What do you do when you get into an accident? This question has crossed my mind a lot of times, something that I’m sure motorists out there are also wary of. This thought came into mind when my good buddy Javie got into an accident last Saturday. His car was parked on the side of the road, and a…

It's a new year for making new travel plans, but preferably without spending an arm and a leg. We've looked at numerous ways to save on travel costs. Set aside some time this weekend, review a few tips, and put together a great trip on the cheap. Save on Airfare and Lodging There are many ways to…

I just got a job, and I'm very excited—and nervous. I know I'm lucky to even have a job, and so I don't want to screw up as soon as I get started. What's expected of me? How can I make a good impression? What do I need to know on day one? Sincerely, Job Newb Dear J.N., First of all, congratulations…

In Dungeons & Dragons, every character has certain strengths and weaknesses, determined by their ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. Your real-life self is made up of those abilities too, and you can level them up just like you do in-game. Strength…

This article is an excerpt from Atomic Habits , my New York Times bestselling book. I've started to notice (partially because of my own failures), that there is one skill that is so valuable that it will make you a standout in any area of life, no matter what kind of competition you face. What is…

If your goal for the holidays or new year is a healthier you, those cabinets full of sugary snacks and salty, over-processed junk food are your first serious roadblock. It's time to throw out your junk food in a dramatic blaze of glory so you'll stick to your convictions. Here's a step-by-step guide…

This article is an excerpt from Atomic Habits , my New York Times bestselling book. We all have goals and dreams, but it can be difficult to stay focused and stick with them. Each week, I hear from people who say things like, “I start with good intentions, but I can't seem to maintain my consistency…

Have you ever told yourself no? I definitely have. I'm talking about thoughts like… “Why bother applying? I doubt that school would ever accept me.” “This business idea isn't going to work. I'm too old/too young/too inexperienced.” “He’d never date me. I might as well move on.” “My boss won't…

Planning to switch careers? It's important to consider how your switch will affect your money. A financial plan will help make your transition successful. Follow this guide to manage the finances of y

One of Lifehacker's main tasks is to help you save money. But once you've saved money, where should you spend it in order to maximize the usefulness of your money spent—or even your happiness? To answ

Investing always involves a bit of risk. However, on a broad scale, the markets tend upwards. For that reason, sticking to a low-risk, hands-off strategy can be better than trying to micro-manage your

Years ago, I started a brand new job, and I was contracted on terrible project. There was no real work to do, so instead of technical writing—my actual job—I spent my time getting coffee for people and making copies. Rather than ask my boss about this, I kept it to myself. Weeks later, she…

I am struggling today. If you’ve ever struggled to be consistent with something you care about, maybe my struggle will resonate with you too. It has been 939 days since November 12, 2012. That’s the date when I first published an article on JamesClear.com and it’s almost 2 years and 7 months ago.…

Primal posture: Ubong tribesmen in Borneo (right) display the perfect J-shaped spines. A woman in Burkina Faso (left) holds her baby so that his spine stays straight. The center image shows the S-shaped spine drawn in a modern anatomy book (Fig. I) and the J-shaped spine (Fig. II) drawn in the 1897…

version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"? Career fair at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill. COD Newsroom/flickr Plenty of people believe job fairs are obsolete, a thing of the past — but experts say they’re not dead, and they’re certainly not useless. Job seekers still use career fairs to network, make…

WASHINGTON -- Simply put: One of the biggest keys to being asked to join the professional world is looking and acting professional. However, a recent survey of more than 500 human resources and business professionals found that half of all college graduates do not exhibit professionalism at work.…

Acing the interview isn’t just about having the perfect canned speeches . Yes, you need to show off your experience, talents, and personality—but before answering each question, you also have to figure out what the interviewer is actually asking you. Those seemingly innocuous questions, like “tell…

At the end of every job interview, you'll encounter the inevitable question, "Do you have any questions for me?" While it's an oh-so-predictable event, many job candidates aren't prepared to shine when they reach this final test in the interview. Failing to ask any questions or asking the wrong…

Talk to the unemployed and many will tell you that experience isn't helping them get a job . A new study may know why: your potential to do great things is more valuable than what you've done already. Ideas and productivity blog 99u points to a study published in the Journal of Personality and…

Job interviews can go bad pretty quickly. Sometimes you're lucky enough to catch an interviewer dozing off in the middle, and other times you might not notice until you walk out the door. Regardless of when a job interview goes bad, here's how to recover. Turn the Tide During the Interview If you're…

