Author: trainitright

Half of U.S. Workers Trapped in Busy Work: New Report Exposes Widespread Productivity Crisis

Resume Now uncovers how busy work undermines productivity, with over half of employees feeling unable to drive change in their organizations.

GUAYNABO, PR, February 3, 2025 — ResumeNow®, a career service dedicated to empowering job seekers, has released its Productivity Drain Report, revealing that busy work—tasks with little meaningful impact—dominates American workplaces. According to the survey of 1,130 U.S. workers, 51% say their tasks often or always involve busy work, consuming over 16 hours per week for nearly one in five workers.  Alarmingly, 54% report feeling powerless to address this productivity drain within their organizations.

Key Findings:

• 51% say their work often or always involves busy work
• 44% of workers have experienced multiple abandoned projects without explanation
• 54% of employees feel they lack a voice in addressing inefficiencies
• 37% report that busy work constitutes 25–50% of their daily workload and another 10% say more than half of their daily work is busy work
• 29% of workers estimate they spend at least a quarter of their week on busy work

Busy Work Dominates Workloads:

Busy work—tasks that create the appearance of productivity without contributing to meaningful results—has become a persistent issue in U.S. workplaces:

• 23% say their work “always” involves busy work.
• 28% feel it “often” does.
• 34% say it happens “sometimes.”
• Only 3% say they “never” encounter busy work.

Time Lost to Busy Work:

When asked how much of their workload is dedicated to busy work:

• 37% say between 25% and 50% of their tasks qualify as busy work.
• 10% report more than half of their daily workload is busy work.
• A quarter (29%) spend at least 11 hours a week on busy work—equating to more than 28% of their workweek.
• 17% spend over 16 hours weekly on these low-impact tasks.

Abandoned Projects Highlight Organizational Inefficiency:

The issue extends beyond individual responsibilities, with organizational inefficiencies exacerbating the problem:

• 44% of workers report experiencing multiple abandoned projects without explanation, wasting time and resources.
• These abandoned efforts waste time, resources, and employee morale.

Employees Feel Disempowered to Drive Change:

Employees are frustrated by their inability to influence meaningful change:

• 54% say they don’t have a voice in addressing inefficiencies.
• 45% feel their suggestions are considered but rarely acted upon.
• Only 46% of respondents believe their employers actively support improvements to processes and efficiency.

“This report reveals a widespread productivity crisis caused by busy work,” said Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now. “Employees are dedicating hours each week to meaningless tasks, feeling unheard when they propose solutions, and watching projects get abandoned. Businesses must address these inefficiencies to unlock meaningful productivity gains and improve employee engagement.”

To view the full report with more information, please visit 

https://www.resume-now.com/job-resources/careers/productivity-drain-report or contact Joseph Santaella at joseph.santaella@bold.com.

Methodology

The findings presented were obtained by surveying 1,130 American workers on November 27, 2024 about how they feel busy work impacts their productivity. They answered different types of questions, including yes/no, open-ended, scale-based questions where respondents indicated their level of agreement with statements, and multiple-choice where they could select from a list of provided options.

 About Resume Now 

Since 2005, Resume Now has offered job seekers a fast and easy way to create a beautifully designed, expert-backed resume. With pre-written, industry-specific phrases and recruiter-approved templates, the award-winning builder enables users to create a polished and professional resume in minutes. Resume Now has been featured in major outlets such as Fortune, Forbes, and more. Stay connected with Resume Now’s latest updates on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Convenience Stores Evolve to Become True Food Destinations

Variety of offerings, private label brands and loyalty programs fuel in-store sales growth

DENVER (January 29, 2025)—Convenience stores are intensifying their focus on foodservice offerings to drive foot traffic, in-store sales growth and frequency of repeat visits. Strong consumer interest in prepared foods, commissary and beverage options has led convenience stores, often referred to as c-stores, to compete much more aggressively with quick service restaurants and fast-food chains. 

