Honey is often described as nature's perfect food. In its raw state, it contains many beneficial enzymes and offers a sweet treat to those who've grown distrustful of overly-processed foods and candies. Periodically, honey will get hard and form crystals. Although this process is natural and shouldn't affect the taste of the honey, there are several ways to get honey back to its silken and sticky liquefied state.

Steps

Liquefying Honey in the Microwave

1. Use a microwave cautiously when liquefying honey. If you still want your honey to be considered “raw,” use the microwave with some caution. Microwaving, while quick and efficient, can easily destroy the beneficial enzymes by overheating the honey.^[1]
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


2. If possible, move your honey from any plastic container to a glass jar. Besides carrying a possible health hazard^[2] , plastic containers don't transfer heat as well to contents as glass does. Bottom line: you'll get the job done quicker and be safer if you transfer your honey into a glass jar instead of using a plastic container.


3. Start microwaving honey in 30 second increments on the defrost setting. Cooking times will vary based on the amount of honey you’re liquefying plus the relative strength (wattage) of your microwave. But start off low and slow. Using the defrost setting may take an extra minute or two, but you won't lose a lot of the good enzymes in the bargain.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Experiment to find what works for you in your environment, but experiment cautiously. Above 100° F , the flavor of honey is altered; above 120°, the beneficial enzymes in the honey stop being effective.
   
   
   
   


4. Check for liquefaction on the outside of the honey jar after 30 seconds. If pockets of honey have started to liquefy, stir the honey to help transfer heat. If honey hasn’t started to liquefy, continue microwaving in 30 second increments until some crystals begin to show liquefaction.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


5. Microwave and then stir in increments of 15 to 30 seconds until the honey has completely liquefied. If most of the honey has liquefied but some stubborn crystallization remains, you may want to finish the job off manually by stirring the honey vigorously instead of continuing to heat it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Liquefying Honey with Warm Water

1. Liquefy honey in a water bath if you're meticulous about preserving natural enzymes. Many people use honey in their diets because it contains enzymes that assist in digestion and promote overall health. If you are one of them, and find yourself with a crystallized mass of hard honey, use a warm water bath for best results.
   
   
   
   • As mentioned above, microwaving can not only affect the taste of the honey, it can also zap the honey beyond the point in which its enzymes can survive. Since you can control the temperature of a water bath much easier, you are less likely to lose the beneficial aspects of honey using this method.
   
   
   
   


2. Transfer your honey into a glass jar if necessary. Avoid plastic containers if you can; not only are they shallower (making tipping over a very real possibility), they are also worse at conducting heat.^[3]


3. Fill a large saucepan with water and gently heat it up to about 95° - 105º F (35° - 40º C). After water has reached about 105° F, remove the saucepan from the heat source. The water will continue to heat even after the heat source has been removed.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If you don't have a thermometer to accurately judge the temperature of the water, look for bubbles to start forming on the outside of the saucepan. Small bubbles start forming at 105° F (40° C).^[4] You should still be able to dunk a finger in the water comfortably at 105° F.
   
   
   • Do not exceed 115° F when warming. If there's any doubt about the temperature of your water, let it cool down and start over. Honey that is warmed above 115° is not longer considered raw.^[5]
   
   
   
   


4. Submerge the crystallized honey in the warm water. Open the honey jar and carefully place the honey in the water bath. Wait for the warm water to begin breaking down the glucose crystals on the sides of the honey jar.


5. Stir the honey periodically to speed up the liquefaction. Crystallized honey is a poor heat conductor; stirring will help transfer heat more evenly from the sides of the jar to the middle of the honey.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


6. Remove honey from the water bath when it has fully liquefied. Since the water bath — removed from its heat source — will only get colder, you're in no danger of overheating the honey by simply leaving it in the water bath. Stir occasionally for best results; otherwise, set it and forget it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Preventing Crystallization

1. Stir the honey crystals to produce friction. Stirring the honey with a sturdy spoon will cause friction.^[6] Anyone who's gotten a snakebite (or friction burn) will know firsthand that rubbing two surfaces together very quickly produces heat. This heat helps liquefy the honey. So if you find yourself with a clump of crystallized honey and don't have a microwave or burner, or simply want to try something new, stir vigorously for 30 seconds to a minute and see if the problem isn't solved.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If you're trying to prevent crystallization in the first place, the type of honey you have will determine how quickly it crystallizes. Honey with high glucose content will crystallize much faster than honey with low glucose. So alfalfa, cotton, and dandelion honey will crystallize much faster than sage, longan, or tupelo honey.^[7] Stirring these types of honey is just a delay tactic.
   
