As Samuel Johnson observed, “It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery, and as much happiness as possible.”

Your work space:
1. Check for eyestrain: put your hand to your forehead in a salute. If your eyes feel relieved, your space is too bright. When I got my three monitors (an investment which makes me ecstatically happy, by the way), I had to turn down their brightness levels because the glare was terrible.

2. Get a good desk chair and take the time to adjust it properly.

3. Sit up straight — every time I do, I instantly feel more energetic and cheerier.

4. Indulge in a modest splurge, i.e., consider whether there are ways to spend money that would make a big difference. Could you invest in some desk accessories to help you stay organized? Could you replace an inconvenient lamp with something that works better?

5. Get a phone headset. I resisted for a long time, but it’s really much more comfortable. The phone headset is like the rolling suitcase: yes, you look a little silly, but it makes life a lot easier.

6. Don’t keep treats around. A handful of M&Ms each day might mean a weight gain of five pounds by year’s end. My husband used to work at an office that kept a kitchen fully stocked with treats. When he switched jobs, he dropped about ten pounds, which actually had me a little worried until we figured out the reason.

7. Periodically, take time to deep-clean the loose papers that have piled up. I never do this until I specifically schedule a time, but am always amazed at the wonderful calm it brings.

Your day:
8. Never say “yes” on the phone; instead, say, “I’ll get back to you.” When you’re actually speaking to someone, the desire to be accommodating is very strong, and can lead you to say “yes” without enough consideration.

9. Take care of difficult calls or emails as quickly as possible. Procrastinating just makes it harder; getting them done gives a big boost of relieved energy.

10. When accepting a responsibility, imagine that it’s something that you’ll have to do next week. That way you don’t agree to a task just because it seems so far off that it doesn’t seem onerous.

11. Be honest about how you’re spending your time. You feel overwhelmed, but are you really working hard? How much time do you spend surfing the internet, chatting on the phone, looking for things you’ve misplaced, or doing tasks that are really someone else’s job?

12. Go outside at least once a day, and if possible, take a walk. The sunlight and activity is good for your focus, mood, and retention of information.

13. Even if you can’t go outside, take a ten-minute break each hour. Studies show that the break boosts your retention level.

14. Don’t let yourself get too hungry.

15. Try to make a lunch date with someone outside the office at least once a week.

16. Let yourself stay ignorant of things you don’t need to know.

By Gretchen Rubin for Shine by Yahoo. I send out short monthly newsletters that highlight the best of the previous month’s posts to about 21,000 subscribers. If you’d like to sign up, click here or email me at grubin, then the “at” sign, then gretchenrubin dot com. (sorry about that weird format – trying to to thwart spammers.) Just write “newsletter” in the subject line. It’s free.

Bad co-workers come in a variety of guises: there’s the office gossip, the suck up and the slacker. But one of the most infuriating types is the credit stealer–the co-worker who hogs someone else’s spotlight or, even worse, brazenly takes credit for a colleagues work.

According to a survey conducted by the temporary staffing service Office Team, 29% of employees interviewed reported that a co-worker had assumed credit for one of their ideas. Even more surprising, 51% of the respondents did nothing about it.

Kathi Elster, president of the executive-coaching firm K Squared Enterprises, says that that credit stealing and limelight hording create corrosive workplace environments.

“They are huge problems. No matter what company we go into, these are things clients always want to talk about,” says Elster, who co-authored Working for You Isn’t Working for Me.

The Dropped Ball

The staff meeting is particularly rife with credit grabbing, says Pat Heim, CEO of The Heim Group, a consulting firm that specializes in gender differences in the workplace. “A woman will say ‘I think we ought to do X,’ and it will be as if she never made that statement. Five minutes later, a man will say, ‘We have to do X,’ and suddenly it’s the greatest idea since sliced bread,” she says.

