You probably do not need anyone to tell you how important sleep is. If you have ever been kept awake by a crying baby, night after night; or you have crammed for exams until the early hours, for days on end, you know about the effects lack of sleep can have. If you do not get enough good quality sleep, you can end up looking pale and wrinkled. You can also be irritable and lacking in patience.
Obviously, this is not an ideal situation to be in. But, it gets worse when you consider the detrimental effect that sleep deprivation can have on your performance in work.
The basic effects of being over tired
The basic effects of not sleeping as much as you should, or of having your sleep interrupted, are obvious. You lose the ability to focus properly and surroundings and events become fuzzy. You may fall asleep behind your desk or at a meeting. You are also more likely to struggle to concentrate, making mistakes more likely.
The link between memory and sleep
Although there is some dispute in the matter, many experts believe that your memory is set when you sleep. You learn information one day, it sets in your memory overnight, and you are able to recall it the following day. There is some evidence that if this process is interrupted by lack of sleep, your memory can be adversely affected. This is not something you want to happen if you are learning a new job, or you need to make an important speech at a business conference.
How to improve your sleep pattern
The good news is that there are ways in which you can start to increase the amount of good quality sleep that you get.
Do not work or watch TV in bed; stick to sleeping.
Make sure you sleep on the right mattress, such as a Lull mattress; read an in-depth review here.
Try to go to sleep, and wake-up, at the same time each day.
Switch off electrical devices when you are in bed so that you are not adversely affected by blue light.
Sleep in a room which is as dark as possible.
Relax for a couple of hours before you go to bed.
Adopting any, or all, of these ideas, can help you get the sleep you need in order to perform well at your job.
The benefits you get from sleeping well
We have shown you how to improve the quantity and quality of sleep. But, how does doing so help improve the way you perform at work? Here are some improvements which are likely to happen.
Full awareness and participation at meetings.
Less chance of errors occurring.
Improved productivity because you are able to concentrate.
Better working relationships as you are less likely to be irritable.
All of these improvements are likely to lead to an overall improvement in your job performance.
If you are continuously tired, you are not going to perform as well as you can, at work. This is why it’s so important to consider the tips we have given you, and make changes to your daily routine that enable you to get the right amount of good quality sleep each night.
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Nursing is an extremely rewarding and fulfilling career choice. Nursing school is a very exciting and busy time in your life, especially toward the end of your education. Practicing good strategies for balancing your academic, clinical placement, family, and other obligations is important.
As a prospective nurse, it’s important to understand what you can do to improve your experience so you can be well-prepared for your future career. Here are some tips for balancing your life while attending classes, clinical placements, and studying for your nursing licensing exams.
Practice Good Time Management
Managing your time is difficult as a student. Some nursing students have more obligations than others to consider when creating a good time management plan. This can be very challenging, but it is achievable with good planning and discipline.
Considering your obligations for a week and making a plan or schedule is helpful. It’s also important to realize that things happen sometimes that are beyond your control that may make it necessary for you to reorganize your day. This is good practice for working as a nurse because nurse schedules can vary wildly due to the unpredictable nature of healthcare.
Of course, being realistic about what you can do in a day is critical. Trying to pack too much into each day for an extended period can lead to burnout and affect all areas of your life. Nursing can be stressful, and it’s important that staff use all the resources available to them during busy times. This is particularly important for those who are studying alongside their work placement.
Avoid Procrastination
Waiting until the last minute to take care of priorities can make life extremely stressful. It’s important to schedule time to catch up on tasks that take longer than expected. Using your time effectively and efficiently is crucial in avoiding last-minute stress.
Be realistic about what is most important and prioritize those tasks first. If there are particular things that you find yourself procrastinating on more than others, then you need to consider why that is and take steps to put yourself in a better mindset to take on the task and get it out of the way sooner rather than later.
Take Care Of Yourself
Being driven and highly motivated is great, but, as a nurse, it’s important to make sure you stay healthy and happy in order to provide the best care you can to your patients. Nursing can be very physically demanding. Eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly will help you have the energy you need to get things done while keeping you fit and healthy.
