Ten (or so) things you shouldn't say in an interview

Job interviews can be stressful and uncomfortable for seasoned professionals. For those starting their careers, it can be downright painful. Whether it's the thought that you'll never find a job, the lack of confidence, or the professional outfit you rarely wear it's easy for newly-graduated candidates to get tripped up during an interview. To help you better prepare for an interview, here are ten (or so) things you shouldn't say when you're trying to land a job.

1. Tell me a little about yourself and why you want to work here.

When it comes to an interview don't be surprised if you're asked why you want to work for the organization. If you're lucky you're interviewing for your dream job, the one you've been preparing for your whole life. If Lady Luck is not on your side you're interviewing for a job, and the only reason you applied is because there was one available. Companies don't like to hear that they're sloppy seconds, and they certainly don't like to hire desperate people.

 

Research and preparation are the keys to handling most interview questions, and the ole "who are you and why do you want to work here" questions are no exception. Besides the collecting a paycheck motive, look at the company as a whole to decide why you want to work there. Look at their work, clients, products, philanthropy, and then pick one or two highlights to discuss with the interviewer.

2. What are your strengths?

This standard interview question is difficult for those entering the workforce to answer primarily because most new graduates feel like being able to communicate strengths is the equivalent to bragging. Some people may make the mistake of trying to downplay their strengths.

 

Knowing your strengths is important. You can use them to help excel in your career. Knowing your strengths is also important for your potential employer. It helps them gauge where you can contribute to their team. Try to remember that communicating your strengths isn't bragging if someone asks. Also try to remember that you shouldn't be embarrassed about your strengths just as long as they are true strengths and not just some bullshit you say in an interview.

3. What are your biggest weaknesses?

It's the yin to the yang. If you get the strengths question you're sure to get the weaknesses question, which is equally challenging to answer. You don't want to say anything that could besmirch your image, so instead many try to discount their weaknesses.

Although some people say it's a good idea to spin your weakness into a strength, I say be careful with that magic trick. It can come across as fake or seem like you're dodging the question, which is rarely a good idea in an interview. Instead, try to focus on the weaknesses you face in your career, and remember that weaknesses are good just as long as you can acknowledge them and work to improve.

4. Think about a conflict you had. Tell me about it and how did you handle the situation?

Telling stories in an interview can be awkward for many. Story time during an interview is a chance for you to say a whole lot of nothing, poorly. This is definitely one of those question you have to be prepared for otherwise you could look immature and unprepared.

I think what makes this question so difficult is we often feel the need to tell a story where we are the hero, where we handled ourselves in a mature and professional way and that everything worked out in the end. I got a fortune cookie fortune once that said, "He who never makes mistakes never did anything worthy." Sure the fortune had sexist language, but the principle is still sound. What's wrong with telling a story where you didn't do the right thing, where the result wasn't perfect? As long as you learned a lesson that you can apply to your work and life now, I see nothing wrong with telling a story about a time when you didn't do it right.

5. How do you feel about working in teams?

Many people think working in teams suck. If you're a recent graduate the only experience you've had working in teams is during group projects in class, which is precisely why you think working in teams suck. Whatever you do, don't let your potential employer know you are reluctant to be a team player.

Many jobs require teamwork. Avoid showing your personal feelings about group work by casting aside those personal feelings. Although working in teams has it drawbacks, it can also be a positive and productive experience. You shouldn't wait until you're in an interview to accept the inevitable fact that you will have to work in a team of some sort. Find a way to come to terms with it so that in an interview you don't come across sounding like a rogue splinter cell.

6. How will you contribute to our team?

This is partially a "have you done your research" question. When researching the company you should also research the people who work at the company or you could come across looking like a recent college grad scrambling to find a job.

To help answer this question, think of your strengths. Fall back on a few of your stronger attributes to help you out of this interview jam.

7. Do you have a problem working late hours or on the weekends?

This is a work ethic question. If you get this question don't be surprised. You're going to have to work; it's the reason you're interviewing for the job, but remember that you'll be the low person on the totem pole. You should expect to pay your dues or you could come across as being lazy and difficult.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

If you don't have a plan for your future you need one for no other reason than to give you something to say when you get asked this question in an interview.

