A Simple Ice Breaker to Use Over Lunch

A Simple Ice Breaker to Use Over LunchA Simple Ice Breaker to Use Over LunchHeres a fun icebreaker that warms up a group and enables participants at a meal to get to know each other quickly. We usually recommend icebreakers that bring participants into the discussion about the content of a training or team building session. But, there is a place for a fun lunch meeting icebreaker whose only purpose is to help session attendees know and appreciate each other. Here is a lunch or dinner meeting icebreaker that requires some time in preparation, but is quick and fun to carry out at your meeting. You can develop your own fun meeting icebreakers that help people meet and greet, too. Our how-to instructions are complete, reliable, and you can trust them to help you develop your own team building icebreakers. Its more simple than you think. Pick Up a Plate Lunch Meeting Icebreaker It is an easy-to-lead, fun lunch meeting icebreaker. Like the Candy Sort Lunch Meeting Icebreaker, this iceb reaker takes some preparation in advance, but not a lot of time during the meeting. This lunch meeting icebreaker is best used when employees are gathering to share a meal. Whether its your celebrate safety pizza luncheon or an employee recognition banquet, a hot dog summer motivational lunch, a potluck dinner or a celebrate Thanksgiving luncheon, your eating and greeting opportunities have something in common at a meal- plates. They likely have a second commonality, too. Employees who know each other best tend to sit with each other. Employees from the same department tend to arrive together and file into the first available seats. It makes the shared meal a lost opportunity to encourage team building and employees getting to know each other across departments and job functions. The employers reason for providing most meals at work is employee recognition, thanking employees for a job well done, or team building with the employees. Dont lose the opportunity. You can change these dy namics and build teams of people who dont usually work together by taping a number or a letter to the bottom of each plate. Youll need to decide how many total employees will attend. Youll need to decide, in advance, how many coworkers will sit at each table. Then make enough stickers to label every plate with a table number. Youll want to place a number on each table, too, or you will have a milling mess when employees with the same number try to find each other. Mix Things Up Finally, because employees, as mentioned, tend to arrive at luncheons with their friends, youll want to mix the plates up so that the numbers or letters that match are not stacked together in the pile of plates, but rather randomly, to facilitate coworkers meeting. Announce to the employees that, in the interests of team building and facilitating the opportunity for them to get to know people with whomthey dont usually work, you have labeled the bottom of each plate with a number. Tell them to join the em ployees at the table that is labeled with their number. And again, you can simply ask people to introduce themselves to their assigned table. Or, if you want to guide the discussion, you can develop a series of questions for people to answer such as those listed below. Keep in mind that, with this approach to a meeting icebreaker, people will want to eat hot food, so the more formal discussion is better left until after the meal. Your participants will thank you no one likes to talk to coworkers with their mouth full of food. Sample Questions or Discussion Points to Use Might Include Describe how and when you came to work at this company.Share your biggest current challenge you are experiencing at work.Share two things about yourself that you think no one at the table may know.Describe a positive customer interaction you have experienced.Tell your coworkers something you appreciate about your company. You will find additional ideas for questions in icebreaker questions for meeti ngs and fun and funny icebreaker questions.

