Minimum Legal Age Restrictions for Working in Missouri

Minimum Legal Age Restrictions for Working in MissouriMinimum Legal Age Restrictions for Working in MissouriIf you live in Missouri and cant wait to start your first job, your first challenge is to figure out if you qualify. Are you old enough to work? You need to know what the minimum legal working age in your state is. Expect your foray into the workforce to teach you life skills such as teamwork, reliability, conflict resolution, problem-solving and punctuality if youre old enough to wade in. Youll also be able to set some goals about what to use your new income on, whether it is for books, video games, musicor savings toward a car or college expenses. How Old Must You Be to Work in Missouri? Both federal child labor laws and Missouri law agree that the minimum age to work is 14, but there are exceptions. Child labor laws in each state also typically indicate what permits are necessary before a minor can work. When theres a contradiction between federal and state laws, the mor a restrictive law applies, but this isnt an issue in Missouri because they match. Casual and Volunteer Jobs for Youths Under 14 Children younger than 14 can work in some capacities, such as casual work. This could include doing yard work or household chores for a neighbor. Children are also allowed to work in the entertainment industry in careers such as acting, singing, dancing or playing an instrument. Child labor laws generally do not restrict children from working on a family farm or in a family business under the direct supervision of a parent, so the situation isnt dire for tweens and younger kids hoping to score extra cash. However, it is essential to review the rules and restrictions surrounding child labor laws when your child wantsto work in mora official capacities as he grows older. Necessary Certificates for Employment Missouri state law requires child employment certificates for youths under age 16. The school provides employment certificates. Kids younger than 18 will be provided with an age certificate as well by request, but theyre not required to have one under Missouri state law. When Can Teens Work? Teens ages 14 and 15 can work in a variety of jobs including in janitorial, food service, offices or vehicle cleaning occupations, but the hours they can work are limited. Youths at this age are prohibited from working more than three hours on a school day, more than eight hours on non-school days or more than 40 hours during a non-school week. During summers, they may not work more than six days in a row. These teens must work hours that fall between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. except from June 1 through Labor Day. Working hours extend to 9 p.m. during these summer months. Missouri child labor laws do not apply to teens ages 16 to 17. Teens may not work in hazardous occupations thatcan potentially cause serious bodily harm, death or adverse health effects, including jobs that involve power tools or radioactive substances. For more information on the minimum age to work in Missouri and how to obtain employment certificates, visit the Missouri State Laborwebsite.

