Dark Chocolate is good for you

Guess what? Scientists have found out why chocolate is good for you.

Eating one and half ounces (42.5 g) daily for two weeks reduced stress hormones in the body, and also helped to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. It also helps with the production of serotonin (the happy neurotransmitter in the brain) and endorphins (enjoyment). It has also been shown that savouring dark chocolate stimulates all part of the brain more intensely than passionate kissing.

It might also be helpful in providing relief from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Read more from the article here.

Charter for Compassion

Karen Armstrong won one of three TED Prizes last year and this has now come to fruition. The Charter for Compassion is a guide and means for people to sign up to the Charter, and to post moments of compassion they have experienced in their lives.

Please consider joining the movement for more Compassion and understanding in our lives...

Responsible Business Roadmaps

I received this link from St James Ethics Centre newsletter today. The St James Ethics Centre promotes ethical business practice and has regular debates - the IQ2 debates held monthly in Sydney. They also offer training programs, consulting, advocacy and counselling and other services to assist businesses and individuals to make more ethical choices in their work.

The Australian Government commissioned the St James Ethics Centre to "expand responsible business practice" and funded the National Responsible Business Practice Project. This and it has produced some roadmaps to give businesses and consumers a better idea of the true cost of an item or product from the grower or manufacturer to the consumer supply point. They consider the demand for the product, where it will ultimately be used, how much energy is consumed in growing or developing the product etc.

There are three roadmaps produced so far, one for Natural Fibre Garment Roadmap ((e.g. wool or cotton), the Potato Roadmap (fresh versus frozen potatoes) and the Building Roadmap provide information to help us determine the environmental cost of our manufacture, development and supply of some common purchases. At this stage I don't think they name brands or suppliers (which would make it easier to attempt to stay within 100 miles or 100 km from grower to table), but it is a start.

And if you are truly interested in responsible business practice, visit The Hub website for more information.

Laughter in surprising places

I received this link in an email from the Friends of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Australia. HH the Dalai Lama is teaching a number of programs in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart in early December 2009. This clip is delightful and I just wanted to share it.

Enjoy the laughter and click here.

Want a laugh?

Found this fun cartoon slideshow on Matthew Handy's website. He's a mathematician with a sense of humour.

If you are having trouble seeing the whole cartoon, hover your cursor over the bottom right corner of the slideshow box and select the option to view the cartoons on "full screen", then just hit "Esc" to return to normal screen view.

Find more photos like this on dotmaths

Respect and Empowerment

Just wondering -

If we gave others the respect we crave and allowed them to feel empowered the way we would want would we all get along better - ALL the time?

It seems that anger, frustration and feelings of lack of significance (whether real or imagined) make us react in ways that may not be in our best interests and leads to arguments, discord and distrust. This might be a bit simplistic but I think it is part of the picture of stress in our lives.

We need to be responsible for our actions and reactions, and our feelings as well.

In some ways, it is all about us, but as everything and everyone is linked, it is all about it all.

Assumptions say more about us

What assumptions do you take into every thought and conversation you have?

I recently read Dr Irene Pepperberg's wonderful book "Alex & Me" about her 30+ year working relationship with an African Grey Parrot, Alex.

Through her work, and in her book Dr Pepperberg considers the acquisition of language in non-primate animals, the nature of intelligence as well as our attitudes and prejudice relating to our place in the animal hierarchy. She wrote that other scientists did not believe her work, nor did they take it seriously and she was attacked for her conclusions from a number of areas. This might be based on a scientific rigour, our reluctance to think outside the box, an unwillingness to question previously held beliefs, or a notion that humans have the only worthwhile definitions and standards to which all life should aspire. It was hard for many people to accept that something with a brain the size of a walnut could understand maths concepts, word formation etc.

Are you secure enough in your beliefs to be open-minded? Many other birds display some intelligence.

Facing Challenges

We face challenges in our lives virtually all the time.

We each have our own ways of dealing with each challenge. Sometimes we take them head on, charging like a bull at a gate. Other times we take time to let things settle - to see what is truly going on and give a considered response. Our actions can be based on our courage and resilience at the time, and our understanding of the situation.

Whatever it is that we do, we need to be flexible - ready to take a stand if necessary, but ready to give the other points of view due regard. Our approach might be different based on with whom we are dealing (whether they are part of our business or personal lives) and the potential impact and consequence of our actions and the situation we are facing.

Often there is no "right" or "wrong" way - there is just the way we have done something - and we might need to be ready to respond to what comes next. Being fixed in our attitudes and responses can be costly and limit our options for resolution.

Challenging local councils

I visited Ballast Point park in Birchgrove, Sydney last weekend. A pretty spot, lovely views of the harbour and interesting design.

