First we have New Year's resolutions and now we have Lent. That time of year when yet again we find something to give up for the next forty days. Instead of thinking of the bad habits you could stop for Lent, what new, good habits could you adopt instead?
Traditionally people give up things like: cigarettes, chocolate, alcohol, tea, coffee, biscuits etc.
40 days is an excellent length of time to create a good habit. New habits take about a month to form, so what new habits could you adopt over that time. How about:
Giving up ... being lazy - join an exercise class or get out for a walk/run 3-4 times each week.
Giving up ... being unhealthy - eat more fruit and vegetables - get my Tips to Improve Your Eating Habits.
Giving up ... spending too long at work - stop working an hour earlier every day.
Giving up ... being tired - get an extra hour's sleep each night.
Giving up ... being stressed - take time to relax every day.
Giving up ... tolerations - what are you tolerating?
In all cultures and all religions to feast is to celebrate and to fast is to purify, bringing mind and body into balance. What do you need to do to bring your life and body back into balance?
Time management solutions for busy people - organise your business, your life and have fun.
A Chance Meeting
I was awake far too early this morning and listened to On Your Farm on Radio 4. A young couple - Shell and Phil, who were selling their house in Wales to buy a small-holding and become self sufficient. They already have 3 allotments and 30 chickens but becoming totally self-sufficient is something different.
What actually caught my ear is how they met. On a train. Shell was very ill at the time and had to keep dashing to the toilet. This total stranger was concerned for her welfare and looked after her during their shared journey and gave her his number just to check she got home OK. Isn't it it strange how these serendipitous moments, meeting a total stranger, can have such a huge impact on our lives. Who would have thought that she'd meet her life partner on a train and that they'd end up having so much in common that they are now looking at changing their lives so completely, leaving their homes, giving up their jobs and going to do what they believe in and enjoy. As Phil observed at one point "people are more interested in status, possession and short-term gains rather than investing in the longer-term".
I can think of many instances when I've met a total strange (just a friend you haven't met yet) who has turned out to become a very good friend.
What actually caught my ear is how they met. On a train. Shell was very ill at the time and had to keep dashing to the toilet. This total stranger was concerned for her welfare and looked after her during their shared journey and gave her his number just to check she got home OK. Isn't it it strange how these serendipitous moments, meeting a total stranger, can have such a huge impact on our lives. Who would have thought that she'd meet her life partner on a train and that they'd end up having so much in common that they are now looking at changing their lives so completely, leaving their homes, giving up their jobs and going to do what they believe in and enjoy. As Phil observed at one point "people are more interested in status, possession and short-term gains rather than investing in the longer-term".
I can think of many instances when I've met a total strange (just a friend you haven't met yet) who has turned out to become a very good friend.
Write It Down
Something I often suggest to my clients is to keep a journal and write in it every morning. Or if they're dealing with a particularly difficult problem to write it down. Get everything out on paper. The issue, your feelings, whatever is coming up for you at the time. Get it out of your head and write it down.
It can take some of the emotional sting out of it by seeing it in writing or finding the words to express what you feel.
There is a book by Julia Cameron called The Artists Way and in it she describes something called the Morning Pages. You write these every morning, as soon as you get up - before you do anything else. Write three pages of whatever comes to mind. It literally is a brain dump or a 'stream of consciousness'. Anything goes and it doesn't matter what you're writing as no-one is going to read it and you don't read it once it's done - at least not for a while. The interesting stuff comes afterwards once you've unblocked your creativity.
It can take some of the emotional sting out of it by seeing it in writing or finding the words to express what you feel.
It can help get it into perspective. Sometimes just writing it down can help you feel that maybe it's not that bad.
If you're dealing with a problem, getting it all out of your head can then leave space for the subconscious to get to work and come up with a solution.
If you are having a communication problem with someone - work, family or partner. Write down what you feel. What is it that you would like to say to them?
Give it a try. Get a notebook or journal and each morning or in a quiet time, just start to write. Don't worry about spelling, neatness, grammar - just write as it comes.There is a book by Julia Cameron called The Artists Way and in it she describes something called the Morning Pages. You write these every morning, as soon as you get up - before you do anything else. Write three pages of whatever comes to mind. It literally is a brain dump or a 'stream of consciousness'. Anything goes and it doesn't matter what you're writing as no-one is going to read it and you don't read it once it's done - at least not for a while. The interesting stuff comes afterwards once you've unblocked your creativity.
