Resume Suggestions For Writing Your Weaknesses in Your Resume

Resume Suggestions For Writing Your Weaknesses in Your ResumeThis article discusses resume suggestions for writing your weaknesses in your resume. The main idea is to focus on what you have done well so far in your career. The more positive qualities you mention, the more positive impressions will be given about you by hiring managers. By focusing on what you have accomplished, you can avoid focusing on what you cannot do.Be specific and succinct with your job search. Write about what you have done on the job or at work in your present position that you wish to apply for. Avoid mentioning your prior job in the same paragraph as your current job, for obvious reasons. The whole purpose of using these tips is to point out your strengths, thus eliminating what you do not possess.In a resume, strengths should be used to highlight your strengths, and weaknesses should be used to highlight your weaknesses. While writing your strengths, focus on the things that you are good at and your inter ests. If you want to emphasize your strengths, write about the areas of your profession that interests you most. Don't forget to add positive adjectives like 'fast learner', 'leadership role model', 'intelligence', 'principled', etc.On the other hand, the weaknesses that you discuss should be balanced with personal characteristics. If you are a good problem solver, mention the qualities that you are good at solving problems. If you are good at organizing, describe your skills and experience in this area. By doing this, you eliminate your weakness that is related to organizational skills or leadership.Make sure that your skills, interest, and talents are properly presented to the employer so that he or she can see that you have them all combined to give you an overall look of someone who can perform very well. Then ask for feedback, especially from people who know you, so that you get a better idea of how you present yourself. A little criticism goes a long way, and if you think that you need some re-writing, go right ahead and get some professional help.Resume suggestions for writing your weaknesses in your resume should only be used for the purpose of removing weaknesses or improving strengths. It should never be used to emphasize what you do not have.Be honest, concise, and correct with your job search. It is important that you fully do your research before you start.

