Trickiest Interview Questions

Savvy hiring managers can glean a ton of information about you by asking just a few, well-chosen questions. But while they may seem simple — that's the point — some are actually designed to get you to reveal information you may have been trying to conceal. In other words: they're trick questions. "To uncover areas that may reflect inconsistencies, hiring managers sometimes ask these tricky questions," says Tina Nicolai, executive career coach and founder of Resume Writers' Ink. But they're not just about exposing your flaws, says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job." These types of questions can help hiring managers break through the "traditional interview noise and clutter," and get to the "raw you." Here are 17 common examples, complete with advice on how to ace each one. View As: One Page Slides How would you describe yourself in one word? How would you describe yourself in one word? Sam Howzit/flickr Why do they ask this? The question is likely being asked to elicit several data points: your personality type, how confident you are in your self perception, and whether your work style is a good fit for the job, Taylor explains. What makes it tricky? This question can be a challenge, particularly early on in the interview, because you don't really know what personality type the manager is seeking. "There is a fine line between sounding self-congratulatory versus confident, and humble versus timid," Taylor says. "And people are multifaceted, so putting a short label on oneself can seem nearly impossible." What response are they looking for? Proceed cautiously, warns Taylor. "If you know you're reliable and dedicated, but love the fact that your friends praise your clever humor, stick with the conservative route." If you're applying for an accounting job, the one word descriptor should not be "creative," and if it's an art director position, you don't want it to be, "punctual," for example. "Most employers today are seeking team players that are levelheaded under pressure, upbeat, honest, reliable, and dedicated. However, it would be a mistake to rattle off adjectives that you think will be well received. This is your opportunity to describe how your best attributes are a great match for the job as you see it." How does this position compare to others you are applying for? How does this position compare to others you are applying for? Kevin Winter / Getty Images Why do they ask this? They're basically asking: "Are you applying for other jobs?" "The hiring manager is first trying to figure out how active you are in your job search," Nicolai says. Then, once you open up, they want to see how to speak about other companies or positions you're interested in — and how honest you are. What makes it tricky? If you say, "This is the only job I'm applying for," that'll send up a red flag. Very few job applicants only apply to the one single job — so they may assume you're being dishonest. However, if you openly speak about other positions you're pursuing, and you speak favorably about them, the hiring manager may worry that you'll end up taking another job elsewhere, and they won't want to waste their time. "Speaking negatively about other jobs or employers isn't good either," she says. What response are they looking for? It is appropriate to say, "There are several organizations with whom I am interviewing, however, I've not yet decided the best fit for my next career move." "This is positive and protects the competitors," says Nicolai. "No reason to pit companies or to brag." Can you name three of your strengths and weaknesses? Can you name three of your strengths and weaknesses? Tyler Bolken/flickr Why do they ask this? The interviewer is looking for red flags and deal breakers, such as inability to work well with coworkers and/or an inability to meet deadlines. "Each job has its unique requirements, so your answers should showcase applicable strengths, and your weaknesses should have a silver lining," Taylor says. "At the very least, you should indicate that negative attributes have diminished because of positive actions you've taken." What makes it tricky? You can sabotage yourself addressing either. Exposing your weaknesses can hurt you if not ultimately turned into positives, she says. "Your strengths may not align with the skill set or work style required for the job. It's best to prepare for this question in advance, or risk landing in a minefield." What response are they looking for? Hiring managers want to know that your strengths will be a direct asset to the new position and none of your weaknesses would hurt your ability to perform. "They are also looking for your ability to self assess with maturity and confidence," says Taylor. Why do you want to work here? Why do you want to work here? LEON NEAL / Getty Images Why do they ask this? Interviewers ask this because they want to know what drives you the most, how well you've researched them, and how much you want the job. What makes it tricky? "Clearly you want to work for the firm for several reasons," Taylor says. "But just how you prioritize them reveals a lot about what is important to you." You may be thinking to yourself, "I'm not getting paid what I'm worth," or, "I have a terrible boss," or, "All things being equal, this commute is incredibly short" — none of which endears you to the hiring manager. "You're also being tested on your level of interest for the job," she says. What response are they looking for? Hiring managers want to see that you've taken the time to research the company and understand the industry. They also want to know that you actually want this job (and not just any job); that you have a can-do attitude; that you are high energy; that you can make a significant contribution; that you understand their mission and goals; and that you want to be part of that mission. Why do you want to leave your current job? Why do you want to leave your current job? AFP / Stringer / Getty Images Why do they ask this? "Your prospective boss is looking for patterns or anything negative, especially if your positions are many and short-term," Taylor explains. They may try to determine if you currently have or had issues working with others leading to termination, if you get bored quickly in a job, or other red flags. What makes it tricky? No one likes talking about a job they dislike and why. If not answered diplomatically, your answer could raise further questions and doubts, or sink your chances entirely. What response are they looking for? They are hoping that you're seeking a more challenging position that is a better fit for your current skill set. "Know that hiring managers don't mind hearing that you're particularly excited about the growth opportunity at their company." What are you most proud of in your career? What are you most proud of in your career? ROBYN BECK / Getty Images Why do they ask this? Interviewers ask this because they want to understand what you're passionate about, what you feel you excel at, and whether you take pride in your work. "How you describe your favorite project, for example, is almost as important as the project itself," Taylor says. "It's assumed that if you can speak with conviction and pride about your past work, you can do the same during important presentations at the new employer." What makes it tricky? Managers may assume that this type of work is what you really want to do most or focus on in the future. It can make you sound one-dimensional if you don't put it in the context of a larger range of skills and interests. What response are they looking for? Hiring managers want to see your ability to articulate well, foster enthusiasm in others, and your positive energy. "But one note of caution: In all your zeal to share your successes, remain concise," Taylor suggests. "You want to showcase your ability to present well once on the job." What kind of boss and coworkers have you had the most and least success with, and why? What kind of boss and coworkers have you had the most and least success with, and why? Bob Levey / Stringer / Getty Images Why do they ask this? Interviewers are trying to ascertain if you generally have conflicts with people and/or personality types. "Secondarily, they want to know how you can work at your best," says Taylor. What makes it tricky? You run the risk of appearing difficult by admitting to unsuccessful interactions with others, unless you keep emotions out of it. You may also inadvertently describe some of the attributes of your prospective boss. If you say, "I had a boss who held so many meetings that it was hard to get my work done," and your interviewer turns beet red — you might have hit a nerve. What response are they looking for? "They want to hear more good than bad news," Taylor explains. "It's always best to start out with the positive and downplay the negatives." You don't want to be evasive, but this is not the time to outline all your personality shortcomings either. Here you have an opportunity to speak generally about traits that you admire in others, yet appear flexible enough to work with a variety of personality types. For example: "I think I work well with a wide gamut of personalities. Some of my most successful relationships have been where both people communicated very well and set mutual expectations upfront." Have you ever considered being an entrepreneur? Have you ever considered being an entrepreneur? Vivid Image/flickr Why do they ask this? The interviewer is testing to see if you still have the hidden desire to run your own company, thus abandoning ship, Taylor says. "No firm wants to sense this, as they will begin to ponder whether their valuable training time and money could vanish." What makes it tricky? Most everyone has considered being an entrepreneur at some point in their lives, but to varying degrees. This question is tricky because you can unwittingly be lured into talking about your one-time desire to be your own boss with too much perceived enthusiasm. An employer may fear that you still hope to eventually go out on your own, and they'll consider you a flight risk. What response are they looking for? It's okay to tell a prospective manager that you once considered entrepreneurship or have worked as an independent contractor. It can easily be turned into a positive by stating that you've already experienced it or thought about it, and it's not for you. That might be more convincing than saying, "No, I've never considered that." This is an opportunity to discuss why working in a corporate environment as part of a team is most fulfilling to you. You may also enjoy the specialized work in your field more than the operational, financial, or administrative aspects of entrepreneurship. You can further allay their fears by explaining exactly why their company appeals to you. If you could work for any company, where would you work? If you could work for any company, where would you work? Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to ascertain how serious you are about working for them in particular, versus the competition, as well as your level of loyalty, Taylor says. "It also helps them weed out candidates who may veer from the core career. You may have heard that Google is a great place to work, but that off-road strategy would spell doom, as you're being given the opportunity to theoretically work at your 'dream job.' The interviewer isn't making conversation here, so stay focused on the job at hand." What makes it tricky? You might get caught up in the casual flow of the discussion and inadvertently leak out some well-respected firms, but this is counterproductive and only instills some doubt about your objectives. What are they seeking? "Your interviewer wants to know that you're interviewing at your first company of choice." A response to this might be, "Actually, I've been heavily researching target firms, and [your company] seems like the ideal fit for my credentials. It's exciting to me that [your company] is doing XYZ in the industry, for example, and I'd like to contribute my part." What would you do if you won $5 million tomorrow? What would you do if you won $5 million tomorrow? John Haslam/flickr Why do they ask this? They want to know whether you'd still work if you didn't need the money. Your response to this question tells the employer about your motivation and work ethic. They may also want to know what you'd spend the money on, or whether you'd invest it. This tells them how responsible you are with your money, and how mature you are as a person. What makes it tricky? Questions that are out of left field can ambush you, causing you to lose composure. "They have nothing to do with the job at hand, and you may wonder if there is any significance to them," Taylor says. "Whether there is or not, the fact remains that you can easily lose your cool if you don't pause and gather your thoughts before you respond to a question like this." What response are they looking for? They want to hear that you'd continue working because you're passionate about what you do — and they want to know you'd make smart financial decisions. If you'd do something irresponsible with your own money, they'll worry you'll be careless with theirs. Have you ever been asked to compromise your integrity by your supervisor or colleague? Tell us about it. Have you ever been asked to compromise your integrity by your supervisor or colleague? Tell us about it. Lydia/flickr Why do they ask this? Your prospective boss is evaluating your moral compass. They want to know how you handled a delicate situation that put your integrity to the test, Taylor explains. "They may also dig too deeply to test your level of discretion." Essentially they want to know: Did you use diplomacy? Did you publicly blow the whistle? Did a backlash ensue? What was your thought process? What makes it tricky? Interviewers want to know how you manage sensitive matters, and are also wary of those who badmouth former employers, no matter how serious the misdeed. "They will be concerned if you share too much proprietary information with the interviewer," she says. "So it is tricky because you must carefully choose your words, using the utmost diplomacy." What response are they looking for? It's wise to be clear, concise, and professional in your answer, without revealing any internal practices of prior employers. "You have nothing to gain by divulging private corporation information." Something like this might work: "There was one time where a fellow worker asked me to get involved in a project that seemed unethical, but the problem resolved itself. I try to be as honest as possible early on if a project creates concern for me about the company, as I'm very dedicated to its success." Can you give us a reason someone may not like working with you? Can you give us a reason someone may not like working with you? Christian Petersen/Getty Images Why do they ask this? Prospective bosses want to know if there are any glaring personality issues, and what better way that to go direct to the source? "They figure that the worst that can happen is you will lie, and they may feel they're still adept at detecting mistruths," Taylor explains. "The negative tone of the question is bound to test the mettle of even the most seasoned business professionals." What makes it tricky? You can easily shoot yourself in the foot with this question. If you're flip and say, "I can't think of a reason anyone wouldn't like working with me," you're subtly insulting the interviewer by trivializing the question. So you have to frame the question in a way that gets at the intent without being self-effacing. "Hiring managers are not seeking job candidates who have self-pity," she says. What response are they looking for? You don't want to say, "Well I'm not always the easiest person to be around, particularly when under deadlines. I sometimes lose my temper too easily." You might as well pack up and look for the nearest exit. "Conversely, you can lead with the positive and go from there: 'Generally I've been fortunate to have great relationships at all my jobs. The only times I have been disliked — and it was temporary — was when I needed to challenge my staff to perform better. Sometimes I feel we must make unpopular decisions that are for the larger good of the company,'" Taylor suggests. Why have you been out of work for so long? Why have you been out of work for so long? stephen bowler/flick Why do they ask this? "Interviewers are skeptical by design," Taylor says. "Sometimes you're guilty until proven innocent — until all the perceived skeletons in the closet have been removed." This is a daunting question in particular because it can seem offensive. The implication is that you might not be motivated enough to secure a job; you are being distracted by other pursuits; your skills set may not be up to date; there is an issue with your past employers, or a host of other concerns. What makes it tricky? The way it's worded is naturally designed to test your resilience. The key is not to take the bait and just answer the intent of the question in a calm, factual manner. What response are they looking for? The hiring manager wants be assured that you possess initiative even when unemployed, as this drive and tenacity will translate well in a corporate setting. Sample responses: "I have been interviewing steadily, but want to find the ideal fit before I jump in and give my typical 110%," or, "I'm active in my job search, and I keep my skills current through [courses, volunteering, social media, business networking groups]." "If you took off time to take care of a personal matter, you can certainly state that without giving a lot of detail," Taylor says. Make sure you're accountable. Don't blame the unemployment rate, your market, industry, or anything else. This is about how active and excited you are to be making a contribution to the employer. How did you make time for this interview? Where does your boss think you are right now? How did you make time for this interview? Where does your boss think you are right now? Lindsey Turner/flickr Why do they ask this? Hiring managers want to find out if your priorities are in the right place: current job first, interviews second. "They know that the habits you follow now speak to your integrity and how you will treat your job at their company should you undertake a future job search," says Taylor. "They also want to know how you handle awkward situations where you cannot be truthful to your boss. Ideally your interview is during a break that is your time, which is important to point out." What makes it tricky? The implication is, "How is it searching for a job behind your boss's back?" For most employed job seekers, it's uncomfortable to lie about their whereabouts. So they're vague and treat it like any other personal matter they handle on their time. What response are they looking for? It's wise to explain that you always put your job first, and schedule interviews before or after work, at lunchtime, during weekends if appropriate, and during personal time off. If asked pointedly, "Where does your boss think you are right now?" be vague. Don't say: "I took a sick day." Instead, Taylor suggests you try something like: "My boss understands that I have certain break periods and personal time — he doesn't ask for details. He's most interested in my results." What's a difficult situation that you turned around? Describe it to us. What's a difficult situation that you turned around? Describe it to us. Wang Zhao/Getty Images What do they ask this? This gives hiring managers a lot of information in one fell swoop, explains Taylor. They want to know "not only know how you handle stressful situations, but also how you think through problems, how you define 'difficult,' and what courses of action you take when faced with any form of adversity." What makes it tricky? It's easy to interpret this as an invitation to brag about the success of your turnaround. Don't fall for it. "The emphasis is really on how you generally problem-solve under pressure," Taylor explains. "Do you illustrate any signs of stress as you describe the event? Were you creative, resourceful and prompt in its resolution? Did you follow a logical path in doing so?" Choose your examples extremely carefully, since they'll give employers a glimpse at what you consider to be "difficult." What response are they looking for? Interviewers want to see that you're a good problem solver, Taylor says. "They place a premium on those who can think clearly, remain professional when under the gun — and those who can recover quickly from setbacks." To ace the question, be sure you go into the meeting with a prepared with a few examples of times you successfully overcame significant professional challenges. You’ve worked for yourself for a number of years. How do you plan on acclimating to our company culture vs. being your own boss? You’ve worked for yourself for a number of years. How do you plan on acclimating to our company culture vs. being your own boss? Flickr/Hayden Petrie Why do they ask this? If you've spent time as your own boss, you've almost certainly picked up skills that would make you an asset to the organization. But Nicolai says that your entrepreneurial past can make you intimidating to some hiring managers, who may question your commitment to their cause. "Many employers, particularly those who have never been their own boss, tend to shy away from individuals who have worked for themselves," she observes. What makes this tricky? To prove that you're not "intimidating" or "threatening," you can be tempted to water down your achievements — but underplaying your skills is generally not the best way to prove you're the best for the job. What response are they looking for? "The employer is looking for the candidate to talk about commitment to the company and expressing a desire to become part of a larger team where the candidate can make a contribution," Nicolai advises. If even any part of you misses being part of a larger organization, now's the time to stress it. "The employer wants to be needed by the candidate," she says. Accordingly, this is an opening to express how much you want the gig. How do you define success? How do you define success? REUTERS/Grigory Dukor What do they ask this? "Interviewers ask this to see what makes you tick, but to some degree, also to test your mettle," Taylor says. Your answer gives them insight into your priorities: are you motivated by big paychecks? Being challenged? Learning new skills? "Or," she asks, "do you take a more personal, individualistic approach to success?" What makes it tricky? This one is a minefield, since "success" is highly subjective, and even a perfectly reasonable response can be easily misinterpreted, Taylor says. "There’s a fine line between sounding ambitious and appearing as if you’re eyeing the top spot in the office — because you 'really want to advance and make a difference.'" What response are they looking for? When questions are broad and leave a lot of room for "a virtual inquisition," Taylor advises keeping your answers relatively unobjectionable. "Try to define success in a way that relates to the prospective employer, based on what you know from the job description and conversation," she says. A good response? "Applying my brand expertise to the strategic marketing goals you’ve established for XYZ company, building on your existing success." "That’s in contrast to a thinly veiled: 'Being in your amazing position, thus freeing you up to do way more important things,'" says Taylor. Stay specific, and stay job-related. Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/trickiest-interview-questions-2015-6?op=1#ixzz3eVGXUymz

