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Interesting TedTalk with Nicholas Christakis About Our Modern, Connected Lives

We're all embedded in vast social networks of friends, family, co-workers and more. Nicholas Christakis tracks how a wide variety of traits -- from happiness to obesity -- can spread from person to person, showing how your location in the network might impact your life in ways you don't even know.

His work shows how phenomena as diverse as obesity, smoking, emotions, ideas, germs, and altruism can spread through our social ties, and how genes can partially underlie our creation of social ties to begin with. His work also sheds light on how we might take advantage of an understanding of social networks to make the world a better place.

Christakis explains that he and James Fowler (co-author of Connected) have become obsessed with trying to figure out how and why we form networks and how and why they affect us.

Once you start mapping these networks -- they’re so intricate and so beautiful and so interesting -- you just can’t help but wonder why we humans make them. Why does a spider weave its web? Why does the web have a particular kind of shape? It’s not a coincidence. You look at these webs and you think, “My God, what purpose do they serve? And, how do they affect us?”

Watch his TedTalk presentation, "The Hidden Influence of Social Networks".

Here is the web site for their book Connected.  And here is a link to another interview.

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Are You Happy?

A simple flow chart caught my eye this week.

There is a bit of truth in that; isn't there?

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A Father's Day Investment Guaranteed to Pay Dividends.

My kids are getting older.  So Father's Day looks a little different than it used to.

But as I look back, there is an investment I made that paid-off in a big way, and I want to share it with you.

Like many parents, I wanted to teach my children that, to a large extent, they control what happens to them. One of the first ways I did that was to set up a "compensation system" for them to earn video games.

Some parents try to limit the amount of time their kids spend watching TV or playing video games. I tried something different.  Instead, my kids earned their games by reading books.  Here is a photo from way back then.

Paid With Play.

Here's how it worked. When they were younger, 10 books was enough to earn a small game. When they finished a book, it was their right, and my obligation, to take them to the bookstore for us to pick up the next book together. Likewise, when they finished the requisite number of books, it was their right, and my obligation, to take them to the computer store or game store for them to choose any game they wanted.

When they finished hundred books, they got a bonus of earning the next game system. That meant if they had a Nintendo, they could now also get a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360.

How Can You Encourage a Jump to the Next Level?

There came a point when I wanted one of my sons to start reading grown-up books. He was comfortable reading a certain type of book, and didn't want to read the kind of books that I read.  So, I created a bonus system that counted a particular book as three books.  I didn't force him; I just let the easier path to a reward "whisper" in his ear what to read. Once he finished that, he never went back to teen fiction.

It Is a Great Way to Learn About Your Kids.

I also used the bookstore visits to get a sense of how the boys were doing. For example, I might say "I notice that you read five books in that series, maybe you'd like this book".  Or, "That sure is a lot of science fiction; what was the last biography you read?"  For the most part, though, I didn't care what they read.  The key was to get them to want to choose certain books for their own reasons.  Ultimately, their preference meant they were learning to love reading.

It Puts Them In Control of Their Destiny and Rewards.

My younger son likes competition. He also broke or misplaced many things. So, in order to earn back the Game Boy unit that he lost, I challenged him to read five books in five days. These weren't easy books either. It was designed to stretch him, and also to teach him that he could read a book a night. The bet was that he either finished all the books in the allocated time, or none of them counted towards games or Game Boys. On the other hand, if he read a book a night for two weeks, not only would he get to have his Game Boy back, the books would count towards a game too. It worked like a charm, and we were both happy.

So, Who Got the Better Bargain?

As they started to get into their teenage years, I needed to up the ante a little. So, 500 books meant they got a laptop of their choice. Both boys cashed in, and probably felt like they were taking advantage of their dad.

I got what I wanted, though; both my boys love reading, and know that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to … one step at a time.

That's an investment that will pay dividends for a long time.

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KFC's Double Down Sandwich - The New Health Food?

KFC's new Double Down sandwich has been getting tons of press since its ingredients were revealed. Some blogs are calling the sandwich "disgusting", while others gleefully talk about their eating experience.

The Double Down is essentially a sandwich with two chicken fillets taking the place of bread slices. In between are two pieces of bacon, melted slices of Monterey Jack and Pepper Jack cheeses, and a "zesty" sauce (you know, things your cardiologist is secretly happy you're putting into your system).

How Bad For You is Eating Something Like This?

While it certainly doesn't qualify as health food ... it also doesn't have bread.  Further, according to KFC, it weighs in at a reasonable 540 calories, 32 grams of fat, and (a less reasonable) 1,380 milligrams of sodium,  Other sources argue that the calorie count is much higher.

Regardless, there are lots of fast foods worse for you than this sandwich (click here to see the rankings).  Some even claim the Double Down is healthier for you than a salad (see why).

It Might Not Be Great Food, But the Marketing Is Working.

The marketing has been pretty effective driving demand and generating buzz in the media.  Here is one of their commercials.

