5 Steps to Developing Critical Thinking Skills

5 Steps to Developing Critical Thinking Skills Article by Sam MilamDo you react to situations based on your emotions or personal biases? Are you looking for ways to improve communicationwith those around you? Do you want to achieve more in your career?By adopting critical thinking skills, you can improve your ability to make objective, effective choices and arguments. Without these skills, your arguments can often be one-sided. Criticism can feel like a personal attack on your character rather than an opportunity to open up dialogue and communicate productively.Lets take a look at how to develop critical thinking skills so that you can walk into any situation with the tools needed to set intense emotions aside and makesmart decisions1. Become a Self-CriticThe very first and most important step in developing critical thinking skills is becoming a critic of your own thoughts and actions. Without self-reflection, you cannotgrow.You can break down your ow n thoughts by asking yourself why you believe something. When you do this, you need to clarify your thoughts by assessingyour response objectively and finding a solid logic supporting what you believe. When you self-reflect, you are able to step back and observe how you respond to situations.Important questions to ask during self-reflection include Why do I believe this? Can I think of examples in my life when this proved true or false? Am I attached to this idea emotionally? Why?Another aspect of becoming a self-critic is acknowledging your strengths, weaknesses, personal preferences, and biases. When you know this information, you can understand why you approach certain situations with certain perspectives. When you are aware of your viewpoint, you can step beyond it when necessary.2.Listen ActivelyThinking and listening are nearly impossible to do at the same time. To become a critical thinker, you need to be able to listen to others ideas, arguments, and criticisms without think ing about your response while they are speaking. You cant properly absorb the information someone is trying to convey if you dont take the time to truly listen.Listening allows you to feel empathy. When you hear someone elses perspective, you canunderstand their stories, their struggles, their passions, and their ideas. Actively listening allows you tounderstand what someone is trying to tell you because it pushes the conversation until all parties can reiterate what the other is trying to say.3. Analyze InformationNo one thinks critically at all times. Sometimes your joy, anger, sadness, or other emotions are too great. Other times, you struggle to focus on the central issue at hand.Critical thinking requires you to carefully analyze the information before you, whether it is information in your mind or information shared by others. To analyze information, first assess what is being said and ensure you clearly understand it. Then, you can dissect and appraise all arguments, includin g your own.4. Communicate NonviolentlyCritical thinking isnt much help if you cant communicate in a nonviolent, productive way. When listening to and analyzing arguments, you first need to recognize valid logic. Then, you need to communicate withthe other people involved in a productive way.The basis of nonviolent communication is compassion, observation, and collaboration. When you approach a scenario with compassion, you approach witha peaceful mindsetrather than a defensive one. When you observe, you can observe your arguments and others without judgment or emotional attachment. Collaboration naturally happens when everyone enters the process with a compassionate, open mind focused on solving theproblem at hand.5. Develop ForesightForesight is theability to predict the future impact of a decision, whichis critical for success in all aspects of your life. For example, when you move somewhere, you plan ahead to see what your job outlook is and what the neighborhood is like.Similarl y, if you are moving a business, it is wise to examine the impact of that decision. Will it be too far for some of your talented employees to commute? Will you lose customers? What will you gain?Every decision should be weighed carefully, its potential impacts considered closely, before it is made.A version of this article originally appeared onSUCCESS.com.Sam Milam is a freelance writer hailing from the Pacific Northwest. Her focus is on discovering passions, developing skill sets, and honing the best, most productive versions of ourselves. She loves to travel, meet new people, and do yoga.

