Displaying All Posts by Melanie Brooks

Choosing and Using an Ergonomic Chair

If you work from home or have a small office, you probably don’t have someone on staff to make sure your work space is ergonomically correct. But you can do it yourself. A little bit of attention to the relationship between your body and your desk can make a huge difference.

I don’t know about you, but I can tell when I’m stressed at work. My shoulders tighten to the point of severe pain and I start complaining about needing a massage. Some people prefer to visit a chiropractor for an adjustment when they feel that their body isn’t quite right.

Click Here to Read Article …

Popular search terms for this article:

IKEA MARKUS review, ikea markus chair review, ikea ergonomic chair, ikea ergonomic office chair, ergonomic chair ikea, markus chair review, ikea markus, ergonomically correct office chair, markus ikea chair review, ikea markus office chair review

Most Often Misspelled Words

I have a bachelor’s degree in communications. I have my master’s in journalism. That said, I’ll be the first to tell you that I am a terrible speller. Loving to write and being able to spell don’t necessarilly necessarily go hand in hand. That’s why I constantly use spell check.

Many writers send me emails looking to contribute to one of the magazines I work for. When an email, cover letter, or resume come across my desk with misspelled words I get angry. These people want to publish articles and they can’t even take the time to make sure their query is spell checked? Please.
Click Here to Read Article …

Popular search terms for this article:

10 most misspelled words, most commonly misspelled words, most often misspelled words, 10 most commonly misspelled words, most common misspelled words, commonly misspelled words 9th grade, dr gboco, 10 most common misspelled words, Words often Misspelled, often misspelled words

Free and Online Photo Editing Software

Free and Online Photo Editing Software

While Adobe Photoshop is pretty much the standard software for the photo industry, you don’t need to go out and buy it for yourself if you want to manipulate your own images—especially if you’re not a professional photographer. There are handfuls of free and online photo editing software out there floating around the world wide web to choose from. I’ve created a short list of some of the best below. Click Here to Read Article …

Popular search terms for this article:

photo editing online free professional, online photo editing software, photo editing software online, photo editing software free online, photo editing programs online, online photo editing software free, free photo editing software online, online photo making software, online photo editing, free online photo editing software

Why You Should Think Twice Before Sending Angry Email

As a writer and editor I’ve been bred to have a tough skin. Some of my best constructive criticism came from thoughtful professors and kind editors when I was attending NYU for grad school. If it wasn’t for my editor at Inc., I never would have learned to write a lead for my articles. His graciousness and tact throughout my 9 months with the company never went unappreciated. Click Here to Read Article …

Popular search terms for this article:

angry emails at work, send angry email, sending angry emails

Motivational Music: Songs That Get Me Going

I was reading an article on music motivation and I started thinking about when I listen to music at work and what I seek out for motivation.

To be honest, I have a hard time listening to music when I’m writing — even classical music. But there are times when I’m not writing or editing and I need a pick me up. That’s when I turn on my iTunes and tune in. I try to keep it at a normal decibel level during normal office hours, but when I’m working late and the only one in the office I can turn it up and even — gasp! — sing along. Click Here to Read Article …

Popular search terms for this article:

motivational music, motivational songs for work, motivational classical music, motivational dance songs, motivational music for work, motivational dance music, motivational work songs, motivational songs, songs about going for it, motivational tunes

6 Natural Energy Foods to Revive Yourself at Work

Have you ever been so tired at work that you fell asleep at your desk? You put your head down for just a minute and, well, you wake up with drool all over the report you were working on. Not only does sleeping at your desk look bad, it can be gross (hello, drool!)

Most of us don’t have the luxury of shutting our office door and taking a cat nap during the day. And sleeping more at night might not be the solution. If you’re like me you have a stash of natural energy foods by your desk in case you need to fight off a growling stomach. Here is a list of foods that give you energy, fill you up,  and keep you alert and functioning at the same time. Click Here to Read Article …

Popular search terms for this article:

energy foods, natural energy foods, foods for energy, natural energy food, energy foods list, natural foods for energy, foods with natural energy, foods that give you energy naturally, foods that give you energy, natural food for energy

4 Effective Email Spam Filter Tools

It is amazing how much spam ends up at my work email address. At least I’m assuming it’s spam—I can’t imagine that that many Eastern European women really want to marry me. The email spam filter at my work does a pretty good job, but it certainly doesn’t catch everything.

I never get spam in my personal Gmail account (thanks, Google!). And while I don’t spend a lot of time deleting spam from my work email, I do have to do it. – and it annoys me. It annoys me a lot. Especially the offensive, raunchy stuff. In the three minutes or so it has taken me to write this, three spam emails have appeared in my junk email folder. Sheesh. Click Here to Read Article …

Popular search terms for this article:

linux spam filter

Do You Volunteer for an Organization or Cause?

I read this recent post, Making Your Passion a Higher Priority, and it hit close to home.

I have recently been asked to sit on the board of the young professionals chapter of my local chamber of commerce. I was flattered and immediately agreed. Not only do I believe in networking opportunities, I believe in my local business community.

Once a month I attend an hour-long meeting and help plan monthly, quarterly, and yearly activities. As the editor of a regional manager I feel it’s important for me to be involved in the community. But I was worried about how to fit my volunteer commitment into my work and personal life. Click Here to Read Article …

Popular search terms for this article:

volunteer for a cause