Attorneys with 7 years post-bar experience wanted urgently for Immigration Judges

Attorneys with 7 years post-bar experience wanted urgently for Immigration JudgesAttorneys with 7 years post-bar experience wanted urgently for Immigration JudgesAttorneys with 7 years post-bar experience wanted urgently for Immigration Judges Attorneys with 7 years post-bar experience wanted urgently for Immigration JudgesKathryn Troutman, President, The Resume Place, Inc.,May 17, 2018The Justice Department is looking for a few good immigration judges. Actually, 150 of them are needed ASAP, to cut into a backlog of immigration cases that has passed the 1 million fruchtfleisch when you count both active cases and inactive ones that are still pending.The great news for lawyers interested in these important, well-paying positions The Department of Justices Executive Office of Immigration Review EIOR is so desperate to fill these vacancies that it is elend requiring otherwise qualified attorneys to have experience in immigration law (listen to the C-Span Interview, James McHenry states that past immigration experience is NOT required).The Director James McHenry welches on a C-Span interview recently talking about the hiring changes and requirements for the Immigration Judge positions.Current Immigration Judge Announcement closes May 21, 2018. But there will be others posted to hire mora Immigration Judges.IMMIGRATION JUDGE HIRING IS FASTER NOWTo speed the onboarding of new immigration judges, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a streamlined hiring process in April 2017. The time it takes to hire an immigration judge has been cut in half, though it still takes up to a year, says James McHenry, director of the EIOR. The office has hired 56 immigration judges in the past 18 months and plans to bring on 40 or 50 more this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. A further 100 immigration judgeships have already been authorized by Congress.WHAT DO IMMIGRATION JUDGES DO?Immigration Judges preside in formal, quasi-judicial hearings. Proceedings before Immigration Ju dges include but are not limited to deportation, exclusion, removal, rescission, and bond. Immigration Judges make decisions which are final unless formally appealed. In connection with these proceedings, Immigration Judges exercise certain discretionary powers as provided by law, and are required to exercise independent judgment in reaching final decisions. Immigration Judges may be required to conduct hearings in penal institutions and other remote locations.IMMIGRATION JUDGE SALARIESImmigration judges are high-paid federal employees, earning $132,606 to $174,500 per year, and they enjoy the full range of federal employment benefits.Many vacancies for immigration judge are near coasts or land borders, but many others are elsewhere in the United States. Recent openings were in Seattle, Fort Worth, Las Vegas and New Jersey, among other locations. Some judgeships come with considerable travel, to conduct hearings at facilities where immigrants are detained, for example.WHAT ARE THE Q UALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB?Applicants must have a full seven (7) years of post-bar experience as a licensed attorney preparing for, participating in, and/or appealing formal hearings or trials involving litigation and/or administrative law at the Federal, State or local level. Qualifying litigation experience involves cases in which a complaint was filed with a court, or a charging document (e.g., indictment or information) was issued by a court, a grand jury, or appropriate military authority. Qualifying administrative law experience involves cases in which a formal procedure was initiated by a governmental administrative body.An applicant for immigration judge must have a law degree and be a licensed member of the bar with seven years of legal experience.You will write six quality ranking factor narrativesAmong other requirements, a candidate must submit a legal writing sample and narratives addressing the six quality ranking factors (QRFs)Demonstrated appropriate temperament to se rve as a judgeKnowledge of immigration laws and procedures, if any (if you do not have immigration experience, write about other knowledge of laws and procedures)Substantial litigation experience, preferably high volumeExperience handling complex legal issuesExperience conducting administrative hearingsKnowledge of judicial practices and proceduresApplicants are required to address each of the 6 QRFs in narrative form, to the best of the applicants ability. The QRFs must be addressed on a separate document which indicates the number of the specific QRF you are addressing. Applicants should be thorough in addressing the QRFs. For example, when addressing QRF 3 (substantial litigation experience) address the approximate number of cases handled in a given period of time, the applicants specific role (first chair, co-counsel, responsible for the written brief only, etc.), and the length of time involved in a given role (lead counsel in 20 jury trials In 10 years).Applicants should also include specific examples of the types of cases, the number of court appearances made in those cases, and the case dispositions (plea, settlement, bench trial, Jury trial, etc.) Conclusory statements (such as the applicant has been involved in a substantial amount of litigation) will receive little or no weight in the evaluation of the QRFs.FEDERAL RESUME FOR IMMIGRATION JUDGE APPLICATIONSThe average federal resume length for a government attorney resume is 4 pages. The average length of a private sector resume for an attorney is 2 pages. The federal resume requires more content, descriptions as you can see from above.GET THE ALJ WRITING GUIDE TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR IJ FEDERAL RESUME AND 6 NARRATIVESYou can see samples of attorney federal resumes in the ALJ Writing Guide. You can also see the definitions of the ALj Competencies (which would be similar to IJ Competencies).The book also includes two narrative statement samples for Administrative Law and Litigation. These could be styl e guides for your 6 narratives. There is a case list example in the book also.

