Breathing Space Blog

Stand at Work for Health

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:29:00 PDT

A feature many years ago in Men's Health caught my eye, as I have been using a stand-up desk for the last 5 years:

Stand In The Place Where You Work: "Quit sitting down on the job. Australian scientists found that workers who log more than 6 hours of chair time a day are up to 68 percent more likely to be overweight than those who sit less. One solution: Ask HR for a stand-up desk. You burn one more calorie each minute when standing than when sitting. (Do the math.) Request denied? Create your own stand-up workstation: Place your monitor on a box, with the top of the screen at arm's length and at eye level, and elevate your keyboard so your elbows are bent 90 degrees. A bonus: Your posture will improve from standing instead of slumping."

A Less Cluttered Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:21:58 PDT

With the introduction of more channels on the television set, the Internet, which was not prominent before 1993, and all the consumer choices that exist, there are many things that compete for your time and attention. If you cram that into the same 24-hour day or 168-hour week that you have always had, then your perception will be that time is speeding by.

For example, if you talk to a friend, watch a single television show while doing nothing else, read a book, or engage in any singular activity for one hour, you will have a certain perception of how quickly that hour will pass. But, if you pack more tasks into that same hour: the television being on, trying to read a book, maybe eating, maybe looking at 4-year-old; maybe a friend calls; maybe fiddling with an iPhone, and so on, then you perception of time changes. So, the more things that you can fit into that hour, then more things compete for your time and attention, and the faster that hour passes will seem to pass.

Does this seem like all the makings of a chaotic life? We each have 24 hours in day, so how are you supposed to fit in all of your daily tasks without getting so stressed out or frustrated that you cannot finish any? The answer is: less is more.

You can only eat one meal at a time. Focus on the task at hand and reflect on that 60's phrase, Be Here Now! You can actually taste the food when you are eating. You can actually watch the show that you are watching. You can actually play the sport that you are playing. Have the emotional and financial strength to let go of all the peripheral items competing for your time and attention and focus on the activity at hand.

The message that is being disseminated in contemporary society is to practice multi-tasking. "Do multiple things at once." "Click here." "Push here." "Turn me on." "Switch me on." Every place you look, you are besieged by more items competing for your time and attention. Now, people actually have dwindling attention spans. They lack the ability to remain focused on the same subject for more than a few minutes and, sadly, some people for more than a few seconds.

The key to reclaiming your time is to practice the art, something I call an art, of doing one thing at a time. Sounds pretty simple, doesn't it? Focus on the task at hand and be present in the moment.

Five Mega-Realities of Life

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:09:00 PDT

The five mega-realities of life serve as a framework to understanding change and how we can adjust our thinking and activities to maintain some semblance of control.

Sitting right where you are, what you now know about population — the fact that the world gains more than a quarter million people per day enables you to safely predict the following:

1) With the elections over, investing in real estate, more specifically a home, now while prices are depressed and interest rates are low will be a sound financial move almost independent of your economic station in life.

2) Adopting a somewhat contrarian mindset will prove to be advantageous. Attempting to head into the city or out of the city at the same time as everyone, or booking theater or restaurant reservations at the same time as everyone else will be problematic or increasingly so as time passes. Commutes in all directions will become more arduous. Hence, living closer to work, living closer to shopping and conveniences, telecommuting occasionally, and shopping online will only grow in attractiveness and utility.

3) Old friends become more valued friends. Anchors such as family, close business associates, former college roommates and those who have shared experiences with us become more important with the passing of time. This is not to downplay the role of new friends, for indeed they can become great friends and eventually even old friends!

How Will You Measure Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:32:51 PDT

An intriguing new book:

How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen, James Allworth, and Karen Dillon. "The bestselling author of The Innovator’s Dilemma delivers an unconventional book of inspiration and wisdom for achieving a fulfilling life."

Obscurity by Over-Information

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:27:22 PDT

As reported in the Atlantic Monthly, "A few years ago, two researchers, both then at Carnegie Mellon, decided to calculate how much time it would take to actually read every privacy policy you should." The conclusion reading the software privacy policies you encounter in the course of a year would require 76 work days.

