Aditi Rao Hydari: Don"t Have the Privilege of Getting Roles Written for Me

 

The following content was provided by ndtv.com under thier RSS syndication rules and the content wholly belongs to them.

 

Actress Aditi Rao Hydari said that she wants to collaborate with good directors as being an outsider she does not have the privilege to get roles written for her.

 

“I want to work with good people and good directors. I don’t have the privilege of choice to say ‘I want to work with you’ and the person will say, ‘Yes, come on, I will write a film for you.’ It doesn’t happen for people like me who come from the outside,” she told PTI here.

 

Aditi made her Bollywood debut in a supporting role in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Delhi 6 in 2009, and feels “lucky” that she has been a part of good films.

 

“I have been lucky that good people have chosen me to be a part of their films and I am really grateful. This fills me with a sense of positivity and there is so much to look forward to,” she said.

 

The actress, who has struck a balance between glamorous roles in movies like London Paris New York, Boss and performance-driven characters in Yeh Saali Zindagi and Rockstar, said she does not want to get pigeon-holed in a particular image.

 

“I want to do different things. I don’t want to be stuck in the ‘sweet girl’ box. I don’t want to be stuck in the ‘oh she is so glamorous’ box. I want to be brought into a film for more than that. I hope I bring more to the table than just a face and a fit body. But it is not a conscious decision. I don’t have a method, I don’t overthink things. Even on set I switch-on and switch-off. I could be bawling and the next minute I could be jumping. I work like that. I am a five-year-old kid in my head.”

 

The actress said she was fortunate to do films which were more than just “glamorous.”

 

“Even London Paris New York and Murder 3 were films which demanded a lot of work in terms of acting. There was good solid work for me. They weren’t just glamorous roles. And I believe there is nothing wrong with being glamorous, nothing wrong with being sexy or feminine,” Aditi added.

 

The actress will be next seen in Jolly LLB director Subhash Kapoor’s upcoming comedy film Guddu Rangeela, opposite Arshad Warsi and Kai Po Che! actor Amit Sadh. The film will release on July 3.

 

Categories: actress, aditi rao, glamorous, glamorous roles, london paris, nbsp, rao hydari, roles written, work

Put a Stop to Food Waste

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

According to the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, UK households throw away a staggering 7.2 million tonnes of food every year. And if this food wasn’t wasted, the CO2 reduction would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road.

 

With a little planning, you can avoid food waste. Not only will you be helping the environment but you could also save on your shopping bills. Here are some ideas:

 

Plan Your Meals

Decide what meals you are going to cook before doing the weekly shop. This way you can choose ingredients that can be used in several recipes.

 

Get Creative

It’s easy to look in the fridge after a long day at work and be stuck for inspiration. But take a little time to think about how random ingredients could be combined. For example, left over potatoes, an onion and a box of eggs could be made into a delicious Spanish omelette.

 

Take Left-overs to Work

If you have a tendency to cook portions that are too big, don’t throw the left-overs away. Pop them in a box and take them to work for lunch the next day. Just make sure you store the food correctly to avoid food poisoning.

 

Nothing’s Too Small

You might think that a tiny piece of leftover cheese, a few peas or one solitary tomato isn’t worth keeping. But little odds and ends like these are perfect for adding to homemade curries, stews or pizzas.

 

For more inspiration, visit: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

The post Put a Stop to Food Waste appeared first on .

Categories: avoid food, Food, Food Waste, left, left overs, nbsp, Waste, work

Put a Stop to Food Waste

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

According to the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, UK households throw away a staggering 7.2 million tonnes of food every year. And if this food wasn’t wasted, the CO2 reduction would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road.

 

With a little planning, you can avoid food waste. Not only will you be helping the environment but you could also save on your shopping bills. Here are some ideas:

 

Plan Your Meals

Decide what meals you are going to cook before doing the weekly shop. This way you can choose ingredients that can be used in several recipes.