3 Reasons Not To Use Indeeds Resume Builder - ZipJob

3 Reasons Not To Use Indeeds Resume Builder Spread the loveIndeed is by far the largest job search site in the world.  Indeed receives  over 200 million unique visitors every month from over 60 different countries. If youre searching for a job you should certainly be browsing Indeed as many employers utilize their platform. You also should be uploading your resume to Indeed so you can both easily apply to jobs with a single click and have employers find your resume in Indeeds database and reach out to you directly. While Indeed has been innovative within the employment space their resume builder is seriously lacking and could be costing you valuable opportunities. Well go through some of the reasons you want to avoid using an Indeed resume and alternate solutions that will bring you better results.Should You Use Indeeds Resume Builder?I want it make it clear that you should be uploading your resume to Indeed This article covers the reasons why you shouldnt use their resume builder.Indeed has a resume builder which allows y ou to input your information (skills, education, work experience,etc.) which it formats into a resume you can use to apply for various positions.There are a few reasons you shouldnt use the Indeed resume builder.#1 ATS OptimizationMost companies today use whats called an ATS (Applicant Tracking System).  An ATS is used by most employers today to screen through resumes and pass the most relevant and qualified candidates forward to the hiring manager.   Nearly  75% of resumes are rejected  because they’re not correctly formatted or keyword optimized. We’ll show you a good ATS resume format and how you can get a free ATS resume test.While the Indeed resume builder may give you a resume that integrates well with Indeed it doesnt integrate well with other ATS systems employers use to screen candidates. When employers receive your resume from Indeed, they usually have it go through their own ATS system. Many people also use the resume they create on Indeed to apply for jobs on other sites which is a problem.The first issue is that it doesnt offer a format that allows you to keyword optimize your resume.The second issue is that it downloads as a PDF file which can be an issue for ATS systems to process. You should be sending a Microsoft Word document unless the job posting specifically asks for a PDF.You can screen your resume through an actual ATS resume scan here. This article also shows you a good resume format that both stands out and gets past an ATS.#2  Indeeds Formatting is  BoringWhile its never a good idea to turn your resume into an art project, you do want a format that stands out.  You can see that Indeeds formatting is very generic and plain. When a hiring manager is going through hundreds of resumes a day, you want to stand out a bit to capture their attention.Take a look here at Indeeds formatting:You can see that the formatting is just too generic to stand out.#3 Limited OptionsThe last reason you shouldnt use Indeeds resume builder is because t hey offer very limited options when it comes to formatting. They use a simple chronological format that might not be suitable for every job seeker.There are currently three format options that are popular in the resume writing industry, and with good reason.Reverse chronologicalFunctionalHybridEach of these format types has proved popular with recruiters. They are considered to be easier for software and human recruiters to review, and present information in a way that recruiters prefer to see. In short, they meet the target audience’s demands.Which resume format is right for you depends on your work history, experience level and the position you are targeting. To better understand which option might be best for you, let’s take a look at each of them separately.You can check out our post on the best resume formats here to see which one is right for you.Closing ThoughtsYou should certainly be uploading your resume on Indeed but we recommend passing on their resume builder. The fo rmats are not optimized for ATS systems, theyre too generic and they offer little customization.Zipjob offers resume writing services that help you stand out to a hiring manager and get your resume past an ATS. You can browse our professional resume writers here. 3 Reasons Not To Use Indeeds Resume Builder Spread the loveIndeed is by far the largest job search site in the world.  Indeed receives  over 200 million unique visitors every month from over 60 different countries. If youre searching for a job you should certainly be browsing Indeed as many employers utilize their platform. You also should be uploading your resume to Indeed so you can both easily apply to jobs with a single click and have employers find your resume in Indeeds database and reach out to you directly. While Indeed has been innovative within the employment space their resume builder is seriously lacking and could be costing you valuable opportunities. Well go through some of the reasons you want to avoid using an Indeed resume and alternate solutions that will bring you better results.Should You Use Indeeds Resume Builder?I want it make it clear that you should be uploading your resume to Indeed This article covers the reasons why you shouldnt use their resume builder.Indeed has a resume builder which allows y ou to input your information (skills, education, work experience,etc.) which it formats into a resume you can use to apply for various positions.There are a few reasons you shouldnt use the Indeed resume builder.#1 ATS OptimizationMost companies today use whats called an ATS (Applicant Tracking System).  An ATS is used by most employers today to screen through resumes and pass the most relevant and qualified candidates forward to the hiring manager.   Nearly  75% of resumes are rejected  because they’re not correctly formatted or keyword optimized. We’ll show you a good ATS resume format and how you can get a free ATS resume test.While the Indeed resume builder may give you a resume that integrates well with Indeed it doesnt integrate well with other ATS systems employers use to screen candidates. When employers receive your resume from Indeed, they usually have it go through their own ATS system. Many people also use the resume they create on Indeed to apply for jobs on other sites which is a problem.The first issue is that it doesnt offer a format that allows you to keyword optimize your resume.The second issue is that it downloads as a PDF file which can be an issue for ATS systems to process. You should be sending a Microsoft Word document unless the job posting specifically asks for a PDF.You can screen your resume through an actual ATS resume scan here. This article also shows you a good resume format that both stands out and gets past an ATS.#2  Indeeds Formatting is  BoringWhile its never a good idea to turn your resume into an art project, you do want a format that stands out.  You can see that Indeeds formatting is very generic and plain. When a hiring manager is going through hundreds of resumes a day, you want to stand out a bit to capture their attention.Take a look here at Indeeds formatting:You can see that the formatting is just too generic to stand out.#3 Limited OptionsThe last reason you shouldnt use Indeeds resume builder is because t hey offer very limited options when it comes to formatting. They use a simple chronological format that might not be suitable for every job seeker.There are currently three format options that are popular in the resume writing industry, and with good reason.Reverse chronologicalFunctionalHybridEach of these format types has proved popular with recruiters. They are considered to be easier for software and human recruiters to review, and present information in a way that recruiters prefer to see. In short, they meet the target audience’s demands.Which resume format is right for you depends on your work history, experience level and the position you are targeting. To better understand which option might be best for you, let’s take a look at each of them separately.You can check out our post on the best resume formats here to see which one is right for you.Closing ThoughtsYou should certainly be uploading your resume on Indeed but we recommend passing on their resume builder. The fo rmats are not optimized for ATS systems, theyre too generic and they offer little customization.Zipjob offers resume writing services that help you stand out to a hiring manager and get your resume past an ATS. You can browse our professional resume writers here.