Federal Cybersecurity Help Wanted

Federal Cybersecurity Help WantedFederal Cybersecurity Help WantedFederal Cybersecurity Help Wanted Wanted and Urgently Needed Cybersecurity Pros to Serve Their CountryKathryn TroutmanAuthor, Federal Career CoachJune 12, 2018Why is the federal government so concerned about hiring mora cybersecurity workers, faster? Consider the failure-is-not-an-option stakes the security of the internet-connected national electric grid the electronic transactions measured in trillions of dollars per day that are the lifeblood of our economy and the integrity of election systems that are the essence of our democracy.The bottom line is that the federal government needed to hire legions more cybersecurity professionals yesterday. In fact, the worsening cyber talent shortage prompted the secretaries of Homeland Security and Commerce to send a report to President Trump on May 31, detailing urgent skills gaps. Across public and private sectors, there are more than 300,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs i n the United States this number is expected to balloon to 1.8 million by 2022, according to a report by Frost Sullivan.More good news for job seekers Some of these vacancies are posted with direct hire authority, meaning the process is expedited by omitting competitive ranking and rating and certain other time-consuming procedures. Further, in a May 23 memo, Jeff Pon, director of the federal Office of Personnel Management, said the agency will consider implementing direct hire authority for even more cybersecurity jobs.As of early June, more than 200 cyber vacancies appear on USAJOBS. These are great opportunities for IT professionals with varied levels of experience and education opportunities to help defend their country against some of the most consequential national security threats of the 21st Century.THE JOBSHere are just a few of the federal career opportunities in cybersecurity that are currently begging for qualified candidates.Information Technology Specialist, a direct hire posting, paying $47,686 to $103,656, with openings at various locations from Miami to Alabama to Fort Eustis, Virginia.Cyber Threat Analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency, paying $54,308 to $94,939, in the Washington, D.C. metro area. (A posting for the same Cyber Threat Analyst appears on the CIAs own career site, which parallels USAJOBS but offers additional information about working at the agency.)Management Analyst with the U.S. Army Cyber Command, paying $96,970 to $126,062, in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.Capabilities Assessment Officer with the U.S. Army Cyber Command, paying $134,789 to $164,200, in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.All of these positions come with big career potential, including upward mobility and opportunities to move to other federal departments and agencies that are also deeply engaged in strengthening the nations cybersecurity or in other cutting-edge IT specialties. Especially for technology-intensive roles, Uncle Sam makes big investments in its Civil Serv ice employees, from on-the-job training programs to support for graduate studies.WHAT FEDERAL EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FORVeterans preference is not considered for direct-hire openings, but it does apply for many other cybersecurity vacancies, and military experience can be a big positiv for your application.Many cybersecurity hiring managers are looking for a year or more of specialized experience, but an advanced degree can substitute in quite a few cases.Cyber workers often need some form of security clearance, and a significant number of sensitive roles require Top Secret. But youll cross that bridge when you come to it.And as with any civil service job, there will be more bureaucratic bridges to cross, even for an expedited, direct-hire position.HOW TO GET HELP WITH YOUR APPLICATIONThe Resume Place can help you navigate your candidacy for a cybersecurity position, especially with the first step your federal resume, which must be very detailed and conform exactly to the format esta blished by the government.To get started, get in touch with us or read my Federal Resume Guidebook 6th Edition. Cybersecurity is a fantastic choice of profession, and the Civil Service is a great place to advance your careerYou can succeedwith a thorough and systematic approach.Check out our book Federal Resume GuidebookORGET HELP WITH YOUR FEDERAL RESUMEGET A FEDERAL RESUME QUOTE

How to be prepared to evacuate your building at work

How to be prepared to evacuate your building at workHow to be prepared to evacuate your building at workEmergencies at work are never convenient. You can be sitting at your desk, sipping your morning cup of coffee one moment, and the next moment theres a siren blaring and youre wracking your head for the safety drills you didnt pay attention to for how to evacuate your building.You cant predict when an emergency can strike, but you can prepare how youll react to it so you wont be caught off guard. Heres how1) Create and know the planYour employer should have an evacuation plan of the building that they run drills for, a plan that you can easily access if you forget the established protocol.To prevent chaos in an already chaotic moment, everyone needs to know exactly what to do and where to go.Although not every employer is required to have an emergency action, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends that at the very minimum, every employer should have a pref erred protocol for reporting emergencies like fires, a procedure on how to carry out those protocols, a plan on how you will communicate emergency information, a backup plan if your initial communication strategy fails, and evacuation route assignments like floor plans or designated meeting areas.OSHA believes the best evacuation plans include employee input. That makes sense. When people are parte of the planning process, they take ownership of the idea and are more likely to follow it. When you include your employees in your planning, encourage them to offer suggestions about potential hazards, worst-case scenarios, and proper emergency responses. After you develop the plan, review it with your employees to make sure everyone knows what to do before, during and after an emergency, OSHA recommends.2) Keep track of your belongingsSpeed and efficiency are your top priorities for evacuating. You dont want to be held up with your evacuation because you forgot where you put your wallet carrying your identification, or are backing up an important document from your computer. To speed your exit along, keep your important supplies on you or near your work station in something you can easily grab and carry. That means paring what you need down to essentials that will get you safely out of the building.TheFederal Emergency Management Agency recommends creating a workplace emergency kit that can include items like a flashlight, extra shoes for walking and food and water, or whatever you would consider a necessity. If youre working on sensitive information or a lengthy project, its also a good habit to back up your files regularly.3) When in doubt, ask for more informationUnfortunately by the time an emergency like a fire strikes, its too late to ask questions. Thats why the best way to prepare for an emergency is to ask many questions beforehand. Ask your human resources department about different scenarios. What if the microwave catches fire? What if theres an active s hooter on the premises? OSHA recommends designating certain employees to be key point people to communicate this information.Employers can also prepare employees by spreading the knowledge around and empowering them with first aid training, instructions on how to a operate fire extinguisher, self-defense tactics, and other training, so that they can have the knowledge necessary to save themselves.

