New Year's Resolutions to Improve Your Work Life

With the close of another year comes the desire to make a change. It is an innate character trait we all have that drives us to improve and continue to get better. For the new year, what better place to implement a New Year's resolution than your career? Whether you are the CEO of a fortune 500 company, or an entry level social media manager at a lower tier marketing company, there are always areas to improve to make yourself a better employee which will only serve to improve your career.

Are you the big dog at the office, or at least in charge of a group of people at your position? Learn how to delegate tasks out to those working underneath you.  For one, this will stress off you and allow you to perform better on a small amount of tasks rather than mediocre on a large amount of tasks. Secondly, delegating more tasks out to your employees will give them a greater sense of responsibility and can in turn, improve their work performance. Keeping everything organized for yourself and these employees will also make your life a million times more manageable.

Let's say you are not the person running the show, and instead are the employee turning out task after task to help improve your company.  There are still plenty of areas where you can improve to make yourself a harder worker and further your career.  One of the biggest things you can do for your career is learning the type of skills that are currently sought after highly in the job market and setting out to master those tasks. Whether they are applicable at your current job, or they can help give a boost to your resume when you are out looking for your next position, learning new tasks that are in demand will entice employers to hire and retain you for years to come.

Another important thing you can do for your career that is often overlooked is going out and making a real effort in networking. Making connections in your field of work will typically carry you farther than you could ever imagine. Sadly, the phrase "it is not what you know, but who you know" is one that is all too common and applicable in today's workforce. This can also work to your advantage however, if you make a conscious decision to go out and network and make real life connections that will further your career.

Follow these tips to make 2015 the biggest year of your career.  Land that dream job or get the promotion you have been working years towards. Little things today can pay off huge dividends in the end. Do you have any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments!

Tips for Staying Healthy at the Office

1. 8 Tips for Staying Healthy in an Open Office

From the close quarters, providing ample breeding ground for germs and the constant noisy buzz to add stress to your day which weakens your immune system, working in an open office environment can lead to more low level illness. In this article by Spencer Blackman, writing for entrepreneur.com, we get several tips on how to keep yourself healthy during cold and flu season. Whether it’s getting away from the office when you can to cut down on some of the stress, or remembering to wash your hands, these common sense tips and hints will be invaluable in helping you stay healthy this winter. Read the full article here to get all the helpful information.

2. 8 Ways to Stay Healthy at Work

There are many ways to keep yourself healthy even when your day is busy at work. In this article by Sienna Kossman, writing for usnews.com, we get some great common sense tips on how to increase activity and decrease our calories while still getting our work done. From always taking the stairs to bringing healthy lunches and snacks from home, staying fit while performing a desk job just takes a bit of forethought. To get all the great tips, read the full article here.

3. 5 Ways to Stay Healthy at the Office During the Winter

In this article by Erica Tseng, writing for imivegas.com, we get some great no nonsense advice on how to stay healthy when those around us are falling prey to cold weather illness. While the weather is colder, it’s also dryer, which means you need to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. The short days may make it more tempting to stay up later at night but getting enough sleep will go a long way to keeping your immune system running at peak performance.  For these and other great ideas on keeping yourself well, read the full article here.

4. Get Ready for Winter – Keep Warm, Keep Well

Metoffice.gov.uk brings us this helpful article with some great tips on keeping yourself warm and healthy this winter while still staying on your budget. They suggest adding good insulation in your home which will keep it warmer overall and require less energy to keep it at a temperature that feels comfortable to you. In addition, while the weather is cold and damp, that doesn’t mean a bit of good outdoor exercise, is a bad idea. If you can take the cold weather then it’s always good to put some physical activity into your day.  For more information, and some great links, read the full article here.

5. 6 Simple Ways to Stay Healthy This Winter

The folks at Economyofficesupply.com see people all year long and know when their customers are coming into the sickness season. That’s why they’re bringing us this helpful article on how to stay healthy and at your desk instead of home sniffling and miserable in bed. From proper rest and hand washing to remember to wipe down your phone and other items at your desk, if you follow this helpful common sense advice, you may just be the one at your office that commiserates with the people who don’t feel well, but never gets sick. Read the full article here.

Top Office Christmas Party Games

1. Christmas Party Games

If you’re looking for some fun games to try at your next office Christmas party, then you’re going to love this article by the folks at Party411.com. Let’s face it, if anyone knows how to liven up an event, they do. Providing us a whole bunch of fun games and gift exchange ideas, the party411 folks also give detailed instructions on how play the games and arrange for the fun gift exchange themes. Make sure your next office party is filled with the fun and laughter of the season that lets everyone have a great time by reading the full articlehere.

