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We put together a list of the FIVE most important factors to consider when choosing the best transportation provider for YOU and YOUR BUSINESS. 1. Experience Reputable companies employ knowledgeable people who have years of experience. They know exactly what you need to safely and efficiently move shipments; including all the necessary credentials, licenses, and insurances. You'll want a large, reliable network to connect you with the most efficient resources , and maximum coverage. Try to avoid the inexperienced call centers that are only focused on selling you rates. 2. Customer Service A good transportation provider will take the responsibility of your shipment into their own hands, from start to finish . Look for people that will communicate proactively and be fully transparent. You need someone who can mitigate risks and have the knowledge to handle any possible issues that may occur. The right freight partner will give you the peace of mind and ensure that your shipment is taken care of right the first time. 3. Range and Areas of Expertise Every type of business has different needs that require different freight solutions. Look for a company that understands and specializes in your particular industry. Their expertise will ensure you are provided with the right services for the best value. 4. Reputation and Reviews You can find out a lot about a company by listening to what people have to say. Google, Facebook, or even Yelp contain valuable insight on a company's performance. Pay attention to what people are posting about their interactions. It's also important to observe how the service provider speaks to, and handles their audience's concerns and acknowledgements. The best transportation providers care about people's experience in front of, and behind the scenes. 5. Fair Pricing This may be the most important tip of all. DO NOT choose a provider solely based on the cheapest price available! It's not always about the rates. Saving money won't outweigh the cost of avoidable problems and unreliable service. Cheap rates won't help you sleep at night.  Keep these tips and factors in mind next time you are looking for a transportation provider. You're not only choosing someone to do business with, you're choosing someone to be an extension of your business.  Written by: Nicole Strykowski

How many of your goals did you accomplish in 2019? If you fell short or felt stuck, don’t get discouraged. Instead, get to the root of the issue by tapping into your intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, says Jason Womack, leadership coach and author of Get Momentum: How to Start When You’re Stuck. Your goals need intrinsic motivation. While you may not be able to accomplish everything on your list, identify what you feel you could fully step into with time and energy. “It’s the thing you can’t shake,” says Womack. “That thing you can’t stop thinking about being, having, or doing. Give yourself the gift of your attention, open a blank page in a journal, and start to write what you want to be, do, and have.” FINDING THE EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION Your goals need to be tied to extrinsic motivation. What keeps many of us stuck is being unsure of how to start. If you knew how to prioritize or accomplish your goal, you would likely do it, says Womack. Uncovering your extrinsic motivation answers questions like “What wasn’t I able to take advantage of this year? What invite did I get that I couldn’t take because I was too busy? Or what opportunity did I find out about and later wish could have done something about?” If you have a friend, colleague, or someone in your network who has accomplished the goal you want to set for yourself, ask them for advice. If you don’t know anybody personally, look for people outside of your circle, and follow them on social media and sign up for their email list. You can learn by observing. “Find the person who is willing to take [you] under their wing or who is leaving breadcrumbs along the way,” says Womack. “Figure out a way to surround yourself with influencers who can help you think differently. Find the information you do not already have.” Extrinsic motivation will take transparency and vulnerability, as it means sharing your goals with others. “Too often someone we know finds out about our goals after the fact and says, ‘I didn’t know you were trying to become a better X. I wish you would have told me; I could have helped you,'” says Womack. “If you let your community know what your priorities are, you give your network an opportunity to help out.” In addition to spreading the word, change your bio on your social media feeds and add your intention to the back of your business card or to your email signature block, suggests Womack. “Market the fact that you are working on better things,” he says. “Let the world know your priority. You never know who can help.” PUSHING THROUGH ROADBLOCKS When roadblocks happen—and they most likely will—you may feel out of control, and this is when goals can get derailed. “Those moments indicate that you’re stepping up to new level,” says Womack. “Feeling stuck means you are going into area that’s uncomfortable and a set of circumstances you’ve never experienced before.” When you’re feeling like you don’t know the path forward, you need to release pressure. Womack recommends getting out a journal. “Every day I put pen to paper,” he says. Most