It's hard to know where you're going to be in five days let alone five years. If you haven't thought about a five-year plan then you need to. Try keeping your goals centered around your career more than around your personal life, and try to keep in mind where you are in your career now and where you hope to be in the future. Chances are you won't land your dream job right out of the gate, but more than likely you have a dream job in mind. You don't have to be there in five years, but you should be thinking about the steps you need to take to get there, which will come in handy when answering interview questions that ask you to predict where you will be in the future.

9. Are you a Democrat?

Although these types of interview questions are unethical, even illegal, don't be surprised if you get them. If you aren't prepared for these, you can easily say the wrong thing or end up offending the interviewer.

Questions like "do you plan to get married," "do you want to have children," "what is your political preference," and a host of others can creep into the interview process. Some say you should never answer unethical or illegal questions. I say not answering can be just as offensive. As tactfully as you can, I recommend side-stepping the question. It's one of the few times in an interview that you can get away with avoiding a question.

Side-Stepping Example

10. Do you have any questions for me?

This is typically the last question for most interviews. There are tons of potential answers that can hurt you, but asking no questions can be equally damaging.

If you've done your research, answering this question is a breeze. All you have to do is ask a few questions that show your interest in the company, your ability to do research, and demonstrate your work ethic. Questions like, "What kind of person are you looking for to fill this position" and "What are your company's greatest needs at this time" are solid, end-of-interview questions that can help you stand out from the pack.

Research and Preparation

No matter what questions are thrown at you during an interview it's important to remember doing research and preparing ahead of time are critical steps to the process. It's the only way you'll be able to calmly and rationally present yourself in the best possible way to potential employers. 

Special thanks to Dr. Gary Steward, Dean for the College of Liberal Arts at University of Central Oklahoma. Regular thanks goes to Sonya B.

How To Be A Zombie Slayer: A Professor's Guide To Surviving Today's Classroom (Step 1)

The start of the school year is always the same. Students shuffle into my classes bearing the same looks as their predecessors. Few seem genuinely excited to start the year anew. Some are deer in headlights, but the majority are zombies.

Zombies in the classroom have become increasingly problematic for professors, but students aren’t born zombies. They’re turned into zombies, and the transformation doesn’t happen overnight.

Down deep they’re still in there, alive, interested, engaged, and breathing, but somehow, some way, somewhere they came into contact with something, and the infection spread. Some are at more severe stages than others, but all are a threat.

If a professor doesn't eradicate the zombie problem in their classroom they risk exposing uninfected students to the disease, becoming infected themselves and, worst of all, having a long, frustrating, and shitty school year.

STEP 1: Identify the Zombies

The first step to slaying the zombies is to identify them. This step should not be overlooked, and it certainly shouldn’t be underestimated. Whereas some zombies are easily identifiable, others are much harder to detect.

Types of Zombies

There are several categories of zombies you should be aware of, each one posing a different challenge to the professor.

The Obvious Zom (OZs)

The likelihood of coming into contact with the Obvious Zom is greater if you’re teaching lower-division, general education courses where they often migrate in larger numbers.

Obvious Zoms, however, have been spotted roaming around higher division courses, but they don’t seem to travel in as large of packs in those classrooms.

OZ Indicators  

Obvious Zoms drag their bodies to their seats and then slouch there, mouth agape. Many will sleep. Others vacantly stare into space and grunt inaudible responses whenever called upon.

Obvious Zoms are often seen wearing mismatched pajamas, the same outfit four weeks in a row, or the standard sport shorts, hoodie, and ball cap.

When not capped, their hair is often unkempt and they’re not particular about personal hygiene. If you come into close contact with an Obvious Zom don’t be surprised to smell that they have not bathed, used deodorant, or brushed their teeth.

It must also be noted that depending on the time of day, it’s likely an Obvious Zom has not fed. If they have fed, they probably didn’t do it properly.

Watch Out

As easy as it is to identify Obvious Zoms, it’s equally easy to misidentify them. The indicators above match the description of most college students, but contrary to what some may believe, there are many students fitting the description of an Obvious Zom who are not yet zombies.

Tactical Tip

Try not to judge a book by its cover. If you’re in doubt whether you’re dealing with an Obvious Zom or just a sloppy student, check their eyes. Look at the suspects in question more frequently during lectures and especially during videos. You won’t have to look long. Obvious Zoms typically reveal themselves quickly, hence the name. 

More tactical tips are discussed in Step 3: Gathering Your Weapons. 

The Splinter Cell (SCs)

Splinter Cells are much harder to detect than Obvious Zoms, and they are more effective at infecting others. 

