A Brief History of Fashion Modeling

A Brief History of Fashion ModelingA Brief History of Fashion ModelingUntil the late 1800s, modeling welches primarily a term (from the Middle French word modelle) used to describe people posing for a portrait.Upon the invention of the camera, people would pose for more than painted portraits, and soon, ads featuring pictures of men and women were added to newspapers. Before this, Charles Frederick Worth, who is considered by most to be the father of haute couture, had his wife model his designs in the early 1850s. Until then, mannequins were used to model clothing. Worths wife, Marie Augustine Vernet, welches his live mannequin, and is considered the first ever fashion model. Not only was Worth the first designer to use live models, but he was also the first designer to sew his label onto clothing. The First Modeling Agencies After Worth had begun using live models, modeling as a profession was established, and others began to follow suit. After the invention of photography (in cluding fashion photography), the industry boomed. In 1946, Ford Models was created by Eileen and Gerard Ford. Ford Models is one of the first and most prestigious modeling agencies in the world, and it opened many doors for models looking to build a career out of what was once just a hobby. While there were very successful models in the 1950s, being a successful model meant being known within the fashion community, rather than in pop-culture as a whole the way models are now known. Some of the big names at the time were Dovima, Carmen DellOrefice, Wilhelmina Cooper, and Dorothea Parker. The most successful models would make up to $25/hour, which was considered a lot of money at the time. In the 1960s, modeling agencies started popping up all over the world. Most models did not travel much for work, so they tended to work within whichever industry was thriving where they lived. London became a fashion hub in the 1960s thanks to the models it produced like Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, and Joanna Lumley, and it remains a fashion and modeling hub to this day. Modeling As a Legitimate Profession The 1970s and 1980s brought better wages and working conditions for models, as well as models landing cosmetic and hair endorsements. Modeling competitions were popular ways to find new models in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1980, the first Ford Supermodel of the World Competition was held to discover fresh faces from around the globe. The 1970s also meant marking significant milestones in the fashion and modeling industry. In 1974, Beverly Johnson became the first African-American model to grace the cover of American Vogue, and model Margaux Hemingway signed an astounding million-dollar contract in 1975. Her contract led to her covering Time magazine, which further solidified the legitimacy of modeling as a profession. The Supermodel Era The 1990s is known as the decade of the supermodel, and their famous faces were everywhere. Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Cra wford, Stephanie Seymour were, and remain, some of the most recognizable supermodels of the time. When Victorias Secret and Sports Illustrated rose in popularity, so too did the demand for sexier and curvier models like Heidi Klum, Claudia Schiffer, and Tyra Banks. The Digital Age and Social Media The 2000s brought a whole new aspect to the modeling world social media. Now, models are more involved than ever with their fans as they share parts of their lives no one got to see before. Models like Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Cara Delevingne have millions of followers on their social media accounts, and this is often a big factor in a brands decision to hire them. The 2000s also brought a new and improved market for ?models who look different than traditional models. The modeling world is constantly evolving, and today there is an enormous market for models of all ages, sizes, heights, and shapesThere has never been a better time to get seen by top model agents and scouts and l ive your dream of becoming a model.

