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.

A Better Life ...

Dedicated to the memory of LSK.

This blog is to honour someone I don't remember meeting, and to raise a challenge - what more can each of us add to the relationships and meetings we have each day?

I have just been to a friend's father's funeral. I might have met him briefly, but I was probably too busy doing my "stuff" to have used the opportunity to meet such a remarkable, loving and generous man.

People eulogise about the best memories. By all accounts this man lived a remarkable life. He started in a new country with nothing, took lowly and menial jobs at first, building quite a remarkable business life.

But what stood out in the eulogies was his love of his family - he felt he was rich beyond measure because of the love of his family - he was happily married to the same woman for 53 years. They walked around the park holding hands every day until 3 months before he died. He had seven grandchildren - as he said, one for each day of the week. He lined his front steps with flowers to celebrate the birth of each child and grandchild, and every person he met with interest, respect and genuine care and affection. He was known by his employees as the best boss they could ever have, and his word was as good as any binding legal contract.

He did what he said he would do.

Think how much more joyful our lives would be if we could all be a little more like this man.