How To Be Persuasive In The Workplace - Work It Daily

How To Be Persuasive In The Workplace - Work It Daily Whether you’re looking to convince your boss you need some additional training or you’re hoping to show an interviewer you’re the best candidate for a job, persuasion is an essential tool for professional success. Related: The Secret To Being Memorable And Persuasive Below, I’ve outlined the three basic steps you should follow to be persuasive in the workplace. Know Your Position (And Believe In It) First and foremost, what are you fighting for? You have to be clear about what you want to accomplish and why. Set out the specifics. How much money do you want for that training course? How much time do you need off to attend? Be clear about your goal. If you don’t know where you’re aiming, it’s easy to get off course. Beyond that, it should matter to you. If you don’t care, don’t bother. Whatever you want to persuade another person to do (or think or feel), you simply MUST believe it’s the right thing. The more confidence you can demonstrate, the more convincing you’ll be. You want a raise? You want your co-worker to take over a project for you? Step number one is to believe it’s deserved. Or, at the very least, to believe it’s rational. Are you asking this person to do something you wouldn’t do if the roles were reversed? If so, re-evaluate your position. Have Evidence To Support Your Position Facts are hard to deny, especially when they can be proven with evidence. Whatever your position, be prepared to back it up with concrete proof. If you’re going to a performance review, for instance, take samples of your work, complimentary letters from clients, and anything else that demonstrates your excellence. If you’re asking for a raise, take documentation that shows why you deserve more reward for your work. You may also want to take research that shows the appropriate salary range for a person in your field with your experience. The more you can point to tangible evidence (from reputable sources) to support your request, the more reasonable it will appear and the more likely you’ll get agreement. Predict And Prepare For Objections I have one mantra for professional success: Be proactive. Don’t react to what’s going on around you. Instead, predict and prepare. Be actively engaged in the discussion. Don’t wait for objections to come up. Anticipate them and know how you will respond. Be ready to have your request declined, and be prepared to rebut the verdict. What could make this person refuse your request? What concerns will he or she have? How can you diminish those concerns and help this person see the wisdom of your point-of-view? It isn’t always easy to get agreement, especially from superiors in the workplace. They need to be convinced. Appeal to their logic and remember to tune into WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?). Tell the person how this decision will impact him and, on a bigger scale, how it will impact the company. Follow these steps and you’ll be much closer to achieving your long-term career goals. This post was originally published at an earlier date. Related Posts 3 Persuasive Ways To Use LinkedIn Recommendations 3 Tips For A Persuasive Executive Cover Letter How To Create A Persuasive Online Profile To Get A Better Job   Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

