Decades ago, Roland Barthes quipped that one is a writer as Louis XIV was king, even on the toilet. He was mocking the way literary types like to distinguish themselves from the mass of working people. Writers insist, Barthes believed, that their productive activities are not limited to any time and place, but flow constantly like an involuntary secretion.

Well, we are all writers now, at least in this sense. Stealing a few holiday hours to work on an article used to be my party trick. Now I find that, on Mondays and Fridays when many office buildings stand empty, my salaried comrades are sending emails from an Airbnb somewhere. Come the weekend, they might close their laptops, but they dont stop checking their phones.

Of course this hardly compares with the instability further down the pay scale.Around one in sevenBritishworkersnow do gig-economy jobs likeUberorAmazondelivery at least once a week, according to research for the Trades Union Congress, many of them on top of full-time employment.

Work today is fluid, overflowing its traditional boundaries and seeping into new domains. Meditation and exercise look suspiciously like personal optimisation. Artistic vocations centre on tireless self-promotion to a virtual audience. A movement of homesteaders churning their own butter and knitting their own jumpers are simply cosplaying older forms of work, and probablyposting the results onInstagram.

With the help of our digital tools, we are adapting ourselves to productivity as involuntary secretion. The result is an evisceration of personal life and an epidemic of burnout.

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Our diffuse working culture has attracted plenty of critiques. The problem is most of them share the basic outlook that enabled the spread of work to begin with. Should we recognise quiet quitting as a justified response to unreasonable demands by employers? Is rest a form of resistance? Do we all just need a better work-life balance? These arguments present life as a two-way split between work and some nondescript realm ofpersonal freedom, the question being how we can reclaim time from one for the sake of the other.

As long as the alternative to work remains just a negativespace, work will continue leaching into it. What we are missing is a real counterbalance: a positive vision ofleisure.

Properly speaking, leisure is not rest or entertainment, though it can provide both. It is not mere fun, though it ought to be satisfying. Its forms change over time, but it generally involves elements of play, fantasy and connection with other people or the natural world. Most importantly, leisure is superfluous to our worldly needs and ambitions: something we do not as a means to any end, but simply for its own sake.

[See also: The case for a four-day working week has never been stronger]

Truly mass participation in leisure was a striking feature of British life in the early 20th century. People played in brass bands andraced pigeons. They learned to dance and performed in plays and choirs. In 1926 nearly 4,000 working-class anglers from Birmingham took part in a single fishing competition along 20-odd miles of river. During the 1930s, as the historian Ross McKibbin writes, one of the great sights of the English weekend were the fleets of cyclists riding countrywards along the arterial roads of the major towns.

People still do these things, of course, but they do them as hobbies. The hobby belongs to a culture defined by work: it is a creature of downtime and a quirk of character. Hobbies rely on individual enthusiasm, so they often collapse in the face of stress or time pressure. Besides, we tend to judge them by the unleisurely criteria of self-improvement. Physical andintellectual pursuits are admirable, since they bring fitness and cultural capital. Excessive interest in bird watching marks you out as an eccentric.

Taking the superfluous seriously is a brave act in a utilitarian world, so leisure needs its own social legitimacy to thrive. This used to come from class-based associational life, with its clubs, unions and organised religion. Ifvideo gamesand social media smack of pseudo-leisure, it is because they are often part of a lonely struggle with the productivity impulse: they palliate restless and atomised minds. Maybe the only forms of leisure with a more than marginal role in popular culture today are amateurfootball, travel and the pub.

Aristotle thought a political community should exist to provide the conditions for leisure, which he saw as the key to human flourishing. At the very least, it is crucial for a balanced existence. Meaningful work, entertainment and indulgence all have their place, but they become destructive in excess. Life should be more than an on/off switch. Leisure is the space for conversation and reflection,friendshipand loyalty, playfulness andjoie de vivre. These are not qualities we can develop because we want them on our CVs: they are by-products of doing something for its own sake.

In a more civilised society, leisure would define our identities as much as labour does. To see what a distant prospect that is, try to imagine a politician talking about activities that might bring satisfaction to our lives half as much as he or she talks about ordinary working people or hard-working families. Celebrating leisure would be branded out-of-touch, but that is because we have accepted the disgraceful assumption that enjoyable pastimes are only for those who can afford them.

Asset-holding baby boomers are the masters of leisure today, using retirement for tourism, sport and artistic dabbling. Good for them. Still, we should resist the idea that such opportunities must be earned by decades of graft. This morality feels natural only because we dont acknowledge our common interest in leisure. We accept everyone wants higher pay, so why treat activities that enrich our culture as an extravagance?

The struggle to keep work in its proper place has already consumed a generation: the lifestyle guru Tim Ferriss published his bestsellerThe 4-Hour Workweekin 2007. It seems not all of us want to be our productive selves even on the toilet.

But its equally clear that blank slots carved out of our personal timetables are too flimsy: you cannot beat discipline with discipline. It would be better if we combined our productive energies and channelled them towards reviving the art of leisure.

[See also: Who is the four-day week for?]

See more here:
You should only work four hours a day - The New Statesman

In today's competitive job market, standing out is more important than ever. Phone interviews and Zoom calls are often the first steps in the hiring process, providing candidates and employers a chance to get acquainted before more intensive in-person interviews.

Understanding the significance of this initial screening and key players' roles can give you a distinct advantage in your job search.

