Hopefully you are spending some quality time with family and friends.
Let me start by taking a moment to wish you all the best during this holiday season.
Your friendship and loyalty is deeply appreciated.
May this holiday season bring you wonderful memories that last a lifetime - and may 2011 prove to be your most profitable year ever.
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!
They say memory is the second thing to go, as you get older … but I forget the first.
However, based on how hard it is getting for me to see at night (and the fact that I now have little flashlights stashed all over the place), my guess is that eyesight is the first thing to go.
It turns out that my vision wasn't as bad as I thought it was; but my choice of lighting was worse than I realized.
In an attempt to be environmentally conscious and have light bulbs that supposedly last longer, I started purchasing these strange curly fluorescent bulbs. My mind told me that they were fine, but my experience proved otherwise.
Recently, I switched to the natural spectrum bulbs from Verilux, and it's like somebody finally turned the light on. Externally, they may look the same, but they make a big difference. I can read again, my eyes don't hurt at the end of the day, and that strange tint on photos or web-cam videos is replaced with a much more natural palette of colors.
Apparently, there's a lot of science behind this; but it only took flipping the switch for me to know that it makes a big difference.
Coincidentally, I'm reading a book by Temple Grandin, an autistic woman with insights into how natural surroundings either calm or disturb animals and humans. According to her book, it turns out that one of the primary anxiety triggers is fluorescent lighting and its incessant flickering.
We spend so much time thinking about what we put in our bodies (like organic foods or vitamins), but to feel healthy we also should think about what we surround our body with ... and a full natural spectrum of light is a good start.
Here's a link to the website where I found natural lighting. Hope that helps.
"If you think you can do a thing ... or think you can't do a thing; you're right."
I love football season, and I'm a sucker for plot devices like this.
Here is a clip from the movie "Facing the Giants".
There are times in life when it is hard to imagine finding a path to victory.
So often the answer is as simple as committing to the outcome desired, showing-up, playing full-out, and giving your best until there is absolutely nothing left.
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.
A simple flow chart caught my eye this week.
There is a bit of truth in that; isn't there?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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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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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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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.
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.
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