3D Printing Houses

3D Printing Houses 3D Printing Houses 3D Printing HousesPolygonal doodads in plastic, obscure medical devices, one-off parts, jokey chess pieces, and unregulated handguns these are the things that pop into the mind at the mention of 3D printing. But long before any MakerBot had come into existence, Dr. Berok Khoshnevis, a professor of multiple engineering disciplines at the University of Southern California and director of theCenter for Rapid Automated Fabrication Technologies, dreamt up a way to print things of larger size and, arguably, importance. His company, Contour Crafting has, or will have soon enough, the capability to quickly print out walls, houses, buildings, and, conceivably, entire neighborhoods. The technology is leid unlike the additive machines on the job today for smaller tasks. But instead of plastic, it uses a special cement we formulate, says Khoshnevis. A trowel shapes that special cement as it emerges from the printers nozzle. That and a hardener added to the c ement allow each layer of a wall to be applied without the usual drying delays. Khoshnevis says that with his process, a 2,500-square-foot custom-designed home could be printed in a matter of 20 hours. That includes the walls, floors, and roof as well as conduits for electricity and plumbing. The speed and simplicity of production make the technology ideal for the erection of houses for the needy at disaster sites, and slums around the world.A 3D-printer nozzle printing a corrugated cement wall. Image Contour Crafting. The machine also means that those houses could be produced at an extremely low cost. Quick production lowers the need for financing labor costs are next to nothing and few materials will be wasted. And the emissions and energy usage of printing a house would be a tiny fraction of that used to build houses today. But the advantages of a 3D printed home extend far beyond the humanitarian and the sustainable. The brick, the cinderblock, the glass pane, the two-by-four an d even the log, lend themselves to the right angle. The architect on a budget tends to design in terms of boxes. Deviations from 90 degrees tend toward angles more oblique or acute, but rarely curved. But with Khoshneviss system, the curved wall is as simple and inexpensive to produce as any other. Architects are crazy about those exotic designs, but they are expensive to do, says Khoshnevis. To the printer, the task is not harder or easier. Using CAD/CAM, the architect can make structures that are as swervy, complicated, and structurally sound as any structure in history. In fact, curved walls are much stronger than straighta major benefit for earthquake-prone locales. But even without a curve the printed walls are a good three times as strong as the walls of houses today.Potential applications of contour crafting technology include constructing lunar structures. Image Contour Crafting Locales far from local will benefit as well. Khoshnevis has been working NASA to come up with a p rinter for building structures on the moon or Mars. Instead of taking material from here to there, take our machines and use in situ material, he says. In the water-free environments found on the moon and Mars that means melting extraterrestrial soils to make a kind of lava that would be extruded through the machines nozzles. Khoshnevis has made a machine that can print a wall layer by layer. With a minimal amount of research and development, the process can include the addition of rebar and the automatic installation of plumbing and electrical and communications wiring. Long before its used to build structures on orbs other than Earth, its likely to be put use not only with terrestrial buildings, but also with bridges, towers, and other civil engineering needs. Michael Abrams is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionArchitects are crazy about those exotic designs, but they are expensive to do. To the printer, the task is not harder or easier.Dr. Berok Khoshnevis, director, Contour Crafting

Difference Between Mixing and Mastering Audio Recording

Difference Between Mixing and Mastering Audio RecordingDifference Between Mixing and Mastering Audio RecordingMixing and mastering are the two base components of professional record producing, so a good mixing and mastering job is a must when yourerecording an albumthat you plan to sell. You can use one or both. You might be able to get away without mastering if youre only recording a demo, but it can depend on what you want your demo to achieve. The better it is, the more likely it will help you reach your goal, so you might want to invest the time and money necessary to do both. Mixing Brings Multiple Layers Together Mixing refers to the process of putting multiple layers of audio together to make one final track or to musically modify an existing track. Youre tinkering with basically everything you recorded when you mix a song. Youll do things like drop in effects, adjust faders, and EQ your tracks. Think of mixing as putting together a puzzle. Youre combining the parts of wha t youve recorded, making aya everything hangs together, then youll add some finishing touches. The jury is out as to whether excellent mastering can fix a bad mix. Some professionals think so while others disagree. Watch out for the red flags that often indicate youre creating a bad mix in the first place. Clipping is never good. Leave headroom and turn down the drums. Filter when you EQ. You should be pleased with the way the song sounds when youre finishedmixing it. You should feel confident that nothing is missing musically. For a lot of musicians, mixing is where the real magic happens. Its when a composition goes from being a hodgepodge of notes and words to becoming what you envisioned as the finished track. Tips for Optimal Mixing You can hire a mixing engineer- something you might want to consider if you have the budget for it and no experience of your own- or you can attempt to mix your song or album yourself. If youre mixing an album, youll have multiple tracks. Find s imilarities among them, then organize them for flow. Set them in the order in which youll work on them, the order in which theyll appear on the album. For example, if one track is heart-thumping rock, you would not necessarily want to follow this with a ballad, nor would you want to organize the tracks with the ballad immediately preceding the rock track. Arrange your tracks so theres some sense of continuity and make sure youre able to easily identify each as you work. Youll also want to make sure that your volume levels on all tracks are similar as you work your way through the songs. You can compress with EQ to achieve this. It will heighten quiet spots and tone down louder ones. Smooth the tracks out using filters to eliminate excess or intrusive noises and sounds. All tracks should have their own frequencies. Your goal is to make sure that each voice and every instrument leaves its own imprint.It can be helpful to use buses on each one for guitars, one for vocals, and so on. Do nt overcompress your tracks. Aim for a low ratio of anywhere from 21 to 31 dB of gain reduction. You can give a slight additional boost to a particular word or words if the tail ends of some vocals are getting lost. Now move your mix from mono to stereo on each track. Panning will get you there. And make the mix yours. Put your stamp on it. This might include adding plugins or other minor effects. Its up to you, what you want to achieve with the album, and the audience you want to reach. Mastering Optimizes the Overall Sound Think of masteringasadding sparkle and shine to your music. The term refers to the process of optimizing each individual track by compressing, equalizing, making stereo enhancements, or adjusting the reverberation (echo) effect. In a very basic sense, when you master your album, youre making sure that song one doesnt blow out the speakers while the next song is barely audible. The mixing process extends to this, but mastering takes a broader view- youre focu sing more on each individual track when youre mixing. Mastering focuses on idiosyncrasies in each track with an eye and an ear toward their progression. It takes in all the tracks as a whole. You want the levels of the songs to be similar throughout anda general sense of cohesiveness to your recording. You want to flow from start to finish. fremd from correcting obvious differences in volume for each song, mastering is an incredibly subjective process. In some ways, musicians believe that you either have the golden touch or you dont when it comes to mastering. Although some programs help you master your recording yourself, paying to have it done professionally is a good investment if you plan on releasing your recording to the public. When to Choose Mixing or Mastering If youre planning on using your recording for a demo, mastering is not an absolute necessity. It requires much more intensive knowledge and experience than mixing so it can be costly when done by a professional. O n the other hand, mixing is something you shouldalways make an effort to do, no matter what stage of release your song or album might be in. You dont have to hire a professional and you dont have to be a professional, but you should at least try to give each of your songs a rough mix whenever possible. Unlike mastering, you can do mixing at home. It requires practice and time, but with some dedication, you can get the job done.

