The most important thing we keep throwing away (and how to get it back)

The most important thing we keep throwing away (and how to get it back)The most important thing we keep throwing away (and how to get it back)Im grounded today, like a jet ready for takeoff, but out of fuel. The worst part is, I have only myself to blame.Last Sunday, after a week away from the gym, I decided to dive in and hit the weights. I spent 45 minutes pumping and straining and then cooled down on the treadmill for a 30 minute, incline run.Artwork by John P. WeissProud of myself, I came home, showered, made some coffee, and settled into a good book.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAn injection ofToradolThe next morning, a dull headache slowly enveloped my skull. As the day progressed, so did the pain. A few Advil mid-day blunted the intensity, but it came back full force at bedtime.I crawled out of bed, took more Advil and wrapped an icepack around my neck. I slumped onto t he couch, focused on my breathing, and eventually slipped into a fitful sleep.The headache stayed with me, at varying intensities, all week, until I finally visited the doctor. After an injection of Toradal, a prescription, a massage referral, and stretching suggestions, I welches sent home to ice my neck and back.My productivity and creative output suffered all week because I overdid it at the gym and failed to stretch.The wasted time got me thinking about how we spend time. Subtract roughly eight hours of sleep, and each of us has 16 hours a day. Some people seem to accomplish amazing stuff in those 16 hours. Others, not so much.Busy has become the newfineIt seemswe all get wrapped up in lifes minutia, like gum in our hair.Our crazy schedules, commitments, and appointments monopolize much of our time.Add to that the unforced errors, like forgetting to stretch before a workout, and soon we feel totally time-starved.Whats worse, a lot of people confuse busyness with effectiveness. T hey view a hectic schedule and rush-rush lifestyle as a sign of success and status.Theres a video by social entrepreneurJeff Shinabargerthat captures perfectly todays glorification of busy (watch it below). In fact, Shinabarger points out that busy has become the new fine.In other words, when we used to ask people how they were, theyd say, Fine. Now, people say, Busy Im really busy.At some point toward the end of my law enforcement career, I started to figure out the value of slowing down. I paid more attention to my calendar and commitments.I couldnt predict every time waster, but I employed strategies (laid out below) that bought me some peace and sanity. I learned the value of slowing down, in order to get more out of life.Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a Roman, stoic philosopher who shared some wisdom about slowing down and living better.It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough, and a sufficiently generous amount has been given t o us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested. But when it is wasted in heedless luxury and spent on no good activity, we are forced at last by deaths final constraint to realize that it has passed away before we knew it was passing. So it is we are not given a short life but we make it short, and we are not ill-supplied but wasteful of it Life is long if you know how to useit.Seneca also shared the following observation.Finally, everybody agrees that no one pursuit can be successfully followed by a man who is preoccupied with many things?- ?eloquence cannot, nor the liberal studies?- ?since the mind, when distracted, takes in nothing very deeply, but rejects everything that is, as it were, crammed into it. There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living there is nothing that is harder tolearn.Five ways tosimplifyWe all have different lives and professions but anliegen into similar traps in how we manage our time. To that end, here are five ways to sim plify your life and get more out of it. None of these suggestions are earth-shattering revelations, but they are often overlooked and/or neglected.SleepGetting enough sleep pays huge dividends on your overall health and mental focus. Its easier to think when weve had enough sleep, and that means we can problem solve better.The sleep-deprived end up taking longer on tasks, which only cheats them from pursuing more enjoyable things.Digital vacationSocial media has its charms and its curses. Facebook, Instagram, and all the other digital rabbit holes can suck serious time out of your day. If youre wondering why you dont have six pack abs, or never wrote that novel, take a look at your social media use. Same goes for TV and smartphone use.More and more people are reevaluating their use of social media, television, and smartphones. Theyre removing apps, quitting social media, and rediscovering the gifts of face to face conversation, outdoor exercise, and passions like sports and the crea tive arts.Try taking a digital vacation, and replace all that online time doing family stuff, exercise, and neglected passions. Youll be surprised how much happier you might feel.MindfulnessLearning how to breath deeply and un-cluttering your mind will help you become more mindful and at peace.So much of our thoughts dwell on the past or what might happen in the future, at the expense of enjoying the present.Ever notice how we miss out on savoring experiences because were so busy documenting them with our smartphones?What on earth are we going to do with all those digital images and videos? How often do we ever really review all those images? Sure, some special moments deserve a photo, but not every waking hour. And what makes you think posting your chicken sandwich on Instagram will fascinate others?Turn off the devices, clear a smidgen of your schedule, and work on being present. When I was a police chief, I used to take my lunch in a local park. Id go somewhere quiet, enjoy my lu nch, and listen to the birds and wind in the trees. The experience was a welcome refuge from my hectic schedule. It grounded and re-energized me.Nowadays, I take long walks with my dogs to clear my mind, enjoy the fresh air and be mindful of the peaceful moments.SolitudeIve written often about the power ofsolitudeand quiet time. Were all social creatures to varying degrees, but spending time with ourselves is important. Its how we reconnect with our inner being.I love my solitude but struggled with the need to be doing something important. It took me a while to change habits, and realize that quiet time is important, too.In the past, whenever I went to a coffee shop by myself, Id pull out my iPhone and sink into the Internet quicksand. Now I sip my latte and take in the sights, sounds, conversations, and life around me. Ive become a quiet observer, and notice so much more.I enjoy my friends and some social engagements, but solitude is what recharges my spirit and creative energy. Ev en if youre an extrovert who needs social interaction to energize, a degree of solitude will quiet your mind and offer some balance.Say noThere will always be people willing to spend your time for you if you let them. Learn to politely say no to commitments and obligations that make your life unnecessarily busy.Take the time to add me time into your calendar. Add cushions of time between appointments and meetings, if you can. Use that time to slow down. Maybe grab a cup of tea, or read in your car for half an hour.I used to fear disappointing people and often said yes to things. Then later, I regretted it and resented the commitment. I learned to gently thank people but tell them, No, Im sorry, but I cant commit to that. I appreciate the kind offer, but I need to focus on my work.Today is agiftOne of the most important things we have is time, and we have the power to manage how we spend a lot of it. Sometimes it takes discipline, but wise time management pays huge dividends.Yesterda ys the past, tomorrows the future, but today is a gift. Thats why its called the present.- BilKeaneWith some thought and effort, we can change our habits and make more time for family, exercise, our passions, and quiet reflection. Do this, and you can significantly change your life for the betterBefore yougoImJohn P. Weiss.I draw cartoons, paint landscapes, and write about life. Thanks for readingThis article first appeared on Medium.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