Heim, who wrote Hardball for Women, says that rather than stewing about the injustice of it all, the wronged party should treat the whole exchange as a scrimmage, as men tend to do. “She put the ball out on the table and it sat there, so Jason is thinking ‘That ball looks pretty good.’ He picked it up and ran with it. Well, why wouldn’t he? It was just sitting there doing nothing,” she explains.

To get the credit back, Heim suggests a precisely lobbed volley: “She might say, ‘Oh Jason, I’m so I’m glad that you agreed with my suggestion.’ So she’s thanking him–and not looking like a bitch–and she’s getting it back.”

Seizing The Moment

Of course, men aren’t the only ones who steal credit. Susan Shapiro Barash, a professor of gender studies at Marymount Manhattan College and author of Toxic Friends: The Antidote for Women Stuck in Complicated Friendships, says that women in the workplace are often very cutthroat with one another because of the perception that there is only room for a handful of female executives at the top. “It’s the limited-good theory,” says Barash. “A musical-chairs feeling that that creates tremendous competition and rivalry.”

Regardless of whether the problem colleague is male or female, intentionally malicious or not, experts advise defending yourself in the moment, when possible. “I’m so happy you like that idea. When I first bought it to you a week ago, I wasn’t sure,” Elster suggests saying.

Directly confronting the situation and then moving on will prevent misunderstandings from compounding and emotions from running high–unless, of course, your emotions are already running high. Then it’s best to stay quiet and confront the person later.

“Strike when the iron is cool,” says Elster. “If your accusation comes out in angry tones, you will end up looking like the bad one.”

The Gentle Art of Saying, ‘Hey, You Stole My Idea!’

No matter how clear-cut the idea the thievery appears, negotiation expert Sheila Heen says that you should always begin with the assumption that it wasn’t intentional. “Some people genuinely don’t remember where the idea comes from–they are just excited about the idea,” says Heen, a founder of Triad Consulting Group and co-author of Difficult Conversations: How To Discuss What Matters Most.

When you confront your colleague, Heen suggests that you avoid the blame game. “Separate intention from impact,” she advises. “Hey, I didn’t know if you were aware of this, but in our recent pitches there were ideas that I came up with but in the meeting it sounded like they were yours.”

If a subtle approach doesn’t work, simply tell this person what you want. Successful resolution doesn’t hinge on whether your co-worker agrees with you, notes Heen, as he may protest that he didn’t think it came off that way. But don’t allow yourself to get sucked into a debate about what was or was not said. Simply let him know what you would like him to do about it, whether that means sending an e-mail clarifying your role in the project or not taking credit for your ideas in the future.

Knowing When To Let It Go

If the credit stealer is your boss, you have a more complicated problem. Many managers believe that any idea that comes from their department is their idea. Once again, you could request that they put your name on the project. But if your boss bristles, it’s probably best to let the matter drop.

“Sometimes it’s not worth it,” says Elster, who says that serial credit stealers usually get found out in the end. The converse is also true, adds Heen. “Over time, it will become clear where the ideas are coming from.”

Enjoy this story written by Sara Eckel ? Keep reading at ForbesWoman.

You may be surprised to know that forgiveness is the key to turning your work life around. You may be wondering how you can possibly forgive the very people who have made your life so miserable. To fully understand forgiveness you must know:

Forgiveness is something you do for yourself and not for the other person.

Forgiveness is a social or spiritual law of the universe; just like the law of gravity it is predictable and unchanging and can be used by anyone regardless of his or her faith tradition.

Forgiveness releases the hold that person’s behavior has on your life. It immediately frees energy to come into your life and assists you to meet your goals and dreams.

Forgiveness is not a nice thing you do for undeserving people. It’s actually a selfish act, but it’s not a negative act.

Forgiveness is one of the most positive and loving things you can do for yourself and others.

Forgiveness will not only improve your life at work, but can unblock energy allowing for goals and dreams to manifest in every area of your life.

The 3 Step Technique

The 3 Step Technique utilizes affirmative goal setting and visualization, a potent combination with quick results.

Step 1: You must write a goal affirmation for the relationship you wish to improve. All the words must be positive and forward moving. The affirmation must be written as if the goal has already come true and it must include a goal date for manifesting. State this affirmation three or more times daily.

