5 unexpected blocks keeping you from being creative

5 unexpected blocks keeping you from being creative5 unexpected blocks keeping you from being creativeIf you are ever faced with the feeling that all your creative juices have dried up, there is one question and one question only you need to ask yourselfWho are you studying?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreI am such a believer of input and its role in staying creative over long periods of time.Do you know why you feel so inspired after seeing live music?Or going to the theater?Or watching a really great movie?Its because you are allowing yourself to take in, instead of being in output mode.And if you stay in output mode too long, thats when the infamous writers block appears.1. You arent making time for inputLike I said above, if you arent constantly studying your craft and learning from others, where on earth do you think all your brilliance is going to come from?Your desk?In yo ur empty apartment?You have to, have to, have to make time to not only study the work of others, but also to take a break from focusing on output.Its just like going to the gym. You cant lift weights for 10 hours straight without eating.In fact, eating is the most important part2. You arent sleepingTrust me, I know that sometimes sleep deprivation can lead to some pretty incredible a-ha moments - like a vision quest in the desert, or something - but 99.8 percent of the time, sleep is your best friend.And more than that, its not just about sleep, but allowing your brain a option to rest. Again, this goes back to always being in output mode.You have to allow your engine a chance to cool down.3. You arent surrounded by creative peopleYou are the product of the environment that surrounds you.You are influenced by those around you.You are inspired by those around you.You learn from those around you.Environment plays such a monumental role in our development as human beings.If you want to be truly creative, you need to be surrounded by others who are also creative in their own ways, and will push you outside your conventional patterns of thought.4. You arent mastering your emotions - your emotions are mastering you.At first, I was going to say, You are not in a positive place emotionally, but some of the worlds greatest art has come from tragedy and heartbreak.I think a more true statement, when it comes to creativity, is to be aware of how you feel and to use that as inspiration.It is one thing to be depressed.It is entirely another to know you are depressed, witness that emotion, and then transmute it into something incredible.That is, and should always be, the goal.5. You arent practicing.And finally, the simplest but most easily forgotten habit of all, the importance of practice.You might be naturally creative, but if you arent actively practicing, that muscle will become weak. Oddly enough, you will still hold yourself to the saatkorn standard you once perfo rmed at, but will not be able to replicate the same success because you arent practicing.Creativity is a skill.It must be practiced, diligently and with focus, in order to be honed and cultivated.This article originally appeared on Inc Magazine.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 double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Automated Logistical Specialist (MOS 92A) Description