10 Highest Paying Work From Home Jobs

Working from home isn't for everyone — but it definitely has its perks. There's no commute time, fewer coworker distractions, and, of course, the ability to send emails from the comfort of your bed. If this all sounds appealing (and if you have the self-discipline to stay focused and productive while working from home), you may want to check out FlexJobs' latest list of the highest-paying work-from-home jobs. To compile this list, FlexJobs, an online service specializing in telecommuting and remote work, looked at postings from its database of over 25,000 current job listings and found the 10 companies offering the highest pay. "So often, people have the notion that work-from-home jobs are all low-skill or low-wage positions, but these jobs help to show that there are high-level, professional, and well-paying work-from-home jobs available," says Sara Sutton Fell, CEO of FlexJobs. "While these jobs are, of course, at the high end of the salary spectrum, there are many opportunities out there for work-from-home jobs with competitive salaries that are very comparable to traditional, in-office salaries." Here are the 10 highest-paying, according to FlexJobs: 1. Clinical regulatory affairs director Salary range: $150,000 - $151,000 General job description: Pharmaceutical companies hire clinical regulatory affairs professionals to fulfill a variety of responsibilities related to clinical trials. Typically, clinical regulatory affairs managers work to plan, prepare, and submit products for market nationally and internationally. This process can be done from a home office, and includes authoring regulatory documents for clinical trial applications, assisting with marketing documents for new markets, and briefing documents, among other things. Related work-from-home job titles: Regulatory affairs team leader, regulatory affairs consultant, associate director of regulatory affairs 2. Supervisory attorney Salary range: $117,000 - $152,000 General job description: Just like in-office attorneys, telecommuting attorneys provide legal counsel and representation to a variety of clients depending on their expertise or focus area. They must be active members of the Bar in their state of operation, and when not meeting clients or in court, they work remotely. Related work-from-home job titles: Attorney, document review attorney 3. Senior medical writer Salary range: $110,000 - $115,000 General job description: For a variety of healthcare-related companies, including medical publishers and pharmaceutical companies, senior medical writers are in high-demand. Professionals in this field are responsible for reviewing medical information, writing documents, editing other medical writers' submissions, and working with senior management to keep projects on track. A natural fit for remote work, a senior medical writer must be able to work independently, but also as a great team-player, and is required to have a degree in a science or medical discipline. Related work-from-home job titles: Technical writer, principal medical writer, medical editor, regulatory medical writer Woman Working in Home OfficeFlickr / Betta LivingSenior medical writers rake in six figures, on average. 4. Environmental engineer Salary range: Up to $110,000 General job description: Environmental engineers are typically responsible for designing and assessing pollution reduction and prevention approaches, from equipment to processes, and when they're not in the field conducting research, they can sometimes work from a home office. Related work-from-home job titles: Environmental engineering technician, natural sciences manager, hydrologist, civil engineer 5. Director of quality improvement Salary range: $100,000 - $175,000 General job description: As part of the operations and technical teams at a company, remote quality improvement directors are responsible for working to design and develop Best Practices related to systems administration and data architecture. Keeping in mind quality, safety, and reliability, a director of quality improvement works with senior management and must have outstanding leadership skills and knowledge of current trends in quality improvement and operational performance. Related work-from-home job titles: Quality assurance director, senior quality improvement manager laptopTech Hub/flickrSoftware engineers don't need to go into the office every day. 6. Senior software engineer Salary range: $100,000 - $160,000 General job description: Senior software engineers are typically responsible for developing, designing, and running software programs, overseeing related projects, managing a team of software engineers, troubleshooting technical issues, and debugging software. They're usually required to have experience with a variety of programming languages. Related work-from-home job titles: Senior software developer, senior web developer, senior devops developer 7. Director of business development Salary range: $100,000 - 150,000 General job description: At-home sales directors are responsible for managing and growing large sales territories, and are responsible for revenue growth in their particular category. Sales directors also design and develop programs for lead generation and revenue growth for sales teams. They often report to the VP of sales, and they work closely with internal company stakeholders as well as their clients. When they're not out in the field making sales visits, these professionals work from their home offices. Related work-from-home job titles: Marketing director, sales director, account executive 8. Research biologist Salary range: $93,000 - $157,000 General job description: Research biologists are responsible for studying a particular subject, conducting tests, performing research, and determining results and conclusions. For example, a research microbiologist might study virus host interaction and determine disease resistance. Related work-from-home job titles: Microbiologist, wildlife biologist, research scientist, field scientist 9. Audit manager Salary range: $90,000 - $110,000 General job description: Working from home, audit managers are responsible for financial and operational audits for companies or clients. The responsibilities of this type of role include leading, planning, and executing internal audits, and documenting all audit-related information. In addition to performing the audits, audit managers work with stakeholders to understand the outcomes and impacts of the audit, ensure future compliance, and evaluate internal systems, policies, and procedures. Related work-from-home job titles: Financial analyst, fiscal officer, controller, financial services senior associate, senior internal audit associate, financial consultant phoneFlickr/ignatgorazdMajor gifts officers can do their job from anywhere. 10. Major gifts officer Salary range: Up to $90,000 General job description: Nonprofit organizations hire major gifts officers to cultivate, solicit, and close current and prospective donors for large-sum donations. These remote jobs also require extensive travel, but during non-travel times, remote major gifts officers work from home. In addition to excellent relationship management skills, sales skills, and organizational skills, the ability to work independently while furthering the goals of the organization is critical. Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/highest-paying-work-from-home-jobs-2015-6#ixzz3eVFSxxJB

