The results mirror previous surveys conducted in 2002, 1998 and 1987.

Accountemps offers the following advice for maintaining a high level of productivity throughout the entire week:

• Make a plan. Spend 10 to 15 minutes at the beginning of each day mapping out your desired accomplishments. Prioritize the tasks that are most important to the business.
• Sharpen your focus. People are more productive when working for an extended period in the same mental mode, as opposed to changing gears frequently. Try to cluster tasks that require similar effort or resources in the same time frame.
• Limit distractions. It can be tempting to review e-mail each time a message arrives. However, unless your job requires an immediate response, it's often best to check your inbox periodically throughout the day.
• Don't delay. Even peak performers occasionally put off working on unpleasant or overwhelming assignments. One effective way to overcome procrastination is to break a project into smaller, more manageable tasks.
• Recharge. Taking short breaks throughout the day can help you replenish your energy and fight fatigue.

New Entry for Workplace Dictionary: Green-Collar Job. Touted by the presidential candidates as an up-and-coming engine for job growth, these well- paying occupations will flourish due to growing concern about the environment. Companies in every industry are seeking ways to be more eco-friendly in their operations as well as products and services. (Source: Challenger, Gray & Christmas) [Editor's Note: See the Green Collar entry in our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms for a slightly different definition.]

Those considering a job change seek many sources of guidance, but the opinion they value most often comes from the person closest to them. Nearly half (46 percent) of executives polled said they turn first to spouses or significant others for advice when evaluating a potential job change, up from 42 percent in 2002. The survey also shows mentors carry greater clout than five years ago: 41 percent respondents said they would consult their mentors first, compared to 28 percent in 2002.

The national poll included responses from 150 senior executives with the nation's 1,000 largest companies conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Accountemps.

Besides spouses/significant others and mentors, advisers cited included coworkers, other family members, friends, and "someone else."

Along with seeking advice from family, friends and mentors, Accountemps advises professionals to consider the following questions before making a career transition:

• Is the grass really greener? If you once were satisfied in your present job, what changed? Will the new position be more fulfilling, or would you be better off trying to enhance your current role so it includes more of the duties you enjoy?
• Will you have room to grow? When considering a new position, ask about advancement potential. If a career dead-end is prompting your desire to make a change, you want to be sure you don't end up in the same situation at a different company in a year or two.
• Have you done your homework? Is the firm in good financial condition? Have you researched the industry, and the company's mission and values? Try to determine if the new work environment will appeal to you.