If you are starting a new business you need to have a pessimistic attitude

If you are starting a new business you need to have a pessimistic attitudeIf you are starting a new business you need to have a pessimistic attitudeIf you have a brilliant new product or innovation youre convinced will make millions dont get your hopes up. Inflated confidence may work while pitching Shark Tank, but in reality, maintaining a measured air of pessimism could be the edge that increases your chance of success as an entrepreneur, says a new UK study.Business owners who begin their ventures with great expectations earned about 30% less than conservative-minded entrepreneurs, according to the research.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and morePessimism may not generally be seen as a desirable trait but it does protect people from taking on poor entrepreneurial projects, saysDr. Christopher Dawson, lead author, and associate professor at the University of Baths School of Manageme nt, in a release. He worked with researchers from the London School of Economics and Political Science and Cardiff University on the study.Researchers followed people moving from working from someone else to starting their own businesses, using 18 years of data from the British Household Panel Survey a major longitudinal study.In the UK, only half of new businesses survive for five years. Optimists tend to self-select into self-employment, as an increasing number of studies find, wrote the researchers.Its a crowded field, full of hopers and dreamers, said Dawson, and new entrepreneurs would be wise to hold on to their expectations.ur results suggest that too many people are starting business ventures, at least as far as personal returns are concerned, he said. As a society, we celebrate optimism and entrepreneurial thinking, but when the two combine, it pays to take a reality check.The study was published in the European Economic Review.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

