What to Do About these Dreaded Holiday Party Invites?

Sam was grateful for the invitations to go out after work with his co-workers and to visit his in-laws, but he was in doubt about whether he should go to with this holidays season--there has been too many this year! 

Sam had heard how drunk his co-workers could get and he didn't want his wife to be angry with him again after their last visit to his in-laws. He was looking for a way out to decline both invitations, but he didn't want to disappoint anyone. Finally, he came up with an idea.

He told his co-workers that he had already made plans to visit his in-laws that night and they were surprised because they knew how much he disliked spending time with them. Then, he told his wife that he had been invited out after work, but that he didn't want to leave her alone all night so he was going to stay home. She was happy to hear this and said she would make dinner for him.

Sam was plenty burnt out with party invites.  He had previously accepted five the month before. One day when Sam got home from work, he found a note from his wife telling him that she had gone out with her friends and would be home late. He was relieved and decided to take advantage of the opportunity to watch TV without her nagging him to change the channel.

You might be like Sam or you know someone who is simply tired of having to go to parties no matter how important they are.  Here's what you can do the next time you are suddenly surprised by yet another holiday party invite.

If you find yourself constantly declining invitations to holiday parties, there are a few things you can do to make the process a bit easier on your colleagues (and yourself). First, try to be as specific as possible when declining an invitation. rather than saying "I'm sorry, I can't make it," try something like "I'm sorry, but I have a prior engagement that night." This will help your colleague understand that you're not just blowing them off.

If you know that you're going to have to decline an invitation well in advance, call, text, send a brief email and/or message letting the person know. This way, they won't be waiting around for an answer that never comes. Finally, if you find yourself in a situation where you absolutely cannot attend a party, try to send a gift or card in your place, even if you can't be there in person, it's still important to show your support for your family or colleagues.

Nicholl McGuire is the manager and contributor of this blog and also the author of Should I Go to the Party? and Tell Me Mother You're Sorry.  Get your copies today!  These great reads will surely help your or someone you love!

Don't Let a Bad Day at Work Ruin Your Career - Here's Why

We have all had them - bad days at work. Maybe you had a fight with your partner, or you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. No matter what the reason, it is important not to let a bad day at work ruin your career. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for dealing with a difficult day at work, and how to stay positive and focused on your career goals.  

Primarily, it is important to remember that your boss is not your enemy. They are just trying to do their job and may not be aware of how their actions or words are affecting you. If you feel like you are about to lose your cool, take a step back and breathe. It is also helpful to remember that you cannot control everything, and that some things are just out of your hands.  

If you are feeling anger towards your boss, it is important to try to control your emotions and stay professional. If you feel like you are going to explode, take a step back and breathe deeply. Try to calm yourself down before talking to your boss. It is also important to be aware of your body language and keep a positive attitude. Remember that it is important to maintain a good relationship with your boss, even if things are tough. 

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to confront your boss, it is important to do so in a professional manner. This means keeping your emotions in check and avoiding getting defensive or making accusations. Instead, focus on the facts of the situation, and explain how you feel without attacking your boss.  

It is also important to keep in mind that your boss is not the only person you need to worry about. If you are having a dispute with a coworker, it is important to try and resolve the issue without involving your boss. This can be difficult, but it is important to remember that not every conflict needs to be escalated.  

If you have already had a dispute with your boss, there are a few things you can do to try and resolve the situation. First, try to talk to your boss directly and explain your side of the story. If that does not work, you can always speak to HR or another management member about the situation. Finally, if all else fails, you may need to consider looking for another job.  

Some employees who have been successful in avoiding disputes with their managers over trivial things have:  

- communicated openly and honestly with their manager about what is important to them and why  

- been willing to compromise on minor points  

- kept a positive attitude  

- avoided getting defensive or argumentative  

- remained calm and constructive in their interactions with their manager  

In general, it is important to remember that a difficult workday does not need to ruin your career by following these tips, you can stay positive and focused on your goals, and avoid letting a bad day turn into a career-ending disaster. Remember to stay calm, professional, and focused on your goals, and you will be back on track in no time. 

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Here's Why You Want A Really Boring Job - How Money Works

Gaslighting at the Workplace [passive aggressive workers]

20 of the Most Popular Search Terms Jobseekers are using to Land Jobs

 As the world increasingly moves online, more and more people are looking for remote jobs that can be done from home. Here are 20 of the most popular search terms job seekers are using to find work, along with brief descriptions of each.

1. Apple Home Advisor Jobs: Apple is one of the leading technology companies in the world, and their home advisor program offers customer support for Apple products.

2. Entry Level Remote Jobs: There are many remote jobs available that don't require any experience or specialized skills. These entry-level positions are a great way to get started in a remote career.

3. Customer Service: Many businesses need customer service representatives to interact with customers by phone, email, or chat.

4. Data Entry: Data entry is a common remote job that involves inputting information into computer databases.

5. Amazon Jobs: Amazon is one of the largest online retailers in the world, and they offer a variety of remote jobs, including customer service, data entry, and web development.

6. Virtual Assistant: A virtual assistant provides administrative support to businesses or individuals from a remote location.

7. Social Media Manager: A social media manager creates and manages content for social media accounts.

8. SEO Specialist: An SEO specialist helps websites rank higher in search engine results pages.

9. Web Developer: A web developer builds and maintains websites.

10. Graphic Designer: A graphic designer creates visual designs for websites, logos, and other marketing materials.

11. Copywriter: A copywriter creates compelling written content for websites, advertising, and other marketing materials.

12. Proofreader: A proofreader checks written content for grammar, spelling, and other errors before it is published.

13. Event Planner: An event planner coordinates all aspects of events, including venue selection, food and beverage catering, entertainment, transportation, and more.

14. Personal Assistant: A personal assistant provides administrative support to an individual or family.

15. Project Manager: A project manager oversees the planning and execution of projects from start to finish.

16. Accounting: Many businesses need remote accountants to manage their finances.

17. Bookkeeping: A bookkeeper tracks all of a business's financial transactions.

18. Recruiting: A remote recruiter helps businesses find and hire employees.

19. Sales: A remote sales representative sells products or services to customers via phone, email, or chat.

20. Customer Success: A customer success specialist helps customers get the most out of a product or service and troubleshoots any issues they may have.

These jobs and many more are being searched for every day which also means that they are very competitive as well. Be sure that your résumé reflects the job responsibilities. Also, in your cover letter include: skills related to the job, relevant career highlights, salary expectations, and a brief explanation of any work history gaps, so that you will be considered for a job. 

Happy job hunting!

Nicholl McGuire is a content contributor, self-published author and owner of this blog and many others.