The Sun gives us Energy

 

The main reason why I love living in California is because of the sun's light. Having lived in other parts of the World where we don't see the sun as much, I find the sun's light extremely uplifting. It helps you get the day started positively, it gives you a second punch in the middle of the day when you step out of your office to have lunch, it sends you to bed feeling accomplished.


Make sure that if you live in a "gray area" of the World that you take at least a couple short vacations during the year to "uplift" you psyche with the sun's light.

Getting into a zen state - after a stressful day

Have you found yourself to be unproductive, too edgy, unable to focus on even the smallest things, well, that means that you are stressed. You've driven yourself to an uncomfortable state where your brain is "out of its zone".

So take a day off, maybe two.

And follow the next few actions to get back in a comfortable zone:

Disconnect: Turn off cell phones, Blackberry and iPhones, email pings, rings, social networks, PCs, TV, etc. Anything that is intrusive to your silent mental space.

Deep Breathing: Seat yourself with your feet crossed, your back straight, close your eyes, and just breathe. Do this in 30-breath series, increasing intensity on the first 10 series, and decreasing breath on the next 20 series.

Take a walk: Go to a nearby park, better yet, to a forest outside the city and take a LONG walk. I mean 1-hour+. Preferably alone (just make sure you are in a safe area with other people walking around there). No iPod or other gizmo in your ears. While walking, repeat those breathing exercise from above.

Read: Take a book with you, a pleasant one. Read. Listen to yourself "dream" while you're awake by following the story. This will take you away from the stressful thoughts that brought you in the stressful state in the first place.

Take a nap: Go back home, and take a nap. Not in your bed, otherwise your mind will think it's bedtime.

After a day like this, you should feel rejuvenated mentally. Making you feel you've gone back to your "roots" as a human being, rather than an auto-piloted constantly-connected robot.

A Zen Presentation to communicate in a simple effective way

Don't you find yourself including too many data points, messages and details on each one of your slides. By the time you show your 30-slide deck, your audience is ready to sleep.


Focus on essential messages. If you cannot say it in less than a sentence, that means it is not clear in Your head. And if it is not clear in your head, then you cannot communicate it.


In communications as in life, stick to the KISS principle. Keep It Simple Stupid.

Presentation Zen

View more presentations from Fabian Crabus.

Rachid Sefrioui on New Business Model Generation

I discovered this fantastic book about how to be wholistic when trying to develop a New Business Model for your startup, your app or just to reinvent your business in light of a rapidly changing competitive environment.

Use the Canvas by clicking on & printing the picture in this post to make sure you have covered all the bases when subjecting your idea to the "Business Model" test.

It did remind me of when I discovered Michael Porter's Five Forces Framework. It has that feeling of Eureka! but again everything these days seems to be a nanosecond eureka :)

You can find out more about the authors and their works at Business Model Generation. 

It's not a glitch. Tiger Woods will be back!

Our Iceberg Is Melting - Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions

Rolling up 18 companies under 2 years is a feat in-and-out of itself but the following presentation will clarify many of the conditions under which rollups and integration are done. It is always a question of Perspective...

Our Iceberg Is Melting - Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions

View more presentations from Samuli Pahkala.

Oceanfront golf has a zen feeling to it

Baja California is one of the most immaculate, most pristine coasts along the west coast of the Amrican continent.
Some beautifully set golf courses, designed by world-class champions, and impecably manicured.
Mexico tourism at its best.

Just looking at the picture on your PC of this breadthtaking view is a nice break in anybody's stressful workday.