The Splinter Cell is typically savvier than the Obvious Zom, and some Splinter Cells confuse their savvy nature for knowledge of course material. Others use it to hide how much the infection has progressed.  

SC Indicators

You can’t identify a Splinter Cell by their appearance. They may share some similarities with the Obvious Zom, but many have good personal hygiene and tend to sport trendy or professional attire on occasion.  Splinter Cells reveal themselves not through dress but through their behavior.

Splinter Cells are more social than the Obvious Zom. Their sociability comes in two forms, either with other students in the class or with electronic devices. Some display a talent for both.

Splinter Cells are focused on anything but the task at hand, and if left unchecked, the more efficient ones can infect the entire room before the professor has time to change the slide.

Watch Out

Students who have had too much caffeine, sweets, and excitement or distress in their personal lives can be mistaken for a Splinter Cell. 

The Baby Zom (BZs)

The Baby Zoms are students who’ve only recently come into contact with the infection. The best part about dealing with a Baby Zom is that they’re easier to cure, if the infection is caught in time.

BZ Indicators

Baby Zoms are just starting their college careers. High school was not challenging and it’s likely they have never been required to do much intellectual thinking. Most are unaware that they’ve been exposed, and many don’t understand the severity of the disease.

Watch Out

Don’t be fooled by their youth. If Baby Zoms go undiagnosed, the infection has the potential to spread and eventually turn them into either an Elder Zom or an Angry Zom, which are much more difficult zombies to defeat.

The Elder Zom (EZs)

The Elder Zoms are at the end of their college careers and have either chosen the wrong major or their education was not challenging enough. It’s likely that, like the Baby Zom, Elder Zoms have never been required to do much intellectual thinking.

EZ Indicators

Elder Zoms are painfully aware of their infection. They’re smothered by it and they feel helpless against its will. They don’t want to be a zombie, but they have little strength to fight the infection.
 
As tired as Elder Zoms are emotionally, the infection inside them is strong. There's potential to light a fire inside Elder Zoms, but the wood is often buried close to the heart of the infection and there is barely any oxygen in the chamber. You might get the flame to catch for a moment, but the disease usually snuffs it out before it has a chance to burn.

Watch Out

It’s easy to dismiss Elder Zoms as a lost cause. Elder Zoms want to be saved. They recognize what the infection is doing to them, but many have a sense of hopelessness and don’t know how to ask for help.

The Angry Zom (AZs)

Angry Zoms are Elder Zoms who don’t want to be saved. Many don’t see the value of education or they have passion for other areas of interest. Often Angry Zoms feel pressure from society or family to earn a college degree.

AZ Indicators

Angry Zoms are disappointed with their academic careers and they sometimes act out their frustration by disappearing for weeks on end. Angry Zoms have no intention of seeking treatment and resent those who offer it.

Watch Out

It’s easy to lose your temper when dealing with an Angry Zom. Keep in mind the Angry Zom distrusts professors because they have not had a good educational experience. Be patient when battling Angry Zoms and try not to take the attacks personally. It’s not the student acting out, it’s the infection.

The Nearly Zom (NZs)

Nearly Zoms are not total zombies, but they have been exposed to enough of the infection that they could become one at any minute. These students are in need of immediate treatment.

NZ Indicators

Nearly Zoms are typically students in the beginning or middle of their academic careers. They are fairly easy to spot due to their defensive posture and cavalier body language.

Nearly Zoms usually sit towards the back of the room but some prefer to sit off to the side away from other students.

This defense mechanism is a testament to their intelligence. Many Nearly Zoms are aware that they have been infected but often have low expectations for a full recovery.

Despite low expectations, Nearly Zoms still have a small flame burning inside them. It's dwindling, but there's still a part of these students not yet infected.

Watch Out

The Nearly Zom's challenging and defensive nature can be misinterpreted as arrogance. Try to remember that Nearly Zoms aren't necessarily arrogant. They're suspicious. It's part of the armor they've use to try to protect themselves from the disease. 

Get A Strategy Together Quickly

Nothing will suck your passion for teaching quicker than a room full of zombies. Immediate zombie ID can help pave the way to a successful school year. Only by understanding what you’re up against can you develop a strong strategy and assemble the appropriate weapons to help you achieve victory on the academic battlefield.

Defending Your Life Moments: 5 Steps To Fear-Free Decision-Making

Fear is a powerful thing. It can control every aspect of our lives and guide our decisions in matters of finance, health, relationships, and career. If left unchecked fear can reign like a mob boss, leaving a trail of dead bodies as it rises to power in an internal turf war.