This study says eating dessert first could lead to weight loss

This study says eating dessert first could lead to weight lossThis study says eating dessert first could lead to weight lossAccording to a recent study, eating your favorite treats can have a pretty significant influence on portion control. The study is titled If I indulge first, I will eat less overall The unexpected interaction effect of indulgence and presentation order on consumption.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe influence of sweetsThe authors of the study determined that sequential food choices share an interesting correlation with calorie intake.At a buffet for instance, if an individual begins by selecting a calorie-heavy dessert (not eating mind you, just merely selecting) that decision is enough to implore said individual to choose lower-calorie options or fewer food options, in general, to offset their initial choice.A cafeteria was employed for the first experim ent illustrated by the study. Over the course of four days participants were offered four different dessert options fresh fruit placed before the main meal and side dish options, lemon cheesecake placed before the main meal and side dish options, fresh fruit placed after main meal and side dish options, and lemon cheesecake placed after main meal and side dish options.Nearly 70% of the participants that chose the cheesecake went on to select healthier savory dishes. Conversely only a third of those that chose fruit before the savory dishes went on to choose something healthy later. On balance individuals that picked cheesecake first, consumed 250 fewer calories by the time the meal was over.The study identifies calorie heavy desserts as clever deterrents for consuming more calories than you need to after consumption. A valid deliberation certainly, but its important to remember that sugary desserts also have their place in a balanced diet.Researchers atLoma Linda University conducte d a study on college students in an attempt to scientifically legitimize chocolate as a powerful mood booster. The results motioned that, in moderation, chocolate is a certified healthy snack, biologically and in the abstract.Dark chocolatehas been linked to improving cardiovascular health and the prevention of certain kinds of cancer. Additionally, a study previously reported on by Ladders showed recipients of chocolate experiencing a surge in oxytocin, a hormone vital for regulating stress and happiness levels.Dr. Daniela Jakubowicz of Tel Aviv University. corroborates the findings found in the Journal Of Experimental Psychologys recent report, sayingCarbs and protein eaten at breakfast keep us full throughout the day, and allowing ourselves some sweets helps to curb cravings for these foods,Utilize desserts strategically, both as a caution against imbibing too many calories and as a tasty resource for essential nutrients.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

3 Salary Negotiation Mistakes to Avoid

3 Salary Negotiation Mistakes to Avoid3 Salary Negotiation Mistakes to AvoidWhether youre involved in a salary negotiation as a job candidate or want to discuss a raise during your annual performance review, having reliable salary information at your disposal is a must.Settling on how much youll be paid can include some delicate back-and-forth moments, but that doesnt mean you have to feel uncomfortable going into a salary negotiation. On the contrary By doing your homework, youll be prepared with facts and figures when the time comes to talk turkey. You can avoid common salary negotiation mistakes and instead move the conversation along in a way that helps you get you what you want.The Salary Guides from Robert Half are essential resources for doing so. The guides provide national salary ranges for positions specific to your profession and allow you to customize them for your local market.Being armed with knowledge and details as you enter a salary negotiation is crucial, but it als o helps to know what not to do. Here are three mistakes to avoid, along with helpful hints to get you the best possible outcome1. Failing to do adequate researchDont wing it when discussing salary. Its too important for that and could also reveal that youre out of stich with your industry.Helpful hint - In addition to doing your salary research, learn more about the target company and its industry as a whole. Searching the firms name on Google News and Glassdoor will direct you to stories and insights about the company, and searching for industry terms will put you in a position to talk about trends that may have a bearing on your salary.2. Underselling or overselling yourselfDont highball or lowball your salary request.Helpful hint - Where you live is a key determinant in how much you earn. If you reside in Boise, dont expect to earn what youd make if you lived in Boston. An online Salary Calculator can help you pinpoint the right range for your location. In determining your targ et salary range, consider how the benefits package and bonuses affect your overall compensation, and be ready to adjust accordingly during the salary negotiation. Factor in the potential for advancement as well.3. Failing to justify your requestDont freeze up at crunch time.Helpful hint - Just as studying for a big test relieves your anxiety about making a good grade, research prior to the salary negotiation process will boost your confidence. Its one thing to say you want a certain amount, but its another to clearly explain why that figure is justified. Highlight your in-demand skills, your relevant credentials and your commitment to furthering the companys goals. Besides emphasizing what you already bring to the table, be prepared to discuss your plans for ongoing professional development that will benefit the company.Earning the salary you deserve is much more likely when you avoid common mistakes and understand your worth to the company before you engage in any conversation abo ut compensation.Think beyond dollar signs when youre in a salary negotiation. Check out our post, Employee Compensation Its More Than Just Your Paycheck.