 

Get Creative

It’s easy to look in the fridge after a long day at work and be stuck for inspiration. But take a little time to think about how random ingredients could be combined. For example, left over potatoes, an onion and a box of eggs could be made into a delicious Spanish omelette.

 

Take Left-overs to Work

If you have a tendency to cook portions that are too big, don’t throw the left-overs away. Pop them in a box and take them to work for lunch the next day. Just make sure you store the food correctly to avoid food poisoning.

 

Nothing’s Too Small

You might think that a tiny piece of leftover cheese, a few peas or one solitary tomato isn’t worth keeping. But little odds and ends like these are perfect for adding to homemade curries, stews or pizzas.

 

For more inspiration, visit: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

The post Put a Stop to Food Waste appeared first on .

Categories: avoid food, Food, Food Waste, left, left overs, nbsp, Waste, work

Put a Stop to Food Waste

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

According to the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, UK households throw away a staggering 7.2 million tonnes of food every year. And if this food wasn’t wasted, the CO2 reduction would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road.

 

With a little planning, you can avoid food waste. Not only will you be helping the environment but you could also save on your shopping bills. Here are some ideas:

 

Plan Your Meals

Decide what meals you are going to cook before doing the weekly shop. This way you can choose ingredients that can be used in several recipes.

 

Get Creative

It’s easy to look in the fridge after a long day at work and be stuck for inspiration. But take a little time to think about how random ingredients could be combined. For example, left over potatoes, an onion and a box of eggs could be made into a delicious Spanish omelette.

 

Take Left-overs to Work

If you have a tendency to cook portions that are too big, don’t throw the left-overs away. Pop them in a box and take them to work for lunch the next day. Just make sure you store the food correctly to avoid food poisoning.

 

Nothing’s Too Small

You might think that a tiny piece of leftover cheese, a few peas or one solitary tomato isn’t worth keeping. But little odds and ends like these are perfect for adding to homemade curries, stews or pizzas.

 

For more inspiration, visit: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

The post Put a Stop to Food Waste appeared first on .

Categories: avoid food, Food, Food Waste, left, left overs, nbsp, Waste, work

Put a Stop to Food Waste

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

According to the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, UK households throw away a staggering 7.2 million tonnes of food every year. And if this food wasn’t wasted, the CO2 reduction would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road.

 

With a little planning, you can avoid food waste. Not only will you be helping the environment but you could also save on your shopping bills. Here are some ideas:

 

Plan Your Meals

Decide what meals you are going to cook before doing the weekly shop. This way you can choose ingredients that can be used in several recipes.

 

Get Creative

It’s easy to look in the fridge after a long day at work and be stuck for inspiration. But take a little time to think about how random ingredients could be combined. For example, left over potatoes, an onion and a box of eggs could be made into a delicious Spanish omelette.

 

Take Left-overs to Work

If you have a tendency to cook portions that are too big, don’t throw the left-overs away. Pop them in a box and take them to work for lunch the next day. Just make sure you store the food correctly to avoid food poisoning.

 

Nothing’s Too Small

You might think that a tiny piece of leftover cheese, a few peas or one solitary tomato isn’t worth keeping. But little odds and ends like these are perfect for adding to homemade curries, stews or pizzas.

 

For more inspiration, visit: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

The post Put a Stop to Food Waste appeared first on .

Categories: avoid food, Food, Food Waste, left, left overs, nbsp, Waste, work

Put a Stop to Food Waste

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

According to the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, UK households throw away a staggering 7.2 million tonnes of food every year. And if this food wasn’t wasted, the CO2 reduction would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road.

 

With a little planning, you can avoid food waste. Not only will you be helping the environment but you could also save on your shopping bills. Here are some ideas:

 

Plan Your Meals

Decide what meals you are going to cook before doing the weekly shop. This way you can choose ingredients that can be used in several recipes.

 

Get Creative

It’s easy to look in the fridge after a long day at work and be stuck for inspiration. But take a little time to think about how random ingredients could be combined. For example, left over potatoes, an onion and a box of eggs could be made into a delicious Spanish omelette.