Of course, everyone needs some time to relax and enjoy a hobby or pastime. Prioritizing self-care at home will help you perform at your best in the workplace. Don’t forget to make time for important things in your life, such as family, friends, and the activities you enjoy outside of work and studying.
Allow Enough Time For Sleep
Clinical placements are very important to take seriously; they are an excellent place to gain valuable references, and in some cases, you may even be able to land a position at the facility where you are doing your placement at. During your clinical placement, it is imperative that you are well-rested and alert so you can provide your patients with a high level of care while learning the skills you need to do your job well
While it can be tempting to work as much as possible to further your career, it is not a good idea. You need to get adequate rest to perform well in your placement and studies.
Even if you allow enough time for sleep, it may be that stress and having a lot on your mind makes it hard to fall asleep and stay that way. Doing something relaxing for at least 30 minutes before you want to go to sleep is a good idea. Avoiding computers, tablets, and smartphone screens is recommended. Try reading a physical book, listening to music, taking a relaxing bath, or doing whatever it might be that makes you feel relaxed in a healthy way.
Use The Support Of Those Around You
Using the support of friends, family, and partners is important when studying alongside a work placement. Ensuring that those around you are aware of your busy schedule means that you can maintain healthy relationships that can support you through your work. Partners, friends, and family are able to provide both emotional and practical support. Talking to loved ones can be an important emotional support, while friends, family, and partners can offer practical help by helping you out around the house, or caring for your pets or children.
If you have important exams that mean extra study time, be proactive in making sure that your schedule is cleared for the most part well in advance. Your loved ones will understand if you’re more busy for a time, and can be an invaluable source of help through a stressful time.
Tips For Academic Success
Finding time to study may seem challenging, so it is good to have some strategies to help you make the most of your time.
Take Plentiful And Good Notes
The notes you take are important. For starters, you learn things better if you write them down. Notes help you have the information you need the most in a concise format. Great notes mean you can create a study guide that can help you concentrate on the information you need the most for exams, papers, and other work.
Consider Studying With A Partner
Having someone to study with can be very useful and help you both stay on task. During study sessions, you can quiz each other and rely on one another to discuss and explain concepts you are struggling with.
A study session with a buddy can also be an opportunity to have a bit of fun. A reward at the end of a successful study session can boost your mood and provide a welcome break from a day’s hard work. The reward can be anything you both enjoy, such as catching up with a television show, taking a walk, or eating some particularly good food.
Vary Your Study Locations
It is easy to get in the habit of studying in the same spot every time. This can become boring and eventually make it harder to concentrate. Even if you have to study at home, you can switch desks or rooms, or even try working in the garden. Alternatively, consider studying at the library, a favourite coffee shop, the park, or anywhere with a comfortable, suitable space.
Nurses working toward the same or a similar qualification can meet in a study group to compare notes and motivate each other. This is particularly practical for those working on the same nursing placement. Study groups are a great opportunity to enhance learning, socialize, and bond with fellow students and colleagues.
Consider How You Learn Best
Everyone is different when it comes to learning habits and practices. It is important to be honest about your learning style and how you learn best. Some people do well with memorization exercises while others may need to write something down multiple times. All of this can depend on what kind of learner you are.
The time of day that you study can make a big difference too. If you are able to study during the part of the day or night that you are most alert and seem to learn the best, then you will make the best use of your study time. If you are not a morning person, then trying to study then is not the best use of your time.
Consider if you study best in shorter but more frequent sessions or when you can set aside longer blocks of time and plan your schedule accordingly.
Eliminate As Many Distractions As Possible
We live in a very distracting world. In modern times there is social media and unlimited distractions available via the internet. While it is important to find time to do things you enjoy and you absolutely should not neglect family obligations, it is important that you have some time that is solely dedicated to studying without any major distractions.
If you have to do so, silence alerts on your phone, and eliminate any unnecessary technology. It can also help to keep it simple when it comes to meals and snacks to save time. There are also a number of apps available that can help productivity and will stop you from using your phone for certain periods of time or can block the more distracting social media apps.
Making The Most Of Your Clinical Placements
No matter what level of nursing degree you are trying to achieve, you will need to complete a series of clinical placements to graduate and qualify for any licensing exams. Nurses advancing their careers through an RN to MSN NP course benefit from degree programs that offer clinical placement services. Wilkes University offers a 100% online program that allows you to choose from three specializations: family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care, and psychiatric/mental health.
