How choosing your partner affects your career

How choosing yur partner affects your careerHow choosing your partner affects your careerIs your partner propelling you forward (or pushing you backward?)Tzu siches romance in the air at this time of the year. Spring just began, wedding season is nigh, and everyone is ditching their Netflix accounts for happy hours sunset drinks and endless tacos.While everyone seems to be coupling up- posting lovey pictures all over Instagram, you never really know whats going on behind closed doors. What is being portrayed on social media usually resembles nothing true. Whatsreallyhappening with some ofthe more performative couples out there? Does he empower his partner in her career? Does she encourage her partner to go for that Director position?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWithhigh-profile divorcesand recouplings in the news, I have also thought about this- how does my own relationship s erve me? How does it fit in with my family? How does it fit in with my goals, my career, and my lifes trajectory?The psychology of loveWhat prompted me to write this piece welches seeing this statistic Having a conscientious spouse can boost your salary by $4,000 per year and increase your chances of getting promoted.This really spoke to me. In my mid-twenties, I was in a very serious relationship with a person. As our relationship progressed, so did my career- right up to the point where it surpassedhiscareer. All of a sudden, things were out of whack. I was working too much (trust me, I wasnt), my boss had a crush on me (trust me, he didnt) and the very few work parties I had to attend were breeding grounds for ugly flights.My burgeoning career was suddenly a third person in our relationship- and there wasnt enough room. With that, I had a decision to make. Would I descend back down this ladder to preserve one mans bruised ego or would I let the relationship crumble?In this instan ce, I chose my career. But, the thing is- I should not have had to choose at all. No partner worth having would put you in the position. If your partner challenges your success, downgrades your achievements, or offers any sort of career or me ultimatum, its likely time to bestattungs your coat and head out.According toa study by Carnegie Mellon University,people with supportive spouses are more likely to give themselves the chance to succeed. What does this mean? Out of the 163 married couples studied, the ones with the more supportive spouses were more likely to take on rewarding challenges. Those who accepted challenges experienced more personal growth, happiness,and psychological wellness.Can a good partner help your gains?Many successful men and women have attributed their professional gains to the support and sacrifice of their spouse.An Example? Beyonc says that Jay-Z has been supportive on every level, saying I would not be the woman I am if I did not go home to that man. He gives me such a foundation.Billionaire Warren Buffett says that the main turning point in his life was not a geschftsleben acquisition or a multi-billion dollar merger, butmeeting his wife, Susie. Buffett describes marriage as the ultimate partnership. Without Susan Susie Buffett, Warren would not have experienced success on the scale that he has.Marry the right person. Im serious about that. It will make more difference in your life. It will change your aspirations, all kinds of things.Since celebrities arereallyjust like us, here are some of our favorite power couples- and how they champion each other every single day.Beyonc + Jay-ZOk,Lemonadewas a rough patch. A marriage under the public eye faces a ton of scrutiny. When youre Beyonc- literallyBeyonc- that scrutiny is magnified.Since we all watched this play out in real-time, I wont bore you with details. What I will say is that they both leaned into their very-public marital issues and worked (undoubtedly really hard) to fix the m.Ellen DeGeneres + Portia de RossiIn 1992, Ellen Degeneres made the controversial decision to come out as openly gay. Years later, after getting together in 2004, de Rossi found the strength in her partner, to come out as openly gay in 2005. deRossi explains,My feelings for her overrode all of my fear about being out as a lesbian. I had to be with her, and I just figured Id deal with the other stuff later.Since then, Degeneres and de Rossi have maintained a place as one of Hollywoods fruchtwein supportive power couples.Amal + George ClooneyAmal Clooney is a Lebanese-British lawyer who specializes in international law and human rights. George Clooney is her husband, an actor you may have heard of.One of the things that make Amal and George a power couple is their stark differences. Amal, having never been a part of show biz, exemplified real meaning in her own work. This is not yperit on her husband, George, who admires her success, saying, Im a much happier person and we have a ver y happy life. We enjoy many of the same things and I very much enjoy the projects that she takes on because they havereal consequence.Jada + Will Pinkett-SmithJada and Will Smith make no bones about crediting each other for their successes. Jada largely credits Will for saving her from addiction issues she had faced in the past.In addition to the longevity of their relationship. both Pinkett-Smiths are dedicated to their marriage- their life partnership. As such. they have been brutally honest about the ups and the downs they have