Department of Education Internship Opportunities

Department of Education Internship OpportunitiesDepartment of Education Internship OpportunitiesThe Department of Education (ED), recreated and signed into law under President Jimmy Carter in 1979, is the smallest Cabinet-level department that exists within the United States government. Internships The internship program with Department of Education is designed to expose students to what its like working for a wide range of departments on educational policy within the Department of Education as well as gaining experience working for the U.S. federal government. Interns applying for the Department of Education Internship Program have an opportunity to request specific work assignments as well as a specific department that theyd like to work in. Listed below is a list of the types of internships and departments where students have interned in the past Evaluation and ResearchProject and program managementFinancePublic Affairs and communicationsExternal Affairs and Intergovernmental RelationsLegislative AffairsNew mediaLegal work Some of the offices where students have worked in the past include Office of the SecretaryOffice of the Deputy SecretaryOffice of the UndersecretaryOffice of Communications and OutreachOffice of the General CounselOffice for Civil RightsOffice of Legislation and Congressional AffairsOffice of Elementary and Secondary EducationOffice of Early LearningOffice of ManagementOffice of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy DevelopmentOffice of Faith-Based and Neighborhood PartnershipsInternational Affairs OfficeOffice of neuschpfung and ImprovementOffice of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Office of English Language AcquisitionOffice of Vocational and Adult EducationOffice of Postsecondary EducationWhite House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic AmericansWhite House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific IslandersWhite House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native EducationWhite House Initiative on Historicall y Black Colleges and Universities Benefits Department of Education interns have an opportunity to participated in events that are geared towards their internship. The weekly brown bag lunches with top ED officials that are provided for students is one of the most valuable benefits they have since it gives them an opportunity to network with professionalscurrently working in the field. Students also get a chance to participate in White House tours, softball games (staff vs. interns), and a trip to a DC public school. Requirements Students must be granted permission to participate in the program by the institution they are currently attending.Students must be enrolled at least half-time in a course of study related to the work they will be doing.Students must be attending an accredited educational institution, such as high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, a four-year college or university.Students agree to do the work without any compens ation by the designated agency or department.All students must sign a written document of agreement between themselves, The Department of Education, and their educational institution. All applicants must be a nadir of 16-years-of-age. To Apply All interested students must submit the following 3 documents to apply Application FormCover LetterResume Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but its recommended that students apply several months prior to their desired start date. Students may then be selected for a first and second round of interviews prior to being notified of their acceptance into the program. Students who are selected for an interview then have a week to either accept or decline the internship offer. Although interns may start at any time of the year as negotiated between supervisor and student, there are four terms where the bulk of internship programming occurs (summer, fall, winter, and spring). To obtain more information on how to apply and to view the S tudent Fact Sheet, Application Form, and Student Volunteer Service Agreement, please visit the Department of Education website. Be sure to review any specifics in regards to the resume and cover letter required to apply for the program. Below is some information that might be helpful in preparing your cover letter and resume.

