A Seasonal Sampling

Are you looking to be more effective at work? Need an opportunity to build your skills? Or maybe you just want some intellectual food for thought? Either way, here are a few useful links and tid-bits. What have you been reading lately?

CULTURE: Talkin’ about my generation

What does the average 29-year-old look like? And how do you stack up? Probably differently than you imagine. The media often misconstrues “millennials” with broad strokes and gross generalizations. This Atlantic article (based on a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report) debunks those myths. Read more here. 

PRODUCTIVITY: A brain hack to get you through the week

Are you reading this instead of doing work? It’s alright, we won’t tell. Sure, things like pay, workload, and lack of flexibility or more abstract. But they take up a real cognitive load. This Fast Company article tackles some ways to calm down your lizard brain and put your human brain to good use. Read more here.

IDEAS: THE most important election of all time! 

Feeling disillusioned with the upcoming election cycle already? Well that’s ok. For many reasons, the importance of ideas eclipses the importance of any one politician. In his blog post, former AF Indy Board Member, Brett Bittner, discusses what he calls The “Most Important Election of Our Lifetime” Fallacy. Check it out here. 

While a sense of urgency is necessary, things do not change overnight, nor will they even over a politician’s term. Patience and hard work bring the change we seek.

OPPORTUNITY: For ambitious fella’s (fellows*)

Could you use a mentor? Trying to find your niche in writing or fundraising? One way to get you there is simple: more practice. Applications are open for AFF’s Writing Fellowship and Development Fellowship. AF’s programs help you get a survey of different professions while building connections. It’s also a nice signal to include on a resume with future employers. Find out more and submit your applications by May 17th.