How to Handle Your First High-Stakes Job Interview

How to Handle Your First High-Stakes Job InterviewHow to Handle Your First High-Stakes Job InterviewMost of us have gotten through our entry-level job interviews. So when you finally get to a job youre really excited about with high stakes for your careerwhat if you freeze?Dont panic. Your first high stakes interview can be just as successful as interviews with less pressure. Here are four ways to prepare yourself. Center yourselfWhen youve got a lot riding on one interview, its easy to fall prey to nerves. The first thing you need to do is center yourself with specific mind relaxation techniques. Various forms of meditation and prayer can be effective ways to focus your energy and reach a peaceful place inside yourself. Start with guidance from your faith or try visualization and meditation, which can be honed with apps and videos online and on YouTube. Realistically evaluate the stakesBeing primed for a stressful fest makes it easy to blow things out of proportion and pile even mor e stress on your efforts. As you prepare for the high-stakes interview, remind yourself that what youre trying to achieve with this opportunity is one of many opportunities that will come to you in your life. Its not a one-and-done deal, no matter how the interview itself goes. Focus on hard factsRelying on facts can take the pressure off your performance. Use the job description to shape the backbone interview and the questions you prepare. Brainstorm stories that address each bullet point on the job descriptionand practice them so that youre focusing less on you in that moment and more on your experience and qualifications for the job you want.Spend some time alone before the interviewYour posture during a job interviewis very important, and so is your posture before an interview. If at all possible, try to arrange some alone time right before the interview, perhaps even in the bathroom of the interview location. Use this private time to work through body positions and postures th at increase endorphins and put you in a confident and relaxed state of mind.A high-stakes interview is just an interview you really care about. Use that sense of investment to power your preparation, not your stress dreams.