Outrageous Recent Graduate Resume Examples Tips

Outrageous Recent Graduate Resume Examples Tips Where to Find Recent Graduate Resume Examples Paragraph 1 Your very first paragraph needs to be short and to the point and explain why youre writing. If youre not certain whom to handle your letter to, get in touch with your program and ask. The way you address your letter is essential. The last step in the procedure is to thoroughly proofread the letter before you send it. Your academic background is likewise an asset. Cover letters may be one of the most difficult components of your job application approach. Much like resumes, fantastic deckblatt letters have a tendency to be dependent upon excellent models, so below is a pdf where it is possible to download an assortment of models that you may use. Where to Find Recent Graduate Resume Examples A deckblatt letter builder is perfect for practically any job-seeker, whether you are trying to get part-time work or whether youve got an established reputation and youre browsing for a mora permanent position. Your cover letter is similar to an expert sales proposal to promote your skills, wisdom and experience in the very best possible light. Your graduate trainee cover letter is the most essential part of your application and as such it ought to be written with good care and consideration to what the organisation is searching for in a candidate. The Recent Graduate Resume Examples Chronicles To assist you craft the very best cover letter, were supplying you with a few examples to reassess. A cover letter is your opportunity to create your CV stick out amongst a number of other similar applications. A very clear and organized cover letter is critical to making an excellent impression. Its critical that you customize each cover letter to the job which youre applying. You should understand the difference between the resume and the cover letter very carefully because it is possible to earn a mistake whilst preparing them which can cause the loss of a great job for you. Theres nobody right approach to structure a resume. The more time and effort which you put into writing your cover letter, the greater the likelihood of securing an interview that could result in a work offer. To present your work application the very best possible prospect of success you want to understand how to compose a relevant and concise cover letter. Although there are several methods to compose a cover letter, the next format has worked well for students previously. Whether youre asking for a managerial position or whether youre interested in working in the food business, there are a lot of templates accessible to compare before completing your cover letter. Last paragraph The last paragraph is the opportunity to sell yourself. Three to four short paragraphs will provide you all of the room you demand. Being a fresher, its critical that you prepare your resume and cover letter in a convincing way because you dont have an experience, and therefore you need to describe your abilities and achievements of your college which could be relevant for the specific job. All job seekers, even college freshmen, ought to have a LinkedIn profile, which can be a terrific distribution policy to discover whether you know someone on the company where you wish to do the job. If you get a very good GPA highlight it. It is possible to also share your prior work experiences and extra-curricular activities (as long as its relevant) Recent Graduate Resume Examples - Overview Finally, cover letters are, in addition, an opportunity to demonstrate the communication skills necessary to the majority of jobs. Cover letters are among the most essential tools you may use in your massage therapy job search, and they ought to always accompany your resume when you apply for employment. In case it runs a graduate scheme, attempt to learn what the present trainees say regarding their jobs. As you dont have that much work experience, pay attention to your internships and training. There are a lot of ways youll be able to demonstrate you have both ambition and techniques that are valued in the workforce. There is a great deal of competition from fellow new graduates and experienced nurses. But What About Recent Graduate Resume Examples? Your letter needs to be relevant to the work description and ought to present your willingness to join the hospital for a particular position. There are two methods to send your covering letter via email, and both are usually acceptable, though you need to check the work advert carefully to see whether you were given any particular instructions. Advertised positions usually incorporate a contact name, but otherwise, its worth taking the opportunity to discover who the letter needs to be addressed to. If youre interested in the position of occupational therapist then the cover letter has to be drafted in line with the role given.

