Do You Need Your Own Video Infomercial

Do You Need Your Own Video InfomercialDo You Need Your Own Video InfomercialPut your personal brand in motion with a video biography that lets your personality shine through.Its hard to stand out in a job search. There are myriad others with similar credentials and experience, so differentiation is key. How do you cut through the clutter and get hiring managers excited about your candidature? One great option is video. In my Top Ten Personal Branding Trends for 2010, I chose video as the No. 1 trend for this year.Deliver a complete communicationThe challenge with resumes and written bios is that you have just words to communicate your homilie yet words account for only part of your message. (A UCLA study indicated that up to 93 percent of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal cues.) When you add body language and vocal variation to the words, you set yourself up to deliver a message thats clearer and more compelling.Thanks to Web 2.0 and the ubiquity of social media, biographies are quickly becoming an important job-search tool. Video can be the best delivery vehicle for your bio.Some entrepreneurs are building a business in this new territory. According to Catharine Fennell, president and CEO of videoBIO, a video covers everything that cant be said in a resume. This gives job seekers a real opportunity to make a personal connection with prospective employers who make their decisions not only on hard skills and experience but on cultural fit, attitude and communication style. What better way to meet someone in 30 seconds or less.Step off the pageVideo allows you to express your personal brand virtually. We all know hiring managers evaluate you on the education, experience and skills they can see on paper. Those requirements are the table stakes that get you into the game. But in this ultracompetitive job market, there are lots of other players. What can tip the scale in your favor often goes undetected on paper your emotional brand. Use video t o supplement your resume by demonstrating your humor, wit, enthusiasm, empathy and energy.Video is the futureRight now, video is differentiating. There are surprisingly few high-quality video bios on the Web. (Just do a search on YouTube to see whats out there) That gives you the opportunity to stand out and demonstrate yourself as innovative a freebie personal-brand attribute for now. But it wont be long before video becomes the standard vehicle for expressing ourselves on the Web. According to The international Web Index, with research conducted by Lightspeed Research, 72 percent of U.S. Internet users watched video clips monthly making video bigger than blogging or social networking.Thanks to the ubiquity of video-sharing Web sites, cheap bandwidth and a growing interest in watching videos on the Web, you can be sure that video bios will become a standard component of your career-marketing toolbox.Six tips for producing a standout video for your job search1. Know what you want t o say. A video bio is not a video resume listing your credentials. Its an opportunity to demonstrate your thought leadership, communicate what you believe and how you deliver value for your employer.2. Be brief. Keep it to two to three minutes. Attention spans are short (and getting shorter).3. Remember, quality trumps quantity. Invest in one high-quality video bio instead of posting lots of mediocre videos to YouTube. Hire the professionals this is an investment in your career. Invest in one high-quality video bio, so make sure youre working with a camera person, professional video editor and other experts.4. Dress appropriately. Also ensure you select clothes without prints or busy patterns (they often dont look right in video). Remember makeup (to ensure you are not shiny). These small details will all contribute to a polished product.5. Maximize distribution. deutsche post dhl your video to multiple video sites, including your own Web site and to sites like YouTube, vimeo and bl ip.tv. Your video bio can be a passive job-search tool as well.6. Promote it. Now that youve invested in your video, make sure it gets seen by those who need to know you. Include it in your e-mail signature, put a link in your LinkedIn profile, tweet it to your Twitter followers and put the link at the top of your resume.

How to Interview for Product Manager Jobs

How to Interview for Product Manager Jobs How to Interview for Product Manager Jobs Ellen Chisa Product Manager at Kickstarter shares her lessons on how to prepare for a product manager interview.Heres her checklist for interview preparationKnow the expectations for the industry, if it isnt what youve interviewed for before.Know the product(s) inside out.Genuinely care about their product, and do extra prep if you dont.Prepare product recommendations.Know which way their product managers lean do you need dev chops? Business? plan? Be ready to answer questions that are from the adjacent discipline.Stick with it. Never give up during the interview.Dont let curve ball questions throw off later interviews.If something does throw you off, rebound.Have two different follow-up questions prepared for each interviewer.Its well worth reading the full the articlein which she shares some of her worst interview experiences in order to help us all avoid similar errors.