 

Take Left-overs to Work

If you have a tendency to cook portions that are too big, don’t throw the left-overs away. Pop them in a box and take them to work for lunch the next day. Just make sure you store the food correctly to avoid food poisoning.

 

Nothing’s Too Small

You might think that a tiny piece of leftover cheese, a few peas or one solitary tomato isn’t worth keeping. But little odds and ends like these are perfect for adding to homemade curries, stews or pizzas.

 

For more inspiration, visit: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

The post Put a Stop to Food Waste appeared first on .

Categories: avoid food, Food, Food Waste, left, left overs, nbsp, Waste, work

Put a Stop to Food Waste

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

According to the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, UK households throw away a staggering 7.2 million tonnes of food every year. And if this food wasn’t wasted, the CO2 reduction would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road.

 

With a little planning, you can avoid food waste. Not only will you be helping the environment but you could also save on your shopping bills. Here are some ideas:

 

Plan Your Meals

Decide what meals you are going to cook before doing the weekly shop. This way you can choose ingredients that can be used in several recipes.

 

Get Creative

It’s easy to look in the fridge after a long day at work and be stuck for inspiration. But take a little time to think about how random ingredients could be combined. For example, left over potatoes, an onion and a box of eggs could be made into a delicious Spanish omelette.

 

Take Left-overs to Work

If you have a tendency to cook portions that are too big, don’t throw the left-overs away. Pop them in a box and take them to work for lunch the next day. Just make sure you store the food correctly to avoid food poisoning.

 

Nothing’s Too Small

You might think that a tiny piece of leftover cheese, a few peas or one solitary tomato isn’t worth keeping. But little odds and ends like these are perfect for adding to homemade curries, stews or pizzas.

 

For more inspiration, visit: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

The post Put a Stop to Food Waste appeared first on .

Categories: avoid food, Food, Food Waste, left, left overs, nbsp, Waste, work

Put a Stop to Food Waste

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

According to the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, UK households throw away a staggering 7.2 million tonnes of food every year. And if this food wasn’t wasted, the CO2 reduction would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road.

 

With a little planning, you can avoid food waste. Not only will you be helping the environment but you could also save on your shopping bills. Here are some ideas:

 

Plan Your Meals

Decide what meals you are going to cook before doing the weekly shop. This way you can choose ingredients that can be used in several recipes.

 

Get Creative

It’s easy to look in the fridge after a long day at work and be stuck for inspiration. But take a little time to think about how random ingredients could be combined. For example, left over potatoes, an onion and a box of eggs could be made into a delicious Spanish omelette.

 

Take Left-overs to Work

If you have a tendency to cook portions that are too big, don’t throw the left-overs away. Pop them in a box and take them to work for lunch the next day. Just make sure you store the food correctly to avoid food poisoning.

 

Nothing’s Too Small

You might think that a tiny piece of leftover cheese, a few peas or one solitary tomato isn’t worth keeping. But little odds and ends like these are perfect for adding to homemade curries, stews or pizzas.

 

For more inspiration, visit: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

The post Put a Stop to Food Waste appeared first on .

Categories: avoid food, Food, Food Waste, left, left overs, nbsp, Waste, work

Put a Stop to Food Waste

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

According to the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, UK households throw away a staggering 7.2 million tonnes of food every year. And if this food wasn’t wasted, the CO2 reduction would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road.

 

With a little planning, you can avoid food waste. Not only will you be helping the environment but you could also save on your shopping bills. Here are some ideas:

 

Plan Your Meals

Decide what meals you are going to cook before doing the weekly shop. This way you can choose ingredients that can be used in several recipes.

 

Get Creative

It’s easy to look in the fridge after a long day at work and be stuck for inspiration. But take a little time to think about how random ingredients could be combined. For example, left over potatoes, an onion and a box of eggs could be made into a delicious Spanish omelette.