Texting While Driving: a Death Wish

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:27:57 PDT

A sad story, but all too true: texting while driving is a death wish.

You CAN Overcome Procrastination

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:22:12 PDT

Here are eight tips on overcoming procrastination derived from my internationally acclaimed book, The 60 Second Self-Starter, published by Adams Media:

1. Realize that wanting to start on a task is different than deciding to.

2. Relate the underlying meaning of your task to something larger.

3. Don't wait until you're "in the mood." True professionals never do.

4. Recognize that unpleasant tasks are not likely to get more pleasant as time passes.

5. Expect some level of breakdown or backsliding. Progress is not always even; two steps forward and one step back is more often the rule than the exception.

6. Choose someone who can serve as a trailblazer and help you get started.

7. Have somebody waiting for your work.

8. Be forthright with yourself and acknowledge when you're procrastinating, and you'll be that much closer to taking action.

Still a Bad Idea: Multi-Tasking

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:22:48 PDT

What happens when you jump between different projects at one time? It may feel dynamic -- after all, you're exerting lots of activity. There's a severe loss of productivity, however, because your brain works on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking is fine for computers but not so great for human beings.

Although it may seem like you're working on several things at once, your brain is turning back and forth between the tasks. Switching from task to task is not as productive as staying on one job until it is completed. Studies have been published that indicate the harmful, long- term effects of multi-tasking. Practice the art of doing one thing at a time!

"Slowing Down" for Real

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 05:49:23 PDT

Joseph Bailey in his book “Slowing Down to the Speed of Life,” has some profound observations. “My enjoyment of life has everything to do with being ‘in the moment’ and that the only thing that keeps me (or anyone) from being fully in the moment is our misunderstanding of the nature of our own thinking -- how it pulls us away from the moment, confuses us, and stresses us.

I realized that everything I ever needed is right here, right now -- as long as my thinking doesn't carry me away from this moment. I learned that there is nothing in the future to rush off to that can offer me anything more than this precious moment that you and I are in every instant. I realized that, more often than not, my mind is somewhere else -- a past regret or a future worry, anywhere other than right here.

My first reaction to this insight was to feel a deep sense of peace. I felt like I did in the happiest days of my childhood. I felt relaxed, at peace, fulfilled, satisfied. At the same time, however, this message made me uncomfortable for two reasons. First, it was too simple. The answer had been right under my nose all my life.

Why had I been searching so hard and stressing myself out in the process? I felt stupid and foolish. Second, as a teacher in my field, I felt not only that I had misled myself by running on the treadmill, but that I had done the same to hundreds of clients and professional colleagues as well. We had all been innocently searching outside of ourselves.”

Intermittant Explosive Disorder

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:23:49 PDT

Road rage in the U.S. may be more common than previously suspected and may extend beyond the road as well. By some estimates almost 16 million Americans are afflicted with a disorder that results in them erupting into screaming and possibly violent outbursts, sometimes at the slightest provocation.

Intermittent Explosive Disorder is regarded as a “pattern of explosive outbursts in response to everyday frustrations.” Michael McClusky, Ph.D. in the New Scientist, says that people with this disorder often say “that their temper goes from 0 to 100." Such outbursts can lead to injury to other people and property, revenge, and domestic abuse.

Living Above the Frost Line

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:24:12 PST

For nice poetry and a good review of Simpler Living check out Nancy Simpson's Living Above the Frost Line

Distraction and Perfomance

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:46:56 PDT

From a USA Today article: "As social media's become nearly inescapable on college campuses, a pair of recently published studies supports what many professors already have concluded: Students using Facebook or text messaging during a lecture tend to do worse when quizzed later."

A New Era of Auto Fatalities?

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:48:22 PDT

"A recent survey by Deloitte LLP" published in the Wall Street Journal, found that "59% of car buyers aged 19 to 31 viewed in-car connectivity as the most important aspect of a car's interior, and 72% wanted to use smartphone apps in their cars."