5 Tactics for Starting a Conversation with a Stranger

5 Tactics for Starting a Conversation with a Stranger5 Tactics for Starting a Conversation with a StrangerThere is a hierarchy of cringe-worthy activities and high on the list is starting a conversation for networking. If you peel back networking, there are few things worse for many people (like my fellow socially reluctant) than approaching and speaking with a stranger.The problem you face is the fact that you have little or no frame of reference with this other partie. Where do you start a conversation? Even if you can muster up the courage to go near the stranger, it makes you feel like a deer in the headlights.Do you run away as fast as possible or hope for the fire alarm to goes off?I have found that rather than stopping in your tracks, its good to have tactics for starting a conversation. With a bit of planning, you can seriously reduce the fear and loathing of networking.Tactic 1. What do you have in common RIGHT NOW?There is something you do have in common with this stranger and that is whatever the event is you are attending. If it is a party you were invited to, you have that person in common. If it is a group associated with a profession or interest, you have the focus of the group as a place to start.Possible openersHow do you and Jane know each other?How long have you been part of the project management group?What is your profession that brings you to this group?Tactic 2. Look for a point of entry.Point of entry is my little term for a conversation starter. It could be something the person is snacking on, all the way to an article of clothing. It may not become the topic for a full-blown 15-minute conversation, but its a place to start. Your questions will have to fill in the rest of the conversation.Possible openersI see youre munching on the egg rolls, do you recommend them?I noticed your lapel pin, what is the pin associated with?Tactic 3. Ask for an introduction.An often over-looked tactic is to ask someone like the event organizer or a person you do know to introduce you to someone you dont know. Usually this person will have some knowledge about the person they are introducing you to and will mention the insight during the introduction. Pay attention as this can help you launch your conversation.Tactic 4. Be transparent.So often, we think we have to be the perfect, glossy version of a menschenwrdig when we meet someone new. Its really ok to admit you are there to get acquainted with new people and would like to have a chat with them. People love people who are open and friendly. Go ahead and admit you have no cleaver way of knowing where to start the conversation and introduce yourself.Possible openersIm new to this group and really dont know anyone. Is it ok for me to join you and your friends? (Ive done this a number of times and people are remarkably hospitable.)Hi, I dont think you and I have met before. Im Dorothy and you are? (Response) What brings you here today?Tactic 5. The classic.We are all very accustomed to the question What kind of work do you do? Dont be afraid to introduce yourself and ask that classic question. Once we know the kind of work someone does, it helps frame the next part of the conversation.One of the things you rarely hear discussed when it comes to networking is the idea of preparing for it. Im a big advocate of doing just that. Not all of us are big social butterflies who can easily come into a setting and begin a gabfest with anyone they encounter. I have discovered that you can think through various parts of the process and develop good tactics to help you get the most out of the next event. Isnt that worth the cringe reduction?Bottom-line I want to help you accelerate your career- to achieve what you want by connecting you with free instant access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships ebook- the backbone to your networking success and fantastic work relationships.Readers, is starting a conversation easy or challenging for you? How do you approach networking? S hare with us belowBrought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran- dedicated to unleashing your professional potential at Introvert Whisperer.photo credits istockphoto.com (featured image), Dorothy Tannahill-Moran (second image)

