpose in life and truly dedicate yourself to it. 

Youtube Embed:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/H14bBuluwB8
Width: 800px
Height: 480px

Harvard Business School ranks as the best B-school on the planet, which makes it highly coveted by students around the world.

But since HBS admits only about 11% of applicants, it's crucial that you stand out from the crowd.

Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, which helps clients earn admission to top MBA programs, says HBS looks for 10 traits of ideal candidates, including initiative, integrity, and self-awareness.

Of those traits, the most important is high-impact leadership. Blackman calls it the "big kahuna" at HBS.

"When evaluating your leadership potential, the admissions committee will be looking for evidence that you have made a positive impact on the communities of which you've been a part, both personally and professionally," she says.

The committee understands that you're in the early stages of your career while in pursuit of an MBA, so they don't expect that you've "led an entire company or founded a not-for-profit," she says. They appreciate all types of leadership, be it running a student newspaper, advocating for a social cause, or taking on leadership roles in the workplace.

Still, you need to provide hard proof that you made a difference. It's not all about the scale of your achievements, Blackman says, but rather "the fact that you left indelible footprints."

"This makes perfect sense when you think about it, because your past leadership achievements are the best gauge of your potential for realizing your future ambitions," Blackman says.

SEE ALSO: Here's the one essay question Harvard Business School asks applicants — and how to answer it

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: T. Boone Pickens' strict morning routine will inspire you to plan your days better

Anyone willing to pay the price can be a success. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of society is married to the status-quo.

They want what was, not what can be. They believe that their intelligence, their personality and physical aptitudes are fixed.

This mindset hinders their ability to generate revenue, solve problems and create opportunities.

Conversely, high performers think differently and, thus behave differently.

They believe that if a person can change the way they think, they can change their habits and ability to succeed.

High performers reach their professional goals not simply because of who they are or whom they know but more often because of what they do. Because achievement is correlated with our happiness, it’s important to map out the actions and beliefs that get high performers where they wish to be.

Below, the sales recruitment professionals at KAS have listed 4.

1. High performers clearly define the goals they wish to accomplish then fully commit with everything they have.

Because they clarify what they wish to achieve, they can clearly envision obtaining that goal. They see it, believe in their ability to obtain it and then make it happen.

This visualization, attitude and persistence propels them into a more meaningful existence. Moreover, maintaining unwavering confidence in getting to that desired end has a calming effect and mitigates stress. All of which furthers one’s progress.

2. Successful people achieve because they discover their passion and uncover their purpose.

By uncovering what they are passionate about, they are able to pursue the careers which play to their strengths.

Passion helps the successful discover the enormous untapped potential necessary to achieve complex goals. Passion propels mental discipline while purpose helps define the actions necessary to take in order to facilitate success. In essence, the enjoyment of work combined with the knowledge of the purpose for doing a job helps build confidence, quell bad habits and heighten resiliency.

Most importantly, passion fuels optimistic thinking; it turns tedious into challenging and stagnant into innovative.

3. High performers learn to recognize others’ emotions and handle relationships.

This can also be described as emotional intelligence.

Accomplished individuals understand that nothing of substance can be achieved without the support and cooperation of those around them.

They prioritize learning to become empathetic and in-tune to the feelings of those around them. Because they are able to practice empathy, they gain a distinct ability to read others. As a result, they are far more effective at navigating the intricacies of the corporate landscape via creating powerful allies in the workplace.

4. High performers learn to manage their own emotions.

Successful professionals gain the ability to shake off rampant anxiety, gloom, or irritability. While people who lack this ability are consistently battling distress, those who can properly manage the way they feel can bounce back far more rapidly from life’s setbacks and upsets.

Many underestimate just how crucial emotional management is to career success. Controlling one’s inner-monologue is essential for paying attention, for self-motivation and for creativity.

Successful individuals calm their mind through a few practices. One of the most effective ways they do so is by engaging in slow and controlled deep breathing. Even though it only takes a few minutes, deep breathing can greatly reduce metal chatter, rebalance the nervous system and lessen harmful physiological effects associated with fear and stress.

In the end

Part of becoming successful means incorporating the practices and mindset of people who continually achieve. While many people wish for success, few take the time to understand the thought processes and behaviors that facilitate accomplishment.

In the end, these individuals buy into the importance of discipline and devote themselves to a habit of excellence. The work is well worth it as it’s never too late to become more successful, more respected at work and happy in one’s career and personal life.

SEE ALSO: 9 common behaviors that hurt your chances of success

Join the conversation about this story »

It's hard to say when the "honeymoon period" is over at a new job, but one day you it just hits you: things aren't as good as you thought they were.

Now, it's a stretch to get from bad times to toxic times, but sometimes it gets there pretty quickly.

Here's how to know if your workplace has gone from bad to the worst ever.

1. You're in a land of confusion

Phil Collins might have sung about it, but if your workplace is where logic goes to die, you might want to look elsewhere for employment.

Even a busy or stressful environment is still often ruled by some sense of order.

If nobody knows "how that gets done" (no matter how small the task) that's a sign that the inmates are running the asylum. Good jobs mean an understood hierarchy of roles, responsibilities, accountability, and professionalism. If you don't have those, you're in trouble.

2. Everybody keeps their head down

Is that suggestion box gathering dust? If nobody's willing to speak up about or against company policy or practice because that'll mean a pink slip, then you've got trouble with a capital T, that rhymes with P, and that stands for paranoid workplace.

You shouldn't have the fear of getting fired keeping you from pointing out errors or places where processes could be improved. Plus, a stagnant work environment means nobody is moving forward, not even the boss. Jobs should come with room for improvement. Employees need to feel like their employer is invested in them as much as they are. Otherwise, we're all just counting down the minutes till quitting time.

