M.A.D. Your Health - Nutrition

This is the second in a series of M.A.D. Moments based on different areas of your life to inspire you or give you that boost at this time of year.

What does healthy eating mean to you?

• Do you have a healthy diet?
• How much water do you drink each day?
• Do you rely on caffeine to get you going?
• How often do you drink alcohol?
• Do you regularly have your five a day?
• Do you yo-yo diet to lose weight but never keep it off?

Take a look at your diet and think about what you’re actually eating. I don't believe in restrictive, fad diets - they don't work. You may lose weight temporarily but most people quickly put it back on. A balanced, healthy diet is much better at maintaining your weight.

Do you ever read the labels on the food you buy, to see just how much sugar, fat and salt is in the food you eat? Labelling is improving, as we become more health conscious. Beware - low fat foods can contain a lot of sugar, sugar-free foods have added artificial sweeteners and chemical flavouring.

Always buy food that is as fresh and unprocessed as possible. Many labels can be misleading – giving the impression of being fresh, natural and good for you but it doesn't mean they are. Educate yourself about what you’re really eating.

Action:

What difference could you make to your eating habits this week?

• Start a food diary to monitor what you’re really eating?
• Drink less tea, coffee and alcohol.
• Cut out biscuits, crisps and snacks.
• DRINK MORE WATER.
• Eat your five portions of fruit and veg each day.

See if you feel better after a week of healthier eating. It's not all about cottage cheese and sticks of celery.  Think about the 80/20 rule. Eat healthily 80% of the time and enjoy yourself the other 20%!

Have a great week.

Just Because ...

• Just because you've got hundreds of followers - that's no reason for me to follow you.
• Just because we share a connection to dozens of other people doesn't mean I necessarily want to be connected to you too.
• Just because you send me a random 'Please connect with me' message, doesn't mean I'll accept.
• Just because you send me a Skype contact request - doesn't mean I will.
• Just because you follow me on Twitter doesn't mean I'll automatically follow you back.

If you're on any form of social media you probably receive dozens of requests to connect every day and you may feel guilty or boorish if you don't accept them all.

I'm more than happy to connect with random strangers occasionally you never know what might come of it.  But that doesn't mean I'm going to connect with every Tom, Dick and Harriet that sends me an invite.

Firstly, people like to know who you are and if you're not using a proper name, don't have a bio or a photo then they don't know.

Secondly, they'd like to know why you want to connect.  Just because you have dozens of mutual friends, doesn't mean you know them any better than they know you.  After all, they may only be connected to you because you sent them a random invite.  You might not really know them at all.

So, if you'd like to connect - that's fine but let them know you're a real person and that you're just not playing the numbers game and collecting as many followers, connections or 'friends' as you can.

M.A.D. Your Health - Exercise

This is the first in a series of M.A.D. (Make A Difference) blog posts, based on different areas to inspire you or give you a boost as we head into the summer hols.  Download the Life Balance Wheel to give you a starting point.

What does being healthy mean to you? Is it about being the correct weight for your height and feeling good? Is it about being able to run for the bus or climb a flight of stairs without getting out of breath?

This was made all the more poignant by discovering that a few of my ex-work colleagues have passed away over the last year - before their time.

Here are a few questions to get started:

• Are you a healthy weight?
• Have you recently had your cholesterol and blood pressure checked?
• When was your last dental or eye check-up?
• How many times do you exercise each week?
• When did you last have a full medical exam?

It's important to look after yourself physically, to enable you to deal with the physical, mental and emotional stresses and strains of life.  Your body will recover better from illness and stress if you're fit.

Know your limits and work within your own physical capabilities while building up your strength and stamina. Fit and active people have stronger immune systems, live longer and are less prone to illness in later life and don’t get sick so often.


Action:

What difference could you make to your health this week?

• Exercise at least three times this week – it doesn't have to be the gym - go for a walk, cycle, swim or take an exercise class.
  
• Take the stairs instead of the lift/elevator.
• Walk or cycle instead of taking the car.
• Don’t forget about your mind too. Quizzes, crosswords, memory tests and puzzles all help to exercise your mind.
  

Exercise at your own pace and get your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes each time. If you're overweight check with your doctor before taking any strenuous exercise.

Have a healthy week and pick one thing to improve your fitness this week.

July Newsletter: Tips For A Successful Event

Every week there's a business event or show taking place and many businesses will invest their time, effort and resources to book a stand.

This can be an expensive process. Not only is the cost of the stand but design and printing costs, your own and staff costs, preparation and travel time, etc.

Here are a few tips to create a successful event ...

You can read the rest of the article in this month's newsletter, just register on my website or click here. Free tips, advice, information and news on how to improve your time management for your business and personal life direct to your inbox.

PLUS: details of TWO GREAT OFFERS in this month's newsletter - be quick and you could win a copy of the Audiobook - Time Management For Dummies and win a Time Audit Session.

Email Ping-Pong Anyone?

Are you in the habit of playing email ping-pong?

You know the game - you send someone an email message - perhaps you're trying to arrange a meeting or need some information.  They send you an email back, you then reply to that email, they reply to that - ad infinitum until you manage to find a date and time that fits or you get the right answer to the question ... or not.

Over the course of several hours or days, you end up with a string of emails being bounced to and fro between you when you could probably have resolved the matter in a few minutes if you'd only picked up the phone.

When you receive an email - think before you type.

Would it be quicker and easier to pick up the phone and actually talk to the person, rather then spend twice as much time replying to their email and not getting or giving the necessary answer?

Talking to someone in person is so much better and more effective than indirect, impersonal email communication.