3 Sleeping Habits to Maximize Your Recruiting Potential

3 Sleeping Habits to Maximize Your Recruiting Potential 3 Sleeping Habits to Maximize Your Recruiting Potential If you want to avoid the long list of horribleeffects of sleep deprivation,use these three tipsTip 1 Beds Are for Sleeping, Not SmartphonesFor busy people, sleeping is that time between one shift and the next. Therefore, things like emaille find their ways into our relaxation time. In 2013,49 percent of people admitted to checking their emailimmediately after waking up at least sometimes. Moreover, 54 percent of people admit to checking email before they go to bed.Studies show thatbright lights before bed can lead to a reduction in melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps control sleep and wake cycles, and without it, we lose that sleepy feeling. A lack in melatonin also has been shown to impair the immune system and increase risk of cancer, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. By separating yourself from your screens and lowering the lights around you an hour before bed, you will significantly lower your chances of suppressing melatonin. You can also install the softwaref.lux on your devices. The program can be installed on any Apple device and will automatically adjust your display colors to suit the time of day.Tip 2 Know What Works for Your BodyChronotypes are a genetic explanation as to why a person feels more awake at one part of the day than at another time. Studies show that a gene known as PER1 determines if you are a night owl, morning lark, or hummingbird (right in the middle). If you happen to find yourself identifying more with one over the other, but cannot change your work schedule to suit it,use bright lights to trick your body into working with you and not against.The morning lark who is bright eyed and bushy tailed in the early hours but needs to work late should fill their evenings with bright lights and more activities like hitting the gym or going for a walk.The night owl with a morning shift should fill their early hours w ith light and activity. Going to bed with the curtains open will let natural light in, to help your body feel more awake.Tip 3 Forget Practicing Scheduling Makes PerfectOnce you have figured out a schedule that works for you, stick to it It is believed that it takes 21 days to make something a habit, but scientists are finding that it may take closer to66 days for a new habit to truly platzset in. In other words though it may be rough in the beginning, sticking to your new schedule will only become easier.Going back to the days of college, its crazy to believe that there was ever a time that all-nighters existed. In all honesty, they never should have. Having better sleeping habits is pivotal to more than just surviving an 8-hour workday its about surviving, period. Maintaining a healthy sleep cycle will help you in and out of the office, so learn to identify when you are on the clock, off the clock, or in needof a total clock resetaltogether.Do you have a healthy sleep habit you w ould like to share withother recruiters? Tell us in the comments

Why We Fail at Work-Life Balance (and What to Try Instead)

Why We Fail at Work-Life Balance (and What to Try Instead)Why We Fail at Work-Life Balance (and What to Try Instead)When trying to achieve work-life balance, it can be easy to feel pulled in multiple directions, to the point youre not really doing your work or living your life to the best of your abilitiy. So, when you have intense personal and professional lives, how can you show up strong for both?Former executive and speaker Teresa Taylor thinks whats holding us back is our attempt to find balance at all. Instead, she believes in work-life integration, where you let your work and personal pursuits mix and interact, and end up bringing your best self to both.Check out the video below to learn how Taylor made this work in her life, and hear her tips for integrating the things you have going on to ultimately become more present in all of them.Photo of work-life balance courtesy of Shutterstock.