Vendors of such technology could care less about your safety: "People hunger for information when traveling," says Tim Nixon, executive director of engineering systems at GM's OnStar subsidiary. "Show me an Italian restaurant. Show me the lowest gas price around me."

The article goes on to finally say:
Designing apps that are safe to use at high speeds and picking the services to offer are just two challenges auto makers face.
Duh!

Death by Overtime

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:49:53 PDT

A study by a medical research council in the UK indicated that, of 7,000 healthy, middle-aged government employees over a 12 year study, those who reported working 11-hour days were 67% more likely to incur a heart attack than those who worked 7 to 8 hours. Those who worked 10-hour days were 45% more likely to incur a heart attack than more moderately-working peers.

While it is not certain precisely why excessive overtime harms the heart, unlike smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, one's work habits are an indicator of heart health. Possibly, excessive overtime, in addition to lack of exercise, too much stress, too little sleep, unhealthy eating, or depression, contributes to an overall pattern of high risk for heart attack.

New York Times feature

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:22:31 PST

I am featured today in the New York Times on the topic of having more Breathing Space and on simpler living. Simpler Living is entering its 5th week as the #1 Amazon best-seller on Earth, in do-it-yourself books. Thanks to all buyers and reviewers. Let me know if you'd like the hard copy book at 60% off.

The Science of Yoga

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:51:22 PDT

The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards by William J. Broad is a new book that explains why yoga, as beneficial as it can be in some respects, can also lead to some undesirable results.

Quest for the Best

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 09:44:29 PST

I was interviewed on My Quest for the Best with host Bill Ringle and it's now posted for you to enjoy. I share some examples and key points from my book, Breathing Space: Living and Working at a Comfortable Pace in a Sped-Up Society.

The Promise of Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:13:53 PST

In The Promise of Sleep pioneer researcher William C. Dement, MD, Ph.D. noted that "Many people work long hard hours throughout the week hoping to catch up on sleep over the weekend. They collapse in the bed on Friday night and sleep deeply until late in the morning. "

"Even though they have paid back several hours of sleep debt, they walk around like zombies all day Saturday, barely able to stay awake. The reason is obvious: you cannot pay back a weeks worth of sleep debt in one night. Less obvious: the stressful arousal of the weekday work place is no longer masking sleep debt on Saturday. As people tend to drink and eat more on weekends, their sleep fighting arousal is further suppressed."

The Laws of Life

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:56:55 PDT

Notes from Discovering the Laws of Life by John Templeton, Templeton Press, 1997.

* No one knows the weight of another’s burden.
* Enthusiasm is contagious.
* You fear what you do not understand.
* Thanksgiving leads to having more to give thanks for.

* Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it.
* Every ending is a new beginning.
* Practice within when you are without.
* Perseverance makes a difference between success and defeat.

* The greatest gift you can give another is the purity of your attention. ***
* Everyone and everything around you is your teacher.
* If you would find gold, you must search for where gold is. ***
* Happy relationships depend not on finding the right person, but on being the right person.

* You cannot discover new oceans until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.
* We receive freely when we give freely.
* Your life becomes what you think.
* The seven deadly sins are: pride, lust, sloth, envy, anger, covetousness, and gluttony.

* There is as much risk in doing nothing as in doing something.
* Find a need and fill it.
* Thoughts are like boomerangs.
* Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

* Beautiful thoughts build a beautiful soul.
* Success feeds on itself and creates more success.

Leave My Dead Son Alone

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 09:58:32 PDT

I read a poignant article a few years back in Newsweek, when it was still a credible news source. A weekly feature called "My Say," featured a reader who offered a 750-word article titled "Junk mailers, leave my dead son alone."

The writer and his wife had a child who only lived to the age of about six. For twelve years, mail continued to arrive addressed to the young boy -- offers for tuxedos, snack cakes, and prom related items. Apparently some list containing his name and age, from many years ago, had been passed around to the point where his parents were still getting mail.