How to Deal With Conflicting Career Advice - The Muse

How to Deal With Conflicting Career Advice - The MuseHow to Deal With Conflicting Career Advice When it comes to your career, have you ever been on the receiving end of conflicting advice? I sure have- too many times to count.There are plenty of instances- from interview outfits to the quality of my major presentation- when peoples opinions about my career didnt quite match up. But, nothing compares to when I welches considering quitting my secure full-time job to pursue a freelance writing career.Mentors in my existing industry thought I was insane, while the people I looked up to in the writing field were practically pushing me off the cliff. My manager stared at me like I said I was going to join the circus, while my parents were endlessly supportive. My close friends told me I could do anything, while random networking acquaintances told me it would never work.The thought alone makes me short of breath. Can you relate? People have a lot of opinions, and they dont always complimen t each other. In fact, sometimes theyre plain ol contradictory.Youre taught to seek the counsel and guidance of others- particularly when it comes to your career. But, where can you turn when all of that advice doesnt serve to push you in one clear direction?Heres what I learned through my own (oftentimes stressful and sweat-inducing) experience.1. Consider the SourcePeople dont just form opinions out of thin air. Instead, their viewpoints are shaped by their own unique backgrounds and experiences. Your beloved grandma might feel confident that a career change at this point would certainly be a detriment- but, thats likely because she comes from a generation when career exploration wasnt necessarily a norm. So, when it comes to receiving advice, remember to think about what sorts of circumstances could lead that person to feel that way. Is this someone with a solid handle on your particular situation, or is he or she coming at it with a certain bias or lack of understanding? Adding some conditions to whose suggestions carry weight isnt always a bad (or insulting) thing. Remember, its totally possible to trust someone without trusting his or her expertise in every single scenario. 2. Know Your ValuesWhen I would tell people that I was planning to bid adieu to my co-workers in favor of working totally alone, many had responses that looked something like, Ugh, I couldnt stand having to do everything myselfIll admit that sentiments like those planted a few seeds of doubt in my brain. But, then I realized something To me, forging my own path and doing things totally alone was one of the things that excited me most about my new adventure.Tying back to the fact that people have their own individual outlooks, its important for you to get a solid handle on your own passions and ambitions. What do you think? What do you want? With that information in your back pocket, youll be able to better consider other peoples recommendations through your own lens. When I discovered that I valued a sense of stability in my career, for example, peoples warnings that the freelance life came with a lot of uncertainty carried a little more weight in my decision-making process. Be forewarned, this step doesnt mean that your values and priorities can never shift and evolve. However, its important that you take the time to get in tune with your own desires before you confuse yourself too much with the fears and yearnings of everybody else around you. 3. Give Yourself a Gut CheckOftentimes, you already know what you want to do with those major career decisions. Youre just waiting for everybody to leap to their feet and offer a rousing, Yes Thats the right moveBut, what should you do in those situations when you really feel lost as to what advice to follow and which route to choose? Well, theres nothing like a good ol fashioned gut check.Im serious- narrow down your two options and then flip a coin. Heres the tricky part You dont actually have to stick with what the co in lands on. But, as its tumbling through the air and your whole life seems to move in slow motion, youll likely get a pretty strong inkling as to what side you want to be face up. When that happens? You, my friend, have just made your decision- conflicting advice and all. In the world of career questions, there arent a lot of black and white answers- thats exactly why there are so many contradictory opinions and suggestions out there. Should you quit that job? Make that career change? Go for that versetzung? Itd be nice if there was a one-size-fits all answer to those sorts of questions. But, there isnt. Ultimately, the best you can do is consider as many perspectives as possible (yes, even when they dont perfectly line up) and decide on the right way forward for you. Youre the only one who actually knows what that is.Still struggling to see your way to the other side? Take this decision-making advice and pretend youre counseling a friend in your exact same situation. I promise- it works

