The essence of a healthy career is work that fulfills and rewards you. Such work is possible, however, only if and when you are employed at what you most like to do and do best. It must involve the development and expression of the inherent capability-the special skill-which all of us possess. I call it your Natural because it is an intrinsic part of your persona and the key to being the best you can be.

Unfortunately, many maybe even most of us dont even know what our Natural is.

Thats why there has been so much focus, in recent years, on willingly helping people achieve a work-life balance. The term implies that work is a negative activity that has no personal value other than a paycheck which is almost always less than what we want or need. We must balance our day-to-day experience in the workplace with activities that occur someplace else and do have enduring value. Furthermore, sadly, surveys after survey confirms that balance is exactly what a growing number of Americans are struggling to achieve in their lives.

Why is this so? Why are so many American workers determined to spend less of their waking day at work?

• For some, of course, it is a reaction to the bullying of their employers. They have been asked to do too much and to work too long. They seek balance in their careers, so they can still have a life and enjoy their relationships with family and friends.
• For others, on the other hand, the push for balance is caused by whats missing from their work. They are investing a third or more of their lives in their career, and that endeavor lacks any sense of purpose or meaning for them. They seek balance in their careers so their employment experience is both appropriately engaging and consistently satisfying.

For the first group, work-life balance is a benefit that employers provide at their option. It is controlled by employers and subject to fluctuations in their fortunes. This kind of balance is important to have, to be sure, but in the 21st Century workplace, it is fast becoming an anomaly.

• When times are good, the benefit is hard to get because employers eventually want to pull every penny of profit possible out of the strong market.
• When times are bad, the benefit is hard to get because employers are actively cutting costs to preserve every penny of profit possible in the weak market. The net effect is that employers talk incessantly about work-life balance-they even promise to provide it-but more often than not, the words arent balanced with action.

For the second group, in contrast, work-life balance is self-created. It is controlled by the individual and is largely unaffected by the fortunes of any employer. The individual seeks and accepts only those jobs where they can be their personal best. They transform their work from a negative to a positive experience by structuring their employment so that it has enduring value for them. In essence, they achieve balance by assigning their interests in the workplace as much priority as those of their employers. They do that by focusing their career on the progressive development and expression of their Natural.

This kind of work-life balance is much more resilient and far healthier for us. We are able to do whats best for us, at work as well as in the rest of our lives. We get rid of the daily grind and, instead, commit ourselves to the daily greatness we are all capable of achieving. And, now, more than ever before, it is possible to create such an individually inspired work-life balance.

Why is that so? What makes today different from yesterday?

The labor market. Employers now find themselves engaged in a state of war for Talent. Its not just a War for Any Talent, however; its a War for the Best Talent. There arent enough people who are skilled in critical fields or are superior performers or both to go around so employers are competing desperately to hire them.

This situation is your Emancipation Proclamation only if you know how to realize your freedom.

The key to achieving a work-life balance that you control is being the best you can be at what you most like to do and do best. In essence, you must make a personal commitment to working at developing and expressing your natural talent-to performing at the top of your game every single day on-the-job. If you do that, youll not only find employment that fulfills and rewards you, but youll have your choice of employers that will balance their expectations with whats best for you. That puts life in your work as well as work in your life.

After few years of the “do more with less” pattern in the Technology & many other Industry sectors, many tech workers are particularly aware of their value in an organization and hope to be compensated for the efforts.

Come 2011, Tech professionals cannow expect a trend reversal as just under half (45 percent) of management is open to giving them more wealth in 2011, according to a recent survey of 2,400 hiring managers.

What do managers expect to see from employees seeking a better salary?

Nearly half (47-48 percent) of employers want to see you be result driven and delivery oriented.

Approximately, 37-38% percent want you to “show an understanding of what is important to the company” and take leadership roles..

Over a quarter want you to “come prepared with your history of performance reviews”

So prepare yourself to show management tangible results and willingness to lead from the front.

For those companies (remaining 55 percent of IT companies) that cannot afford pay raises, here is what they are willing to give to employees in lieu of loot:

More flexible work hours (42 percent)

Bonuses (29 percent)

Training (23 percent)

Vacation time (21 percent)

More casual dress codes (17 percent)

Academic reimbursement (14 percent)

Title change (14 percent)

During the negotiation be sure to maintain a positive and committed view towards your role in the company, contributions and goals forward. This will prevent the risk of their coming to the view that you are wasting their time or stringing them along. It’s important to be fair and right with people, even while negotiating.

