EDITION 915
18 APRIL 2022

There is no escaping it: too much news is bad for you. It should come with a government health warning: “This intellectual diet is fine taken in small doses, and preferably in weekly instalments, via a well-balanced newsletter, such as 10 things from William Montgomery."

So, as another week slips by, here are 10 things which caught my attention and may have escaped yours. Please feel free to share on social media and forward to your colleagues and friends so they can also subscribe, learn and engage. I would be very grateful if you did.

William Montgomery
Editor and CEO of TEN

1. How to get unstuck in your career. In life and work, sometimes you just feel stuck. You may find yourself questioning if your current job is what you really want to do. When you start to become restless, you should take a step back so that you can have a clearer picture of what's ahead. It is important to identify where you are in the "growth process" to clarify your next step. READ MORE

2. Surprise growth rate in China. China’s economy has recorded a growth rate that surpassed expectations. GDP grew 4.8% in the three months to the end of March compared with the same period last year – faster than the 4% year-on-year increase it registered in the previous quarter and also ahead of the 4.4% growth rate forecast by a Reuters poll of economists. The government has set its 2022 growth target at around 5.5%, the lowest in three decades. CNN

3. How to get out of a work slump. It's normal to have peaks and troughs when it comes to motivation levels at work. But if you find yourself feeling continuously unmotivated, it might be time to think about how to pull yourself out of a work slump. Here are five things to consider: [1] Take a step back and find a way to appreciate how your work contributes to a bigger outcome. [2] Pick a work skill you would like to develop and take a class on it. [3] Find a project to oversee. [4] Become a mentor. [5] Phone a friend and talk about your motivation concerns. Share your thoughts with us. CONTACT US

4. Busywork dominates the workday. Do you spend your workday feeling like you are not quite accomplishing what you should be? You're not alone – according to a global survey of more than 10,600 knowledge workers, people spend around 58% of their time on "work about work", including meetings and emails, with a higher figure among managers. The study found 23 hours per week are lost to menial, repetitive tasks, with people spending only a third of their time on skilled work and 9% on strategy. How would people improve productivity? Nearly half of respondents suggested more efficient meetings and clearer responsibilities. Metro

5. Where do you do your best work? In a working world reshaped by the pandemic, many people have had to do their jobs in sometimes unexpected locations. It has also seen people reprioritise what they want from a role and what they expect of a working environment. Whether it is a bustling cafe, quiet haven, or any place with easy access to the outdoors, members of 10+ have shared their thoughts on where they do their best work. What environment do you do your best work in? Share your thoughts in our latest poll. VOTE HERE

6. Scientists map a new way forward. When scientists unfurled the Human Genome Project in 2003, some 8% of genes were left unmapped. So for almost two decades, they have toiled to develop the first truly complete map of a human genome. Last week, scientists revealed they had done it. This vital development will help solve some of the conundrums that have vexed scientists over the past 20 years. The map will also power new discoveries around "human evolution and fresh insights into cancer, birth defects and ageing." Six papers published by the journal Science last week outlined the newly mapped regions, denoted by elements of the genome that scientists had been previously unable to characterize due to the "limits of DNA-sequencing technology." The Wall Street Journal

7. Ambulance waiting times reach a record high. NHS data shows that most stroke and heart attack victims are forced to wait more than an hour for an ambulance. The average waiting time for emergency 999 ambulance calls in England hit a record high of 61 minutes last month, a breach of the 18-minute limit for ambulance trusts to respond to such incidents. Meanwhile, ambulance waits for urgent but not emergency calls - such as labour or non-severe burns - are an average of three and a half hours, which is another record. The Independent

8. Rents rising at record rate. Private rents in Britain are rising at a record rate, according to industry figures. Rightmove found that rents had risen by 14% in a year in London and by more than 19% in hotspots such as Swansea and Manchester. The average advertised rent outside London is 10.8% higher than a year ago, leaving tenants grappling with “the most competitive rental market ever recorded”, said the property website. An estimated 11m people rent privately in England. The sector has doubled in size over the past 20 years. The Guardian

9. Poll finds support for PM exit. A survey has found that around two thirds of Britons think Boris Johnson should resign if he is issued with more fines for Downing Street parties. After the PM paid a £50 penalty this week for breaking lockdown laws, a YouGov poll for The Times found that if he is fined again, 63% of the public think he should resign and 36% of those who voted Conservative at the 2019 election think Johnson should quit if he receives more penalties. The Daily Mail

10. The bottom line. Over half of 18- to 24-year-olds in the UK believe democracy is serving them badly. Adults over 65 are the most likely group to think it’s working for them. The Times