Effort Will Get You Seen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWAHD3b8Vec

5 Things You Should Do Everyday to Increase Your Intelligence

Strategy More: Success Habits Intelligence Career 5 things you should do every day to increase your intelligence If you want to witness the magic of the human brain in action, play the matching game with a 4-year-old — you know, the classic game where the tiles are arranged face down and players take turns flipping them over to find pairs. You'll see what I mean as you watch that wonderful little brain doing its thing. It's amazing, and when you realize you've been outdueled in a brain game by a child, it's just a bit humbling. Obviously, young children develop, learn, and change very quickly. They show drastic improvement in academic, physical, and social skills all the time. One day they can't, and literally the next day they can. Does it make you a little bit jealous? Imagine what you could accomplish with that amazing ability. Well, there is hope for us adults. We've known for quite a while that IQ can be increased, that you're not just stuck with what you're born with. Andrea Kuszewski explains that fluid intelligence, which refers to the capacity to learn new things, retains that information, uses it to solve new problems, and can be strengthened over time. She suggests that if one implements five elements into life every day, or at least as much as possible, cognitive capacity can be increased. Those elements are to seek novelty, challenge yourself, think creatively, do things the hard way, and network. 8424476075_8e33ab63fc_oFrancisco Osorio/FlickrWe could learn a thing or two from the younger generation about keeping our minds challenged. So, is it any wonder that children learn at the rate they do? Every sight, sound, word, taste — everything — is new and novel to a child. And, when you're a kid, everything is challenging. Kids make use of creativity to solve problems from the time they are born. They discover the easy way via the hard way. And finally, they are constantly networking by simply meeting new people all the time. So, kids are engaging in brain strengthening activities all the time, almost by default. For us adults, it likely takes a more concerted effort. It's so easy to stay within our comfort zones, stick with our routines, and never change anything up. Doing that may be practical, productive and convenient... it's just not making us any smarter. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you're building your intelligence: 1. Seek novelty. Novel doesn't need to mean outlandish; it just means new to you. New experiences, new people, new anything other than "what we've always done." Be open to new experiences and take advantage of opportunities when you have them. 2. Challenge yourself. The brain, like any muscle in your body, gets stronger when you offer it some resistance. You know you're good at what you do, but make sure you continue to take on challenges that stimulate your mind and take you outside your comfort zone. 3. Think creatively. Creativity has countless benefits. Not only does thinking creatively increase our intelligence, it also enhances our productivity, efficiency, success, and happiness. It's not just artists and what we normally think of as creative types — we're all creative. Just allow your brain to do the work, instead of just asking it to memorize and regurgitate information. 4. Do things the hard way. This is the brain exercise. It doesn't mean making your life an unbearable struggle at every turn. But when you can, and when it's practical, challenge yourself a little bit at a time. Figure the tip without a calculator, find your way without GPS, or make your own sauerkraut. 18647212508_9d4a3159a7_kD. Woldu - ITU Pictures/FlickrThe 'hard way' can benefit you in the long run. 5. Network. It probably sounds like a burden to expose yourself to novelty and find ways to be creative if you don't exactly know where to look. This is where networking comes in. Let other people show you the way. The more people you meet, the more you're exposed to and the more you experience. Networking, on its own, can seem daunting for many of us and can certainly lead us outside our comfort zone. For the introspective and thoughtful among us, that only makes networking even more beneficial. As I've said before, there's a lot to be said for sameness and routine to get us through life. But consciously weaving these elements into your routines could be beneficial in many ways, not the least of which is being competitive when playing games with children. Read more: http://www.inc.com/geil-browning/increase-your-iq-5-things-you-should-be-doing-every-day.html#ixzz3eKFlDvw8

How Rich People Choose Their Friends

If you're struggling to make ends meet or just not where you want to be financially, open your eyes and look around. In most cases, your net worth mirrors the level of your closest friends. Is it time to start looking for some new friends? I've asked that question hundreds of times on stage all over the world, and it never fails to get people fired up and even angry. I'm not suggesting you go and unfriend all your friends just because they don't have a lot of money. And I'm not suggesting that you choose your friends based on how much money they have. However, as Einstein said, consciousness is contagious. If you want more money, you should consider spending time with and befriending people with more money. Exposure to people who are more successful than you are has the potential to expand your thinking and catapult your income. We become like the people we associate with, and that's why winners are attracted to winners. In other segments of society, this is accepted, but the rich have always been lambasted for their predisposition to engage the company of people with similar financial success. The reality is, millionaires think differently from the middle class about money, and there's much to be gained by being in their presence. Perhaps even more surprising: Many millionaires are surprisingly humble and don't view themselves as having "arrived." Many of them believe millionaires are simply people who don't know how to become billionaires. After all, why would someone settle for millions if they possessed the awareness to earn billions? That's why millionaires are always attempting to gain entry into that exclusive group of people who are among the wealthiest in the world. 
The average person wants to meet a millionaire to tell their friends they met a millionaire. Millionaires, on the other hand, want to associate with billionaires to learn how they think. One group is watching the game; the other is playing the game. They only question that matters: Which one are you? Friends TravelingFlickr / Matthew KenwrickWhere will your friends take you? Honestly ask yourself: How many rich people are in your inner circle of associates and advisors? Set a goal in the New Year to double the amount of time you spend associating with people who are richer than you are. Doing so just might make you rich. The correlation between your friends and your level of wealth is one that is taught improperly from the start. Most parents never teach their kids about the importance of making contacts. They hope their kids are popular and make friends so they enjoy their days in school. Wealthy parents have a different approach. Sure, they want their children to enjoy their years growing up. But they also know that building contacts, even as early as high school, can make the difference between a life of average success and one filled with uncommon opportunity. While most parents are hoping their kid becomes the quarterback of the football team or the most popular cheerleader, the rich are concerned about building the child's social infrastructure for the future. The message of associating with the wealthy often sounds elitist or discriminatory against the middle class. But it's not. It's nice to say everyone, regardless of financial status, has access to all the good things in life. It's also naïve and untrue. Right or wrong, wealth offers privileges, and one of the most fundamental ways to start the wealth-generating process is to get around rich people and watch how they think. It's an eye-opening experience. The bottom line: Like attracts like. People with high-level formal education like to associate with the academic elite. Physically fit people enjoy spending time with others who are fit. Religious people like to have fellowship with people of faith. And rich people like to associate with others who are rich. As Will Rogers said, "A man only learns in two ways: one by reading, and the other by association with smarter people." Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/rich-people-choose-friends-2014-12#ixzz3e8dvQwqs