   
   
   


2. Filter raw honey through a microfilter to retain small particles that speed up crystallization. Small particles like pollen grains, flecks of wax, and air bubbles become the “seeds” of crystallization if left in honey. Remove them with a polyester microfilter and prolong the life of your liquefied honey.
   
   
   
   • If you don’t have a microfilter, consider using a fine nylon cloth or even cheesecloth on top of a sieve as a filter.
   
   
   
   


3. Avoid storing honey in cold cupboards or in refrigerators in order to keep it liquefied longer. The ideal storage temperature of honey ranges from 21° to 27° C (70-80° F). Try to store honey in a fairly regulated temperature.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


4. If you see sugar crystals forming, apply gentle heat to head off further crystallization. As soon as you notice crystals forming, liquefy them. Crystals will accelerating the growth of more crystals, so stay vigilant and you won’t have to liquefy your honey nearly as often.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Tips

• Do not heat your honey over 140 degrees Fahrenheit --60 degrees Celsius-- (extreme heat will destroy the natural goodness of the honey as well as alter the taste).


• Store honey at room temperature to retard granulation (cold storage speeds up the granulation process).


• Do not add water to granulated honey. Only heat is needed to re-liquefy.

Warnings

• If water is added by mistake, honey will likely ferment into a form of mead.


• Be careful how much honey you use, never have too much of a sugary thing.

Related wikiHows

• How to Verify the Purity of Honey


• How to Make Honey Toffees


• How to Make Honey Nut Oatmeal with Peaches


• How to Make Mead


• How to Decrystallize Honey

Sources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

The hard drive is the primary storage location for all of your computer’s data. If you run out of that storage, installing a new drive may be the most practical solution. If your computer is dead, you may need to replace your old failed hard drive. In either case, you can do it yourself instead of taking your computer into a repair shop. Read on after the jump to learn how.

Steps

Installing a Desktop Hard Drive

1. Power down the computer. Shut off the power supply in the back. If you can access the inside where it stands, you don’t need to unplug the computer. Otherwise, unplug the computer and place it somewhere that allows you to get inside.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


2. Remove the case panels. You may need a Phillip’s head screwdriver, but most newer computers have thumbscrews. You will need to remove both sides so that you can screw the hard drive in on both sides.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


3. Make sure you are grounded. If your computer is still plugged in (but the power supply is switched off), you can ground yourself by touching any metal part of the case. Otherwise, make sure that you are grounded before starting to work on the inside of the computer. This will prevent electrostatic shock from damaging the components of your computer.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


4. Remove the old drive (if applicable). If you are removing an old hard drive, make sure all of the cables are disconnected from both the motherboard and the power supply. Unscrew all the screws on both sides of the hard drive, and then slide it out of the housing.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • You may need to remove more cables or cards in order to access the hard drives in a tight case.
   
   
   
   


5. Insert your new drive. Remove it from the antistatic packaging and slide it into an open space in the hard drive housing. The drive should slide directly in, and the holes on the side of the drive should line up to the screw guides on the housing.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If you can, use a slot that has some space around it. This will improve airflow and lead to a cooler system, but is not a critical concern.
   
   
   
   


6. Secure the hard drive. Once the hard drive has been inserted, use the screws that came with it to secure the hard drive in the housing. Ideally you should use two screws on each side of the hard drive. If the hard drive is loose, it can rattle and cause more noise and lead to physical damage.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Tighten the screws to a firm tightness, but don’t overtighten as that may cause damage as well.
   
   
   
   


7. Connect a SATA hard drive to the motherboard. Newer hard drives will use SATA cables, which are thin and resemble USB cables. Use a SATA cable to connect the hard drive to the motherboard. SATA cables can be connected in either direction.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If you are connecting your primary hard drive, the SATA cable should be plugged into the first SATA channel. This may be labeled SATA0 or SATA1. Refer to your motherboard documentation for detailed information for your motherboard.
   
   
   • Secondary drives should be connected to the next available SATA channel.
   
   
   
   


8. Connect a PATA (IDE) hard drive to the motherboard. IDE drives are older model hard drives that can be identified by the long rows of pins on the back. IDE Drives are connected via an IDE cable, which is wide and flat. The cable is usually gray in color.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • The blue end of the cable plugs into the motherboard. The black connector plugs into your primary (Master) drive, while the black connector plugs into the secondary (Slave) drive if applicable.
   
   
   • Set the jumper for your primary drive to Master. The jumper diagram should be printed onto the hard drive. If you are installing a secondary drive but it is the only drive connected to the cable, it should be set to Master as well.
   