Example: My relationship with my co-worker or boss now has the following qualities: Basic respect, Cooperation, Team Work, etc. By: Goal Date

Step 2: You forgive the person you’re angry with. The best way to forgive someone is to sincerely say an affirmation of forgiveness. You have a conversation with the person’s higher self or soul letting them know that you forgive them completely and freely, and you release them, and release the incident that happened between you, and you hold them in the light. When you have completed your forgiveness affirmation, you visualize the person accepting it and you move to Step 3.

Step 3: Keeping them in your mind’s eye, you will have a soul to soul conversation with the person’s higher self. A person’s higher self will not judge you, so you can literally pour your heart out to them. Begin by describing the problem and how it makes you feel. Second, describe the solution. Third, explain to them the consequences if their behavior doesn’t change. At this point, you can visualize their higher self agreeing with your solution. Visualize the person’s higher self accepting what you have said and then walking out a door or off a stage.

You can complete Steps 2 and 3 in the privacy of your home. You do not need to contact the person you are forgiving or get them involved. To prepare, you will get into a comfortable position. You will bring the person you wish to forgive into your mind’s eye. You will visualize their higher “angelic looking” self, and not their mean, nasty Earth self.

Be ready for the positive changes the next time you go to work. Tapping into the Law of Forgiveness through the 3 Step Technique is one of the most powerful strategies for positively affecting a difficult relationship.

©2009 Connie Domino, MPH, RN, author of The Law of Forgiveness: Tap into the Positive Power of Forgiveness — And Attract Good Things to Your Life Author Bio Connie Domino, MPH, RN, author of The Law of Forgiveness: Tap into the Positive Power of Forgiveness — And Attract Good Things to Your Life, is a nationally acclaimed life coach, trainer, registered nurse, support group facilitator, motivational speaker, and educational counselor who teaches public health nursing at the University of North Carolina. For more information about the book, please visit www.TheLawofForgiveness.com . Thanks to www.MommyReporter.com for suggesting this book.

They’ve all been in jail.

Yet somehow their career lives came out unscathed, and we can barely recall the time their names were splattered on headlines for breaking the law. While your biggest blunder probably didn’t involve a prison sentence, repairing your rep may start to feel like one. Whatever you did, know that you can bounce back from it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Take responsibility for your actions. Despite a rocky—and well-publicized—start, Paris ultimately accepted her punishment and literally did the time for her mistake. Likewise, if you majorly screw up, you have to suffer the consequences—in silence. Don’t protest, don’t try and get out of it, and don’t put the blame on someone or something else. Shut up and take it. People will respect you more for owning your mistakes.

Rebrand yourself. Think of this situation as an opportunity to start over. To do so, you have to think strategically about what aspect of your image needs revamping. Paris plans to get rid of her airhead persona and spend more time doing charity work than clubbing. (And if she can pull that one off, so can you.) To help you stay on track, give yourself a debut date. On that day, you’re going to walk into the boardroom and pitch an idea that will knock people’s socks off. You have to alter people’s memory of you. That way, when they hear your name, they’ll think of the great work you do, not that horrible faux pas you made last year.

Figure out who your friends are. When you’re a success, your list of hangers-on is limitless. Make one misstep, however, and life gets mighty lonely. Be thankful for those who stick by you, and make a note to call on them when you land your next big gig. You’ll want people like them on your team.

Believe that you will survive. Though it may seem hard to fathom right now, you will make it through this rough period. And if you work for a small company or in a small industry, surviving may mean switching companies or even careers. Don’t freak out about this. Instead, think of it this way: Sometimes mistakes are a way of letting us know that we need to be on a different path. Let this be your chance to find yours.

Nicole Williams is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WORKS and author of “Girl On Top.”