10 Ways to Convince Yourself to Keep Going

10 Ways to Convince Yourself to Keep Going10 Ways to Convince Yourself to Keep GoingSome days, you just cant get yourself going. The tasks you have ahead of you seem hard. Your to-do list looks never-ending. And you might start to wonder Why am I doing this again?And for those days, weve scoured the web to find all the tips and tricks you need to boost your motivation. Whatever slump youve found yourself in, theres sure to be an answer below to help you climb out of it. Check out ansicht ideas for getting through the things you dont want to do. (ZenHabits)Turns out, the key to actually getting stuff done may be to stop trying to get yourself motivated. (99U)See what you can learn from these fascinating studies about what really motivates us at work. (TED)Learn the surprising secrets of super motivated people. (Real Simple)Heres how to get rid of the seven things that are killing your motivation. (StartupBros)Think you have to be passionate about what youre doing to stay motivated? Th ink again. (Buffer)See what the science has to say about keeping yourself going. (Time)Hear what some big doers have to say about staying motivated when your goals are epic. (Fast Company)Sometimes working in a corporate environment can be a little demoralizing- but these tips will help you keep going. (Prolific Living)Try this simple trick for keeping your motivation strong through your whole to-do list. (Lifehacker)Want more? Check out some of our great articles on getting yourself motivated.5 Ways to Motivate Yourself (and Everyone Around You)How to Stay Motivated Even After Youve Made It5 Simple Ways to Stay Motivated at WorkPhoto of people running courtesy of Shutterstock.

How to send an effective Cover letter email.com

How to send an effective Cover letter emaille.comHow to send an effective Cover letter email.comYou only get one chance to make a first impression which is why your deckblatt letter email is so important. Emailing a titelbild letteris your chance to show why youre the best candidate for the job and to demonstrate that youre a professional who is serious about the application.The email cover letter should provide information on your expertise, such as your qualifications, skills, and experience as well as the reasons why youre applying for the role. You need to show the employer why youre a good fit for the ort and to grab their attention so they look at your resume.Candidates are often too quick to send an email cover letter. This is a mistake. It is worth spending some time focusing on each aspect of the cover letter to ensure its up to scratch. In a competitive job market, marginal gains are everything.Yourprofessional resume is still the most powerful tool you have at your disposa lwhen youre job hunting and using a resume builder is an effective way of nailing it. You cover letter needs to work in tandem with your resume.How to send an email cover letterOne of the most important pieces of cover letter advice is to always follow the employers instructions. Failure to follow basic instructions during the application process gives the wrong impression. It seems sloppy and unprofessional.Sending an email cover letter and resume as attachmentsIf the instructions in the job posting sayto include your cover letter as an attachment, then do so. Either include it as a Word document or as a PDF. As youll include both your resume and cover letter its important to clearly name both files (e.g. petergreencover.pdf and petergreenresume.pdf).Sending an email cover letter as the main emailIf the job posting instructions dont state whether to include your cover letter as an attachment, it is best to copy and paste your cover letter and include it as the main email, with just your resume attached. This way, when an employer double clicks on your application email, they will instantly see your attention-grabbing cover letter.How to write a an email cover letter for a job applicationA professional cover letter should follow a clear cover letter format. It should start with a header, an opening paragraph (why youre applying), a second main paragraph (why youre the best candidate), a closing paragraph (thank them for their time and state whats attached), and an electronic signature.Before you start writing it, you should carefully read through the job posting and identify the key job requirements. You should then analyze your own expertise and be ready to show how your skill set matches the job. Each cover letter should be tailored for each application.You should choose some examples of when youve demonstrated each key requirement and include them in your cover letter. This is much more convincing than just saying youre innovative, creative, or dynamic.Cove r letter email exampleGet morecover letter examples advicein our guide with tips and information about all aspects of a good cover letter structure.Subject Customer Services Position Jane CooperDear Ms. Wilson,I would like to express my interest in the position of Customer Service Representative which is advertised on LinkedIn. I believe that my four years of experience in customer services and my positive attitude make me the ideal candidate for this position.I am used to working in a target-driven environment and have surpassed my personal targets for three consecutive years. I have also won two Passion Awards for my approach towards delivering excellent customer service. My strong communication skills which have been recognized through consistent positive feedback from our customers.Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Please find a copy of my resume attached. I look forward to having the chance to discuss what I can bring to the role in more details.Sincerel y yours,Jane Cooper