2. 25 Christmas Party Game Ideas

Whether your next holiday party is for your family, your office or your favorite club, the folks at Signupgenius.com have some great ideas for fun games that everyone will enjoy. With fun activities like Christmas Carol charades, imagine the fun with Good King Wenceslaus here, or a wacky Christmas gift wrap relay, try that one with contact paper instead of standard wrapping paper, and many more to choose from, your next holiday party is going to be the one everyone tries to get an invite to. For all the fabulous game ideas, read the full article here.

3. Top 15 Office Party Games to Shake Up Any Office Party

Partycurrent.com has the line on all the fun stuff to do for the holiday season, and in this article they give us the best of the best of office party games to make sure everyone is having a great time at your holiday party this year. The important thing about office party games is to get everyone involved, voluntarily, even the introverts by choosing games that are individual to start and end up by people grouping into little teams. For example, the super fun, murder by winking, game will get everyone engaged and give all participants an opportunity to play along. For the details on that game and a bunch more, readthe full article here.

4. 34 Christmas Games & Party Themes (best parties ever!)

In this fun article by Laurie, writing for tipjunkie.com, we get some incredibly fun game and theme ideas that will make your Christmas party the one everyone talks about. From a fabulous Christmas breakfast theme to a fabulous winter candy land theme and creative and fun games that include a photo booth with dress up options and make your own gingerbread houses, this article is filled with a myriad of fun options. Your only problem will be picking which ones to use at which party, because they all sound like a great time.  Check out all the awesome ideas by reading thefull article here.

5. Free Christmas Office Party Games

If your office is planning a Christmas party, but on a very tight budget, then you’re going to want to check out this article by event planner Cheryl Cireli written for lovetoknow.com. Whether you decide on people bingo, which can get everyone involved without putting anyone who might be a bit introverted in the spotlight, or you choose a romping round of name that song, using Christmas carols, you and your coworkers will have a lot of fun without breaking your office’s budget. Get all the fabulous ideas by reading the full article here.

Why Plants Are Important to Your Office Space

Stress in the office, never heard of it, right? Wrong! In fact, aren’t the words stress and office synonyms? In a lot of cases, the answer is yes, but all kidding aside, did you know having plants in the office space reduces stress? It does. Significantly! It not only decreases stress, it increases productivity, makes the office more comfortable, and environmentally awesome. Here are some great reasons why it would be beneficial to incorporate greenery into your office.

Reduces Stress

Helen Russell from the Surrey University in the U.K., master’s environmental psychology student set out to find scientific proof that plants in the office can reduce stress. In her study, Russell asked participants to take a difficult test in a room filled with plants, and compared their skin conductivity, heart rate and blood pressure with people who completed the same test without plants. Russell’s findings showed that plants eased stress for participants by at least this metric, and that participants recovered from stress more quickly in a plant-heavy environment.

Increased Productivity

In a study published in the “Journal of Environmental Horticulture,” researchers from Washington State University reported that live interior plants helped workers complete tasks with more focus and efficiency. Researchers found that productivity increased by 12 percent in the presence of plants. Additionally, people tested in the room with plants reported feeling about 10 percent more attentive after the task than those tested without plants.

Improves Indoor Air Quality

Growing live plants in the office can help clean the air and even improve your health, according to a NASA study. In 1973, NASA scientists identified 107 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air inside the Skylab space station. Occupants often suffered from burning eyes and respiratory difficulties, later learned to be two of the most common symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome. B.C. “Bill” Wolverton, an environmental scientist working with the U.S. military, discovered that swamp plants actually eliminated Agent Orange from water samples. Expanding on this idea, Wolverton tested out the use of houseplants as a means of improving indoor air quality and discovered growing plants indoors helps eliminate VOCs from the air.  Also found, was that people recovered from illness faster in the presence of plants. 

Make Rooms More Comfortable

The recommended humidity range for human health and comfort is between 30 and 60 percent. Many offices fall short of these figures, especially in the summer and winter months. Low interior humidity can lead to increased fatigue, respiratory discomfort and an overall drop in workplace well-being. When plants are added to a room, the relative humidity rose significantly, but not excessively. In one case, relative humidity without plants averaged 25 percent, and with plants it averaged 30 percent – bringing the room into the ideal comfort range.