Phone interviews serve as a crucial opportunity for hiring managers and recruiters to assess potential candidates for a job. This step not only helps streamline the selection process but also saves time and resources for both parties.

In addition, a phone interview or Zoom call is an excellent opportunity for job seekers to make a solid first impression, showcasing their qualifications, enthusiasm and fit for the company.

A phone interview's primary goal is to narrow the pool of applicants to a more manageable number for in-person interviews.

During this stage, recruiters and hiring managers aim to verify the candidate's basic qualifications, such as experience and skill set and gauge their interest in the position and the company.

Phone or Zoom interviews also allow interviewers to identify potential red flags that might disqualify a candidate from further consideration.

The hiring manager and recruiter each play a vital part in the phone interview process. While the recruiter is typically responsible for conducting initial phone screens, their primary goal is to identify the most suitable candidates for the hiring manager to consider.

The hiring manager, on the other hand, is involved in the decision-making process and focuses on evaluating the candidates based on their expertise, cultural fit and potential contribution to the team. The hiring manager and recruiter work together to ensure that the best candidates move forward in the hiring process.

Related: Small Business Phone Interviews

As you gear up for a phone or Zoom interview, you must be well-prepared to maximize this critical opportunity. In this section, you'll find key areas to focus on as you prepare to impress the hiring manager or recruiter and take a step closer to your dream job.

To demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and role, thoroughly researching the organization's culture and work environment is crucial.

This knowledge will not only help you tailor your responses to interview questions but also enable you to determine whether the company aligns with your values and preferences.

Utilize LinkedIn and other social media platforms to gather valuable insights into the company's values, recent achievements and industry trends.

Follow the organization's official accounts, connect with current employees and observe their posts and interactions to understand the company culture.

The company website is another rich source of information. Pay close attention to the "About Us" and "Careers" sections and any available blog posts or news articles.

These resources will help you understand the company's mission, vision and goals, which can be useful talking points during the interview.

Related: 7 Surefire Habits to Prepare for a Job Interview

In today's increasingly digital landscape, Zoom call interviews are becoming more common. Creating a professional and distraction-free environment is essential to excel in this format.

You should have good lighting with natural or soft light sources that evenly illuminate your face. Additionally, choose a quiet space free from background noise and potential interruptions and maintain a neat and uncluttered background to keep the focus on you.

By taking these steps, you'll make a strong visual impression and demonstrate your adaptability and preparedness for remote work, giving you a competitive edge in the hiring process.

A clear grasp of the job description and requirements is essential to effectively communicate your qualifications and suitability for the role.

Skill set and certifications

Review the job posting to identify the specific skills and certifications required. Be prepared to discuss your relevant experience and if you possess any additional qualifications that can set you apart from other candidates, be sure to mention them.

Management style and team members

Determine the company's management style and team structure by researching online or reaching out to your network. Understanding these dynamics will help you convey your ability to thrive in the given work environment and collaborate effectively with team members.

Before the interview, reflect on your career trajectory and how it has prepared you for the position.

Last job and career path

Consider the key takeaways and accomplishments from your previous job and be ready to articulate how they have shaped your career path thus far. Draw connections between your past experiences and the role you are pursuing, illustrating your growth and adaptability.

Current job and career goals

Reflect on your current role and how it aligns with your long-term career goals. During the interview, discuss the skills you have acquired, the challenges you have faced and the milestones you have achieved.

By connecting these experiences to your aspirations, you can demonstrate your motivation and commitment to the role, leaving a lasting impression on the interviewer.

Related: A Successful Career Path Doesn't Have to Be Linear

Armed with a thorough understanding of the company, role and experiences, you're ready to tackle the phone or Zoom interview. Below, you'll find common phone interview questions and guidance on answering them effectively.

When answering this open-ended question, consider providing a concise overview of your professional background, focusing on your most relevant experiences and achievements.

Highlight key aspects of your work history that align with the job requirements. Emphasize the skills and accomplishments in your resume that make you a strong candidate for the position and demonstrate how your career trajectory has led you to this opportunity.

To answer this question convincingly, articulate your enthusiasm for the company's culture, values and the specific job opportunity. Consider using the following goalposts:

Company culture and job opportunity

Explain what aspects of the company culture and work environment appeal to you and how they align with your values and preferences. Additionally, discuss the specific job opportunity and how it aligns with your career goals.

Project managers and software development

If the role involves working with project managers or in software development, share your experiences and accomplishments in these areas. Describe your passion for collaborating, solving problems and contributing to innovative projects.

This question aims to gauge your long-term career aspirations and how they align with the company's objectives.

Career path and next job

Discuss your desired career path and how the role you're interviewing for will help you achieve your objectives. Show enthusiasm for future growth and development within the company.

Additionally, it is often wise to acknowledge that the phone interview is just one step in the hiring process and express your eagerness to participate in subsequent in-person interviews to further discuss your qualifications and suitability for the role.

To answer this question effectively, focus on your unique skills, qualifications and experiences that make you the ideal candidate.

Skill set and certifications

Emphasize your relevant skills and any certifications that set you apart from other candidates. Showcase how these qualifications will enable you to excel and contribute to the company's success.

Work experience and management style

Discuss your work experience and management style, highlighting how they align with the company's needs and expectations. Provide examples of your achievements and how your approach to work would positively impact the team and organization.