Choosing the right clinical placement is very important because it is where you can apply all your previously learned knowledge and help treat actual patients. It’s important also to connect with your preceptor; your preceptor is the mentor you will be working under at a medical facility. They may be an RN, nurse practitioner, or physician, and can provide you with valuable knowledge and experience to help you through your education.
Ask Questions
Keep a notebook with you during your clinical placement and write down anything of interest or any questions you might want to ask your preceptor. Asking a lot of questions will help you gain the most knowledge and prevent you from making assumptions or mistakes.
Writing down your questions is important because, in a hectic healthcare setting, you may have to wait a while until an appropriate moment to ask them arises; not all questions should be asked when you are trying to shadow your mentor while treating patients.
Treat Your Placement Seriously
Taking your clinical placement as seriously as if it were your permanent job is important to your success. You want to provide your patients with the highest level of care possible; you will learn the most by treating patients conscientiously.
Conclusion
Balancing academic and clinical placement success is possible. By creating a good schedule based on prioritizing tasks while practising self-care, you can succeed in all areas of your life while pursuing your nursing dreams.
Now is a great time to pursue a career in nursing due to the high demand and amazing opportunities it presents. There are online degree programs that you can do while maintaining your regular job. If you have prior higher education, you may qualify for accelerated programs that allow you to achieve your career goals faster than you think.
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Is property-casualty insurers a good career path?
Our world is changing so quickly that the insurance industry is just growing and looking for new methods to shield people from any type of harm. Property-casualty insurance actually can be a wonderful career choice for you if you love working with customers and assisting others.
Therefore, if you want to pursue a career as Property-Casualty Insurer, then read this guide till the end. Here, I have explained why this career choice is a good one, along with what the highest-paying jobs are.
Why Is Property-Casualty Insurers A Good Career Path?
Why is property casualty insurers is a good career path because:
1. Highly Flexible Job
You will have a lot of freedom to choose the kind of work you do when you work in this industry. Property-casualty insurance provides a wide range of different options, from underwriting through sales.
2. A Sense Of Entrepreneurship
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It's usual for agents to leave their employer after gaining credibility to either being their very own venture of a modest firm as a division of a bigger insurance company or in order to become an independent insurance.
3. Negligible Entry Barriers
The barriers to entry are pretty less compared to other industries. This is because you only need to pass a licensing exam, and that's it. As soon as you pass the exam, you can full-fledged become a Property-casualty Insurer.
Best Jobs In Property-Casualty Insurance
Property-Casualty insurance providers must adapt to changes, which is why there is significant demand and high compensation for these positions. To understand why is property-casualty insurers a good career path, it’s because you can earn lots of money by becoming:
1. Landlord Insurance Agent
Agents for landlord insurance assist owners of rental properties. This particular type of insurance mostly covers both property and liability, protecting the landlord from different types of monetary damages. This can vary from the actual home to additional buildings or personal items required to maintain the rental.
Agents may earn more money by working in prosperous locations. Additionally, you should be driven to follow up with clients and possess excellent people skills. For individuals who are new to the industry, this might be a wonderful chance as the majority of landlords want to preserve their assets and interests.
2. Homeowners Insurance Agent
In the event that something threatens the customers' safety, homeowner's insurance helps safeguard their houses and any assets. Theft and fire may be examples of this. Agents that deal with home insurance, always are knowledgeable about liability insurance and can best safeguard their customers.
Homeowners Insurance Agents will earn more money if they work in a prosperous city like New York, California, San Francisco, or Norwalk. In this sort of employment, it is indeed critical to be affable and have strong salesmanship as you will be working with clients the majority of the time.
3. Property And Casualty Insurance Agent
An individual who provides insurance for houses, personal belongings, cars, and commercial assets against legal judgement or physical harm is known as a property casualty agent. In an usual customer-facing position, you would speak with potential customers to learn about their insurance requirements.
You must posses strong customer service and sales abilities, as well as excellent organization and attention to detail in case you wish to become successful as a Property Casualty agent. This work includes a hefty amount of information pieces gathering and determining fair prices. This implies that you'll spend most of your time working from your home desktop.