Source: NicoleWilliams.com

Think of your attendees as party guests. Always give your gathering a personality. “An invite to the ‘Posh Pitch Summit’ instantly suggests this will be something other than the 50 other meetings they have  booked in that week,” says Pattinson. Be enthusiastic; hint at surprises. “Everyone should be excited from the very first e-mail. Creating anticipation has everyone thinking about your meeting positively before they even arrive.”

Start with a bang. Internal meetings in particular can get negative in the first 10 minutes. “Send in your assistant to distract them with classy eats and the request to write down what they want to personally achieve today. Then get her to explain how they’ve been invited specifically as the only people for the job,” says Pattinson. “Stoke their pride, set the standard, get them focused, and that energy will rock that meeting for you.”

Be personal—but not cheesy. Personal bonding is the glue that holds meetings together, but done heavy-handedly = cringefest. So be human but avoid guts-spilling. “Disarming but casual comments (‘I was so excited/nervous, I was up till 4 a.m. prepping!’)  make you instantly magnetic,” says Pattinson. Then ask a personal but work-based question: What’s been the most pivotal moment in your career? By uncovering what makes everyone tick, a nonintrusive yet personal connection is formed.

Anticipate the clichés. Meetings equal clichés, the merest whiff of which has attendees playing hunt-the-door. “Ditch typed agendas and use classy note cards, with celebrity quotes as summary heads. Need a whiteboard? Write ‘DON’T FEAR THE WHITEBOARD’ on it,” says Pattinson. “The novel and unexpected stir people’s attention, forcing everyone to fire on fresh cylinders.”

Source: By Nicky Pattinson for Works by Nicole Williams

Talk it out. Having a conversation is a simple, yet often overlooked, problem-solving tactic. And if you’ve noticed a shift in your partner’s moods when you return home late, we’re betting you already know they’re feeling neglected and in need of such a chat. So why not tackle the problem before it snowballs by bringing up the subject yourself? Start by apologizing for being absent and then set aside a block of time (preferably not after a draining 15-hour workday) to work out a solution that appeals to you both.

Outline your work goals. To help your partner understand why you’ve been absent, start the conversation by explaining the work goals that have kept you in the office. Don’t use these goals as an excuse, but do frame them in a way that your significant other can see why you’ve pursued them at the expense of spending time together. For example, if you’re working toward a raise to pad your joint emergency fund or save for a summer vacation for two, share these details with them. Or if you’re hoping to get a promotion based on your extra hours and work, share with them how you hope this will benefit you both in the future. Once they understand why you’ve been working so much, they’re more likely to forgive your absence—as long as those late nights have an expiration date.

Ask what they need. You’ve shared your side of the story, so give them a turn. Ask your partner what they hope to get out of your relationship and then listen as they outline exactly what a good relationship looks like to them. For some individuals, these needs are as simple as having dinner together two or three times a week. Others might ask you to leave work at the office and stop returning work calls and e-mails all evening and weekend long. Know that their response might be hard to stomach, but that gaining this awareness about your habits is crucial to achieving a work/relationship balance that meets you and your partner’s needs.

Set aside some quality “us” time. If you’re a career-oriented person, your life likely revolves around schedules and deadlines. So it makes sense that you’ll benefit from blocking out some “us” time on your calendar rather than just hoping quality time will happen on its own. Start by discussing a time slot and day that you can both agree on. Then brainstorm what you’d like to do together—be it taking in a monthly movie or aiming high by having dinner together, sans the TV—every night. Wherever you start, know that by discussing the problem, you’re already on your way to success in both love and career.

You can visit Nicole Williams at www.nicolewilliams.com

On the first day try to get to work 30 minutes early to organize your workspace. If your workspace looks like a hurricane hit it…try and hour early. Make sure you have plenty of files and labels on hand.

Before you start work
Your desk is where it all happens so let’s get rid of the clutter!