The 1991 comedy “Defending Your Life,” starring Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep, is a movie about the importance of overcoming your fears. An IMDb synopsis of the flick goes like this, “In an afterlife resembling the present-day US, people must prove their worth by showing in court how they have demonstrated courage.”

In the movie, Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) dies in a car accident and goes to Judgment City where he must prove he overcame his fears and is ready to move on in the universe.  The “lawyers” single out key events in Daniel’s life to either prove or disprove his ability to overcome fear. If Daniel fails, he will be sent back to earth to try again, which is fine except he’s fallen in love with Julia (Meryl Streep), a woman who is clearly progressing.

The movie doesn’t necessarily focus on everyday, random fears like the kind you have when you’ve stopped for gas in a bad neighborhood. Instead it focuses on major life events where Daniel let fear guide his decisions.

“Defending Your Life” is one of my all-time favorite movies because of the smart writing, the funny dialogue, the talented actors, and the priceless life lesson it teaches.

Something about the idea of the movie has stuck with me over the years, and I try to live my life conscious of “Defending Your Life” moments.

Over the past five years I’ve been faced with three situations that I’d consider “Defending Your Life” moments. One was financial, one was personal, and the third was career-related. All three involved major decisions about my life. I know they were major decisions because I was damn afraid to make them.

I pushed through the fear though and made each decision with Daniel Miller in mind, and I have to say, every decision I’ve made that was free of fear has turned out for the best.

Then, just a few weeks ago, I experienced another “Defending Your Life” moment. As the opportunity was presenting itself, I knew it was one of the scenes from my life that would later be examined if ever I found myself in Judgment City.  I know because I was instantly struck with fear at the thought of seizing an opportunity.

What if I choose poorly? What if I can’t do it? What if I make the wrong decision? What if I fail?

I’ve been in this place before, plagued by fear-filled questions about the unknown consequences of my decisions. I have to remind myself that there’s nothing to be afraid of if only I remember to take five little steps to help me shuck away my fear like an oyster shell on a warm June day at Hog Island.

5 Steps To Fear-Free Decision Making

I’m no expert, but I think the first step to shucking fear is admitting you’ll never have a fear-free life. 

Step 1: Recognize Fear

Fear exists. Fear is natural. Fear can save your life. There are some positives to fear, no doubt, but as with everything, fear is best in moderation. Too much fear can cause stress, rash decision-making, and missed opportunities. To keep fear from making your decisions, it’s important to pinpoint the source of the fear.

Being honest about your feelings is critical for pinpointing the source of your fear. If you’re afraid of, say, financial repercussions of a decision, validating that fear can help put it into perspective without allowing it to cloud your judgment entirely.

By removing your opponent’s anonymity you can weaken their attack.

Step 2: Think Logically

Sometimes fear can be a gift, but mostly fear is an irrational emotion. I’m no scientist, but I’ve found when I’m struck with fear my thoughts jump around, visualizing the situation from all sorts of angles, and sifting through the jumbled confusion is about as easy as untangling a knotted yarn ball.

In “Defending Your Life” moments, it’s easy to lose track of your starting point. To avoid getting ahead of yourself too quickly, try starting with where you are in the present.

Ask yourself, “What would happen if I did nothing?” Would I be happy? Would I regret the decisions I’ve made so far?

If you start with tough question and answer them honestly, you’ll be better equipped to make life-altering decisions.

Once you’ve thought about the present in a logical manner, then you can start weighing the pros and cons of a decision.

Step 3: Think Short and Long-Term

Knee-jerk reactions, though exciting, can turn out bad. When it comes to “Defending Your Life” moments, think long-term instead.

Start with a year out and then move to three and five years out. Once you’ve considered all aspects of the opportunity on the shorter term then look at twenty years out. Although we live life in the short-term, there’s no denying the benefits of thinking long-term.

Step 4: Talk It Out

When you’re faced with “Defending Your Life” moments, it helps to talk to people whose opinions you trust. Others are not nearly as afraid of the repercussions of your decisions and may offer you another view on the matter.

When talking it out, try to avoid those who encourage fear. You know who they are, the negative Nancys in everyone’s life. All fear needs to turn the tables on you is support. Don’t allow fear to congregate with others.