10 Things The Most Likable People Do Every Day

1. They show vulnerability. Two Masters of the Business Universe meet for the first time. Instantly, they play an unstated but nonetheless obvious game of "Who's More Successful?" They work hard to one-up the other. (After all, life is about winning, right?) Likable people don't try to win any unstated competitions with people they meet. In fact, they actively try to lose. They're complimentary. They're impressed. They're even willing to admit a weakness or a failure. You can too. It's really easy. Say you meet Admiral Trump and he says, "I just closed a fabulous deal to build the world's best golf course on the most amazing oceanfront property on the planet." Don't try to win. Instead say, "That's awesome. I've wanted to open a gym for years, but can't line up the financing. How did you pull off such a huge deal?" Likable people are confident enough to not worry about showing a little vulnerability. They know that while some people may be — at least temporarily — impressed by the artificial, everyone instinctively appreciates the genuine. 2. They look for agreement. We're trained to discuss, to challenge, and to advocate for the devil because exchanging opinions, especially different opinions, is how we separate the wheat from the idea chaff. Automatic agreement doesn't help. Unfortunately, going contrary is an easy habit to fall into. It's easy to automatically look for points of disagreement rather than agreement. It's easy to automatically take a different side. And it's easy to end up in what feels like an argument. Likable people don't actively (or unknowingly) look to disagree; they look for points of agreement. Then, if it's appropriate, they gently share a different point of view — and in that way, they help foster an outstanding conversation. 3. They (selectively) use the power of touch. Nonsexual touch can be incredibly powerful. (I'm aware that sexual touch can be powerful too, thanks.) Touch can influence behavior, increase the chances of compliance, make the person doing the touching seem more attractive and friendly, and can even help you make a sale. For example, in one experiment the participants tried to convey 12 different emotions by touching another blindfolded participant on the forearm. The rate of accuracy for perceiving emotions like fear, anger, gratitude, sympathy, love, and disgust ranged from 43% to 83% — without a word being spoken. Say you're congratulating someone; shaking hands or (possibly better yet, depending on the situation) gently patting that person on the shoulder or forearm can help reinforce the sincerity of your words. 4. They happily laugh at themselves. Likable people willingly admit their mistakes. They don't mind serving as a cautionary tale. They don't mind being a source of laughter, for others and for themselves. And they're also not afraid to look a little silly. They don't mind being in situations where they aren't at their best. (And oddly enough, people tend to respect them more for that — not less.) When you genuinely own your screw-ups, people won't laugh at you. They'll laugh with you. And they realize it's OK to let down their own guards — and meet you at a genuine level. Smiling at workUS Department of Education/Flickr 5. They're masters of the ancient art of social jiu-jitsu. Some people have a knack for getting you to talk openly yourself. They ask open-ended questions. They sincerely want to know what you think, and that makes you open up to a surprising degree. You feel like the most interesting man (or woman) in the world. And you like them for making you feel that way. As soon as you learn something about someone, ask why they do it. Or how. Or what they like about it, or what they've learned from it. Likable people ask sincere questions that make it easy to answer in a thoughtful, introspective way. They make you think, in a good way, about yourself ... and in the process make you feel likable, too. 6. They pass the server test. Some people put on a great show in certain situations, but they don't try nearly as hard when they think a person is "beneath" them. I like to call it the waiter test: If you really want to know how an individual treats people, take him to lunch. How he interacts with the waiter is a much better indication of his interpersonal skills than how he interacts with you. Likable people treat everyone the same way: as deserving of respect and kindness. 7. They seem genuinely glad to meet you. When you feel someone "gets" you, respecting your opinion, your point of view, your experience — whatever you're communicating — then you naturally feel more important. The other person doesn't have to agree with you; they just have to show they respect you. How do likable people do that? They maintain eye contact. They smile when you smile. They frown when you frown. They nod their head when you nod. In simple, nonverbal ways, they mimic your behavior — not slavishly, but because they're focused on and in tune with what you're saying. That feedback loop helps two people bond — and the ability to bond is the essence of likability. 8. They're great with names. If there's one thing almost as bad as that sinking feeling you get when you forget someone's name, it's realizing that another person has forgotten your name. Likable people remember names and even small details, often to a surprising degree. The fact they remember instantly makes us feel a little prouder and a little better about ourselves. And that makes us feel better about them. But even though likable people remember names ... 9. They never name drop. I have a friend who somehow manages to squeeze the fact he once met Jeff Gordon into every conversation. "I'm planning to stain my deck this weekend," I might say. "You know, I was sitting on my deck last weekend listening to the race," he'll say. "Jeff Gordon was leading for a while then had engine trouble. Knowing Jeff Gordon — and I do, I met him at Bristol last year — I bet he was really disappointed." Likable people may know cool people, but they don't talk about it. And that only adds to their likability. 10. They always say less. Likable people already know what they know. They want to know what you know. That makes you feel more likable. That makes you feel important. As well you should — because you are. And likable people know it. Read more: http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/10-behaviors-of-phenomenally-likable-people.html#ixzz3e8cM41HA

Get In The Frontline Yourself

Close to a battlefield over 200 years ago a rider passes a group of exhausted soldiers who were digging themselves into an important defensive position. Noticing their section leader was mounted as well, and shouting orders at the men to work faster, dig deeper and threatening to whip anyone that didn’t complete their work within the hour. Asked by the stranger, “If this is so important why are you not helping?” The section leader advised that he is in charge, and the men must do as he says. The section leaders exact comments where, “You should help them yourself if you feel so strongly about it.” Much to the surprise of the section leader the stranger dismounted, and worked in the trenches, side by side with the men until the job was finished. Once the work was done he congratulated the men, and approached the puzzled section leader. “Next time your rank prevents you from supporting your men, you are to notify top command and I will provide a more permanent solution,” said the stranger, who was now up close and easily recognizable as General Washington. This lesson is a fantastic one for supervisors and leaders that you are coaching to help them – help their own teams. The ultimate goal is to realize that you’re only a true leader if you’re willing to do the work of your team without complaint, when they need you most.

The Power of Positivity

There was a gardener who was running his family business, that had been passed down from his grandfather to his father and now to him. The staff were happy, and they had more than enough customers, and the team and business were both very successful. For as long as anyone could even remember, the current owner and his ancestors before him were always happy, positive and optimistic. Generally, people assumed that was because they were all running a very successful business. Testament to this, there was a tradition of all the owners to wear a big lapel badge saying “Business is Great!” Generally, it was great, but there were tough times just like all businesses. The key was that no matter the success of the gardening business, the owners attitude was always the same. The first time anyone saw the owner and the badge, they would invariably ask “What’s so great about your business?”, or make their own comments that their own companies were suffering, and they were miserable in their personal lives because of how stressed they were. What the badge was great for was starting a conversation, where the owner could then talk about all of the positive parts of the business. how much he loved meeting and talking with new people each day how rewarding it was as he helps staff rise to meet new challenges and experiences being able to laugh and relax in a work environment where all the team get along how much he loves helping people with the actual gardening the feeling of satisfaction from finishing a job to the best of his ability the new challenges that force you to learn something new everyday the thought that everyone doing business is blessed, because of the opportunity that comes with being in a civilized country, where there are no real worries. The list goes on and on. No matter how bad a mood the customer was in before walking in the store, they would leave feeling an awful lot happier just from a couple of minutes talking to the owner and being a part of the infectious positivity and enthusiasm. Asked about the key to his businesses success, and whether the badge or the attitude came first in a quiet moment the owner confides “The badge was first. The great business came after.” The goal of this story is to encourage a positive attitude and behavior, no matter what is happening with the business or personally. Being part of a successful team is the end result, your attitude is what comes first.

