Blog Posts by The Daily Muse

LinkedIn is, far and away, the most advantageous social networking tool available to job seekers and business professionals today. Far and away.

So why is it that so many of us stink at LinkedIn etiquette?

That's right, folks. We stink at it. We send out lazy, generic connection requests. We ask people we barely know for recommendations. We ambush people, asking for favors before we've ever spent even two seconds of time building rapport. We shove our Tweets through our LinkedIn feeds, even though half the people on LinkedIn could care less about Twitter.

You want to use LinkedIn to your massive networking advantage? Then you need to start working strategically and mindfully. And before you even think about logging on next time-you need to digest a few basic rules of etiquette.

1. Generic Requests are for Suckers

If you're stuck in a job you hate, you're (unfortunately) not alone. In fact, an astonishing more than 80% of Americans are dissatisfied with their jobs.

I, too, was unhappy in the corporate job I took right after college. Like many people, I'd put more thought and effort into getting the job than into figuring out if it was something I actually wanted. There's plenty of research and advice out there on how to write the perfect resume and ace that interview. But when it comes to figuring out what you want to do with your life, the strategies aren't so clear.

I realized that, although I could predict and pontificate about a career path that might make me happier, I would never actually know until I was into the thick of it. I had an idea that I might like to do something related to entrepreneurship, but I didn't exactly know what that meant. Did I want to join a start-up? Start my own? Try to get into venture capital? Join or start a non-profit? Do international development work

Renter's red flagAt one of the apartments I used to live in, the landlord posted a billboard-sized advertisement on the side of the building that read "Cheap & Tacky 2 Beds" followed by his name and number. He wasn't lying-these apartments were in fact totally cheap and tacky. The only thing he could have said to be more honest would have been, "Cheap & Tacky 2 Beds with Irregularly Functioning Laundry Facilities."

Unfortunately, landlords aren't usually so open. So it's up to you-the renter-to know what to watch out for before signing a lease. When you're apartment shopping, keep an eye out for these commonly overlooked red flags.

1. Noise, Noise, Noise

If possible, view an apartment over the weekend, so that your prospective neighbors are more likely to be home. Then, take some time to just listen. Can you hear loud footsteps or voices from nearby apartments? This can be a sure sign of thin walls. Is the apartment above you filled with rambunctious children? Do your windows face out to a

Almost every waking moment, you're making a decision. Do you want to eat eggs or toast? Wear the blazer or the cardigan? Take the stairs or the escalator?

And that's just the easy stuff.

While each decision by itself may sound simple, the seemingly endless stream of decisions-and the pressure to make the "right" choice for each one-can really deplete you of time, energy, motivation, and even happiness. A recent New York Times article thrust this daily struggle into the spotlight (NPR chimed in, too): On any given day, we have a finite amount of mental energy and willpower to make choices. And by the end of an especially decision- or action-packed day (or week, or month), even choosing what to eat for dinner can seem like a struggle.

So how are we to save our decision-making energy for the big stuff, like choosing a job or planning for the future? Changing the amount of daily choices in your life isn't necessarily an option-and in most cases, you do want to be able to pick! But

Grocery Shopping for 1Grocery shopping for one can be tricky. When the only person you have to satisfy with your grocery list is you, it's easy to buy impulsively or buy too much. And on the flip side, how many times have you tried to just buy the bare essentials-only to find yourself having to make daily trips back to the market?

I was always an over-buyer, which resulted in a lot of wasted food (and wasted money). In fact, I'm still surprised that, now that I'm shopping for two, I spend basically the same amount as I did when I was shopping just for myself. (I also buy the same amount of ice cream, but that's a different issue.) But with some careful planning, it is possible to shop solo in a way that's both economical and less wasteful. The big secret: You should spend just about as much time preparing for your shopping trip as you do in the store.

Here's your plan of action to get in and out of the supermarket, and come home with the right amount of food for just you.

1. First, Shop at Home

Let's face it-we all have those sugary, salty, or fried foods we crave. And we know they aren't exactly the pinnacle of health, but that doesn't make us want them any less. So I decided to consult a few of the best nutritionists in search of food substitutes that might even satisfy Paula Deen (or, well, at least her doctor).

And guess what? They're out there. And in addition to being healthy, they're super tasty, too. Best of all, once you get in the habit of eating healthy, your body stops craving the unhealthy or fattening stuff so much. (Yes-these days I can visit a bakery and salivate for fresh pineapple over the chocolate croissant!) No matter what you're craving, try out one these tasty food swaps, inspired by one of my favorite nutritionists, Renata Petecka.

Food Swaps PastaIf You're Craving: Pasta

Try: Zucchini Pasta

Even if you got stuck with migraines in the genetic jackpot, you might not know this: June is National Migraine Awareness Month. And so today, I'm dedicating this column to the ladies of the migraine. (And, yes, it's mostly ladies. Migraines happen to "three women to every one man," says neurologist and headache specialist, Dr. Larry Robbins, MD. Lucky us.)

Why is this month so greatly needed? After all, if you're a migraineur, you're already abundantly aware of those incapacitating episodes of pain coupled with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, blurred vision, or dizziness that last for hours (or days). This month is to let the general public know that these (often) debilitating episodes are more than "just headaches"-and the hope is that increased visibility will lead to more research and better treatment.

And as any migraineur will tell you, treatment is a very tricky topic. Take it from Heather Hefner, 29, who started the "War on Headaches" blog

Recently a girlfriend of mine asked me to have dinner. "I'm thinking of leaving my job," she said. "I think it's just time to go, and I thought you would know what to do."

And I did! I immediately started thinking of open positions I had heard of and which of my contacts might be a relevant introduction. I was rattling off names and next step strategies when I noticed the look on her face.

She didn't have to say a word, but I knew I was moving too fast. When friends need help, our instinct is to do whatever we can to "fix" the problem. But, when it comes to something as big, personal, and stressful as looking for a new job, this isn't always the best approach. Instead, it takes listening to her, understanding where she is in the process, and employing a whole lot of tact. Read on for some smart strategies for really helping a friend with her job search.

1. Listen First