4. Insurance Entrepreneur
Becoming an insurance entrepreneur is a terrific option for starting a small business. These people run a firm that is often affiliated with a bigger organization and offer insurance to their neighborhood by forming alliances with nearby businesses.
Making a living off of your own business is a lot of work, so be sure you're up for the challenge. These might range from employee training to sales, budgeting, and customer service. You must either look after all these duties all by yourself or you can appoint somebody who can.
5. Condo Insurance Agent
Selling and promoting insurance products and services to clients is the main duty of condo insurers. Condo insurance specialists are knowledgeable about the industry and can provide clients with the practical advice and direction they need to select the best coverage.
It's critical to comprehend all the alternatives you may provide your consumers and to clearly communicate them if you want to be successful in the condo insurance industry. Here, sales abilities are crucial. There are several choices for condo insurance agents, depending on where you reside. This employment is frequently in great demand if you work in a city.
How To Start Your Career In Property-Casualty Insurance?
To become a property-casualty insurer, you must:
1. First, Pass The State's License Test
In order to sell insurance, you must be licensed in the state where you want to work. As with the minimum passing score and the overall pass rate, the licensing procedure differs by state.
2. Passing The Property And Casualty
This test can be attempted with 35–40 hours of preparation. Instead of cramming everything into one week, it is advised to study over a few weeks.
3. Use Practice Tests
There are many Property and Casualty practice tests accessible. These might assist you in determining how effectively you are learning the material you are studying.
4. Take A Test Preparation Course
To earn the Property and Casualty license, it is advised to attend an insurance certification course, even though not all jurisdictions mandate it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
The answers to some questions regarding why is property-casualty insurers a good career path are:
Q1. What Are The Biggest Risks Facing Property Casualty Insurers? Ans: The biggest risks that a property-casualty insurer faces are:➊ Increasing competition in this profession.➋ Technological advancements lead to the constant change in the field.➌ Operational costs are increasing every day.➍ The technology used and its infrastructure are outdated to current insurers.➎ Engagements with customers are becoming more complex. Q2. What Is The Largest Property And Casualty Insurance Company In The US? Ans: In the USA, the biggest Property-Casualty Insurance company is State Farm. Financial reports in 2021 indicated that this firm has $71 billion in bonds, along with a 9% market share. Q3. How Property And Casualty Insurers Make Money? Ans: They have the option of making money via investments, underwriting, or both. If you have a closer look at an insurer's assets, the majority of them are financial holdings. They are usually in the form of listed shares, corporate bonds, government bonds, and commercial real estate.
So Do You Want To Pursue A Career In Property-Casualty Insurance?
Is Property-Casualty Insurers a good career path?
Yes.
Indeed!
A career in property-casualty insurance is a smart choice.
The market for property and casualty insurance is expanding. In this vast industry, there are many employment positions that call for a range of skills and abilities. Many people find that working in this setting is the ideal career because it can be both satisfying and lucrative for employees.
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C-suite leadership is a challenging position. The top executives are responsible for setting an organization's strategic direction and ensuring its long-term success.
The prestige of a top leader comes with high salaries and a seat at the table for major business decisions.
However, this prestige comes with unexpected stresses. This stress can impact personal and professional life if not managed properly.
A PwC 2018 CEO survey found that 83% of new CEOs get internal promotion to their role. However, those hired for CEO jobs from outside the company often receive more attention and support during their transition.
Therefore, companies often overlook the challenges associated with their ascension.
Similarly, despite the challenges, these individuals differ in character from those brought in from outside.
By addressing and overcoming these challenges, C-suite leaders can ensure the success of their organizations.
C-Suite Jobs: How To Overcome The Challenges?
Given below are some of the stressful challenges faced by most CEOs around the world and how you can overcome them—
1. Fighting Off The Imposter Syndrome
Making it to the C-suite is challenging. It comes with the constant pressure to perform and meet targets. Hence, it is stressful, especially during times of crisis or uncertainty.
Moreover, being accountable for your team's and the entire organization's actions can sit heavy on your shoulders.
Consequently, one common feeling in the C-suite is imposter syndrome. Here, an individual doubts their accomplishments and fears being accused of fraud. This can lead to feelings of not belonging or not qualified for the position.