So what are you waiting for? We think it’s time to turn your office into a more healthy, productive and stress free place where the only thing you have to worry about now is your overdriven undereducated boss who thinks they’re funny!

5 Office Christmas Party Ideas

#1: 25 Christmas Party Game Ideas

The holidays are coming and with them come the holiday parties. If you’re the one organizing those parties, you’re probably racking your brain trying to figure out fun games and entertainment for your party participants. Luckily, Janis Meredith for Signupgenius.com brings us this fabulous fun article on 25 fun things you can do at your next Christmas party. These activities will be fun for everyone. Whether your office has a holiday party just for employees or employees and their families, you’ll find activities in this article that will keep everyone entertained and filled with joy. For all the great party fun ideas, read the full article here.

#2: Christmas Office Party Ideas: Say Goodbye to Annual Xmas Party Dread

The folks at partycurrent.com have some great ideas for your next office party that will get your coworkers looking forward to it. With so many great hints, from getting out of your office to making sure you’ve got fun games planed, to not forcing everyone to play along and letting people group together the way they want to, there’s some really practical tips that will make your next office party one that everyone talks about fondly. To get all the great tips and hints, read the fullarticle here.

#3: Corporate Holiday Party Themes

When you’re looking for inspiration for your next holiday party, try out some of the theme ideas brought to us in this article by Punchbowl.com. From a fancy shin dig, with black ties and ball gowns, to laid back luau, the options are nearly endless. If your holiday party can include the whole family, consider a carnival theme that includes rides and popcorn and games of chance. There are so many options and you’ll want to consider each one, so check out all the info by reading the full article here.

#4: 12 Christmas Party Themes You Haven’t Thought of Yet

If you want your next Christmas party to be completely original, then you’ll have to read this fun article by Kate Schweitzer for marieclaire.com to get some fabulous fun and unique Christmas party theme ideas. From the ugly sweater theme party, where everyone wears that hideous holiday sweater they could never wear in public, to a reverse Christmas in July party where everyone plays with beach balls and wears their favorite summer wear, there’s plenty of interesting fun party theme ideas that we bet you’ve never thought of before. For full low down on all the good time themes, make sure to read the full article here.

#5: 12 Gift Exchange Ideas for Your Office Holiday Party

The time honored tradition of the office gift exchange is often dreaded because it’s so hard to come up with a good idea to make it more interesting. Luckily, Brittney Helmrich for businessnewsdaily.com brings us this article in which she gives us some fabulously fun and different ideas to make your gift exchange more fun and exciting for everyone. While she gives us the specifics on a few of the exchange practices we’ve all learn to love, she also gives us other great ideas, like the gift auction and a book exchange. There’s so many great ways to spread the holiday spirit and spice up your next party. Read the full articlehere to get all the fun hints and tips.

5 Must Have Office Gadgets

#1. 20 awesome office gadgets and must-haves

From a chair that lets you exercise while you work, to cool looking glasses that help prevent computer eye strain, Stephen Chapman for Zdnet.com, brings us a whole bunch of fun stuff to use at the office. While some of the items, like the annoy-a-tron, might cause a bit of friction with other coworkers if you use too much, there are others like the USB chip recorder that might make you downright popular. From the sublime to the ridiculous, there’s literally something for everyone. If you’re looking for some fun holiday gifts for your office mates, start with this article for some great ideas. Read the full article here.

#2. Darma is a seas cushion that will improve your body and mind

For those of us who work in offices and sit all day, Caitlyn for coolest-gadgets.com, brings us this amazing article on a gadget that can help your posture, breathing and of course sitting. A handy little inactivity monitoring system, this comfy cushion hooks right to your phone and sends you little reminders to straighten up and stretch and get up and walk around.  To get more information on this amazingly comfortable little gadget, read the full article here.

#3. The Shirt Shuttle MK3 gives you a backup shirt for a rainy day

If you’re like most of us, you’ve had those moments when you think it’s going to be a great meeting and just when you’re getting up to go in, you spill something on your shirt. For these less than ideal times, Caitlyn for coolest-gadgets.com, brings us the amazing little shirt shuttle MK3. A hard plastic case that will hold a back up shirt in a crush proof, wrinkle proof container for the next time you need it. Talk about a handy gadget, this could become your best friend the next time you dribble coffee down the front of your shirt. Get all the details by reading the full article here.