How to Write a Letter of Resignation 2019 Extensive Guide

How to Write a Letter of Resignation â€" 2019 Extensive Guide How to Write a Letter of Resignation â€" 2019 Extensive Guide Letter of Resignation Sample How-to GuideIf you are on the hunt for a new job in 2019, you will rely on a few key documents. Depending on where you are applying, you will need to update your resume or CV, and you will probably have to draft a professional cover letter.But if you are looking to switch from one job to another, there is one more document you will have to consider: a letter of resignation.Create My Resignation LetterWhat is a resignation letter?A resignation letter is written with the intent to announce that you have decided to leave the position that you are currently holding, such as member of an office, employment, commission, organization, board, etc.What to include in a resignation letter?Personal detailsDateManager detailsSalutationOpening line/paragraphSecond paragraphFinal paragraphSalutation, signature and typed nameIt’s important not to overlook the importance of a resignation letter because it can actually help or hinder your chances of getting hired in the future.This guide will help you understand why the letter of resignation is so significant, and provide you with other useful information and tools, including:Tips on how to write a resignation letterA resignation letter sampleAdvice on how to submit your resignationWhy Write a Resignation Letter?The reason for writing a resignation letter:The main reason why you should write a resignation letter is that your employer will probably need it from a legal standpoint. It serves as formal proof of your intention to leave the organization. Simply stating your intention to leave to either a colleague or manager is not enough.Keep in mind that when you were first hired, you probably signed an employment contract. This agreement outlined what is required of you should you decide to leave the organization, including the amount of notice to be provided. This period varies, but it is most common that employers require at least 2 weeks notice.The term two weeks notice has become synonymous with resigning from a job. You’ve probably heard a friend or colleague say, “I gave my notice” or “I gave my two weeks.”This two week period starts the moment you submit your formal letter of resignation. When you’ve decided to quit, it’s best to have this document prepared ahead of time so that you can tell your manager and offer proof in writing at the same time.Why is a Resignation Letter Important?The importance of a resignation letter:In addition to providing legal proof of your intention to move on, as described above, the letter of resignation is important because it can affect your future job prospects.People quit their jobs for different reasons. Some people may have already secured another opportunity elsewhere, while others may be leaving without another job lined up. Sometimes this can simply be due to frustration.However, no matter how fed up you may be with your current role, resist the urge to go out in a blaze of glory. That includes being careful with what you say in your letter of resignation.Your 2 weeks notice letter or resignation letter needs to be professional. What you say to your manager before you part ways can leave a lasting impression. Remember that you may want to use this person as a reference for future job opportunities or even for conducting business.Negative or offensive comments in a letter or resignation can hurt you down the road. Don’t let that happen.Letter of Resignation Writing TipsHere are some standards do’s and don’ts of how to write a letter of resignation.How to write a resignation letter - DOsBe concise - Half a page to a full page should be more than enough to include all relevant information.Be specific - Provide the name of the position you are resigning from and the date that you want your resignation to come into effectBe professional - Your words will live forever in this document. Show your former employer that you take professionalism seriously, under any circumstance.Avoid the following w hen writing a resignation letter - DON'TsJustify your decision â€" You are under no obligation to explain why you are leaving. And you don’t have to convey the inner turmoil you went through to arrive at your decision.Forget your notice period â€" While some roles allow for your resignation to be effective immediately, most require a notice period. Make sure that the date you submit your letter and the resignation effective date provide adequate notice.Start negotiating â€" Don’t use your letter as a tool for getting a raise or promotion by proposing a way for the company to keep you.Resignation Letter FormatYour letter of resignation should include a few key elements. Together, the elements listed below should give you an idea of a simple resignation letter format to follow.Personal details: List your name and address, so there is no mistaking who is resigning.Date: This should be the day you submit your letter.Manager details: Include the name, job title and organization for t he person to whom you will submitting your resignation.Salutation: Start by addressing your direct manager or the person you report to. If you have a close relationship with this person, don’t be afraid to use his/her first name (E.g. Dear Jack) since calling them Mr/Mrs/Miss may seem overly formal and out of character.Opening line/paragraph: This line is meant to convey the purpose of your letter. It is here where you announce your decision to resign. The best approach is to get straight to the point rather than trying to “soften” the news for your manager. After all, you’ve probably already voiced your decision to him/her in person.The opening line/paragraph should also include the position you are resigning from, the name of your company, and the date whereby your resignation will become effective. Here is an example:“With this letter, I hereby announce my resignation from the position of Sales Manager for ABC Ventures, effective January 31, 2019.”Second paragraph: Th is section offers you the opportunity to explain why you are leaving and to express some gratitude towards your former employer. By no means are these elements necessary, but they can provide a bit of context for your opening paragraph.If you are leaving for another job, and you feel comfortable disclosing this, go ahead. And even if your time at your former company was a complete disaster, it’s a good idea to express thanks. It can be as basic as saying “Thank you for the support you have given me in this role.”Final paragraph: To close, you want to reinforce your goodwill in order to reassure your manager that there are no hard feelings. Therefore, offer to support with the transition process, such as helping a replacement get settled into your former role.Salutation, signature and typed name: End with a typical salutation like “Sincerely”, then leave a space for your hand-written signature, followed by your typed name.Resignation Letter Sample 2019What do all these elem ents look like when they are put together? Here is a resignation letter example you can follow. This sample is a simple two weeks notice letter.Write Mine NowHow to Resign From a Job â€" Submitting Your LetterThe truth is that quitting a job is never easy. A lot of thought goes into the decision, and sometimes you worry that your manager will take your decision personally.In reality, any good manager will understand that having staff leave is simply part of doing business. Yes, you may have a great relationship built, but if you go about submitting your resignation in the right way, you can preserve that relationship.Here are a few tips to follow as you get ready to notify your manager.Resignation tip #1 - Judge the situationIf you know your manager is very busy or is having a rough day, hold off on your resignation. This assumes you can delay a day or two in order to meet your minimum notice period. You want to make sure the situation is appropriate to have a conversation with your manager about your decision (in person â€" see tip #2).Resignation tip #2 - Do it in personYou may wonder if a resignation email is acceptable. The short answer is no and that it is better to resign in person and then follow up with an email or hard-copy letter.

