Getting happy – # 60 Day 10,000 Step Challenge

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What is this video about

In this weeks video were looking at the wide raging  benefits of walking.

How is this different 

This week, we are doing something a bit different. Over the last couple of posts we looked at the advandatages of being happy at work. This week were going to explore how we can boost are own wellbeing. But lets not just absorb a new pice of info, lets actually do it – join me on the #60 Day 10,000 Step Challenge. 

How can it help

If your not convinced, below are some of the health and social benefits of walking:

  • improves mood and wellbeing
  • reduces stress
  • reduces risk of diabetes and other long term conditions
  • It can also be social!
  • Its totally free
  • It can fit around your schedule

Let me know how you get on over the next 60 days – I will feedback how I get on too. For more info check out the benefits your self via the British National Health Service Guide.

Enjoy the fresh air!

 

Dr MAYA ANGELOU – living with heart and courage

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http://youtu.be/bdagJKsKSp8

 

What is this video about

I was saddened to hear of Maya Angelou’s passing. In this week’s post you will find an  interview with Time Magazine. The video gives some insight into her work and her life and, her infectious laugh.

 

Why is this different

Maya is different. Regardless of how you feel about her work, she is a person that is easy to admire. Her passion for her craft, her life and her individuality makes her stand out from the crowd.

 

How this can help

Maya lived a value based life.  While there is plenty of editorial about her hardships in her life. What I think is most memorable is that she lived her life on her own terms – with heart and courage. I think this is something we can all learn from. For more inspiration visit the New Yorker for her life in pictures.

 

Enjoy – and be inspired!

 

 

Work that makes you happy – your motivator

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What is the video about

In this entertaining and warm talk we, have Daniel pink the renowned author on trends in the workplace. In this video, Daniel shares the science behind workplace motivation.  Behind his charm is a serious message.  Science proves a well known truth:  Doing work you like makes you motivated. He says there is a miss match behind what science knows and what business does. The wikapedia example he uses is pretty interesting.

How is it different

What Daniel tell us is,  in a knowledge based job, higher financial incentives doe not lead to higher motivation.  Money helps of course. But, more money after the point your needs are met, wont drive you. His work leads him to conclude that you are going to have to look for something else to push you to innovate, to think differently .

 

How will it help

Once your money needs are met, if innovation and thinking are crucial to your job outputs, look for internal incentives . So, for those thinking of there current or next move, be it a project, job or industry, there as some things to think about:

  • Autonomy
  • Mastery
  • Purpose

Enjoy this one – invest in being happy at work, it pays.

Being happy makes you more productive

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What is this video about

This is an interesting talk about productivity. Yes this is possible, this isn’t a boring talk about time management or your email inbox. This is about  a call to action to move beyond the average, to be happy. Shawn tells us that in order to be more productive we must become happier.  He cites research that 75% of job success can be predicted by happiness levels.

Why is this video different

Shawn debunks the idea that you work to be happy. He turns it on its head and says that for work to work – you need to be happy first. Your brain at positive means that you can improve business outcomes across the board – harder, faster and more intelligently.

How can it help me

Shawn tells us that your happiness is not determined by your external world but 90% by you internal world.  How your brain processess information. In the video we learn small practical steps you can add to your day to make you happier.  Some of the examples he includes is a gratitude journal, working out, mediation and acts of kindness.

Enjoy -and go be happy!

A little ‘magic’ goes a long way to making your more producitve

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Why is this book different

This book is not about changing anything but is about appreciating what you have right now. In the personal development space where change dominates- getting different and being different -this is a refreshing change. 

How can it help

I have read this book a few times. I can say that it does what it says on the tin. Being grateful means that you are in a more  happy and resourceful state.  The simple act of moving from a place of scarcity to being grateful for what you have somehow by magic, this increases what you have now including your productivity. Try it and see!