How To Network When You Dont Like Networking

How To Network When You Dont Like Networking Admit it you knownetworkingis important, but you dread it. Youd rather be at home, curled up with a good book. Youd even be happy if the book itself welches about how to network at least that would be better than actually having togoto a networking event.What is networking?Networking is when you interact with a group of colleagues, peers or professionals in order to create relationships, connections, and opportunities for your professional future.It doesnt meanyou have to knowsomeone important, and shell just giveyou a job. Instead, it means building relationships that can lead to other relationships that can lead to success. Thats why its called networkingyoure creating a web of contacts in your life.Its kind of a way of getting all your ducks in a row and planning for the future. Where do you want to be in five years? 10 years? You might not know now, but having a large list of contacts that can help you along the way is certainly a goo d start.But...networking is hard.There are a number of ways that you can network. Maybe youre in college and you want to start building your contact list. You can go to meetings like alumni events, job fairs, and even join a club to start your networking. As you continue through your professional life, there are totenstill a number of ways to network. You can attend specific networking events in person, or join groups online.When you do go to networking events, you stand in the corner on your phone and pretend to check your email 18 times to avoid talking to someone new.Lets face it The real reason you hate networking is youre afraid youll say something stupid, or youll have nothing to say at all, and then that long awkward silence will happen you know, the one that lastsjustlong enough that it starts to get really uncomfortable.One of you will inevitably mutter, OK, well, Ill binnensee you later, abusiness cardmay or may not be exchanged, and the interaction will be over (thank Go d). Youll want to be done with the event 15 minutes in, but youll know youll have to talk to mora people in this weird, unstructured environment that we humans insist is an enjoyable place to gather.How to network effectivelyI get it. I was useless at networking, too until I made a friend who is the absolute master of networking successfully both online and offline. Here are a few tips I learned about building my network from following her around.Networking at events1. Be genuinely interest in other people.I used to bombard people with questions. I thought that was the only way to keep a conversation going ask good questions, right? Yes,but thats not all. I had one guy actually say to me, Im not really used to be interviewed at these things. Thats when I knew I was overdoing it.When I saw my friend Becca in action, I noticed that she did ask questions, but she also revealed stories about herself and shared helpful infassonation freely. The combination of asking questionsandsharing is a fine balance. Mastering this balance could just be the ultimate key to likeability.Think about it.Would you enjoy talking to someone whoonlytalked about themselves and was completely uninterested in you? Weve all met those guys. Youd also probably want a break from answering questions about yourself the whole time because that gets a little weird.In order to form a connection with someone, you must reveal a little about yourself (tell stories that make you sound funny or look smart) andalsoask questions. Make it your mission to find out whats interesting about the person youre speaking to. Once you get them talking about that topic that lights them up, they will love talking to you, and you can just sit back and listen.2. Look for opportunities to help.While following Becca around, I was taking notes like a banshee. Here are a few ways Becca helped someone in a single conversationIntroduced them to the online community she created on Slack to help them get a job when they had j ust moved to the cityRecommended a beer they might likeRecommended a particular Cesar Milan episode when she heard about their dogs aggressive behaviorInvited them to an acupuncture session when they mentioned back painRecommended a book for them when they were having trouble with their teenagerNetworking for events as an introvertWhile anecdotal words of advice are all well and good, if the reason you detest networking events is that youre shy, you may still be feeling a little skeptical. In that case, here are some tips the introverted networker can try to get the most out of these events with the least amount of strain3. Arrive early for introvert hour.The earlier you get to the event, the smaller the crowd is likely to be. This can make it easier for the introverts among us to approach strangers and spark up conversations without feeling quite so threatened. Plus, since there are generally fewer people to talk to, your chances of having a lengthier, more quality conversation wit h someone are higher. And making even one true connection early on in the night is ideal for both confidence buildingandaccessing an easy gateway for more introductions, as your new pal could serve as a springboard for meeting others without having to do cold calls with yet more strangers. A win-win4. Set realistic goals for yourself.Thinking you should be waltzing in and getting to know every single attendee in order for the event to be a success is only situation yourself up for failure. And besides, when it comes to networking, quality is by far better than quantity this isnt a business card collection contest. Set an attainable goal of making fivemeaningfulconnections then, high tail outta there and get home to Netflix as your reward. You earned it5. Identify a few icebreaker topics in advance.Once you get to chatting, the conversation will ideally take its natural course sans script, but it can never hurt to have a handful of icebreakers at the ready. A few you could try out? You seem like youve been to one of these events before I havent. Any tips you could give me on what to expect? Are you originally from (citys anthroponym), or did work bring you here? What do you like to do for fun besides living it up at networking events, that is?6. Dont be afraid to take a breather.As an introvert, socializing with other people (especially strangers) is likely to function as a pretty big drain on your energy levels. If youre feeling overwhelmed or anxious, dont hesitate to dip outside, to the bathroom, or to the food table to have a tiny recharge moment for yourself. Breathe, and remember the intention you set for yourself this evening. How close are you to accomplishing your goal? Remember that the sooner its done, the sooner you can head home.7. Volunteer to help run the eventYou may be thinking this sounds really ridiculously outside your comfort zone,butyoud be surprised at the positive impact this kind of contribution can have on your networking experienc e at large. As one of the nights planners, youll be entering into the event with pre-made contacts by default, and attendees will be more inclined to seek you out to connect (versus you doing all the legwork). Thats because being one of the events organizers makes you seem action-oriented, dependable, and connected yourself and therefore, like someone worth knowing. This can have a major impact on the number and quality of the connections you make.Networking onlineSo, now that you know what makes people good at networking in-person, lets talk about the more fun type of networking i.e., the kind you can do without even leaving your computer thanks to social media (Note These are also the same tips for following up with someone after youve met in person if youd like to keep in touch.)8. Send job leads, interesting articles, or recommend good books.For example, Im subscribed to Seth Godins daily blog, and every once in awhile I get something that makes me think of someone in my netw ork. I forward it to them, and they love that I thought of them.9. Use a friendly tool, like Slack, to create your own networking community.Its free, and it spreads like wildfire. Becca grew a community organically to 1,000 members in a few months. Its become a hub for events, careers, job search help, and random shop talk for our citys technology sector.You can create a free Slack group for whomever and whatever you want. Everyone you invite into the group just needs to have something in common. It could be an industry like technology, a location like NYC, a career focus like Human Resources or People Operations, or a field of study like Geology.Like-minded people love a way to unite, especially if its easy, fun, and they dont have to leave their couch.Networking in collegeYou dont have to wait until youre in the real world to start your networking efforts. Starting early will set you up for success later on. So, how do you starting building your network while youre still a student ?10. Visit your career services.Set up a meeting with a career counselor to discuss your ambitions and goals, and ask for advice on how to realize them. You dont have to wait until senior year to start the process talking to a counselor earlier will enable you to find resources and talk to people who can help you with your goals while you still have time to explore.11. Talk to faculty.Ask a professor if shes looking for research assistants or has a project in which you could take part.12. Connect with alumnae.Connect with graduates of your college who are in an industry you want to pursue. They can likely give you valuable advice and may even offer you internships and or other opportunities.13. Take advantage of internships.Internships can be important resources for your career. Make sure you make the most of these opportunities Talk to as many professionals at the company as you can, ask for advice, and work hard.Networking Practice makes perfectThe good news is that when you learn enough about networking, youll find a way of doing it that works for you. It wont feel stupidly uncomfortable once you find your own networking muscles and build them up.Imagine getting home and seeing your inbox full of thank yous from your newly founded network or seeing your name mentioned a bunch of times in the Slack group for creating such an awesome online community thats bringing like-minded people together.Imagine leaving a networking event feeling like you made genuine connections, instead of awkwardly collecting business cards (which, by the way, you have no idea what to do with now).To start with, try one of the techniques above.Youll grow your network faster than you ever thought possible, be it at your next network event or via social media.--Natalie Fisher is an enthusiastic HR Generalist who loves her job Shes been on over 50 interviews and received 48 job offers. Download her Free GuideThis is how you network Now - Strategic Networking Cheat Sheet.Fairygodboss is c ommitted to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer

The Guideline Resume Writing Pitfall

The Guideline Resume Writing Pitfall Writing a resume can be tricky initially, but with a couple pointers and tons of revising, you can make an impressive resume and personal statement that may land you the job that you dream about Writing a proposal is insanely simple, if you understand how to structure it. Paper resumes are somewhat more appealing since theyre formatted and simple to read. Effective resume writing is about meeting the requirements of the prospective employer youre submitting your resume to. Resume is your very first impression facing an interviewer. Tzu sichefore, Resume screening is the very first stage in the recruiting procedure. Because your resume is fruchtwein likely the very first time Im seeing your design abilities. A company or career portfolio is helpful for expanding on the info found in your resume and cover letter. You may also think of linking your professional portfolio to provide a firsthand demonstration of your abilities. What You D ont Know About Guideline Resume Writing Always use the large photos when you examine the brochure. A great resume format is simple to scan. The ideal method is to compose a Resume and Cover Letter in Word format and convert the file in PDF because it is a generisch format that could be shared and viewed easily. Professionals are extremely busy individuals, and they might not be as prompt as you need them to be. The bulk of resume writing guidelines claim that employers search for experience and qualifications which can help them meet their requirements in some specific areas. The Advantages of Guideline Resume Writing As you start writing your professional summary, avoid filling it by irrelevant details. Put simply, make a decision as to what information ought to be on your resume. For this reason, you ought to be always prepared to prepare all the critical information which you will need to add in when youre writing your resume The info in your resume should paint an im age of the sort of employee you are and show employers what youre capable of accomplishing. Want to Know More About Guideline Resume Writing? The absolute most judicious approach to comprehend the necessary skills is by taking a look at the exact job descriptions. Electronic resumes enable the job seeker to rapidly and easily make an application for job openings with a couple keystrokes on a computer. Whether youre looking for your very first job or attempting to earn a career change, the practice starts with your resume. Everyone can say he or she excelled at her or his final job. Life After Guideline Resume Writing The aim of your resume is to secure you the interview. Think about it, rather, as a chance to showcase the awesome things youve done in your career and an opportunity to begin a conversation with a prospective employer. The most important intention of your primary advertising and marketing document is to get you through the interview stage. Essentially, your r esume is used as a promotion tool or advertisement to assist you get an interview, and ultimately, land you the position youre looking for.