When discussing salary expectations, you must be prepared with research and clearly understand your worth.

Salary range

Research the market rate for similar roles in your industry and location, considering your experience and qualifications. Some great resources include salary websites like Glassdoor, PayScale and Salary.com, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which provides national and regional salary data for various occupations.

Use this information to provide a salary range that reflects your value and is competitive in the job market.

Negotiation tips

Be prepared to negotiate if necessary. Approach the conversation with confidence, but remain flexible and open to compromise.

For example, consider discussing additional benefits or perks if the offered salary does not meet your expectations, and always remain professional throughout the negotiation process.

Related: 15 Top Tips for Salary Negotiations

While effectively answering questions is vital to a successful phone or Zoom interview, knowing how to navigate the interview process is equally important.

Below, you'll find strategies for tackling behavioral questions, identifying red flags, asking follow-up questions and handling situations where you may not know the answer.

Behavioral questions are designed to assess your past experiences and how you've handled various situations. Candidates benefit from using the STAR method to structure their responses clearly and concisely.

STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result:

By following the STAR method, you can effectively showcase your problem-solving skills, adaptability and ability to learn from past experiences.

Throughout the phone interview, be attentive to potential red flags that could indicate issues with the company or role. These may include high employee turnover, vague job descriptions or unrealistic expectations.

If you notice any red flags, consider asking follow-up questions to clarify your concerns or conducting further research after the interview to make an informed decision about pursuing the opportunity.

Asking thoughtful follow-up questions demonstrates your genuine interest in the position and allows you to gather more information about the role and company.

For example, consider asking about the team structure, expectations for the role, opportunities for growth and development and the company's long-term goals.

These questions can provide valuable insights and help determine if the opportunity aligns with your career aspirations and values.

It's natural to encounter questions you may not know the answer to during an interview or Zoom call.

Instead of panicking or trying to bluff your way through the response, take a moment to gather your thoughts and consider the following strategies:

Once the phone interview or Zoom call is complete, it's essential to maintain a proactive approach to ensure you remain at the forefront of the hiring manager's mind.

Express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role by sending a personalized thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. This gesture demonstrates professionalism and serves as a reminder of your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position.

Stay organized by keeping track of your job search progress, including the interviews you've completed, any feedback received and upcoming opportunities. This will help you maintain momentum and ensure you're prepared for any additional interviews or follow-ups.

If the phone or Zoom interview goes well, you may be invited to an in-person interview. Use the insights from the phone interview to refine your approach and further research the company, role and relevant industry trends. Practice answering common in-person interview questions and consider potential scenarios you may encounter during the meeting.

Should you receive a job offer, take the time to evaluate the proposal carefully, considering factors such as company culture, growth opportunities and work-life balance.

If necessary, be prepared to negotiate your salary and benefits to ensure the offer aligns with your worth and expectations.

Related: How to Write an Unforgettable Thank-You Note

Phone and Zoom interviews are critical to the hiring process, allowing candidates and employers to assess suitability and interest before moving forward.

By preparing thoroughly, researching the company and role, practicing answering common questions and effectively navigating the interview process, you can increase your chances of success and ultimately secure your desired position.

Remember to follow up after the interview, remain organized throughout your job search and be ready to evaluate and negotiate any job offers that come your way. With persistence and the right approach, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect job match.

Are you interested in learning more about job interviews and other business topics? Check out Entrepreneur's other articles for more.

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Phone Interview Questions: What To Expect and How To Prepare - Entrepreneur

Ner elokim nismas adam.

Our neshama is compared to a fire, and there are a number of ways this can be manifested. What I have always considered the most poignant relationship between fire and soul is the constant pull to reach higher. A flame, no matter which way you turn it, will always face upward. Try it. Light a candle and watch the flame rise. Turn the candle on its side, forming a straight horizontal line. The flame still rises upward. Turn the candle upside down, and if you arent careful you will burn your finger, because the flame, of course, still rises upward.

Our neshama, no matter which way we turn and how far we stray, no matter what we fill it with and how we treat it, always yearns to reach upward, to connect to Hashem and to strive for growth. Through lifes distractions and temptations, confusion and deception, our neshamah is always reaching higher.

We celebrate lag bomer by lighting bonfires, to celebrate the Torah of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai that illuminates the world. Rashbi declared the day of his death a celebration, because while his body left this world, the essence of his neshamah contained within the brilliant Torah he left us, is still here, illuminating our world until today. On some level, we are celebrating the eternity of the soul on this day. And so, what better day is there to tune into the calling of our neshamah, that ever present desire to grow and better ourselves as people and avdei Hashem?

We surely value growth. Weve all put high up on our shidduch requirement list that we are seeking a growing person. But are we really growing? Its so easy to stagnate and chas veshalom regress. We live in a world that celebrates body over soul, with unprecedented material bounty but unprecedented spiritual pitfalls. Now more than ever we need to develop a growth mindset to help us constantly reach higher, no matter what twists and turns our life may take.

In honor of Lag BOmer, I am sharing thirty-three strategies that can help us all focus on our growth, for just a few moments every day.

Look Up: Seek out Hashem in your life. Ask yourself at least once a day, what does Hashem want from me right now, in this situation? The beauty of living a frum life is that it is a G-d-centered life. Hashem is everywhere, in the food that we eat and the schools we attend. But so much of it is subconcious or by rote. We need to actively put Hashem back into our lives in the conscious decisions we make, and then we will see growth.

