NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The practice of transcendental meditation may help children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder manage their symptoms, research suggests. In a pilot study, researchers found that lessons in transcendental meditation, or TM, appeared to calm the anxiety of children with ADHD,and improve their behavior and ability to think and concentrate.
TM is considered to be one of the simplest meditation techniques Practitioners sit comfortably for 10 to 15 minutes with their eyes closed, silently repeating a mantra -- a sound, word or phrase -- to calm the mind and body.
Some researchers believe that meditation affects the nervous system in a way that can alter a range of bodily functions, including breathing, blood vessel dilation and stress-hormone regulation
The current findings indicate that children with ADHD can not only learn the TM technique but also benefit from it, the researchers report in the online journal Current Issues in Education "The effect was much greater than we expected," lead researcher Sarina J Grosswald, a cognitive learning specialist in Arlington, Virginia, "The children also showed improvements in attention, working memory, organization, and behavior regulation," she added
"The study included 10 children between the ages of 11 and 14 who were attending a school for students with language-related learning disabilities. All had been diagnosed with ADHD and, though most were taking medication, were having problems at school and home. "The students were taught the TM technique and then practiced it at and then practiced it at school twice a day, for 10 minutes at a time. After three months, Grosswald and her colleagues found, the students reported lower stress and anxiety levels, while their ADHD symptoms also improved, based on questionnaires given to teachers and parents. "Teachers reported they were able to teach more," Grosswald said, "and students were able to learn more because they were less stressed.
Larger studies, she and her colleagues write, are now needed to see whether TM can be used as an ADHD therapy, either in addition to standard treatment or by itself TM doesn't require concentration, controlling the mind or disciplined " Grosswald noted. "The fact that these children are able to do TM, and do it easily shows us that this technique may be particularly well suited for children with ADHD."
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Why Multitasking Destroys Your Productivity
I'm guilty of multi-tasking and the more I do it the more I find it harder and harder on focusing. “Stressing output is the key to improving productivity, while looking to increase activity can result in just the opposite.“- Paul Gauguin
Why Multitasking Destroys Your Productivity By Alex Mandossian
Most entrepreneurs I know are proud of their “multitasking” ability. But maybe they shouldn’t be.The term was originally applied to computers - to describe the way a CPU solves problems by scheduling tasks and switching back and forth from task to task until each one gets done. Well, that may be an efficient way for a computer to work, but it’s anything but efficient when it comes to your productivity.Dave Crenshaw wrote my favorite book on the topic, and I recommend it to anyone who still thinks and feels that multitasking is cool. On page 29 in The Myth of Multitasking, he writes:“Around the end of the twentieth century, some wordsmith saw the connection between our increasingly hectic world and the world of the computer. A catchword was born.Newspapers began peppering their articles with the word. Talk show hosts began using it with frequency. Magazines began publishing articles about how to multitask more effectively.Multitasking quickly became as popular and accepted as the automobile and the hamburger.”Dave Crenshaw has a more accurate word to describe flipping back and forth between two (or more) activities. He calls it “switchtasking.”Multitasking or switchtasking reduces your efficiency (your ability to do the right things) and your effectiveness (your ability to do things right) because it forces you to keep changing your mental focus. During the switchover time (less than a second, in most cases), your concentration diminishes and the number of mistakes you make dramatically increases.In fact, many states (including California) have outlawed multitasking on the highway by making it illegal to speak on a handheld mobile phone while driving a car.“A mere half second of time lost to task switching can mean the difference between life and death for a driver using a cellphone, because during the time that the car is not totally under control, it can travel far enough to crash into obstacles the driver might have otherwise avoided,” reported Dr. David Meyer from the University of Michigan.Okay, so let me ask you a candid question. How many of the following common multitasking activities do you engage in?Writing e-mails while speaking on the telephoneChecking voice mail while speaking to your spouseReading the newspaper while listening to the newsWatching TV while having a family conversationTweeting while instant messaging while…I’m guessing you’ve done “all of the above” at some point in your adult life. But my point isn’t to nag you about multitasking. It is to make you conscious of how destructive it can be.It’s not only mentally stressful to splinter your attention (and make mistakes along the way), multitasking sets you up for failure… and the guilt of not completing everything you set out to do.Stacking vs.MultitaskingNow if you do two things at once but can keep the majority of your attention on only ONE of those things, that’s a whole different animal. I call this stacking. Dave Crenshaw calls it background tasking. (You