#4. Review: Celluon Epic projection keyboard

Has your tablet or phone become your main computing device? If so, there’s only one ongoing problem with our new smaller units of computing power and that’s the lack of a standard keyboard. Fortunately, Will Shanklin for gizmag.com, brings us information on the new Celluon Epic projection keyboard in this article. He gives us all the details on how it works, what it works with and how useful it can be in almost any circumstance. To find out more, read the full articlehere.

Photo Credit: Bo Gao

#5. This Magical Inkless Pen Never Needs a Refill

How many times have you grabbed your pen t sign an important document only to find out you’ve run out of ink? If you’re like the rest of us, it’s probably happened more than you’d like to admit. Luckily, Bryan Gardiner for wired.com, gives us the answer to pens that run out of ink in this article about the amazing new pen from a partnership between the Pininfarina and Napkin companies. This high tech pen looks like it could speed through space all on its own due to the Pininfarina design, but the real magic happens when you go to write something down. This pen needs no ink because the special metal alloy in the tip oxidizes the paper and that’s how it makes its mark. To get all the juicy details on this fun new item, read the full article here.

Top 5 unique conference rooms

#1 Interior: Purple And Unique Meeting Room Design

Ciiwa.com brings us this article and amazing pictures on the latest in meeting room design. If you thought a bright purple might not work in office design, then you probably haven’t seen these fabulous pictures. Mixing bright purple comfortable conference room chairs with a modern low table and a carpet that takes us back to the era of the Jetsons, this incredible meeting room will inspire creativity and bring back the fun to your next team working session. Functional, relaxing and completely out of the box, these meeting room designs will have your creative juices flowing. Read the full article here.

#2 Executive Private Office Meeting Room in Dim Nuance With Glass Table and Brick Wall

Rebecca Dan for skroutzondeck.com brings us these unique executive meeting rooms to give us inspiration when designing our own. This meeting room features lots of glass, combined with natural stone to bring a unique element of the outdoors to this ultra modern conference room. As you scroll through all of the photos, you’ll definitely be inspired to take your office space into today’s ultra modern style that has become so popular. These amazing pictures really show how functionality can inspire your design and cater to both the necessities of your work environment as well as the need for an environmentally and visually pleasing setting. Read the full article here.

#3 Fancy Southern Cool Conference Table Design With Solid Hardwood Construction And Black Wooden Cantilever For Country Conference Room

If you’re looking for a cool up to date design for your next conference room table, which combines ultra modern sensibilities with down home natural influences then you’re going to love this one brought to us by Andrew for defogitall.com. The mixture of light and dark woods topped by a glass top, that we don’t see in this picture mixes yesterday and today beautifully. Check out this awesome combination by reading the full article here.

#4 Poseidon Resort – Underwater Conference Room

For something completely different take your next team building meeting at the Poseidon resort in Fiji. Their underwater conference room is on the list of 1000lonelyplaces.com places you must visit. It might get hard to concentrate with the beauty of the ocean life swimming all around you, so make sure your meeting agenda will keep your coworkers focused on you. For all the details and some amazing photographs, see all the info here.

#5 Meanwhile, In a Chinese Supervillain’s Lair

Jesus Diaz for gizmodo.com brings us the most amazing conference room yet. The pride and joy of Saatchi and Saatchi in Beijing, this unique conference room features a heart shaped table, gorgeous red and white tulip chairs and a half dome that actually can rotate a full 360 degrees to make it possible to project onto it from any seat at the table. Incredibly lush and a bit over the top, but who cares? Having a long meeting in this awesome conference room would be a pleasure no matter what was being discussed. To see all the great photos, read the full article here.

Top 5 cool office features

#1 This Office Has A Ball Pit

If you’re looking for ways to add some fun and creative energy into your office space, you’ll love this article by Nick Schonberger for complex.com. Nick takes us on a tour of Chandelier Creative who manages to mix lots of hard work areas with lots of fun play areas in their offices. They have a ball pit, studio dogs, and fun pink doorways to bring extra fun into their days. If you’re running a company that needs to be creative in their approach to business, and let’s face it, what company isn’t in that position? Then you need to read the full article here.

#2 Business on a downward slide: Boss installs giant metal slide in his office so employees can quickly move between floors.

