ThunderStorm

What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)? Youtube Video link:  https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=erfgEHHfFkU

A response to this article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/work-emails-messages-after-office-hours-separate-phone-4713696 I don't need an advert persuading me to get another phone. (A switching of accounts on my phone works fine for me.) I just need the assurance that I am not expected to respond to after-work "urgent" calls, texts and emails about work. If I wanted to work in the emergency department, I would have applied for that job.

Daily Affirmations 1. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) 2. I am loved with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) 3. I am forgiven and set free from all my sins. (1 John 1:9) 4. I am a vessel of God’s love and grace. (1 John 4:7) 5. I am blessed to be a blessing to others. (Genesis 12:2) 6. I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Ephesians 6:10) 7. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) 8. I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me. (Romans 8:37) 9. I am a light in a world of darkness. (Matthew 5:16) 10. I am patient and have peace, knowing that God’s timing is perfect. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) ~♡~ Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you. ~ L.R. Knost

Here are a few studies that illustrate memory loss over time. The studies cited provide strong evidence for the rapid decline of memory over time, especially within the 3-4 week timeframe. These findings are well-established in cognitive psychology and have been replicated numerous times. Roediger & Butler (2011):  This research focused on the benefits of retrieval practice. They noted that information actively recalled and practised over intervals (spaced learning) was retained much better than information that was crammed, reinforcing the idea that significant forgetting can occur without regular review.  Cepeda et al. (2006):  Cramming vs. Spaced Repetition: Their research supports the idea that spaced repetition significantly enhances long-term retention compared to cramming. Findings indicate significant forgetting occurs within 3-4 weeks without spaced intervals or review. Landauer & Bjork (1978):  This study examined the effects of practice and recal...

In a world that often favours extroversion, introverts can feel like they're swimming against the tide. Here are some strategies to help you navigate this environment: Self-Care and Recharge  * Prioritise solitude: Schedule regular alone time to recharge your energy.  * Practice mindfulness: Meditation or deep breathing can help manage stress.  * Set boundaries: Learn to say "no" when you need to conserve energy. Socialising Strategically  * Quality over quantity: Focus on meaningful connections with a few close friends.  * Find your people: Seek out social groups or activities where you can connect with like-minded individuals.  * Prepare for social events: Practice small talk or visualise social situations beforehand.  * Take breaks: If a social event becomes overwhelming, excuse yourself for a short break. Leveraging Your Strengths  * Embrace your introspective nature: Use your ability to think deeply and analyse situations to your advantage. ...

Here's a summary of "I Will Teach You To Be Rich" by Ramit Sethi: No Guilt, No Shame Focus on big wins, not small sacrifices Avoid guilt and shame around money Banking and Budgeting Open a no-fee, high-interest checking account Set up a budgeting system that works for you Debt and Credit Pay off high-interest debt aggressively Use credit cards responsibly and earn rewards Investing and Retirement Start investing early, even if it's just a little Take advantage of tax-advantaged retirement accounts Avoiding Lifestyle Creep Avoid increasing spending as income increases Direct excess funds towards goals Psychology and Mindset Change your mindset around money and wealth Focus on what's truly important to you Automation and Optimization Automate your finances where possible Continuously optimize and improve your system Remember, the book emphasises simplicity, automation, and focusing on what really matters. It's not just about being rich, but living a rich...

Neuroscience research has shed light on the intricacies of learning, providing valuable insights into how our brains process information and form new connections. Here are some key principles supported by scientific evidence: 1. 🧠 Neuroplasticity:  * Definition: The brain's ability to change and adapt in response to experiences.  * Implications: This principle suggests that learning is not fixed and can be influenced by our experiences and environment. By challenging ourselves and engaging in new activities, we can foster the growth of new neural connections. 2. 🔁 Spaced Repetition:  * Definition: The practice of reviewing information at increasing intervals over time.  * Implications: Spaced repetition helps consolidate memories and enhances long-term retention. It's more effective than cramming information all at once. 3. 🔗 Interleaving:  * Definition: Mixing different types of problems or topics during learning sessions.  * Implications: Interleaving ...

Key Findings and Learnings from Recommended Productivity Books Principle: Life and Work by Ray Dalio  * Radical transparency and open-mindedness are crucial for personal and organizational success.  * Effective problem-solving involves identifying the root cause, developing alternative solutions, and testing them rigorously.  * Building strong relationships based on meritocracy and idea merit is essential for high-performance teams.  * A culture of continuous learning and improvement is key to long-term success. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown  * Focus on the truly important by eliminating the trivial.  * Prioritise tasks based on their impact and potential for significant outcomes.  * Cultivate a disciplined mindset to say no to distractions and commitments that don't align with your goals.  * Embrace simplicity and find joy in doing less but better. Zen to Done by Leo Babauta  * Simplicity is the key to product...