can call it whatever you wish.)Stacking helps you get more done, faster and better. It is a productive use of your time because only ONE of the tasks you are doing requires mental effort.Here are a few examples of what I’m talking about:Eating dinner while watching a videoJogging while listening to your iPodDriving while listening to the radioWriting an e-mail while printing out a documentMunching on a snack while riding a bicycleListening to the news while showeringReading a book while getting a haircutStacking doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you’ll become more effective (by doing the right things), but it can practically guarantee more efficiency (doing things right to get maximum results in minimum time).Stacking & America’s Middle ClassHenry Ford didn’t invent the car, but he did figure out how to produce automobiles that were within the reach of the average American. And I believe he did this by preventing his workers from multitasking.Prior to his introduction of the assembly line to the manufacturing process, cars were individually crafted by teams of skilled workmen. But instead of having one team work on one car, from start to finish, he created a stacking environment where the cars came to the workers - and each worker performed the same assembly task again and again.The stacking power of the assembly line reduced the time it took to manufacture a car from 13 hours to less than six. That made it possible for Ford to offer the Model T for $825 when it made its debut in 1908. Four years later, the price dropped to $575. By 1914, Ford claimed a 48 percent share of the world’s automobile market.What to Do NowYou can stop the insanity of multitasking right now by listing (right here) two or three multitasking activities you commonly engage in at work or at home.Then, the next time you catch yourself multitasking, stop. Take a moment to think about what you’re doing, and quickly choose one of those tasks to focus on first. Complete that task before you switch to the other one.I think you’ll find that this automatically makes you more efficient, more effective - and feeling a lot better about yourself for getting multiple jobs done right.
Why Multitasking Destroys Your Productivity By Alex Mandossian
Most entrepreneurs I know are proud of their “multitasking” ability. But maybe they shouldn’t be.The term was originally applied to computers - to describe the way a CPU solves problems by scheduling tasks and switching back and forth from task to task until each one gets done. Well, that may be an efficient way for a computer to work, but it’s anything but efficient when it comes to your productivity.Dave Crenshaw wrote my favorite book on the topic, and I recommend it to anyone who still thinks and feels that multitasking is cool. On page 29 in The Myth of Multitasking, he writes:“Around the end of the twentieth century, some wordsmith saw the connection between our increasingly hectic world and the world of the computer. A catchword was born.Newspapers began peppering their articles with the word. Talk show hosts began using it with frequency. Magazines began publishing articles about how to multitask more effectively.Multitasking quickly became as popular and accepted as the automobile and the hamburger.”Dave Crenshaw has a more accurate word to describe flipping back and forth between two (or more) activities. He calls it “switchtasking.”Multitasking or switchtasking reduces your efficiency (your ability to do the right things) and your effectiveness (your ability to do things right) because it forces you to keep changing your mental focus. During the switchover time (less than a second, in most cases), your concentration diminishes and the number of mistakes you make dramatically increases.In fact, many states (including California) have outlawed multitasking on the highway by making it illegal to speak on a handheld mobile phone while driving a car.“A mere half second of time lost to task switching can mean the difference between life and death for a driver using a cellphone, because during the time that the car is not totally under control, it can travel far enough to crash into obstacles the driver might have otherwise avoided,” reported Dr. David Meyer from the University of Michigan.Okay, so let me ask you a candid question. How many of the following common multitasking activities do you engage in?Writing e-mails while speaking on the telephoneChecking voice mail while speaking to your spouseReading the newspaper while listening to the newsWatching TV while having a family conversationTweeting while instant messaging while…I’m guessing you’ve done “all of the above” at some point in your adult life. But my point isn’t to nag you about multitasking. It is to make you conscious of how destructive it can be.It’s not only mentally stressful to splinter your attention (and make mistakes along the way), multitasking sets you up for failure… and the guilt of not completing everything you set out to do.Stacking vs.MultitaskingNow if you do two things at once but can keep the majority of your attention on only ONE of those things, that’s a whole different animal. I call this stacking. Dave Crenshaw calls it background tasking. (You can call it whatever you wish.)Stacking helps you get more done, faster and better. It is a productive use of your time because only ONE of the tasks you are doing requires mental effort.Here are a few examples of what I’m talking about:Eating dinner while watching a videoJogging while listening to your iPodDriving while listening to the radioWriting an e-mail while printing out a documentMunching on a snack while riding a bicycleListening to the news while showeringReading a book while getting a haircutStacking doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you’ll