The Power of Nature
It must be stormy out there. I can hear the sea from my garden and I'm about 1/2 a mile from the coast. I'll find out when I drive into town later. It was windy overnight but the sun's out and I bet the waves are crashing on the shore.
I sat and watched a documentary last night, about the 1979 Fastnet Race in which 16 people lost their lives when Force 10 winds devasted over 300 boats. Unimaginable what they must have gone through with those horrendous conditions and the horror of being capsized by massive waves and surviving for hours in small liferafts before being rescued.
I've sailed before, something I only started a few years ago. I did a race a couple of years ago where we raced from the Isle of Wight down to Falmouth with the intention of sailing across the Bay of Biscay to southern Spain. The trip to Falmouth was bad enough, the first time I've felt really sea-sick and got cold and wet having to be up on deck for most of the trip, in the dark, rather than be rolled around down below.
We decided not to do the second leg which was just as well, as there were Force 10 winds in the Bay and many of the crews ended up deck for 2 days because it was too rough to go below for more than a few minutes. I enjoy sailing and even the odd rough sea gets the adrenalin going and can be exhilarating (when it's all over) but that really isn't my idea of fun. An experience certainly but definitely not fun.
It all goes to reinforce the power of nature and that, when it comes down to it, we really are very insignificant in the grand scheme of things. You can never hold back the force of a hurricane or the power of an earthquake. Look at the devastation of the Boxing Day Tsunami, the city of New Orleans laid bare and the impact of the earthquake in Pakistan.
We may think we have the upper hand in the end, nature will always win.
I sat and watched a documentary last night, about the 1979 Fastnet Race in which 16 people lost their lives when Force 10 winds devasted over 300 boats. Unimaginable what they must have gone through with those horrendous conditions and the horror of being capsized by massive waves and surviving for hours in small liferafts before being rescued.
I've sailed before, something I only started a few years ago. I did a race a couple of years ago where we raced from the Isle of Wight down to Falmouth with the intention of sailing across the Bay of Biscay to southern Spain. The trip to Falmouth was bad enough, the first time I've felt really sea-sick and got cold and wet having to be up on deck for most of the trip, in the dark, rather than be rolled around down below.
We decided not to do the second leg which was just as well, as there were Force 10 winds in the Bay and many of the crews ended up deck for 2 days because it was too rough to go below for more than a few minutes. I enjoy sailing and even the odd rough sea gets the adrenalin going and can be exhilarating (when it's all over) but that really isn't my idea of fun. An experience certainly but definitely not fun.
It all goes to reinforce the power of nature and that, when it comes down to it, we really are very insignificant in the grand scheme of things. You can never hold back the force of a hurricane or the power of an earthquake. Look at the devastation of the Boxing Day Tsunami, the city of New Orleans laid bare and the impact of the earthquake in Pakistan.
We may think we have the upper hand in the end, nature will always win.
Working From Home
If you work from home, do you find it isolating? Did you escape from the corporate world and start out on your own because you wanted a better lifestyle and the freedom and flexibility of working on your own? Are you now finding that you miss the office banter and a chat over coffee or at the water cooler?
More and more of us are working from home - which is great in one respect but it isn't all it's cracked up to be. Here are a few ways to avoid 'cabin fever' as part of your work routine.
Wouldn't it be great to have an environment where we can work on our businesses but get the benefits of a community, without the office politics. Here in the UK we have business centres, incubators for science/technology groups, where different businesses share an office and facilities but these can be an expensive solution. Something smaller and more low key would be ideal.
What ideas would you like to see for the work from home business?
More and more of us are working from home - which is great in one respect but it isn't all it's cracked up to be. Here are a few ways to avoid 'cabin fever' as part of your work routine.
- Join an online networking group - this is great but it doesn't always take the place of face-to-face human contact.
- Attend local networking events - these are a good way to meet people and even develop a support system around your business.
- Start up your own network group and meet for a social coffee, lunch or evening drink.
- Use Skype and Messenger 'chat' functions to interact with others but use it in the same way you would take a break from work - don't get sucked in for hours!
Wouldn't it be great to have an environment where we can work on our businesses but get the benefits of a community, without the office politics. Here in the UK we have business centres, incubators for science/technology groups, where different businesses share an office and facilities but these can be an expensive solution. Something smaller and more low key would be ideal.
What ideas would you like to see for the work from home business?