How Great Are You?

Click & Motivate Yourself Here:

How To Optimize Your Daily Decisions

You might assume that humans buy products because of what they are, but the truth is that we often buy things because of where they are. For example, items on store shelves that are at eye level tend to be purchased more than items on less visible shelves. In the best-selling book Nudge (Kindle | Audiobook), authors Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein explain a variety of ways that our everyday decisions are shaped by the world around us. The effect that eye-level shelves have on our purchase habits is just one example. Here’s another: The ends of aisles are money-making machines for retailers. According to data cited by the New York Times, 45 percent of Coca-Cola sales come specifically from end-of-the-aisle racks. Here’s why this is important: Something has to go on the shelf at eye level. Something has to be placed on the rack at the end of the aisle. Something must be the default choice. Something must be the option with the most visibility and prominence. This is true not just in stores, but in nearly every area of our lives. There are default choices in your office and in your car, in your kitchen and in your living room. Related: How Smart Do You Have to Be to Succeed? My argument is this: If you optimize the default decisions in your life, rather than accepting whatever is handed to you, then it will be easier to live a better life. Let’s talk about how to do that right now. Design for Default Although most of us have the freedom to make a wide range of choices at any given moment, we often make decisions based on the environment we find ourselves in. For example, if I wanted to do so, I could drink a beer as I write this article. However, I am currently sitting at my desk with a glass of water next to me. There are no beers in sight. Although I possess the capability to get up, walk to my car, drive to the store, and buy a beer, I probably won’t because I surrounded by easier alternatives—namely, drinking water. In this case, taking a sip of water is the default decision, the easy decision. Consider how your default decisions are designed throughout your personal and professional life. For example: If you sleep with your phone next to your bed, then checking social media and email as soon as you wake up is likely to be the default decision. If you walk into your living room and your couches and chairs all face the television, then watching television is likely to be the default decision. If you keep alcohol in your kitchen, then drinking consistently is more likely to be the default decision. Of course, defaults can be positive as well. If you keep a dumbbell next to your desk at work, then pumping out some quick curls is more likely to be the default decision. If you keep a water bottle with you throughout the day, then drinking water rather than soda is more likely to be the default decision. If you place floss in a visible location (like next to your toothbrush), then flossing is more likely to be the default decision. Researchers have referred to the impact that environmental defaults can have on our decision making as choice architecture. It is important to realize that you can be the architect of your choices. You can design for default. Related: This One Strategy Can Help You Stick With Your Good Habits Every Day How to Optimize Your Default Decisions Here are a few strategies I have found useful when trying to design better default decisions into my life: Simplicity. It is hard to focus on the signal when you’re constantly surrounded by noise. It is more difficult to eat healthy when your kitchen is filled with junk food. It is more difficult to focus on reading a blog post when you have 10 tabs open in your browser. It is more difficult to accomplish your most important task when you fall into the myth of multitasking. When in doubt, eliminate options. Visual Cues. In the supermarket, placing items on shelves at eye level makes them more visual and more likely to be purchased. Outside of the supermarket, you can use visual cues like the Paper Clip Method or the Seinfeld Strategy to create an environment that visually nudges your actions in the right direction. Opt-Out vs. Opt-In. There is a famous organ donation study that revealed how multiple European countries skyrocketed their organ donation rates: they required citizens to opt-out of donating rather than opt-in to donating. You can do something similar in your life by opting your future self into better habits ahead of time. For example, you could schedule your yoga session for next week while you are feeling motivated today. When your workout rolls around, you have to justify opting-out rather than motivating yourself to opt-in. Designing for default comes down to a very simple premise: shift your environment so that the good behaviors are easier and the bad behaviors are harder. Designed For You vs. Designed By You Default choices are not inherently bad, but the entire world was not designed with your goals in mind. In fact, many companies have goals that directly compete with yours (a food company may want you to buy their bag of chips, while you want to lose weight). For this reason, you should be wary of accepting every default as if it is supposed to be the optimal choice. I have found more success by living a life that I design rather than accepting the standard one that has been handed to me. Question everything. You need to alter, tweak, and shift your environment until it matches what you want out of life. Yes, the world around you shapes your habits and choices, but there is something important to realize: someone had to shape that world in the first place. Now, that someone can be you.

Ten Mindsets That Will Radically Improve Your Business

1. Choose courage over fear. To be successful, you have to have courage. And to become courageous, do courageous things. Much of being successful is about going beyond what you think you're capable of -- venturing into the unknown. Whether you fail or succeed, you will learn and grow. Growth, in and of itself, means attaining a level of success whether it came from success or failure. 2. Believe in yourself. Attitude is everything. A negative attitude decreases success and a positive attitude creates success. Without that belief in yourself, you'll lack a path to success. Success is something that's created. It's not something that merely "happens.” When you firmly believe in yourself, you can achieve virtually anything: It's within this belief that you'll find the power to create the resilience and fortitude needed to keep going when things get tough. 3. Choose good company. Whom you surround yourself with is among the most important choices you'll make as you climb up the business ladder. Negativity is contagious and if work groups, especially bosses, are negative, there will be a ceiling to your success. To reach the goals you desire, be willing to change bosses if necessary. Or if you're the boss, rid your team of toxic people immediately. It only takes one toxic person to destroy the morale of an entire campaign. Further, when you surround yourself with other successful, goal-oriented individuals, you can learn from them and take on some of their habits to add to your own as you proceed along your road to success. Related: Chart Goals to Create a Road Map to Your Success 4. Adopt self-chosen goals. Knowing and being clear about where you're headed in business is something that must come from within. When your goals selected by you, you're more motivated to achieve them. That's because by achieving these goals, you attain a new desired piece of yourself. When your goals arise from your instigation, they carry a deeper meaning and confer a greater impact on your identity. Each self-selected goal realized adds a depth and an internal expansion to you as a person. Personal expansion is just one of the great gifts to come from succeeding in your business goals. 5. Have a purpose and a vision. Visualization is powerful because actions follow thoughts. A great technique for nurturing your vision and purpose is to make your goals visual. Some people use vision boards; others opt for treasure maps. And still others set goals identifying specific dates for their achievement. Whatever works best is a matter for the individual to figure out. I believe that anything that's written down is more likely to be achieved than visions kept only in the head. When you make your purpose visual, you make it real. When you keep them in your mind, they remain wishes. 6. Accept the challenge. There are few easy paths up a mountain and often they're hard to find. Challenge will be an essential piece in any type of success in business. And challenge is what creates your growth along the journey. Each challenge obstructing your path provides you with the chance to create a more defined direction toward attaining your dream vendors, customers, managers, employees -- and numbers. For this reason, bless each challenge. Each one is a compass directing you toward new business leads, circumstances and opportunities. 7. Be discerning. Selectivity creates success. You must think deeply and intelligently about the bigger picture and what it is you need for each step along the way to continue articulating and executing your business goals. Mindfulness means being aware of all angles and staying sharply in touch with the present so that you do not have to clean up mistakes in the future. Be discerning of group dynamics: which person is the best at what job, which customers or deals will take you the furthest and what it is that each moment is calling on you to do or change to be the most efficient. That's how selectivity offers you the pursuit of success. Related: 5 Benefits of Being a Misfit Entrepreneur 8. Be willing to take risks. There are no guarantees on any path to success in life or business. The unknown is always looming. Therefore, risk and education are often the mechanisms necessary for knowing more clearly if you're on the right path. If you're afraid to risk, you will put limits on your success and stay where you're comfortable. You cannot get what you want if you don't risk rejection and go for what you desire. 9. Do what you love. You're more likely to succeed in business when you're invested in your passion and making your career fit your personality. There is a way to find passion about anything and everything you do in life. You may not love every part of your job but tolerating discomforts by looking at the bigger picture makes your investment of time and energy worthwhile. Be willing to love and find purpose in all aspects of what your business requires, commit to it and see what you're doing as being a benefit to others. When you love the business you're in, there is nothing that can keep you from wanting to work at it, nurture it and make it grow. 10. Gratitude. When you see life and career in terms of the lack in what you have achieved, you cannot drive your business up the ladder of success. Then negativity is impeding your progress. You must look at all you have and realize how great what you have is as compared to the situation of many others. When you have this attitude, you stop suffering and complaining about the small stuff. On each receipt you pay out, write thank you. That's not only to thank the person, event, vendor or customer for what's provided you but also to give a private thanks acknowledging that you have the abundance necessary to pay for the service, product or event. Habits coupled with flexibility provide you with a path to success. Success is fluid and so rigidity will stand in its way. Developing these mindsets give you a compass to navigate the ever-changing tides on the way to business and financial goals. These mindsets allow openness and flexibility while also providing you precise direction.