Customize this Outstanding Managing Editor Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Managing Editor Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Managing Editor Resume SampleA great resume can help you in your job search by proving to employers you are capable and qualified for any job. Creating a resume that accomplishes this feat is not as easy as it sounds. Many joblandseekers in the publishing or writing field use examples to help them get closer to resume success, and looking through samples can give you more inspiration about what sounds best.Below, find out if your resume is ready for success by comparing it to the managing editor resume sample. Review each section for formatting help and ideas for the details and phrasing you want to use. The resume builder is another key tool to help you get closer to a top resume.Create Resume Jaclyn Jameson100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell (555) 987-1234example-emailexample.comProfessional SummaryPrimary print publication Managing Editor with background in daily newspapers and periodical magazines. Technically savvy and leader in the integration of print and digital mediums. Innovative editor with ability to maintain quality print content.Core QualificationsPrint technologyAP StyleAPA StyleEditing softwareStory creationPersonnel managementExperienceMarch 2010 to October 2012New City Land NewsNew Cityland, CAManaging EditorOversaw editorial team at daily newspaper in major California city.Implemented new editing software technologies to increase efficiency by 30%.Received California Journalist Society Outstanding Editor Award in 2011.Developed and launched innovative features magazine for Sunday edition of newspaper. January 2014 to February 2015Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles, CAManaging EditorManaged editorial team of 30 professionals at major U.S. daily newspaper.Created new weekly magazine for publication.Assisted in design and implementation of new editing software system for publication.Developed new government reporting team stationed in Sacramento.Education2009 University of California, New Cityland, CABachelor of Arts, JournalismCustomize ResumeWhy Is This a Good Managing Editor Resume Sample?Landing a top job as a managing editor with a reputable publishing organization is tough if your resume isnt compelling and effective. In this managing editor resume sample, you get an overview of how to convince a hiring manager youre effectively prepared and talented. Its best to begin your document with a summary statement, like the examples. In a few brief sentences, this summary statement explains what the applicant has to offer a publication, such as innovation, leadership, and print experience. Hiring managers want to see a list of relevant skills in the next parte of the resume. The managing editor resume sample details six specific industry competencies an employer might want from a candidate. The list is reader friendly because of the way its organized into short, concise bulleted points. The sample resume most likely got ideas about what t o include by reviewing the job description. You should also incorporate key terms from the job description, such as editing, AP style, APA style, or technology in the list somehow.The work history section can help a hiring manager get an idea about the candidates prior professional experiences. In the managing editor resume sample, the applicant demonstrates experience closely connected to the coveted job title. The writer also lists jobs by date and includes a few important details about proud achievements and regular duties. Additionally, the applicant illuminates specific accomplishments from past experiences. The writer mentions an award won as an outstanding editor in 2011. The sample also includes information about management experience over a staff of 30 workers.At the end of this document, there are details about educational history. The managing editor position most likely requires some sort of college degree, and this candidate meets the standard with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Since graduation was in 2009, theres no need to go into too much detail here.Why You Need a Strong Managing Editor ResumeThose who work in publishing have struggled for good job opportunities for the past few years. Editors may find even more challenges in the next few years since theres an expected decline in print jobs by at least five percent by 2024. One way to ensure your success is to write a great resume that gets you noticed among all the steep competition. Editors may also have it tougher because of the nature of the work in this field. Hiring managers for publications may put resumes through an extra amount of scrutiny since an editors work is all about accuracy and perfection. Following the example of the managing editor resume sample could help you find more success in your career in publishing.Costly Managing Editor Resume Mistakes To AvoidCandidates today cant afford to make mistakes in their resumes if they want to get the job of their dreams. If you make a spelling or grammar error in your document, you can most likely count yourself out of contention. Another way you may unintentionally doom yourself to failure is if your resume is poorly organized or difficult to read. Style and readability go a long way, and if you opt for large blocks of text and lengthy paragraphs instead of short phrases and bullets, you may struggle to get interest. Its better to follow the best practices from the managing editor resume sample. In the sample, you can also see some of the most desirable attributes necessary for a successful managing editor. You shouldnt forget to include details about your leadership experience. Managing editors also need to describe their skills with the most common editing computer programs, and some hiring managers may also want more details about your type of editing experience, such as daily newspaper or magazine publications.ConclusionYour resumes effectiveness can determine if you will be successful in your search for a job in publishing. Dont let yourself get off course with a document that doesnt get results. Instead, guide your writing process with the managing editor resume sample and secure the right job for your career aspirations and ultimate life goals.