Getting to the Point Gets the Job

Getting to the Point Gets the Job Getting to the Point Gets the Job The resume of a Ph.D. nutritionist was so lean, mean and focused, the recruiter gobbled her up. She got right to the point, and it got her the job.“Seeking to add value to health and wellness field - highly connected and motivated leader,” her resume title read.That’s the kind of directness Wayne Weiner was looking for. Weiner, a recruiter and owner of Bella Business Solutions, in Washington, D.C., picked the resume out of a pile of some 500 others, cherrypicking the woman it described as one of three top picks for a position as PhD nutritionist at a teaching hospital in Boston.Wouldn’t it be nice to understand the hiring manager’s brain? What lights up their synapses when they look at a resume? Weiner was kind enough to give us his take on this document. Read on for an inside look at one example of what catches recruiters’ attention.Don’t waste space blabbing about career goalsWeiner loved that the nutritionist didn’t waste time describing her career goals. “You k ind of get lost in the shuffle when you do that,” he said, referring to when people describe at length what they want instead of what a potential employer needs and how their skills align with those needs.“She got right to the point,” Weiner said. “I was looking for specific, distinct markers in the resume that tells me a.) she knows what she’s talking about and b.) [that her] language is crisp… I could tell, ?Ah ha! … I want to spend time on her resume.'”Key termsWeiner was searching for the key term “Health Advisor,” and that’s what he found.His client, the teaching hospital, had also charged him with finding candidates who could create a department that hadn’t previously existed. The hospital needed a health advisor who could gauge the hospital’s exercise facilities and other infrastructure, knowledgeably interact with the staff, and even assess how people might get the exercise they need using the institution’s facilities.The successful candidate comm unicated how she would fit the bill, and she did it succinctly, right at the top of the resume, in a section directly under her title. Here’s how that section reads:Highlights of Qualifications: Versatile and High-Energy Public and Community Health Advisor, Corporate Wellness Leader, Health Communications Specialist, and Health Behavior Theorist with directorial and research experience with public and private employers. Proven ability to plan, implement, and evaluate innovative employee and community health programs that target diverse populations. Nine-plus years in Federal Government Sector. Conducts community outreach and health education with diverse populations. Expertise in strategic planning, alliance building, and integration of programs. Interfaces with media and is known in her circles for success in Public Relations results and Information Dissemination.Another key term in the qualifications summary was “Federal Government Sector.” It spoke to a background that coul d help her work not only with the local community, Weiner said, but in seeking out federal grants for the teaching hospital.The candidate also backed up this crucial bit of her background in a separate section below, titled “Technical Skills/Proficiencies/Published Articles + Interviews,” where she listed it as a bulleted item: Advisor to Federal Government (OPM/NIH/CDC) on worksite health policy and worksite health programs She then fleshed out the government background in the “Experience” section, in her listing as Founder and Director of a Center for Employee Wellness and Health Promotion: Serves as NIH or NHLBI representative on High-Profile Advisory groups on worksite health promotion, including the NIH Working Group for Work/Life, manifested in report to First Lady Obama with our best practices - NHLBI was the only Institute at NIH (among 27) to be included in this report. QuantifiablesNote that the candidate drilled down from the very high level â€" the keyword (“Federal Government Sector”), which quickly grabbed Weiner’s attention â€" into a bullet item that fleshed out the proficiency, and finally into a granular description that includes quantifiable measurements of what she accomplished (the report to First Lady Obama).Most candidates need more quantifiables like that. This candidate, however, needed fewer, Weiner said. In fact, candidates with such a depth of experience need to avoid deluging resume readers with a flood of information. After all, Weiner said, most will only spend less than a minute on a resume.In determining what to cut from the resume before presenting it to his client, Weiner focused on weeding out “anything redundant with experience she stated before.”