Step 5: Go With Your Gut

Once you have labeled fear appropriately, thought logically through the long-term and talked it out with your personal opinion leaders there’s nothing left to do but make the decision. Don’t second-guess yourself.

Big decisions are scary. You can make a wrong move and wind up flat on your face, broke, and humiliated but down deep, if you remove the fear and go with your gut, you’ll make the right decision every time.

Got Stress?

The past two years have been hard for me. I ended a relationship, moved, and changed jobs. I lost my dad, old friends and colleagues, and now my house got flooded and my car is totaled. Despite being released from my day job duties and free for the summer, I still feel an enormous amount of stress in my life.

Stress is a funny thing. Sometimes it comes at you like a Mack truck and the only thing you've got to stop it from plowing you down is a piece of gauze.

Other times stress is more subtle, like a thumb pinning you down while the glue slowly dries.

Sometimes you get hit by a Mack truck and pinned down at the same time. Those are really special moments.

Personally, I prefer the Mack truck over waiting for the glue to dry. If you're hit by a Mack truck you can easily identify the source of your pain and anxiety, which is the first step to working through it.

When you're pinned down it's harder to pinpoint the source of your discomfort. You just feel a weight around your chest squeezing the air from your lungs. Every breath you take inches you closer to a full-blown panic attack.

Stress is a killer. It kills our mood. It kills our bodies. It kills our careers and relationships. You'd think with all the killing authorities could put a stop to stress. Alas stress is one of those silent, hard-to-catch killers. Sneaky as all get out. Strikes year round all over the world. There's no discrimination as far as victims go, no pattern to the crimes.

Chances are you'll be struck by stress at some point in your life. The odds are forever in your favor, but there are ways to protect yourself from stress.

I'm no doctor, though I've seen them played on TV, but I am a survivor of stress. Here are six tips for battling stress that have proven effective for me.

1. Go for a walk.

Exercise is a great way to help prevent stress from building up and is essential for working through it. Exercise is a natural anti-depressant and can help you kick the blues that come along with stress. I recommend vigorous workouts like boxing or a spin class, but you can lift weights, jog, take yoga/pilates type classes, or even just go for a walk around your neighborhood. The point is, when you're stressed get physical to help your body fight off illness and work out tension.

2. Eat something healthy.

Chances are when you're stressed you're not eating properly. Stress affects our appetite in several ways. Sometimes it kills but other times it only kidnaps, and we find it later in a bag of Funyons or at the drive-thru window of Taco Bell. To help avoid and overcome stress eat "good for you" foods that help boost your immune system and eat them on a regular basis.

3. Have a drink.

If you are binge drinking to deal with stress, ignore this tip and skip to tip 4.

If you are not drinking in excess, then pour yourself a night cap, glass of water or juice, or cup of coffee and drink it slowly. You'll find the sensation is calming and can help ward off panic.

4. Stop drinking.

If you are drinking in excess, stop drinking immediately. Alcohol is a depressant and can make the effects of stress worse. Dry out and you'll find that the stress might not go away, but it will be easier to fight when you're sober.

5. Talk it out and then move on.

If you're a victim of stress you will likely fall into one of two categories: those who don't want to tell anyone about it and those who want to tell everyone about it.

Stress is at its most vicious when victims keep it to themselves because it builds up and starts eating away at our insides. Got a good friend who listens and gives good advice? Seek immediate care with those individuals. Maybe have a drink about it.

On the other hand resist the urge to tell every bank teller, phone operator, and car mechanic all the ins and outs of your woes. Over-sharing with strangers can allow stress to fester. It can also create more stress in the stranger's life, which is always bad juju.

We need to talk about what's bothering us when we're stressed. It's a good opportunity to get advice and it gets some of the negative energy out, but don't overdo it. A good rule of thumb is to keep it between you, a few good friends, and maybe your hair dresser.

6. Do something fun.

Whatever it is you like to do to relax and have fun, do it. Be it playing an instrument, drawing a picture, going to a movie, or working in your garden do something to rejuvenate your soul. Taking your mind of your troubles for a short time can renew your energy, making you better equipped to handle an attack from stress. 

You can't avoid stress no matter how prepared you are, but you can make dealing with the aftermath a lot easier if you remember to exercise, eat right, have a drink, talk to a friend, and do something fun. Do these basic things and you'll no longer be a victim of stress, you'll be a survivor.

Why deadlines get my creative juices flowing

I have a love/hate relationship with deadlines. I can't stand them for things like grading, paying bills, and making connection flights, but I love them for the creative process.