Look Down: Act with humility. The number one deterrent to growth is ego, or gaavah. When we are full of ourselves, there is no room for growth. Recognizing how small we are in comparison to where we can be, and how much we still have to accomplish, will give us the impetus to grow to get there. Look in dont look at everyone else self-consious, peer pressure, what society wants from you, comparison, what will others say etc. what do I know to be right?

Look In: Practice tuning into your own sense of right and wrong as opposed to making decions fuled by peer pressure and societal judgment. We spend so much time looking over our shoulders and wondering what our neighbors would think and then making decisions based on that, that we neglect to consider what we know to be right. And you know how the quote goes, If you are so busy looking over your shoulder, you wont be able to see where you are going.

Look Out: Dont be self-centered by enclosing yourself in your own little world with no regard for how your actions affect others and for how you can make impact. Rather. take a few moments a day to look at the world around you, at the people around you, and ask yourself, How can I be of service to others today?

Recognize Your Strengths: When I say to be humble, I dont mean to look down on ourselves. On the contrary, if we think we are worthless, we wont get anywhere. Recognize your strengths. List them. What are you good at? And how can you use these strengths to become a better person?

Concretize Your Calling: While none of us are blessed with the knowledge of our individual tafkid in life, we do have a global mission as ovdei Hashem. The problem is, that we are so focused on getting through the minutiae of day-to-day life, we often lose sight of the big picture. Why am I doing this? What am I here for? Take a few moments to contemplate that and then distill into a sentence or two. Write it down and keep it where you can easily access it and check in. I am in this world to perfect myself and make the world a better place. My tafkid is to spend every minute of my life according to ratzon Hashem. I need to spread kavod shamayim with everything I do.

Learn Mussar: Sifrei mussar are the greatest catalyst to growth. Just taking a few minutes a day to learn them spurs us to greater heights because they place growth front and center on our minds and make us want to become better people. And of course, if you are having trouble with number 6, this can help you figure it out! So whether it is an English sefer or Hebrew, you are learning alone or with a friend, find a few minutes for mussar and your life will change!

Find Role Models: Where growth is a lofty concept, nothing concretizes it more than seeing where you want to be lived by those whove already gotten there. Find yourself role models whose level you can aspire to. It doesnt have to be only one. No one is perfect and youd be hard pressed to find someone whos every move and every attribute you admire. Thats fine too. You can find different role models in different midos and different areas. You can have a simchas hachayim role model, a role model parent, a role model in self-control.

Set Goals: If you dont know where you are going, how will you know when you get there? Define your goals and then set clear and measurable steps to help you get there.

Be Accountable: Sometimes we slack off because its easy to slip back into bad habits with no one the wiser. If you are seeking to grow in a particular area, find yourself a friend who will be your accountability partner. You can discuss your challenges and triumphs, give chizuk, encouragement and pats on the back. This can be a peer who is going through the journey together with you and you support each other in the same way, or more of a sponsor relationship, where you find someone who went through the struggle and is already there. They can help you from the vantage point of success, with the understanding of what it take sto get there.

Collect Quotes: I am a big fan of those pithy sayings that can be more motivating and empowering than volumes of self-help books. Ive been collecting them since high school, making posters and collages and hanging them all over. When you come across a powerful quote with a strong lesson, save it. Hang those quotes prominently so that you come across them multiple times a day and you can remind yourself of those important values we tend to lose sight of as we go about our day.

Practice Mindfulness: We tend to complain that we have no time to work on ourselves, what with the hecticness of this wonderful life we lead. Thats why this strategy is so great, because it requires no extra time, but rather it takes what we are doing anyway and elevates it to a new level. Become aware of what you are doing when you are doing it. Focus on what you are doing, on why you are doing it and what you are feeling as you are doing it. So much of what we do is done mindlessly, so take a few moments of the day to tune into yourself and your actions.

Ditch the Cynicism: When you are cynical about everything, you miss opportunities for growth. Open your mind to possibilities and dont take your healthy suspicions too far by turning bitter and cynical about anything and everything that is different than what you are used to.

Get Brave: While we of course focus on our positive attributes and use those to make an impact, we cant ignore our negative traits and the areas in which we need to grow the most. Choose to improve in an area that requires herculean strength, so that you can truly flex your growth muscles. This will be the hardest growth you achieve, but also the most rewarding and the most enduring.

Believe in Yourself: When were in growth mindset we tend to focus on how much we have left to go, but be sure to notice how far you have come. Believe that you have what it takes to get to where you want to go, and dont be too hard on yourself when the going is slow. You are strong, resourceful and special and there is no limit to what you can achieve when you set your heart and mind to it. Never forget that!

Be Grateful: Infusing gratitude into your life will give you the push to keep striving for more. Spend a few minutes in the morning, when you say Modeh Ani, and a few minutes in the evening, as you give closure to your day, reflect on all of the blessings and gifts you have been granted and feel that intense gratitude coursing through your soul. No matter the challenges you may be facing, feel grateful for all that you do have.

Take a Moment of Silence: We live in a world that is a constant cacophony of sound, and most of those sounds are of the variety that drowns out the sound of the soul and stifles our urge to grow. So take a moment of your day to sit in silence, with no one but yourself and Hashem. What you do in that silence is up to you, but make sure to take the time to create it.