A Neutral Perspective on Reseme

A Neutral Perspective on Reseme Using Reseme Before you choose to make an application for work, always make sure your CV is updated. Zetys resume templates are made with the assistance of recruiters and adhere to the best practices in HR. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. There are lots of basic forms of resumes used to make an application for job openings. Hiring managers skim your resume bullets, which means you wish to have the main information first. Job seekers deserve to discover decent content quickly. Resumes might be organized in various ways. They can be used for a variety of reasons, but most often they are used to secure new employment. Reseme - Is it a Scam? Employers need numbers to be in a position to completely evaluate the range of your bandwidth, Nicolai states. Contact information needs to be set on top of your resume. Life After Reseme If youre thinking about how to create a resume, youre in the proper spot Once y ouve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to know how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel for what makes an effective accomplishment statement. Therefore, our aim is to offer you the very best tools you must succeed. Which format you select will depend, in part, on the sort of work youve performed and whether you will continue in the identical field. One of the ways that you can utilize to show your point is by dressing appropriately for the huge day. Capturing an individu attention and making a wonderful first impression in just is no simple feat. There are always similarities and differences to be taken into consideration when you have to create a resume to submit an application for work in a different country or simply utilizing a different language. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that can help you get your fantasy job. Share your work as soon as youre completely pleased with your design and work, you can sha re it to the world via your social networking accounts, personal site, or many different different channels you might utilize. If youve got an exact sparse work history, you might want to center on the next section instead. Show your upcoming employer your degree of knowledge and be as detailed as possible If theres a mention of work related experience, it is going to give an extra credit. You also have to speak about past experience. A perfect selection for candidates with lots of experience who want to have a really good one-page resume template. Transportation jobs involve a lot of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can deal with that. Chronological resumes arent the very best fit for fresh graduates since they dont have a lot of expertise in the very first location. 1 advantage for employers to web resumes is the considerable cost saving in comparison to traditional hiring methods. They will look into your resume even if youre still a student as long a s youre qualified for the work position based on the information you have provided. If you would like prospective employers to get in touch with you about work, you must have a resume that impresses. Many employers appreciate the skills necessary to run a house and care for kids, but some will not comprehend the myriad responsibilities necessary to remain at home with children. Our customers say that hiring CareerProPlus is among the best decisions they ever made Employers should know what youve done to add to the development of your department, team, and company to find out whether your strengths align with the demands and responsibilities of their business and the work opening, Nicolai states. Administrative assistant jobs are among the most frequently listed jobs in the employment market and employers are observed in a wide array of industries.

The Key to Successful Standout Resumes

The Key to Successful Standout Resumes Be certain to include all tools you could competently use on day-one of the job. If your prior work experience isnt related to the work description, you will have to find creative and frame your present skill set as being transferable into a new function. Instead, youre want to concentrate just on skills that appear good on a resume. The HR rep knows the fundamental duties of your work. Channing Resumes is a great alternative for Philadelphia resume writing services. Writing a fantastic career summary doesnt need to be an intimidating experience. Resumes to Interviews creates resumes across price ranges and is founded in the center of the city. Before you send out your resume, find out how you are able to rewrite or rearrange it in a means to capture the employers interest. You need your resume to clearly demonstrate that you are responsible for your own career and you take the reins. Hopefully youve gotten an opportunity to see exa ctly how beneficial it might be to work on your executive resume while still working. Dont make the error of answering each job posting with the identical generic resume. The peak of your resume should includecritical search phrases and a fast snapshot of your core strengths, Leavy-Detrick states. Everything you should know about adding the correct skills to your resume. By tweaking only a few words, its possible to quickly completely change your headline to show you experience a market niche or that youre industry-neutral. Simply take the time to locate the best keywords to describe just what you have done, how you did it and the end effects. How to Find Standout Resumes As a consequence, youll also be communicating your mastery of various essential skills One particular important section of your resume is undeniably the section in which you list your abilities. If youre asking for a programming job, mention that youre a component of a coding meetup. You may also see tha t a technical skills inventory is a powerful method to begin. New Step by Step Roadmap for Standout Resumes Catching the eye of the voreingestellt recruiter whos wading through scores of resumes can be very challenging. Paired with a job-specific cover letter, you are certain to land at the cover of the interview pile For instance, your freelance writing resume should not look as if youre applying to be a non-profit director. If you just emphasize your skills, you might be shoved to the rear of the pile behind somebody else who is proven. When youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary using action verbs and receive a feel for what makes an effective accomplishment statement. If you provide an excessive amount of information here, the reader may get rid of sight of your value and, subsequently, may not know the best places to place you. Make certain its perfectly polished and error-free and dont neglect to put the most essential info on page one.