If you want to get to the fourth floor from the fifth floor at the Workshop offices, you could take the stairs, but it’s a lot more fun to take the slide! Yes we said the slide. Rob Cooper for dailymail.co.uk, takes us on an inside tour of the Google-esque type work spaces of the Workshop offices. In an effort to bring more fun to the work space and boost employee morale, their office manager James Avery thought a 20 foot slide would be just the thing and judging by the employee smiles, he was right. See all the great pictures and video and read the full article here.

#3 12 Ways Puppies Can Improve Your Office Environment

In this incredibly informative article, Allison Reiber for Mashable.com explains how bringing puppies into the workplace can improve productivity and the overall office environment. We were really surprised at some of the revelations this article brought to light. For example, you probably wouldn’t have suspected it, but apparently conference calls become almost 90% cuter and 40% less boring when puppies are around. For these and other highly technical statistics on the quantifiable improvement that puppies bring into the office, read the fullarticle here.

#4 7 ways you can use bean bags in the office

Not just for college students and people stuck in the 70’s anymore, the bean bag chair of today has come a long way baby and Monika Baraket for forge3.com shows us some great new bean bag chair styles and how you can use them in today’s office. From high back versions that are great for sitting at your computer all day, to versions that resemble the world’s best Lazy Boy chair for your favorite office guests, today’s bean bag options are versatile and very adaptable. Read the full article here.

#5 Ranked: The Best Slides And Worst Slides In Google’s Offices

While some, clearly uninspired people, might think that having a slide in the office at all is totally awesome and worth bragging about, Matt Lynley for Businessinsider.com claims that slides should all be evaluated for their own sake and not ranked highly simply because they are a slide…in an office. To this end, he has gotten a hold of some super secret Google slide info and pictures and has ranked them all for color, fun and whether or not they seem, inspired. For all the fabulous photos and Matt’s fun explanations of his ratings, read the full article here

Top 5 open office space designs

#1 Beats Electronics – Culver City Headquarters

Officesnapshots.com brings us this amazing article on the new Beats Electronics, Culver City headquarters. Designed in a very nontraditional style, this office space looks more like a fun experiment in social networking than an office. Gone are the cubical farms, being replaced by open spaces, comfortable furniture and large areas that allow people to be creative. On top of the overall expansive look and feel of this amazing office building, they’ve incorporated a gym, locker rooms and four barista stations. This isn’t an office building, we’re pretty sure it’s some form of Heaven. For all the great details and some fabulous pictures, read the full article here.

#2 Bulletproof – London Offices

When the Bulletproof Company had to move their London offices, they might have ended up with a space that could have disrupted their close knit team, but as Officessnapshots.com shows us in this article, they have taken their unique new space and made it work for them in the best way possible. With an open floor plan office area and spaces that allow teams to work together on projects, this awesome new office space meets all their work needs in an incredibly unique style. To see all the amazing pictures and get all the juicy details, read the full article here.

#3 A Space That Encourages Collaboration: ICRAVE’s NYC Office

Caroline Williamson for design-milk.com, brings us inside the latest design extravaganza by ICRAVE, their new Manhattan, NY offices. Using design ideas that made many of their hotel and nightclub clients famous, ICRAVE has an open office floor plan and team spaces that can double for other uses, like their meeting room that doubles as a lunch room, hidden by a wall sized chalk board and their reception desk that also doubles as a DJ area. With all of their creativity, they made their new offices the perfect spot to come up with brilliant ideas for their clients. For all the awesome photos and details, read the fullarticle here.

#4 Check Out Google’s Crazy Offices in Zurich

A fabulous slide, a zillion little micro conference pods, a giant theater and oh yeah, firemen poles to go down one floor, does this sound like a place you’d like to hang out? The folks at Google Zurich thought so too and that’s why they built their offices with all these elements and more! In this fun article by Jay Yarow for Business Insider, we get a full inside look at the new Zurich Google offices. If these photos don’t make you want to jump on the first plane and go to work for Google, then maybe knowing that all your meals are free and cooked by their in house chef might do the trick. For all the awesome details, readthe full article here. photo credit: camenzind evolution

#5 Invensys Rail Office Design Concept

Talk about inventive, this incredibly cool rendering of an office space for Invensys, a railway control and communications company has been designed but alas not brought to completion yet. Luckily the folks at Officedesignblog.com bring us this awesome article that includes the designs and an artist’s rendering of the proposed space.  To get all the details and see these awesome pictures, read the full article here.