become more effective (by doing the right things), but it can practically guarantee more efficiency (doing things right to get maximum results in minimum time).Stacking & America’s Middle ClassHenry Ford didn’t invent the car, but he did figure out how to produce automobiles that were within the reach of the average American. And I believe he did this by preventing his workers from multitasking.Prior to his introduction of the assembly line to the manufacturing process, cars were individually crafted by teams of skilled workmen. But instead of having one team work on one car, from start to finish, he created a stacking environment where the cars came to the workers - and each worker performed the same assembly task again and again.The stacking power of the assembly line reduced the time it took to manufacture a car from 13 hours to less than six. That made it possible for Ford to offer the Model T for $825 when it made its debut in 1908. Four years later, the price dropped to $575. By 1914, Ford claimed a 48 percent share of the world’s automobile market.What to Do NowYou can stop the insanity of multitasking right now by listing (right here) two or three multitasking activities you commonly engage in at work or at home.Then, the next time you catch yourself multitasking, stop. Take a moment to think about what you’re doing, and quickly choose one of those tasks to focus on first. Complete that task before you switch to the other one.I think you’ll find that this automatically makes you more efficient, more effective - and feeling a lot better about yourself for getting multiple jobs done right.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Is Meditation an Answer to School Problems?
I found this article published at Daily Gleaner. com and I though it was well worth sharing.
Published Tuesday June 2nd, 2009 By JENNIFER DUNVILLE dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com
A meditation educator is travelling the province to encourage teachers, parents and principals to buy into a program that uses transcendental meditation to reduce behaviour issues and academic problems in schools.Ashley Deans, a physicist and educator with the Canadian Association for Stress-Free Schools, said 30 minutes of meditation a day can make a big difference in a student's academic success."The transcendental meditation technique is the single most effective technique available for eliminating stress, promoting health and increasing creativity and intelligence," Deans said. "It's not that unconventional since meditation has become more mainstream. Think of it in the context of providing a quiet-time program in schools."The transcendental meditation technique was introduced to the world more than 40 years ago by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a Hindu man who dedicated his life to spirituality and meditation.Deans said the technique doesn't require special concentration or contemplation, or change in lifestyle or beliefs. Students meditate for 15 minutes in the mornings and 15 minutes in the afternoon."This is an effortless technique that allows the mind to settle enough to experience that feeling of pure, silent awareness," Deans said. "It may look like the students are sitting there with their eyes closed wasting time, but what's actually happening is they are relieving acute social stress that can manifest itself in violence, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, accidents and sickness."Deans has given transcendental meditation presentations to principals and teachers in Fredericton, Saint John, Perth Andover, Moncton, and other parts of the province.He said everyone has been open to the idea, and a First Nation school in Big Cove has signed up for the transcendental meditation training.Dist. 18 Supt. Alex Dingwall said he's not aware of any schools in Fredericton that have bought into the idea, but he said the district wouldn't stop schools that wanted to try it."There are all kinds of strategies out there for helping kids deal with stress, reducing behavioural issues in schools or improving academic success," Dingwall said."We leave it up to our principals to decide which strategies they want to latch on to."Dingwall said the only time the district would step in is if a group was promoting a new program or initiative in schools that wasn't appropriate for children or backed by research."That isn't the case in this instance," Dingwall said."This group has been very public and has done some research on this strategy. Our only concern might be the loss of 30 minutes of instructional time in favour of meditation."Teachers who implement transcendental meditation are still responsible for teaching the entire curriculum even if they have 30 minutes less to work with each day.Dingwall said he would approve the meditation program if schools could find a way to include meditation without taking away from the regular classroom time."It would be considered part of the physical education curriculum, for example," Dingwall said. "There's normally a cool-down period in gym anyway, so I suppose it could be included that way."Deans said the benefits of transcendental meditation outweigh the loss of instructional time.He said the Maharishi School he works with in Fairfield, Iowa, has students that are more alert, receptive to knowledge and respectful towards classmates. He said test scores at the school have also increased."Every year, the school that I'm executive director of in Iowa, scores in the top one per cent of all schools in the United States on standardized tests, and it's not for any other reason other than meditation," Deans said."It's an amazing thing and, essentially, all it means is that every teacher would have to give up five minutes of class time each day."