"The Habit Revolution" by Charles Duhigg summarises his previous works and provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and transforming habits. Here's a concise summary: *Key Takeaways:* 1. *The Habit Loop*: Identify the cue, routine, and reward that drive your habits. 2. *Keystone Habits*: Focus on small, strategic changes that can cascade into larger transformations. 3. *Make It Obvious*: Increase awareness of your habits and triggers. 4. *Make It Attractive*: Create an environment that supports good habits. 5. *Make It Easy*: Reduce obstacles and simplify good habits. 6. *Make It Satisfying*: Celebrate small wins and create rewarding experiences. 7. *Don't Miss Out*: Use implementation intentions to maintain habits even when you're busy or stressed. *Additional Insights:* Implementation intentions are specific plans that link an if-then scenario to a specific behavior or action. They help bridge the gap between goals and habits. Here are some examples: 1. _...

Finding out that the actors who played Ulrich and Yumi (Code Lyoko) eventually ended up together and had a baby gives me some closure to the beloved series.

1. Why This Matters Unpack Your Values: What core values underlie your position? Is it fairness, safety, or efficiency? Childhood Connections: Did a specific event or experience shape how you view this issue? 2. Your Feelings How strongly do you feel about this? Are you passionate or simply concerned? 3. The Ideal Outcome Imagine a perfect world. How would this issue be resolved? 4. Your Purpose Is there a deeper reason you care? Does this connect to a larger goal you have for yourself or society? By answering these questions, you can gain a clearer understanding of your position and the driving force behind it.

Suggested Frameworks 1. Total Quality Management (TQM) - 🎯 Customer Focus: Prioritises meeting and exceeding customer expectations. - 🔧 Continuous Improvement: Strives for ongoing improvement in all processes. - 💪 Empowerment: Involves employees at all levels in quality initiatives. - 📊 Data-Driven Decision Making: Relies on data analysis to identify and address quality issues. 2. ISO Standards - 📏 Standardisation: Provides a framework for consistent quality management practices. - 🤝 Customer Satisfaction: Emphasises meeting customer requirements. - 🔧 Continuous Improvement: Encourages ongoing improvement of processes. - 📄 Documentation: Requires documented procedures to ensure quality control. 3. Six Sigma - 📊 Data-Driven Methodology: Uses statistical analysis to identify and eliminate defects. - 🔄 Define-Measure-Analyse-Improve-Control (DMAIC) Cycle: Provides a structured approach for process improvement. - 📉 Minimising Variation: Aims to reduce variation in processes to a...

Even the most brilliant minds and successful organisations can fall victim to missteps. Here's how NASA, the FBI, and Nokia, despite their immense talent, encountered setbacks: 1. NASA - The Challenger Disaster (1986): The Situation:  The Challenger space shuttle exploded shortly after launch, killing all seven crew members. The Backfire:  Engineering warnings about a faulty O-ring seal were ignored due to pressure to maintain the launch schedule and a culture that discouraged dissent.  The Lesson:  This tragedy highlighted the dangers of groupthink and the importance of open communication in complex projects.  2. FBI - The 9/11 Attacks (2001): The Situation: The FBI failed to connect crucial intelligence dots that could have prevented the 9/11 attacks. The Backfire: Information silos within the FBI and a lack of imagination in connecting seemingly disparate threats hampered their ability to recognize the plot.  The Lesson:  This highlighted the need ...

Passion & Perseverance Fuel the Fire 🔥 Passion and perseverance drive long-term success 🏋️ Grit keeps athletes and artists dedicated to improvement Effort: The Unsung Hero 🌟 Consistent effort and deliberate practice lead to mastery 🏆 Grit propels you forward, even if talent gives a head start Develop a growth mindset 💪 Believe abilities can improve with effort and dedication 🌱 Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow Find your flow ⏰ Flow is a state of focused enjoyment with balanced challenge and skill 🎯 Identify activities that challenge you and are within your skill range Set stretch goals 🚀 Aim high and push yourself beyond your comfort zone 🏅 Stretch goals lead to growth and persistence Embrace the power of interest 🔍 Find goals that genuinely spark curiosity and passion 💖 Intrinsic interest fuels sustained effort and perseverance Develop effective practice strategies 🎯 Deliberate practice involves specific goals and focused feedback 🔄 Mindless repeti...