experienced. On their lifelong partnership, Will explains, Theres no deal breakers. Theres nothing she could do- ever- nothing that would break our relationship. She has my support geschiebemergel death, and it feels so good to get to that space.Chrissy Teigen + John LegendBesides being yourfavorite Twitter userand your favorite crooner. respectively, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are a powerful and mutually-supportive couple.One of the more refreshing as pects of this couple is their authenticity- and we dont use that word lightly. While Teigen is famous for unapologetically sharing the good, the bad, and her post-modeling stretchmarks, Legend is equally forthcoming. On their relationship, Legend says.I dont want to present myself as the perfect spouse and I dont want to present our relationship as the perfect relationship because I dont think anybody meets that definition. I think its too much pressure to put on anyone. However, I dont mind being known as somebody whos devoted to their wife. I am devoted to Chrissy.Michelle + Barack ObamaWe love Michelle and Barack. And, no matter what side of the aisle you stand on, you cannot deny that these two people are sincerely devoted to one another.During Obamas Presidency, he took every opportunity to place praise on his beloved wife, Michelle. Post-Presidency, he has taken to introducing himself as Michelles husband.Instead of writing for days on this particular couple, I will let two qu otes speak for themselves.Barack on MichelleHaving said all those things, the quality I love most about her is, shes honest and genuine. I think that comes across to people. They get a sense that they can trust her. You know, the word authenticity is overused these days. But I do think it captures what folks are looking for- not just in leaders, but also in friends and in coworkersand that is, folks who are on the level. People like that tell you what they think and dont have a bunch of hidden motives. Thats who Michelle is.Michelle on BarackBarack woke up on our wedding day in October 1992 with a nasty head cold. Somehow, by the time I met him at the altar, it had miraculously disappeared and we ended up dancing almost all night. Twenty-five years later, were still having fun, while also doing the hard work to build our partnership and support each other as individuals. I cant imagine going on this wild ride with anybody else.Rita Wilson + Tom HanksA funny aspect of finding a partn er is timing. This is something Tom Hanks recognizes in his meeting (and falling in love with) his wife, Rita Wilson, saying,The success of our relationship was a matter of timing, maturity, and our willingness to have an intimate connection.When Hanks and Wilson married in 1988, neither were the superstars they are today. When Hanks shot to celebrity after starring inPhiladelphiain 1994, Wilson stood by his side.Their marriage has forged on for what seems like centuries, by Hollywood standards. When Wilson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, it further cemented their bond. Wilson explains,You never know how your spouse is going to react in a situation like this. I was so amazed, so blown away by the care my husband gave me. It was such a normal, intimate time.Kristen Bell + Dax ShepardWhen Bell and Shepard met and began to date in 2007, it was a classic good girl meets bad by scenario. Bell explains that He was a drug addict and he was wild, and I was very much a good girl wh o went to Catholic school.While they had a bumpy road at the beginning, Bell and Shepard married in 2013. What many people may not have known is that Shepard struggled with drugs and alcohol. On the 14th anniversary of his sobriety, Bell posted a touching tribute to Shepard, saying, I know how much you loved using. I know how much it got in your way. And I know because I saw how hard you worked to live without it. I will forever be in awe of your dedication, and the level of fierce moral inventory you perform on yourself, like an emotional surgery, every single night.You + YouDo you know who else is a great partner? Your own damn self.We live in a society that is constantly banging the drum on coupling up to experience real happiness. Some of us are great all on our own. Date yourself. Take yourself to experience new things. Learn brand new skills. Conquer fears you have always experienced andlearn from yourself. Chances are that you will fall in love withyou.Create a life in which you constantly work on your own strengths, weaknesses, and everything in between. You will never be more fulfilled than when you truly learn to love and champion yourself.This article originally appeared on Career Contessa.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

How to Use Visualization to Boost Your Career - The Muse