Published Tuesday June 2nd, 2009 By JENNIFER DUNVILLE dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com
A meditation educator is travelling the province to encourage teachers, parents and principals to buy into a program that uses transcendental meditation to reduce behaviour issues and academic problems in schools.Ashley Deans, a physicist and educator with the Canadian Association for Stress-Free Schools, said 30 minutes of meditation a day can make a big difference in a student's academic success."The transcendental meditation technique is the single most effective technique available for eliminating stress, promoting health and increasing creativity and intelligence," Deans said. "It's not that unconventional since meditation has become more mainstream. Think of it in the context of providing a quiet-time program in schools."The transcendental meditation technique was introduced to the world more than 40 years ago by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a Hindu man who dedicated his life to spirituality and meditation.Deans said the technique doesn't require special concentration or contemplation, or change in lifestyle or beliefs. Students meditate for 15 minutes in the mornings and 15 minutes in the afternoon."This is an effortless technique that allows the mind to settle enough to experience that feeling of pure, silent awareness," Deans said. "It may look like the students are sitting there with their eyes closed wasting time, but what's actually happening is they are relieving acute social stress that can manifest itself in violence, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, accidents and sickness."Deans has given transcendental meditation presentations to principals and teachers in Fredericton, Saint John, Perth Andover, Moncton, and other parts of the province.He said everyone has been open to the idea, and a First Nation school in Big Cove has signed up for the transcendental meditation training.Dist. 18 Supt. Alex Dingwall said he's not aware of any schools in Fredericton that have bought into the idea, but he said the district wouldn't stop schools that wanted to try it."There are all kinds of strategies out there for helping kids deal with stress, reducing behavioural issues in schools or improving academic success," Dingwall said."We leave it up to our principals to decide which strategies they want to latch on to."Dingwall said the only time the district would step in is if a group was promoting a new program or initiative in schools that wasn't appropriate for children or backed by research."That isn't the case in this instance," Dingwall said."This group has been very public and has done some research on this strategy. Our only concern might be the loss of 30 minutes of instructional time in favour of meditation."Teachers who implement transcendental meditation are still responsible for teaching the entire curriculum even if they have 30 minutes less to work with each day.Dingwall said he would approve the meditation program if schools could find a way to include meditation without taking away from the regular classroom time."It would be considered part of the physical education curriculum, for example," Dingwall said. "There's normally a cool-down period in gym anyway, so I suppose it could be included that way."Deans said the benefits of transcendental meditation outweigh the loss of instructional time.He said the Maharishi School he works with in Fairfield, Iowa, has students that are more alert, receptive to knowledge and respectful towards classmates. He said test scores at the school have also increased."Every year, the school that I'm executive director of in Iowa, scores in the top one per cent of all schools in the United States on standardized tests, and it's not for any other reason other than meditation," Deans said."It's an amazing thing and, essentially, all it means is that every teacher would have to give up five minutes of class time each day."
Thursday, May 14, 2009
How to Make Your Afirmations Work For You to Achieve Your Goals
By Anne Shipley http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anne_Shipley
An affirmation is NOT a desire or a wanting of things that will happen one day in the future. An affirmation is a statement of knowing and allowing.
THE 1st MOST IMPORTANT PIECE IS TO STATE YOUR INTENTIONS KNOWING THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE WHAT YOU DESIRE.
When we make an affirmation it is a statement of things that are. I am, I have, I intend. There is no doubt in these statements. You are not leaving room anywhere for any uncertainty or any negative thoughts.
The universe is abundant in all things. Everything that ever was, is now and ever shall be. You are not making a request for anything you do not have already. You are simply recognizing the truth that it is here for you to take. Know this and Claim it! Know that you are deserving and it is your right as a part of the Universe to have what was meant for you to have.
God doesn't do anything to us that we do not choose for ourselves. This is our free will. Choose all you desire knowing that the Universe gives it freely.
Your affirmations are your beginning. Start by using affirmations that will assist you in changing your thoughts. For example; "I am worthy of all my desires." " I have the power and strength to do anything." " It is my right to have joy and peace." "I accept I am the creator of my reality."
Feel the feelings that exist with knowing these things. Act as if you are truly all powerful as a part of the Universal energy.