The focus on offering a wider variety of prepared and ready-to-eat food items is clearly paying off, as c-stores registered record sales in 2023. Those gains are largely attributable to in-store sales, which grew 8% year-over-year in both 2022 and 2023 according to Circana, well ahead of overall inflation numbers for both food at and away from home. While sales appeared to soften in 2024, a Convenience Store News survey found two-thirds of c-store retailers predict total sales per store will grow in 2025.

According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, the line between grocery stores, quick-service restaurants and c-stores will continue to blur, intensifying competition across the foodservice and retail grocery spectrum. C-store chains are increasingly viewing QSR and traditional fast-food chains as their chief competition and tailoring their food offerings to match if not exceed competitors’ menu options. 

“Convenience stores have evolved from their gas-fueled beginnings to become true food and beverage destinations,” said Billy Roberts, food & beverage economist with CoBank. “Food service is the future for c-stores, and we expect they’ll continue to emulate their competitors with a greater variety of freshly prepared items, along with more attention to signature menu items and private label products.”  

The emergence of c-stores as formidable destinations for prepared foods hasn’t gone unnoticed by major food manufacturers. Several leading food brands have taken the merger and acquisition route to enter the c-store channel. J.M. Smucker cites c-store distribution as an important reason behind its early 2024 acquisition of Hostess Brands. 

Similarly, Hormel Foods dramatically expanded its c-store penetration with its 2021 purchase of Planters and Corn Nuts brands. Hormel has subsequently leveraged those newfound distribution relationships to bring more of its products to c-stores, including pizza toppings and bacon.

C-store kitchens are seeking quick and easily prepared products. Hormel is among the suppliers that has found c-stores to be something of a testing ground for new flavors and product concepts. For example, the key distinction of Hormel’s Bacon 1 isn’t necessarily flavor but ease for the operator. The fully cooked product heats quickly, enabling c-store operators to easily add bacon to a host of their menu options. 

Customer loyalty programs are also playing a significant role in the success c-stores have had with food sales and repeat visits. Several c-stores have developed loyal followings on a near-nationwide scale. The 2024 Loyalty Trend Report from Paytronix finds at least 80% of c-stores’ loyalty program members in the top half of loyalty transaction visits per store every month. 

“This enthusiasm for loyalty programs will be a tool that c-stores look to sharpen as they attempt to claim more traffic from restaurants, which have seen weak results of late,” said Roberts. 

Read the report, C-stores Evolve from Gas-N-Grub to True Food Destinations.

About CoBank

CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 77,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.

CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

The Wage Crisis of 2025: 73% of Workers Struggle Beyond Basic Living Expenses

Resume Now’s Wage Reality Report reveals widespread financial insecurity

January 23, 2025 – A new survey from Resume Now® reveals that financial stress is at a breaking point for American workers, with 73% struggling to afford anything beyond basic living expenses. The findings, highlighted in The 2025 Wage Reality Report, show dissatisfaction with salaries, surging living costs, and an impact on workplace morale. The report surveyed 1,065 U.S. workers in December 2024 and underscores a growing disconnect between wages and the cost of modern living.

Key Findings:

• 12% often cannot afford basic living expenses, and 24% struggle to cover essentials
• Only 6% are able to save for the future
• One-third of workers say their salary has not kept up with inflation
• 55% think their salary is lower than it should be 
• 29% have moved to lower-cost areas or housing to navigate financial strain
• 3 in 10 have taken on debt to cover living expenses
• Only 4% of workers feel truly valued in their role

"With nearly three-quarters of workers struggling to afford more than the basics, this report highlights a growing financial crisis that affects workers across all income levels," says Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now. "Rising costs, stagnant wages, and a lack of meaningful support from employers are creating a perfect storm of stress, dissatisfaction, and instability in the workforce."

Basic Living Expenses Remain a Struggle for Many

Meeting basic living expenses remains a significant challenge for many workers. 