Learn About Being a Horse Trainer

Learn About Being a Horse TrainerLearn About Being a Horse TrainerHorse trainers are responsible for training horses to perform specific behaviors in response to a riders cues. They are also responsible for riding horses and training them to perform desired movements and behaviors. Job Duties A trainers duties may vary but they are generally responsible for planning training exercises, breaking horses to saddle and bridle, desensitizing horses to unfamiliar sights and sounds, utilizing different training aids and specialized tack when appropriate, treating minor injuries, and consulting with veterinarians when advanced care is needed. They are also tasked with correcting certain behaviors including aggression, chewing, circling or butting heads. Trainers may also compete with horses in training at shows to help them gain experience and to qualify them for awards or other recognition that will increase their value. If traveling to events, trainers usually trailer the horses and as sist with their show ring preparation. While a large portion of a horse trainers duties will involve the trainer riding the horse, the horses owner may also be involved in some riding activities. This is especially common toward the end of the horses training process, as the trainer will want to teach the owner how to maintain the progress. Trainers may also be responsible for scheduling routine services such as farrier (soon who trims and shoes a horses hooves) and veterinary appointments while the horse is under their supervision. Depending on staffing at their facility, the trainer may also be responsible for feeding, mucking out stalls and other general horsemanship tasks. It is not uncommon for trainers to work five to seven days a week, though they often only spend a few hours training each day. The majorityof a trainers day is spent outdoors in changing weather conditions and temperatures, though some trainers benefit from using a covered arena at their location. Travel may b e required to transport horses to shows or other events. Types of Horses There are three different types of horses that trainers will typically work within their duties. Heavy horses These animals have shorter, thicker legs. They are bred specifically for pulling carts or ploughing - basically, for heavy labor. These horses can typically be found at fairs and other showsLight horses These horses are bred mainly for riding. They have a longer body which allows riders to saddle up and sit on them.Ponies Also called foals, ponies have smaller necks and heads. Their manes are thicker, as are their coats and tails. Career Options Horse trainers may be self-employed or work on staff at a training center, riding stable or similar equestrian complex. Most specialize in working with one style of riding that is their particular area of expertise such as reining, saddle seat, hunter/jumper, dressage or driving. An additional specialty area - racehorse training - focuses on preparing Thoroughbreds or other racing breeds for competition at the track. Some horse trainers have other responsibilities, acting as riding instructors or barn managers in addition to their primary training activities. If trainers have multiple roles at their facility, they can expect to earn higher end salaries due to the additional responsibilities. Training Licensing No formal degree is required to become a horse trainer, but some trainers will have a formal degree. According to career website Sokanu.com, about 4% of horse trainers have an animal science degree. Another 2% have psychology degrees. The site reported roughly 43% of horse trainers it surveyed had an undergraduate degree, while 33% had an associates degree. Most trainers have significant practical experience working with horses before pursuing this career on a full-time basis. Many trainers work their way up the industry, starting out as grooms, riders or assistant trainers. An apprenticeship with a well-known profess ional enhances a candidates skills and reputation, so this should be pursued whenever possible. There are quite a few schools that offer certification in horsemanship and training. Well-known programs include the Lyons Legacy trainer program and the Parelli natural horse training program. A degree in equine geschftliches miteinander is always a plus, as trainers are running their own small businesses. A good working knowledge of computerized billing and record keeping programs would also be beneficial. Salary Horse trainers may bill owners for each individual ride or at a weekly or monthly rate per horse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not separate out salary data for the specific career category of horse trainers, but the mean average salary for the general category of all animal trainers was $28,880 per year ($13.88 per hour) in the most recent salary survey conducted in May of 2017. The highest 10 percent of all animal trainers earned more than $56,000 ($26.92 per hour) each year. Payscale.com reported an average salary for horse trainers of $31,172 as of November of 2018. The highest earners in the field received $58,723 per year. According to equine employment agency Equistaff.com, two-thirds of trainers received additional perks in addition to salary. Commonly reported perks included free housing, medical or dental insurance, use of a farm vehicle and overtime pay. It is also not uncommon for horse trainers to receive free motherboard for a personal horse. The BLS reported the states with the highest salaries for animal trainers were Kentucky, Arizona, Washington, California, and Illinois. Job Outlook Horse trainers with many successful graduates competing in the show or performance arenas tend to have a steady stream of clients approaching them for training services. New entrants to the field who have apprenticed with well-known trainers or programs will have an increased chance of success, as they will be able to advertise that prest igious affiliation and possibly get a few referrals from their mentor. According to the BLS, the states with the highest employment level for animal trainers were California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Kentucky. The states with the highest concentration of jobs for this field were in Kentucky, Hawaii, Florida, New Hampshire, and Louisiana.