Signs of a Poor Manager - Spark Hire

Signs of a Poor Manager - Spark HireHave you ever had a bad babo? Chances are yes, because if you have been in the job market and had even just a few jobs, the likelihood of one of those bosses being terrible is pretty high. A bad boss can really make an employees day- well, everyday for that matter- awful. Bad managers can also bring the morale of the entire kollektiv down while compromising the company culture. Its easy to spot a bad boss for yourself, but do you think you would be able to tell if you were a bad boss or not? What if you were the boss that your employees really disliked? Who, me? It can be really difficult to spot the negatives in ourselves, especially when we are supposed to be in charge of leading others. However, if no one is a poor manager (according to themselves) then where are all of these bad managers coming from?The fact of the matter is, though you may not be a poor manager, you may also have no idea if you are. No one is going to walk up to you and tell y ou that you are a poor manager since that would note bode very well for them. Instead, just to be sure, take a look at some of these signs of a poor manager and take some time to see if you fit the mold at all. The good nachrichtensendung is that if you do, there is always time to start making some changes. If you dont fit the mold then congratulations But dont let it get to your head.Perhaps one of the first- and most obvious- signs of a bad manager is that the majority of their employees are unhappy. Here at Spark Hire we talk a lot about employee engagement and employee morale so you should certainly be able to pinpoint whether or not your employees are happy and engaged with their jobs. As Small Business Chron points out, there will always be employees that are talking behind your back. That kind of just comes with the territory. You delegate tasks and inevitably someone will have an issue with how you operate. On the other hand though, its very different if your entire team is voicing concern and is unhappy with you as their manager.Just the other day we talked about how a high turnover rate impacts your company. If your department or team in particular has a pretty high turnover rate, then it may be time to look at your management skills and style. It could be the job, true, but if people on your team are constantly dropping like flies, its probably you. If you suspect this is the situation you are in, start first by communicating with your team to see how they are feeling.Going along with this first indication, decreased or low productivity is another sign that your management style isnt quite working. When employees dislike their manager, or feel they are working for a poor manager, its somewhat difficult to be highly productive. Chances are they feel you are not the best person for the leader position, are disengaged with their work and do what it takes to just slide by. Your employees probably arent going above and beyond and their motivation is prob ably pretty low- or non-existent. Make sure that you are a manager that shows employee appreciation in reservierung to keep the morale and motivation up. Set clear goals and make sure you and your employees are on the same page. The best way to do this is to have continual communication.Another thing that Small Business Chron points out about poor managers is that they are generally afraid of change. In order to succeed and grow as a company, there needs to be change. If you seem to always be resisting change then it may be time to wake up and change yourself. In order for your team to be the best, you need to grab hold of the latest techniques, technology or news in your industry. You cannot grow if you do not try new things out and change. Be more open to new things and remember that you want your team to be the best it can be, and that cannot come without some changes down the line.Last in line for the characteristics of a bad manager is poor listening skills. When we were talkin g about how to keep a team motivated just a couple days ago, we mentioned how important it is to listen to your employees to show them you value their opinion. Not only that, but employees want more than anything to feel in on things and that includes listening to what they have to say. In fact, employees want this more than better wages, according to the infographic. If you are striving to be a good manager, then start by listening to your employees. It can really make a world of difference.If you need some more guidance in terms of how to be a great manager, take a look at the 7 highly effective habits of good managers and start striving to be that manager that your employees appreciate and enjoy working for.Do you think that your management skills could use a little spruce up? Leave a comment with any questions you have or just share with us your storyIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by mateoutah