• 12% report they often cannot afford basic living expenses.
• 24% can afford essentials but struggle to do so.
• 37% can manage basic expenses but with limited room for extras.
• 21% can comfortably afford basic living essentials and some extras.
• 6% say they can easily afford basic living expenses and save for the future. 

Why Workers are Struggling
 

The top financial concerns among workers are:

1. Rising housing costs (55%)
2. Increasing prices for everyday essentials (41%)
3. Salaries failing to keep up with inflation (34%)
4. The inability to save for emergencies or the future (33%)

Coping With Financial Stress

To navigate this financial strain, many workers are forced to make tough decisions:

• 44% sought financial help from friends or family.
• 38% relied on community or government aid.
• 35% reduced or eliminated savings.
• 29% moved to lower-cost areas or housing.
• 28% took on debt to cover living expenses.

Lower-income workers are more likely to seek outside help (53%) or take on debt (42%).

Workplace Impacts: Morale, Motivation, and Resentment

Salary dissatisfaction is eroding workplace dynamics. Fifty-five percent of workers say their salary is lower than it should be, with subsequent results:

• 22% feel unappreciated, which affects team morale.
• 21% report tension or competition with colleagues.
• Only 4% feel truly valued in their roles.

How Workers Feel About Their Paychecks

Workers have mixed feelings about salary fairness:

• 55% think their salary is lower than it should be.
• 23% feel their salary is fair.
• 22% feel their salary is higher than warranted.

What Workers Want From Employers

Workers are asking for meaningful changes—better benefits, transparency in pay, and opportunities for skill development:

• 52% want better benefits like healthcare and retirement matching.
• 40% demand clear pathways to career growth and salary increases.
• 34% seek education and certifications to improve earning potential.

To view the full report with more information, please visit https://www.resume-now.com/job-resources/careers/wage-reality-report or contact Joseph Santaella at joseph.santaella@bold.com. 

Methodology:

The findings provided were gathered through a survey conducted with 1,065 American workers on December 11, 2024. Participants were queried about their feelings around their salaries and their current financial situation. Participants responded to various question types, including yes/no questions, open-ended questions, scale-based questions gauging agreement levels, and questions that permitted the selection of multiple options from a list of answers.

About Resume Now 

Since 2005, Resume Now has offered job seekers a fast and easy way to create a beautifully designed, expert-backed resume. With pre-written, industry-specific phrases and recruiter-approved templates, the award-winning builder enables users to create a polished and professional resume in minutes. Resume Now has been featured in major outlets such as Fortune, Forbes, and more. Stay connected with Resume Now’s latest updates on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Get ready to pucker up! I am thrilled to announce the launch of Legions TWO brand new, mouth-watering Creatine Gummy flavors: Sour Watermelon and Sour Blue Raspberry! 🎉

These new sour flavors are packed with the same great creatine you expect, now with a tangy twist that's perfect for a pre- or post-workout treat.

• Effective: Delivering 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving, supported by 19 peer-reviewed scientific studies showing it boosts muscle and strength gain, improves muscular endurance, reduces muscle damage and soreness, and more.
• Convenient: Easy to take on the go, no water or mixing required.
• High-Quality: Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients in NSF-certified and FDA-inspected facilities that adhere to Current Good Manufacturing Practice standards. They also contain no artificial fillers, food dyes, or other chemical junk, and are analyzed for purity and potency in a state-of-the-art ISO 17025 accredited lab.
• Backed by Science: Our formula and dose are supported by 19 peer-reviewed scientific studies.
• Transparent: Total formulation transparency (no proprietary blends).
• Risk-Free: Backed by our “No Return Necessary” money-back guarantee. If your followers don’t absolutely love our creatine gummies, just have them let us know, and we’ll give a full refund on the spot. No forms or returns necessary.

Hundreds of Studies Show Efficacy of One Particular Brain Fitness Program

San Francisco, January 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — New data from papers published in science and medical journals in 2024 shows tremendous growth in the evidence of efficacy of one particular brain fitness product: BrainHQ from Posit Science.  The widely used web, Android, and iOS app was the subject of another 55 published journal articles in 2024. 