When I was younger I thought the creative process didn't need deadlines, but the longer I create the more I see how immature that kind of thinking is. Deadlines are critical to taking the work to the next level.


Raw Talent Only Gets You So Far

I'm a creative person. I always have been. When other kids were watching TV, I was staging and performing plays in my garage.

I used to pretend I was a radio DJ and would "broadcast" from my bedroom. I did whole shows.

I dig drawing, though I suck at it, and photography has always been in my blood. One of my first "real" jobs was as a photographer for the City of Tulsa. I'd snap shots of maintenance crews fixing lines and repairing roads. Exciting stuff.

And, then there has always been the writing.

Writing is my true love, my mistress and wife. I'm lucky to have it. Sure we've been on again, off again but, for the most part, I've been writing creatively all my life. I started writing short stories and poems and eventually worked around to screenplays, ad copy, speeches, and novels.

It was during the ad copy years when I first experienced deadlines, and I respected them for their importance and function. Working under multiple deadlines for multiple projects helped me create stronger concepts and write quicker, tighter, more effective copy. As much as I understood this concept in my day job, I didn't make the connection to the importance of deadlines in my creative work until just a few years ago.

I'm no guru creativity master by any means, but I think creativity stems from two places: the heart and the mind.

Creativity Is Born In The Heart

Creative people have passion. When a student of mine says, "But I'm not creative," it boils my blood. You just identified yourself to me as someone who has no passion, no zest for life. Either that or you don't understand what it means to be creative.

Passion is the fuel for creativity, and you need fuel to be creative. Creating something takes energy, but how much fuel you have depends on your passion for the subject. For some things you've barely got a spark, but for others you could burn down Winterfell.

Creativity Is Shaped In The Mind

Having passion is one part of the creative process. The second part is sculpting that passion. Raw passion is beautiful, but even the wildest of flowers needs pruning to grow stronger. This is where critical thinking, decision-making, and basic mechanics come in. Without the mind, creative pursuits have a hard time developing into anything tangible.

For some people creative pursuits are just chicken soups for the soul or hobbies to pass time or to avoid interaction with family members. Other people want to push their creative projects beyond the comforts of their home and into venues where strangers can enjoy the work, as well. Whichever side of the creative coin you land on, deadlines are critical to producing creative work.

Deadlines Help You Deliver

Even if you don't want to get published, or show, or make it big with a creative pursuit in some way, you still need deadlines to feed your passion. You don't have to have tight deadlines or even hard deadlines, but you still need some kind of deadline to help you finish the piece. Otherwise months, years, or even decades could pass without you actually completing something, and it's the completion of something, the standing back and marveling at your handiwork, that is the fuel for your passion.

Hold Yourself Accountable

Developing your creativity is like exercising your body. You've got to get the heart pumping so that the mind can focus. If you don't workout consistently you get soft, winded, and when you do workout, you hurt muscles you didn't even know you had.

Those who workout consistently can push themselves harder, have more stamina and energy, and aren't nearly as sore the next day.

Setting frequent deadlines and holding yourself accountable to hit those deadlines can help you produce a volume of work, and like Ira Glass said, it's only in producing a volume of work that your work will actually improve.

Give It A Go

Try setting weekly or monthly deadlines for your creative pursuits. Start small with, say, a poem a week or whatever creative activity you enjoy doing. Do this for a month and see if the quality of your poems (or other work) improve. I bet it does.

I also bet that if you upped the ante and tried two poems a week for the next month, the work would improve even more. More than likely you'll also find the work gets easier to produce because your creative muscles are starting to get ripped.

Will every poem/script/photo/sculpture/dance/video you create be amazing works of art? No, but the chances of a few of them being amazing works of art increase when you have more finished pieces to choose from.

The Importance of Being Organized - File Labeling

Every semester I assign massive projects. From things like multiple ad portfolios to website creation and social media campaigns, I put my students through the wringer during my courses. These projects keep me on my toes at all times, but every semester I forget to include one simple instruction.

How to Label Your Files

Labeling your files in a clear manner helps you stay organized, yet every semester I get assignments sent to me with the ole standbys of "ad1.pdf" and "IMG_1119.jpg," which means I have to spend precious time relabeling the files so I can keep better track of whose work what file belongs to among the twenty or so files I received that have all been labeled in the same generic, vague manner.