1. File all current projects and tasks in a file organizer that sits on your desk. Having your “must have tasks” at the tip of your finger tips is key for easy access.
2. Put all old paperwork, proposals, and other papers in a file with a label that indicates the name of the task and the year. Recycle the paper of all duplicate information.
3. Surf through emails and detect the ones that are most important. If an email only needs a quick response take care of it quickly. In doing this, you have eliminated a task and your co-worker can move on with their task because of your speedy reply. For emails that need a little more time move them into a To Do file on your computer. Make sure you write the email task on your To Do list for the day so you won’t forget.
4. Check Voicemail and return all calls

Sidebar: Checking email and voice mail are tasks that you do every day. Couple them along with other tasks you must complete every day. I like to call these my Bundle Routine Tasks (BRT). Just like the phone company you can bundle your tasks that are reoccurring, so can you. Do you have daily or weekly tasks? Think about them and create a daily bundle routine and a weekly bundle routine to keep you on track.

During Work

1. Create a To Do List for the day (In the beginning of the week and month create a To Do List for the Week and for the month to keep you on schedule)
2. Pick up where you left off the previous day. Start your day with the most vital tasks. Once you have completed a task, send it off to your co-workers that are in need the information and put a nice big check next to the item on your To Do List.(smile) Move on to the next task on your To Do List.
3. Mid morning email check: Surf through your email and reply to vital emails.
4. Mid morning voice mail check: Review your voice mail and return important phone calls.
5. Any important tasks that you could not take care of during your mid morning email and voice mail check put them down on your To Do List.

Lunch- Enjoy your time to yourself. Leave work at work and indulge in a good lunch and Me Time. You not only deserve it, but you body needs to regroup.

After Lunch

1. Continue to work tasks on To Do List
2. Do you have any afternoon Bundle Routine Tasks? Complete them now.
3. Afternoon email check
4. Afternoon voicemail check

End of the day wrap up
10 Minute Prep: Take the last 10 minutes of the day prepping for tomorrow. Organize the tasks you will be working on tomorrow and place them on your desk so they will be the first thing you see when you arrive at work. File items you no longer need. Begin your To Do List for tomorrow and place your new To Do List next to your tasks for the next day. Finally, your workday is complete. Enjoy your evening.

Karen Vaughn is the founder of the Working Divas Blog. A lifestyle blog that is geared towards work/life balance for women.  She is an awarding winning Radio Personality who is currently the evening host on Star 99.7 in Charleston and has worked in Miami, Indianapolis, Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Follow Karen On Twitter @ www.twitter.com/karenvaughn

Coming out on top is what it’s all about. Nicole will teach you how to deal with the multiple personalities at work and becoming a social superstar at company events to acing an interview and winning tips on negotiating a raise. My favorite chapters are “Keep it Brief” and “Play Hard to Get”. Ladies if we only knew to use dating tips in the workplace years ago, we would be “Girls On Fire” by now.

Nicole introduces twenty tried-and-true dating rules such as “Don’t Give Away the Milk for Free” and “Don’t Waste the Pretty” and reveals how they can be applied just as effectively in the office.

This is a must have book for all Working Divas….stop wasting your pretty and pick up, “Girl on Top” today.

For more on Nicole Williams check out her website at www.girlontopbook.com

• “I Need The Money…” Even if the fact that you only have $25 in your bank account is the reason you’re going back to work after a hiatus (traveling through Europe, raising the kids, laid off, etc.), don’t ever mention it. The interviewer doesn’t need to know you’re hard-up for cash. It may unintentionally sound like you’re there only to earn money and that you’re not really interested in working. The goal is to always show passion and enthusiasm for the company and the position you are being interviewed for.

• “My Last Boss Was A Jerk…” Dissing your previous employer has no upside, no matter how awful he/she treated you. Even if he/she made “Ari Gold” on Entourage look like an angel, sharing the details can come off sounding rude and disrespectful to potential co-workers and those who are “higher up” on the food chain than you. So remember to ban the bad-mouthing.

• “It’s Worse Than Being A Republican/Democrat…” It’s wise to remain neutral by keeping your political views to yourself. Even if you feel fairly certain that the interviewer (and company) share your perspective, this type of conversation can easily lead to major disagreements and conflict (unless, of course, you might be interviewing for a political job where this becomes very relevant).