There are now some 300 published peer-reviewed studies on the efficacy of BrainHQ, including 96 studies in healthy older adults, 4 studies in workplace performance, and 200 studies across a wide range of health conditions — including brain injuries (stroke, mild to severe traumatic brain injuries, chemobrain, cardiobrain, HIV Associated Neurological Decline, diabetes, movement disorders, autism, ADHD, and substance use, sleep, and conduct disorders); mental illnesses (depression, schizophrenia, bipolar); and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s dementia, pre-dementia, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis).

BrainHQ is an outlier in the field. According to a comprehensive systematic review of commercially-available brain training and brain games targeting older adults, the lion’s share of such offerings have zero peer-reviewed studies showing efficacy.

“We work with a global network of more than 500 university-based researchers,” observed Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science. “They have helped us design, test, refine, and validate our offerings. Thousands of hours of work go into a typical study, and those researchers are the real heroes in advancing our knowledge of the mechanics of brain plasticity and how we can harness it to drive gains in three critical areas: cognitive performance, everyday activities, and the health of the brain as an organ.”

For example, studies in prior years have shown the link between the exercises driving gains in cognitive performance and everyday activity and causing physical changes in the brain (e.g., the speed, accuracy, and strength of neural responses, the integrity of the insulation that surrounds neural connections, the functional connectivity between disparate regions of the brain, and hippocampal volume).  The 2024 BETTER Aging study nicely expanded on those results through imaging, by showing not just gains in cognitive performance but also better maintenance of brain biomarkers of age-related atrophy. 

Similarly, the J-MINT PRIME Tamba study from Japan (using a Japanese version of BrainHQ exercises) expanded on prior studies by showing the training can drive significant gains in cognition even among those at elevated risk of dementia (in this study, due to hypertension and/or diabetes). The study compared three different types of lifestyle interventions (diet, physical exercise, and brain exercise) against a control and found a 41% gain in a standard measure of global cognition in the brain exercise group using BrainHQ.

A study from Brazil in healthy older adults (using the Portuguese version of BrainHQ exercises), also showed significant gains in global cognition after 20 hours of training, which gains still persisted at the five-month follow-up.

A trio of studies of BrainHQ cognitive assessments were published in 2024. Two looked at the widely used BrainHQ UFOV® assessment, which measures speed of processing and useful field of view. A study from China used the UFOV assessment to evaluate brains of ping pong players and found an association between UFOV performance and brain health as measured through brain imaging. A study among patients with HIV Associated Neurological Decline found greater amounts of BrainHQ training showed greater gains in UFOV scores, even two years after training.  In addition, a study on the norming and validation of dozens of new 3-minute remote BrainHQ assessments has cleared the path for using those assessments in a variety of contexts to establish baselines and ongoing monitoring of cognitive status — much as people are able to do at home with blood pressure or glucose levels.

Other studies in 2024 deepened understanding of the impacts of BrainHQ training across some previously studied health conditions, including: stroke, TBI, Chemobrain, HAND, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, pre-dementia, and cognitive aging. 

Prior to 2024, many studies had been published in various types of pre-dementia and dementia (e.g., MCI, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s); however, 2024 saw the first BrainHQ case study in frontotemporal dementia published.

Also in 2024, there were more studies looking at the combined impact of BrainHQ and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which is also believed to enhance brain plasticity. Such trials had mixed results with some showing greater gains for combined intervention, but others showing no better results than using BrainHQ alone.

Among the 15 review articles citing BrainHQ in 2024 was one from a research team at the University of Hong Kong. That review cited thirty-five studies in dementia and pre-dementia, showing training improved memory. These findings align with the 2024 World Health Organization guidelines recommending cognitive training in dementia.