The site was originally used for loading ballast onto ships when they had off-loaded goods in the early colony (1788 - 1800) to return to England empty, and was a hunting and fishing point. It later was the site for a wonderful and significant home, called Menevia. It changed hands a few times and eventually was bought by Texaco (Caltex) - they demolished the house, and developed the site as a fuel depot, manufacturing and packaging facility until the 1990s.

It was bought by the government and returned to public use, with the site developed as a park. Apart from the interesting design, the site has wind turbines to power the path lighting. These are silent, are of a different design than others I have seen and seem perhaps small enough for domestic use.

Will local councils allow us to install wind turbines for our domestic use? My plea - all homes should be encouraged to have solar heating, wind power, and rain water tanks, and suppliers please aim to make it as easy as possible to install these and help our environment.

Integrity in a busy world

Have you noticed that many people seem to forget they have a choice between what is "right" and what is "expedient" in their busy lives?

It is often much easier to make decisions based on short term gain rather than considering the impact over time of every decision made. Of course, there is often no problem with this - that building business and dealing with others is clean and honest. But do you sometimes compromise your values and forget or let slide your usual attitudes to ethics, professional etiquette, respect, integrity and morality?

What would you say if your children behaved towards their peers in the way that you behave in your business? Do you demonstrate what you want them to emulate?

I believe that most people justify what they do, that they make it OK to do everything they choose. Whether it is stepping up and taking responsibility openly or managing to self-talk themselves through decisions and actions that would in other situations be abhorrent for them seems to be a moot point.

It would be glib to suggest that we can all do better and that we should - but perhaps the bigger question is what do we do to hold our ground in face of the onslaught?

I think we need to be very clear about how we want to be remembered - and then every choice and decision we make can be a step towards that.

Manage v/s Micromanage

Imagine a workplace with a number of staff being micromanaged.  In the extreme this would mean that the manager has to fix the photocopier EVERY time it jammed, or at the very least would have written the step-by-step procedures followed in minute detail.

We often complain about the difficulties in managing our staff, our work, our children, our partners - in fact, everything in our entire rich and chaotic lives.

But - do we have trouble managing or are we stuck trying to micromanage?

Micromanaging means that we are acutely aware of every change in the details of things - regardless of what those changes are, and we try to control every single one of them!

You know you are micromanaging if:

• You are always "on call"
  
• Your open door office is never closed
  
• You can't focus on your work because you are doing everyone else's
  
• You are the bottleneck in the productivity flow.
  

If you find that you are micromanaging - try these simple steps:

• Think BIG picture
  
• Remember what your true role (and worth) is
  
• Clarify and communicate how you best serve your organisation
  

Remember - by micromanaging your are stopping EVERYONE from shining.  You cannot do your best, and nor can they. 

Improve your memory and reduce stress by doodling

Have you ever watched someone doodling while they were in a meeting or on the phone and thought that they weren't paying attention?

I was reading Dr Dave Hnida's blog and came across his post about a study from the journal, Applied Cognitive Psychology, that found doodling may improve concentration.

He wrote, "People who daydreamed during boring meetings, classes and phone conversations, actually retained less of what was going on around them."

Doodling may also have an added benefit of being a stress-beater. It was also suggested that doodlers tend to be more organized than day-dreamers.

Some famous doodlers include US Presidents, John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama. The only downside might come from leaving one's doodles in a place where others can see them.

Dr Hnida concludes, "...doodles...offer insight into personalities; some of the most common doodles include circles which indicate self-protection; arrows show a strong personal drive; and boxes reveal the mind of a logical organized person."

So the next time you feel like doodling during a meeting or phone call, don't hold back! It may be just the thing to remember a key point and in turn help you regain Calm from Chaos.

Find doodle interpretations take a look at Dr. Dave Hnida's blog.

Taking Responsibility

President Barack Obama in his inaugural address said "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, ... that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world...."

Many people and organisations are talking about taking appropriate responsibility - particularly in light of the current number of corporate collapses. We are asking how did this happen, and who is responsible - the Government, the CEO, the Board of Directors? The list is long ...



It seems to me that many of us believe that we are taking responsibility, but we are kidding ourselves. We go through the motions of taking responsibility, but don't follow through.

For example, many of us know the consequences of over indulgence - but we continue to over indulge. We don't follow the exercise programs we know help to maintain our health, and live lifestyles that are potentially more damaging than supportive. If we seek medical attention when we are sick, but do not take the medicine as prescribed, or complete the exercise program, are we truly taking responsibility?