The intense scrutiny of a high-profile position can make it challenging to take risks or try new approaches. This can stifle innovative leaders.
It often makes the individual feel like they are not just a team member anymore but are now in charge.
Therefore, you must focus on your accomplishments to address imposter syndrome or any form of self-doubt.
Remind yourself of your expertise, and seek support from a mentor or coach to cultivate self-compassion. Moreover, as a leader in an organization, you must let go of unrealistic expectations or perfectionism.
2. Dealing With The Lack Of Clarity
The upper management often tends to assume that everything is running smoothly. However, they only realize the issues when it is too late.
This happens due to a lack of visibility and clarity in the company's day-to-day operations.
The C-suite executives rely on information from department heads and middle managers. This can distort or filter reality, leading to an inaccurate view of reality or complex and unclear information.
Therefore, it can create significant problems that go unnoticed until too late.
To improve data-driven decision-making, organizations should visualize their business and its layers, maintain data reliability and integrity, and promote faster data-driven decision-making.
A data strategy tailored to the company's needs helps achieve data clarity. It ensures the integrity of the data used to inform key business decisions.
Finally, consolidating business data and promoting the sharing of insights across teams can help leaders ensure data clarity and the accuracy of their decisions.
3. Preventing Ego To Distort Clarity
In the business world, success can sometimes lead to complacency within the C-Suite, creating a false sense of security and impeding adaptation to changing market conditions or new technologies.
This can result in groupthink. Here, dissenting opinions get suppressed, stifling critical analysis. Thus, it makes the C-Suite blind to potential risks and challenges.
Organizations should embrace digital transformation and leverage disruption to ensure long-term success and competitiveness.
According to 83% of project managers, digital transformation has moderately or significantly impacted their work over the past five years.
Therefore, organizations should adopt an agile approach to project management. They must continuously evaluate shifting market dynamics, new technologies, and innovation to deliver against strategy.
4. Lacking Farsightedness
C-suite executives often prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability. This attitude can lead to decisions that harm the company in the long run.
Such decisions can result in insufficient investment in critical areas like research and development. However, these are essential for the business's long-term health.
Moreover, a CEO solely focused on short-term profits may refrain from investing in new technology. The ever-evolving technology can help companies remain competitive in the long run.
Therefore, such organizations prioritize investment in developing strategy over proper execution.
However, there appears to be a disconnect between executive leaders and project managers on strategy implementation funding.
This suggests organizations may not leverage the optimum focus and investment to deliver against strategy.
5. Fighting Loneliness And Isolation
The C-suite often faces unexpected stress due to the isolation it often brings.
Top leaders often make difficult decisions that impact many people's lives but with limited support or input from others.
This isolation can amplify feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can further exacerbate stress and anxiety.
Moreover, maintaining relationships outside of work can become challenging, and the pressure to always be "on" is exhausting.
Therefore, leaders should acknowledge their need for support, seek an executive coach, or join a mastermind group with diverse leaders to overcome this isolation.
Moreover, prioritizing finding a balance between work and personal life is crucial. You must let your team know they are human. This helps build trust and allows them to feel comfortable sharing with turn.
6. Accepting The Shift From A Peer To The Boss
When CEOs are promoted from within the company, they often find themselves leading colleagues who were once their peers or superiors.
This is a particularly tricky situation. Consequently, lingering tensions or resentments can complicate the new leader's job.
In addition, the CEO must quickly assess all direct reports and stakeholders, building their team and reenlisting people they want to keep through early conversations.
This process requires careful consideration and judgment, as the new leader must determine which team members are best suited for their roles and which may need to be replaced.
Through this process, new leaders can establish themselves as effective managers and confidently navigate the challenges of their new roles.
7. Organize Yourself For The New Role
It is common for CEOs who are promoted from within a company to face challenges when transitioning to their new roles.
On the other hand, externally hired CEOs tend to receive more support. However, providing equal opportunities for all CEOs to succeed is essential.
The board, senior management team, HR executives, and communications executives are vital in this process.
Therefore, a newly promoted CEO should understand their challenges and develop a plan to overcome them with organizational support to lead effectively.
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