Talk About Ideas: As per the quote, Small people talk about people; average people talk about things; great people talk about ideas, try to pivot one conversation a day from small-minded topics and turn it towards matters of the mind or soul. If the people you converse with on a daily basis are only interested in gossip and frivolities, then maybe its time to rethink your social circle!

Help Someone Else Grow: Being a part of someone elses growth journey will inevitably enrich your own. How can you help someone else grow today? How can you support them in their own growth and be a source of inspiration to them?

Daven: Tefillah is an effective strategy for growth on two levels. For one, the very act of davening with sincerity draws you closer to Hashem, so youve already grown. Also, you need His siyata dishmaya to help you stay on the upward track. Daven for continued success in this area, for as we know, nothing happens without tefillah!

Envision the Escalator: Life is such that there is no such thing as stagnation. If you are not growing you are slipping. It may be slow, it may be imperceptible, but the descent is real. I once heard that life is like trying to go up a down escalator. You cant just stand still, because then you end up going down. In order to get ahead while life around you is pulling you down, you need to be taking assured, effective steps upward. Close your eyes for a moment and envision yourself standing on that escalator and the steps you need to take to get up to the top, even as its taking you down.

Silence the Saboteur: Identify the forces that hold you back from growth, whether its your inner self-critic, your yetzer hara hindering you every step of the way, or doubt and confusion, and silence those voices. Speak back with a voice of strength and courage and squash the destructive messages they are trying to give you.

Get Up When You Fall: Dont let failures distract you from the goal. Sheva yipol tzadik vkam. You may have lost a battle but the war is still yours to win, which you wont be able to if you surrender right away. Dust yourself off, take a moment to breathe, and then plunge right in again.

Grow from Challenges: The deepest growth often comes from the most challenging times. Tragedies are given to us as a means of self-improvement, every test is an opportunity to find meaning and growth within it. If you are struggling, take the time to figure out how you can grow from this struggle, so that even your suffering can have meaning and purpose.

Build on Past Accomplishments: Let your previous successes catapult you to more successes. When you find stagnation setting in, let your mind travel back to a time when it did work. Feel that satisfaction that you felt then and then allow that feeling to motivate you to work even harder to recapture it.

Take Care of Yourself: This isnt a few moments a day kind of thing, but rather a lifestyle, but the bottom line is that as long as you are tired, hungry and irritable, overwhelmed and overloaded, life is less about thriving and more about surviving. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising so that you will be in the right frame of mind to move forward.

Find Meaning in the Words: You are saying the words anyway, you may as well find meaning in them. Whether its davening, bentching, brachos, or songs, understand and then focus on the meanings of the words and what they are trying to tell you.

Make a Cheshbon Hanefesh: Take a few minutes every day to go through what you did right and what you can improve, which situations warranted which reactions, and how you can react differently in the future.

Keep a Journal: Journaling helps you stay focused and makes sure you are checking in with yourself. It allows you to sort through your thoughts and to identify habits and tendencies. You can journal your process of growth specifically, writing down the steps you take, your progress, regressions, as you go along, or you can just keep a general journal. Both are beneficial.

Take Baby Steps: Great things happen one small step at a time. When you identify an area in which you would like to grow, dont sabotage yourself by taking it all on at once, setting yourself up for failure. Take one small step and repeat it until it is a part of you. Then go for another, and another. There is no limit to the heights you can achieve, one small step at a time.

Read Biographies: Reading about great people can inspire you to aspire toward greatness. While not always can we relate to every gadol and every level, there are so many steps until then, so many things we can learn from the giants of yesteryear, and spending time reading up on their lives can spur you onto greater things.

Purify Your Environment: While the push to grow has to come from within, it can definitely be influenced by outside forces. Surround yourself with people who inspire growth, spend your time in places that are good for your soul. Cut out venues that drag you down, whether it be a physical moshav leitzim or online platforms that drain the spiritual energy right out of you. Surround yourself with greatness, and by osmosis, some of it will seep into you.

Talk to Him: Besides for davening, keep a regular dialogue with Hashem as you go about your day. Tell Him about your struggles, thank Him for the blessings. I mentioned earlier making Hashem a part of our daily lives; talking to Him as if He is right there beside you is a surefire way to do that. After all, thats exactly where He is.

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The Fire Within: A Lag Bomer Primer for Growth - Between Carpools

Do you ever feel like youre your own worst enemy? Do you often feel like your thoughts are holding you back? Are you sick of feeling stagnant and unable to move forward in life?

If so, youre not alone. Many of us struggle with our inner critic, that voice in our head that tells us were just not good enough and will fail.

But what if I told you there are things you can do to swap your inner critic for your inner coach, and make deliberate intentions to create a happier, more meaningful life.

Here they are.

According to Ethan Kross, a leading expert on the conscious mind and psychologist in his book, Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It most, if not, all of us, have a voice in our heads. The trick is to swap the inner critic for an inner coach.

Kross says, we often hear the advice to live in the moment, but this can be difficult for humans because we are wired to think about the past and plan for the future. Language is a powerful tool that we rely on to help us do many different things. Silently using language to talk to ourselves lets us keep information in our minds, plan, work through problems, remind ourselves of important goals and make sense of our experiences.

But we can also use language in a harmful way, and this is what is called chatter or as many of us call it, the monkey mind! Science defines chatter as getting stuck in a negative thought loop in which youre narrowly zoomed-in on a problem and cant work through it effectively. Chatter involves negative, self-defeating thoughts that can consume us and make us feel overwhelmed and stuck.