6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Co-Working Space

6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Co-Working Space6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Co-Working Space After landing a work-from-home job , I had to find a co-working space. But having never worked remotely, I had no idea how to prioritize the half-dozen spaces near me.There will be an estimated 14,000 co-working spaces worldwide by the end of 2017, according to Deskmags annual report .So, how do you choose a space? A co-working space can help you network and be more productive - if you can find the right one.Sixty-eight percent of professionals reported that theyre better able to focus in a co-working space, according to a 2016 survey performed by international architecture firm HOK .Its empowering to be able to choose where you work. You just have to make sure you choose the right bro. Here are six important factors to consider whether youre an employee like me, a freelancer or an entrepreneur.The average American workers commute to a co-working space is just 18 minutes, according to 2016 data from Deskmag .If you get to choose the location of your office, you might as well choose one thats an easy commute from your home. I went from a 45-minute bike ride into midtown Manhattan to walking five blocks in my Brooklyn neighborhood.Some of my co-working space colleagues are entrepreneurs . For them, location matters in a different way. They needed to choose a space thats geographically close to potential employees and clients.No matter what kind of worker you are, youll probably want an office that has restaurants nearby and is in a safe neighborhood. The best co-working spaces might also have backyards, a connected gym or parking for your car or bike.The office should have clean bathrooms, easy-to-reserve meeting rooms and high-quality desks and chairs. But consider the more abstract aspects of the work environment before committing to one co-working space over aleidher.The fact is, we all work differently. You might prefer a dead-quiet en vironment where you can be anonymous and focus on your work. On the other hand, you might like some social interaction.Similarly, a writer might prefer lots of natural light coming into the office, while a web developer might prefer coding in the dark.Where you fall on behauptung spectrums might be a driving force in the co-working space you choose. Im an introvert who likes to work in a quiet atmosphere, for example, so I chose a space that forbids loud conversations. Instead, it has booths for phone calls and conference rooms for team chats .There are also co-working spaces that might play music loudly or encourage intraoffice banter. If thats your thing, make sure your co-working space has this kind of vibe.Just ensure that its noise you can handle on a regular basis. One of my extroverted colleagues left her co-working space, in part, because she was seated next to a telemarketer who repeated the same spiel day after day - and that became an annoying distraction.One of the b enefits of choosing where you work is being able to decide when you work. But not all co-working spaces offer 24/7 service.If flexibility is important to you, consider co-working spaces that allow you to work nights, weekends or whenever you want.Along with building access, ask about the security of your potential office space. My workspace, for example, doesnt encourage leaving expensive equipment at our desks but does provide free lockers.And although you might prefer a smaller, boutique co-working space, a national chain co-working space could offer a major convenience. WeWork, which claims 218 offices in 53 cities, for example, gives its members the benefit of accessing its locations while youre on business trips.If youre a member of a WeWork in New York City, for example, you could stop by one of its Los Angeles locations if your work takes you to the other side of the country.Once youve found the right kind of co-working space, youll want to make sure you have friendly neigh bors. Take a tour of the office and observe your potential co-workers. It wouldnt hurt to ask a couple of them about their experience in the workplace.If youre an extroverted freelancer or an entrepreneur, you might also like to look into the backgrounds of your office mates. You might be inspired by fellow writers, for example, or in the market for web development talent. A future friend or employee could occupy the desk or office next to yours.The best co-working spaces offer more formal networking opportunities. Some spaces even sponsor in-house events and meetups to foster community and collaboration. Typically, these are the spaces with long-term members, not those that offer hourly or daily passes.Now youll want to make sure you can afford the co-working space. If youre a freelancer managing your finances , for example, you should have a good handle on how much you can spend on a workspace.Most spaces allow you to rent monthly. Be wary of signing an annual agreement, unless youre 100 percent sure youll make the most of it.Also, watch out for a space that might nickel and dime you above and beyond a flat rental fee. Finally, ask about billing before signing up. Youll want this process to be seamless, particularly if you need to expense your rental charges to your employer each month.Work-from-home jobs offer great perks , but your co-working space should too.Hopefully, you have a few attractive co-working spaces near you. If you need a good tiebreaker, list out the perks youd love in an office and see which contender offers more of them.Think beyond essentials like speedy internet, comfortable chairs and free use of an all-in-one printer. Here are some next-level perks to look out forThe best co-working spaces offer more of these frills than their peers. To make them count, rank your preferred perks before comparing workspaces. That way, you know exactly what your needs and wants are beforehand.I found my co-working space by clicking around Google Maps. But there are good resources for narrowing your search. You can use Coworker to find spaces and read user reviews, for example.If youre not ready to make a long-term commitment, dont worry. You can try co-working spaces on a short-term basis with apps and websites like Desktime and Desksurfing . They might also be useful for digital nomads traveling internationally .For those of you who are ready to lay down your roots, your research isnt done yet. Once youve narrowed down your options, take a tour of the office. Ask for a trial period, even if its for one workday.If you find yourself missing home or your local coffee shop, keep searching for the best co-working spaces near you.This article was originally published on Student Loan Hero . It is reprinted with permission.