While acknowledging the appeal of the opportunity, conduct your discussions professionally, firmly, confidently, and at the same time ask for their understanding that you have a responsibility to yourself and your family to achieve the best ‘price’ for what you can do in your particular job market.

After the recent economic turmoil, many technology workers are without jobs. For the same reason, theyre unable to find work in another position. Most companies are downsizing, not looking for new hires. Getting a job in this economy is a real challenge and, just like any challenge, it will take time and effort to get the best results.

Here are some steps to help you get on the path to employment.

Brush up your skills and prepare your Resume

Make sure your resume is up-to-date and relevant to the job you want. When outlining your technical skills and experience, use keywords related to the type of job for which youre applying. Youll usually find them in the job description. Hiring managers will often run a batch of resumes through a keyword search program that seeks out certain skills, so make sure that yours contains what theyre looking for. Its also a good idea to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job when you apply. Refer to on-line job boards for resume writing tips, including proper cover letter

Focus on online jobs search.

Take advantage of technology advancements and start applying jobs online at the job boards. If there are some particular companies that interest you, go directly to their websites and check for available positions at their careers & hiring section. There are plenty of opportunities that dont get posted on the more popular job sites. Feel free to write o send application directly to the

Its time to take a step back and leap forward.so start Networking

Use your professional network to drive you into the job market and seek out opportunities. Dont be shy about letting people know that youre unemployed and need a job, but do not sound desperate. You can also create a profile on professional networking websites like linkedin.com. Its a great way to see and be seen in the job market and in your respective industry. Start attending professional networking forums like TIE (http://www.tie.org) and start meeting entrepreneurs and prospective employers.

This may be good time to get trained on newer technology & trend..

Between jobs may be the right time to get trained/educated in newer technologies and trends. If youre financially stable, now may be a good time to go back to school to pick up some new skills and expand your appeal in the job market. Many colleges and community centers offer adult/continuing education in various fields of study. Maybe theres something new that the Market is willing to offer, now is the time to get oriented and be prepared to take a career leap forward.

These are just a few helpful tips for those entering the job market. Create a schedule and goals for each day. Finding a job is hard work, especially in todays competitive environment. Take care of yourself physically and emotionally, as a lengthy job-search can be stressful. A lot of people are out there, so do your best to communicate your value and be seen in the crowd..

We all are victim of slowing economy. I am stressing on We all, cause thatdoes make most of us feel better. That does not, however, mean that we hit the couch and do nothing. Get out there and fatten your pay check, heres how:

Investment in education and professional training programs

During a slowing economy and growth, pursuing a masters degree in your sphere of specialization or a job oriented professional training program may provide a boost to your job role and thereby your compensation. Consider doing an MBA, PMP (project management program) or similar professional courses for a definite scale in your career move.

Get smart consider a variable pay program

When the going gets tough for the Industry and employers, considering variable pay program works to mutual benefit. When the going gets tough for the Industry and employers, considering variable pay program works to mutual benefit. Employers always appreciate the fact that employees consider a variable pay program based on contribution and overall performance. Try to set aggressive goals with your manager and agree on the compensation youll receive if you meet them.

Consider relocating

Your place of work will determine the level of your compensation based on the economic environment of location/state that you are in. According to Hewitt Associate survey salaried workers in Washington, D.C., Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, and New York City will all enjoy higher-than-average increases, while their counterparts in Philadelphia, San Francisco, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis/St. Paul will receive lower raises. Keep in mind, though, that cost of living varies from city to city, and a minor bump in salary may not counter the sharp increase in housing.

Consider changing industry verticals

If the industry that you are working in has reached stagnation, consider a switch to one that is more stable and downturn proof like Healthcare, pharmaceutical, entertainment, energy (solar/oil/gas) and construction/engineering among others.

Track your progress and review with management

Its imperative that you keep track your deliverables, milestone and contribution from time to time. A periodic review with management to measure the progress and your contribution is an important parameter to determine your growth with the organization. If you can demonstrate over a period of time how youve saved money and time, increased income, or created a new methodology you can definitely expect a more than average raise (15 or 20 percent or more).

