Tag Archives: outlook

Poll: What Are Your Job Market Predictions for 2016?

MOV_POLL-ICONWith 2015 coming to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year and look forward to a new one too. Last year, we asked Movin’ On Up readers what they predict the job market to look like in 2015, and 35% said they believed the market was stable enough to try for a new job, followed by 27% who reported the market was going to get worse before it got better. Readers who were confident they’d get a job offer in 2015 made up 17% of respondents, while 11% planned to stay where they were in their career paths.

This year, as we look toward 2016, we want to know if your expectations have changed. Do you think the job market will grow, remain the same, or plummet? Do you feel the same way as our readers did last year, or did your year affect your outlook on 2016? Let us know by voting in our poll!

Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Beat Job Stress with a Positive Outlook

Stress Fear of layoffs. Longer work hours. Budget cutbacks. The list of today’s on-the-job stressors goes on and on – creating the perfect storm for workplace negativity. But with a few tweaks to your attitude and daily routine, you’ll sail through turbulent times with a smile on your face and a lot less tension. 

Keep complainers from darkening your day. Nothing sucks the joy out of a workplace like a perpetual pessimist. These naysayers always have plenty to gripe about – from the snacks in the vending machines to a new computer system to the weather. If you’re not careful, you’ll quickly find yourself dragged down by their contagious negative energy.

Put up a mental buffer. To prevent grouches from ruining your workday, refuse to react to their outbursts. Don’t provide ammunition for their tirades by offering an emotional response. Instead, remain neutral and resist the urge to fire off your own complaints.

Map out your day. Whenever possible, mix up your routine to avoid getting trapped in lengthy conversations with grumpy co-workers. Consider taking your breaks on an adjusted schedule to avoid a potential water cooler gripe fest.

Once your gloomy co-workers realize you’re not interested in being their sounding board, they’ll be less likely to dump their complaints on you.

Chose to see your glass half full. While you may not be able to change your co-workers’ bad attitudes, you can keep your own attitude upbeat. Like sunshine on a cloudy day, other people are naturally drawn to those who exude positive energy.

Live long and prosper. Need more motivation to look on the bright side? According to a recent study by the University of Pittsburgh, optimists live longer, healthier lives than their more cynical counterparts.

Don’t get typecast as a grouch. Take control of your outlook by recognizing when you’re letting negative thoughts have the last word. If your inner monologue sounds more like a tragedy than a comedy, lighten up, and take a look at the bright side. Counter self-pitying thoughts by listing three things you’re thankful for.

With practice, you’ll find yourself more prone to positive thinking, which will more than just boost your mood, but likely improve your health as well.

Extinguish stress. When tension threatens to erupt in a volcano of negative energy, take time to cool down and regain your composure. Try taking deep breathes in the break room for five minutes, catching a quick laugh by watching a funny video, or enjoying a relaxing lunch with friends. Whatever you chose, make releasing stress a top priority.

Leave it at the door. Every now and then, you’re bound to have a rough day at work. But some people prolong the stress of the day by fixating on everything that went wrong.  Instead of taking your troubles home with you, give yourself a mental break. When you leave work for the day, resolve to not dwell on negative situations.

Focus on you. To keep on-the-job problems from overwhelming you, it’s important to find healthy outlets to relieve stress. That might mean taking a photography class, going for an evening jog or getting a massage. By separating yourself from the tension of the workplace, you’ll feel more refreshed and have better work-life balance – which is essential to maintaining a positive attitude at work.

By choosing to face difficulties with optimism, you’ll soon discover the benefits of positive thinking to your health, friendships and career. Then, no matter what the workday brings your way, you’ll be able to keep your outlook bright.

Poll Indicates Optimism About Economy

The year of 2009 is behind us, and 2010 is charging full steam ahead. As the economy continues to show signs of improvement, economists are predicting it will only be a matter of time before businesses and jobs start ramping up again. In January, a total of 652 people responded to our survey, “Are You Optimistic About the Job Market?

Of those who took the survey, 53.4% said they are optimistic about the job market this year, while 46.6% said they are not.

These numbers are an improvement over a similar poll that we took in March 2009. On that survey, more than 1,200 readers voted. Of those who took the survey, only 38.8% said they were optimistic about the economy over the next six months while 61.2% said they were not optimistic.

Overall, the outlook on the economy is looking up. Do you have any additional thoughts about the economy over the next six months? Share your thoughts here.

One Small Change: Instant Workplace Happiness

Research shows that happiness boosts workplace productivity and improves health, so companies have a vested interest in the happiness of their employees. But, because Americans spend most of their time at work – an average of 2,080 hours a year – every employee has a vested interest in their own happiness.

Factors like leadership, salary, benefits, and sense of purpose can improve happiness in the workplace, but they can not produce happiness, and are not factors completely within your control.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” So when you feel unhappy at work, take control and decide to find the silver lining in your current circumstances. Make the choice to have a positive outlook, no matter what. Chances are, you will instantly feel happier.

Having trouble looking on the bright side?  Try these five techniques the next time your outlook’s gloomy:

1. Make a list of three positive things in your life and post it at your workstation. Refer to it when you need a pick-me-up.

2. Make someone else happy. Mark Twain wrote, “The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up.” Do something to make someone’s day, and it just might make yours.

3. Take a walk in the sunshine to change your scenery. A change of scenery can help change your perception.

4. Change your stance. Hold your head up high in every circumstance and you will see more clearly.

5. Focus on something that brings you joy. Read a book, play a sport, or volunteer in your community to refocus your outlook on something positive.

Tell us how you improve your outlook in our comments section below.