Video Edith Stern, 2012 ASME Kate Gleason Award Recipient

Video Edith Stern, 2012 ASME Kate Gleason Award Recipient Video Edith Stern, 2012 ASME Kate Gleason Award Recipient Video Edith Stern, 2012 Kate Gleason AwardEdith Stern climbed the IBM ladder from summer intern to distinguished engineer. She was a child prodigy in mathematics, and developed a passion for number theory. At IBM, she has solved challenging problems in the telephony of the 1970s through todays multimedia digital conferencing. Proof of her proficiency as an inventor comes in the form of 110 patents.Ms. Sterns contributions in applied mathematics span many industries. She has helped put tablet computers on 18-wheeler trucks, developed a commercial playback system for a television network, and initiated projects using radio frequency identification for health care companies.Ms. Stern received a masters degree in mathematics at Michigan State University in East Lansing. She received her bachelors degree in mathematics at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.Read more a bout the 2012 Recipients of ASME Honors and Awards The copyright of this program is owned by ASME.

Organize your New Year Staffing Strategy

Organize your New Year Staffing StrategyOrganize your New Year Staffing StrategyOrganize your New Year Staffing Strategy FisherEvery year I get asked the same questions. How do you plan a staffing strategy for the new year? How best to identify new accounts? How should I decide what market segments to pursue?These are great questions that require time and attention, but when?From my experience in selling staffing, I always found that a strong first quarter always set the tone for the remainder of the year. The activity and foundation you set out now will prepare you for the months ahead.Here are a few thoughts on developing your high-level sales strategyReview yourannualbook of business and identify trends. What worked? What efforts didnt work that you could drop?Have you interviewed your current customers recently to understand what they like about you and your service offering? Do you understand how your consultants are impacting their business? Identify the type of people (skills/ titles) your customers are looking to hire in the new year. This will help you move up the customer value chain.Build a case study library based on your client interviews. This will help you build your brand in your niche and sell mora effectively.Chances are whatever you are thinking of doing, your competitors are too. Think out of the box. Try something new, go in a new direction. Ask yourself What needs exist in the marketplace that are going unmet? As you look at trying something new, target your choices. Beware of trying to be all things to everyone. Recruiters often lack the discipline to walk away from a potential sales order. Pick a market segment or niche to pursue and commit to it. Dont stray outside that zone you need to build your brand within a niche. This allows recruiting to build expertise in chosen areas, rather than recruiting anything and everything.Make sure sales and delivery (recruiting) are aligned. You are only as good as your delivery team. Everyone needs t o buy into the strategy.Read business and personal finance magazines such as Kiplingers, Money, Fortune, and Forbes. These journals are loaded with advice from the worlds best investment and portfolio managers. They will open your eyes to industries and prospective accounts you might never thought of and provide you with insight to devise specific strategy for selling into each company they recommend.Cross-sell into new areas within your existing accounts. Even with your best accounts, (unless its a very small company) you dont have 100% market share in that account. Work to increase your footprint within your existing customer accounts.Author BioDan Fisher is a fourteen year sales veteran and thought leader in the IT staffing and consulting industry. Dan provides one-on-one sales coaching and supervision and training workshops. In September 2008, he authored the IT Staffing Sales Plan, the only proprietary methodology dedicated exclusively to selling IT staffing services. That same year Dan founded the Menemsha Group, which is dedicated to helping IT staffing and recruiting industry professionals sell more effectively, differentiate from the competition and increase gross profit margins. Dan can be reached at danmenemshagroup.com.