After seeing it, my teenage son begged me to get him one. Okay, it didn't take much persuading.

Nonetheless, I've been counting calories, recently, and logging what I eat in an attempt to eat healthier and lose weight. Like my wife, my skinny pants (still patiently waiting in an under-used corner of the closet) hoped I would put up more of a fight than I did.

In advertising, attention is good (even if some of it is controversial). It looks like the folks at this Pepsi spin-off, Yum Brands, have a hit. Not only are people who wouldn't normally eat at a KFC, now eating at KFC ... There's a bunch of folks fighting about whether this is a good or bad thing.

When Wendy's came out with the Clara Peller commercials, with the tag-line: "Where's the beef?" ... it changed their business. Kentucky Fried Chicken needs a tag-line (or brand promise) that will capture more than the disgust of the American public, if they want this to last.

Now that KFC is getting buzz, the bigger questing is whether it will have a lasting impact on their sales?

Other Links.

• ZeitGeist: KFC's shocking new sandwich (YouTube)
• KFC's Double Down: A cheesy, sodium-filled sandwich -- will you be buying? (LATimes)
• Here is KFC's Press Release about the sandwich. (KFC)

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Reminiscences of a Retreat

I just got back from a weekend retreat with a group of entrepreneurs.

It consistently surprises me how valuable it is to take time to get away from your daily routines, in order to focus on the bigger picture.

Part of the benefit is simply taking the time to do it.  Another part is listening to others, and hearing a fresh perspective.

Having fun helps too. 

I've watched my kids play Guitar Hero and Rock Band on their gaming systems; however, it was quite a different experience watching a bunch of middle-aged children play it at the retreat.

I was particularly embarrassed that I knew so few of the songs.  And when I tried participating ... I reminded myself more of my father, than of a rock-star. 

Yet, for what it's worth, it turned out to be a great group activity to loosen-folks-up at the retreat.

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A Reminder of Simple Truths

Here is a link to short video by Mac Anderson of Simple Truths.

It is a collection of quotes and simple truths set to music.  Hope you have a good week.

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Need Energy, a Clear Head, or a Power Nap ... There's an App for That.

pzizz (pronounced puh-zizz) Relax is a power-nap app. 

Whenever you feel tired or frazzled, put on your headphones, set the time you have available - and pzizz creates a new and unique soundtrack, each time you use it.  There's nothing to learn - and no effort required by you. 

Simply press a button, and you get a surprisingly effective and pleasant relaxation session.

Increase Energy and Performance.

I've been a pzizz user since 2005.  Frankly, I'm still surprised by how much it helps when you need a quick nap, pick-me-up, or boost of energy (even if you only have 15-20 minutes).  It is nice that it works to relax you; it is even better that you wake-up feeling good and ready for the rest of your day.

Here's How it Works.

First, find a comfortable place.  Second, choose how long you want your power nap to be.  Third, adjust how much talking you prefer. Fourth, headphones are better - but not necessary.  Fifth, press the button and let yourself relax.

What Happens?

Each session has three parts, the Intro, Main Session, and Wake-Up Sequence.  Throughout all of them, a deep, cool, British voice guides you through some relaxation techniques and gives you encouragement and positive feedback.  The voice is done by Michael Breen, a well-know NLP Expert.

Sound Waves Affect Brain Waves.

In addition to the NLP guidance, pzizz  also leverages binaural beats and ambient sounds to help you relax.  Yes, there is also a pleasant background track complete with music, bells, wind chimes and other assorted ear candy designed to lull you to sleep. Bottom-Line: You'll like it.

Try It Yourself.

If this all sounds new-agey, I can't blame you. I mocked the idea of pzizz when I first heard about it. "Actions speak louder than words".  If you need proof, try it yourself. Click this link to download a sample 15 minute energizer soundtrack and a sample 15 minute sleep soundtrack to see how it works for you. 

The software is available for PCs and Macs.  Also, pzizz has two iPhone apps.

Keep an open mind and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Related Links:

• Review - Energize Your Sleep With pzizz - 40Tech
• Review - pzizz for iPhone- Gear Diary
• Review - pzizz Napping Software at Work - MacNN
• Review - pzizz "How"s and "Why"s - SleepWarrior
• 7 Soothing iPhone Apps to Help You Relax

Related Posts I've Written:

• Light and Sound Machine
• Holosync

Getting Ready for the New Year with Postive-Focused Planning

Holiday shopping season is in full-force.  That means 2010 is right around the corner.

As an early gift, I got to go to a hockey game with my son.  This picture captures a Good News - Bad News moment for me.  On the positive side, I'm happy to see that my son shaved off his strangely orange mop of hair. However, standing next to him, I look like a professional "before" model.

That helped me realize that it's time to start thinking about New Year's resolutions, and specifically some health related resolutions.

Here is a summary of that process.  Hopefully, you can use some of these concepts.