How to win when you reach your breaking point

How to win when you reach your breaking pointHow to win when you reach your breaking pointMost moments in life shape us, but some define us.Occasionally, an instant has the magnitude to be life-changing - it can define who we are and, most importantly, what we become.We all face a breaking point in life.Even successful people have faced theirs. Actually, thats why they became who they are - they didnt let that moment break them. With courage and focus, they turned a defining moment on their favor.A breaking point tests you - its your chance to realize your true potential. But, first, you have to turn things around. Breaking points make or break us - it depends on you to emerge victorious.The dripping faucetIts elend the load that breaks you down, its the way you carry it. - Lou HoltzMost people crack up when their stress levels become unsustainable - they lose control of the situation.A breaking point is a moment of stress in which we break down - it feels like you are never g oing to get up back again. We are mora than under pressure - the situation becomes critical for our survival.Everyone faces a breaking point - we all get there in distinct ways.Some people simmer and then, all of a sudden, they explode. Others, resist being under pressure and may just stop responding entirely. Many overreact to a situation that might feel normal to someone else.Stress builds up over time until we can no longer cope with it.Deepak Chopra refers to chronic stress as hearing a dripping faucet. First, you elendice it, then you get irritated and finally, you cant stand it anymora. By the time you get to Stage 3, its time to fix the drip. - the spiritual teacher explains.People reach their breaking point in different ways. Getting someone to confess to a crime means the suspect has been broken - the person cannot cope with the external pressure. Interrogators succeed by precipitating a sense of helplessness, an underlying sense of guilt, or an inability to acknowledge ones vulnerabilities.The paradox is that not realizing our vulnerability makes us weaker. By not acknowledging that they can be broken, people are broken.Life is a tennis matchA man who wins is a man who thinks he can. - Roger FedererStress is cumulative our reaction to it doesnt need to follow the same pattern. Overcoming stress is not about strength, but wisdom.How do you absprache with breaking points?In most sports, the player who scores last may have little impact on the final result. However, in tennis, the player who scores last is always the winner.A break point occurs when a tennis player is a point away from winning a game in which the opponent is serving. Its generally easier to win a game of tennis when you serve - breaking an opponents service increases your odds of winning.In life, as in tennis, not all points matter the same - some define the outcome of the match.Take Roger Federer - the greatest tennis player of all times - as an example. For every single numbe r of break points won, Federers chances of winning a match are much higher than his chances of losing.Conversely, saving a break point not only keeps your chances alive but boosts your confidence. Great tennis players break their adversaries, right after surviving a break point on their own service.How you deal with breaking points has enduring consequences.Why we face breaking pointsA breaking point is a moment of greatest strain - most of us give away. We feel so much pressure. There are so many things going on - we can no longer deal with them.Often, one drop after another makes us explode. Others, a single situation can precipitate everything and make us lose control. Sometimes, we are afraid of uncertainty and turn an event into a life-or-death drama.Interestingly enough, the breaking points are the moments in which we need to stay calmer.Deepak Chopra identifies three stages that turn the dripping faucet into a make-or-break situation.Stage 1 You are aware of being under pre ssure, but still feel centered.Stage 2 Stress clouds your judgment, and you start to lose control. You have to make a conscious effort not to respond with anger, anxiety, or impatience.Stage 3 You cant cope any longer, and you explode - you release your tension momentarily but feel embarrassed and regretful.Chronic stress gets you irritated, one drop at-a-time, until you cannot tolerate it any longer. Your brain is triggered to respond - it releases stress hormones that throw you out of balance.Busyness is a harmful mindset. You work until you cant take any more responsibilities. You fool yourself by pretending to multitask - you think you make progress though you are not paying real attention to any task. You are regularly checking your phones notifications - you cant enjoy the here and now when your mind is always somewhere else.Life is a balancing act - everything is continually in motion. Research shows that trying to control every event is harmful - suppressing our emotio ns increases our stress.We cant avoid facing a breaking point, but we can manage how we react. Thats why Federer Roger is so good at saving break points while he is serving. He stays in the flow instead of panicking - Federer plays a break point like a regular one. The Swiss player avoids turning a crucial moment into a life-or-death situation.Overcoming breaking points requires balance - prevention is the best cure.Win the mental matchOnce you stop learning, you start dying. - Albert EinsteinWhen you face a critical point, you are the only one who can save yourself. Winning or losing is a mental game. Other people can provide support, but the game is played inside your mind. Your emotional reaction is everything - you need to build a first responders mindset.Columbia Universitys George Bonanno coined a term PTE (Potentially Traumatic Event) - an event is not traumatic unless we experience it as such. You can turn an adverse moment into a breaking point or not.Balance lies with in yourself, as I wrote here - remaining centered during a stressful moment increases your odds. Here are some thoughts to help you win the mental match.Always adapt, never reactFighting what we dont know or cant control its inherently human. Our brain loves being in charge. Thats why we feel anxious when facing breaking points - we want to be in control of every situation.Take time to acknowledge your emotions. Are you angry? Sad? Disappointed?Self-awareness is critical to pause and reflect - connect with your emotions but dont react. Learn to acknowledge and observe your thoughts rather than through them. Dont let your emotions cloud your vision. Or determine how you behave.Practice builds resilienceRecovering from break points takes time and practice. Its an ability that you develop through time - be patient and willing to put the effort.Federer has saved hundreds of break points in his career - thats why he stays so calm when facing one. Once you get used to playing at limi t situations, its easier not to let your emotions take over. Remind yourself of similar past situations Ive been there, done that. I can do it again.Send a message to the worldWhen you are against the ropes, saving a break point boosts more than your self-confidence - you are saying that you are alive and kicking.Treat your breaking points as a match. Dont let your opponent win - stay focused and balanced. Whats your message to the world? Be grateful for every breaking point you overcome. Share your experience so others can learn from you too.Turn your mind into an allyRoutine, distractions, and busyness debilitate our mind - we feel like living on autopilot. Prepare yourself to face breaking points. Meditation and other mindful practices can turn your mind into your best ally.Practice strengthening your mind - become familiar with yourself so that you can deal better with unexpected events. Embracing your own vulnerability makes you stronger. When you let go of the pressure to be perfect, you can flow and play more freely.Utilize social supportWe are social beings - you cannot win alone. Tennis players fire up the crowd after saving a break point. They need all the support they can get to stay focused and win the next point.Your success depends on the strength of your relationships. Identify the key people that can provide you with support or advice - tap into all the help you can to overcome breaking points. Check out this simple exercise to realize and leverage the power of others.- - - We all face breaking points in our lives - they dont just challenge us, they define us.Remember, prevention is always the best medicine. Learn to live a balanced life. Dont wait for your next breaking point to start training your mind.This article first appeared on Medium.