 

Take Left-overs to Work

If you have a tendency to cook portions that are too big, don’t throw the left-overs away. Pop them in a box and take them to work for lunch the next day. Just make sure you store the food correctly to avoid food poisoning.

 

Nothing’s Too Small

You might think that a tiny piece of leftover cheese, a few peas or one solitary tomato isn’t worth keeping. But little odds and ends like these are perfect for adding to homemade curries, stews or pizzas.

 

For more inspiration, visit: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

The post Put a Stop to Food Waste appeared first on .

Categories: avoid food, Food, Food Waste, left, left overs, nbsp, Waste, work

Is Dressing Smartly Still Important?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

In a time when many companies are scrapping dress codes, and jeans and t-shirts are becoming an acceptable office outfit, does it still matter what you wear to work?

 

Leading etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore thinks it does. On her blog she writes: “When you make an effort to present your best self, it shows respect for your employer, your job, and the career strata in which you aspire.”

 

And many experts agree, suggesting that those who take the time to dress well at work are more likely to receive promotions and higher salaries.

 

Smart clothes can also make you feel more confident and professional which in turn will help you get the most from your day – whether that’s winning a new contract or running a meeting. In contrast, wearing a more informal outfit might encourage you and those around you to take a more relaxed attitude to work.

 

Of course, many would argue that in the creative industries, wearing a suit would stifle creativity and that by allowing people to wear what they like, you are encouraging free thought and imaginative ideas. This may be true but even if you don’t have to wear a formal suit; dressing down isn’t the same as dressing scruffily. Smart jeans, an ironed shirt and clean shoes will make a much better impression than ripped jeans and scruffy trainers.

 

For more advice about how to be successful in everyday life, visit Jacqueline Whitmore’s blog: http://jacquelinewhitmore.com/

 

The post Is Dressing Smartly Still Important? appeared first on .

Categories: dressing, dressing smartly, jacqueline whitmore, jeans, nbsp, wear, work, work nbsp

Is Dressing Smartly Still Important?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

In a time when many companies are scrapping dress codes, and jeans and t-shirts are becoming an acceptable office outfit, does it still matter what you wear to work?

 

Leading etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore thinks it does. On her blog she writes: “When you make an effort to present your best self, it shows respect for your employer, your job, and the career strata in which you aspire.”

 

And many experts agree, suggesting that those who take the time to dress well at work are more likely to receive promotions and higher salaries.

 

Smart clothes can also make you feel more confident and professional which in turn will help you get the most from your day – whether that’s winning a new contract or running a meeting. In contrast, wearing a more informal outfit might encourage you and those around you to take a more relaxed attitude to work.

 

Of course, many would argue that in the creative industries, wearing a suit would stifle creativity and that by allowing people to wear what they like, you are encouraging free thought and imaginative ideas. This may be true but even if you don’t have to wear a formal suit; dressing down isn’t the same as dressing scruffily. Smart jeans, an ironed shirt and clean shoes will make a much better impression than ripped jeans and scruffy trainers.

 

For more advice about how to be successful in everyday life, visit Jacqueline Whitmore’s blog: http://jacquelinewhitmore.com/

 

The post Is Dressing Smartly Still Important? appeared first on .

Categories: dressing, dressing smartly, jacqueline whitmore, jeans, nbsp, wear, work, work nbsp

How to Improve Disappointing Sex With Your Partner

 

 

There are many happily married couples out there, but how many of them are enjoying equally happy sex lives? Marriage is about far more than just sex, but there’s no denying that it does play an important role. If your sex life leaves a lot to be desired, it could end up putting a strain on other areas of your relationship – it’s the kind of thing that affairs are made of. There are several ways to improve your sex life though, without you needing to stray from the bonds of your marriage. The first one is simple – be honest.