How to design a healthier office

The health craze has swept the nation over the past several years.  Everywhere you look, there is some kind of new tip that will help you stay the in best possible shape of your life.  While workout and health food tips outside of work are very important, health tips for in the office are of vital importance with the amount of time you spend there.  From office design, to the food you eat, to having plants in the office, there are a myriad of different factors that play into the healthiness of your office lifestyle.

One of the biggest topics of discussion in the office is that of food.  Whether it's what you pack in your lunch, to that 2:30 afternoon snack option, a healthier choice will always benefit you in the long run. It can be easy to to run out of the office on your lunch break and head to the nearest fast food restaurant for a quick cheeseburger. For a healthier alternative however, bringing lunch with you is typically a better choice.  Bringing in some leftover tuna, chicken, or fish with whole grain pastas and beans with be a better source of protein and will satisfy your hunger and energy needs for a lot longer. When it comes to that afternoon snack, instead of grabbing that bag of potato chips or candy bar, bring in some dried fruit or tree nuts as a healthy alternative.

Does your part of the country get dark and gloomy outside during the winter?  Try investing in a "happy light" for the office.  This light therapy acts as a great replacement for vitamin D which you get from the sun.  A happy light in the office can help beat the winter blues and boost morale among you and your coworkers.  Another option to have in the office to boost energy and happiness is having plants around.  Many studies have shown that having plants in the office, or having them visible out of a window in the office has led to happier employees and more overall satisfaction with their job.

How exciting and creative is your workplace? Is your office dominated by cubicles and natural, boring earth tones?  If you can, try and get your workplace more into the 21st century of office design and architecture. Open work spaces that help promote collaboration a teamwork can be a huge energy and confidence boost to your team. Bright splashes of color on the walls and in other areas of your office design will also help boost energy and excitement in the office, making it a more fun place to work for your coworkers or employees.  Modern office design can be a big step for your company in it's overall well being.

Many companies overlook office design as a minimal expense and don't consider the effects it has on their employees.  Making your office a more vibrant and healthier place to work at will only benefit your company in the long run.

5 tips on keeping up motivation working from home

#1 What to do When You Lose Your Mojo

When you’re stuck and just can’t seem to get back into the groove, Jen Hofmann at Inspired Home Office suggests you shut down those mean self talk critics in your head and take a dive into your wise self for some healing and helpful advice. It’s easy to fall into the procrastination trap when you’re feeling off kilter and Hofmann says that sometimes this is good and will help you relax and get the negative self talk to turn off for a while. She explains that when you get back to your wise self you can take a breath and relax and then move forward. Read the full article here.

#2 Getting Work Done At Home, Even During the Holidays

Lisa at WorkingNaked.com brings us this great article by Angelo DIGangi on how to help yourself stay focused on work even during the holidays. From making sure you set aside a specific time to do your work, to ensuring your have a particular space to do your work, Angelo gives us tips and tricks to avoid distractions and be more productive during our working hours. We all know that working from home can have its own  set of difficulties and this article will help you avoid those precarious pitfalls and still make time to enjoy the holiday season with your family. Read the fullarticle here.

#3 35 Habits to Help Entrepreneurs Stay Productive

Working from home and being an entrepreneur can be challenging to say the least and that’s why Lisa over at WorkingNaked.com has given us this handy info graphic to help us with some time and brain saving tips to make our work more productive. Whether it’s making decisions to only answer those emails you really have to, or having your meals delivered so you can save time on that, this info graphic will give you so many ideas to help save time and energy that even if you only incorporate a few of these habits, you’ll be able to increase your productivity dramatically. Read the full article here.

#4 All Dressed Up: The Write Office

In this article, Lisa at WorkingNaked.com, gives us an inside look into the office of humorist and columnist, Michelle Newman. With photographs and lots of detailed info, Lisa gives us an insider’s view on the space that helps Michelle make the magic happen. For writers it’s important to have a space that speaks not only to their productivity but also to their creativity and this home office definitely has all the perks for both sides of the brain. Read the full articlehere.

#5 You CAN Share a Home Office Without Plotting a Murder

With more couples working together from home, the use of office space and office equipment can become a source of strife if you’re not careful. Fortunately, Lisa at WorkingNaked.com, has some great ideas on how to manage your space and your time and most importantly your temper, when your working space is also your living space and your spouse is also your partner. From simple tips like making sure you both have your own computer and space to work in, even if it’s in the same room, to taking your calls in another area, to making compromises on the temperature, following her simple tips will help you both be productive and still like each other at the end of the day. Read the full article here.