Go For A Run And Enjoy It
I went out for a run this morning. It was another gorgeous, sunny day so it seemed a shame not to. Now, when I say run ... well, it's really a jog and infact more of a plod at times. I was playing badminton last night, so perhaps feeling a little tired. It turned into more of a nature ramble than a run, as I stopped and walked at fairly frequent intervals.
We constantly feel that we 'have' to do things and sometimes we just need to let ourselves off the hook every now and then. So what if we don't complete our run in record time? So what if we have to stop and walk for a bit? I go out to run/jog because I enjoy it. Not every time maybe but just to get outside into the fresh air, take a look at how the seasons change throughout the year is worth a little discomfort. I'm a fairly lazy runner - I'm not one of these people who is out in all weathers, pounding the pavement, running for miles while training up for a marathon.
Sometimes we're our own worst enemy. Exercise is something you do for a reason and it should be for the right reasons. Not as a chore. I exercise because I want to stay fit and healthy. I don't want to turn into an overweight couch potato but I'm not going to beat myself up because I don't make it out for a run when it's cold and wet outside or I have the occasional cream cake or even ... a chocolate bar.
Regular running definitely builds up strength and stamina and of course gets you fitter. Run consistently 3-4 times a week for a couple of weeks and you'll see a difference - see it as a healthy form of free exercise. If you're new to running, start out gently - alternate walking with running until you can run continuously for 20 minutes. Build up slowly by running 2-3 times a week. Every other day is great. I often find if I've had a short break - I actually have a better run. If I'm tired or dehydrated - it's hard work, so get plenty of sleep and water. Plan to build up to 30-40 minutes on a regular basis and maybe longer if you have more time. I want to enjoy my running and not make it a chore, so 20 minutes is better than nothing and keeping moving, even if I have to walk for some of it, is still better than not getting out at all.
Keep a running diary - or some way of tracking your progress. This can help to push you to do better. See if you can cover a certain distance quicker each time. My longer run is about 40 minutes. When I first did it - it was more like 50, walking up the hilly bits and after a few weeks I can get it down to about 35 on a good day! It's also useful to note if you feel particularly tired or if a certain part of your body is aching or hurts before or after the run. Of course, make sure you stretch out afterwards. I find my calves ache less if I stretch them out before I start and after running for about 5-10 mins when they've warmed up.
Get into the habit of running regularly and it will soon become part of your routine. You don't have to do it for any other reason than as a way of keeping fit and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't make it out when you don't feel up to it.
We constantly feel that we 'have' to do things and sometimes we just need to let ourselves off the hook every now and then. So what if we don't complete our run in record time? So what if we have to stop and walk for a bit? I go out to run/jog because I enjoy it. Not every time maybe but just to get outside into the fresh air, take a look at how the seasons change throughout the year is worth a little discomfort. I'm a fairly lazy runner - I'm not one of these people who is out in all weathers, pounding the pavement, running for miles while training up for a marathon.
Sometimes we're our own worst enemy. Exercise is something you do for a reason and it should be for the right reasons. Not as a chore. I exercise because I want to stay fit and healthy. I don't want to turn into an overweight couch potato but I'm not going to beat myself up because I don't make it out for a run when it's cold and wet outside or I have the occasional cream cake or even ... a chocolate bar.
Regular running definitely builds up strength and stamina and of course gets you fitter. Run consistently 3-4 times a week for a couple of weeks and you'll see a difference - see it as a healthy form of free exercise. If you're new to running, start out gently - alternate walking with running until you can run continuously for 20 minutes. Build up slowly by running 2-3 times a week. Every other day is great. I often find if I've had a short break - I actually have a better run. If I'm tired or dehydrated - it's hard work, so get plenty of sleep and water. Plan to build up to 30-40 minutes on a regular basis and maybe longer if you have more time. I want to enjoy my running and not make it a chore, so 20 minutes is better than nothing and keeping moving, even if I have to walk for some of it, is still better than not getting out at all.
Keep a running diary - or some way of tracking your progress. This can help to push you to do better. See if you can cover a certain distance quicker each time. My longer run is about 40 minutes. When I first did it - it was more like 50, walking up the hilly bits and after a few weeks I can get it down to about 35 on a good day! It's also useful to note if you feel particularly tired or if a certain part of your body is aching or hurts before or after the run. Of course, make sure you stretch out afterwards. I find my calves ache less if I stretch them out before I start and after running for about 5-10 mins when they've warmed up.
Get into the habit of running regularly and it will soon become part of your routine. You don't have to do it for any other reason than as a way of keeping fit and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't make it out when you don't feel up to it.