How to Use Visualization to Boost Your Career - The MuseHow to Use Visualization to Boost Your Career One of the practices that contributes to Michael Phelps success as a swimmer takes place well before he gets into the pool. As part of his training regimen, Phelps visualizes every detail of his race- from responding to something going wrong (like ripping his suit) to crossing the finish line ahead of his competitors. Phelps has used visualization (along with other training methods, of course) to achieve incredible things in his career, like winning 28 Olympic medals to become the most decorated Olympian of all time. But you dont need to be a world-class athlete to borrow his tricks- and Im living proof.Visualization has played an absolutely essential part in hitting a number of my career goals, such as pitching high-profile clients with confidence, scaling my business to six figures, and tackling large, complex projects without feeling completely overwhelmed. My visualization practi ce has, in many ways, acted as the bridge between where I am in my career at any given moment to where I want to be- by allowing me to see and feel my future success before it actually happens.Think about building a jigsaw puzzle. Have you ever attempted to build one without having the kasten top to look at? It is extremely difficult to complete the puzzle without knowing what the outcome should look like, says executive leadership coach Cynthia Corsetti. You may fit pieces together, you may get bits and pieces of the puzzle done, but it will take longer, be mora challenging, and possibly never reach completion. Corsetti believes the same is true of your career the more clear and detailed you are when you visualize what you want from your career, the easier it will be to make it a reality.Of course, while visualization can definitely help you improve performance, for the best results, you need to pair it with action. Phelps didnt just visualize himself winning races- he also spent h undreds and hundreds of hours in the pool. Want to give visualization a try? Heres what you need to know to get abfluged.Visualization 101Whats Visualization?Before we jump into how visualization can completely transform your career, lets quickly cover what, exactly, visualization is.Visualization is the ability to create a clear picture in your mind of the exact circumstance you wish to create, says Corsetti. It has also been called setting intention, attraction, and positive thinking, she adds. Its an actual skill that a person can learn.Visualization is seeing, feeling, and completely embodying a future outcome- whether thats snagging the eckball office, completing a marathon, or buying your dream home- before it happens. By creating your desired future outcome in your mind in as much detail as possible, you can actually transform your visualization into reality. The ScienceHow Does Visualization Actually Work?When you visualize yourself hitting a specific goal, your brain interp rets that imagery as reality- and, as a result, creates new neural pathways to support that reality. Visualization is effective at boosting performance because it activates the same regions of the brain that are activated when actually performing a task- athletic, academic, or anything else, says Roselyn Smith, a licensed psychologist, hypleidherapist, and management consultant. It actually changes the pattern of our electrochemical brain waves. In other words, by using visualization, youre tricking your brain into acting as if your desired outcome- whether thats nailing a presentation, landing a big promotion, or launching your own business- has already happened. And because your brain thinks your desired outcome has already happened, youre more likely to take the actions necessary to align with your brains perceived reality.Visualization can even cause physical changes. One study found that participants who visualized workouts were able to increase their muscle mass by 13.5% over the course of 12 weeks- even though they never stepped foot inside a gym. (Imagine how much more theyd have gained if theyd actually worked out)The ExercisesWhat Visualization Exercises Can I Do to Be More Successful at Work?So research has shown that visualization can work. But how, in practice, do you use it to make you more successful? Here are a few exercises to get you started.Start With Basic VisualizationIf youre just hopping on board the visualization train, youre going to want to start with the basics. Carve out a few quiet minutes each day to sit down, close your eyes, and picture where you want to go, who you want to be, and what you want to do in your career. You can start small (like picturing yourself rocking an upcoming presentation) or go big (like celebrating your first six-figure year in business).The key to this exercise is being as specific as possible. See whats going to happen clearly in your mind. Home in on all the small details, from what youre wearing to th e way youre speaking. And let yourself experience the emotions that go along with the visualization (so, for example, the sense of pride youd feel when landing a raise or the rush of excitement youd get when you launch a new product). The more realistic you can make your visualization, the more effective itll be.Picture the Worst-Case ScenarioThere are bound to be obstacles on any career journey. With visualization, you can anticipate what theyll be- and come up with a plan so you know exactly how to handle them when they arise. Lets say, for example, that youre gearing up to pitch a new project idea to your team. Visualize all the things that could go wrong- your presentation crashes, you forget important information in the middle of your pitch, your team says theyre not interested- and, more importantly, how youll handle them.Entrepreneur Tim Ferriss calls this fear-setting basically, you spend time imagining all the potential worst-case scenarios and how youd navigate them. This way, youll be prepared and have a game plan if and when it happens, and youll be much more likely to succeed as a result.Focus on Specific Skills or GoalsAs the previously