Sending Files To Yourself

When I send files to myself the labeling is not as important to me because I know what they are. Still, many times I forget what I called the file and waste a lot of time searching for the document. This could be avoided if I had just label the files clearly in the first place.

Labeling files is important so you can easily access them later but only you know what works for you. The important thing is that you relabel files from "photo.jpg" and "IMG_23329" to something more descriptive.

Sending Files To Other People

When I send files to other people the labeling takes a front burner because, depending on what it is, I want the receiver to look at the file.

If I'm sending a resumé I always label the file with my name in it. Ex. MTyler-Resume

Sometimes I put the place I'm sending it to in the file extension so I can track where I've sent it. Ex. MTyler-Resume-Target

It's also a good idea to include the position you're applying for. Ex. MTyler-Resume-Target-Greeter

You don't want overly lengthy titles but you want to distinguish your resumé from all the other resumés that are more than likely labeled "resume.doc" because most people don't pay attention when labeling files.

If I'm sending work-related items I usually label according to the version of the project. Ex. Moosejuice_Mission_v1

If you are working on a project that has multiple levels of revisions it's important to label your files correctly so you can keep track of where you are in the project. Some changes are miniscule and can be overlooked if the file is not labeled properly.

The point is there's nothing wrong with having a lot of versions of file as long as you are able to keep track of the one you are currently working on.  

Time Is the New Money

Clear and organized file labeling saves time. In the future I will be more critical of the way students label their files. It's a small but important part of the communication process that is often overlooked.

Organized file labeling saves both the sender and the receiver time and for students, the more time they can save me while grading their final projects, the happier I will be while grading their final projects. It's a win-win.

My Day Job Doesn't Suck

This time of year is always a stressful time in the mayor's office. The responsibilities I have for my day job escalate to extreme overload as the clock ticks down to the end of another semester at Mooseville University, but Mooseville still has to be managed. It's my civic duty to our great town.

No matter how much I have to do by an increasingly fast-approaching deadline, I still love my day job very much. I'm surrounded by fun, engaged, interesting people who are eager to teach and learn about Mass Communications. Sure there are difficulties every semester, but I enjoy 99% of the things I have to do to earn my keep. The 1% I don't enjoy is grading, which takes up roughly 85% of my time.

Regardless, there's something about preparing for and teaching a course that I enjoy very much. I'm lucky. A lot of people don't have it so good.

A lot of people don't have a day job and many who do hate what they do for a living. They hate it so much it interferes with their nighttime vigilante work. It sucks their energy and dampers their spirits. There's nothing left to give because it took all they had just to drag their ass to work.

In social circles I'm careful not to boast too much about how great my job is, and I'm mindful about complaining about the little irritations, hiccups and annoyances that accompany working in academia. Three out of the five people in the room will have it much worse. When all's said and done, I don't have much to complain about it except that I have small social circles.

No matter what stress this time of year brings, I try to keep it all in perspective. I'm about to wind it down and then I get a break. I plan on working in my garden, grilling out, and watching MOP. I'm also writing some new legislation, and I've got some vacation time coming up. Great Mother, I love the summer.

Street Performing, A Metaphor For Life

I tried something new again this weekend, street performing. I went to the Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts and played the harmonica for the patrons. In five minutes I earned over $5. It was awesome.

As nice as the cash money was (paid for part of my over-priced dinner), the best part about street performing was the experience and the lesson I learned.

I discovered that people will stop, listen, engage, and fork over their pocket change if you're friendly and have a positive attitude. Attitude is everything, not just with street performing but in life in general.

You attract more flies with honey (not sure if this is technically true), kill 'em with kindness (not sure you can kill someone kindly), play nice (not sure if this is possible if you're playing the bad guy) - I've heard these things time again, but the truth behind the sentiments moved to my front burner this weekend. Fact: They gave more money when I smiled and asked them what they wanted to hear.

I'm gad I performed for strangers this weekend on a street corner on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It built some character, was a fun and profitable way to pass time, and it reinforced a key principle I believe in wholeheartedly. Positive juju is a powerful thing.

Today's Agenda April 26, 2013

It's a beautiful day. The art's festival is happening in OKC, and it couldn't be better weather. I knocked out a lot of work for my day job this week so I can relax a little and focus on Mooseville and other personal projects. I have a meeting this afternoon with city council about the new gun legislation I've proposed, and I'm giving street performing a go on Sunday. It's going to be an awesome weekend.