The Power of Networking
Networking is a misunderstood craft that is essential to anyone working on their own in business. There are hundreds ... thousands of business networking groups that meet at all times of the day and night - from early morning breakfast groups to evening business presentations, from coffee mornings to lunch time gatherings.
If your idea of networking is a bunch of suits standing round discussing the finer details of their business or people rapidly moving round a room exchanging business cards telling you what they do and how would you like to pay, then yes, this can be what happens but it's not effective networking.
Networking is about building business relationships. Getting to know someone and their business so if the opportunity arises you know when you might use their services and how to refer them to other people. Ethical networking works on the basis of giving without necessarily expecting to receive in return. In fact, these days I rarely turn up at a 'network' meeting with the expectation of doing business but hoping to connect with some new people.
I've just done a double stint of networking, starting with an early morning breakfast meeting and ending with a social, informal networking group. Both very different but both small and friendly and definitely more along the lines of ethical networking. In fact the reason they both worked was people there understood what networking was about and were happy to just enjoy the conversation which, actually rarely came round to business.
A few tips to improve your networking:
If you're going to go to the expense, effort and spend your time at a meeting, then at least do more than consign the business cards and contacts you do collect, to the back of a drawer, never to see the light of day. Start building the relationship when you get back to your office.
If your idea of networking is a bunch of suits standing round discussing the finer details of their business or people rapidly moving round a room exchanging business cards telling you what they do and how would you like to pay, then yes, this can be what happens but it's not effective networking.
Networking is about building business relationships. Getting to know someone and their business so if the opportunity arises you know when you might use their services and how to refer them to other people. Ethical networking works on the basis of giving without necessarily expecting to receive in return. In fact, these days I rarely turn up at a 'network' meeting with the expectation of doing business but hoping to connect with some new people.
I've just done a double stint of networking, starting with an early morning breakfast meeting and ending with a social, informal networking group. Both very different but both small and friendly and definitely more along the lines of ethical networking. In fact the reason they both worked was people there understood what networking was about and were happy to just enjoy the conversation which, actually rarely came round to business.
A few tips to improve your networking:
- You don't have to go a meeting with the intention of meeting everyone there but do at least aim to speak to half a dozen people - depending on time and numbers.
- If you get a list of attendees before the meeting, plan who you'd like to talk to.
- Practice what you want to say about who you are and what you do so it sounds natural.
- Don't just spend time talking to the people you already know. Ask them to introduce you to someone else in the room.
- Take business cards with you so if you do want to exchange details you can - ask for theirs first before handing over yours.
- Listen more than you talk ... two ears, one mouth!
- Be professional - dress and act the part. Match the impression you want to give and in a way that reflects your business.
- Have a few standard open-ended questions that you can use to start conversations if you get stuck.
- Network regularly - not just when you're looking for new business. Relationships take time to build. You many not see the results for many months or even years.
- Don't just focus on the business, find out more about them on a social level.
- If you say you'll follow up then do so and do it the same day or the following day at the latest!
If you're going to go to the expense, effort and spend your time at a meeting, then at least do more than consign the business cards and contacts you do collect, to the back of a drawer, never to see the light of day. Start building the relationship when you get back to your office.
Your perception affects how you view the world.
It turned out to be another glorious weekend. I was out volunteering again - this time at a different site and a very different type of work. We were laying a patio outside the local Wildlife Trust's offices. Much more relaxed than my first weekend, when we were cutting back scrub, clearing brambles and had a huge bonfire going. Having finished the patio relatively early, we did end up clearing out a stream which had become blocked up. Plenty of time for a relaxed drink in the warm winter sunshine when the topics of conversation that came up were fascinating. The majority of volunteers being retired they have a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise - from the formation of planets, astronomy, technology to current topics hot in the news.
Anyway, part of the discussion naturally turned to the weather which as we were sitting on benches in the sunshine having lunch was almost spring-like. I think it's been a great winter. Very dry and we could do with some rain as there's still a hose-pipe ban in this area. It was a great summer too but then working from home and getting out to run on the Downs quite regularly, I'm much more aware of the seasons now than when I was working in an office. Different people view things differently depending on their perception. Many people commented on what a bad summer we'd had! I've spoken to friends who have said it's been a bad winter. My perception is that we've had a great winter so far. Lots of clear, crisp, sunny days when it's even been pretty mild and spring-like. Their perception, however, was different - they only saw the grey days (co-incidentally often at the weekend), they were going to work in the dark and leaving in the dark which, again changes your perception.