How to Make Yourself More Attractive to Remote Employers

How to Make Yourself More Attractive to Remote EmployersHow to Make Yourself More Attractive to Remote EmployersWhen applying for a telecommuting position, fulfilling job-specific requirements is just the start. Remote employers indeed want candidates with industry knowledge and the appropriate skill set, but they also need to judge the potential of applicants to succeed in a remote environment.You can make this task easier by highlighting certain information in your titel letter, on your resume, and during interviews.Grab the attention of remote employers with these attractive actionsDiscuss your remote experience.Telecommuting is a skill in and of itself, so present it like you would any other desirable qualification. Describe what you did, for which companies, for how long, and what you accomplished. (Remember that occasionally working from home or freelancing counts too.) Your track record can go a long way toward easing the concerns of prospective employers.No remote experience? Try bringing up in-office projects that you handled independently. The idea is to show that you can take direction, run with it on your own, and produce quality, on-time results. Demonstrating your time-management prowess works well too, as telecommuters often must prioritize and multitask with limited oversight.Communicate your work environment.Dont be surprised during an interview if a hiring manager asks about your home office setup. Such a question helps the employer envision your environment and judge your seriousness about a remote arrangement. Be ready to convey details about a quiet place where you can focus and spread out. Or, better yet, beat them to it by explaining in your cover letter or resume that you already have a professional remote office to work from.Think professional, not elaborate- the company just wants to know that you dont plan on squeezing your laptop onto the coffee table among piles of magazines and kids toys.Radiate professionalism.Speaking of professi onalism, work to convey it at every opportunity. Submit error-free applications, respond to emails promptly and politely, hold phone conversations in a quiet room, dress appropriately for video chats, and send thank-you notes after interviews.Employer confidence in your ability to represent the company well without constant supervision will soar.Inquire about communication methods.Outstanding communication is at the heart of remote work. Show that you expect to do it regularly by asking about collaboration tools, check-ins, and opportunities for feedback. Youll dispel notions of the forgotten telecommuting hermit and build a reputation as a valuable teammate.Be prepared to discuss the pitfalls of working remotely- and how you deal with them.Finally, realize that employers want remote employees who are realistic. Expressing excitement over the flexible arrangement is fine, but dont view the situation through rose-colored glasses. An employer who receives a blank look when he asks abo ut the obstacles of home-based work will wonder if you have an accurate view of telecommuting.Recognize that issues such as motivation, distraction, engagement, and technical problems exist. Then, address them in an honest, mature manner. Youll prove that youre a problem-solver capable of handling whatever challenges come your wayCheck Out The Top 100 Companies with Remote Jobs