Choosing Good What to Write in Objective in Resume

Choosing Good What to Write in Objective in Resume One of the hazards of a resume objective is that youre able to focus too much on what you would like in your career, and not enough on how you are going to add value to the business. In the majority of instances, a resume objective is merely a couple of sentences long. An objective needs to be personally-tailored to the employer. Ultimately, stating it is optional, but it can help convince employers that you know what you want and are familiar with the industry. Be specific about your target and briefly state how youre able to be practical to the business. Focus on how youre an advantage to the companynot the way the business can help you. Allow it to be clear and focused on what you could do in the position and for the organization. Therefore it ought to be worth time to research on the business and its present endeavors. Writing objectives for resumes can be challenging. Branded account arent aloof for executives. Agai n, check with the work post which might have indicated the preferred soft skills. First off, we must discover what type of job seeker youre. If you wish to develop into a Project Manager, youve got to demonstrate your mettle first. A well-written one is going to impress on the hiring manager the manners in which you are a perfect candidate for the job. Introducing What to Write in Objective in Resume What many jobseekers forget is the way essential soft skills are in the area of consumer services. Youll also require a familiarity with the fundamental tools utilized by electricians like cable reels, wire cutters and stripping tools. For instance, if you try to apply for employment in a grocery store, you could write you want to be a cashier. Proficient in a variety of computer applications. Up in Arms About What to Write in Objective in Resume? Its possible to create a resume appropriate for practically any range of jobs so your resume is always prepared to be set in the pro per hands at the most suitable moment. On looking it on-line, youll receive the list of templates for the specific location. When you make an application for work in person, you could possibly be requested to complete a paper application. Use the search box to find precisely what you want to get. Long paragraphs may eliminate the readers interest. You might not have that much room on a paper job program, and that means you must select your words carefully to describe precisely what youre looking for when you write your objective. If youre uncertain how to phrase your skills, or in case you would like examples of objective statements, check out some job websites for ideas. When youre asking for work, you arent the only applicant with the best resume format out there. What to Write in Objective in Resume - Is it a Scam? Each guide is based on another amount of expert experience, so locate the one most appropriate to your specific circumstance. As a guideline, you dont need t o use each and every bit of the formula for your resume objective. The correct placement for a resume objective is under the header. It is possible to accomplish it by detailing a strong range of skills in your objective statement. Each guide consists of step-by-step explanations and examples, and that means you know just how to create a winning one. The Upside to What to Write in Objective in Resume Nevertheless, its even far mora advisable to take note of any processes which you just managed to enhance. You need to have five objective statements. For instance, it might state some of your previous accomplishments, and after that move on to the types of accomplishments you would like to achieve in the future (ideally, accomplishments you need to achieve for the organization youre applying to work for). Both of the examples above could, in truth, be of the exact same individual.