Many people struggle with this chatter, but there is hope. Rather than trying to silence our monkey mind, we can try to educate and motivate it.

Your inner coach is like your best friend, encouraging and supporting you every step of the way. The inner critic, on the other hand, tends to focus on defeating and negative self-talk.

The inner coach wants to help you build self-confidence, resilience, and reach your full potential. However, the inner critic is motivated by fear, trigger feelings of anxiety and self-doubt and has a desire to protect you from failure or disappointment.

The inner coach and inner critic represent two different aspects of our inner voice. Essentially the inner coach is like your most supportive and encouraging friend while the inner critic is like your worst enemy!

This involves reframing your negative thoughts in a more positive light. This step and the following 3 are from Ethan Kross who offers practical strategies and tools to help you harness your thoughts and internal chatter. Rather than jumping to negative conclusions or interpretations, its an opportunity to increase your confidence rather than focusing on the potential for failure.

For example, instead of telling yourself Im not good enough, you might try and reframe your thought and say instead, Im doing the best I can.

This involves using supportive language, focusing more on solutions than your problems. Kross says by learning to control the way we talk to ourselves; we can improve our mental and emotional wellbeing. We can learn to cope better with challenging situations. This technique can help to boost self-esteem and reduce feelings of anxiety or depression.

For example, if youre feeling overwhelmed by a task and feel it is too much, you could tell yourself instead that you are capable of completing it and that in fact you have overcome challenges in the past. This can help to build self-confidence and motivation.

When youre going through a tough time, use your name and the second person you rather than I to refer to yourself. It helps you be more objective, less consumed by your thoughts and make wiser decisions.

This involves taking a step back from your thoughts and emotions and view them objectively, as if you were an outside observer, rather than being consumed by them. This can reduce the intensity of negative emotions and stop them from overwhelming you. For example, if youre feeling angry with someone, you could try to view the situation from their perspective and consider why they are feeling that way. This can help you to be less judgmental and not consumed by your anger and resentment.

By treating ourselves with kindness and understanding, we can break free from the cycle of negative self-talk and judging ourselves harshly become more accepting. Self-compassion is strongly linked to our mental health and wellbeing. Studies have found that those who are more compassionate towards themselves tend to have less mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and stress.

Through increased self-awareness, cultivated through mindfulness practice, it is possible to shift the quality of harsh, critical self-talk towards a more loving accepting relationship with ourselves which leads to greater wellbeing.

A good example is when you failed at something you can practice self-compassion by acknowledging that we are all human and we all make mistakes. See it as an opportunity to learn and grow. As they say, failure is the best teacher.

This involves taking a more active and intentional approach to personal growth and development through a structured process, using a variety of tools and techniques. In following this process, you will become more self-aware, manage your emotions and thoughts better, understand your core values, develop a compelling vision for your future and an action plan you will monitor.

Harnessing your inner coach, the voice inside you that encourages you to take risks, believe in yourself, and pursue your goals is a source of inspiration and is an integral part of this self-coaching process.

Coaching yourself involves using a variety of other tools and techniques, such as journaling and reflection, goal-setting and techniques on how to cultivate positive habits, to help you develop the skills and mindset you need to live a happier, more fulfilling life.

If you want to learn more about these powerful tools and strategies, I invite you to check out my latest YouTube video:

My Life Journal online course gives you the skills to coach yourself through a structured, step-by-step process so you can build positive habits, stay accountable, and make lasting changes. Whether youre looking to improve your health, relationships, change career, head into retirement or any other area of your life, Life Journal can help you get there.

I am currently offering a free 5-day challenge, Reset Your Life Compass to help you navigate your way to a more intentional, purposeful life you love.

Each day consists of a 5-minute video and an activity from the Life Compass workbook. By doing this challenge, you will have completed the first 2 modules of Life Journal. Click here to learn more.

Dont let your inner critic hold you back any longer. Join me on this journey to self-discovery and inspiration.

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7 steps to tame your inner critic and create a happier, more ... - Hack Spirit

Aaron Rash and Jack Endino

We love finding out more about the gear behind iconic albums, and some players might be surprised to hear the tube amp in the signal chain for Kurt Cobain's often metallic and sludgy tones on Nirvana's debut Bleach were courtesy of a Fender Twin Reverb owned by producer Jack Endino.

It's still with Endino, now at Soundhouse Studio in Seattle, and Nirvana fan Aaron Rash took a trip out to see and try it for himself.

Endino's assistant engineer saw Rash's video on recreating the tone to About A Girl from Bleach and reached out to the YouTuber to correct a photo detail in the video; Cobain actually used a Silverface Twin on the song, not a Blackface-era '67 as suggested. He then invited Rash to come and play the amp and meet Endino.

Rash brought his Univox High Flyer guitar with him; a model Endino hadn't seen since Cobain had one for Bleach. The producer then dialled in the controls for Rash to play About A Girl with a DS-1 for the overdriven parts. And there's the sound (accounting for the mic'd cab we hear on the record). With some pointers from Endino on chord voicings, no less!

"It definitely freaked me out because the moment I played that chord through that amp, I totally got goosebumps," admits Rash. "That was it that was that sound."