4 Things I Did Working for a Micromanaging Boss

4 Things I Did Working for a Micromanaging Boss4 Things I Did Working for a Micromanaging BossWorking in a micromanaging or hands-on environment could be rather daunting. Some may find this style of leadership so challenging that they decide to jump ship. According to a Forbes article, there is a strong connection between job satisfaction and freedom to make decisions about how to do their jobs. Employees who work in this schriftart of environment are 28% more likely to explore new opportunities.Now, before casting judgment on the big-bad-bosses, I would recommend trying to understand them a little better to put your scenario in better perspective. Perhaps there are some underlying issues that are causing a leader to be overbearing. Maybe there are insecurities, inexperience, or trust issueshovering over this individual. Maybe theyve never had proper leadership training.There are a host of reasons to explain the why. Maybe understanding the Why? will alleviate some of the frustration s. However, no matter the reason, if youre on the receiving end of this style then it could definitely push you away.Keep in mind, there may be work situations where micromanagement is a necessity. Perhaps the employee is on a performance plan and this management style is needed to get the employee back on track. Maybe the employee is new and needs extra support to get them up to speed.4 things I did while working for a micromanaging bossI realized I welches in a controlling environment when the new boss came to town and quickly had to decipher if I welches going to jump ship or stay and continue to grow in my role. I chose the latter and decided to do four things in the process.1. Stopped complainingAfter realizing what type of leader was overseeing my office, I realized I had a choice to make, stay in the role and seek to succeed or find a new job. I knew there was more I needed to learn, so I didnt want to leave prematurely.I decided I needed to figure out how to be content in my situation. In making that decision, that meant to stop complaining about the boss There was so much negative water cooler talk about the manager that it became unfruitful and quite frankly, very negative.The employees knew that things were not going to change, even after several employee complaints, so I decided to accept where I was and learn to work with him. I even had my husband keep me accountable.2. Realized I wasnt the problemInitially, when I was asked to include my boss on all of my internal ordnungsprinzip notes and bcc him on all client emails, I thought he was singling me out. I became insecure about my performance. I quickly realized after several similar comments from co-workers that he was doing this across the board.In my scenario, I realized quickly that this style was not targeted at me but it was the boss style throughout the office. When I understood the boss clearly had some issues that affected his management style it alleviated some of my internal frustration s.I even tried to give him more information whenever I could because I knew he needed that. Maybe I was enabling a weakness but it made the scenario more bearable.3. Learned as much as I couldHaving been in sales most of my career, I was used to freedom, flexibility, and trust from my employers. Of course, this trust had to be earned but I found myself in a situation that I was just not used to.I was measured on everything under the sunHow many phone calls I made in a week and even a dayHow many people I spoke toTrust me, the list goes on. I decided that while I was there, Id be a sponge and soak up all the information I could get. Although my boss was very hands-on he had a lot of good insight and vision into the company and the role I was tasked to do, so I tried to take advantage of his knowledge.4. Reestablished my prioritiesAfter I felt that professionally and personally I was ready to transition into a new job I had no regrets. I had gained invaluable experience that I was abl e to take to another company. The turning point for realizing my transition was needed.My manager denied my request to work from home ONE day per week.Many progressive companies realize that statistically there are so many benefits to allowing an employee to work remotely, occasionally. Its a growing trend in workplaces, so, given my job duties (that could be performed anywhere) I was astonished when this request was denied. Statistics even say that remote workers are 50 percent less likely to quit and are typically more satisfied with their jobs.Not having to sit in traffic, reduced stress, more sleep, more productivity are just a few benefits. There are so many more but Ill save that for another post. The micromanagement and regressive atmosphere were reasons for me to transition into a more broad-minded, flexible environment.Finally leaving The decision to leave didnt happen overnight as I felt I still needed to grow in certain areas. When I was ready to leave my job, I had no re servations whatsoever and I was happy with the time that I put in.Because of my decision to stick it out, I was able to take an even better opportunity and more appealing than I ever imagined.