Benefits have been shown in hundreds of studies of BrainHQ, including significant gains in standard measures of cognition (attention, processing speed, memory, and decision making), in standard measures of quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, safety, health-related quality of life) and in real-world measures (health outcomes, balance, driving, hearing, and work). BrainHQ is now offered, without charge, as a benefit by leading national and 5-star Medicare Advantage plans and by leading medical centers, clinics, and communities. Consumers can try a BrainHQ exercise for free daily at http://www.brainhq.com. 

Big News: I’m Officially Partnering with Legion Supplements!

I’m beyond excited to announce that I now have a special code with Legion Supplements, one of the top supplement brands in the fitness industry!

Why Legion?

Legion isn’t just another supplement company. They’re dedicated to creating products backed by science, formulated with clinically effective doses, and made with high-quality, all-natural ingredients. Here’s what makes Legion stand out:

• No artificial junk: No artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.
• Transparency: Every product lists its ingredients and dosages—no proprietary blends, no guessing.
• Science-driven formulas: Each product is carefully formulated based on research and clinical studies to ensure it delivers real results.
• Third-party tested: You know exactly what you’re putting into your body.

Why I’m Excited to Partner with Legion

As a fitness coach, kinesiologist, and IFBB Pro, I’ve always been passionate about fueling my body with the best. Legion aligns perfectly with my mission to help others achieve their goals in a healthy and sustainable way. Whether you're aiming to build muscle, improve performance, or boost recovery, their supplements provide the support you need.

What This Means for You

You can now use my exclusive code to save on all your Legion purchases! Keep an eye on my page for recommendations, tips, and reviews of my favorite products from their lineup.

I’m thrilled to partner with a brand that truly cares about quality and results. If you’ve been looking for supplements to take your fitness journey to the next level, Legion is the way to go!

Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s crush our goals together!

https://legionathletics.rfrl.co/5e9np - Is my affiliate link to order legion supplements!

You can save 20% on your first order with code: trainitright and then use the code to collect reward points on your following orders!

I was contacted by theFounder of FeedSpot who personally congratulated me @trainitright that I was selected by their panelist as one of the Top 35 Toronto Fitness Influencers on the web.

https://influencers.feedspot.com/toronto_fitness_instagram_influencers

According to her this is the most comprehensive list of Top 35 Toronto Fitness Influencers on the internet and I'm honored to be part of this!

Thank you so much guys! I can't wait to see what 2025 will bring!

Emerging focus on brain health among several Rice researchers’ expertise 

HOUSTON – (Jan. 15, 2025) – Brain health is a key factor in workforce well-being and organizational success and carries a deep-seated impact on economic development. In growing recognition of the role of the human brain as foundational to economies around the globe — both in terms of the costs associated with brain disease and as individual and collective brain capital — the notion of “brain economy” has emerged as a topic of interest for organizations such as the World Economic Forum, the United Nations General Assembly, the World Health Assembly, G7, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, UNESCO, UNICEF, the European Commission and the UN Council of Parties.

Rice University is a hub of cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research on the brain. In addition to a critical mass of researchers in the field, Rice is home to entities dedicated to collaborative clinical and scientific research on the brain:

● The Rice Neuroengineering Initiative harnesses Rice’s world-class expertise in neuroscience, engineering and related fields like signal processing, biosciences and nanotechnology to explore neural function and interactions with the brain.

● The Center for Neural Systems Restauration (CNSR), a collaboration between Rice and Houston Methodist, is an interdisciplinary center for neuroscience research and medical treatment innovation designed to bring together scientists, clinicians, engineers and surgeons to tackle complex brain-related medical challenges like stroke recovery, mild traumatic brain injury detection, upper and lower limb mobility restoration, balance and biofeedback training.

● The Neuro-Policy Program at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy leads an interdisciplinary approach to addressing brain health challenges and advancing economic opportunity. The program is at the forefront of pioneering data analysis, empirical research and policy application.