ASME Launches New MasterClass Series on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Piping Technologies

ASME Launches New MasterClass Series on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Piping Technologies ASME Launches New MasterClass Series on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Piping Technologies ASME Launches New MasterClass Series on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Piping Technologies ASME Training Development will present seven courses from its MasterClass Series on Boiler, Pressure Vessel and Piping Technologies this November in New Orleans. The series examines new technologies and the critical rules and applications of ASME Codes and Standards that help improve plant integrity and reduce maintenance costs. Led by recognized experts who are also ASME code leaders, ASME MasterClasses are practical, case study-driven training sessions aimed at experienced professionals that emphasize learning through discussion of real world case studies and practical applications. Unlike traditional classroom teaching formats, ASME MasterClasses stress interactive collaboration and knowledge-sharing, where participants may actively contribute to the discussion and have an opportunity to share real-life experiences with other members of the class. MasterClass attendees are eligible to receive continuing education units (CEUs) upon the completion of each course. The seven courses, to be offered Nov. 10-13 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, will include Design by Analysis Requirements in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, Division 2 - Alternative Rules on Nov. 10; Techniques and Methods Used in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 for Advanced Fitness-For-Service (FFS) Assessments on Nov. 11; and Bases and Application of Heat Exchanger Mechanical Design Rules in Section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and Bases and Application of Piping Flexibility Analysis to ASME B31 Codes on Nov. 10 and 11. Filling out the slate of MasterClasses in New Orleans will be Repair Strategies and Considerations for Pressure Vessels and Piping on Nov. 12; Bases and Application of Piping Flexibility Analysis to ASME B31 Codes on Nov. 12 and 13; and Piping Vibration Causes and Remedies - A Practical Approach, also on Nov. 12 and 13. Early bird registration is available through Oct. 13. Registrants can also receive a 15 percent discount by signing up for two of the MasterClasses, or 20 percent when they register for three or more. For more information on combination discount pricing, contact John Yelavich, ASME Customer Care, at (973) 244-2213 or yelavichj@asme.org. For more details on the ASME MasterClasses in New Orleans, visit http://go.asme.org/MCseriesNov2014 or contact Jennifer Delda, Seminars Workshops, at (212) 591-7108 or deldaj@asme.org.

New Uber Offices for Self-Driving Research Will Blow Your Mind

New Uber Offices for Self-Driving Research Will Blow Your Mind New Uber Offices for Self-Driving Research Will Blow Your Mind “What is it like to work for Uber?” I used to ask all Uber drivers during my first months of using the app. Some of the answers were positive, others not so much. If they had a reason to complain, however, their dissatisfaction almost always stemmed from Uber’s wider issues as a company. New Uber offices in Pittsburgh is the place where the company seeks to remedy these issues once and for all. And they seem to have a clear vision of what should be the solution. I’m talking, of course, about the self-driving car. The architects at Assembly Design Studio, who stand behind the new Uber offices, clearly understand this. They envisioned the building as a cathedral to Pittsburgh’s long history of industrial production as well as the self-driving car itself. These Uber offices stand as a cathedral to Pittsburgh’s long history of industrial production and the self-driving car itself. Everything in this 80.000 sf warehouse space is white. The interior would seem almost sterile if it weren’t for the industrial-era materials complementing the bright white. Worn steel frames, glass walkways, and natural local hardwood, all evoke the city’s industrial past. These materials also indicate that this is not your usual technology startup. Instead, it’s a  space devoted to builders. Every work area has room for toolboxes, carts, and, of course, prototypes. Moreover, each space has an informal area, two small conference rooms, and six workstations. The emphasis on builders becomes apparent immediately upon entering the building. Blackened steel cover the walls of the lobby as a reference to Pittsburghs identity as “The City of Steel”. Then you enter the “Tunnel to the Future”. The series of ever evolving prototypes will remind you that progress always comes through a process of iteration. At the very center of the complex you can find a  showroom that acts as an “altar” to the autonomous car. Yet, even the showroom is based on function first, as it merges with a fully functional machine shop. This is the place where Uber engineers, builds, and tests its new autonomous vehicles. There’s much else to be said about Uber’s ATG center. In the end, these Uber offices are a testament to the blending of function and industrial aesthetics.Photos by Jasper Sanidad made for  Assembly Design  Studio Ever wondered what do 9gags or Spotifys offices look like? Dont wait and take a look inside the coolest offices from around the world here! Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments!

