feature image via shutterstock
If you are a person who needs to work at a computer for work or school, and you would rather be working in Gryffindor’s common room or inside a verdant forest creek, this ambient sound mixer is great news. Here’s another one if you’d prefer some different sounds. Way better than listening to the person next to you in the coffeeshop talk on the phone about their abscess.
Need to apply to a job soon or ever? Here’s tips and an example of a good cover letter, and here’s some comprehensive advice about interviews, both from a real-life manager. Here’s a guide about phone interviews specifically.
Next time you are in an airport/a stressful traveling situation, mount a campaign of being as nice to people as possible, especially employees. Thank everyone who does the tiniest thing, no matter how cranky you are. If you’re really not feeling it, try making a game to see how many times you can say “Thanks, I appreciate it.” Even if this does not actually result in any favors being done for you, I firmly believe that it will be paid forward karmically, and it’s a better thing to focus on than the fact that you just paid eight dollars for a bag of potato chips.
Hey look here’s how to do a spring clean, if that’s something you’re into, because you’re gonna be a lot happier when your bedsheets smell like fabric softener instead of winter and ennui.
If you find yourself panicking when others tell you about their personal issues because you feel like you don’t know what to say or how to respond, you’re gonna love active listening. Basically the concept here is that when someone is talking to you about their job stresses or relationship worries or family troubles, you don’t have to worry that much about what to tell them, because they’re likely not looking for advice (unless they say something like “What do you think I should do?”). Probably they’re looking to be listened to, really listened to. So your job is to repeat/rephrase what they’re saying back to them — “Wow, so your boss just assumed you could work all weekend?” — ask clarifying questions — “Do they do that often?” — and affirm their feelings — “It sounds like you’re really frustrated by this.” Problem of what to say SOLVED. Here’s a more in-depth primer if you’re curious.
Ever wanted to know how to start a fire with a gum wrapper and a AA battery? Great news.
Here’s some goats yelling like humans. I don’t know, seemed like you would be into it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpccpglnNf0
If you use a smartphone, take a second today to put some hand sanitizer on a cotton pad or a tissue and gently wipe down its surface. There! Next time you use it you’ll have a clean phone screen touching your face, and not a phone screen covered in weird old face cells.
Hey do you know about the new Google thing, Google Keep? It’s pretty nice and also free if you like making lists, like of all your favorite ice cream flavors or types of flowers that remind you of Michelle Rodriguez.
Allegedly this is the best way to bake a sweet potato. Is that true? Is this the one true way? I guess you’ll find out soon.