Always be aware that you see the world through your eyes and your interpretation of it. Your perception is based on your values and your beliefs and there is always more than one viewpoint.
Enjoy your week and try taking a different point of view - oooh and if it is sunny make the most of it and get out during your lunchbreak.
Anyway, part of the discussion naturally turned to the weather which as we were sitting on benches in the sunshine having lunch was almost spring-like. I think it's been a great winter. Very dry and we could do with some rain as there's still a hose-pipe ban in this area. It was a great summer too but then working from home and getting out to run on the Downs quite regularly, I'm much more aware of the seasons now than when I was working in an office. Different people view things differently depending on their perception. Many people commented on what a bad summer we'd had! I've spoken to friends who have said it's been a bad winter. My perception is that we've had a great winter so far. Lots of clear, crisp, sunny days when it's even been pretty mild and spring-like. Their perception, however, was different - they only saw the grey days (co-incidentally often at the weekend), they were going to work in the dark and leaving in the dark which, again changes your perception.
Always be aware that you see the world through your eyes and your interpretation of it. Your perception is based on your values and your beliefs and there is always more than one viewpoint.
Enjoy your week and try taking a different point of view - oooh and if it is sunny make the most of it and get out during your lunchbreak.
Sensible Exercise
These days rates of obesity are rising. Even children are suffering from diseases related to obesity. With many more office based jobs, people are less active and this has an impact on health.
We take the car for granted in helping us to get around - even for short journeys. There are too many gadgets to make life easy for us. Remote controls, so we can just sit on the sofa and not even move to change channels, food mixers, bread machines all reduce the amount of energy expended.
Normal, everyday life can and should involve activity. With a little thought it can be easy to increase our overall activity level in easy, less expensive ways than going to the gym or taking an exercise class. Sensible exercise is about not overdoing it, increasing your activity levels overall.
You don't have to be superfit but running for a bus or walking up a flight of stairs without getting totally out of breath. Even little things can make a difference - any increase in activity that you would not be doing normally is a plus.
The main thing is not to sit in one position for too long. If you work from home and spend a lot of time on the computer all day, your shoulders, arms and wrists will get tired. It's good to get up and have a good stretch every now and then. Neck, shoulders and arms. Move them around, stretch them out, stretch your back out too. If you're going to take the time to have a break and exercise at your desk you might as well get up and take a short walk outside or just a few proper stretches away from your desk. Any form of movement or change in position is better than sitting for hours on end.
Get a pedometer and see how much activity you do on a 'normal' day and then see what you can do to increase that day by day until you're doing 10,000 steps each day.
We take the car for granted in helping us to get around - even for short journeys. There are too many gadgets to make life easy for us. Remote controls, so we can just sit on the sofa and not even move to change channels, food mixers, bread machines all reduce the amount of energy expended.
Normal, everyday life can and should involve activity. With a little thought it can be easy to increase our overall activity level in easy, less expensive ways than going to the gym or taking an exercise class. Sensible exercise is about not overdoing it, increasing your activity levels overall.
- Walking instead of driving, especially if the local shop is only a 10 minute walk away!
- Walk the children to school - in the UK many people live with in easy walking distance.
- Using the stairs instead of the lift/elevator. If you work a few floors up this can have a significant impact on your health. Stairs are hard work and you'll rapidly see the difference.
- Getting off the bus a stop earlier. Even just a short walk makes a difference.
- Parking the car further away from the shops.
- Get up and move every hour if you have a sedentary job.
- Do it manually instead of using a gadget. Mixing, beating, whisking - making bread!
- Walk round the office to talk to someone in person instead of picking up the phone.
You don't have to be superfit but running for a bus or walking up a flight of stairs without getting totally out of breath. Even little things can make a difference - any increase in activity that you would not be doing normally is a plus.
The main thing is not to sit in one position for too long. If you work from home and spend a lot of time on the computer all day, your shoulders, arms and wrists will get tired. It's good to get up and have a good stretch every now and then. Neck, shoulders and arms. Move them around, stretch them out, stretch your back out too. If you're going to take the time to have a break and exercise at your desk you might as well get up and take a short walk outside or just a few proper stretches away from your desk. Any form of movement or change in position is better than sitting for hours on end.
Get a pedometer and see how much activity you do on a 'normal' day and then see what you can do to increase that day by day until you're doing 10,000 steps each day.
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