5 tips to help get ahead in your career

#1 10 Magic Words That Can Get You A Higher Salary

When you’re in the market for a new job, you often are also looking for a new and better salary; however, getting the nerve to ask for what you really want can be daunting. In this article, The Muse writing for Forbes gives us some great tips and ideas for how to ask for what you really want whether it’s a higher salary or more flex time. The key to understanding how to get what you want is in figuring out what the recruiter talking to you wants and giving it to them. The answer to what they want is really simple and giving it to them is even easier. For all the details, read the full article here.

#2 Cutting Through Office Politics

When it comes to sifting through office politics, the folks at Careerbuilder.com have given some common sense good advice in this article. While they may seem obvious, the tips in this article make good sense and will help you avoid common office drama. From staying away from the gossip mill, to being friendly and respectful to everyone, these intuitively obvious tips are often lacking in many office environments. Whether you’re at the highest or lowest rung on the ladder to the top of your office, you would do well to heed these very valuable tips. Read the full article here.

#3 Are You Unintentionally Horrifying Your Boss? 6 Office Dos and Don’ts

When Kat Collings, who writes for WhoWhatWear.com wanted to get the best dos and don’ts on making yourself an excellent employee, she went to the top of her ladder for some great advice, her boss. While these tips seem somewhat obvious, the reason they are brought up is because many people just don’t get the basics when it comes to proper behavior in the work place. From being willing to try new jobs in order to help out the overall project, to making sure you keep the boss updated on your progress, these valuable insights will help you shine in your workplace. Read the full article here.

#4 How to Deal with Office Politics

Michelle Johanson at officeteam.com brings us some straight forward good advice for dealing with the politics that happen in every office. From basics like good communication and being friendly, to some great insight for finding out how your fellow employees like to communicate and then making sure you adhere to their preferred method as much as possible, this article really digs into the details of making sure you’re doing your best in the office politics arena.  For more great info, read the full articlehere.

#5 ‘Stealing the Corner Office’ Author Shares Three Unconventional Tactics

If getting that coveted corner office is your goal then Vicki Salemi writing for Media Jobs Daily gives us some very unconventional but fabulous advice from noted author Brenden Reid. Looking at the big picture is key and in a ground breaking statement, Brenden cautions us not to be so passionate, and to be more objective in our thinking. While passion is all very well and good, it’s objectivity and a goal to helping your company meet their goals that will get you noticed and propel you from that cubical farm to the cozy corner office you’re dreaming of. For this and other great ideas, read the full article here.

Tips on buying the right furniture for your office

A staple in every office across the globe is the furniture. From the chairs, tables, and desks, everything most likely gets used on a regular basis. Picking out the proper furniture is a far more important task than anyone realizes. From the waiting room lobby, to the swivel chair your social media manager sits in for 8 hours a day, each piece of furniture makes an impression on someone whether it's through its comfort, style, or lack thereof. There are many factors that come into picking out office furniture and you have to be sure of your decisions before each thing you choose.

The office chair is quite possibly the most important piece of office furniture your company has at its disposal. Sitting in the office chair all day can lead to a grumpy employee, and employee injuries later in life, especially severe back pain. Comfortable chairs are not only a luxury to the office, but key to maximizing productivity as the workers are sitting for more than eight hours a day, leading to back aches, stiff necks, and irritability. Before you buy office chairs for the company, do some research and find the most ergonomically friendly ones out there.  Happy employees will lead to a happy company, which will make you a happy employer or co-worker.

One of the hottest topics of debate over the past few years on the subject of office furniture has been the standing desk vs. the sitting desk.  While the sitting desk has been a staple of the American workplace since what seems to be the dawn of time, the standing desk has been making a surge in the office  as of late as employers and employees are beginning to realize the benefits of having them available. There are many pros and cons to both desk which can both serve a great purpose in the office. The sitting desk does allow the worker to be able to rest a little bit more and potentially puts them in a more comfortable position. While the negative affects can be back and neck pain over long periods of time. The standing desk on the other hand, will usually provide employees with more energy throughout the day, which will lead to heightened focus and inspiration. On the con side, it is much easier to develop leg pain from standing for several hours on end.

There are many factors that go into buying the proper furniture for you and your team. Make sure you go with the right selection by hiring a professional consultant to give you tips on what desks and chairs are best for you team for their short term and long term productivity and happiness.