Automated Logistical Specialist (MOS 92A) DescriptionAutomated Logistical Specialist (MOS 92A) DescriptionThe Automated Logistical Specialist is primarily responsible for supervising and performing management or warehouse functions in order to maintain equipment records and parts. This position is akin to quote a few civilian occupations, such as laborers and freight, stock and werkstoff movers. Theres some logistician skill required, so its also similar to a purchasing agent job in wholesale, retail or farming or purchasing managers. Duties performed by Soldiers in this MOS This kind of Automated Logistical Specialist has a wide array of duties. In this position, youd be responsible for a certain amount of paperwork, including maintaining stock records, inventory records, material control, accounting, and supply reports. In addition to that, youd be establishing and maintaining both automated and manual accounting records, posting receipts and performing dues-ins and dues out ac counting tasks. Lastly, on the paperwork side, youd be correcting any errors and exception documents, in addition to reviewing and verifying quantities received against bills of lading, contracts, purchase requests and shipping documents. On the physical ends of things, youd be responsible for unloading, unpacking, visually inspecting, counting, segregating, pelletizing and storing incoming supplies and equipment in addition to maintaining the stock locator system and administering document control procedures. You would repair and construct fiberboard or wooden containers as well as bins, shelving and all sorts of storage aids in order to pack, crate, stencil, weigh, and band equipment and supplies. On the shipping side of things, this position is responsible for processing requests and turning-in documents at direct support level through the warehousing section. You would process inventories, surveys, and warehousing documents, as well as performing prescribed load lists and shop s tock list duties in manual and automated supply applications. You would prepare, annotate and distribute shipping documents in addition to breaking down and distributing field rations. It would be your responsibility to ensure that inventories and schauplatz surveys are performed in accordance with established procedures. To do so, you would instruct warehouse personnel in loading, unloading, segregation, dunnage, pelletizing, and selection of stock and storage areas. You would perform property disposal storage functions and ensure the application of special procedures for handling, storing, packaging and shipping retrograde material. Additionally, you would retrieve and analyze the historyand activity files pertinent to system rejected documents, as well as recommending additions and deletions to authorized stockage list. You would maintain accounting records of property disposal activity as well as performing reviews requests for major and controlled items. Monthly and quarterly, it would be your responsibility to reconcile activity records for reporting and status reviews. You would processes data inquiry and manager referred listings and cards in addition to managing controlled, critical and reserve stocks and operational readiness floats. You would perform financial management functions, process output from a catalog inquiry program and document modifiers and special cancellation requests. You would perform commissary storefunctions to include stock replenishment, price changes, inventories, security and stock receipt in addition to overseeing the construction of displays. You would be responsible for computing the cost of the Basic Daily Food Allowance and ensure that subsistence items stockage objectives are met. You would prepare data input and utilize ADP output to assist in material management. You would prepare reports on labor and equipment, available storage space, relocation of material, warehouse refusals, and stock requirements. You would di rect the correction of location survey discrepancies as well as assisting unit intermediate maintenance personnel in planning a maintenance program. Additionally, you would plan and coordinate subsistence supply activity and directs corrective action to minimize spoilage, flavor contamination, and improper warehouse practices. Training for the Position Job training for an automated logistical specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and 12 weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instructions. A portion of that time is spent in the classroom and part in the field, including practice in handling and storing stock. For your ASVAB Score, youll need to score a 90 in the aptitude area of the CL. This position doesnt come with a security clearance. Physically, be prepared to lift very heavy equipment quite often your physical profile requirement will be a 222222, and youll need to have normal color vision. During all of this training, youll learn stock contr ol and accounting procedures, as well as procedures for shipping, receiving, storing and issuing stock. Theyd teach you all that goes into the movement, storage, and maintenance of ammunition in your charge, as well as the procedures for handling medical and food supplies.

Whos Hiring Your Hairdresser Knows

Whos Hiring Your Hairdresser KnowsWhos Hiring? Your Hairdresser KnowsWhos Hiring Your Hairdresser KnowsYouve checked and rechecked the online job postings, perused the papers, and queried your friends, neighbors, and relatives. Youve sent out resumes, had an interview or two, but nothings panned out. Feel like youve exhausted every avenue of job leads? Maybe its time for a haircut Ora dental cleaning. Or a manicure and/or pedicure.Dont roll your eyes Im not recycling that tired old advice to treat yourself or stay well-groomed for job interviews (even if those ARE valid points). My point is that hairdressers, barbers, dental hygienists, and other personal service providers hear things the rest of us arent privy to. They have a dozen or more people a day telling them about their problems with their kids, their health, their spouses ... and their jobsMy hairdresser Barbara actually emailed me a couple weeks ago about a job opening at her daughters company (a trade magazine publisher). I wasnt interested, but I sure appreciated the gesture. A couple years ago, when I was looking for a new job, she had passed my resume on to that saatkorn daughter, who passed it to the hiring manager. It didnt turn out to be a match but it could haveYou may have a hidden job resource of your own. Your barbers last customer might be having a terrible time at work because his assistant just quit. Your plumber might have installed a shower for someone who just gave her notice in a position youd be perfect for. Your manicurist might have a brother-in-law who manages the restaurant where youre hoping to work.Its hard to keep finding new ways to feel productive when youve been job searching for awhile, but Im a firm believer in asking for help. Were all in this together. We all hear about the layoffs and the closings. We all pay the same crazy gas prices. Reach out, tell your story, and hand out your resume to anyone who might read it or pass it along.The Internet is an invaluable resour ce that has revolutionized job seeking. But the good old-fashioned, tried and true grapevine can still work wonders.Oh, and you know who really gets the inside scoop? Bartenders. (Or so Ive heard.)Have you ever had a job tip from an unexpected source?