9 Professional Development Resources for Entrepreneurs

9 Professional Development Resurces for Entrepreneurs Welcome to Recruiter QA, where we pose employment-related questions to the experts and share their answers Have a question youd like to ask? Leave it in the comments, and you might just see it in the next installment of Recruiter QATodays Question What are some of your favorite professional/career development resources for entrepreneurs? From books and websites to conferences and groups, we want it all. Feel free to think outside of the box If theres an action movie, beat-em-up video game, or other unlikely source that you think entrepreneurs can learn from, let us know1. DeskbrightDeskbright is an online learning platform for geschftlicher umgang and technology skills. Our mission is to empower employees, freelancers, and entrepreneurs to thrive at work. The platform contains tutorials on a number of critical business skills. Most notably, it contains a number of tips and tricks to help you expedi te and automate your work through advanced Microsoft Excel functions. Entrepreneurs can leverage our tutorials and templates to cut down their workloads through the power of spreadsheets in their day-to-day business operations. Sam McIntire, Deskbright 2. Inspirational Movies and DocumentariesI always get inspired by entrepreneur movies and documentaries such as Something Ventured and the Pirates of Silicone Valley. A great resource to start with is this IMDB list. Joe Flanagan, VelvetJobs 3. The Business, Life, and Coffee PodcastAs CEO of a startup, I know that Im constantly on the go and always looking for ways to consume valuable content. Thats why I started The Business, Life, and Coffee podcast. The podcast has even gained a few notable accolades. The Boston College Carroll School of Management called it one of the ten must-listen podcasts for MBAs.Each episode is like having coffee with a subject matter expert in a different arena, and the interviews are short enough to enjoy as you sip a cup of coffee, but long enough to have depth. Joey Price, Jumpstart HR 4. Traction, by Gino WickmanI enjoyed Traction by Gino Wickman. Traction gives you a road map to making sure you have the right people in the right seats and to making sure you are taking the business in the right direction. It also gives you systems to help assign and track goals at all levels of the organization. Don Seckler, Peak Inbound Marketing 5. The AskGaryVee ShowSubscribe to the Youtube channel for The AskGaryVee Show, which is hosted by serial entrepreneur and best-selling author Gary Vaynerchuk. Ive learned so much from that show in the past six months. Sometimes people are asking the exact questions that I have K.B. Lee, Ever Bamboo 6. SlideShareOne of the major sources for personal, professional, business, and career growth for entrepreneurs is SlideShare. SlideShare offers visual content and information from experts around the globe and is a great medium for on-demand learning and g rowth. For entrepreneur who are always looking for ways to expand their business and enhance their personal growth, the medium of SlideShare allows access to out-of-the-box content and ideas. Akanksha Vir, Ignite Joy 7. Oceans ElevenProject management skills are a true lifesaver when it comes to running a business, and one amazing action movie that provides an illustration of project management in action is Oceans Eleven. With George Clooney serving as the project manager, the movies heist plot effectively runs through the project management process from defining the project, to getting stakeholder buy-in, to forming the team, to execution, to post-project evaluation. The lessons learned can easily be applied the projects in your business. Cachet Prescott, CareerCachet.com 8. Entrepreneurs OrganizationI joined Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) in 2012 since then, EO has become my single most valuable resource. This group allows entrepreneurs to offer and receive peer-to-peer feedbac k in a safe forum setting. I often attend EO learning events, where I have access to big-name entrepreneurs who have already been through the scenarios I face. EO also offers access to educational programs at places like MIT, the London School of Business and Finance, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Being part of EO is invaluable because of how much it offers. It has given me a place to further my education, network with peers, and learn new business tools and tactics, ?all through one outlet. Vladimir Gendelman, Company Folders 9. ConventionsAt trade conventions, people will inspire you to go do something with the information youve obtained, and it really gives you the energy and motivation to become a better professional. Youll get you a lot of in-depth information in a short amount of time, making the learning curve very intense. After one of these conventions, I am usually armed with enough new information to last me through the whole year. Rebecca Be nnett, CityFitLA .openingBlock img width 100% height 100% max-width 640px display block clear both align center float none margin-left auto margin-right auto margin-bottom 20px .openingBlock .alignleft width 100% height 100% max-width 640px display block clear both align center float none margin-left auto margin-right auto .middleBlock img border-radius 150px -webkit-border-radius 150px -moz-border-radius 150px box-shadow 0 0 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, .8) -webkit-box-shadow 0 0 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, .8) -moz-box-shadow 0 0 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, .8) .middleBlock strong font-size 24px color 1f77a0 .middleBlock .contributorBlurb max-width640px displayinline-block clearnone font-stylenormal font-size 16px color 666666 background f9f9f9 .middleBlock .contributorBlurb p font-style normal font-size 16px color 666666 .middleBlock .contributorBlurb .socialIcon border-radius 0 -webkit-border-radius 0 -moz-border-radius 0 box-shadow none -webkit-box-shadow none -moz-box-shadow none

Whitelist an Email Sender or a Domain in Yahoo! Mail

Whitelist an Email Sender or a Domain in Yahoo MailWhitelist an Email Sender or a Domain in Yahoo MailNothing can be more frustrating than missing important emailles because they go to your spam folder. But there are ways to manage your email to avoid such issues, such as whitelisting those emails you dont want to miss. The Function of Whitelisting Technically, a whitelist is a compilation of people or entities who are special in some way. They rise above the crowd, and they may receive special perks and benefits. Its the opposite of blacklist, which means that an individual or entity has been banned, otherwise excommunicated or relegated to your spam folder. You can whitelist specific senders of emails or even an entire domain name if you want to ensure that they effectively rise to the top of your email box or at least that they make it to your inbox and arent relegated to the blacklist of your spam folder. Heres how to do it in Yahoo Mail so you can be sure you get your impor tant emails, updates and more. Whitelist Existing Emails in Yahoo Mail You can whitelist email senders in Yahoo Mail in two different ways. First, check yourYahoo Bulk folder. If you see an email in there from someone you want to add to your whitelist, simply highlight it and select the Not Spam icon. Future emails from this person or entity should now automatically go to your inbox. Of course, this only worksafterthat individual has sent you an email that you can track down because it has been whisked away as spam. You can use a second option if you havent yet received an email from the party you want to whitelist. Create a Filter You can create a filter to route emails from certain domains to your inbox automatically. Select Options at the top right of the navigation bar. Now select Mail Options from the list that drops down. Choose Filters from the list that next appears and select the Add button. Now, choose the field you want to match in the incoming message youre expec ting. For example, you might want to match something that you know will appear in the header or something that will appear in the To line. Choose the criterion by which you want the match to be made, such as that you want to snag anything that contains this phrase or word. Now, enter the text string you want to compare, such as From Women in Business. Finally, choose the destination folder, which would be your inbox. The first option is infinitely easier, so if youre on familiar terms with the sender of the email you want to make sure you receive, ask him to send a test or blank email in advance, so you can tell Yahoo that its not spammed with a single click. But if thats not an option, taking a few more steps should ensure that the email in question appears in your inbox.