If you aren’t enjoying the bedroom antics with your partner, you need to tell them and explain what it is that is not doing it for you. Nobody wants to hear that they are a lousy lover, and the number of people wanting to tell someone that kind of news is equally low. However, no-one can improve if they don’t know what they’re doing wrong. Lying to your partner about your sex life is only making the issue worse. Be open with them and explain that while you aren’t enjoying the sex at the moment, you are willing to work at it to improve and better your relationship. While they may be sad to hear it initially, the silver lining is that you’ve communicated it honestly and are willing to try and work things out. Try to soften the news with compliments and praise outside of the bedroom, so that they know you aren’t disappointed in every aspect of your marriage.

Be honest about what turns you on and explain this to them – perhaps you may want to share some fantasies together to get each other in the mood and broach the subject in a flirty way. If the way they kiss you doesn’t do it for you, tell them. Be honest if you’ve never been able to orgasm with them, or if something they do during sex really turns you off. It’s embarrassing, but no more so than lying to your partner about something as vital to a relationship as sex. Educate each other about how to turn each other on, so that you can both do a better job of making each other sexually satisfied. Criticism is only constructive when you offer advice and alternatives, so don’t tell your partner they’re a bad lover without offering ways they can improve.

You need to verbalise and show them exactly how to touch you and the ways that you want them to turn you on. Most importantly, during this early stage in the game, be supportive. It’s never easy to hear that something you’ve been doing for so long isn’t actually working. It’s vital that you express pleasure when they do something even slightly close to what you want, so that they know when they’re getting it right. It’s likely that at this stage they are dealing with a new set of insecurities on top of any they already have, so don’t make it worse by leaving them in the dark about what they’re doing. Maintain the intimacy between you and be sure to spend time together, romantically, outside of the bedroom too. Your relationship is about more than just what goes on in the bedroom, so don’t forget that. If all else fails, and you’ve given it time to try and work things out, there’s also professional help. There are many couples therapists available to help you work through any rough patches, so don’t be worried about speaking to someone if you’re finding things difficult.

 

The post How to Improve Disappointing Sex With Your Partner appeared first on .

Categories: bedroom, disappointing sex, improve, improve disappointing, partner, relationship, sex life, work

Why Building Relationships at Work is Important to Your Career

 

It has been said that this business decade is all about technology – but the next one will be all about relationships. This is how important building of relationships is considered to be.

As an employee, you can make your relationship and rapport building ability your best asset. It is going to be your best job skill and highly useful, no matter where you will be working. If you are going to change jobs several times during the span of your career, then building relationships is going to be the best thing that you learn how to do.

Every day you meet someone new and you connect with someone new. It is best to network with this person, as you do not know how that person can help you in your career. This is especially true at work; always build a good relationship and rapport with your colleagues, because you never know when you may need a professional favor from them.

The Bossy Way

Your growth at work could and most likely will depend on the way you behave with your boss. You have to remember that the reason your boss is your boss is because he is respected by top management. You will do really well for yourself if you build a good working relationship with your boss. They are the one who will let you handle major clientele or accounts, and who is also responsible for your appraisals and performance reviews.

Your boss can be your best mentor. Your boss is the best person to give guidance and direction about your job. You not only have to build a professional relationship with your boss, but it would also benefit you to build a personal relationship with them. This doesn’t mean you are sucking up to them, it just means that you respect them as a person. So get to know him on a more personal level. You could call their family for lunch or dinner or you could go golfing with them; do whatever it takes to get to know them better.

Cooperating with Coworkers

Your coworkers and colleagues are important to your career. The way you work and deal with them reflects on your people skills. The relationships that you build with them can be very valuable. Do whatever it takes to build a bond with them. Help a colleague who is lagging in his work. Compliment them on an accomplishment or job well done. Go to the bar around the corner and socialize with them after work. Have a drink or two together. Get to know your co-workers on a more personal level. It will help you to build your network.

The Client, The King

Your client is the king. Today when the market is so competitive and so similar, where every product is the same, where is the edge? The edge lies in customer service. Customers are likely to be drawn to a company that is better at customer service than its competitors. You as an employee have to build that relationship with your customer to ensure that your customer comes back to you and appreciates your work well enough to put in a good word to your boss.

