This is where underage kids are most likely buying their tobacco

This is where underage kids are most likely buying their tobaccoThis is where underage kids are most likely buying their tobaccoTheres always that one store in the neighborhood that will sell to underage patrons, but when it comes to tobacco, its coming from places that arent necessarily thought to.More and mora young people are able to get their hands on tobacco because certain shops - primarily smaller, heavily-advertised tobacco shops - arent carding them for a pack of smokes, according to new research.The study, which was published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, sent researchers between ages 20 and 21 to different shops that sold tobacco in Columbus, OH that had yet to implement new laws prohibiting sales to patrons under 21. Although some cashiers asked for identification, more than half didnt bother, according to the study.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreMo re than 60% of cashiers didnt ask for identification, and the study said that it happened mostly at smaller stores like tobacco shops and others plastered with ads promoting tobacco.Our findings suggest that certain types of stores - tobacco shops, convenience stores and those with a lot of tobacco advertising - are more likely to sell tobacco to a young person without checking his or her ID, said researcher Megan Roberts in a statement. One implication of this finding is that enforcement may benefit from targeted outreach and monitoring at ansicht locations.Under Columbus law, retailers are supposed to ID anyone who appears under 30. Researchers said it wasnt a shock to see these smaller-type stores looking the other way on the law, as they had a product to sell.It makes sense, if you think about it, that people who are plastering their windows with tobacco ads probably are trying to make a lot of money off those products and may be more likely to look the other way when selling to a young adult, added Niru Murali.

Six ways successful people stay calm in a crisis

Six ways successful people stay calm in a crisisSix ways successful people stay calm in a crisisIt happens to the best of us. Things go off the railsat work,you witness someone on yur team verbally explode because something isnt working out in their favor, or after too much frustration, you have a meltdown of your own.But before things go too far, heres how to stay calm on days like these.Dont lose itLosing your temper couldwreck your career. You risk losing the standing youve attained so far It tells your managers that you cant be trusted with responsibility, and it tells your peers that you dont have a handle on your own life. Plus, freaking out could make everything worse- not only for you, but also for your coworkers. When theres a crisis, everyone needs to focus on the underlying problem and row in the same direction to fix it - not cater to your mood.The hardest consequence Even if youre calm 99% of the time, people will always remember your one moment of losing control and i t will erase most of your goodwill with them. The person yelling in the office may make some people afraid, but it will also always earn a measure of contempt.So when you get wound up, acknowledge your emotion to yourself - I am upset right now, and I have every right to be - to get it out of the way and stop struggling with yourself. Then step back and think of your future, not just the present moment.One key thing that many wise people teach students of meditation if youre reacting to everything, you will get stuck in your life because you cant handle moving forward. If a simple challenge brings you to the brink of crying and fury, how do you plan to handle the larger challenges that go along with success? Start training yourself to meet challenges with aplomb instead of a tornado of emotion, and soon youll be moving forward to bigger and better opportunities.Donttry to take on others emotionsEmotions are as viral as illnesses. When we sit next to a happy person, were happy. Whe n we sit next to a drama queen, were tossed around in the chaos too. Handling our own emotions in addition to other peoples is too much of a heavy lift for most people, especially at work.While showing empathy and putting yourself in their shoes can help you put things into perspective and understand another point of view, assuming someone elses emotional burdencan hurt your productivity. It can be hard to set those boundaries, but its necessary we absorb each others feelings.Very often, when someone is upset about a work matter, there can be a tendency to want to cater to their distress. The best advice dont try to intervene if someone is lashing out while youre around. Its not your responsibility to fix someone elses emotional state - and in fact, it can do harm. Dont shrink from their anger, or cater to their ups and downs. If youre in the same workplace, it means theyre just like you grown adults who should be trusted to manage their own emotions and be in charge of their own l ives.Judith Orloff, M.D., provides strategies for getting away from others bad emotions from her book, Emotional Freedom Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life,in a HuffPost article.First, ask yourself Is the feeling mine or someone elses? It could be both. If the emotion such as fear or anger is yours, gently confront whats causing it on your own or with professional help. If not, try to pinpoint the obvious generator. For instance, if youve just watched a comedy, yet you came home from the movie theater feeling blue, you may have incorporated the depression of the people sitting beside you in close proximity, energy fields overlap. The same is true with going to a mall or packed concert, Orloff writes.Remember, its all in how you communicateWhen youre angry, there can be a tendency to be sarcastic for some people, or passive-aggressive for others. Be aware of the intentions and emotions youre directing at other people. Not everyone is - or should be - u nderstanding or accepting of anger, ranting, or silence. You dont want to burn any bridges, especially if you dont know the colleague well and they could carry reports of your behavior through the company.Jacqueline Whitmore writes about the thinking through what you have to say before communicating in an Entrepreneur article.Once something comes out of your mouth, you cant take it back. Saying hurtful or nasty things can be risky or dangerous to your professional reputation. It can also shatter your credibility. Watch what you say, how you say it, and where you say it. Its best to confront someone in private, whenever possible, Whitmore writes.The obvious implications dont send flame emails, nasty messages on Slack or other internal messaging programs, or confront someone publicly where they may be humiliated. It will make you look terrible. If someone confronts you that way, just acknowledge whats happening I see youre angry right now, so its probably not the best time to address things. Im heading out. Why dont we take this up tomorrow and talk through our concerns? Then walk away. When you stay in the presence of bad behavior, its can be taken as encouragement for it.Focus on your breathingMindfulness meditation isnt just about sitting in a room with your eyes closed. It can also take the form of walking or nearly any other activity. The only requirements are being present to your surrounding, calm breathing, and focus.The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley provides adviceon mindful breathing.Sometimes, especially when trying to calm yourself in a stressful moment, it might help to start by taking an exaggerated breath a deep inhale through your nostrils (3 seconds), hold your breath (2 seconds), and a long exhale through your mouth (4 seconds). Otherwise, simply observe each breath without trying to adjust it it may help to focus on the rise and fall of your chest or the sensation through your nostrils. As you do so, you may find that your mind wa nders, distracted by thoughts or bodily sensations. Thats OK. Just notice that this is happening and gently bring your attention back to your breath the site says.Remove yourself from the situationIf youre too heated, nothing good will happen. If youre around someone whos heated, its the same.Get away from the irritation as soon as you can (and do some of that breathing). Stepping outside and clearing your head on a walk, or just doing a lap around another floor, can help take your mind off things and get your muscles moving again. To calm down quickly, use this easy trick just think of the place where youre happiest, and picture what that feels like. It will put you in a different frame of mind. Youll be best when youre thinking clearly and not clouded by adrenaline.Think aboutwhat you can controlThe bottom line is that we get distressed when we are trying to control things we cant. Try not to waste too much of your precious time and energy worrying about things that are out of you r hands. You dont have to throw yourself in front of every work crisis with the idea of stopping it, or martyr yourself to a cause. Again, trust other people to do their part, and accept that they may do things differently than you do. The sooner you let go of what you cant control, the sooner you can move forward, and get focused again.

