Marty Nemko's Blog, page 310

Managers' Real-World Problems

I'll soon be speaking at the Silicon Valley Engineering Leadership Community--a group of managers and executives.

They've asked me to address four questions. The answers are broadly applicable so I thought I’d share my planned answers as my PsychologyToday.com article today.

Dating Smart

My PsychologyToday.com article today offers my best advice on how to meet Mr. or Ms. Right.

Christmas for Atheists and Agnostics (updated )

Between now and Dec. 25, life seems to center around Christmas. An agnostic, let alone an atheist can feel like an outsider.

Some atheists don’t mind that, even welcome it. They prefer to be far from the madding crowd.

But for the atheist and agnostic who want to feel included and to experience Christmas’s benefits (described in the article I reference below) without having to feign allegiance to some omnipotent, omniscient, benevolent deity and his purported son, my PsychologyToday.com article today offers some thoughts.

Putting Philosophy to Work: An Interview with Susan Haack

These days, much philosophy is esoteric, with limited practical applicability. 

We could use philosophers willing to apply their expertise to real-world matters and be willing to speak candidly on sensitive issues.

My The Eminents interview in PsychologyToday today is with such a person.  Susan Haack, who is among tiny number of living philosophers included in Peter J. King’s book, 100 Philosophers: The Life and Times of the World’s Greatest Thinkers

23 Gift Ideas for the Psychologically Attuned

In previous years, I have posted 40 gift ideas for  psychologically attuned. My PsychologyToday.com article today offers the best of those plus new ones.

The Hollowing-Out Middle Class...and How to Avoid Being a Victim of It

The middle class is hollowing out. 

Real median household income is lower today than in 1999. Today, in our supposed recovery, more than 44 million Americans are on food stamps.

Another measure of how bad the job situation really is is the Labor Participation Rate—the percentage of Americans 18-64 who are working—62.7%, is the lowest since 1978. 

The government trumpets and the media parrots the so-called “unemployment rate” of 4.6%.That statistic doesn’t include the short- and long-term discouraged workers, which when added equals, according to ShadowStats.com, 22%. 

Alas, the decline in the number of good jobs, those paying a stable, middle-class income plus benefits is worsening.

I document that in my PsychologyToday.com article today and propose ways to maximize your chances of thriving despite it.
 

When You Don't Want to Go to That Party But Should

You've probably gotten an invitation or five to holiday parties. Let's say there's at least one you'd rather not go to. 

My PsychologyToday.com article today offers tips for making the most of a party you'd rather not attend but should.

Creating Connection in Conversation

A career counseling client of mine lamented that he never seems to make that seemingly magical connection that gets him the job. 

He mentioned that his wife does make such connection and got a job she thought she wouldn't get.
I explained that many factors could be at play and that some are out of his control but there are three things that may help. 

He found my describing them of value and so I wrote about them in my PsychologyToday.com article today.

The Best Christmas Music on YouTube

In preparing my PsychologyToday.com article today, I reviewed over 100 YouTube videos of the most popular Christmas music performed by beloved artists, and selected eight that I think are just wonderful.

Buying a Car: Lessons in being a savvy consumer in all large purchases.

In my PsychologyToday.com article today, I describe how I just bought a new car. It offers lessons not just on buying a car but on making any large purchase.