It's not a stock Fender Twin Reverb; Endino modded the amp himself. The producer noted the similarity to the schematic of the Fender Bassman and changed out the phase inverter circuit before the power amp section to make it more like the one in a 100-watt Bassman. But Endino's main mod was increasing some of the coupling caps in size between preamp and the power amp to get a little more low-end.

The amp has some unusual vents at the size that were there when Endino purchased it in 1983 and could have come that way from the studio.

Check out more of Aaron Rash's Nirvana videos at his YouTube channel.

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"This is one of the best amps I've ever played" new video ... - Yahoo Entertainment

COVINGTON, Ga. For the past two years, Ruby Edwards has wrestled with the Newton Rams squad. Despite getting a late start to her career, Edwards earned a scholarship offer from Brewton Parker college.

Edwards signed her national letter of intent on April 21 inside Newton Highs media center.

There was something greater Edwards feels like she accomplished in her two-year wrestling career, though.

I do feel like Ive motivated more girls to join the wrestling team, Edwards said. The way I managed to get more to join in was by being 100% honest with them, showing them what it takes. I brought them to practice so they could see for themselves the wrestling and the weight lifting, and reassured them that being a girl doesnt mean they can't do it.

All it takes is work.

Edwards became intrigued by the sport in her junior year. Since then, she has had solid performances for the Rams.

Looking back on her Newton career, Edwards is glad she gave wrestling a try. But, in her senior season is really when she set her mind to wrestling at the next level.

The thought of wrestling in college never crossed my mind because I was starting so late and never thought I would have success in this sport, Edwards said. Once my senior season started after the first individual tournament of the season, I knew I wanted to wrestle in college because of the excitement, joy, and fun I felt for it.

Beginning in the fall, Edwards will join Brewton Parkers wrestling program to compete collegiately.

One piece of criteria Edwards upheld was to remain in Georgia, even though the amount of womens wrestling programs were limited in-state.

Nevertheless, Brewton Parker became Edwards No. 1 choice.

Brewton Parker stood out the most to me, Edwards said. But I was still undecided on which one I'd want to attend until I finally visited them. It just felt like a good fit for me, even after visiting the others.

Edwards signing on April 21 signified the start of the next chapter of her career.

Knowing that brings a high level of anticipation for whats to come for Edwards.

I am super excited to start this new journey in my life, Edwards said. I cant wait to start wrestling at a higher level, conquer new challenges athletically and academically and reach new milestones every day.

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Ruby Edwards hopes signing to Brewton Parker wrestling serves as ... - Covington News

For former James Madison wide receiver Devin Ravenel, this past weekend was a taste of his childhood dream.

Ravenel, the Dukes' fourth-leading route runner last fall, spent three days at the Baltimore Ravens rookie minicamp in Owings Mills, Md., trying to impress the team's front office for another invitation back to the team's training camp.

And as Ravenel spent 72 hours inside the Ravens' practice facility, it didn't take him long to see the difference between college and the NFL.

"It was a big eye-opener for sure," Ravenel said. "Just seeing the way people move, seeing your competition for the next couple of years. You're seeing how serious everybody takes it. It's money on the line, it's business now. It's people going out there trying to get a job."

Baltimore, which ran JMU's pro day in March, liked what they saw from the agile wideout, and he joined a handful of players on the practice field attempting to make the team. But he wasn't the only former JMU player they liked enough to bring in for another look two others stood out.

Fellow wide receiver Kris Thornton and cornerback Jordan Swann joined Ravenel at the Ravens' camp, while quarterback Todd Centeio was in Kansas City and wide receiver Terrence Greene Jr. was with the New York Jets to round out JMU's representation at this past weekend's NFL rookie minicamps.

For Ravenel, having two teammates one in the same position group as him at the Ravens' camp helped calm his nerves with familiar faces in and around the facility.

"It definitely made me more comfortable for sure," Ravenel said. "Going in there, there's a lot of new faces. You don't know who's who. It was definitely a lot more comfortable going with [Thornton] and Swann, just knowing the type of people they were and I was in good hands, honestly."

Each of the three days at the Ravens' rookie minicamp started with a 6 a.m. wake-up before boarding a bus bound for the facility at 6:30 a.m. From there, Ravenel and the other players ate breakfast, had meetings, and got a lift in before practice at 11:30 a.m.

Once the practice concluded, Ravenel said they were back in meetings at 2:45 p.m. for three hours before receiving homework to do that night, which spanned from learning a handful of plays to watching film back in his hotel room.

Ravenel stayed up until about 11 p.m. before falling asleep for seven hours to do it all the next day.

"It was football all day," said Ravenel, who caught 24 passes for 313 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season at JMU.

Such is life in the NFL, and Ravenel, along with the others that were at the camp in basically a tryout setting, didn't have much time to adjust to the quick burst of football.

As Ravenel worked out and practiced with the rest of the receivers in camp, he witnessed up close the difference between a first-round pick and an undrafted player with Zay Flowers, Baltimore's top selection in the draft, training with him each day.

And as Ravenel watched Flowers run routes, it almost inspired him to improve.

"Seeing it first-hand, it just shows how much more work there is to be done," Ravenel said of Flowers. "And how much more there is to learn. It's definitely just more motivation in my shoes, 100 percent."

After the Ravens' minicamp ended on Sunday, Ravenel said he felt good about his performance, and it seems like Baltimore agreed.