mentioned study showed, practicing a task in your mind can yield measurable results- even if you never practice that task IRL.Want to become a better public speaker? Spend time visualizing yourself speaking to large crowds. Want to increase the number of potential clients you speak to each day? Picture yourself hitting the phones and connecting with tons of prospects each day. The point is, the more you practice the skill in visualizations, the better youll be at said skill in reality.Write it DownHave a hard time visualizing things in your mind? No worries Writing down your visualizations can be just as effective as picturing them in your head- perhaps even more so.I have my clients write a story that describes in detail what they want their future to look like- down to the pictures on the wall of their office, s ays Corsetti. Adults learn by using all their senses. By writing the exercise they are using their thoughts as well as the physical activity of writing which seals the idea and makes it more concrete.The Next StepsWhat Else Do I Have to Do? Clearly, visualization is a powerful tool. But heres an important reminder If you want to see real results, you need to pair it with tangible actions. You can visualize yourself calling up 100 client prospects a day- but if you never actually pick up the phone, youre not going to get the results youre looking for.Its more than just think about it and it will happen, says Corsetti. You see, when you visualize yourself as a leader, or as an entrepreneur...you have to start to respond and act as you would in that role. So, for example, if youre visualizing yourself landing a coveted promotion, in addition to picturing yourself in this new role, you need to start acting as if youre already in it, whether that means taking on more responsibility, ment oring newer members of your team, or logging extra hours at the office. And when you pack this one-two punch- visualization and action? Opportunities begin to present themselves. You attract people and circumstances that will help you get there, Corsetti explains. It literally steps up your game on a daily basis.Visualization is like a roadmap for that old saying- if you can dream it, you can achieve it. Because the right exercises can help you imagine the career you want. And with that vision, plus the corresponding actions, you can start making it a reality.

Unsolicited Application Letter

Unsolicited Application LetterUnsolicited Application LetterOne of the best ways to find a good paying job in todays world is with online job deutsche post dhling websites. The downside to posting your resume online is that you will likely receive offers from companies you never heard of before. If you decide to contact companies you find online, you need to submit an unsolicited application letter. An unsolicited application letter is also suitable for sending to employers who requested you fill out an application when you have no interest in the job. Unsolicited application letters, unlike solicited letters, also let you contact employers who do not post jobs online or do not have any current jobs posted as a way to get your foot in the door.An Unsolicited Application Letter Acts as a Cover LetterThink of an unsolicited application letter in the saatkorn way you would a cover letter. The employers you contact have no information about you and know nothing about you or why you would be a good fit for that company. You need to make your unsolicited application letter shine and show that employer a list of reasons why they should hire you or at least give you an interview. A well-written unsolicited application letter can make that employer decide to take a chance on you.Making Your Unsolicited Application Letter ShineWhen you write a cover letter, you probably spend hours writing, reviewing, and editing before sending it to potential employers. You need to put that same level of effort into writing an unsolicited application letter. Give employers a clear list of reasons to call you in for an interview.How Do I Write an Application Letter?You write an application letter by highlighting aspects of your career and other crucial information, includingUp-to-date contact informationYour experience levelAll relevent education you haveThe research and your understanding of the companyWhy you want to work for that employerA reference to your included resumeWhat is an Unsolicited Resume?An unsolicited resume means the same thing as an unsolicited application letter. Its a resume you send to an employer who has no jobs posted online, or no current jobs available. Re-tool your unsolicited resume so that your professional summary, skills, and work experience align with the goals of the company, or the industry that the company is in.Contacting Employers with an Unsolicited Application LetterContacting employers with an unsolicited application letter can open doors that were previously closed to you. The unsolicited application letter acts as an introduction to you, your skills, and why youre a good fit for that company. Read unsolicited application letter samples to see how others created similar letters, and create a compelling resume to go along with that letter with our resume builder. A well-written unsolicited application letter can help you get a great job, even when the company isnt hiring publicly. Related Articles What are the Best Career Change SkillsWhat is an Informational Interview?What is the Proper Resume Length?