people are in a negative loop and tell themselves same phrases, he says, such as “This is hard,” “I don’t know if I can do this,” or “I’m nervous about sharing because people might judge me.” But you don’t need to fall into this trap. “When you step back and look at your self-talk, you can let it go and change it,” says Womack. “Give yourself the option that it isn’t how you want to present yourself.” Another way to get momentum is to reverse-engineer how you’ve handled being stuck before. “Think back on 2018 or 2019 when you got yourself unstuck,” says Womack. “What were the circumstances? More times than not, you probably got unstuck because of something you saw, read, or talked about with someone.” Finally, make 2020 your year for sustaining momentum by finding someone who will talk with you at a level above where you’re used to talking, such as a counselor, therapist, coach, or mentor. “The longer someone stays stuck, the more of an indicator it is that they are trying to do something by themselves,” he says. “Extrinsic motivation requires finding someone who can take you to a new level.” Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/90447304/how-to-create-momentum-to-accomplish-your-goals-in-2020?utm_content=110597433&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lis-NWrRtVZhQA

I once had a supervisor if I was over one minute on my lunch time, she would send an email to remind me of my lunch hours, even though most of the time I never took my full lunch hour. I couldn't even send an email without her approving it first. She was so inflexible that it was overbearing. I couldn't trust her. When employees feel they can’t trust their boss, they feel unsafe, like no one has their back, and then spend more energy on survival than performing at their job. The corporate world is littered with such micromanagers. Sadly many organizations prefer these managers because they seem to be on top of, and in control of everything. In the short term, they may produce results but in the long run they leave a trail of destruction in their path. “It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do. We hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” ― Steve Jobs 5 Damaging Effects of Micromanagement 1.Decreased Productivity - When a manager is constantly looking over their employees’ shoulders, it can lead to a lot of second-guessing and paranoia, and ultimately leads to dependent employees. Additionally, such managers spends a lot of time giving input and tweaking employee workflows, which can drastically slow down employee response time. 2. Reduced Innovation - When employees feel like their ideas are invalid or live in constant fear of criticism, it’s eventually going to take a toll on creativity. In cultures where risk-taking is punished, employees will not dare to take the initiative. Why think outside the box when your manager is only going to shoot down your ideas and tell you to do it their way? 3. Lower Morale - Employees want the feeling of autonomy. If employees cannot make decisions at all without their managers input, they will feel suffocated. Employees that are constantly made to feel they can’t do anything right may try harder for a while, but will eventually stop trying at all. The effects of this will be evident in falling employee engagement levels. 4. High Staff Turnover - Most people don’t take well to being micromanaged. When talented employees are micromanaged, they often do one thing; quit. No one likes to come to work every day and feel they are walking into a penitentiary with their every movement being monitored. "Please Micromanage Me" Said No Employee ever. I have never seen a happy staff under micromanagement. 5. Loss of Trust - Micromanagement will eventually lead to a massive breakdown of trust. It demotivates and demoralizes employees. Your staff will no longer see you as a manager, but a oppressor whose only job is to make their working experience miserable. “Please Micromanage Me” Said No Employee, EVER. Micromanagement is a complete waste of everybody’s time. It sucks the life out of employees, fosters anxiety and creates a high stress work environment. If you hired someone, it means you believe they are capable of doing the job, then trust them to get it done. A high level of trust between managers and employees defines the best workplaces and drives overall company performance. When you empower employees, you promote vested interest in the company. How can you empower others? Understand their strengths, support and utilize these strengths. An empowered workforce is more engaged. Engaged employees drive higher customer satisfaction and boost the bottom line. A Gallup study concluded that companies with higher-than-average employee engagement also had 27% higher profits, 50% higher sales and 50% higher customer loyalty. Empowered employees are more confident, more willing to go the extra mile for employers, and more willing do whatever it takes to care for customers. In this volatile global marketplace, happy loyal employees are your biggest competitive advantage. If you want performance at scale: Select the right people, provide them with the proper training, tools and support, and then give them room to get the job done! Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/great-leadership-isnt-control-empowering-people-brigette-hyacinth/