The Importance of Having a Mission Statement

The Importance of Having a Mission StatementThe Importance of Having a Mission StatementMission bewertungs are a part of the corporate landscape, but theyre also valuable for small businesses, even solo practitioners. What is a Mission Statement? A mission ansicht is a short statement of an organizations purpose that Identifies the scope of its operationIdentifies what kind of products or services it providesIdentifies its intended audienceIdentifies what values it adheres it. It may also include a short statement of such fundamental matters as the organizations philosophies its main competitive advantages, and the desired future state, or vision.More than a description of the organization, the mission statement is an expression. It is made by its leaders, of their desires and intentions for the organization. Advantages of Having a Mission Statement Mission statements are a way to direct a business in the right direction, and they play a part in helping a business make sound decisions which can be beneficial to the revenue stream. Without a mission statement, businesses may struggle when it comes to planning for the future. Especially as a small business owner, if your talent pool is small, then putting our intentions on paper is useful when it comes to running your business. Simply by putting your thoughts on paper will create clarity. Disadvantagesto Having a Mission Statement While it sounds counter-intuitive, and most often, mission statements are beneficial, they can present a schwierigkeit if you spend too much time fretting over what to say and how to say it. It is when its helpful to get a second opinion, especially by an outsider who is not close to the situation. Another disadvantage is if you end up being unrealistic in what you promise and then dont deliver on those results. Sample Mission Statement Below is a sample of a mission statement written for the Adonias Beauty company. Here at Adonias Beauty, our teams mission is to raise a wareness regarding the importance of safe handling and storage of your makeup, skincare, and perfume products. We believe that proper tools are essential to keeping your cosmetic products fresh and are key to maintaining a clean and healthy beauty routine, for men and women. We are committed to continuous improvement in providing you with ways to maximize your products full benefits. Getting Started on Your Mission Statement The best way to go about what seems like a daunting task is to do your homework. Go online and read mission statements of companies you admire and respect as well as those in the same industry. You dont want to copy what your competition is saying, but youll get a good sense of what works, and what doesnt work. Who Should a Mission Statement Target? There are three primary audiences that your mission statement should target. First, your customers, because it may help answer why they should buy from you.Second, your employees, because it should help you c onvey to them what you care about.Third, your potential business investors, because it helps you define what is unique about what you do, how you strive to do it, and why they should invest in you. Dont Commit Right Away Remember, you can write your mission statement in pencil.You dont have to commit right away. Its an important document so you should spend a fair amount of time tweaking it before signing off on the final version.