Dont plead! request a raise

Once you have been able to consistently establish your valued contribution and accomplishments do not falter to ask for a raise. However, you need to be somewhat reasonable and rational considering factors like overall economic situation, companys business outlook etc. Remember, no company would wish to lose a valuable worker.

Accept high visibility and tough assignments

Once you are able to pull through the difficult and high visible assignments, you are likely to be considered by your boss for the next ones. Generating management confidence is the key; once established, you are definitely considered for a role change and a higher salary. Its important to be consistent, though. Your place of work will determine the level of your compensation based on the economic environment of location/state that you are in.

Ringrinngggrinnnggg

The alarm is ringing. Its 7:30 am and you have to get up and get ready for work on Monday morning. But you can barely drag yourself out of bed. You wish the weekend to last for another day so that you could keep your commitments at bay for little longer. You push the snooze button yet again as you cover yourself with your blanket.

Does the above experience sound familiar? If it does, you probably suffer from Monday morning blues. Almost everybody has had it. Mondays are annoying for many of us. We are reluctant to go to work and wish if we could have more time to relax.

Alas, Monday morning comes every week and there is no way of skipping it!

The key to beating Monday morning blues lies in organizing your work. We tend to accomplish lot more on our weekends than we can actually do — the result is we over-plan and underachieve. With proper organization of your work you can relax more, complete more task and spent more time with family and friends.

Here are few easy and effective ways to break your Monday Blues in a flash!

Prepare for your weekend

• Plan your weekend well ahead. Be realistic and do not over plan.
• Prepare a to-do list for your weekend so that you dont miss out on anything.
• To enjoy a stress free Sunday complete all your chores on Saturday and plan some entertainment and fun activities. Spend time with family and friends and spend some time on exercise.
• Fill your week with some fun activities so that end of weekend does not feel like end of world.

Sleep well to reduce stress

• Never compromise with your minimal daily requirements for healthy living: sufficient sleep, healthy food, and exercise.
• Adhere to your normal sleeping time. During weekend we go to bed late and wake up late. This out-of-rhythm sleep disrupts the internal clock of our body as we find it difficult to wake up on Monday morning.
• If you can, try taking little naps in between your work to keep yourself energized. However, try not to nap on Sunday afternoon or you will not be able to sleep early and prevent drowsiness on Monday afternoon.

Drain out the negative energy

• Exercise is probably the last thing that you would do on a Monday morning but trust me it is actually a great way to start to start the week. Exercise for half an hour in the morning will get your blood pumping, release the feel-good endorphins and expel the negative energies out of your body. Not only will this give your body a physical boost but also make your brain more alert and ready for work.
• Get out in the sunlight. Bright light refreshes your body and helps you reset your internal clock. Ensure that your work area is brightly illuminated and has lighter shades of color on the wall as these increases the brightness and makes the workplace look spacious.
• Wear clothes which makes you feel confidant, comfortable and happy. Dress to look best on Mondays.
• On top of all, change your attitude towards Mondays. Perceiving Mondays in a negative light will not help in anyway. Look at it as a great beginning to start a new week.

Ease out a bit

• After a couple of days off you may not feel like doing some complicated work on Monday morning. So, start with that kind of work which you enjoy to do. Loosen up a bit. Drink some coffee and catch up with friends to remind you that work isnt so bad.
• Avoid negative interactions that may ruin your mood at the beginning of the workweek. Experiencing positive interactions will make you feel good about yourself and your work.
• A bad traffic can ruin the rest of the day. Start from home early to beat the traffic and listen to good music during your drive to work to soothe yourself.

Because Monday mornings cannot be avoided, you should get used to it. Change you r attitude and start looking at the Mondays as a great start for another exciting week. If none of the above tips help you to beat the blues then consider a change in career. A more satisfying job can help you cope up with the Monday morning blues. A new job, new responsibilities, new people, new workplace may do the trick.

The Great Depressions, by far was the biggest economic downturn of the 21^st century. Jobs were gone overnight. Banks ruined. Companies became bankrupt. Stock market plunged. Entire economic system paralyzed. Life for many was never the same.