   
   
   


9. Connect the power supply to the hard drive. Most newer power supplies have SATA power connectors, though older power supplies typically only have Molex (4 pin) connectors. If this is the case, and you are installing a SATA drive, you will need a Molex-to-SATA adapter. IDE drives will use the Molex connector.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Make sure that all of your connections are secure. Ensure that none of the cables can come undone by wiggling them a little bit.
   
   
   
   


10. Close up your computer. Replace the case sides and reconnect your cables if you had to move the case to work on the inside. Turn the power supply back on and then turn your computer on.^[1]
    
    
    
    
    
    
    


11. Finish the installation. Once you’ve got everything connected and the computer turned back on, you’ll need to finish the installation of the hard drive from your computer. If you are replacing your primary drive, you’ll have to reinstall your operating system. If you are adding a new drive, you;ll need to format the drive before you can use it.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    • To reinstall Windows, follow the guide that matches your operating system:
      
      
      
      • Windows XP
      
      
      • Windows Vista
      
      
      • Windows 7
      
      
      • Windows 8
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • To reinstall OS X, follow the guide that matches your operating system:
      
      
      
      • Leopard
      
      
      • Snow Leopard
      
      
      • Mountain Lion
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • To format your hard drive, follow this guide for all systems.
    
    
    
    

Installing a Laptop Hard Drive

1. Power down your laptop. Shut your laptop down completely (don’t put it in Sleep mode). Turn it over and remove the battery from the back of the laptop. This will help prevent the possibility of electrocution.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


2. Open the hard disk panel. This panel is located on the bottom of the laptop. You will need a small Phillip’s head screwdriver in order to remove the screws and the panel. The panel can be identified by the hard drive logo printed next to it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Almost every laptop can only fit one hard drive at a time. Some of the higher-end laptops may be able to support two. If you are replacing your only hard drive, you will need to reinstall your operating system after replacing it.
   
   
   
   


3. Unscrew the hard drive. Depending on the laptop, you may have to remove a screw or two before you can remove the hard drive. Not all laptop hard drives are secured by screws.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


4. Pull the ribbon to release the hard drive. The hard drive will pop back about half an inch, allowing you to remove it from its housing. Place your old hard drive somewhere safe in case you need to retrieve data off of it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


5. Insert your new hard drive. Ensure that you insert it with the correct side facing out. Once you’ve placed the hard drive in the housing, press it firmly into the connectors. Do not force the hard drive, or you may damage the connectors. Once the hard drive is secure, reinsert any screws.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


6. Close up the laptop. Once the hard drive is installed, close up the panel and reinsert the battery. Make sure the panel is securely closed. You will now need to prepare the new drive:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • To reinstall Windows, follow the guide that matches your operating system:
     
     
     
     • Windows XP
     
     
     • Windows Vista
     
     
     • Windows 7
     
     
     • Windows 8
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • To reinstall OS X, follow the guide that matches your operating system:
     
     
     
     • Leopard
     
     
     • Snow Leopard
     
     
     • Mountain Lion
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • To format your hard drive, follow this guide for all systems.
   
   
   
   

Video

Tips

• Pay close attention to static electricity when working with the inner components of your computer. Use an anti-static strip or touch the screw on an active light switch cover to ground yourself before touching the components and cables inside your computer.


• Hard drives emit heat when they are running. If your computer has multiple hard drive bays, consider positioning your hard drives so that there is empty space between them to help keep your computer running cooler.

Related wikiHows

• How to Install and Update Drivers in Your PC


• How to Change a Computer Hard Drive Disk


• How to Add an Extra Hard Drive


• How to Have More Than Two Hard Drives in a PC

Sources and Citations

Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found

Catching is the action of fielders to get the batsman out by collecting the ball once hit in the air by the batsman. Catching is one of the elements of fielding, one of the most important aspects of cricket. The more adept the fielder, the better a cricketer the person is. Following is the article that will guide you on How to Become a Good Catcher:

Steps

Preparing for a Catch

1. Know The Rules. For taking a catch you should be aware of some of the rules made by the International Cricket Council (Governing Body over Cricket):
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • The batsman is not declared out if the ball is a no-ball or dead ball.
   
   
   • The fielder drops the ball before catching the ball fully.
   
   
   • The fielder steps over the boundary line.
   
   
   • The ball bounces before the fielder collects it.
   
   
   
   


2. Take a stance. Stance is the way of standing out while fielding. The fielder should have a solid stance in order to catch the ball. An ideal stance would be bending on your knees and making cup position.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • It is essential for a slip fielder to bend on knees and keep hands pointing down, making a cup position. This will help you in taking grounded catch.
   
   
   
   


3. Have a Positive Mind Set. If you think you are a bad fielder, keep that thought out of your mind. Fielding is just based on your attentiveness and your attitude towards game. Thinking in a positive way can help you become a better catcher.
   