The writer commented on how painful it was each time he went to the mailbox, month after month, year after year, to still be receiving mail for his dead son. He wanted to spare his wife from this same emotional turmoil, so over the years, he would walk out to the mailbox first and remove the letters and flyers addressed to his son.

Many years later, he found out that his wife had been doing the same thing. Whenever she'd get the mail, she would also take out the letters addressed to her son so her husband would be spared. Like the "Gift of the Magi" by O'Henry, they were both clearing the mail for each other.

When the man wrote in to Newsweek, he said that the direct mail industry in our society is so impersonal, so abrasive, so amassing, and so unrelenting, that to this day, he's pleading with advertising groups to have his son's name taken off the list, and let him finally rest in peace. Today, in parallel, Google, and other mega sites are preparing for the same level of unrelenting, blatant commercialism and privacy invasion all under the banner of "serving you better."

Every Last Digital Scrap About You

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:54:14 PST

Prepare yourself: As this article by Sara Marie Watson in The Atlantic reveals, Google is about to collect every last digital scrap about you and sell it to vendors with reckless abandon.

Lions Don't Need to Roar

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:00:10 PDT

A classic worth revisiting: Lions Don't Need to Roar, by D. A. Benton, Warner Books (1992)
You could also say lions don't need to race around frantically, as well!

From a 20-year-old review: Leadership-development expert Debra Benton interviewed and observed more than 100 CEOs, COOs, and company presidents to see what made them successful. "Top people are not magical, blessed, or dramatically different from you or me. They simply have skills and outlooks that the rest of us may not have - but can get."

Far from stodgy, top people:
▪ Like to tell stories that convey a point;
▪ Smile and laugh often;
▪ Know when (and how) to physically touch others;
▪ Often ask for favors, knowing that it makes people feel important.

Benton also debunks myths. Plain old energy isn't necessarily a key to success, for example. People who project "frantic" energy -- those who rush about, maintain rigid time schedules, or wolf down their sandwiches -- don't get far. The successful develop a relaxed energy that lets them work long hours, concentrate on complex problems, and focus on the matter at hand.

The Wonders of Aromatherapy

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:28:54 PST

A study found "that sniffing lavender oil before bedtime was just as effective as sleep medication" for some insomniacs. "The oil may reduce the time it takes to fall asleep as well as the need for sleeping pills," says Dr. Alan Hirsch, the founder and neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago.

Noise All Around

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:03:54 PDT

Eleven years ago, the article “Noise Busters” by Richard and Joyce Wolkomir appeared in Smithsonian Magazine. From the authors:

“Nature quiet is now preserved in only 7% of Arizona’s Grand Canyon national park and nowhere in Hawaii’s volcano’s National Park.”

“Among city dwelling Americans, 87% are exposed to noise so loud it has the potential to degrade hearing capacity over time. But you will not necessarily find peace in the suburbs or country side either, not with the on slot of leaf blowers, snow blowers, lawn mowers, chain saws, snow mobiles, power boats, and all terrain vehicles.

“Researchers have demonstrated that noise can raise your blood pressure and change your blood chemistry… Adrenaline levels can rise, indicating the imposition of stress.”

Noise is unwanted sound, derived from the Latin word for nausea. In 1960 there were no leaf blowers, no jet skis, no car alarms, and few snowmobiles.

Noise on one side of the school has been shown to diminish some children’s test scores, compared with that of children on the other side of the school in a relatively noise-free zone, who otherwise have the same academic capabilities and demographic profile.

Do you want to do your best work? Get away from the noise.

Like Contented Cows

noreply@blogger.com (author Jeff Davidson) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:35:28 PST

On a recent plane trip from Raleigh to London it became abundantly clear that all of the electronics installed, including private movie screens on every seat back, music channels, and headsets were a way of "medicating" passengers. The plane's aisles had been designed so that no one could move about easily.

Instead, people were induced to stay in their seats, sit, eat, and not circulate. I guess the airline determined that most passengers would gladly accept electronic medication if it would make the time in the sky seemingly go faster.