The aftermath of the Depression in 1930 was that people stopped trusting the bank and started saving money for the future. Then the economy again picked up. The industry was at once rewarding, innovative, and frustrating. Then the recession again struck the market. A situation like this floods your mind with questions like: Is your industry strong enough to emerge from recession? Will your company be able to make up for the losses? Is your job recession proof and should you stick on to it?

Every cloud has a silver lining. Even in gloom and doom people and organizations are finding their way out. As the market is recovering from recession we are seeing a sea of change in the financial psychology worldwide. People are saving and keeping a close watch on the market. Many became risk-averse and are refusing debt.

The worst times are the best teachers and teach us things in the oddest of ways. Take advantage of this tough experience. Now is the time to reevaluate your career and the future of your industry, your company, your job, and your skills.

Be frugal and save for tomorrow

This recession has taught everyone to be penny-pinching. Focus is now not on what to buy but how to save. Layoffs has given the idea to people that spending more than they can earn is not smart as everything can be snatched away overnight. If you are lucky enough not to be hit by layoff, yet chances of escaping the pay-cuts was thin. Hence, all these point towards only one thing that saving and spending smartly is wise. This is the high time to realize the importance of living below your means and putting some money in the bank for emergencies.

Acknowledge the power of change

Change is the integral part of business. Modification of policies and compliance are the biggest challenge for any company. Many organizations are realizing that adherence to policies was missing. There were not much loopholes in the policies and procedures but in its compliance. Hence stricter enforcement has become imperative. Moreover, the business model which has made the company successful so far does not guarantee a steady success in future. However this fear should not be so great that the companies go into survival mode. Reassessing policies and business model and improvising on them for a better future is the responsibility of all organization.

People are looking for job opening and willing to change their career. Thus to retain employees organizations has to restructure their HR policies and work on upgrading their skill-sets. Thus when confronted with change a wise person should think about the desired outcome and figure out strategies ways to reach it. Even when a job seeker needs to change in career, lots of research and planning is required. Check out the pros and cons of the new industry and the embrace change.

Take calculated risk

When it comes to money, after recession nobody wants to be a risk taker and is suspicious of any kind of investments. But playing it safe without trying more prospective options is a risk not worth taking. Taking no risk is worse than taking any risk. Instead of hiding from risk it is better to understand and learn to manage them. As the saying goes dont put all your eggs in one basket, hence, look for additional income-generating opportunities and invest accordingly.

Plan for the road ahead

No point for guessing that poor planning led to the dilapidated financial conditions of many in the recession. With proper planning such situations can be avoided in future. However, when it comes to finance planning people find it hard to seek out assistance. There is no shame in asking for help when you are in need of it. A good planner will educate you about the hazards and rewards involved with investing. But you should also figure out where you are and where you want to be and plan accordingly.

It was all about business

When the economy was staggering, creditors and lenders started showing their true colors. Interest rates were raised and credit limits were reduced. People were shocked to learn that creditors and lenders meant only business and no sympathy was extended. Even people with excellent credit limit were hit and lenders are not extra careful about confirming creditworthiness. Some important lessons learnt here are:

• Just because a lender approves your loan doesnt mean that you can afford to pay it back. You should know your limit and borrow accordingly.
• Learn to manage your finances. Keep an eye on your expenses and take responsibility of your expenses and try to pay it off as soon as possible.
• Prioritize debt, start from paying off your highest interest rate first.

This too shall pass

Trust me, the nation has seen tough economic times before and has emerged successfully from it. This time too it will survive. The economy will change and will open the door for new opportunities.

In the difficult times, the companies have lowered their budgets and worked within the limited means yet they survived by re-planning and not compromising on the training and development. On the individual level, proper financial and debt management helped many to sail through this recession and avoid crisis. But in such a climate, there is a lot that can be learned. Lessons from past will help anyone to resurface from recession.

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
Robert F. Kennedy

The present business scenario calls for leaders who can make quick decisions. In this fast paced era where everyone is competing hard to stay on top, any delay in decision making may lead to losing a prospect. Thus taking risk has become an integral part of business. Taking risks to make sound professional judgment demonstrates strong leadership abilities and implies that you have all it takes to handle more interesting, challenging work.