Online Publications Best Picks for January

How effective are you at self-management? The answer to this question can potentially decide how well you will fare in the months to come. With startling unemployment statistics showing no sign of abatement, it appears that only the most indispensable and remarkable individuals will be able to survive the ominous situation.

All is not lost, however. In this edition, we feature powerful strategies to position yourself in your workplace and highlight your talents. We’ll also show you a new study on tragedy: As recent research shows, human beings are far more resilient than we sometimes give ourselves credit for.

BNET

What Kind Of Self-Manager Are You?
In a series of articles covering David Allen’s new book, “Making It All Work,” BNET looks at the topic of self-management, which transcends the common talk of organisational systems and micromanagement to discuss more important issues: control and perspective. Allen uses a “Self-Management Matrix” which divides itself into four quadrants: Victim/ Responder (low perspective, low control); Crazy Maker/ Visionary (high perspective, low control); Micromanager/ Implementer (low perspective, high control); the Captain and Commander (high perspective, high control). This matrix can evaluate one’s current state, as well as discover a path to the most ideal state of “Captain and Commander.” Being in any of these states are not bad in themselves; in fact, it is common to find oneself slipping into any one of these quadrants of self-management. However, staying in any of the three non-ideal states risks creating a negative image.

BusinessWeek

Six Ways To Manage Leadership Stress
To prevent stress from becoming debilitating, BusinessWeek writer John R. Ryan suggests doing the following: Keep your challenges in perspective and realise that dire situations can be overcome, as evidenced by people who have transcended far greater obstacles. Stay fit to keep your emotions in check and boost your energy. Keep connected and don’t bottle up your feelings, to prevent depression. Showing vulnerability may even improve relationships with peers and subordinates. Accept feedback and criticism, because this allows ideas and opportunities to flow. Streamline your life by setting up effective and efficient systems to organise your work and personal life, but make an effort to cut tasks or activities that are neither productive nor essential. Recharge, because our energy for tackling the various aspects of life is not infinite. These tips may be crucial to your survival in the months to come.

CNN

Fireproof Your Job
As the unemployment rates show no sign of slowing down (even as 41% of college-educated workers are without work), you will need strategies to ensure your job is as secure as can be. One way is to be remarkable in your workplace by standing out from the rest and stepping up to opportunities that no one else wants or can do. Create new channels of income into the company and find areas where your company can cut costs. Socialise with and learn from individuals who are highly respected by your bosses and to improve how your boss views you. Increase your value by advancing yourself with new knowledge in your field, or acquire new skills to make yourself more competitive as a worker. Go beyond the call of duty to find areas to improve, while lending a hand in areas which need additional help. Volunteer to take a pay cut or reduce costs related to your job to free up resources for your subordinates, as this will reflect your awareness and intimate understanding of your company’s position in the economic situation.

The New York Times

Down and Out — Or Up
People are fundamentally resilient, according to George Bonanno, a professor of psychology at Columbia University. From a representative sample of 16,000 people tracked throughout their lives, it appears that the majority of the United States’ population is unfazed by major tragedies. Even people in catastrophic events are able to widen their perspectives to greater appreciate the things they love in their lives. In times of stress, or with highly-stress jobs, people also have the ability to put aside tragic events and continue functioning normally, as doctors, soldiers and Wall Street executives have been able to do. In fact, tragedy may even allow a person to become freed from the circumstances that created the tragedy in the first place and bring a sense of relief and emancipation from the situation.

Discovery

Finger Length May Predict Financial Success
If you have a longer ring finger than index finger, rejoice: You are more likely to be successful in a financial career. The higher ring finger to index finger ratio indicates exposure to increased levels of male hormones such as androgen, which results in increased confidence, risk profiles, persistence, vigilance, and shorter reaction times. It was also found that individuals with longer ring fingers made unusually high profits in highly active trading – up to 11 times higher than individuals with shorter ring fingers – in the stock market. However, shorter ring finger individuals need not despair, as the opposite is true for jobs that require analytical effort and experience, such as mathematics, science and engineering. These are the careers that value longer term perspectives and persistence over aggression.

Our Top Ten Online Publications

BNET

What Kind Of Self-Manager Are You?

BusinessWeek

Six Ways To Manage Leadership Stress

CNN

Love Your job? Then Save It!

Fireproof Your Job

Discovery Channel

Finger Length May Predict Financial Success

Economist

Generation Y Goes To Work

The Huffington Post

The End Of Normal: Stress Is What You Make It

The New York Times

Down and Out — Or Up

OfficeArrow

Prepare For Job Uncertainty

Science Daily

Why We Procrastinate And How To Stop

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