While "smartphone addiction" hasn't yet become a diagnosable disorder, it's clear that our dependency on electronics can easily become an unhealthy obsession. But where is that line between a busy productive person who uses their phone for many hours each day and an individual who keeps scrolling and swiping to the extent that their behavior has become problematic? Well, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (the guide that mental health professionals like myself use to make an official mental health or substance abuse diagnosis), symptoms only become a disorder when they impair with social, educational, or occupational functioning. So it's less about the amount of time you spend engaging in a behavior, and more about how many problems that behavior causes in your life. So when it comes to your smartphone use, there isn't a set amount of hours or minutes that would determine your behavior is unhealthy. Instead, your use might be a problem if you experience these impairments. 1. It impairs your social life. While many people try to convince themselves that their social media interactions are enhancing their social lives, quite often, online communication is impairing face-to-face conversations. If you spend social gatherings staring at your phone, your relationships are likely being harmed. Or, if you opt out of social opportunities because you're sitting around on your phone, your social life may be impaired. 2. Your friends and family express concern. If other people are annoyed by your smartphone use, take it as a sign. While you might not think you're on the phone too much--or you might believe you have to be on the phone to manage your workload--other people feel it's impacting your ability to communicate and connect with those around you. 3. You engage in dangerous behavior. If you can't resist the urge to reply to a text message while you're driving, it's a problem. Similarly, if you are staring at your phone while you cross the street, you're putting your phone ahead of your personal safety. 4. Your work suffers. Whether you're a student or you're a graphic designer, if you can't stop using your phone, your productivity will decline. You might produce lower quality work because you keep responding to constant distractions. Or, you might take twice as long to get your work done because you are distracted by your phone. 5. You get upset when you can't access your phone. If you feel sheer panic when you can't access your phone or the internet for a few minutes, you may have a problem. You may grow agitated, irritable, or anxious when you can't check social media or respond to your latest emails. 6. Your sleep is impaired. If you stay up later than you intend because you're staring at your phone--or you check your phone whenever you wake up in the night--your phone is interfering with your ability to sleep. You also might find you stall getting out of bed in the morning because you're checking your phone. 7. You experience health-related consequences. Some individuals experience acute pain--like finger pain from texting or neck pain from standing hunched over staring at a screen. But health issues might be more gradual too. You might find you don't take time to exercise because you're using your phone. Or, you might grab more unhealthy food than usual because your phone time interferes with your ability to prepare healthy meals. What to Do If You Have a Problem If your smartphone use has become unhealthy, take steps to change your behavior. Use an app to track the time you spend on your phone and set limits on your use. You also might schedule times when you're going to unplug--like during meals and after a certain time of day. If you aren't able to cut back on your use on your own, seek professional help. Just because smartphone addiction isn't yet a diagnosable condition, it doesn't mean you can't get treatment. Talk to your physician about getting a referral to a mental health professional who can assist you. Source: https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/7-signs-your-smartphone-use-has-become-unhealthy.html?cid=landermore

The common denominator is that these mentally strong people pursued their visions in the face of all overwhelming obstacles. They didn't let challenges stand in their way or diminish their drive and dedication. Many failed for years before realizing any small measure of success. The biggest lesson I have learned is that t heir mental habits were crucial to their success. The first productive thing that mentally tough people do is wake up in the morning and get out of bed. They go to bed and wake up early so that they are clearheaded to accomplish the jobs at hand. They don't hit the snooze button 10 times because they have been out late at night partying. Nor do they hide under the covers ruminating about past failures, things that have gone wrong in their lives or obsessively mull over past slights and humiliations. They summon up the strength to block out any negativity and get out of bed at an early hour. Mentally strong people already have a game plan prepared for what they will do that day. They already know the tasks at hand and get started right away. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are happy about everything they need to do, but they attack it anyway. Mentally strong people face the day unafraid of failure. They understand that failing is part of the process. It is a learning experience for them. They take notes and learn lessons of what not to do in the future. Even if they fail, usually they will have learned some new skills to use in future plans. These folks will brush themselves off, get up and start all over again. Of course, they are not giddy with enjoyment that things didn't turn out the way they wanted, but it doesn't ruin them emotionally. The mentally tough don't take it personally when things don't go the way they planned. They recognize that they are not entitled to automatic success and that it takes hard work, planning, execution and luck. Sometimes luck is not on their side. It doesn't stop them, as they feel that eventually things will turn out in their favor if they keep trying and refuse to give up. Mentally resilient people spend a lot of time thinking about how they will achieve their goals. They then prepare a game plan with benchmarks to hit over a period of time. They stick with the plan and work like crazy to meet the deadlines. They ignore all the haters and negative people who want them to fail. Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2018/09/07/habits-of-mentally-strong-people-and-how-they-can-help-you-succeed/#187149c91ac1

We all know that one friend or coworker who is super-organized. The person who is punctual, finishes projects with time to spare, and always knows exactly where to find what they need when they need it. Instead of hating that person, why not figure out how they do it? “Organized people are not born; they’re built,” says John Trosko, founder of OrganizingLA, a Los Angeles-based organizing firm. “The people who emerge as ‘organized’ use a variety of tools and methods to accomplish their goals and priorities in life.” Their systems become habits, says Trosko. Here are seven things organized people do on a regular basis to stay on top of it all: 1. ORGANIZED PEOPLE SEEK OUT TOOLS From kitchen timers to smartphone technology, organized people find tools that can help them make the most of their day, week, and year, says Trosko. They use mobile phone apps with pop-up reminders, for example. They also use timers to help visualize the passage of time. And they break down tasks into smaller chunks and take short non-work-related breaks in between, which increases their overall productivity. 2. ORGANIZED PEOPLE SET PRIORITIES Instead of having an overwhelming number of commitments and little idea where to start, organized people have a clear sense of what’s important, says Lisa Zaslow, founder of Gotham Organizers, New York City-based professional organizers. “They know what their goals are, what needs to be done when, and what can be put off,” she says. “They start the day with a clear plan of their ‘MITs’–their ‘most important things.’ And they review their plan throughout the day and adjust as necessary.” 3. ORGANIZED PEOPLE HAVE LESS STUFF The golden rule of organization is to have as little as possible to organize, says productivity expert Hillary Rettig, author of The 7 Secrets of the Prolific. “They figure out what the core of their professional and personal missions are and eliminate all else,” she says. “They will still have stuff to organize, but they’ve made the job doable.” 4. ORGANIZED PEOPLE CHOOSE SIMPLE SOLUTIONS When organizing systems are complex, they often go unused. Trosko says organized people use simple tools that make an easy job of putting things away. For example, baskets hold receipts that need to be filed, bills that need to be paid, and books that are waiting to be read. A hook by the door makes it convenient to hang up a coat. And bowls and trays near an entryway will keep keys and wallets in one place. 5. ORGANIZED PEOPLE PRACTICE MAINTENANCE Organization requires continual upkeep, says Zaslow: “You don’t go to the gym, get in shape, then cancel your membership,” she says. “Being organized is the same.” Organized people will take a few moments each day to put things back in their proper places. They might archive an email, for example, or put away papers. “They don’t drop things in a random pile ‘just for now’–it’s always now,” says Zaslow. “The tiny amount of time it takes to do this is vastly less than the time it takes to look for something that wasn’t put away properly.” 6. ORGANIZED PEOPLE REGULARLY PURGE Situations change and formerly useful things become unnecessary. Instead of letting clutter sneak up on them, Zaslow says organized people periodically purge. They clear out their files when the drawer starts to get full, for example, and they toss the notes for the project that was canceled. Zaslow says she once had a client who would buy a new filing cabinet each time one got full: “By the time she called me to intervene, she had file cabinets in her home office, guest room, upstairs hall, den, and basement,” she says. “Needless to say, most of the information was out of date and irrelevant.” 7. ORGANIZED PEOPLE PROJECT THEMSELVES INTO THE FUTURE Using a two-person mind-set–present self and future self–can help you stay organized, says Lorie Marrero, founder of the Clutter Diet, an online organizing program. She likes to think of her future self when she takes care of small tasks right away. “If I walk through a room and see a mess, I will say, ‘I bet if I do those dishes now my future self will be so much happier later,” she says. “That motivates me to do those favors for my future self.” Marrero says organized people also think into the future when they add activities to their calendars: “They ask: ‘What could I do before, during, or after this appointment to improve it?’” she says. If they need to prepare for it, bring something to it, or follow up after it, they schedule it now and put it on their task list. Source : https://www.fastcompany.com/3041743/seven-habits-of-organized-people?cid=search