A Startling Fact about Downloadable Resume Template Word Uncovered

A Startling Fact about Downloadable Resume Template Word Uncovered You never understand how wonky a Word doc will appear on somebody elses machine. Keywords are very important if it comes to crafting your resume and if you are likely to send applications online, then even mora so if you would like to stand any possibility of avoiding the no pile It is possible to also alter the font if you wish (and the exact same goes for each template in our list). A template can spare you a great deal of time. There are lots of free creative resume templates youre able to use, allowing you to focus your energy on everything else you should do. There are lots of free resume templates readily available on the web but sometimes it can be quite hard to choose the best one that is fruchtwein suited to you. The freebie was made by Mats-Peter Forss. The freebie was made by Alamin Mir. A basic resume is also simpler to read. A good resume would aid with that. The conventional advice is that yo u need to create very easy, structured resumes which dont deviate much in style or format. Transferable skills arent easy to explain in a couple of word phrases. Sometimes all you will need is a traditional style template thats clean, clear and right to the point. Theres no specific length for a resume, and theres no standard to it. The manner of functional, chronological, and combination are three major varieties of the resume. As soon as you have modified the standard resume template that you found on the net, make it simple on your upcoming self and save several versions of your resume. The majority of the templates are supplied by named, resume writing specialists and thus the quality is quite great. The upcoming free resume template is made in the shape of a brochure. You just need to select your template For instance, a template can demonstrate how to lay out your CV. It is absolutely free of dienstgrad and ready to print. Choose a specific position which you would lov e to submit an application for so youre going to be easily guided by what things to put in your resume. If you still have to save more space for other info, which you want to add to your resume, single line spacing is a great decision in your case. Based on your industry or whether youre an academic, you might actually have to use a CV template. Downloadable Resume Template Word at a Glance The freebie consists of word Docx and Pdf documents so it is simple to edit it to your requirements. The Goldfish Bowl example template is suited to virtually every position and every sort of employee. You could also landsee resume objectives. Some focus on objectives, while some place an overview of your skills at the very top. Even in case youve got the smartest resume template in the Earth, applying for roles on the internet can help it become hard to be noticed. Getting the most of a resource that wont only help save you time, but is demonstrated to elevate your odds of scoring a work simply is reasonable. Whichever service you select, I cant overstate the worth of employing an expert job resume template. If youre searching for a very simple but stunning design thats guaranteed to appeal to any hiring manager than you are in right spot. Classic resumes no longer must include your fax or house number, and a few different things have gotten redundant. Given the significance of a work application, a completely free template might not be always enough to showcase your talent. When youre asking for a job which relies on the strengths of the person, you want a resume template that you could inject a little more personality into to make it pop. Also make certain to tailor the document to the job youre applying for. Allow it to be clear what kind of job which you are interested in and what you can offer to the employer.

