Unwind During Uncertain Times
Amidst these turbulent circumstances, make sure to give yourself permission to tune out, to enjoy something normal in your life. Give yourself permission to unplug after work, whether that be literally or figuratively. The resources we’ve collected below provide some easy ways to rest, connect to the world beyond work, and recharge.
While library buildings may be closed, your local libraries still have plenty to offer. For example, the Boston Public Library has ample eBooks and online events you can attend from afar. If you’re looking for a way to step away from your screen AND support local businesses, many independent bookstores are offering delivery services. A few of our favorites from both sides of the river are the Brookline Booksmith, Porter Square Books, and Trident Booksellers & Cafe. Your favorite writers and celebrities are still performing! Follow their social media feeds to find out if they’re providing remote opportunities, and make sure to keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram Live.
If you’re looking for a change of scenery without leaving your apartment, Rudie Obias at Mental Floss put together this phenomenal list of 12 World-Class Museums You Can Visit Online. If museums aren’t your thing, a number of zoos and aquariums throughout the U.S. offer up animal cams–many of which will allow you to virtually visit their critters 24/7. And if you’re looking to more fully inhabit yourself or your home, there are a number of guided meditation videos available on YouTube. The pros over at mindful.org are also providing free access to their premium services in addition to an array of resources during these unprecedented circumstances.
To close out our ways to unwind, check out everyone’s favorite kind of Internet content: pictures of cats. Thank you to BuzzFeed for assembling an adorable and hilarious collection of cats sitting in tiny chairs. Let yourself find joy where you can. Make sure to not overwhelm yourself with a barrage of articles and news reports. It really is okay to laugh. And to take moments to play. Amidst the darkness, there are still sources of light in the world. Tomorrow we’ll be closing out the week with our Feel Good Friday: Endurance edition to help you remember that you can both be and find in others that guiding brightness.
This posting is brought to you by Contemporaries Inc., one of the best temp agencies in Boston MA. Also available for payrolling employees in Boston and Greater Boston
Recent Posts
Tip 7 for Respect, Productivity & Notice at Work: Get Feedback
There are the things you know that you need to work on to improve and then there are the things others know you need to work on to improve. Tip 7 is to learn the latter and to do so by getting feedback from your colleagues. In her article discussing this tip, Shana...
Tip 6 for Respect, Productivity & Notice at Work: Find a Mentor
Mid-to-large size companies often have a mentoring program for pairing established employees that are interested in helping a driven colleague that is newer to the company. Tip six is to find a mentor to help you navigate the company and prepare you for possible...
Tip 5 for Respect, Productivity & Notice at Work: Lunch with Coworkers
The fifth tip for achieving greater repect, productivitiy and notice at work is to take some of your weekly lunches with coworkers. In explaining the rational for this Shana Lebowitz references a study which finds that 80% of office workers take their lunch at their...
Tip 4 for Respect, Productivity & Notice at Work: Find Music that Works with You
Tip four is for people looking to make small adjustments to their work routine in order to achieve better focus. This tip is to try listening to music of different styles of both before and during your tasks. What's recommended varies depending on the type of work you...
Tip 3 for Respect, Productivity & Notice at Work: Plan a Power Hour
Tip three is to reflect on when you are most productive and to set aside time to work then. This may mean getting into work a little early. In Shana Lebowitz’s article on improving you standing at work she draws the author Laura Vanderkam to observe that “dedicating...
Quote of the Day: There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them
Changing your situation at work requires taking responsibility for the changes sought. Supervisors will often take an 'if it isn't broken don't fix it' approach to things, so sometimes all you need to do is point out the break and how you'd repair or change things....
Quote of the Day: Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work
New growth comes from seizing opportunities. Many such opportunities are passed up because they appear difficult. Keep your eyes open and be willing to put work into new ideas. Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like...
Tip 2 for Respect, Productivity & Notice at Work: Dress Up
Dressing up well for the office is the second of Shana Lebowitz's '11 things you can do today to be more respected, productive, and impressive at work.' Lebowitz observes that, "research suggests that dressing more formally can make you both feel and appear more...
Quote of the Day: Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships
Talent can lead organization's to great accomplishments, but sustained success and growth requires talent working together decisively and effectively. The same is true in basketball, as Michael Jordan observes, "talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins...
Tip 1 for Respect, Productivity & Notice at Work: Be on Time or Early
If one of your goals of 2019 is to better your productivity and respect in the workplace, then you should begin by establishing a reputation as someone who is always on time or early. Punctuality is the first of Shana Lebowitz’s steps noted in her recent article on...
Quote of the Day: You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.
Don't let past failures keep you down, for as Pickford observes, it is only 'failure' is you stay down. Instead learn from mistakes and let them go when they are holding you back. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call ‘failure’...
Year End 2018
As we close out 2018 and ring in the New Year, we’d like to express our gratitude for all the overwhelming positive experiences we’ve had with each and every one of you. While the last year was chaotic on various levels, Contemporaries rose to the challenges. We did...
Quote of the Day: I’m always interested in working with people who are good team players – that are selfless that way in their interests and dedication to the project
Being able to work well on your own is a great skill, but projects often take a team to accomplish. Being a good team player means putting dedication to the project before the the smaller issues that can divide teams. This attitude is appreciated by directors, as...
Step 8 of Interview Preparation: Post-Interview Questions
In the seven preceding interview preparation steps, the goal was to get you to the interview on time and ready to answer questions comfortably. Step eight involves preparation for the moment’s right after you’ve answered these questions, that is, the preparation of...