4 Tweaks to Perfect Your Resume and Score an Interview

4 Tweaks to Perfect Your Resume and Score an Interview4 Tweaks to Perfect Your Resume and Score an InterviewEven if you are the most qualified person for a job on the planet, you wont get in the door for an interview unless you have a respectable resume. If youre applying to larger organizations, an applicant tracking ordnungsprinzip first filters your resume. Only if the system deems that you have the basic level of qualifications, will an employer get an eye on it. From there, if you want an employer to look at it for more than 10 to 20 seconds, you need to make a good impression.A tracking system typically assures an employer that you have the basic qualifications necessary to perform the job. So what potential employers will be looking for with the naked eye are notable pieces of your background and what the system doesnt catch, including how well youve presented yourself. Although this is not a box to tick off on a checklist, your overall presentation makes a significant and m ind-changing impression on an employer. And this can, and almost always will, trump your experience. If you havent presented the information well, it doesnt matter how qualified you are. If you cant present yourself properly for a job you are competing for, then what would your work product look like on the job? The employer wont want to take a chance on that.Heres what to look for in a resume that will impress the humans reading it.Clarity and consistency. These seem like simple concepts, but theyre missed astonishingly often. Every section of your resume and the way you set it up needs to be clear, so key information can be found easily. Look at your resume as if it were the first time you were seeing it. Can you quickly identify your organizations, job titles and time periods worked? Dont over-complicate the style by using a multitude of fonts, different bullet types and varied tabs and indentations. Each section should follow the last in terms of a general format and style. Cons istency is extremely important.Expand. If you think its enough to drop in the language of your formal job descriptions at work, its not. Once a person decides they like what they see overall and to read your resume in more detail, your bullets will make a big difference. Tell them exactly what you do in your bullets. If the results of what you do arent readily apparent, question what you do or did. In other words, what would you ask yourself in an interview to expand upon your resume? Who do you write reports for and what do they use the information for? What departments do you work with on a daily basis? Have you made recommendations that have been used by your company?Write well. Its a dead-end street if you are using clich phrases, making grammatical or spelling mistakes or writing poorly. Employers read a lot of resumes and they do not like reading the saatkorn words and phrases over and over again. Be unique by putting thought into your document. Paraphrase if youve done someth ing similar in a past position. Dont fall into the trap of looking the same as everyone else. Read over your work and have friends do so, too. Mistakes will mark the end of your application process.Length. Though its routinely discouraged, people still believe that a resume can be more than two pages if they have more information to add. Dont fall victim to this grave mistake. In general, your resume should not creep past one page if you have less than 10 years of experience. It should not go past two pages if you have 10 or more years. The typical exceptions to this rule are when you apply to federal government roles, or if you are a prof or medical doctor. In order to keep it to one or two pages, you must read through it critically. Are you repeating tasks across job descriptions where unnecessary? Are you using superfluous words? Is whats in there relevant to the jobs youre applying to, or is some of it unnecessary?Check your resume in different formats, such as PDF or other form ats. You may think its on two pages, but then when you send it to someone, its on to a third page. Try sending it to yourself and opening it to be sure.While these steps wont guarantee you an interview, they will get you much closer to one. When you dont follow these basic guidelines, you risk your application being disregarded completely, no matter who you know in the organization. Some extra care and attention can go a long way to helping you get in the door for an interview.