Our reasons for not taking full responsibility are varied:

• The task might seem too hard,
• We might lack the necessary resources,
• We might have other responsibilities,
• We might be distracted, or
• We might just want a break.

I believe that one of the differences between elite performers - whether they are athletes, business people or world leaders is their ability to take appropriate responsibility - they own their roles in life and do not shirk away from them. They do not fill their time with other peoples' responsibilities - they know how to delegate, and how to stay true. They focus on the big picture and remember that the details are important to achieve success.

This ability to accept full and appropriate responsibility is a true gift. If it doesn't come naturally to you it can be learned.

In Summary:
Next time you find yourself avoiding completing a task, ask:
Who is responsible? Do it or Delegate.
When is it due? Acknowledge and Agree.
What is required? Source and Resource.
How will you know when it is completed appropriately? Refine, Report and Record.

Remember to consider the appropriateness of every step.

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... Rank: wait... Traffic: wait... Price: wait... C: wait...

Thank You

I would like to thank ALL fire fighters (professionals, full-time, part time and volunteers) who put their lives at risk to protect the rest of us.

I would also like to thank ALL emergency service workers who do the most amazing work.

They are often our unsung heroes.

Bless you all.

TED@Palm Springs

Last week I had the honour of attending the TED 09 Conference in Palm Springs, California - a simulcast of the live event held for the first time at Long Beach California.   Exhausting and refreshing at the same time!

TED conferences have something for everyone - great minds, fantastic ideas and brilliant conversations in the friendliest of environments.  We could rub shoulders and share time with people from many different backgrounds, ideologies and countries.  Please go to the TED website and find some talks that interest you.  My favourites are those that push my boundaries - my understandings of technology, human endeavours and social responsibility.

One thing I found unsettling though, is that I didn't find out about the truly tragic massive bush fires in Victoria, Australia until my son told me over the phone the following day, and on my return Qantas flight to Sydney two days later.  It amazed me at how insular we can be despite modern technology and living virtually 24/7.

My goal for this year - stay in touch with the people and things  that matter to me, while being open to new experiences and new connections.

Time Versus Money

Have you heard the saying - if you have enough time you won't have enough money, and if you have enough money, you have the time?

Time and money are both forms of currency - and in this tough economic climate we will have to carefully consider both.

I have often said that if you throw enough money at a problem - at ANY problem - the problem will go away.  It will be solved.  

This is particularly true for problems that need a concrete, material solution.  Virtually all other problems will need either time or money spent on them to find the best solution.  We can find solutions quickly if we pay for them, but if we don't have the necessary funds we need to be creative to find effective solutions.

To help you find solutions without spending more money, consider:

What has worked in the past?

Will it work now?

What else could you do?

Where can you get new inspiration?

In Summary:

Thinking outside the box will help you find new solutions.

Learn the difference between being able to solve a problem, and learning to cope with it.

Productivity Tips No. 1

From time to time I will post some productivity tips - things to assist us to get more from our busy lives. Here is Tip No 1.

Enjoy what you do...
How many times have you dragged yourself painfully through tasks - struggling to finish, and begrudging every moment "wasted"?

I recently had a conversation with a colleague who mentioned breaking her golden rule of not working on weekends. She was happy to spend extra time on a project with a tight deadline because she thoroughly enjoyed what she was doing and was excited by the project. In fact, she had energy to burn and completed other tasks as well.

Do you enjoy your paid and unpaid work?
How can you make your work fun?

In Summary:
People go the extra mile when they enjoy the task.
Think of ways to make your work fun.
Mix it up and break it up.
Play music you enjoy - get up and dance for a change.
Reward yourself and your staff when they achieve a milestone.
Watch your productivity soar.

Tips to Help You Survive the Fesitve Season

Many of us find the festive season stressful and this can push us from being effective and productive to feeling dreadful.
We may have to spend time with people we don't like, fit in with someone else's idea of a good time, be out of our daily routine and familiar environments, and have increased financial burdens - all of which can add to the chaos.

If visiting your family drives you crazy - think of these things:

• They are remembering who you used to be. Your parents, older siblings and other relatives remember when you were a dependent, helpless baby. They may not see your current maturity and capabilities.
• We choose our friends, and sometimes just tolerate our relatives. To cope with this, think of some fun times in the past, something funny or find something helpful to do to get away from them - for example, cleaning the kitchen or tidying the garden.
• You have a choice about what you talk about and how you respond to others. Old patterns are just that - OLD.
• Your attitudes and beliefs may have evolved away from those of your family. Family traditions shape our personalities and memories. Stepping back into them can show us how far we have come, and we might miss them if they were no longer here.

Wishing you all a wonderful festive season and a fantastic 2009.