Winning the Status Game

There are two things every human craves, according to science writer Will Storr, author of The Status Game. We want to get along and get ahead. In other words, we desire to be part of a group – a very basic human need – and we desire to be admired, to have status within the … Continue reading Winning the Status Game

Why Students Drop out of College (and what can help them stay)

(Courtesy of IvyPanda, an educational blog) Almost a third of students drop out of college without getting a degree. Some are simply not cut out for the rigors of college; others are homesick or have difficulty paying for college. Some have family issues that pull them back to help out. Some leave for good; others … Continue reading Why Students Drop out of College (and what can help them stay)

Managers Admit to “Quiet Firing”

JobSage, an online platform that brings insight to jobseeker issues, including inclusive workplaces, opportunities for growth, a sense of purpose, meaningful feedback, and flexibility, surveyed 1,000 U.S. employers about “quiet firing.” If you haven’t heard the term before, it’s the management equivalent of “quiet quitting.” Quiet quitting has been in the news for months as … Continue reading Managers Admit to “Quiet Firing”

Fractional Employment: A New Model for Gig Work

I’ve been writing about – and making a living – doing gig work for over a decade, but I’m still learning about ways companies and skilled gig workers can collaborate. I’d never heard the term “fractional employee” until I came upon it in a great article by Scion Executive Search. The post positions fractional employment … Continue reading Fractional Employment: A New Model for Gig Work

It’s Time to Quit.

“Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” Remember that from your high school football coach, or your piano teacher, your personal trainer, or your dad? (The original is attributed to the great Vince Lombardi.) What if they’re all wrong? (Sorry, Vince.) What if quitting is your fastest path to success? By now, everyone’s talking about … Continue reading It’s Time to Quit.

If This is Your Year to Quit, Write the Best Resignation Letter You Can

(From our friends at FlexJobs.com) 3.9 million workers quit their jobs at the start of 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest JOLTS report. At the same time, recent surveys have indicated this trend may continue, with many workers considering a career change this year. If you’re one of them, a resignation letter is … Continue reading If This is Your Year to Quit, Write the Best Resignation Letter You Can

I Can Tell You’re in a Bad Mood. Your Email Gives it Away.

Preply.com, an online tutoring company, was curious about how email customs have changed over the years and about how workers felt about it. I’ve written before about the pressure women in business feel to be overly cheerful and expressive in email – the excessive use of exclamation points is not optional for them. It turns … Continue reading I Can Tell You’re in a Bad Mood. Your Email Gives it Away.

Every Day is a Chance to Practice Being Who You Want to Be

“To stop talking about what the good person is like, and just be one.” —Marcus Aurelius,, If you’re just getting started with Stoicism, Matthew Van Natta’s The Beginner’s Guide to Stoicism: Tools for Emotional Resilience and Positivity is a great place to start. He starts out with some ancient history, but quickly goes on to … Continue reading Every Day is a Chance to Practice Being Who You Want to Be

Get Some Rest, Says – My Boss?

HR experts say that the trend we’ll be seeing in 2023 is something you might not expect: encouragement from your employer to get more rest. The most forward-thinking companies will help their workforce get “proactive rest,” down time that allows an employee to nap, get more sleep, or really shut down from business to refresh … Continue reading Get Some Rest, Says – My Boss?

Tax Deductions for Gig Workers

It’s close to tax filing time, and it’s not too late to make sure you have deducted all your eligible business expenses if you’re a gig worker. First, a disclaimer: I’m not a tax expert, so I have one do my taxes. This post is based on advice from Senior Editor Rocky Mengle at Kiplinger, … Continue reading Tax Deductions for Gig Workers