How science can make us happier and healthier

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What is this video about

In this video, Kelly McDonald looks at stress and drills down into how we might approach it in a more productive way. Kelly  is a Health Psychologist. She is from a academic background but she is vey much interested In how science can help us improve our lives in a practical way.  As she says  in the video, she is interested in, ‘how  science can make us happier and healthier’. 

Why is this video different

Kelly presents some interesting evidence.  She talks us through  studies that show  two groups with the same amount  of stress. One group  felt that stress was having a detrimental effect on them and another group did not. It is only the ones who felt that stress was ‘bad’ who had a shorter lifespan. The take home point from the study is, that the difference that makes the difference,  is the belief about stress, the ’internal game’, rather than stress itself has an impact.

That was enough there for me in terms of new ideas.  But Kelly goes on to tell us that under stress you release Oxytocin which urges you to seek support and love from others around you,   as well urges you to give support to others. Oxytocin also protects the body from the effects  stress. So not only is your body protected but you develop more courage and connection which, further supports your resilience.

How can it help me

Stress is a feature of everyday life. Exposure to large amounts on a regular basis is not seen as a  good thing. But avoiding stress altogether is quite hard. This video helps you think about stress in a much more productive way.  Which,  according to Kelly can help you lead a a happier and healthier life.

 

The benefits of being a breadwinner AND a caregiver

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What is is about

This video is a personal account by Anne-Marrie about making tough choices between success in her career and success in her home life. This is a heartfelt video of personal insight in prioritising what is most important.

Why is this different

Anne- Marie  takes the personal and makes it political and uses her own personal experiences to re-define for her,  the feminist narrative.  Anne-Marie challenges the notion of equality between men and women in the workplace as simply women accessing the same jobs as men. Don’t get me wrong, she values this as an important goal in its own right. However, she feels and, I must say I agree- real equality is wider than this. Real equality as she defines it is about  a range of choices weather its to work, be a home maker or be both. All choices should have equal value.  She says and I also agree again, we need to ‘make caregiving cool for guys’. Men that stay at home, women that stay at home or those that go to work or all number of combination that is right for each family should hold equal weight. This is a worthy call to action.

 

How this will help

This  video is thought provoking as it challenges us to conceptualise caregiving in a different way. She points out some interesting observations that are relevant and important in a modern high speed networked  global workplace:

  • Individuals who are breadwinners and who are also caregivers are more resilient, have greater empath, greater creativity and have a wider range of contacts
  • Organisations with family friendly polices have more engaged employees at work, they are more loyal and have less stress
  • Economies that have the highest level of family friendly practices and infrastructure  (e.g Norway, Sweden and Denmark) rank high on the OCED global competitiveness league tables

This is some interesting and important food for thought- enjoy!

Birds Eye View Film Festival – showcasing women film makers

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What is it?

The Birds Eye View Film Festival is a thought proving event held in London that showcases and celebrates  women from  around the word as film makers. This inspiring festival shines an amazing  spotlight on female talent. The event will run for six days from 8th -13th of April 2014. This year the festival, in its 10th anniversary and, will be:

‘celebrating women with wildness in their hearts and stories in their souls.’

Why was it set up?

The event was set up ten years ago when founder Rachel Millward was shocked when she saw that 92% of films on general realise were directed by men.

Why is it relevant to working women?

This event also has practical relevance for women working  in film or, aspiring  film makers. There are  a range of year long development programmes. These include:

• ‘Filmonomics’ that brings together the business end of film making with directors in a range  of speaker and networking events.
• Other opportunities are through  workshop such as ‘watch and learn’ events
• As well and bespoke events under the banner of ‘festival delegates’

Where can you find out more?

You can go direct to the Birds Eye View Film Festival  website where you can find full details about the event, including how to get tickets to see the films, the training labs and the other events. You can also look at the Bristsh Film Institute   website that provides the times and dates of films. Also check out there Facebook page of to see what topics are trending.

Enjoy!