• “Thank The Lord…” It’s beautiful to have faith, but similar to discussing politics at work, religious statements, even innocuous ones, aren’t a good tactic during job interviews. They could possibly offend the person you’re meeting with, or cause them to see you in an inaccurate light.

• “What The Hell…” While certain curse words seem to have become part of popular vernacular, they aren’t the right way to spice up your personal sales pitch. Keep your language clean as a whistle on job interviews. There’s never a good reason to use expletives to get your point and your passion across!

• “My Kid’s Always Getting Sick…” Oftentimes, a mention of kids or family may come into the conversation and it’s always nice to give a little taste of your life outside of the office. But don’t take that too far. If you mention that your child is constantly getting sick, an employer may worry that you’ll be easily absent or distracted because of it. Similarly, if your spouse or child has a chronic condition that warrants attention, save it as a personal matter. Assume that you can do the job (if you’re hired) in the best possible way without letting things on the home front interrupt you – in which case, what happens in your private time is your private business.

• “A 9-5 Schedule Is Best For Me…” No one wants to think they might be hiring a clock watcher or someone who’s going to be way too eager to race out the door at the stroke of 5pm. It’s not a good idea to mention that you have a class three evenings a week at 6pm either. The employer needs to feel that your job will be the main priority. Your schedule will evolve (and work best for you and the employer) once you’ve landed the gig.

• “I’m Vegan…” Certain people may make false assumptions about your personality based on the fact that you’re a vegan, vegetarian, don’t eat wheat, soy, or any other type of food lifestyle you choose. It sounds silly, but find ways to let them know who you are without leaving yourself open to judgment.

• “I Don’t Have Time To Read Much…” Whether it’s newspapers, magazines, the web, or books, reading is generally seen as something that increases intelligence and breadth of knowledge. You should also make it a point to do your reading homework and learn as much as possible about the employer you are meeting with. It can easily impress an interviewer when you’re up to date on current events as well as what’s new with the company and that specific industry. Which means you should be reading something!

• “I’m Terrified of Flying…” The job you’re interviewing for may require flying at some point, so your employer needs to know you can handle it. If you have a phobia or family situation that will prohibit your ability to do your job, you should ask questions like: “How much travel will be involved, and where would I be traveling to?”

Source: Shine by Yahoo

Well, The Laws of Working Moms incorporate a little bit of each — and then some. To wit:

1.) If you have an early meeting, or if the children need to be at school early for a field trip or other event, someone will be up at least twice during the night — which means you will be, too.

2.) The toddler will sneeze mightily in your face the day before he comes down with a ferocious cold.

3.) Your kids’ school or daycare will shut down due to Swine Flu the week after your kids have been out sick with a cold. (Corollary: Your kids will not have the H1N1/Swine Flu virus.)

4.) You will spill coffee (hot or cold, doesn’t matter) on yourself if, and only if, you wear a freshly pressed white blouse to the office.

5.) If you are the working mom of an infant, you will discover a cascade of dried spit-up on the back of your jacket, but only after you’ve worn it for at least two hours (or to at least one meeting).

6.) Any electronic device that’s absolutely necessary to your sanity will be a.) missing or b.) out of batteries when you most need it.

7.) If you carry a purse, you will always have some sort of kid-type food in it, which you will discover when you are looking for something, like your ID. What you will not have in it is whatever you were actually looking for, like your ID.

8.) You will slave over an amazing meal that the kids won’t touch, and you will throw together a last-minute “gotta get them fed” meal that they devour.

9.) Your kid will have severe Mama Drama on the mornings when you most need to be at work by a certain time. (Corrollary: You will be late on those days.)
 
10.) You will go to work more than once with a sticky, kid-applied kiss on your cheek — and you deliberately won’t wash it off.

Lylah M. Alphonse writes about juggling career and parenthood at The 36-Hour Day and Work It, Mom!, is the Child Caring columnist for Boston.com/Moms, and blogs at Write. Edit. Repeat.