The holiday season often brings unwelcome guests — stress and depression. And it's no wonder. The holidays present a dizzying array of demands — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, to name just a few. But with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would. Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression When stress is at its peak, it's hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past. 1. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season. 2. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events. They can offer support and companionship. Volunteering your time to help others also is a good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships. 3. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. For example, if your adult children can't come to your house, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos. 4. Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all of your expectations. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too. 5. Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone's name. Give homemade gifts. Start a family gift exchange. 6. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make your shopping list. That'll help prevent last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients. And make sure to line up help for party prep and cleanup. 7. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time. 8. Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Try these suggestions: Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Get plenty of sleep. Incorporate regular physical activity into each day. 9. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm. Some options may include: Taking a walk at night and stargazing. Listening to soothing music. Getting a massage. Reading a book. 10. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Take control of the holidays. Don't let the holidays become something you dread. Instead, take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays. Sept. 16, 2017 Source : https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544

Creativity is a critical job skill, but it is apparently an increasingly scarce resource. According to studies, fully 61% of leaders don’t believe their companies are creative enough. In addition, in a recent study, 77% of people say they believe creativity is a critical job skill for the 21st century, but 69% of people don’t believe they are living up to their creative potential. While it is a scarce resource, creativity’s importance cannot be overstated. It is fuel for innovation which is in turn fuel for company growth. Creativity is, of course, the potential to create new ideas and the raw material of brainstorming, new thinking and ideation. Innovation, distinguished from creativity, is defined by the market and the extent to which action has been applied to creativity in a way that results in innovations people will adopt. As a society, we face increasingly thorny problems. But, how will we solve them without crucial creativity and innovation skills? START WITH PEOPLE Great design, inspired by design thinking methodologies, starts with people and a deep understanding of the user experience. With a high level of empathy for what the user is experiencing and the problem they are trying to solve, companies can motivate creativity and innovation. Empathy means understanding what’s important to people and understanding their struggles. Consider five examples of cool new innovations that address people, their needs and their challenges. HUMAN CONNECTION AND COMMUNICATION. Fundamental to our human experience is connection and idea exchange. Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle have invented a cutting edge device that allows people to transmit thoughts to each other’s brains directly. COMMUNITY IS CRITICAL. People also seek community and togetherness. To solve urban problems of loneliness and resource availability, the Danish company CPH Containers is creating seaside communities through the use of shipping containers. QUALITY OF LIFE. Quality of life and freedom from pain are required for us to be our best. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles have innovated a new pain management strategy in which patients wear VR googles (think: experience sunbathing or flying over Iceland) resulting in a 24% reduction in pain. MEETING BASIC NEEDS. Basic needs fundamental to human survival can potentially be met in new ways using an innovative approach from Iron Ox in which food can be grown in a totally autonomous environment. The solution has significant implications for improving the global food supply. BEING PART OF THE WHOLE. Humans need a connection to nature and to be part of our broader world. In addition, healthy ecological systems require a diversity of species. A new app pioneered by researchers at Michigan State University uses facial recognition to track endangered species. Great new innovations start with a focus on people and an understanding of their needs, conditions and challenges. From these, leaders and companies can not only motivate creativity and innovation, but can also ensure new innovations have a positive impact on people and communities. That’s the power of empathy. Source