"I got some pretty good feedback," Ravenel said. "The GM had a few words with my agency, and from what I heard, they had a lot of good things to say. So hopefully that leads to some good things in the future."

With no other rookie minicamps on the horizon, Ravenel is back home waiting for his phone to ring. He's still focused on a path to an NFL roster, and the most likely step is an invite to a training camp in August.

But as he waits, Ravenel isn't resting on his laurels. Instead, he's taking his experience with the Ravens and wants to use it as fuel to improve for his next professional football opportunity.

"It was just one little taste, so now everything's out there on the table," Ravenel said. "So it's up to me at this point with what kind of work I put in, what I do with my time, where I focus my time. It was definitely eye-opening needed for sure and it's definitely a big motivator, for sure."

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Ravenel motivated by 'taste' of NFL After rookie minicamp experience - Northern Virginia Daily

Estate agents and others in the industry are being invited to a free Tech Talk on the power of motivation to win new business.

Hosted by iamproperty, How a motivation mindset can accelerate your success, will take place live on Zoom at 1pm on Thursday 11 May 2023.

The proptech firms head of operations Kelly Stillman will share an update on consumers motivations in todays market.

This will include key findings from iampropertys latest consumer research which identified vendors biggest frustrations with the selling process, with conveyancing being top.

Behavioural expert Sarah Callender from Duo Global Consulting will discuss how understanding client motivations should go further than their motivations for buying and selling.

Ben Ridgway, co-founder of iamproperty, said: Our Tech Talk series is designed to dive deeper into the best received articles from Tech of a Life, allowing conversation and learnings about the biggest topics and challenges facing our industry.

This will be a really interesting discussion, exploring motivation on a wider scale, with tips that agents can put into practice to help them accelerate their success.

This Tech Talk is the first of two that will be available to Estate Agents and anyone operating in the space this month, with details on the second to be released soon.

> Register for the event.

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Agents invited to Tech Talk on the power of motivation - Estate Agent Today

Bianca Cook is determined to secure a fairytale ending to her taekwondo career by erasing her Olympic heartbreak in Paris next year.

The 31-year-old, who was forced to settle for gut-wrenching bronze medals in both Rio and Tokyo, has confirmed that next years Games in the French capital will be her last.

Cook, who married her long-term partner and fellow taekwondo champion Aaron Cook last year, fell on golden point to Chinas Shuyin Lee in the 2016 semi-finals then lost to a last-second head-kick against Dabin Lee in Tokyo.

Bianca Cook has had to settle for two consecutive Olympic bronze medals (David Davies/PA)

But she insists that, after shrugging off her most recent disappointment, she is more motivated than ever to complete her glittering career on a high.

Its definitely the last one Im going for so Im going to give it everything Ive got, Cook told the PA news agency.

All Ive got on my mind is getting to Paris and winning that gold. I know Im still good enough and, if I can finish my career with a gold medal in Paris, it would be the fairytale ending.

Bianca Cook came agonisingly close to the final in Tokyo (Mike Egerton/PA)

In the meantime Cook is hoping to make more history in her sport by becoming the first woman to win four world taekwondo titles in Baku, Azerbaijan later this month.

Cook won consecutive gold medals in Chelyabinsk, Muju and Manchester between 2015 and 2019 but failed to make it four in a row when she missed out on the 2022 tournament in Guadalajara due to injury.

I never thought Id be in the position to make history after missing the last one, so it is a great motivation to become the only female ever to have four gold medals, Cook added.

Bianca Cook is back in training ahead of one last crack at Olympic glory (David Davies/PA)

Making history is the sort of thing that motivates you through another cycle because for me it is all about that Olympic gold I would give everything else away for that right now.

But I dont feel like Im chasing anything. I could go to Paris having won four world titles and five Europeans so I have already achieved more than I ever dreamed of in this sport.

Paris would be the happy ending but if I didnt get it I wouldnt be going to try again to get to the next one.

Great Britains 11-strong team for the World Championship also includes double Olympic champion Jade Jones, and Cooks fellow Tokyo medallists Lauren Williams and Bradly Sinden.

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Bianca Cook more motivated than ever for one last shot at Olympic gold in Paris - Yahoo Eurosport UK

By Michael Gidlewski

Published: 5:16 am EDT May 9, 2023Published: May 9, 2023Updated: 12:35 pm EDT May 8, 2023

Image via iStock.

Developing leaders and managers is the most important advantage we will have in the future. The process by which you develop your managers and the tools you equip them with will determine your success. Few innovative technologies last long before being replaced, however intentionally developing a team will pay big dividends well into the future.

Great companies remain great by developing people and creating a goal directed, results oriented culture. Leadership and management are modeled behaviors. Workers today, especially younger generations, are quick to notice inauthentic leadership. Words are empty if they are not supported by actions and behaviors.

Lets look at the best practices for managers. Here is the playbook for getting results through others.

Just like playing golf or tennis, you become your best by refining and executing the steps until they become automatic. This leaves more time for thinking and reacting to variations in the process.Practice makes progress this works in sports and in business.

Develop the habit of helping team members be more productive. Start with yourself; communicate more effectively, stay in high-payoff priorities, clarify goals and expectations. As you make these improvements, you will naturally motivate people to produce and create synergy in you company.

For more tips on motivating your managers and leadership, visit Achievable.com.

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Struggling to Motivate Your Workforce? Check Out These Best ... - VISTA.Today