Despite this stance, she leaves work regularly at 5.30 pm to have dinner with her kids, something she has been doing for years. Confusing perhaps? Well, it depends on how you deal with other issues to give you the freedom to choose your working conditions.

I found this list of 7 tips that you might enjoy – especially number 4.

 http://tiny.cc/7tipsforyou

Personally I think tip number 7 is the most important.

Let me know what you think and how you deal with making time for the important things in life.

It seems flavonoid-rich foods can keep you playing marbles longer.

And while we’re on the topic of food, it appears that more than a third of Australians eat dinner in front of the TV every night…

What does this mean for family cohesiveness? The Passionfruit Industry of Australia found from a survey of 2,700 people that quality family time during meals was almost non-existent. Just 15 % of households turn off the TV at meal times and a massive 41% eat dinner in front of the TV every night.

Is it any wonder so many families experience disconnection?

As a child, dinner was (and still is) a time for everyone to share what had happened in the day, a time to connect, tell stories, moan about life, and get ideas and support.

But what about you and your family? Have you held onto rituals such as the family dinner or has life become so busy that it has become a relic of the past?

I’m curious…

The 1st principle – ‘become incredibly selfish’ is a radical and provocative statement. I met Thomas some years, when I attended 2 days of training with him. At the end, I remarked to him how generous he was with all he knew and his unmistakeable wisdom. He was waaaay ahead of his time.

‘Selfish’ has had bad press for a long time. Thomas’ view was that we all have some kind of agenda with our social interactions but many of us are not honest. We say ‘yes’ when we mean ‘no’. We commit but do not follow through. He is suggesting to say ‘yes’ when you mean it and say ‘no’ when you mean it. It is not always easy. It takes practice. Both my responses are a lot cleaner and true than they used to be.

Being ‘selfish with this new meaning is being honest about where you are. I would rather someone say ‘no’ than please me by saying ‘yes’ and not meaning it. Your saying ‘No’ to someone might then give him or her, the opportunity to say ‘Yes’ to something of more value.

What do you think? Is he nuts or spot on?

I’ll share some of his tips on moving in this direction in my next post…

Happily, momentum can also be one of our most powerful allies. Save a dollar as a young child. Put it in the bank on compound interest. Take it out 50 years later and never have to work again. That’s the momentum of compounding interest and time. Start a project. Put good effort into it. Do a little extra and get ahead. Do the same the next week, and the next. Now you’re on a roll. Maintaining momentum is now a pleasurable habit. You’re streets ahead. That’s momentum for you.

What kind of momentum is moving you?

A study by the Harvard Business School involving 1,400 management consultants being banned from monitoring their work after 6.00pm, for just one night a week, improved their performance in the office. While some workaholics resisted those who embraced it reported greater job satisfaction, better work life balance and were more likely to stay for a longer time with their company.

What do you think? Can you tear yourself away from the computer at work? Is one night a week enough to make a difference anyway?

I’d love to know how you manage….let me know!

But you can be proactive and minimize the negative affects of the world we live in. Making the right choice to live a healthy life can go a long way in reducing the effects of stress on your body. No one can avoid stress completely, but if you make healthy lifestyle choices, you will be able to reduce your stress and look the better for it.

Someone once said, ‘The face you have at 20 is the face God gave you. The face you have now is the face you gave yourself.’

Processed foods will age you prematurely. Whole foods will extend your life. Which do you want? It’s your face..be kind to it.

Be conscious of the things that you eat. Good food can be your best defence in the fight against stress. Take a look through your pantry and refrigerator. Do a quick calculation on the % of whole foods and those processed foods.

How’s it looking?

A very busy client was complaining about her lousy diet that made her feel tired and listless, something she couldn’t afford. Junk food as easy to get but she knew of the dangers…

If you haven’t seen the stats lately about obesity as a worldwide concern, then you will start to notice them now. She had little time to cook healthy meals and was generally too tired anyway. The answer?

Eating lunch away from the office became her healthy escape. She found a great local restaurant that served healthy food (organic is fast becoming her favourite). Then she organised a pre-booked rotating menu with them, set for a certain time 3 days a week.

It gives her a chance to clear her mind away from the demands at the office and gives her the nutrition that her body needs. She has also outsourced 3 evening meals during the week to a home delivery company. Now her diet has improved, her thinking is clearer (sugar, fat and salt aren’t good brain food!) and her work load is easier to handle because she isn’t fading out half way through the afternoon.

Her new rituals, easy to create, started a lifestyle change that became one of her pleasures in life.

What rituals have you found that makes your life easier or healthier?

My question to you is would that necessarily relate to you? I can understand it could be depressing if you were working in an organisation that perhaps regarded you as ‘just another cog in the wheel’. But what if you were an entrepreneur or business owner? Or what if you really loved your work? Would that be so depressing?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this…

It’s really simple and VERY beneficial. All you need is a wall…and a little time

Here’s what it looks like 

You’ll notice she is using lower back support which is great if you have it, but not everyone  uses it. I find 10 minutes is usually enough but if you have the time, another 5 minutes or so may suit you.

I mentioned it was beneficial – here’s how it can help you…

Benefits…

• Relieves   Anxiety/depression/ low mood/ headaches
• Improves adrenal function
• Insomnia- restores balance where overactivity has pushed one into this state.
• Increases energy, reduces fatigue and quietens the mind
• Increases breathing capacity – drains the upper respiratory tract
• Releases lower back and sacrum and reduces pain in overworked muscles
• Relaxes tired legs and feet. Reduces swelling
• Helps in the Relief of PMS/PMT, menopause and all hormonal imbalances
• Helps restore reproductive organs during menopause & menstruation
• Reduces Varicose Veins
• Improves Circulation and Accelerates the Cleansing of Blood and Lymph Fluids
• Enhances Oxygen Flow to the Brain and helps prevent auto-immune diseases
• Helps Reduce the Effects of Aging Caused by the Force of Gravity

The Sanskrit name is Viparita Karani, and a good time to use it is between 2.00pm and 4.00 pm, due to the tiredness or lack of motivation we can feel at this time caused by a low functioning adrenal system.

 Not sure how you’ll be able to do this at work but hey, you might start a trend!

PS My thanks to Tracy Whitton for introducing me to this pose in one of her wonderful Restorative Yoga classes on the Gold Coast.