   
   
   


4. Be attentive. Attentiveness is required for a good catch. You should be attentive on the field and expect that every next ball will come to you.
   
   
   
   

Taking a Catch

1. Know your position. Know if you are near the boundary or in slip, this will help in avoiding fallout with another player.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Don't rush over every ball that goes high. Only catch those which are either over you or in an empty position.
     
     
     
   
   
   
   


2. React quickly. Know the position and speed of the ball. If you receive a catch over your chest take a step or two back and catch the ball.
   
   
   
   


3. Eye Contact. It is essential for a fielder to keep eye contact with the ball. Keep your eyes on the ball until it passes you else it would result in a dropped catch.
   
   
   
   


4. Make the cup. Make the cup with your hands and let the ball rest on your palm.
   
   
   
   

Video

Tips

• It is better to wear goggles if you are playing out in a sunny day.


• If you catch a ball very close to the boundary line and seem to be unbalanced, throw the ball within the rope and land properly and then try to take the catch back. Even if you are unsuccessful, you will contribute to your team by saving some runs.


• Watch more cricket matches and pay close attention to techniques.


• Try to be exactly down the ball and take the catch close to your body.


• Call out if the ball is over nobody's position. This will help you take a good catch and will prevent misunderstanding with your co-fielders.


• If the ball goes within the gap, chase the ball at your best. Have a backup so that the ball can be passed over to the keeper.


• Never get distracted, rather keep looking at the ball.

Warnings

• Always take care of your safety and don't get too excited.


• Never take a catch with your fingers.

Related wikiHows

• How to Play Cricket


• How to Be a Slip Fielder

Have you ever regretted buying an app, game, book, etc., in Google Play? Maybe your purchase is low quality or has a lot of bugs in it. If so, this guide will help you get a refund.

Steps

Getting a Refund for a Game or Application

1. Act within two hours of purchase. If you wait longer, you won't be able to get a refund with this method.


2. Open the Google Play app.
   
   
   
   


3. Open the "My apps" screen by clicking the link in the left menu.
   
   
   
   


4. Click the "Refund" button on the application's page. If you don't see this button, but only see "Open" and "Uninstall" buttons, this means that 2 hours during which you can get a refund had passed and you can't get it anymore.
   
   
   
   


5. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the refund process.

Getting a Refund for a Book

1. Make sure that 7 days haven't passed since you bought the book. If a week has passed, you can't get a refund. At that point, you can only get a refund if the service was defective or the book was broken.


2. Contact Google Play Customer Support directly. You can do that here, and they'll help get your refund processed.
   
   
   
   

Get a Refund for a Device

1. Act within 15 days. If you bought a device on Google Play and you're not happy with it, you can return the item within 15 days of your receiving it. You will get full device's cost, except for shipping charges.


2. Get in contact with Google Play Customer Support here. They will provide you with the specific steps you need to finish your particular refund.
   
   
   
   


3. Pack your order. You will generally need:
   
   
   
   • The device itself
   
   
   • The box in which you received it
   
   
   • Everything that you received with device, including accessories, documentation, etc.
   
   
   • Printed refund form which you will get from Customer Support.
   
   
   
   


4. Send it to Google. You will get the address with the Customer Support instructions.

Get a Refund for a Movie

1. Make sure you're eligible for a refund. You can get refund for a movie within 7 days since the date of purchase, only if you haven't started playing it. If the video is defective, you can get refund at any time.


2. Go to the list of your orders. Here you can see all the orders which were placed from your account.


3. Click the "Report a Problem" button in the movie's menu. To do this, you should click the menu button for your film and then you'll see the "Report a Problem" button.
   
   
   
   


4. Follow instructions to request a refund. It can take some time from Google to reply to your request.
   
   
   
   

Tips

• If it's been more than 15 days since you received your device but you think that your device is defective, contact Customer Support anyway! They may make an exception for you.

Warnings

• Be fast! After you've bought an application or game in Google Play, you have only 2 hours to test it and decide if you want to get a refund or not.


• If you're refunding the device, don't forget to take out SIM card, extended batteries and any other accessories you've bought yourself.


• You can't get a refund for Newsstand issues or Google Play music, unless they're defective (if so, contact Google Customer Support).


• Don't forget to erase all the data from the device before sending it back to Google. Google will accept the device even if you don't do that, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Related wikiHows

• How to Get a Refund from the App Store


• How to Get a Refund on an App on an Android

Sources and Citations

• http://ift.tt/14gMnTi

Sometimes, the normal 9 to 5 grind just can't get you what you need from your career. If you're unsatisfied with your rate of advancement in your company, want to earn more money, or want to start getting noticed as a leader, devoting extra time and energy to your work is a surefire way to earn a reputation as someone who takes work seriously. However, even workaholics need to take steps to balance their work life with their personal life. Start with Step 1 below to learn how to get ahead at work while staying safe and sane.