Mental noise is bad Why silence is the think tank of the soul

Mental noise is bad Why silence is the think tank of the soulMental noise is bad Why silence is the think tank of the soulUpon meeting a Zen master at a social event, a psychiatrist decided to ask him a question that had been on his mind for a long time.Exactly how do you help people? - the man inquired.I get them where they cant ask any more questions. - the master replied.Mental noise is hurting ur minds - we are continually asking questions that create busyness, not knowledge. We are in reacting mode, leaving no room for reflection. To regain perspective in life, you need to pause. Silence is fertile ground.When was the last time you push the pause button in your life?Silence is not just lack of noise. Its an empty space for your mind to recover clarity. And to protect it from mental noise.Many people believe silence is isolation. However, its busyness what detaches us from reality. You need to take distance and reflect. As Lao-Tzu said Just remain in the center, watching. And then forget that you are there.Silence is not about the absence of sound - it invites the presence of everything else.Silence is an endangered speciesI am not absentminded. It is the presence of mind that makes me unaware of everything else. - G.K. ChestertonNoise keeps us busy.Our brain is continually exposed to internal and external stimuli. Silence feels impossible, like emptying our spirit.What creates noise in your life?Social media notifications, Netflix binging, overthinking, constantly being surrounded by others, and overloading our calendars are just many of the infinite ways to avoid silence. Weve turned noise into entertainment - it provides a temporary distraction so you cant pay attention.Ladders is now on SmartNewsDownload the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.Gordon Hempton believes that silence is an endangered species.Hes an acoustic ecologist - a collector of sound all over the world. For Hempton, real quietness is being present - silence is not an absence of sound, but an absence of noise. The Earth is a solar-powered jukebox. He believes that we take in the world through its ears.Noise is contaminating our minds.The World Health Organization in a 2011 report called noise pollution a modern plague, concluding that there is overwhelming evidence that exposure to environmental noise has adverse effects on the health of the population.Noise is not just a modern disease. It has been hurting our minds since the 19th century. Back then, a British nurse and social activist, Florence Nightingale, wrote that Unnecessary noise is the cruelest absence of care that can be inflicted on sick or well. Nightingale argued that needless sounds could cause distress, sleep loss and alarm for recovering patients.Permanent silence is not always good either. Animals must listen to survive - thats how we anticipate danger before it happens.The schwierigkeit is when noise becomes escapism.Psychol ogist Carl Jung noted that we naturally seek out noise because it suggests human company - we used to need the comfort and safety of the group to survive. Nonetheless, our lives are not under constant attack as they were many centuries ago. Detaching from our environment for a couple of hours wont put your life in danger.When you step back from an issue, you can spend more time on solving the right problem.The paradox of soundHe who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your hundertprozentigs. - Elbert HubbardSilence is not about the absence of sound but the presence of something else. Your mind is like a canvas - if its full of noise, you cant paint anything new on it. When we are in silence, we make room for everything else.Gordon Hempton wants your help in recovering the value of silence. Not too long ago it was assumed that clean waters not important, that seeing the stars is not that important. But now it is. I think were realizing quiet is important, and we need silence. That silence is not a luxury, but its essential. - the acoustic ecologist said.When you remove the noise, the essential speaks up. However, though its a magnificent revelatory experience, it can backfire if you dont prepare adequately. The voices we hear in silence can create worrying noises.Our constant social connectivity keeps us busy. Whats even worse, we let our social identity to speak louder than our true-self. The fear of missing out keeps you away from your reality - you stop paying attention. Without self-reflection, theres no understanding. Silence lets your intern voice become present.If the brain is actively processing noise it cant turn off - its impossible to rest and reset when you are always asking questions or reacting to external stimuli.Getting rid of the noise is more an aspiration than a reality. Thats the paradox of silence we wish we could have quiet time, but its not easy to pull off. Removing other voices means we need to start liste ning to our true thoughts and words.Being in front of white canvas or blank page can be intimidating. Thats why most of us andrang away from silence.Silence has many meaningsNothing strengthens authority so much as silence. - Leonardo da VinciIs silence just the absence of noise? Or is there a deeper reason for you to invite sound into your life?Silence is cultural. For the Japanese, silence is more positive than it is for other populations.Japanese people highly value silence as an essential form of non-verbal communication - it conveys information, emotions and its a sign of respect and personal distance.In his 2007 paper The Cultural Significance of Silence in Japanese Communication, Takie Sugiyama Lebra identifies four dimensions of silence Truthfulness, Social Discretion, Embarrassment, and Defiance. The first three dimensions are helpful to maintain positive relations while the last one has a negative connotation.In the Western world, silence is associated with doubt, lonelin ess or pain. If you tell your friends that you need silence, they might understand the feeling. But if you dont answer their messages for 12 hours because you opted to stay silent, they will assume something is wrong with you.Silence is always ambiguous. Its difficult to understand its true meaning.Rather than trying to define silence, think of it as an experience. Silence is the real sound of music. Empty spaces play a meaningful role in building the right atmosphere in architecture