9 Business books you can read in a day

All books on this list are highly recommended by successful business men in many different fields. Knowledge is power! 1) Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson 2) As a Man Thinketh by James Allen 3) How to Lie with Statistics by Darrell Huff 4) The Greatest Salesman in The World by Og Mandino 5) The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson 6) The Investment Answer by Daniel C. Goldie and Gordon S. Murray 7) The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason 8) Marketing: A Love Story by Bernadette Jiwa 9) Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals by Thomas Corely Read on Grinders! #GrindDaily

The question is "What do you want to be remembered for?" Be Inspired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRaTpTVTENU Tell us what you want to be remembered for!

The four things a 24 year old Entrepreneur learned from Richard Branson over just four days

1. No matter how busy you are, give others the time of day they deserve. During the official press conference in Detroit with the CEOs of Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Wayne County Airport, and the Mayor of Detroit, a young woman raised her hand, introduced herself as an entrepreneur, and asked her question, Cramer says. "Sir Richard didn't just answer it — but also invited her to tell him more about his business, giving her the opportunity to pitch it to the room of top-tier journalists and business owners." This level of "genuine interest in startup businesses, although initially startling," was incredibly insightful into how Branson has earned the respect and admiration of so many people, she says. "It wasn't surprising that the woman, content with the response, followed with 'I just want to say I think you're an amazing person.'" 2. Find solutions to problems. It can help you change the world. It's no secret that Branson is a big advocate of businesses that solve problems, Cramer says. "After all, that's how Virgin Atlantic was born: a chartered flight to satisfy the disgruntled customers of a flight, the last of the day, that had been cancelled." She says Branson passionately explained: "You might as well stick your neck out and do something to make people's lives better!" "The journey of an entrepreneur is a bumpy one at best, and if you're going to stick with it and see your business through to success then it better go some way to make the world, in some tiny way, a better place," Cramer says. "Branson's emphasis on entrepreneurialism as a means for social impact shed light on something far greater in his motivations: a respectable and influential approach to what we should be creating in the world we live in." 3. Know yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses. "Having had the opportunity to meet those who manage a number of the Virgin businesses, it was clear that Sir Richard is good at concentrating on his strengths and employing the best talent to fulfill the other roles," she explains. "He told us to become aware of what we're good at — likely coming up with new ideas — and stressed the value of handing over the general management of the business to have the headspace to innovate," Cramer recalls. Of course, she says, a degree of groundwork needs to be done initially, "but it felt worth bearing in mind that we should be on the lookout for someone with the skills to manage our business day-to-day better than we ever could, ultimately giving us the time to dream of the future without being tied down by the daily challenges." 4. Ask for the things you want — and give others what they ask for, when you can. "We were sitting in the audience of the 'Ain't Too Proud to Pitch' event, which brought together over 500 people and businesses — four of which were pitching their ideas to a panel of famous judges," she explains. "One of the businesses was called Merit. It's a Detroit-branded clothing company that contributes 20% of its profits to college scholarships for Detroit students, and helps ensure that they don't drop out. "In the middle of their pitch they brought on stage a girl who was part of their program and she half-jokingly said that she wanted to visit London," Cramer says. "Branson immediately said, 'You've got two tickets to London.'" "It taught me that when you want something, ask for it. And Branson showed that he can, and will, help wherever he can. And when he did, it became clear that he is impeccably in-tune with who he is and how he is perceived. In doing this he is able to play to his strengths with the dexterity and talent of an orchestral conductor: not only creating a thing of beauty but also winning the love and applause of the crowds."

A CEO's question for a job interview

CEO Ajeet Singh sees hiring as the most important part of his job — but finding the right people can be challenging. "Too often, we look only at résumés," he says, "which hides the person underneath." But Singh tells Business Insider he's discovered an interview question that gives him a lot of information about job candidates — and he may be the only tech exec in Silicon Valley who's asking it. The question? "If you worked in a restaurant, what role would you want?" To say it's off the standard tech interview script is an understatement. Unless you're trying to get a gig at an actual restaurant, your nascent culinary ambitions generally don't come up. But according to Singh, it's an incredibly useful question — and it's not nearly as zany as it sounds. "This question gets at the essence of what drives a person and what they like to do, what inspires them, what motivates them" he explains. It's not intended to be a trick, Singh says, though he does find that the question "can be disarming." That's a good thing. Since it's "unlikely that a candidate has prepared a canned response" — who would think to? — he finds the answers he gets are "more heartfelt. It also takes a candidate out of interview mode and lets them show their personality." There's no right answer here, he says, but he's looking for people whose responses suggest certain characteristics: people who want to make things, for example. People willing to take risks. What interests him is less what you say than your justification for saying it. Maybe you want to be the chef because you love creating new things. Maybe you'd be a waiter because you love talking to people. "I want to see if I can get some unconventional insight into what people are like when the job search constraints are removed," Singh explains. Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/brilliantly-revealing-interview-question-tech-ceo-asks-2015-6#ixzz3dXN0WyDm

Work smart, like Messi

According to a feature report by New York Times, a young Lionel Messi would score goals only if he was promised cookies by his youth coach during the days when Messi would play for Newell’s Old Boys. Apparently, Messi loved milanesa a la napolitana — a breaded beef cutlet with tomato sauce and melted cheese cooked by his mother.But during Messi’s early days, his youth coach Carlos Marconi from Rosario discovered Messi’s affinity towards alfajores, a kind of chocolate cookie. Marconi struck a deal with Messi that the latter would get a cookie for each goal scored and it became difficult for Marconi to keep count as Messi would score four to five goals in each game. To make it easier for himself, Marconi came up with a new deal where he promised Messi two cookies per goal, provided each goal was a header. The next game saw Messi as usual bamboozling his opponents and taking the ball forward and just as he was about to score he stopped, flicked the ball in the air and headed the ball into the empty net. He then turned towards his coach with a rise smile on his face, and showed him two fingers to ask for the two cookies that he had won. Clearly, his eye for goal remains the same even today, although he might not be scoring for cookies anymore.