Steps

Exceeding Expectations

1. Ask for overtime. The most straightforward way to show a serious dedication to your work is to simply work more than the average employee. Though some companies have policies against giving overtime hours to employees, many will allow you to do so. If your company is receptive to the idea of you working overtime, ask your supervisor to for permission right away. Not only will this show your boss that you're willing to go that all-important extra step to get the job done, but it will also give you a nice bump in your next paycheck.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • In the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) dictates that employees that work more than 40 hours in a given week will receive at least one and a half times their base pay for the additional hours worked. Though individual states may have laws that differ, eligible employees are legally entitled to the federal one and a half rate if it is higher than state law allows.^[1]
   
   
   • Note that overtime generally is only an option for hourly employees — salaried employees don't necessarily get paid more for working longer hours. If you're salaried, you may instead want to ask your supervisor for a bonus for performing extra work.
   
   
   
   


2. Pursue new projects without being asked to. Generally, managers and supervisors love it when their employees take on additional responsibilities without being told to do so. Doing this shows initiative, intelligence, and ambition. If executed correctly, it can also make life easier for your boss, which can earn you his or her respect as well as more tangible rewards. However, when pursuing new projects, be careful not to overstep your authority or embarrass other employees. Your goal is to be ambitious, but not arrogant. Below are just a few ideas to get you started:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Present your boss with a report detailing ways to make your work more efficient.
   
   
   • Organize and run meetings to help you work effectively on other projects without bothering your boss.
   
   
   • Brainstorm a list of strategies for increasing the company's profitability.
   
   
   • Organize internal office events (birthday parties, holidays, and so on).
   
   
   
   


3. Get engaged in your office life. It's much, much easier to work effectively if you have a positive relationship with your colleagues. This means making an effort to have friendly, positive interactions with them on a regular basis. At the very least, you should try to spend meal breaks with your coworkers often. Use these opportunities to get to know your coworkers through small talk and friendly conversation. If you can't think of anything to say, you can always ask about the food they're eating.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If you find that you enjoy talking to your coworkers, you may want to invite them to spend time with you outside of work. For instance, you can invite them to get drinks with you, to play a game of golf or your preferred sport, or to visit a mutual acquaintance. However, if you don't see yourself being a close friend to your coworkers, this isn't absolutely necessary.
   
   
   • Obviously, this general rule holds true for jobs that don't take place in an office as well. People who work in restaurants, factories, fire stations, army bases, hospitals, and countless other places can benefit from friendly interactions with their coworkers just as much as office workers can.
   
   
   
   


4. Finish projects early. Work can often seem like one long chain of looming deadlines — daily duties need to be finished by the time you leave each day, minor projects need to be finished by the end of the week, major projects need to be finished by the end of the month, and so on. If you can manage to complete your work earlier than you're required to, not only will you make a great impression on your superiors, but you'll also give yourself a chance to take on additional responsibilities, which can in turn increase your profile at work. When your superiors are giving out promotions, they're likely to consider the hardest-working, promptest employees first. Make sure you're at the top of their list by gaining a reputation for delivering high-quality work with a quick turnaround.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • While it's a great idea to make a habit of turning in projects early, be careful not to do this too much. If you turn in every single project early, your superiors may get the impression that they're not giving you enough to do and may increase your workload, making you work more for the same pay. If you can, try to focus on turning in only the most important, attention-grabbing projects early.
   
   
   
   


5. Deliver more than you're asked for. As noted above, most managers and supervisors respect hard work, ambition, and creativity. If you're looking to get ahead at work, there's hardly a better way to do it than by giving your managers more than what they ask for. Doing this shows that you're serious about your commitment to your job and that you're a more valuable employee than others who only do exactly what they're asked to do. However, as when attempting to finish projects early, you'll need to balance your ambition with the reality that consistently working extremely hard can be tremendously taxing on the body and mind. Try to reserve your absolute best efforts for important projects where they're likely to be noticed. Below are just a few sample ideas:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If asked to present a report of internal company data, do your own independent research so that you can extrapolate meaningful take-aways from your results.
   
   
   • If asked to clean up a cluttered storeroom, develop your own system for organizing the items and write out directions so others can use it.
   
   
   • If sales figures for your company are slipping, test and develop your own sales techniques and share them with your coworkers.
   