The Best Morning Routine Hacks Proven to Boost Productivity

The Best Morning Routine Hacks Proven to Boost Productivity The Best Morning Routine Hacks Proven to Boost Productivity Developing the perfect   morning routine  that maximizes your lifestyle and predilections - while squeezing the most productivity out of your days - is a trial-and-error process. You have to know yourself in order to customize the best morning routine, and one size doesn’t fit all. For example: Do you need coffee to even get into the shower? If the answer is a resounding “yes,”  consider building  it into your routine by preparing your coffee maker the night before. That way, you can wake up and immediately  hit the “on” switch. The good news is that some morning “best practices” have been shown to help successful business moguls and entrepreneurs make the most of their time and energy. Take a look to see which morning routine hacks you can build into your ritual to help you ramp up productivity and reach your goals. Not all wildly successful people are early risers, but it seems a  majority of them are. Richard Branson has   said , “No matter where I am in the world, I try to routinely wake up at around 5 a.m. By rising early, I’m able to do some exercise and spend time with my family, which puts me in a great mind frame before getting down to business.” Branson is joined by   other celebrated early risers , such as Apple CEO Tim Cook (4 a.m.), Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey (5 a.m.) and  Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz (4:30 a.m.). Research suggests  many successful people wake up well before the work day  begins. By doing the same, you can make time to exercise, walk your dog, meditate, spend time with family and get a jump on the day before you get worn down by your duties. Start your morning the evening before. It’s not until the end of one work day that you clearly understand what needs to get done the next work day. So before you log off, make a list of what you’d like to accomplish the following day, like entrepreneur and   Shark Tank  investor Kevin O’Leary does. He   has said , “Before I go to sleep, I write down three things that I have to get done the next morning before I take a call, write a text or an email or talk to anyone else except my family. And they can be random things, like ‘Call your daughter at school and ask about whether she’s done this or that’ or ‘Close a deal.’ What I found was once you get those three things done, the rest of your day becomes amazingly productive.” Do the hardest thing on your to-do list first. Author Mark Twain is cited to have said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” The adage suggests  completing your most difficult task first, and these words were embraced and demonstrated by overachievers for generations after. Gina Trapani, founding editor  of Lifehacker.com,   gave her take  on why: “First thing in the morning your mind is clear, the office is quiet, and you haven’t gotten pulled into six different directions - yet. It’s your one opportunity to prioritize the thing that matters to you most, before your phone starts ringing and email inbox starts dinging. By knocking out something important on your to-do list before anything else, you get both momentum and a sense of accomplishment before 10 a.m.” Tackle the hardest thing while you still have a significant  reserve of mental and physical energy. After you wake up, hydrate; you’ve just gone for a long stretch of time without drinking any water. Water perks you up and gets your muscles and organs working,   said Rania Batayneh , nutritionist and author of   The One One One Diet . “One of the biggest indicators of lethargy or low energy is that you are dehydrated.” That’s why power players like   Arianna Huffington , founder of both   The Huffington Post  and Thrive Global, and Kat Cole, president of FOCUS Brands (parent company of Auntie Anne’s, Carvel and Cinnabon), start their mornings with a tall glass of water. A   2016 study from CareerBuilder  suggests   cell phones and texting  are the biggest productivity killers at work. Constantly checking your smartphone can seriously impede your ability to focus and finish tasks, so it’s a good idea to limit your access by banishing it to a drawer except for designated times. You can also consider turning your phone off completely and turning it back on during lunch hour. Having trouble getting out of bed? Turn on multiple lights. Whether it’s natural or artificial, light is significant because it tells the brain that the day has begun and sends signals to the body to stop producing melatonin, the hormone that helps regular sleep,   said  Dr. W. Christopher Winter , medical director for the Martha Jefferson Hospital   Sleep Medicine Center  in Charlottesville, Va. “If it’s dark when you want to wake up - say, 5 a.m., for example - you can fool your brain into thinking the sun is up by using bright indoor lights,”   Winter said . Exercise first thing in the morning. Richard Branson, Sheryl Sandberg and Mark Zuckerberg all prioritize fitness upon waking. Exercise helps boost their energy, motivation, productivity and physical and mental stamina. Branson is a dedicated runner and cyclist, and he   credits exercise  for