• Focus on What You Want.
• Focus on Why You Want It.
• Focus on Ways You Might Get it.
• Focus on the Progress.

Below, I'll take you through an example of the four steps you need to use Positive-Focused Planning to get what you want.

Moving Towards a Solution, Rather Than Suffering with the Problem.

My first instinct was to think "I need to lose weight".  Knowing that "you're fat" isn't helpful … my head, quickly translates that to something a tad more positive, yet generic, like: "I choose to be healthy and vital, and to live a healthy lifestyle".

Blah, blah … They are just words.  What I needed was something specific, measurable and actionable.  How about: "I will lose 15 pounds and stop eating after dinner."  OK, but that isn't inspiring, and there isn't much for me to do. I can do better than that.

Figure-Out a Big Enough WHY, Rather Than Worrying about the HOW's.

This post isn't about health and fitness, it is about the mind-set and techniques you can use to set empowering goals and plans in any situation.

So, while I could list a lot of ways to lose weight; and I might even remember to do some of them, when you create a driving force, the momentum takes care of itself.  The first step in doing that is knowing WHY you want something.

I really do want to be healthy and vital (it sure beats the alternatives), and I want to have the energy and confidence to live and enjoy my life fully.  The world is my playground, and I want to take advantage of more opportunities to play with family and friends.  In order to do those things, I must find better ways for me to live a healthy lifestyle.

The WHYs are just as important for business goals too.

Focus on Potential Solutions, Rather than Problems or Challenges.

Obstacles Exist. The bad news: I don't eat fish and I don't like vegetables (unless French Fries are vegetables).  My joints aren't close to healthy from years of violent contact sports.  And I rarely get 7 hours of sleep.  The good news: is none of those things matter; and even if they did, it just would mean that I have a lot of room for progress.

It is natural to focus on obstacles.  Use them as a reminder to focus on potential solutions instead. They are beacons, pointing the way.

How do you do it?  To focus on solutions, you can make two action-based lists: one is of things To-Do ... and another is of things Not To-Do.

Here are some of the sample To-Do Items:

• I will drink more water than coffee.
• I will stretch, or do basic calisthenics, on days that I do not go to the gym.
• I will make a healthy shake as a meal replacement rather than a meal supplement.
• I will focus on relaxation and meditation, as much as I focus on strength & physical exercises.

Here is the actionable list of Not To-Do Items.

• I will not buy new pants or wear stretchy pants.
• I will not eat snacks out their container, and will portion-out what I want first.
• I will not compare my current level of fitness to what I used to be able to do. Instead I will focus on my actions and improvement.

Create Healthier Habits.

It is easy to follow your routine.  So, make your routine better.  Here are some examples of things you could do to make being healthier happen with less effort.

• Pre-sort your vitamins into daily doses, and keep them by the coffee machine.
• Buy healthy snacks, like fruit, raw nuts or organic energy bars (instead of chips).
• Make exercise time, the time you enjoy listening to music.
• Park at the end of the parking lot, so you get to walk.
• Meet with friends at the gym, rather than a bar or restaurant.

You get the idea.  Get in the habit of looking for ways to create better habits.  What habits could you alter slightly, to make a big difference?  Which things can you automate or outsource?

Focus on Your Progress.

In this case, it really is about the journey.  Instead of keeping track of how far you have to go ... notice how far you've come.  It is about creating energy, momentum and a sense of possibility.  You may have a big, hairy, audacious goal in mind.  That's fine, as long as you realize that reaching each milestone along the way is still an accomplishment.

• Find shoes that don't hurt your feet.
• Pick a gym, or a personal trainer.
• Run more than two laps without stopping.

It doesn't matter what they are are ... they all count, as long as you know that you are moving in the right direction.

Summary.

The point of this exercise as was not really to focus on fitness. These techniques and goal-setting tools work in any situation. The principles are:

1. First, figure out what you want, and why it is important to you. 
2. Second, find something you can do, right now, which moves you in the right direction.
3. Third, notice which things create (rather than take) energy. Spend your time on those, and automate or create routines to take care of the rest.
4. Fourth, set milestones so that you can recognize and celebrate your progress.

A Lesson Learned About the Time-Value of Living

This weekend marked 10 years since my dad passed away.

It's amazing to me how fast time flies, and yet how important he still is in my life. Rather than mourn his death, I celebrate what a great job he did living.

One of the things his passing taught me was the "time-value of life".

At the end, to him, one more year of living seemed priceless. Yet at that point, he was older and more infirm than at any other point in his life.

Wouldn't it be better to recognize the importance of living fully, earlier?

In other words, the best way to capture and leverage the value of this year is to live it fully now.

Wouldn't now be a good time to start?

This Video Made Me Smile

Watch a soldier being greeted by his dogs after returning home after 14 months in Iraq.  I suspect even cat people will be touched by this.

I learned something from the dogs, and the man.  Hope you enjoy it too.