These affirmations thought often enough, will change your beliefs and thus create for you a new reality.
THE 2ND MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS ALLOW FOR YOUR DESIRES BY LETTING GO.
Allowing is the ability to not sabotage our affirmations by negative thinking or by thinking there is much we need to do to make our desires happen. In order to recognize our negative thoughts we must be conscious of our thoughts. If our desire is to be thinner, but we look in the mirror and think, "Look how fat I am." This is sabotaging your desires. See yourself feeling healthier, more energetic and thinner. It is not the Universe that denies us, but our own will (thinking) that inhibits our reality to change. Our own insane thoughts that believe we are not worthy or good enough.
You are a part of the Universe and Universal energy, which responds to Universal Laws. Therefore, if you expend your thoughts in negative thinking such as, "There isn't enough, I'll always have to struggle, I can't change, the world is going to get worse...." this is what you will create in your reality.
Allow means to let it happen. There is nothing that you need to do (except change your thoughts).
You do not have to busy yourself with all kinds of data, resources, invest lots of money or join a group.
The Universe will create situations in your life that bring you what you desire. So, just be open to new opportunities, but don't exhaust yourself trying to make something happen. This may include a new investment or group, but don't force things to happen. Know that they will and when they do you will feel happy and excited, but not afraid or in doubt. Remember that it is not you (ego mind) that is going to create. It is your spirit, your higher self that creates. There is no thing you have to do.
I know this can be difficult because we are trained early on that we have to work hard to get what we want, but trust in the Universe and stop sabotaging your life with your own thoughts that you can create on your own.
As you think so you create your world and thus perceive it. Your thoughts can be changed. You are the creator of your thoughts. As you think on anything you are sending it your energy. If you think things are getting worse, they will for you.
Enhance your affirmations by seeing yourself as the spiritual being you are and recognize that as a part of this Universe you have a right to your desires, claim them and then give thanks for them. The Universe will accommodate you. If you think you will succeed in all you do, you will.
Practice writing your affirmations 3 times every day for 60 days.
Anne Shipley, Life Coach I am a lover of life, grateful for each opportunity to learn and gain wisdom through interactions with my great companions and seekers. http://www.healingpowercoach.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Shipley
An affirmation is NOT a desire or a wanting of things that will happen one day in the future. An affirmation is a statement of knowing and allowing.
THE 1st MOST IMPORTANT PIECE IS TO STATE YOUR INTENTIONS KNOWING THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE WHAT YOU DESIRE.
When we make an affirmation it is a statement of things that are. I am, I have, I intend. There is no doubt in these statements. You are not leaving room anywhere for any uncertainty or any negative thoughts.
The universe is abundant in all things. Everything that ever was, is now and ever shall be. You are not making a request for anything you do not have already. You are simply recognizing the truth that it is here for you to take. Know this and Claim it! Know that you are deserving and it is your right as a part of the Universe to have what was meant for you to have.
God doesn't do anything to us that we do not choose for ourselves. This is our free will. Choose all you desire knowing that the Universe gives it freely.
Your affirmations are your beginning. Start by using affirmations that will assist you in changing your thoughts. For example; "I am worthy of all my desires." " I have the power and strength to do anything." " It is my right to have joy and peace." "I accept I am the creator of my reality."
Feel the feelings that exist with knowing these things. Act as if you are truly all powerful as a part of the Universal energy.
These affirmations thought often enough, will change your beliefs and thus create for you a new reality.
THE 2ND MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO IS ALLOW FOR YOUR DESIRES BY LETTING GO.
Allowing is the ability to not sabotage our affirmations by negative thinking or by thinking there is much we need to do to make our desires happen. In order to recognize our negative thoughts we must be conscious of our thoughts. If our desire is to be thinner, but we look in the mirror and think, "Look how fat I am." This is sabotaging your desires. See yourself feeling healthier, more energetic and thinner. It is not the Universe that denies us, but our own will (thinking) that inhibits our reality to change. Our own insane thoughts that believe we are not worthy or good enough.
You are a part of the Universe and Universal energy, which responds to Universal Laws. Therefore, if you expend your thoughts in negative thinking such as, "There isn't enough, I'll always have to struggle, I can't change, the world is going to get worse...." this is what you will create in your reality.
Allow means to let it happen. There is nothing that you need to do (except change your thoughts).