  The Paradox of Self-Awareness Positive and Negative Effects 🌟 Self-awareness can be harmful if taken to excess 🌟 Like medicine, too much self-awareness can be detrimental to our well-being Therapy and Context 🔎 The value of therapy lies in the context and environment it provides 🔎 Type of therapy is not as important as the act of seeking therapy 🔎 Journaling can be an effective alternative to therapy in providing a non-judgmental setting The Consciousness Paradox 🔬 Consciousness can be divided into the subject and object 🔬 When we focus on ourselves, our thoughts and feelings become the object of our consciousness 🔬 Detaching ourselves from our thoughts and feelings helps us put them into perspective Pathologising the Normal 🤔 Unhealthy self-awareness may lead to self-delusion and inflating small problems 🤔 An overemphasis on awareness of mental health issues can lead to a decrease in overall mental health Advice for Overwhelmed Self-Awareness ✋ Stop seeing discomfort o...

Biggest regret: Caring too much about what others thought about me. The truth is that most people are too busy thinking about their lives to care about yours. Biggest lessons: The people you surround yourself with can make or break you. The saying that "it takes a village to raise a child" is so true. It is important to surround yourself with good company who help you develop solid values, habits, and relationships. Advice to my younger self: The trick to building your self-confidence and losing your social anxiety is to seek out and help others with shared struggles. By serving others who struggle just like you, you end up being able to solve your own problems by viewing it from an objective third party perspective.

I was just watching the CNA podcast on a law protecting employees' right to disconnect and was infuriated 🔥by the majority's biased stance towards not mandating that law to maintain Singapore's competitiveness. Year after year, the government speaks of the need to improve worker productivity, which means doing more in less time. How does working overtime improve productivity rates? Oh, the irony. Hence, I believe a right to disconnect law is essential for Singapore's workforce. It would offer several key benefits: Protection from Exploitation : This law would be a safeguard against employers who pressure staff to be constantly available. With clear boundaries, workers are less vulnerable to feeling obligated to respond to emails or calls outside of work hours. Stronger Families and Communities : By ensuring time for personal lives, the law would allow employees to prioritise family. This could lead to more quality family time, potentially contributing to a rise in bi...

Tools to combat stress: 6 breaths per min or Box breathing (Navy Seal technique) Physiological sigh Power posing The importance of recovery: top athletes sleep at least 8h a day Growth mindset courage to take risks > fear of loss "A lot of football success is in the mind. You must believe you are the best and then make sure that you are." - Bill Shankly (Former Liverpool manager) More:  Brown Bag Series

As a new employee, it can be daunting to enter the world of an unfamiliar industry. With constantly changing standards and expectations, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of your abilities. However, building self confidence is crucial for success in your field. In this article, we will discuss some techniques for building self confidence. Embrace a Learning Mindset by JESHOOTS.COM (https://unsplash.com/@jeshoots) One of the most important things to remember is that you are constantly learning and growing. Embracing a learning mindset means being open to new ideas and approaches, and being willing to make mistakes and learn from them. This mindset allows you to see challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than failures. By embracing a learning mindset, you can build your confidence by constantly improving and expanding your skills. Seek Feedback It's important to seek feedback from your colleagues and superiors. This can be intimidating, but remember that feedback i...

CNA Work It Podcast Summary: There is no one-size-fits-all leadership type. Balance your persona and human authenticity Seek valued mentors or coaches with the 3Cs: Character, Communication, Charisma

Photo by Quang Anh Ha Nguyen CNA Podcast: Work It Reflection Questions: What are my strengths/passions? vs What am I doing? Am I adding value? Am I happy? Photo by Pixabay

Lately, I've been hearing the term DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) among my peers. It sounds pretty vulgar, in my opinion. Instead, I would like to propose the acronym MBS (Married But Single) as an alternative. Similar to the Marina Bay Sands, it represents a lifestyle of luxury and freedom that such couples enjoy. How about that?

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled." - Plutarch Learning: Ignited by Mentorship, Fueled by Experience Plutarch's quote beautifully captures the essence of true education. It's not about passive knowledge absorption, but about active engagement with knowledge. The rising emphasis of mentoring and coaching - the modern interpretation of apprenticeship - in education is a positive step towards this ideal. I have long been a proponent of apprenticeships and the benefits of shadowing a master/expert in the subject field, so this paradigm shift is a step in the right direction. Shadowing experts in their field provides invaluable hands-on experience, crucial for technical and creative disciplines. While books offer wisdom and insight through theoretical knowledge, they can't replicate the experiential learning gained through apprenticeships. This is especially true for subjects beyond math and science, where cultural and historical context p...