Making the Most of Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for Recruiting - Spark Hire

Making the Most of Twitter, facebook inc, and LinkedIn for Recruiting - Spark HireThe Pew Center for Research determined that 74 percent of online adults are using social media to share and get their information about pretty much anything and everything. Moreover, 21 percent of job seekers claim to have found their dream job through the use of social media.Without a doubt, the more popular social media sites are LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter which have a combined user population of 535 million. It would be wise for employers and staffing professionals to establish a presence on these sites in buchung to connect with all of that potential talent. Below are tips on how to best utilize these platformsTwitterTwitter is a super simple and convenient tool for companies and recruiters looking to gain an edge over competitors.Easily tweet about your open positions Looking for admin assistant in Chicago. Apply at (include a shortened URL here). To make your tweets about job openings eye-cat ching, be sure to utilize hashtags, . Some hashtags to consider using are job, jobpost, recruiting, career, or hiring. Adding any of these to your tweets will allow users to learn about your job opportunities when they search particular hashtags.If youd like to grow your Twitter following and build relationships with job seekers, engage with them about the topics they tweet about, share information about your company and events that you will be attending.When you find someone on Twitter that may fit in well at your company, evaluate their activity to determine the frequency of their tweets and if they keep a balance between personal and professional posts. You will also want to note if they only post updates or if they are responding to and retweeting others.When you have a job opening, filling the position isnt going to be a piece of cake. It will take much time and effort. However, by creating an online presence and utilizing resources from LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, you can get a leg up on attracting great talent.FacebookFacebook offers several free resources that can help you to find and connect with talent.Facebook Directory Search for users, pages, groups, and applications to increase your talent pool.Facebook Pages Create a Facebook Page (public profile) to share up-to-date information about your business, products, and job openings with Facebook users. If you prefer not to have one, you can search other Facebook pages for people that are interested and active in your field and may want to apply for your open positions.Facebook Marketplace For free, you can post a job that requires basic information such as location, title and job description, etc. You can also add a photo or image to go with your job post.LinkedInIf you have some money to shell out, you can advertise about your open positions for 30 days at a cost per job post. You also have the option of buying job credits in order to pay less per job posting. However, if you dont have the budge t for these services, LinkedIn has free resources that you can take advantage of toSearch for candidatesConnect with people you already know, such as former co-workers, current clients, and even friends and family, who may be connected to someone that could be a top-notch candidateAnnounce that you are hiring via your network activity box (or position box)Upon finding someone who may be a potential candidate, take the time to thoroughly evaluate their LinkedIn profile so you can find out as much as you can before contacting them about an interview. Is their LinkedIn profile filled out completely with a picture? Do they have recommendations from people theyve worked with? What LinkedIn groups pertaining to their field have they joined and are they active members?You will also want to see if you have a 2nd or 3rd degree connection to the potential candidate to get a more personal referral.Wed love to hear about your experiences with recruiting on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter Share i n the comments below.Be sure to check out our whitepaper 5 Ways to Combine Social Media and Video Interviewing for more tipsImage Twin design/BigStock.com