Interviewing New College Grads for your Staffing Company

Interviewing New College Grads for your Staffing CompanyToday, many companies are turning more and more towards hiring new college graduates versus seasoned workers. If you are considering interviewing new college gradsfor your staffing company, there are 4 key things that you should look for1. College MajorIn the past, I discovered that college grads with certain degrees seemed to easily fit into recruiting roles at my company. For example, business and communications concentrations were typically what I focused on when searching for college grads to hire on my recruiting team. These new college grads were often some of the most successful recruiters in the company, far out performing more seasoned recruiters hired.Occasionally, there were instances when I hired a college grad with a different type of degree concentration, but that was due to other things that stood out to me in the interview, which are mentioned below.2. InternshipsOnce, I hired a college graduate as a recruiter wh o majored in mathematics. Strange, I know. However, this particular college grad had completed an internship with a well known staffing agency in our local area. She understood the basics of recruiting, had a touch of sourcing and recruiting experience, and knew that it was something that she enjoyed and wanted to make a career out of.This college grad was an excellent addition to our team, becoming one of our top recruiters on the team.Always, take into consideration any internships or jobs when considering new college grads.3. School Projects and SuccessesTaking into considering a new college grads school projects and successes can help you to figure out what drives that college grad.For example, historically, I did not have much success when hiring grads with menschengerecht resources concentrations. However, there was one university in particular which had an outstanding HR program that devoted an entire course solely to actual recruiting. I found that grads who had HR degrees f rom this school had a stronger understanding of true recruiting based on certain projects and assignments completed in this recruiting course.When interviewing these grads, I focused in on that specific class, asking questions about their participation and responsibilities on certain projects, as well as their successes.4. Hobbies and InterestsWhen interviewing new college grads for your staffing company, its important to understand that very few people actually set out in life with the goal of being a recruiter. When new college grads have little to no experience with the staffing industry, it is important to figure out what they enjoy doing and what drives them.For example, a new college grad who does not enjoy conversing with people is more than likely not going to be excited about the recruiting business. Recruiting is about communicating and building relationships with people. Likewise, recruiting is about having the drive the win.When interviewing new college grads for recruit ment positions, I will look closely at their extracurricular activities in school. Did they play sports or were they involved in student union or other activities that required them to work with others or be competitive? I typically ask questions about their responsibilities with these types of activities, to try and get a feel for what roles they have taken on freely. This gives me a good idea about the grads passions and interests.It can be difficult to pinpoint what exactly makes a college grad a potential recruiter. However, taking into consideration these 4 items when interviewing college graduates can help you get closer to making the right hire.What are some other things you could take into consideration when interviewing new college grads for your staffing company? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

New York passes San Francisco as top tech city for first time

New York passes San Francisco as top tech city for first timeNew York passes San Francisco as top tech city for first timeWhat is a tech city?A tech city is defined by the extent technology plays in its economic trajectory. More specifically Real estate brokerage, Savills Plc defines a successful tech city by the will of six key factors Business Environment, Tech environment, City Buzz and Wellness, Talent swimming-pool, Real estate costs, and mobility.So who came out on top?New York named leading tech cityNew York citys healthy litter of 7,000 startups makes it a global leader in the tech industry. In 2017, New York racked up $12 billion dollars in venture capital funding. The hubs extensive talent pool has already lured giants like Amazon and Spotify, and saw Google beef up its presence in Manhattan.Scale is something New York can offer when youre employing so many people, so theres a real advantage there for large tech companies, saidTostevin, Associate Director of World Research for Savills, in a statement.Julie Samuels, executive director of Tech New York, believes New Yorks cultural institutions, neighborhoods connected by public transit, restaurants, and bars are the fundamental qualities that define it as a healthy ecosystem and successfully counterbalance its poor score for real-estate costs.The citys tech industry employs about 320, 000 people, a number likely to increase if the 4,500 computer science majors birthed from its surplus of 120 universities have anything to say about it.For the first time in the three iterations of Savills rankings, New York beat out San Francisco as the leading tech city. Unlike New York, which experienced a considerable increase in Venture capital investments, San Fransicos VC, was flat from belastung year.New Yorks spike in VC was due to the funding garnered by co-working space company WeWork. San Franciscos cost of living has also become astronomically high.