You do not have to busy yourself with all kinds of data, resources, invest lots of money or join a group.
The Universe will create situations in your life that bring you what you desire. So, just be open to new opportunities, but don't exhaust yourself trying to make something happen. This may include a new investment or group, but don't force things to happen. Know that they will and when they do you will feel happy and excited, but not afraid or in doubt. Remember that it is not you (ego mind) that is going to create. It is your spirit, your higher self that creates. There is no thing you have to do.
I know this can be difficult because we are trained early on that we have to work hard to get what we want, but trust in the Universe and stop sabotaging your life with your own thoughts that you can create on your own.
As you think so you create your world and thus perceive it. Your thoughts can be changed. You are the creator of your thoughts. As you think on anything you are sending it your energy. If you think things are getting worse, they will for you.
Enhance your affirmations by seeing yourself as the spiritual being you are and recognize that as a part of this Universe you have a right to your desires, claim them and then give thanks for them. The Universe will accommodate you. If you think you will succeed in all you do, you will.
Practice writing your affirmations 3 times every day for 60 days.
Anne Shipley, Life Coach I am a lover of life, grateful for each opportunity to learn and gain wisdom through interactions with my great companions and seekers. http://www.healingpowercoach.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Shipley
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Lloyd Van Strong Man of the Year!
As an employee of Ion Exchange, Inc. where my wages were doubled every week, I was still depressed. My employers were going to give me one last chance to come around. In desperation, they sent me to the jungle of Costa Rica where I became a real man and now I'm pumped and ready to go with both feet on the ground. I’m Lloyd Vann, nominated as Costa Rica’s Strong Man of the Year 2009. Take a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B1eJprNUew
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Greater Identity Theft is Our Cultural DNA
This is a great article written by Stephen Covey
We are warned more and more about the threat of identify theft. However, the greater identify theft is our cultural DNA; it’s not someone taking your wallet and using your credit cards—that’s very superficial. It’s about the profound identity threat that comes from people being raised in a comparison-based culture, so they focus more on secondary greatness, to become rich and famous, rather than primary greatness, which deals with character and contribution. This switch to secondary greatness is alluring and occurs throughout cultures of the world—secondary greatness has replaced primary greatness, and, as a result, trust has deteriorated, confidence has gone down, and we’re living with its consequences, as evidenced by the global financial crisis.
So it’s a healthy thing to be humbled by this or any other crisis, to realize that we have to take an inside-out approach in learning to be humble, to focus on integrity and character and on making a contribution, to serve other people, and serve worthwhile causes. How is the crisis affecting you? Are you focusing your efforts on strengthening your primary greatness—your character and ability for contribution? Set a goal to make a difference for someone else at work, at home, in your neighborhood, or community. The more you focus on serving others, the more authentic you will feel; your character strength will grow, you will be build trust, and you will build your worth based on principles versus on the need to gratify our cultural values, which often center on instant gratification and becoming an enviable figure in public. This will help to prevent your identify theft and help you resist your negative cultural DNA.
We are warned more and more about the threat of identify theft. However, the greater identify theft is our cultural DNA; it’s not someone taking your wallet and using your credit cards—that’s very superficial. It’s about the profound identity threat that comes from people being raised in a comparison-based culture, so they focus more on secondary greatness, to become rich and famous, rather than primary greatness, which deals with character and contribution. This switch to secondary greatness is alluring and occurs throughout cultures of the world—secondary greatness has replaced primary greatness, and, as a result, trust has deteriorated, confidence has gone down, and we’re living with its consequences, as evidenced by the global financial crisis.
So it’s a healthy thing to be humbled by this or any other crisis, to realize that we have to take an inside-out approach in learning to be humble, to focus on integrity and character and on making a contribution, to serve other people, and serve worthwhile causes. How is the crisis affecting you? Are you focusing your efforts on strengthening your primary greatness—your character and ability for contribution? Set a goal to make a difference for someone else at work, at home, in your neighborhood, or community. The more you focus on serving others, the more authentic you will feel; your character strength will grow, you will be build trust, and you will build your worth based on principles versus on the need to gratify our cultural values, which often center on instant gratification and becoming an enviable figure in public. This will help to prevent your identify theft and help you resist your negative cultural DNA.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Feng Shui Your Office
Here are a couple of Feng Shui tips for the office.
