Sally Hogshead knows how to fascinate you (source of image)
Ever wonder how people perceive your unique self? Keen to use those insights to market yourself better and improve your social influence?
In a fascinating episode on the Social Media Marketing podcast, Sally Hogshead, author of How the World Sees You, shared how we can use the science of “fascination” to build your personal brand, impress others and improve our social influence.
Courtesy of Vector Marketing
Do you know the secret to having a great day?
It begins the moment you wake up. That’s right, first thing in the morning.
Courtesy of Victoria Brain Injury Society
One of marketing maven Seth Godin’s recent post on what generosity truly is struck a deep chord with me. As we are celebrating Christmas tomorrow, I thought it would be good to highlight some of his ideas, peppered with my own perspectives.
In Godin’s own words:
“Generosity is not merely giving a discount, or giving what you make away or creating a race to the bottom. It’s far more complex than that. ”
Courtesy of AARP
How do you define success? Can it be measured by wealth or power alone?
Apparently no. Not least according to Arianna Huffington, founder and editor of Huffington Post Media Group – one of the world’s most influential news and information brands. In her latest book Thrive, Huffington proposes that there is a “third metric” which quantifies success by one’s well-being, wisdom, sense of wonder, and ability to give.
Courtesy of Standford Alumni YouTube
Why do some people perform amazingly well while others falter despite starting off at similar positions in life?
The difference, according to eminent Stanford psychologist Dr Carol Dweck, is in the mind. Or more accurately, your mindset.
Courtesy of Little Alaska
“Shhhh!”
Ready?
Let’s be still for a moment.
Slow your thoughts down. Calm your jarred nerves.
Stop scrolling endlessly through your smartphone. The world won’t end with one less “like”, comment, Tweet, or Instagrammed pic.
Put that device down. Shut it off or put it on “flight” mode.
Place it in another room.
Walk to the most quiet place you can find.
Close the door. Cool your environment with a fan or air-con.
Dim the lights.
Find a nice comfortable chair. Sit in a restful posture.
Relax.
Breathe. Inhale deeply.
Hold it there for a while.
Then slowly and evenly exhale.
Do this for about 10 times.
When you’re done, let your mind drift.
Allow your senses to wander.
Forget about the cares of this world. Let it all melt away…
Close your eyes. Think tranquil thoughts.
If you wish, you can meditate.
Focus on the people and things which truly matter.
God. Your family. Great friends. Happy memories of past events.
Laughter. Joy. Love. Warmth. Happiness.
Now is also a good time to pray.
Cast your cares upon God. Let Him shoulder your burdens.
Or you can paint a beautiful picture in your mind. Anything that puts you at peace.
Golden sandy beaches. Cascading waterfalls. Turquoise blue oceans. Snow peaked mountains.
Or think of nothing at all.
Relax.
Let serenity and silence envelope your body.
Allow it to percolate your mind and body.
Feel your muscles relax. From the tip of your head to the soles of your feet.
Be one with the environment.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of stillness.
Open your palms. Release that tension. Release that fear. Release that worry.
Visualise the wind blowing them away. Dissolved into harmless nothingness.
Remain in this state of tranquility for as long as you can.
When you’re ready to get back into the world, slowly reawaken your senses.
One by one let it come back.
Move your arm, your leg and your body.
Finally, open your eyes. Calmly. Gently.
Rise and stand. Stretch.
Open the door and face the world.
Refreshed. Recharged. Reinvigorated.
Repeat as often as you can afford to.
Why are some folks blessed with riches while others struggle to make ends meet? What is the magic formula to wealth?
The answer, according to renowned millionaire guru T. Harv Eker, is found in one’s money blueprint. In his bestselling book, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, Eker urges us to change our personal money blueprint and reprogramme the way we think, feel and act in order to achieve mastery over our wealth, attain financial freedom, and lead more meaningful lives.
PM Lee at National Day Rally 2014 (courtesy of Prime Minister’s Office)
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s recent National Day Rally speech got me thinking about the challenges of planning for one’s retirement. Are Singaporeans aware of how much funds they need to retire comfortably? Do they know what their true retirement living costs will be?
I like how PM illustrated the case of a fictitious 54 year old senior technician named Mr Tan, and how his estimated living costs of $2,000 per month could possibly be met. Through the example given, PM showed that a CPF Minimum Sum of $155,000 – to be adjusted to $161,000 next year – isn’t an unreasonable amount to be considered in one’s Retirement Account (RA). In fact it can only cater to a very basic lifestyle and is probably insufficient for those who retire earlier (at say 55 rather than 65 years of age).
Nick Vujicic is a man on a global mission. And boy is he creating waves wherever he goes.
At the tender age of 31, Nick is a motivational guru, evangelist, and author of several bestselling books. A celebrated speaker, he gets invitations to speak from all over the world – Australia (Melbourne was his childhood home), Europe, US, China, India, Africa, and South East Asia (including Singapore). He is also an avid swimmer, surfer, sky diver, and actor.
“There are thousands and thousands of people out there leading lives of quiet, screaming desperation, where they work long, hard hours at jobs they hate to enable them to buy things they don’t need to impress people they don’t like.” – Nigel Marsh
How much stuff do you really need in life?
Do the things that we own end up owning us instead?