3 Things to Do Every Time a Co-worker Leaves

3 Things to Do Every Time a Co-worker Leaves3 Things to Do Every Time a Co-worker LeavesIf you stay at any company long enough, youll inevitably see a few co-workers leave for other opportunities. Often times, this can be a moment of stress for the whole office, while others, for certain people, it may actually be a big relief. Either way, a co-workers departure is always a good time to reinforce your professional relationships, build your network, and potentially take on new responsibilities within your company. Here are three actions you can take to make the best of (and potentially benefit from) a co-worker leaving the herd.1. Take NotesIf any of your departing co-workers responsibilities will be passed on to you (and, if you work together closely enough, they likely will be at least for a while), youll want to understand what her current projects are, what her goals have been, and where she left off. You shouldnt expect her to put in any amount of real work (her mind is probably already out the door), but you can gather some thoughts on what needs to happen next on all the projects shes leaving behind and what significant milestones need to be met soon. Even if youre not assigned to take on additional responsibilities, you may want to take 30 minutes to better understand what your co-workers role welches within the company and where you can potentially step in to help. This is especially true if she was involved in choice projects youd love to get your hands on. If you work quickly, you may be able to become the defacto domain expert, impress your boss, and claim those projects for your own.2. Write a LinkedIn Recommendation (and Ask for One)If youve enjoyed working with your colleague, you should tell him so in the form of a LinkedIn recommendation. It will only take five to ten minutes to write, but the thought counts a lot- everyone deeply appreciates a kind review of their work. Plus, you never know if or when youll interact with this co-worker in the f uture, so it never hurts to make a positive last impression. It is especially thoughtful and important to write a recommendation if the reason your co-worker is leaving is because he or she has been laid off. I once worked at a small startup that failed to secure more funding and underwent a couple rounds of lay-offs. (In the end, I was laid off as well.) It can be shocking, disappointing, and ultimately disheartening to be laid off, not to mention its incredibly stressful to be thrown into a job search without much warning. But receiving a nice recommendation from your colleagues can go a long way in making you feel appreciated and in more control of your career. On a similar note, now would be a good time to ask your colleague for a LinkedIn recommendation in return. Even if you are not currently looking for a new job, you may one day look for other opportunities, and LinkedIn recommendations can increase your visibility to potential future employers. Try, Weve worked together on so many project teams. Before you go, would you be willing to write me a recommendation about our time together?3. Go to LunchGood-bye lunches are a great way to show an old colleague youve appreciated his or her work, as well as hear all the details about the new gig. If it is a more intimate gathering, you may also get a chance to hear this persons real reason for leaving your company. Was there too much pressure? Did he feel he was passed over for promotions? Did she lose interest and need a change, or is she simply looking for a shorter commute? Of course, if this person is leaving under some duress, you may want to take his or her words with a grain of salt. But no matter what the reason, good-bye lunches or coffee dates can be a great opportunity to better understand your office culture and what projects, clients, or people to be wary of in the future.Saying goodbye to a colleague can be bittersweet and at times stressful. But it can also be an opportunity to take on new respo nsibilities, move your career forward, and forge stronger professional relationships. If you keep in mind some of the tips Ive outlined above, your former and current colleagues will appreciate your thoughtfulness and grace under pressure. Photo of empty office courtesy of Shutterstock.