   
   
   


6. Bring your work home with you. When most people get home from a long day on the job, more work is the last thing they have on their mind. However, if you can stand to do so, occasionally doing additional work at home can separate you from the pack. This can be in the form of telecommuting to meetings from your home computer, doing additional research or analysis "homework" for important projects, taking important business calls, and more.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If you have a family, you'll want to avoid doing excessive amounts of work at home. While a single person can get away with doing lots of extra work at home, the commitments of a family can make it difficult to devote your entire attention to your work when you're at home. The exception to this rule, of course, is if the nature of your job requires you to do most or all of your work from home.
   
   
   
   

Getting Noticed

1. Dress for success. Though there are plenty of exceptions to the rule, people in general can be somewhat shallow, especially if they know you in a formal business context. If you dress in a serious, dignified manner, people (including your bosses and coworkers) are more likely to treat you seriously. This doesn't necessarily mean that you need to wear tailored suits to work every day — expensive is not always better. Unless you've got the cash for a seriously high-class wardrobe, you're probably better off sticking with one of the affordable yet dignified options below:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • For men: It's hard to go wrong with a plain pair of khakis or slacks and a modest button-up shirt. For extra class, you may want to consider adding a jacket and a tie. If you work at a casual place of business (like an internet startup), you may be able to get away with an outfit as informal as a t-shirt and shorts.
   
   
   • For women: A long-sleeved shirt and skirt combination works well in most offices. Conservative dresses are also a good option. Suits and pantsuits are smart choices for jobs that require you to interact with the public, while casual jobs may allow you to get away with a t-shirt and jeans.
   
   
   
   


2. Always act like what you're doing is important. In addition to dressing to fit the part of a serious, dedicated employee, you'll want to ensure that the way you act also gives this impression. To a certain extent, other peoples' opinions of you are shaped by your own opinions of yourself. Thus, acting like whatever you're doing at the moment is important is a great way to make other people in the office realize that you are important. Try adopting the following habits to ensure that people think of you as an indispensable employee:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Walk briskly and with purpose, even if you're just heading to the cooler to get a drink of water.
   
   
   • Speak clearly and confidently.
   
   
   • When you walk past people, greet them quickly, but keep walking.
   
   
   • If you're at your desk, sit up straight in your chair.
   
   
   
   


3. Don't be afraid to express your opinions. Unless they have delicate egos, for the most part, bosses appreciate receiving feedback from their employees — positive or negative. Offering your opinions occasionally shows that you're engaged in your job and that you care what happens to yourself and to the company. Depending on the company morale at your workplace, this can noticeably set you apart from the majority of employees. Below are a few ideas for when and where it's appropriate to make a point to express yourself:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • At company strategy meetings, offer ideas for how the company can make itself more competitive.
   
   
   • Ask intelligent questions whenever you are unsure of how to proceed in your work. This can make you look especially good if you do so when others seem reluctant to pose their own questions (like during an awkward silence following a tense meeting).
   
   
   • If you're unhappy about some aspect of your job, talk to your supervisor about changing it. However, don't be offended if you receive a "no".
   
   
   
   


4. Seek out challenges. Taking on new responsibilities at work can be quite challenging, especially before you've had time to adjust to your new role. However, if you're successfully able to perform your new duties, you'll be rewarded with recognition, a more important position at your business, and (possibly) more money. However, in seeking new responsibilities, be sure not to over-extend yourself by biting off more than you can chew. Make sure that you can handle the additional workload before taking on new responsibilities or you run the risk of having to ask for less work, which can be embarrassing on a professional level.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If there aren't any obvious ways to expand your current responsibilities at work, try asking your supervisor directly for more responsibilities. There's a significant chance that s/he will be able to assign you additional work, and even if s/he can't, you'll look impressive for taking the initiative to ask for it.
   
   
   
   


5. Call attention to your efforts. If you work hard, you deserve to be recognized for it. However, in the hustle and bustle of the work week, good work can easily go unnoticed. Don't let your accomplishments get swept under the rug. Instead, look for excuses to showcase your efforts. Try to bring up successful projects that you've completed in ways that make it clear that you are responsible for the success without seeming like a braggart. If you've actually done a good job, you have no need to be embarrassed to do so. Below are just a few opportunities where you may have the opportunity to show off your good work:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • If you've completed a project and haven't received much recognition, try sharing it with others via a group email. You can easily pose your email as a mere "keeping everyone up to speed" message while ensuring that important coworkers and supervisors see your work.
   
   
   • If you've completed a project that is somewhat relevant to a new project being discussed, bring up your old work as an example of how to proceed or as guidance for new areas of work to explore.
   
