It’s easy to guess what went wrong with a work project after it goes South. Web Worker Daily wants you to get a little foresight, though, and know what to fix, or when to bail. More »
The New York Times’ Shifting Careers column interviews Peggy Klaus, author of The Hard Truth About Soft Skills and noted proponent of the power of blogging, about the “soft skills” that everyone—especially the productivity-obsessed among us—can use occasional coaching on. Among the questions is one that any freelancer or over-scheduled office worker has probably pondered: How do you tell a boss or an important client that you can’t tackle a project, whether due to deadlines, preferences, or nearly any other reason. Klaus’ response: More »
Being stuck in a meeting that has little to do with your actual work can feel like a waste of time—but don’t zone out out of habit. The Corporate Hack blog suggests that even if your meeting isn’t, well, enthralling stuff, taking detailed notes on what was said, who’s going to tackle the issues brought up, and other topics can score you serious points with the boss, whether or not you’re the designated note-taker. It also helps prevent your mind from wandering in a way that’s obvious from a glance, and if there’s really nothing to note, you can always (surreptitiously) plan out your own action list for after the meeting. How do you put a pen and paper to good use during your round-table time? Share your secret tactics in the comments. Quick Tip: Meeting Notes [The Corporate Hack]