How to encourage positive collaboration on team projects

How to encourage positive collaboration on team projectsHow to encourage positive collaboration on team projectsTeam projects at work can be hard enough, but how you act can have a big impact.Heres what to do.Dont have meetings just to have themThis is never a good idea.Dan Schawbel, an author and columnist, writes on QuickBase that when leading and working with teams, you should hold effective meetings.Most teams waste time during meetings catching up about personal things. Before you start a meeting, have a reason for it. Then, tell each individual team member what they need to bring to each meeting and set an agenda. This way, you can measure the success of a meeting, he writes. Dont feel like the meeting has to be an hour or two hours make it more about the tasks at pranke because the more time people spend in the meeting, the less time they have to do work, he writes.Treat people wellUse the Golden Rule.Author and entrepreneur Kevin Daum writes on Inc.com that people who collab orate well at work are people who work with respect.Few go into a collaborative project with intentions of being disrespectful yet it often happens, verbally or non-verbally. Disrespect is shown by being late, missing deadlines, being unprepared, hogging the conversation, quiet politeness or distraction by irrelevant discussion. If everyone shows respect by focusing each minute of activity on the common objectives of the group, the required time will be short and the results will be plentiful.Give people room to breatheIt really pays to do this.Susan M. Heathfield, an HR expert, writer, professional facilitator, management and organization development consultant,trainer and speaker, writes in The Balance about how team members should feel free to speak their minds.The team creates an environment in which people are comfortable taking reasonable risks in communicating, advocating positions, and taking action. Team members trust each other. Team members are not punished for disagreein g disagreement is expected and appreciated.Make valuable contributionsDont just stand there.Marty Brounstein, author of Managing Teams for Dummies, writes on the Dummies website that someone who collaborates well on the job functions as an active participant.Good team players are active participants. They come prepared for team meetings and listen and speak up in discussions. Theyre fully engaged in the work of the team and do not sit passively on the sidelines, he writes. Team members who function as active participants take the initiative to help make things happen, and they volunteer for assignments. Their whole approach is can-do What contribution can I make to help the team achieve success?

You may actually be allergic to your office because of this

You may actually be allergic to your office because of this You may actually be allergic to your office because of this Good news. The weather is starting to get warmer. The bad news? Soon you will be sitting in a freezing cold office with the AC cranked up to what seems like a ridiculously high level and wearing a puffy coat.Yes, on those hot, humid summer days it is great to come in from your sweaty commute to a nice, cool office except after 20 minutes you are all cooled off and then you begin to freeze. And for one woman that strong office AC became detrimental to her health.The woman began to break out in hives when the AC was turned up and after a visit to the doctor she was diagnosed with  cold urticaria AKA she is allergic to cold temperatures and objects and therefore her office. Cols urticaria is a rare condition (less than 3% of the population has it) but it does exist and occurs most frequently in young adults. According to The Mayo Clinic, symptoms can vary but include  people breaking out in hives, swelling of the hands and/or lips,   in cold temperatures or coming in contact with someth ing cold. In worse cases, a person can develop low blood pressure, faint or even go to shock after swimming in cold water.So you may legitimately be allergic to your office environment if any of this sounds familiar. There is no real cure for the condition, and sometimes it just goes away on its own, but treatment includes  Nondrowsy antihistamines and  Omalizumab. Though this may be the key to getting a bunch of work from home days this summer, do consult with your doctor before self-diagnosis.As for what the rest of us can do who don’t have cold urticaria, and are just regular cold and therefore whiny, try the following tips.1. Layer! Layer! Layer!Get an office sweater or light jacket you can just keep at work. Your feet and legs can also get cold  so consider a pair of warm slippers to wear (just under your desk) or bring back the 80s with some leg warmers.2. Wrap it upTry a festive summer scarf or take one of those winter scarves out of storage and wrap it around your neck as a lot of heat is lost through that area.3. Embrace the dark sideThough summer is a time to sport some bright colors you may want to save some all black outfits for the office so you can absorb some of the heat in your office (if there is any.)If you feel your office is too cold you can also cite  research  that found when an office’s temperature was raised to 77 degrees from 68, typing errors fell by 44% and output increased by around 150%.