3 Psychological Factors Negatively Impacting Your Productivity

3 Psychological Factors Negatively Impacting Your Productivity3 Psychological Factors Negatively Impacting Your Productivity With a cup of coffee in hand, you sit down at your desk ready to finish some editing before the weekend. You log into your computer, check Slack and your email, get distracted by a New York Times update on your phone, scroll through some tweets, and read an article about 7 Superfoods that Help with Focus. You respond to a text while Adobe Creative Suite loads, check the weather for the weekend, and if youre lucky, youll start to work before a client calls or an email warrants a response.On average, it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds for someone to get back on task once interrupted.Distractions are everywhere- slyly stealing away your time and focus in small doses while taking a drastic toll on your productivity . Although some distractions can be avoided with solutions as simple as shutting your door, others- namely digital distractions- can be a little trickier to keep at bay. Push-notifications, pings, and timelines help us feel connected and informed, but not always at the right times with the right information.parte of the problem is that we are biased towards action. We want to feel busy even if we are achieving less. We answer texts while writing an email, and even in our leisure time, we scroll through timelines while binge-watching Netflix.Unfortunately, this comes at a cost. Studies have shown that multitasking can reduce productivity by 40 percent and can even lower ones IQ by 10 points. Our brains cant do two things at once, so instead of multitasking youre just switching between two tasks rapidly, but each time with a cognitive cost of attention and mental power.Its is also a form of procrastination. Although most of us procrastinate, very few of understand why.Too often we label the act of procrastinating as laziness or a lack of motivation. However, psychologists now understand that its a coping mechan ism for dealing with emotionally unpleasant or challenging tasks.We do something fun or less daunting to give ourselves an immediate mood boost, rather than facing a task that requires more brain power and concentration. Unfortunately, this fleeting mood boost often leaves us feeling guilty and stressed, which in turn perpetuates the vicious cycle of procrastination.So why cant we just use self-control and ignore the push notifications, buzzes, and pings? We can- but only for a limited amount of time. Self-control, much like any other resource, is finite. Ignoring your phone requires effortful self-control that results in a temporary depletion of ones willpower to control other emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. You may be able to ignore the first few pings, but it gets harder as the day goes on.To add to the problem of self-control, our brains crave the rewards often associated with social media and the seemingly endless stream of information from the netz. These distractions stimu late the production of two chemical rewards in the brain- dopamine and oxytocin. Dopamine causes us to search, seek, and desire novelty- which naturally makes us curious to explore the constant flow of information from the internet.Oxytocin, known for its ability to affect feelings of intimacy and bonding, is the stimulant for good feelings of love, empathy, trust, and compassion. When we post, comment, like, or share, and receive the saatkorn in return, our oxytocin levels rise and we feel more connected to those around us. The stimulation of social media not only makes us feel good but also leaves us craving more.The first step to overcoming distraction and procrastination is awareness and understanding. Being aware of your habits and the reasons why youre procrastinating can prevent you from feeling helpless, unmotivated, and defeated.By acknowledging your procrastination, youre recognizing your brains reflexes at work and are able to better separate the habit from your own ide ntity. One study revealed that students who forgave themselves for putting off studying for their first exam were less likely to procrastinate studying for the next.Once you recognize it, the next step is to identify your goals and then simply to start- not finish, complete, or solve, but to start the task. This helps because progress, no matter how small, helps to motivate us to continue- especially when it aligns with our personal goals.The most important thing to know about your self-control is that it is a finite resource- one that diminishes with use. Ignoring push notifications, choosing vegetables over pizza, and exercising daily all draw from the same reserve of self-control- making it harder to make the better choice as the day goes on.But there are a few things you can do to help replenish your self-control , like getting a good nights sleep, meditating, and exporting self-control whenever possible. A good nights sleep has been shown to help replenish your self-control r eserves, as well as improve decision-making. Along with good sleep, meditation has also been linked to increased willpower, focus, and self-awareness. And if all else fails, remove your own weakness from the equation entirely. Use apps like Freedom to block distracting websites and apps, try only keeping healthy snacks at home, or cancel your cable.For many of us, our digital habits are the source of many productivity problems. Even when we know the source of the problem, it can be extremely difficult to fight against because tech products, such as social media, have been engineered to be as addictive as crack cocaine. This is why self-control is simply not enough- its an unfair fight against you and technology that has been specifically designed to keep your brain craving more.The solution? Since becoming a luddite and giving up technology altogether is unrealistic and unattainable. Its time to stop blaming yourself and fight fire with fire.Internet-blocking apps like Freedom can h elp you block distracting apps and sites across all your Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices for a set period of time. Freedom also lets you schedule recurring blocks to help you save time every day for the things that matter most. With our latest whitelisting feature, Block All and Block All Except you can choose to block out the whole web when you need to, except for the sites you need access to. Social media and the internet offer many benefits, but only when youre in control and not the other way around.Alexandra Dempsey is a digital marketing and strategy manager at Freedom. Freedom lets you block distracting websites and apps across all of your devices so you can focus on what matters most.This article was originally published on Grammarly. Reprinted with permission.