and space design. The white space is the most crucial element in visual design.There are two types of silence outer and inner. Getting rid of external distractions is not enough you want to avoid your thoughts from eating you alive.Why silence is the think tank of the mindWhen you pause, you dont just stop talking. You also choose not to listen to external distractions. Everything is within you.Silence enables something else to emerge. Perspective, reflection, distance, ideas, and solutions, all show up unexpectedly when you silence the mind. Its a whole kollektiv that comes to help you. Gordon Hempton said Quiet is a think tank of the soul. We take the world through its ears.Lao-Tzu believed that Silence is the great revelation. He said that we turn to books for revelation, but their authors found the interlude of silence as their source of inspiration. Silence can bring you directly to the original source of knowledge.Silence adds intentionality and rhythm to your life.The same happens with music. Without silence, the various notes would all feel the same. Utilizing silence for very brief - less than a few beats - or for longer periods, creates a different impact on the listener.Silence is more than a beautiful state of mind it positively benefits your healthIt helps grow new brain cells. A 2013 study found that two hours of silence could create new cells in the hippocampus region, a brain area linked to learning, remembering, and emotions.It decreases stress by lowering blood cortisol levels and adrenaline. A 2006 study in Heart, showed that two minutes of silence relieves tension in the body and brain - its more relaxing than listening to music.How to recover the power of silencePracticing silence is not easy.Going for a walk outside in nature, taking a deliberate break or practicing deep breathing exercises are easy ways to get you started.Try the following exercises and see which works best for you. Start in small doses. Being silent can backfire at the beginning. It takes time to enjoy the benefits of not being distracted by noise.1. The Silence ExerciseDavid Swartz, a history professor, uses this exercise as a transition after one of his courses. He invites students to write a short paper on silence. During 90 minutes, everyone focuses on the task without speaking.Students are instructed to put away their smartphones and leave the presence of other people. The paper is a reflection on the experience and includes a historical perspective too. What does it feel like to be silent? What happens when we dont have constant access to a smartphone? How is our lifestyle different to premodern times ones?2. Beyond the wordThis exercise is based on an ancient Indian prescription if you read for one hour, write for two hours and meditate for three hours. The purpose of such proportion is to avoid being blind recorders of other peoples words or ideas. You can stick to the ratio but start with a shorter duration for each part.The exercise encourages a personal dialogue and self-reflection. Its a nice transition from being in the company of someone elses words to being surrounded by your ideas as you write, and, finally, focusing on silencing your mind.3. The Silence GameThis Montessori Exercise builds on the concept that, deeper awareness and sensitivity to noise, help us get into a more refined and subtle world. Constant noise can create irritability, frustration, confusion, and even sleepiness.The purpose of this exercise is to make sil ence collectively. A board with the word silence and a picture of a tranquil place, reminds that every child might do its part. The silence is not only a positive outcome but is the byproduct of everyones effort.4. The sound of one hand clappingOur logic says that we need two hands to clap. What is the sound of one hand clapping? is a Zen challenge that has several interpretations. Some say that its a way to help you listen to other sounds - your heart, the rhythm of your breathing or the awareness of your mind. Others believe its a metaphor how we see life with a dualistic approach cause and effect.I use this question when coaching teams to invite them to reflect on the power of silence. Sometimes to inspire creative ways to make sound with just one hand. Other times, simply to challenge logical thinking by putting our rationality aside, we let the think tank of the mind show up.5. Meditation The Silence That is ListeningThis guided meditation by Tara Brach emphasizes the anchor o f listening it guides us to relax through our body and let sounds wash our thoughts out. You dont need any previous meditation experience to benefit from it.Listening to sounds is powerful to quiet the thinking mind. It will help you connect with the natural openness of awareness. By becoming more receptive, you can welcome your full presence and the peace of quietness.6. Building a tower with a constraintImposing constraints challenges individuals and those who interact with them alike - everyone must adjust their behaviors. A set of teams are challenged to build the tallest tower using Jenga blocks. It seems simple until most team members are assigned a specific constraint one cannot speak, another is blindfolded, one cannot use the hands, etc.Not being able to speak reframes the interaction. The person whos silent pays more attention. The rest of the team becomes more attentive to the quiet persons feedback. It dramatically increases both collaboration and self-awareness.7. Beco me silent for a dayThis exercise is about cutting the chord literally and metaphorically without attending a silent retreat. You can define what a day means for you. I would suggest that you aim for, at least, 46 hours. And then gradually increase it.Becoming silence is about unplugging from social media, emails, phone calls, and every other form of communication - including face-to-face dialogue. You need to set up some grounding rules to those close to you.I just finished a conference in Istanbul and was mentally exhausted after three days of speaking, workshops, and social events. I took a 14-hour break no Internet, no phone, alone, and without talking to anyone. It was a powerful experience to reset my mind and regain peace as I wandered around the Old City without any plan at all.How do you absprache with silence?- - - Gustavo Razzettiis a Change Instigator helping people and teams lead change. Get his new bookhere.Thispostwas originally published onMedium.