I'm getting ready for job interviews and I want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible. For example, what questions should I be ready to answer in virtually any interview, regardless of the job type? Sincerely, Questioning Mark Dear QM, You're right that most job interviews come with a set of…

Finding a job is tough enough as it is without having to go through harrowing interviews. Here's everything you need to know about nailing your interview so you can get through it stress-free. 10. First, Get the Interview Before you can ace your interview, you have to actually get the interview.…

"Do you have any questions for us?" As someone who regularly conducts interviews, I find it staggering how many interviewees are not prepared for the one question that you can be absolutely certain will be asked. In some ways, it is the most important question of the entire interview. The…

Credit Photograph by Michael Marcelle The man always sat in the same seat, the stool farthest down the counter. When it wasn’t occupied, that is, but it was nearly always free. The bar was seldom crowded, and that particular seat was the most inconspicuous and the least comfortable. A staircase in…

110. That’s how many emails most “working professionals” send and receive every day . The bad news? That’s a whole lot of noise—and it can feel difficult to pop out from the pile, especially when you’re trying to lock down a new job opportunity. The good news? Most emails are poorly written,…

You landed the interview, and as far as you’re concerned? You nailed that sucker. Or, you met with a recruiter who seemed super interested and incredibly connected with the exact kinds of companies for whom you want to work. She said, “Keep in touch!” Awesome. But a couple of weeks have gone by and…

I’m pretty mediocre. I’m ashamed to admit it. I’m not even being sarcastic or self-deprecating. I’ve never done anything that stands out as, “whoa! This guy made it into outerspace! Or… this guy has a best selling novel! Or… if only Google had thought of this!” I’ve had some successes and some…

If we ever hope to stop working and enjoy our golden years, we have to save and invest for our retirement. Here are ten things to know so we can grow our retirement funds (and not run out of money before we die). 10. How Much You Should Save for Retirement There are plenty of retirement "rules of…

There's a fundamental flaw with lots of financial advice: it assumes you have money. For some people, post-bills income just doesn't exist (and that number is only growing ). So, when hard times make a 401(k) a non-option, you just can't follow all the advice you get. For a lengthy portion of my…

We all know living beyond your means and not having an emergency fund can wreck your finances. While most money flubs are obvious, some mistakes start with good financial intentions. Here are some savings habits that can backfire and end up costing you. Making an Unrealistically Tight Budget Yes,…

Interest is quite possibly the most complex bit of math that the average person has to use everyday. Like the Force, it can be used for good, for evil, and it binds the galaxy together. When interest

When I was four, my mom opened up a shoebox in our closet and pulled out something I’d never seen before: a crisp, beautiful $100 bill. Naturally, I shouted, “A HUNDRED BUCKS?!” She immediately put her hand over my mouth, whispering, “You want the whole world to hear? They might rob us and we’ll…

“Just take a chance on me.” It was a common line in my cover letters a few years ago, when I was desperate to make the switch out of management and into marketing—without a related degree or experience. Even so, I was so sure that if the employer just gave me a chance, he or she wouldn’t regret it.…

The adage “time is money” never feels truer than when you’re getting paid by the hour. Long term, though, trading your time for money isn’t a sustainable goal. To get real financial independence, you need to start thinking in terms of finding something besides your time to trade for money. As…

Clipping coupons can save a lot of money, but it can also waste a lot of time. You don't have to join the ranks of extreme couponers to ensure you get a great deal. With a few tips and tools, you can automate those discounts and save yourself money without any of the work. I don't like paying full…

Image credit: Shutterstock.com Back in college and my early 20s (when I actually had a social life), I tended to go out to parties and bars more often than I thought I “should.” My gut often told me that I should probably be studying, reading, exercising, sleeping, networking or otherwise engaging…

Millions of college students will be released from their college careers and into the Real World (not the TV show, thankfully). It’s such a promising time. Here are 10 ways to make the most of it. 10. Keep Building and Maintaining Your Friendships Making friends after college is hard , but…

T he stately stretch of New York Avenue, in Washington, DC , that runs between the White House and Mount Vernon Square is bookended by Starbucks. The branch on the corner of 14th Street, Barack Obama’s local, welcomes a flow of freezing bodies this brisk November lunchtime. They file in like…

The hobby of collecting classic videogames has gained quite a lot of popularity in recent years, with more and more people (your author included) spending their free time hunting down game cartridges of yesteryear. Of the classic game machines of old, the original Nintendo Entertainment System has…

The news of Satoru Iwata's death filled me with sadness, and a desire to return to Earthbound - the game that, without his skills, would not exist as it does. I first played it when I was a teenager, have gone back a few times over the years, and on every occasion find something new to think about.…