   
   
   


6. Be friendly, but not irreverent. Having an upbeat, positive attitude in the workplace is a great way isn't just a way to appear energetic and motivated to others (though it is this). It's also a way to keep your own spirits up and make yourself a more effective worker. If you go out of your way to be friendly, you'll have an easier time interacting with other employees, who will also generally find it easier to work with you. This makes it easier to collaborate or ask for help on projects, increasing your productivity. Finally, it's worth noting that you're more likely to receive rewards and promotions if you're well-liked.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • While you'll want to make an effort to be friendly, you'll want to stay away from touchy topics of conversation and racy humor. Getting a quick laugh isn't worth sabotaging your efforts by offending a coworker or having to receive sensitivity training.
   
   
   
   

Fostering Good Work Habits

1. Eliminate distractions while you work. There's no reason to spend hours and hours at work if you can't get anything done while you're working. Ensure that you're a productive worker by removing any and all distractions that might sidetrack your efforts to get your work done. Some of the most common distractions for workers (along with ideas for thwarting them) are listed below:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Idle noise/chatter at the workplace — use headphones or earplugs or move to a new work area.
   
   
   • Conversation with other employees — cordially tell the offending person that you're busy and that you can talk when you're done. Alternatively, try placing a sign at your desk or work area politely notifying others not to disturb you.
   
   
   • Internet diversions (games, social media, etc.) — install productivity add-ons or site-blocking programs to your browser.
   
   
   
   


2. Set ambitious (but realistic) goals. If you're having trouble motivating yourself to work hard, sometimes, deciding on a specific goal and giving yourself a deadline to achieve it can help you get out of the workday doldrums and become productive. When choosing goals, be ambitious, but have a firm grasp of what you can and can't achieve in your chosen time frame. Setting goals that are out of your reach is essentially setting yourself up for failure, which can cause you to feel like an under-achiever, hurting your morale and conceivably making it even more difficult to stay motivated in the long run.
   
   
   
   


3. Break big projects down into manageable parts. Sometimes, important projects can seem so large and intimidating that it's difficult to tell where to start. In these cases, it can be helpful to focus on some small but significant aspect of the project and complete this first. Completing this small part of the larger project gives you a sense of achievement that you can use to fuel your motivation as you continue to the rest of the project. You'll also have an idea of which parts of the project are likely to cause problems and can thus dedicate more effort to these things.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • For example, if you've been tasked with making a half-hour presentation to a group of high-level company employees, you might want to start by focusing on creating a thorough, detailed outline. Though the outline only represents a fraction of the work needed to prepare for the presentation, it can make the rest of the project easier by guiding your creation of slides, talking points, and so on.
   
   
   
   


4. Try to inspire greatness in others. Leadership is a skill that's desirable in nearly all professions. Supervisors look for employees who have natural leadership abilities when they're looking for employees to reward. Showing leadership at work can get you recognition, more important responsibilities, and even raises and promotions. To demonstrate leadership, make an effort to help others in their duties and to spearhead your own group projects. As noted above, you'll also want to ensure that your leadership is recognized by showing it to others and bringing it up at appropriate opportunities. If you have a reputation as a leader at your workplace, it's usually only a matter of time before you become an actual leader. Below are a few opportunities for leadership:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Take the opportunity to train a new employee and help him or her become acquainted with his or her duties.
   
   
   • Design your own project, then, with permission from your supervisors, enlist other employees to help you complete it.
   
   
   • Make a point of leading the discussion during group meetings without a designated leader.
   
   
   
   

Staying Healthy and Happy

1. Always schedule time for breaks. Workaholics should spend much of their time working, but they shouldn't spend every second of their day working. Occasional breaks help recharge your body and mind, ensuring that you're as sharp as possible throughout the day and increasing your long-term productivity by fighting fatigue. Additionally, breaks help you stay in a good mood, which can be an essential component of being effective at your job, especially if you work on a face-to-face basis with customers. Don't skip your breaks to squeeze in a few more minutes of work — work smarter, not longer.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • It's worth noting that you may also be legally obligated to take breaks. In the United States, there are few federal laws dictating the types of breaks an employer is obligated to provide.^[2] However, state laws vary from state to state. For instance, in California, employees must take a 30-minute meal break if they work for more than 5 hours straight unless their total work for the day is less than 6 hours.^[3]
   
   
   
   


2. Don't work during time off. During vacations, sick days, days off, and family time, try to work as little as possible, if at all. The periods in which you're off of work are meant to allow you to metaphorically recharge your batteries, rest, and recuperate. While some work may be unavoidable, devoting too much of your "off" time to work can effectively negate the restorative benefits you may have otherwise gained. To ensure that you're able to stay fully motivated when you're actually at work, allow yourself to enjoy your days off completely work-free.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Keeping your schedule clear during your time off may mean doing additional work before you leave. If this is the case, do as much work as you can before your time off so that you'll be able to spend as little effort worrying about work as possible.
   