How to Make a Great Impression on Your First Day - The Muse

How to Make a Great Impression on Your First Day - The MuseHow to Make a Great Impression on Your First Day Theres nothing more nerve-wracking than a job interview- until, of course, youve actually landed the job and youre headed to your first day of work. You have to meet everyone and figure everything out- um, wheres the bathroom? The break room? My desk?- all while proving that youre ready to do a kick-ass job (with dozens of new sets of eyes all on you).Sure, starting a new job can be stressful- but we promise, it doesnt have to be that bad It can even be kind of fun. With this walk-through of your first day, well show you how to make a great impression on your new co-workers and, fruchtwein importantly, your new boss.In the MorningWake up earlier than you think you need to on your first day- even if youre convinced you can be up and out the door in 15 minutes, today is not the day to test that theory. Not only should you plan to show up to the office a little early, youll also w ant some extra time to swipe on lipstick and make sure your bag is stocked with all the essentials.HR probably told you about the office dress code when you accepted the job, but if youre not sure, err on the conservative side. Yes, I know you want to be memorable, but save the funky jewelry and avocado-green tights for a day when you arent meeting dozens of new people. You cant go wrong with a knee-length skirt, black pumps, and a cardigan.Leave your house with enough time to arrive to your office 15 minutes early- youll need time to navigate an unfamiliar route and deal with any surprise traffic jams, not to mention figure out where to park and how to find your new desk. You can always grab a doughnut or calm your jitters with a little Katy Perry sing-a-long in the car if you have extra time.At the OfficeAt the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious, be extra-professional on your first day at work- even if your office seems super laid-back. This means keeping your cell phone on sil ent and put away- nobody wants to hear your LMFAO ring tone every time your mom calls to see how work is going. Plus, chatting on the phone on your first day (or your first week, for that matter) is completely off-limits. Even if you hear other co-workers answering personal calls left and right, doing it when youre the new girl seems presumptuous and can rub your co-workers and supervisors the wrong way.Along the same lines, avoid any online shopping or Gchatting until you know the office Internet rules and have gotten a feel for the workplace culture.Getting to Know YouTheres no better time to channel your inner extrovert than on your first day at work. Say hello to everyone that passes by your desk- smile, introduce yourself, and ask about their role at the company. If youre awful at remembering anthroponyms, try to repeat the other persons name within the first few seconds of conversation. It sounds cheesy, but itll help cement the name in your memory (plus, it shows that youre l istening).One of the best opportunities to get to know your co-workers is lunchtime. At many companies, its traditional to take new employees out to lunch on the first day. But if not, take advantage of your hour off by heading over to the break room and joining a table of co-workers. This is a great chance to meet other employees and show them that youre friendly and approachable. (Just make sure to bring some food with you, so you dont have to worry about scavenging potato chips from the office vending machine.)Wrapping Up the DayEven if your workday ends at 5, linger a little longer. Finish up any paperwork from HR, take notes about what you learned (including all those names that youre bound to forget come tomorrow), and write down questions you have for the next day. Not being the first one out the door shows your co-workers that youre there to learn, not just to collect a paycheck.Congratulations Youve officially survived (and thrived) on your first day of work. Head home, tak e off those heels, and pat yourself on the back. Youre well on your way to being a star employee.

