All posts filed under: Work

5 Things About Instagram Themes!

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Originally posted on KARA DAVIES:
Hello friends, welcome back! Now! You’ll either get on board with this or you won’t. Me? On board! With themes, however, whilst it’s so inspiring and relaxing to see a feed to perfectly aligned with the stars. It doesn’t just happen on its own. So I’ve put together a list of 5 things about Instagram themes that you may want to consider before delving into the ‘perfect feed‘ world! 1. Be prepared to sacrifice! A touch dramatic I know but what’s new. Now many themes follow the idea of matching colours, maybe you incorporate flowers in each picture somewhere. So yes, whilst it’s pretty, it means that any photos that don’t match your theme, you can’t post – unless you want to sacrifice all your hard work for one photo! So instead you’ll be sacrificing photos and memories that you perhaps deeply treasure and can’t share due to this reason. You can choose to put these on IG Stories though?! My IG story is one I use daily and almost…

Is A Degree A Must In This Time And Age?

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Originally posted on MiddleMe:
Recently, my husband panicked over the rising cost of university education in Singapore. Partly because he has been reading unsolicited advice by insurance companies, trying to scare him into parting a portion of his salary to invest in some kind of long-term investment plan. Partly because he loves our 1-year-old daughter and want to be able to provide the best education for her. Not uncommon that parents will want the best for their child. But I disagree in scaring yourself silly for something that is unknown in future. Sure, I would want her to arm herself with the best but what if, the best for her is not through a paper qualification? There seem to be too many examples of people who are successful and happy are those not pursuing a degree. David Geffen of Geffen Records and Dreamworks is one of the many, not to mention Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and Bill Gates. Closer to home, we have Creative’s Sim Wong Hoo, Royston Tan, Lawrence Leow of Crescendas Group and…

Should Companies Have Counseling Services For Their Employees?

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What do YOU think? Should you have someone to turn to when shit hits the fan? Or are you afraid of approaching anyone at your workplace for fear of misplacing your trust and jeopardising your career?   These questions have been on my mind for a long time, swirling and whirling in my mind ever since I re-joined the rat race in the corporate world. While it isn’t my first job, nor will it be my last, I still feel a little disconnected. I have been facing some work-based difficulties at the office. I find it hard to gel with my coworkers. I find it hard to deliver deadlines. I have fallen behind in my tasks. I have lost precious sleep thinking constantly about the impending training demonstration that I’m supposed to deliver. I have even refused to keep my manager updated on my work progress for fear of disappointing her. I keep to myself most of the time at the office, only opening myself up to one or two colleagues whom I can bring …

What Happens When You Have Been Unemployed for Too Long

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The last time I was unemployed and looking for a job was in January of 2016. The project I was working on in 2015 had closed down and the whole team designated for the project was forced to look for work elsewhere. It took me four months to get a decent job, and even that was a three-month contract at a startup company doing SEO writing. Three months later, I was back out in the unemployment market. Of course, the good news was that a month after my short-term employment ended, another company was kind enough to offer me a job offer, that time a permanent one with growth potential and possibly a brighter future for me. But what if I didn’t get the short-term contract? I’d have been out of a job for almost six months and that would have been a questionable scenario for employers during my interviews. There wouldn’t be an interview. It would have been a full-blown crime-scene investigation and interrogation. I would come under scrutiny for not having found a job, or worse, accused of being …

Swallowing Criticism With Pride

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Originally posted on MiddleMe:
It is not easy to graciously accept constructive criticism. Many people struggle with receiving feedback even it’s completely accurate. For some as soon as the words critique are mentioned, their minds begin to race searching for an explanation for the seeming assault on their person. And they look for an angry reply to rationalize their actions in question. Regrettably, in the heat of such moments, you may react with anger and defensiveness or—yet worse—end up attacking the person giving you the feedback. But truth be told, you’ve got to get over it. There is value in receiving constructive criticism—it helps you identify areas of improvement and your weaknesses. Therefore being able calmly and professionally to handle it will help you in maintaining relationships and in flourishing in everything you do. To help you learn to shy away from the defensive, here are steps to help you tactfully handle the encounter with grace the next time your manager or peer offers you constructive criticism. Check Your First Reaction From the first sign…

How to be a Marginally Successful Freelance Writer

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Whilst we all know freelance writers exist, becoming one sounds almost impossible. Surely being paid to work from home, never having to get out of your pajamas and effectively being able to stay in bed all day is too good to be true? Note: This article refers to non-fiction writing and is for people who want to be professional journalists, bloggers etc. Fiction writing is probably similar and some of these tips will still apply, but if fiction is your thing you will have a slightly different process. This also refers quite exclusively to online writing, journalism, blogging etc. My office The bad news Becoming an online freelance writer is easier than you think, but if you’re expecting immediate riches (or any substantial money at all for the first few months) then you’ll be disappointed. Unless you are very, very lucky you won’t instantly become a respected writer for a well-known website. Don’t expect regular wages When you do start getting paid (and you will if you keep at it) it won’t be a substantial …

Salute to Pregnant Working Ladies Out there

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Originally posted on MiddleMe:
As I waddle my way into the third trimester, I really wish I can give each and every pregnant career woman a huge hug! Not that if you are pregnant and not working, you are not as important but I’m amazed how someone can be miraculously creating a baby inside her, wakes up at 6 or 7am in the morning, be immaculately dressed and dolled up, be in office on time, participants endless boring meetings and still make it home in one piece after an hour commute in the subway, under the jostling of tired folks in suits. That is one amazing feat! Not to mention if she has more than one child, she still has to juggle another hyperactive toddler while trying to put dinner together and clean up last night’s dinner. I wake up every day at 8am, sorry to correct that, I rolled off the bed at 8am in the morning to prep for breakfast for my family otherwise, I’ll get hell (of meows) from my cats. Then…