In an increasingly competitive business world, building relationships can make or break your career – so don’t underestimate the importance of it.

Categories: boss, build, Building Relationships, Career, customer service, personal level, relationship, Relationships, work

Improve Your Work Relationships

 

Much of your workplace success is based not on what you do but who you know. The better your relationships with coworkers and others in your workplace, the better your career will go. Here are 7 simple steps to improving your relationships at work.

 

 

1) Make small talk: Get to know your coworkers so it does not always seem all about work. The key to making appropriate office small talk is to not get too personal too soon. Keep it general at first and then gradually work your way up to discussing family and more personal issues when your coworker is also moving in that direction of discussions. Also keep small talk at work limited (don’t go on and on) to respect everyone’s tight deadlines.

2) Help each other out: Show them that you are willing and able to help them out when they are under a tight deadline. Not only will they reciprocate for you, but they will begin to trust and depend on you.

3) Ask them for their thoughts and opinions: This is a great way to show them that you really value and respect them. People like those who they feel like them. Show them that you value their advice and feedback.

4) Get away from the office gossip: Even if you have resolved not too gossip about your coworkers, you can be guilty by association. When workplace gossip starts, excuse yourself. This will show people that you will not be involved in the gossip and that they can trust you.

5) Do little things like get them holiday cards or birthday cards, congratulate them on their good work, and offer to grab them some lunch when you are going out.

6) Let others take the credit when they have done most of the work. If you are incorrectly given credit and praise, acknowledge the coworker who deserves the accolades.

7) Handle workplace conflict seamlessly: If you are not directly involved in the conflict, stay out of it, at least initially. If you decide you must get involved, plan out some negotiation strategies ahead of time and facilitate the resolution of the conflict. The key is to show that you care, but without becoming rash or worked up.

These tips, while effective, may not work in every workplace and with every person. When in doubt, ask. Ask your coworkers how you can best help them. Most importantly, be sure to follow up and keep your word by doing what you say you’re going to do.

 

 

 

Categories: coworkers, gossip, improve, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, small talk, Success, work, Work Relationships, workplace

Put a Stop to Food Waste

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

According to the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ campaign, UK households throw away a staggering 7.2 million tonnes of food every year. And if this food wasn’t wasted, the CO2 reduction would be the equivalent of taking 1 in 5 cars off the road.

 

With a little planning, you can avoid food waste. Not only will you be helping the environment but you could also save on your shopping bills. Here are some ideas:

 

Plan Your Meals

Decide what meals you are going to cook before doing the weekly shop. This way you can choose ingredients that can be used in several recipes.

 

Get Creative

It’s easy to look in the fridge after a long day at work and be stuck for inspiration. But take a little time to think about how random ingredients could be combined. For example, left over potatoes, an onion and a box of eggs could be made into a delicious Spanish omelette.

 

Take Left-overs to Work

If you have a tendency to cook portions that are too big, don’t throw the left-overs away. Pop them in a box and take them to work for lunch the next day. Just make sure you store the food correctly to avoid food poisoning.

 

Nothing’s Too Small

You might think that a tiny piece of leftover cheese, a few peas or one solitary tomato isn’t worth keeping. But little odds and ends like these are perfect for adding to homemade curries, stews or pizzas.

 

For more inspiration, visit: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/

Categories: avoid food, Food, Food Waste, left, left overs, nbsp, Waste, work

Boost Your Popularity at Work

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

When it comes to the workplace, how popular do you think you are? Perhaps you’re the first person people turn to for advice. Or maybe you’re the one everyone relies on for the latest gossip. Or perhaps, you believe that being successful at work sometimes means being unpopular – particularly if you have to put yourself first in order to get ahead. But the truth is that if you can make good friendships in the workplace, work instantly becomes more enjoyable. And often the people who are well-liked and popular go on to be those who are promoted.