The Lonely Tree

Lonely tree was growing among hot sands of dead desert. Prickly sands covered the Wood. The Sun mercilessly burned its bark. But the Tree kept on living in spite of all. One day a Hawk flew over the desert. The Hawk saw the Tree and sat on its branch. He looked around the desert and said: — You are a strange Tree, why do you keep on living among these dead hot sands? Who needs it? — You, — the Tree answered. — Me? — the Hawk was surprised. — I don‘t need you. — But if not me, — the Tree told, — you would have to sit on the hot sand instead of my branches. If not me, someone, seeing you sitting on the tree alone, would say that nobody needs you, too and would ask you what you live for. Sitting on my branches you, Hawk, think that I need you. The Hawk thought about it and had to agree with the Tree. If there was no Tree, the hawk would feel himself alone and useless among this vast desert.

NEW! The Grind Daily Koozie

I've Failed And Been Rejected So Many Times, And I Have Never Been Happier In My Life - Saeed Mobayed

Growing up as a kid, I was always scared of my own shadow. I lived in a constant state of self-consciousness and as a result repressed my human expression in all its rawness and uniqueness. I was always calculating in my mind the most appropriate thing to say in social situations to avoid being judged and made fun of by other people. The fear of rejection by society was eating me up from inside out leaving very little room for my true self to express himself. The fear of failure was haunting me like a shadow in the dark. I didn't want to say the wrong thing or make mistakes and as a result I was afraid to try anything new where I would risk making mistakes and failing.

I knew deep down I had to overcome the fear of failure. I was so afraid of making mistakes that I decided to make it my mission in life to become a fearless soul. From there on, I started learning how to live outside my comfort zone and so a new chapter in my life began. I can tell you this, the minute you decide to step out of your comfort zone is the minute you declare a state of chaos and turmoil in your life. It is similar to throwing yourself to the wolves, and your mission is to come back leading them. You are about to experience a never ending battle with your own ego. You will experience failure and rejection more than most people around you because most people don't have the courage to try new things and put themselves out there in vulnerable situations where the odds or rejection and failure seem to be high, at least in the beginning.

You will start to question yourself in so many ways. Have I gone crazy? What drives me to take such chances? Maybe I should just shut my mouth and get back to my little protective shell to avoid embarrassment, failure, and rejection. Your ego will constantly try to bring you back to a fearful state of mind. And guess what, often times you will listen to your ego and get back to your little shell even after you tried to step outside your comfort zone. However, that little voice of courage deep within you, the one that drove you to step outside your comfort zone in the first place will come back and talk to you, and your job is to feed that courageous voice and force yourself to step outside your comfort zone once again and open yourself up for failure and rejection. There is a certain excitement that builds up within you each time you are about to do something new, a sweet little drug known as adrenaline which I happen to be addicted to. I like to call adrenaline the drug of courage and liberation. 

Adrenaline doesn't care if you succeed or fail, all it wants to do is protect you from a perceived physical or emotional danger, and that's where you become in a fight or flight state of mind. The trick is to train your mind and body to respond to adrenaline by fighting instead of flying. This means whatever scares you let that be talking to a girl, confronting someone, jumping out of an airplane or experiencing failure in any shape or form must be faced head on in order to train your subconscious to fight instead of flight in dangerous situations.

The more you expose yourself to seemingly dangerous situations, the more you fail and get rejected, the more you get out of your comfort zone, the more you realize these fears were simply illusions in your mind set there to limit your potential and capacity and keep you timid in a system that feeds on robotic and fearful behaviour. The adrenaline resides and eventually a fearful thought that was once your arch enemy becomes your best friend. But before you form that friendship with your fear, you have to go through chaos and inner turmoil, and you have to be prepared to make a lot of mistakes along the way before you conquer your fear of rejection and failure. Then, you will develop a love story with failure and your life will never be the same.

"Do the thing you fear the most, and the death of fear is certain." ~ Mark Twain

Know How To Fly And #GrindDaily

The Snake was crawling on the ground. The Eagle flew to her and said: – How unfortunate you are, doomed to crawl all your life. Not like me – I am destined to fly. The Snake looked at the Eagle and said: – You are right Eagle, I can’t fly. But only I know what it means to fly. – How can you know that? – The Eagle smiled, – you don’t have wing! – Thoughts are my wings, – said the Snake proudly, – Dreams are my heaven. While crawling on the ground I close my eyes and I see the heaven. I imagine that I’m crawling in heaven not on the ground. Yes, it’s impossible to crawl in heaven, you can only fly. It means that in those moments I am flying. In my free thoughts I am learning to fly, Eagle. With my soul I am arising to the high heaven, so when my time comes and my life as a snake comes to an end, I could ascend into the blue heaven, into the endless heaven and fly, to fly and not think about anything, enjoying my freedom. And I won’t be afraid to fly, because it won’t be a new thing for me. For you Eagle, the wings were given as you were born, but not for me. But the heaven will make us equal. We will be flying together one day, Eagle, under the clouds. Only I will be stronger and freer than you, because I have learned how to fly without having wings, simply crawling on the ground. Both things are available for me. I am not afraid to lose my wings because I know how to crawl, and I am not afraid to gain wings because I know how to fly. And what will you do, Eagle, if you lose your wings?

This Video Sends Chills Of Motivation Down My Spine...

Always Look On the Bright Side. #GrindDaily

Two men were jailed in the same cell. They were in the same conditions, but one of them was unhappy, and the other one was happy. – Why are you so sad? – a happy man asked unhappy man. – What should I joy for? I am unlucky. Recently I was free and had a rest at the resort, and there, as you know, is more interesting than here – unhappy man answered and asked a happy man: – And why are you so satisfied? – You see, – a happy man said, – recently I was in another prison, where the conditions are much worse, and there is just a resort for me here, compared to what it was. Many people want to get here, but I am the lucky one. Everything is relative and has to be learned in comparison. If you want to be happy, just compare your current position not with what is better, but with what would be worse.

Every morning, when you wake up, you look yourself in the mirror, and you ask yourself this question.

School May Not Be Fun, But Hard Work Always Pays Off.

#GrindDaily

#GrindDaily But #GrindSmart

One day two woodcutters have argued, which of them will cut more wood during a day. In the morning two men took up their positions. First they worked at one speed. But in an hour one of them has heard, that the other one stopped cutting trees. Realizing that this was his chance, the first woodcutter started to cut trees with double efforts. Ten minutes passed, and he heard that the second woodcutter started to work again. They were working almost synchronously, when the first woodcutter heard that his opponent has stopped again. The first woodcutter continued working, feeling the smell of victory. This lasted all day long. Each hour one of the woodcutters stopped for ten minutes and the other one continued to work. When time expired, the first woodcutter, who worked without any stopping, was absolutely sure that he won the prize. He was very surprised to know that was mistaken. — How did that happen? — He asked his partner. — Each hour I heard that you have stopped the work for ten minutes. How could you cut more trees than I? It’s impossible! — It is very simple, in fact, — answered the second woodcutter. — Each hour I stopped the work for ten minutes. And when you were cutting the trees, I sharpened the axe.

Transformation Tuesday

Share your transformation!!!