his ongoing productivity. “I definitely can achieve twice as much by keeping fit,”   Branson said . “It keeps the brain functioning well.” Science suggests a correlation between mental sharpness, memory and exercise. According to   Harvard Medical School’s journal , working out causes your brain to secrete a chemical called neurotrophic factor, which boosts brain function. Tony Robbins and Oprah Winfrey both opt for healthy, high-protein breakfasts to increase focus and productivity throughout the day. Lifestyle expert and registered dietician   Lisa De Fazio explained  that your first meal of the day should be a balance of high-fiber carbohydrates and lean protein. The former helps regulate blood sugar levels, while the  latter can help you feel full for longer. While   Robbins opts for a high-protein breakfast  and has been reported to favor unusual options like fish and salad or quinoa and hummus,   Winfrey is a fruit enthusiast  and typically enjoys berries and passion fruit alongside multigrain toast. Many moguls  meditate first thing in the morning. They’re not alone in this practice, and   studies show  that daily meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety. Meditation provides the mind with   a daily single-task workout  so you can remain focused on completing one thing at a time, instead of being mentally pulled in multiple directions. It can improve your  productivity by supporting your  ability to stay present. To get enough sleep, try to avoid drinking coffee five to seven hours before bedtime. Also, create a sleep-friendly environment in your bedroom that is free from screens (which could  hamper the production of melatonin). It’s a good idea to engage in a sleep routine that cues your body that it’s time for bed, which could mean  anything from a warm bath to reading a book, and aim for   seven to nine hours of sleep  a night. Arianna Huffington became a well-known “sleep crusader” after she collapsed from exhaustion in 2007 and wrote a book called   The Sleep Revolution  about the importance of quality rest. Her nightly routine was   detailed in   Fast Company :  â€œFirst, she turns off all her devices 30 minutes prior to bedtime and escorts them outside of her bedroom. Next, she takes a hot bath, which ‘washes away the day, slows down my brain, and winds down [the] body.’ She opts for dedicated pajamas instead of what she used to wear to bed - gym clothes - and only reads physical books that ‘have nothing to do with work’ when she’s under the covers. These tend to be poetry, philosophy and fictional books.” Huffington tops off her ritual with writing down three things she’s grateful for. To avoid “decision fatigue,” don’t waste time or brainpower making low-level decisions. You can minimize these by creating a routine for choices like what you’ll wear and eat on a certain day. Mark Zuckerberg has built this strategy into his routine by famously wearing a uniform of sorts every day - a gray T-shirt and hoodie - and he’s not alone in this approach. Barack Obama took a similar   approach to his clothes  and breakfast. Jack Dorsey has regular morning rituals as well and has   said : “I look to build a lot of consistent routine.  Same thing every day.” Dorsey said it helps enable  him to be effective during unpredictable moments that can come with  running two companies. Life coach and author Tony Robbins has a daily morning ritual that includes acknowledging what he’s grateful for in his life. “[I do] three and a half minutes of pure gratitude about three things,”   Robbins said . “I pick one of those three to be simple … the wind on my face, my children’s faces, anything.” This daily practice can not only push your mindset in a positive direction but also help overpower discouraging emotions like fear and anger. In   one study , scientists instructed  a group of a people with a neuromuscular condition to  keep a daily gratitude journal, while another group kept a daily journal recording hassles of their days. The first group reported being 25 percent happier  compared to those participating in the hassle condition. According to the study, “They exercised an average of 1.5 hours more  and reported less physical symptoms (like headaches, shortness of breath  and chest pain).” Reading is strongly correlated to success factors like income level and job position, according to Tom Corley, author of   Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals .  Driven individuals read not only to learn and achieve more in their industry but also to be aware of current events and how they affect their businesses. Many business moguls read in the morning, including Warren Buffett and Richard Branson.   “Exercise and family time put me in a great mind frame before getting down to business,”   wrote Richard Branson on his blog . Jeff Bezos also reportedly eats a leisurely breakfast with his family. It makes sense: Many people feel they have the most energy and heightened ability to focus in the morning,  and breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day. Combining a time when you’ve got energy with spending time with your family can lead to genuine happiness before tackling the day ahead. This article was originally published by Entrepreneur.com . Reprinted with permission.