If you’d like to be more popular at work, where do you start? If you work for a large organisation, it can be particularly difficult to make friends. And if you’re relatively new, it can take time to build your popularity. However there are some things you can try to boost your popularity at work and form strong relationships with your colleagues. Here are some ideas:

 

Ask Questions
A great way to get to know people is by asking questions. If your workmates mention a particular hobby that they enjoy you can make a mental note to ask them how it’s going at a later date.

 

Avoid Gossip
It’s all too easy to get drawn into office gossip but not only is talking about your workmates behind their back unprofessional but being known as a gossip makes it difficult for your workmates to trust you. If you find office chats often turn to gossip, either try to change the subject or make an excuse to leave the conversation.

 

Offer Help
If you see a colleague is struggling with a particular task or is simply overwhelmed by their workload, offer to help. People will remember your kindness and will often return the favour in the future.

 

Bring Treats
If you’re looking for a speedy way to boost your popularity at work, bring goodies for your colleagues to share. It may sound superficial but sharing food has always been a way of showing people that you care and food really does bring people together. This is a great trick to try if you are shy as it doesn’t rely on you having to initiate conversations with all of your workmates. Simply bring in a homemade cake or shop-bought cookies for everyone to share and it provides a great reason for your colleagues to chat to you.

 

Stay Cheerful
Even if you’re busy or having a bad day, take the time to say good morning to your colleagues. And if you’re feeling stressed, don’t take it out on your workmates – chances are they are under pressure too so always greet people with a smile.

 

Be Sociable
Spending time with your colleagues outside of work hours is a great way to increase your popularity – particularly if work pressures mean you don’t always get the chance to chat in the office. Regularly accept invitations for after-work drinks or parties – or suggest your own after-hours activities. And if people invite you to join them for lunch, take them up on the offer. It’s a great opportunity to let your workmates get to know you better.

 

For advice on how to build your confidence at work, visit: www.skillsyouneed.com/

Categories: gossip, nbsp, people, work, workmates

Is Dressing Smartly Still Important?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

In a time when many companies are scrapping dress codes, and jeans and t-shirts are becoming an acceptable office outfit, does it still matter what you wear to work?

 

Leading etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore thinks it does. On her blog she writes: “When you make an effort to present your best self, it shows respect for your employer, your job, and the career strata in which you aspire.”

 

And many experts agree, suggesting that those who take the time to dress well at work are more likely to receive promotions and higher salaries.

 

Smart clothes can also make you feel more confident and professional which in turn will help you get the most from your day – whether that’s winning a new contract or running a meeting. In contrast, wearing a more informal outfit might encourage you and those around you to take a more relaxed attitude to work.

 

Of course, many would argue that in the creative industries, wearing a suit would stifle creativity and that by allowing people to wear what they like, you are encouraging free thought and imaginative ideas. This may be true but even if you don’t have to wear a formal suit; dressing down isn’t the same as dressing scruffily. Smart jeans, an ironed shirt and clean shoes will make a much better impression than ripped jeans and scruffy trainers.

 

For more advice about how to be successful in everyday life, visit Jacqueline Whitmore’s blog: http://jacquelinewhitmore.com/

 

Categories: catton, dressing, jacqueline whitmore, jeans, jenny, nbsp, wear, work, work nbsp, written

What to do When You Hate Your Job

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

Most of us complain about work every once in a while. Particularly when it’s a wet and windy Monday morning and you’d much rather stay snuggled up in your duvet than go to work. But what happens when your attitude towards your job takes a turn for the worse and you really hate your job. Being unhappy at work can cause all sorts of physical and emotional problems so if you start each day with a feeling of dread, it’s time to tackle the problem.

 

First think about why you hate your job. Is it because you are struggling with your workload or is a particular colleague causing you problems? If you can identify the cause of your misery you can take steps to resolve any issues. For example, your boss may be able to provide you with extra training if you are finding aspects of your job difficult or might agree to let you move your desk so that you can escape annoying colleagues.