Why Acting Like a 4-Year-Old Will Make You Better at Your Job

Why Acting Like a 4-Year-Old Will Make You Better at Your JobWhy Acting Like a 4-Year-Old Will Make You Better at Your JobIt doesnt matter how smart you are, you will undoubtedly encounter things in your career that you are just completely lost on. You may be an incredible editor who doesnt understand the first thing about your sites code base. Or you may have a deft touch at making clients feel special but elend get the first thing about invoicing. Heck, youve probably been in a situation at work where someone said something that sounded like a foreign language. And you probably nodded the entire time in agreement- then ran to your computer to Google what the hell they were talking about. Most of us fear coming across as incompetent or not smart enough, so the natural reaction in this situation is to pretend you understand something, rather than admit you are confused and lost. Problem is, every time you do that, you miss a chance to learn something from an expert. Think about it li ke this Would you think it was bad if someone asked you to explain something you know a lot about? No Youd feel flattered and great because you got to help someone. I know hardly anything, so I ask people to explain things to me all the time. And further, I always ask them to explain it to me like Im a four-year-old. Literally. Why? Doing this accomplishes two things One, it makes a joke about not knowing something, which can lighten the conversation. But two, and more importantly, it forces the person to simplify things down their most basic elements, so you can more easily understand whats going on.For example, the other day someone was explaining a very technical SEO problem we were having. I probably should know this stuff, but I dont. So I stopped him and said, explain the problem to me like Im a four-year old. He looked at me like I was joking, so I insisted. The result? Rather than launching into a diatribe about meta tags, crawling, and site mapping, he simply said, basicall y, your pages arent telling Google they exist. Boom. That makes sense. And I could better contribute to the conversation moving forward.No, you shouldnt use this in all situations (if youre a PR manager and ask your boss to explain press releases to you like youre a four-year-old, theres a problem), but next time youre talking about something thats outside of your wheelhouse and dont get, try this little trick. Youll be amazed at how much easier it is to understand new concepts and actually learn. Photo of child courtesy of Shutterstock.