As employers, policymakers, health care providers, educators and other stakeholders continue to engage this topic, Rice experts are ready to offer their insight on scientific and biomedical advancements relevant to brain health.

Policy, leadership and the brain economy

● Harris Eyre is the Harry Z. Yan and Weiman Gao Senior Fellow in Brain Health at the Baker Institute, where he leads its Neuro-Policy Program. With a background in medicine, neuroscience and business, Eyre is an entrepreneur and scholar dedicated to fostering awareness, knowledge, skills, tools and leadership for the brain economy. He works closely with the McKinsey Health Institute and is a member of the Champion’s Cabinet of the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative and the Cancer Neuroscience Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He also is an adjunct with the University of California, San Francisco.

Brain science and technology

● Behnaam Aazhang is the J.S. Abercrombie Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and director of the Neuroengineering Initiative. Aazhang’s research interests are focused on developing noninvasive tools to interface with neurological systems that examine neuronal circuit connectivity through the study of processes such as learning, sleep, seizures and more. His work includes projects dedicated to the development of minimally and noninvasive real-time neuromodulation systems to mitigate disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, depression, obesity and mild traumatic brain injury.

● Valentin Dragoi’s work examines how networks of cortical neurons encode information and how this process influences behavioral decisions in real time using a combination of electrophysiological, behavioral and computational methods. Dragoi is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Rice, the Rosemary and Daniel J. Harrison III Presidential Distinguished Chair in Neuroprosthetics at Houston Methodist and professor of neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical College. He also serves as scientific director of the CNSR.

● Caleb Kemere, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and bioengineering at Rice, develops novel hardware and machine learning algorithms to understand how information is processed, stored and retrieved in vivo in the mammalian brain. In particular, a key area of Kemere’s focus is to understand how the activity of neural circuits during sleep and other offline periods helps to create stable, useful memories.

● Marcia O’Malley, Rice’s Thomas Michael Panos Family Professor in Mechanical Engineering, researches haptics and robotics with a focus on the design and control of wearable robotic devices for training and rehabilitation from injury such as a stroke. Forging new ways to leverage human-robot collaboration, O’Malley has led the development of robotic hardware and control systems for applications such as skill training in virtual reality; control of remote robots; communication; and movement assistance for workforce safety, dexterity and strength enhancement.

● Jacob Robinson is a professor of electrical and computer engineering and bioengineering at Rice and founder and CEO of Motif Neurotech, a startup focused on developing therapeutic brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies to measure and regulate mental and cognitive states beginning with treatment-resistant depression. Robinson’s research efforts inform the development of next-generation implantable BCIs with improved performance and reduced surgical risk.

● Jerzy Szablowski, assistant professor of bioengineering, works on technologies to noninvasively control and monitor specific brain circuits without wearable or implanted devices. His technologies include synthetic serum markers that can monitor gene expression in the brain with a simple blood test, designer vectors for noninvasive gene delivery to the brain and site-specific therapeutics that can control selected brain circuits to avoid side effects associated with current brain therapies.

Brain health in the workplace

● Margaret Beier, professor and department chair of psychological sciences, examines how motivational and situational components and traits such as cognitive ability and personality are related to intellectual development throughout the lifespan with a current focus on workplace aging and continuous employment. Beier also studies predictors of performance in achievement settings and achievement-related choices throughout the career lifespan.

● Rebecca Brossoit is an assistant professor of psychological sciences whose research examines the health, safety and well-being of working populations. Brossoit studies employee sleep, organizational strategies and interventions for improving employees’ lives at work and home and the impacts of the built and natural environment on employee well-being.

Creativity, innovation and organizational behavior

● Jing Zhou is deputy dean of academic affairs for the Jones Graduate School of Business and the Mary Gibbs Jones Professor of Management and Psychology. Her research interests are leading innovation; contextual and personal factors that facilitate or inhibit creativity and innovation; creativity receiving; consequences of creativity; cross-cultural differences in antecedents and consequences of creativity; and creativity in entrepreneurship.

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