 

It can be difficult, but it’s important to try and start each day with a positive attitude. If you come into work feeling miserable, people will pick up on this. It then becomes harder to make friends and puts you in the wrong frame of mind for the rest of the day. Even if you don’t feel particularly cheerful, greet your colleagues with a smile first thing and you could find that the rest of the day becomes more enjoyable.

 

For more information about improving your working life, visit: https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk

 

Categories: attitude, catton, jenny, nbsp, problems, Rest, work, written

H₂O – Are You Getting Enough?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

If you find yourself suffering from headaches or lethargy at work, drinking more water could be all you need to feel better. In fact, health experts have linked dehydration to a wide range of ailments from headaches and irritability to a weakened immune system and overeating. But when you’re busy at work, it’s easy to forget to keep topped up.

 

Here are some easy ways to increase your water intake at work:

 

• Keep a bottle of water on your desk and top up your glass throughout the day. If you start the day with a 2-litre bottle and aim to drink it by the end of the day, you’ll know that you’ve drunk at least the recommended amount.


• Consider installing a water cooler into the office. If it results in a healthier workforce, it will pay for itself.


• If you’re heading into a long meeting, take a large glass of water with you, it will help you stay alert and ward off tension headaches.


• If you get bored of drinking plain water, add a slice of fresh lime or lemon for a zesty and refreshing taste.


• Rather than waiting for others to make cups of tea or coffee, schedule water breaks into your day. This will give you the opportunity to take a screen break, have a stretch and rehydrate yourself all in one go.

 

For more advice and to measure how much water you should be drinking each day, visit: www.well-being-at-work.co.uk

Categories: catton, Drinking, headaches, jenny, nbsp, Water, work, written

Is the Daily Commute Stressing You Out?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

There are not many people that enjoy the daily commute to work. Whether it’s sitting on a noisy bus, sweating on a crowded train, or battling the motorway traffic, travelling to work is full of stresses and strains. And if you’re already running late for work, the pressure can be even worse.

 

Arriving at work feeling harassed and stressed isn’t a good way to start the day. In fact, if you find yourself getting wound up during your morning commute, chances are you’ll stay in a bad mood for the rest of the day. So wouldn’t it be great if your journey to work could be relaxed and stress free? Well here are some ways to make your morning commute easier.

 

Set off earlier

It might not sound like a pleasant prospect but setting off to work an hour or so earlier in the morning could make your journey much more relaxing. And if you arrive at the office before your colleagues, it will give you the opportunity to get jobs done in peace and quiet before everyone else arrives. Perhaps you could negotiate an earlier finish time with your boss to compensate for your early start.

 

Hide the clock

If sitting in traffic watching is causing you stress – try covering up the face of the clock. After all, you can’t change the time you will arrive so why stress about it whilst sitting in the car?

 

Enjoy the Walk

Walking is the least stressful and healthiest way to get to work. Not only will you benefit from fresh air and exercise but you’ll also be in complete control of your journey rather than having to battle with traffic or public transport. Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to live close enough to walk to work but perhaps you could walk the final stretch of your journey so that you have chance to refresh and calm down before arriving at work.

 

Use the time

One of the frustrations of commuting is that it can feel like wasted time. If your journey takes an hour each way, it’s easy to dwell on how much you could achieve if only you could get that time back. So why not think of things you do whilst commuting. If you take public transport, perhaps you could use the time to plan your day or catch up with emails using your laptop. Alternatively, use the time for reading or studying, for example you could learn a new language during your daily journey. And if you drive you don’t have to miss out – you could play a language learning CD or inspirational podcasts whilst you drive.

 

Relax

If you find yourself getting wound up during the morning commute, try listening to relaxing music or inspirational recordings on your way to work. They will help you keep calm and set you up for a relaxed and productive day at work.

 

For more tips on stress management, visit: www.mindtools.com

Categories: Commute, daily commute, journey, morning commute, nbsp, public transport, time, work, work nbsp