Kids, Work and Financial Advisor Resume

Kids, Work and Financial Advisor Resume The Good, the Bad and Financial Advisor Resume If you cant consider anything whatsoever, it may be a good idea to try out a career objective, thats the go-to intro for people joining the workforce. Dear Ms. Strickland, With the constantly changing economy, its important to get financial advisors who understand how to deal with a wide variety of fiscal conditions. Its important that all advisors understand the limited quantity of time they have to earn a very first impression. Sure, your phone interviewer wont have the ability to see what youre wearing, but nevertheless, it will make a difference to how you are feeling. Be certain to read job descriptions carefully so you will be aware of what your prospective employer is searching for and what things to highlight in your resume and titelblatt letters. In many instances your cover letter is the very first impression a hiring manager will have of you. There are lots of applicants who wan t the exact position as you, and only a single spot is up for grabs. Should you need additional support, have a look at our expansive cover letter collection for advice to help you craft yours. Ok, I Think I Understand Financial Advisor Resume, Now Tell Me About Financial Advisor Resume Its much more just enjoy a business program that should comply with a scope of criteria. The financial advisor sample resume provided below should offer you a nice framework to start from. If you get a great deal of experience, utilizing a resume profile or an overview of qualifications to kick off your resume is fantastic. Added information about the application are available here. You must show it stretches to your life outside work. Todays world provides great opportunities together with competitions to a guy. Last, in your work experience, it isnt enough merely to list down what youve done. Comes with 3 decades of experience providing genuine financial advice that have proven to work. Youll permit the advisor know your investment preferences too. Its essential for you, since the consumer, to comprehend what your planner recommends and why. In the end, you should adopt the right layout for your financial advisor resume. Hiring managers want to be aware of if you have what it requires to develop and keep up a strong network of clients. Stop by a small number of advisor websites and youll quickly realize that many advisors sound the exact same. Most advisors are obligated by a legal fiduciary obligation to act in the best interest of the customer in any way times. Other advisors are called fee-based advisors. Read below for a couple strategies for writing a finance resume. Studies is a crucial part of several facets of process hunting, and earlier than you start writing your cover letter, you wish to ensure youve got achieved your studies nicely. The education procedure may consist of thorough help with financial topics. The Demise of Financial Advisor Resume While Canadian resumes are available in many unique formats, they share some standards that you ought to know about. Together with helping with your layout, resume examples can allow you to see what type of content you should put in your document. All images are available free for industrial usage, and youll do what youd like together. High-resolution and industrial images are easily available. A hiring manager trying to find a Financial Advisor is searching for a motivated and hardworking individual with superior accounting abilities. Its important to speak to your financial advisor when you experience an important shift in your life that may affect your financial picture. Landing a job for a bank teller is very good since its respectable work with a good salary which requires no experience (although experience is very good too). Due to the appealing salaries, a career as a financial planner is thought to be among the first-class within the market. So when the hir ing company hasnt provided a salary for work, we look at salary data from related businesses and locations to produce a fair estimate for what it is possible to count on. If you would like to double your money or plan for retirement, you might need to employ the expert services of a financial advisor who will assist you with your investments. Youll comprehend the advisory procedure and the way the professional selects appropriate investments for you. Basically, it is composed of all sorts of investments which promise an extremely excellent return. The Little-Known Secrets to Financial Advisor Resume Finding a Masters degree provides you with an extremely competitive edge. You will learn the way to customize aufsteigen tools to make an outstanding customer experience whatever your organization scale. Whether youre just starting out, are a seasoned professional, or are looking to create a significant career change, MyPerfectResume has the resume tools you have to get ahead. Fi nancial planning goes together with technology. All things considered, your resume education section matters a good deal. For instance, if an example resume lacks a skills section, but you need to include one, you need to do so. Youll discover a whole lot of information, tips and secrets to help you throughout your efforts to maximize ROI through sound advertising. When writing your contact info, make sure that each portion of it is professional. Ok, I Think I Understand Financial Advisor Resume, Now Tell Me About Financial Advisor Resume In our instance, the applicant is very talented at working with customers. You will find additional information on their official site. When an advisor can understand and affirm the customer and communicate the specifics of how and why they can aid their client, theyll succeed. Not all financial advisors have the same degree of training or will give you the exact depth of services. Financial Advisor Resume - What Is It? Independent advis ers have the advantage of running their firm in a manner that suits their targets and once the practice gains a wholesome client base, independent IAs have the capability to earn far more than they would as IARs working with a current firm. The developing trend in compensation consists of fee-only advisors. Your resume should highlight your unique experience and revolve around the best prices and partnerships youve created. Suddenly, the issue for many rapidly growing advisory firms was that the founders accountable for sales and business development were running from the capacity required to service an increasing volume of current clients. Most individuals in the industry development field possess an impressive mixture of skills. Focus on what you could offer to compensate for your lack of experience. Social contestswith an intelligent idea together with a concept might be a terrific sales advertising. In the area of investment advice, defining a value proposition is comparat ively straightforward.