   
   
   


3. Get plenty of sleep. Nearly every part of a job is more difficult if you're not well-rested. Staying focused during meetings, keeping track of numerous projects, and ensuring your work gets done on time can be challenging when you haven't had sufficient rest. To avoid these problems, try to get a full night's sleep as often as possible (if not every night). Doing so makes it easier for you to stay focused on your work when it really counts — at your job. It also decreases the likelihood that you'll need to take time off of work because of illness by keeping your immune system strong.^[4]
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Though everyone's biological needs are different, most medical resources agree that adults generally need about 7-9 hours of sleep for optimal health, mood, and mental function.^[5]
   
   
   
   


4. Maintain interests outside of work. Though work should be a big focus of a workaholic's life, it shouldn't be his or her only focus. Having friends and hobbies outside of your work life can help keep you motivated at work by keeping you from "burning out" from the routine of your job. More importantly, however, it's a way to enrich your life by increasing both the quality and variety of your experiences. People aren't defined solely by the work they complete in their lifetime — they're also defined by the fun they have, the connections they make with other people, the memories they create, and the love they share. Don't spend your entire life working. If you don't have something to work for, what's the point?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Sometimes, people who devote most of their energy to their work have a difficult time making friends outside of work. If this is true for you, don't feel stressed, as this is not uncommon among workaholics. In such situations, you may find that enrolling in a singles club can help you make new connections on a busy schedule.
   
   
   
   


5. Find meaning in your job. Let's face it — not every job is a dream job. Sometimes, the things we do to support ourselves can be very, very different than the things we like to do to find personal fulfillment. However, it's almost always easier to work hard if you can find some reason to invest yourself in your job emotionally, even if the reason's a small one. Look for minor details that give you satisfaction, allow you to take pride in your work, or make the world a better place in some small (but noticeable way).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • For instance, let's say we have a job that's often described as being relatively unimportant — working as a cook at a fast food restaurant. While some may see this as monotonous, thankless work, we can try to focus on the positive, satisfying aspects of the job. For instance, in your position, you're responsible for quickly satisfying hundreds of busy, working people every day. If you don't do a good job, you can easily put some of them in an unhappy mood, which may affect them in other areas of their life. On the other hand, if you take pride in your work and focus on doing a great job, you can help these hundreds of people have satisfying meals, which can in turn help them be the best that they can be at home and work.
   
   
   
   


6. Spend time with your family, if you have one. This is something that many workaholics struggle to do and some fail to do entirely. The work/family balance is one that's sometimes difficult to manage even for people working normal 40 hour per week jobs. For people who work 70 hours per week, striking the right balance can be extremely challenging. However, your family is not something that you should neglect in order to devote extra time to work. Ultimately, the love of a happy family is much more fulfilling than the rewards offered from a demanding job. If you find yourself having to debate whether to spend a few nights every week with your spouse and children or to work extra-long hours to get the promotion you've been eying, recognize that your priorities are out of order. Even workaholics should strive to be loving spouses and parents, and sometimes this means passing up on more work to make time for the things that really matter.
   
   
   
   


7. Motivate yourself. Just as it's easier to work hard if you can find satisfaction in your job, it's also easier to work if you give yourself something to work for. For a few lucky people, working is an extremely satisfying activity in and of itself. However, for most, it's often something to be done simply to support oneself and one's family. During the humdrum daily grind of work, it's easy to forget the end purpose of your work. Reminding yourself of the reason why you're working can help you focus and put in the extra effort it takes to get ahead when it really counts.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • For example, if you're working a job you're not crazy about to support your children, you may find it helpful to place a few small pictures of them in your cubicle or work area. When you're having a hard time motivating yourself to stay late or take on an extra project, looking at these pictures can give you a handy reminder of exactly what you hope to achieve by working hard.
   
   
   
   

Tips

• Let your customers know you will always be available for their needs.


• Find a part time job on the side of your real job.


• Tell your family you're busy and you cannot be bothered at the moment.


• If you have time and don't like sleep, find a 3rd part time job.

Warnings

• It's recommended you get 8 hours of sleep even if you feel you can go with 4.


• This is the first and most important warning, if your family is not understanding then you might have problems at home.

Related wikiHows

• How to Describe Medical Symptoms to Your Doctor


• How to Summarize Your Own Medical History


• How to Save Money on Gas


• How to Hypermile


• How to Drive at Night With No Street Lights


• How to Help Your Team Perform


• How to Argue Your Value As a Professional Writer


• How to Carpool

Sources and Citations

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