3. Nobody cares

Projects are late and nobody notices. People quit and nobody fills their spot. Co-workers stab each other in the back for promotions and that's considered the norm because hey, who's going to look after you — nobody but yourself.

This isn't some sort of Hollywood dystopia, it's your job! If everyone's always on the lookout for the escape hatch, eventually your hovercraft is going to be empty. 

So, your work is the worst: Here's how to avoid it all.

Keep your gaze clear and strong. When you're interviewing for a job, ask about turnover in your position and group. Check in with friends on LinkedIn to see how long they spent at the company or what they thought about it. If you're starting to suspect your job stinks, try to get down into the specifics. Can anything be changed? 

Take it day by day. Maybe things look dark because of temporary circumstances. If you've got a huge project or a terrible client, they won't be around forever. Hopefully you can stick it out and make it through to the other side.

If the client is rotten, try to figure out clues that could prevent you from taking on another one. If the project is bad, try a team retrospective to sort through where it all fell off the rails.

Save your sanity. It's terrible when bad jobs happen to good people. Don't stoop to the lowest common denominator and become apathetic and cruel, too. Try to disengage from the rotten apples – refrain from that office gossip or you might find yourself caught in a trap – and find your light outside of the cube walls.

Find an ally either at work or outside of the office that you can confide in or just vent to. Just don't let your boss catch you applying for jobs on the company clock.

SEE ALSO: Here's the key to winning at office politics

Join the conversation about this story »

We’ve all used conversational expressions like "there aren't enough hours in the day" to describe a common sentiment — that if we had more time, we would all be more productive.

However, this isn't always the case, and as you might suspect, the usual culprit for this feeling isn't a lack of time, but rather a mentality that either stifles productivity or leads to a misconception.

Take, for example, these seven scientific reasons why people feel like there isn't enough time:

1. You don't wake up early. 

The world runs on a 9-to-5 schedule. As a result, morning people tend to get more done and wind up more productive by the end of the work day.

That isn't to say night people are inherently inferior — in fact, studies show that "night people" can be just as productive as morning people (or even more so) — but because the typical office, and our Western culture in general, start at nine sharp, they simply aren't able to match morning people in terms of workday productivity.

Even if you consider yourself a night person, try waking up a little earlier each day, working iteratively if necessary, until you start having one or two extra hours each morning to accomplish new tasks.

2. You multitask. 

Only a very, very small percentage of the population is good at multitasking. The rest of us are truly, definitively awful at it. When you try to accomplish two tasks at once, you instantly diminish your productivity at each individual task, thereby increasing the total amount of time it takes you to complete those tasks.

What's worse is that many people believe themselves to be skilled multitaskers, and keep multitasking because they believe it will save them time. Repeat this process a few times a day, and a multitasker will feel as though he has saved a few hours of time — yet the tasks took hours more than they needed to. As a result, he feels like there simply isn't enough time in the day.

3. You don't practice time management. 

A review of time management literature recently concluded that the practice of time management strategies leads to more developed time management skills. That is to say, the more time you spend trying to manage your day, the better you'll become at it.

This might seem obvious when put this way, but if you aren't regularly practicing time management, you might neglect the fact that your skills are going undeveloped. For example, you can't expect to be good at playing the guitar if you've only practiced once or twice in the past year. Get in the habit of actively managing your time.

4. You aren't getting enough rest. 

Scientific studies have consistently shown that insufficient or unhealthy sleep patterns can have a major impact on your long-term health and productivity. To put it succinctly, if you aren't sleeping adequately, you'll always perform worse than you ordinarily would, even with the aid of caffeine or other products.

If you're performing slower than you otherwise would be, it's natural to feel like time is the problem — that there simply isn't enough time, rather than the fact that you aren't using your time well.

5. You're too concerned with time. 

In Western cultures, we tend to be obsessed with time. We have to get to meetings on time. We're strict about our deadlines. We clock in at 9 every morning and leave by 5 every day.

This fixation on time can be a distraction — if you're checking the clock every few minutes to see how far you've come on a specific project (compared to where you "should" be), you'll almost always fall short of expectations. Projects take as long as they take, regardless of what your bosses or coworkers demand of you. Worrying yourself with the time is only going to slow you down.

6. You're pessimistic. 

Even though we all measure time using the same devices, time itself can be a subjective experience. And as science has proven time and again, the positivity or negativity of your thoughts can have a significant impact on all your subjective experiences.

In this context, if you are constantly pessimistic about the amount of time available to you, thinking thoughts like "there's no way I can get this done in time," or "I have too much to do today," you'll contribute to a feedback loop that makes you feel these things more often. In a sense, you contribute to your own feelings about time. Instead, try to focus on more positive elements of your day and appreciate the time you do have.

7. You're too engrossed in your work. 

This one comes with a caveat; as opposed to most of the items in this list, it's actually a good thing. In psychology, there's a phenomenon called flow, where a task you're particularly interested in fits a perfect balance of being approachable and challenging.

While in flow, sometimes colloquially referred to as being "in your element" or "in the zone," you tend to be more productive and more focused, but you also tend to lose track of time.

Do you ever look up at the clock and realized several hours have passed without your awareness or acknowledgment? That's a result of flow, and while it certainly isn't a bad thing, it can lead you to feel like you don't have enough time.

The next time you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to do what needs done, remind yourself that time isn't something you can control. Instead, focus on the habits, thoughts, and beliefs that you can control, and work to make yourself more productive, more optimistic, and more focused on doing things well than doing things quickly.

SEE ALSO: Surprising science-backed ways to boost your mood

Join the conversation about this story »