Although the name may be unfamiliar to some of us in North America, feng shui (pronounced fung schway) has actually been an important part of Chinese culture for over 3,000 years.
In essence, feng shui is the ancient art of placement and design that’s used to balance and enhance the flow of energy in living environments. Feng shui experts believe that by creating harmony and balance in your physical environment, you’ll attract good luck and prosperity in all areas of your life.
So what does this have to do with the office? By following this age-old practice, you could improve your productivity and career prospects as well as enhance your success, creativity and wealth.
If you Work at Home:
Energy enters from the front door, so you should set up your home office in the front of the house to take advantage of the energy flow. Once energy enters the house, it always flows upwards. This means it’s preferable to be on the entry level or higher instead of in the basement. If your home office is in your bedroom, hide the office area with a screen at night so that you don’t mix energies when you move from work to sleep. If your home office doesn’t have a window, brighten up the room with yellow paint, bright lights and pictures of the outdoors.
If your home office is in the basement, paint the walls and ceilings bright white. Create as much light as possible with bright lighting. Install a fan to get the energy flowing.
If you Work at the Office:
If possible, place your desk in a position that allows you to sit with your back to a wall or corner. This will create a sense of security. If you must sit with your back to a door, hang a mirror in front of you so you can see anyone coming into the room. Avoid placing your desk so that your back is against a window. This position will make you feel as though nothing solid is backing you up. Get rid of the clutter! Reducing clutter will begin to clear away unnecessary items in your life and make room for something new and desirable. Place a medium-sized rug in the center of your office. A deep blue, black or other dark-color rug is like a deep pool of water upon which to rest the eyes and reflect. If you don’t have a view of outside from where you sit, hang a plant or a picture of a plant in your line of view to bring the outdoors inside for a calming effect.
Feng shui is more complex than the suggestions outlined above. However, you can use these tips as a simple introduction to this ancient science. Feng shui will help make your workspace more comfortable and even more enticing. If you feel relaxed and at ease in your workspace, creative energy can flow and your overall productivity will improve. If nothing else, you’ll simply feel better or more positive while working and you’ll reduce the amount of clutter in your workspace.
1. Kirsten M. Lagatree, Feng Shui at Work
Although the name may be unfamiliar to some of us in North America, feng shui (pronounced fung schway) has actually been an important part of Chinese culture for over 3,000 years.
In essence, feng shui is the ancient art of placement and design that’s used to balance and enhance the flow of energy in living environments. Feng shui experts believe that by creating harmony and balance in your physical environment, you’ll attract good luck and prosperity in all areas of your life.
So what does this have to do with the office? By following this age-old practice, you could improve your productivity and career prospects as well as enhance your success, creativity and wealth.
If you Work at Home:
Energy enters from the front door, so you should set up your home office in the front of the house to take advantage of the energy flow. Once energy enters the house, it always flows upwards. This means it’s preferable to be on the entry level or higher instead of in the basement. If your home office is in your bedroom, hide the office area with a screen at night so that you don’t mix energies when you move from work to sleep. If your home office doesn’t have a window, brighten up the room with yellow paint, bright lights and pictures of the outdoors.
If your home office is in the basement, paint the walls and ceilings bright white. Create as much light as possible with bright lighting. Install a fan to get the energy flowing.
If you Work at the Office:
If possible, place your desk in a position that allows you to sit with your back to a wall or corner. This will create a sense of security. If you must sit with your back to a door, hang a mirror in front of you so you can see anyone coming into the room. Avoid placing your desk so that your back is against a window. This position will make you feel as though nothing solid is backing you up. Get rid of the clutter! Reducing clutter will begin to clear away unnecessary items in your life and make room for something new and desirable. Place a medium-sized rug in the center of your office. A deep blue, black or other dark-color rug is like a deep pool of water upon which to rest the eyes and reflect. If you don’t have a view of outside from where you sit, hang a plant or a picture of a plant in your line of view to bring the outdoors inside for a calming effect.
Feng shui is more complex than the suggestions outlined above. However, you can use these tips as a simple introduction to this ancient science. Feng shui will help make your workspace more comfortable and even more enticing. If you feel relaxed and at ease in your workspace, creative energy can flow and your overall productivity will improve. If nothing else, you’ll simply feel better or more positive while working and you’ll reduce the amount of clutter in your workspace.
1. Kirsten M. Lagatree, Feng Shui at Work
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