Why we fight imaginary enemies (and what to do about it)

Why we fight imaginary enemies (and what to do about it)Why we fight imaginary enemies (and what to do about it)The same thing happens every time the doorbell rings.My office is on the second floor of our house. Our dog Einstein usually sleeps in his bed next to my desk while Im busy typing away. The moment he hears the doorbell, he instantly goes from deep sleep to fully awake and books it down the stairs- rounding corners, spinning out, and bumping against various pieces of furniture with zero concern for his little body. He then starts barking at the door while jumping to unimaginable heights.Even his favorite treat isnt enough to lure him away from the imaginary enemy at the door. He appears to think his actions averted the threat and that if he hadnt barked at the door, the house would have been stormed by ill-meaning strangers.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraFor the longes t time, I ascribed my dogs Pavlovian beat of stimulus-response, stimulus-response to his canine genes.But then it dawned on me Im much more like Einstein than I assume. Yes, my operating system is slightly more advanced. But I also find myself setting up walls and constructing defenses against enemies that are nowhere to be found.I assume, for example, that horrible things will ensue after a mistake in a blog post or a botched podcast episode. My perfectionism kicks into high gear when I assume the enemy- whatever form the enemy might take- will remain at bay as long as I get the article, the blog post, the book chapter perfect.This, of course, is an illusion. Im a modern-day Don Quixote tilting at digital windmills. Even if there was an enemy- and thats a big if- no amount of perfect can prevent digital criticism.I know Im not alone here. Consider your relationship with email. When I used to practice law, I would constantly check my inbox, meticulously responding to questions and p roblems as they poured in. This would eat away at my attention span and obliterate my ability to focus. But I kept doing it. Because the problem in the email would disappear after I intervened, I assumed- much like my dog Einstein- that it was my barking that resolved the problem.One day, out of frustration, I tried something new. I began waiting a few hours to respond to some emails.What happened? Nothing.In many cases, the problem in the email would magically disappear on its own without my intervention. Either someone else copied on the email would answer the question or the sender would solve the problem on their own like a self-cleaning oven.Our tendency to attack imaginary problems isnt just an innocuous exercise. Our interference can actually make things worse. Consider one compelling study on changing traffic lanes. If youre anything like me, you always assume youre driving in the wrong lane and the cars in the other lanes are going much faster.This turns out to be an illusi on. Every driver on average thinks hes in the wrong lane, one of the researchers behind the study said. You think more cars are passing you when youre actually passing them just as quickly. Still, you make a lane change where the benefits are illusory and not real. And by changing your lane in an imaginary attempt to shave off a minute or two from your commute, you end up increasing the risk of a collision by threefold.Theres another downside to fighting illusory problems. While were busy averting imaginary threats, we neglect the real ones. We focus on the seemingly urgent- instead of the important. We forget were here to cross the swamp- not to fight the alligators. Rather than being proactive, we spend most of our days- and our lives- playing defense against enemies that dont exist.In some cases, ansicht defense mechanisms developed in response to real problems. But the immune response remains long after the enemy leaves.Think about it What are you needlessly barking at in your o wn life? Where are you afraid of getting attacked by an enemy that doesnt exist?Ill end the article with the last line of A Separate Peace, a book I loved as a teenager. Speaking of the characters in the book, the author writes They constructed at infinite cost to themselves these Maginot Lines against this enemy they thought they saw across the frontier, this enemy who never attacked that way if ever attacked at all if he was indeed the enemy.Ozan Varol is a rocket scientist turned law professor and bestselling author.Click hereto download a free copy of his e-book, The Contrarian Handbook 8 Principles for Innovating Your Thinking. Along with your free e-book, youll get the Weekly Contrarian - a newsletter that challenges conventional wisdom and changes the way we look at the world (plus access to exclusive content for subscribers only).This article first appeared on OzanVarol.com.