How to get ahead in the office without making enemies

The large majority of us are very driven individuals.  We set goals and have high expectations of ourselves.  We want to be the next person Forbes magazine is writing an article on or joining a list of the next millionaires.  Accomplishing these goals are usually easier said than done. To get ahead in our careers, staying focused and being aggressive when opportunities present themselves are key to being successful in the workplace. These tactics however, can often alienate your coworkers and make you the odd man out in your quest to advancing your stature in your current company or outside of that job.

Having your coworkers on your side can be a very beneficial asset in the workplace.  These coworkers can tag team meetings with you, cover work when you're sick, and many other things. If you alienate yourself in your effort to get ahead however, you can paint yourself into a corner and make your work life much more difficult.

One of the ways you can get ahead in your career while keeping your coworkers on your side can be helping them out. Whether it's on a regular conversation with your boss, or another employee, ask them how you can help them or what their biggest problem is for the week.  Offering help will show your initiative, give you invaluable leadership experience, and let your coworkers know you are responsible and they can rely on you during a difficult time at work or when they are swamped with a project.

Do you get the feeling your coworkers already dislike you or are trending toward those feelings?  It could be due to a myriad of reasons.  Being competitive in the workplace is of vital importance if you want to get ahead in your career. Being overly competitive however, can lead to major problems within the workplace and you can create a strong distaste for yourself by your coworkers. Make sure you are not bullying your other coworkers into getting your way. Be competitive,  but realize your ideas may not always be the best.

Another key is to be an open listener and friendly to your coworkers. If your coworkers are threatened by your presence and feel overpowered by your domineering attitude, you will once again alienate yourself and will not help your case in getting ahead.  Everyone likes a team player.

If you're a business professional, you most likely have a strong desire to get ahead in your career and make a better life for yourself. Make sure your pursuit of success doesn't come at the expense of your coworkers suffering or disliking you, however.  Be a good teammate and coworker will show a valuable skill in being able to work well with others, which will only make you a more valuable asset to someones company.

Better Snacking Ideas for the Office

#1  10 Healthy Office Snacks: The Anti-Vending Machine Guide

Snacking while at work is often necessary because we’re short on time to have a healthy meal or because we just don’t like to weigh ourselves down with something big until dinner. The problem often comes in giving ourselves healthy choices that will keep our metabolism running without giving us the spike and let down of sugary snacks, not to mention all the other unhealthy side effects. In this article by Danielle Walsh, we get a lot of ideas for bringing tasty foods that are fun, easy and quick to eat, won’t make us feel lethargic and can be eaten while still at our desk getting things done. Read the full article here.

#2  Avoid Putting on Pounds in the Office – 7 Healthy Snacks at Work

In this article, Christina Davis tells us that snacking throughout the day is not a bad idea. In fact it can help keep us awake and alert and help us focus more on our work because we aren’t constantly thinking about the fact that we’re hungry. The trick comes in picking the right snack options that won’t tire you out and then hang around on your waistline long after. She explains that substituting nuts, fruits and veggies for chips and candy will fill you up more and keep you satisfied longer. In addition, they won’t be on your hips the next time you try to get into your favorite outfit. Read the full article here.

#3  The 5 Best Foods to Keep in Your Office Fridge

From almonds, to green tea, and baby carrots to plain yogurt, writer Paige Fowler, has some great ideas and tips on what to keep in your office fridge to stave off mid afternoon hunger or provide a quick meal for lunch or dinner if you’re working late. Her healthy snack ideas will keep you productive and satisfy your hunger. Read the full article here. 


#4  Workplace Health Topics

A healthy employee is a happy and productive employee and of course we all know this. However, the City of Toronto has gone all out to make sure their employees health needs are considered and taken into account on every level. To that end, they bring us this article to give us a myriad of ideas on how to encourage healthy practices and help your employees stay happy and healthy.  With ideas on how to incorporate regular cancer screening opportunities to fun ways to encourage healthy eating, and reduce workplace stress, this article is chock full of great tips and hints on how to make your work place a healthier place to be.  Read the full article here.

#5  10 Office Food Hacks

This fun video from foodbeastTV gives us hints on how to make our office eating less messy, and easier. From creating some space in the microwave by employing a coffee cup to turning your chip bag into a bowl, to using a rubber band to keep your sliced apple from turning brown, this video gives a lot of useful hints for keeping your work time meals tasty, fun, fresh and a much neater experience. See the full video here.