29 Mar 2023
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Celebrating Failure and Its Unexpected Success

Celebrating Failure and Its Unexpected Success

Many people shy away from failure. There's constant wonder and worry about what will happen to an individual when they fail, especially in their place of work. However, we're here to confirm that celebrating failure can and often brings unexpected success. This week the Personal Kaizen team shares a TedTalk by the Head of X (formerly Google X), Astro Teller, where he introduces the "Moonshot Factory" where his team works to solve the world's biggest problems, and celebrates failure as a necessity for success. https://www.ted.com/talks/astro_teller_the_unexpected_benefit_of_celebrating_failure Important Steps to Success In the past, we shared a post encouraging you to try…
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15 Mar 2023
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Die With Zero: Gaining From Your Money and Your Life

Die With Zero: Gaining From Your Money and Your Life

Bill Perkins wrote Die with Zero – Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life in 2020 and it has become a highly recommended book. Dying with zero is about both money and time. We all need to think more about how we use our limited time on earth and live our best life. The goal is not to be as rich as possible; the goal is to maximize your total life enjoyment. Rules from the Book Perkins shares nine rules to follow in Die with Zero – Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life.…
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15 Feb 2023
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Why More is Less – The Paradox of Choice

Why More is Less – The Paradox of Choice

The 2004 book, The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz was recently recommended. The book references studies from behavioral economics and psychology on choice and happiness. It concludes that adopting a life attitude of “good enough” is going to result in better mental health than always striving to make the best choice. Schwartz explains that while we may have more options today than ever before, we are more likely to second guess a decision, worry if we made the best choice, or even avoid making any decision (paralysis by analysis). Schwartz believes “satisficers” who pick what…
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18 Jan 2023
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The Swedish Concept of Lagom: How to Find Balance

The Swedish Concept of Lagom: How to Find Balance

The Personal Kaizen team reviewed the tenth annual rankings of the happiest countries in the world and read several books that examine what these countries do that is different and better. This week we share the Swedish concept of lagom and wrap up our series. 2022 Rankings of the Happiest Countries in the World Below are the 2022 United Nations Rankings for a few of the Happiest Countries in the World. We share a few of the positive outcomes that contributed to the high ranking and one defining word for the country. Our previous posts have looked at how sisu…
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28 Dec 2022
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Lessons in Niksen: The Dutch Idea of Doing Nothing

Lessons in Niksen: The Dutch Idea of Doing Nothing

The Personal Kaizen team has recently reviewed the tenth annual rankings of the happiest countries in the world and read several books that examine what these countries do that is different and better. Over the next several weeks we are going to review some of the differentiators we observe with the governments and people in these countries. This week we will discuss the Dutch idea of doing nothing - niksen. 2022 Rankings of the Happiest Countries in the World Below are the 2022 United Nations Rankings for a few of the Happiest Countries in the World. We share a few…
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21 Dec 2022
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The Wonderful Danish Concept of Hygge

The Wonderful Danish Concept of Hygge

The Personal Kaizen team has recently reviewed the tenth annual rankings of the happiest countries in the world and read several books that examine what these countries do that is different and better. Over the next several weeks we are going to review some of the differentiators we observe with the governments and people in these countries. This week we share the Danish concept of hygge. 2022 Rankings of the Happiest Countries in the World Below are the 2022 United Nations Rankings for a few of the Happiest Countries in the World. We share a few of the positive outcomes…
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14 Dec 2022
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Lessons from the Happiest Countries in the World

Lessons from the Happiest Countries in the World

The Personal Kaizen team has recently reviewed the tenth annual rankings of the happiest countries in the world and read several books that examine what these countries do that is different and better. Over the next several weeks we are going to review some of the differentiators we observe with the governments and people in these countries. 2022 Rankings of the Happiest Countries in the World Below are the 2022 United Nations Rankings for a few of the Happiest Countries in the World. We share a few of the positive outcomes that contributed to the high ranking and one defining…
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30 Nov 2022
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Why a Sense of Humor Makes a Great Leader

Why a Sense of Humor Makes a Great Leader

It is likely that we've all heard the saying, "laughter is the best medicine" once or twice in our lifetime. But did you know that a sense of humor is thought to increase trust in a leader? This week the Personal Kaizen team shares a TedTalk by behavioral scientist, Jennifer Aaker, and corporate strategist, Naomi Bagdonas, where they discuss the power of humor. https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_aaker_and_naomi_bagdonas_why_great_leaders_take_humor_seriously Laughter and Leadership In the past, we've shared Colin Powell's 13 Rules for Leadership, where optimism is a powerful piece of being a great leader. As we learned today, humor and laughter are also major keys…
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16 Nov 2022
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New Lessons Learned From Another 3-Day Fast

New Lessons Learned From Another 3-Day Fast

Earlier this year I experienced my first 3-day fast and shared tips on fasting with the Personal Kaizen community. I recently needed to fast to prepare for a medical procedure so decided to turn this into my second 3-day fast. I did a few things differently and experienced different results. Here are some new lessons learned from my second 3-day fast. First, you may want to review our posts describing the concept of fasting and different ways to fast, the scientific benefits of a 3-day fast, tips on how to prepare for a fast, and my experience and video journal…
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02 Nov 2022
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How to Overcome a Negative Mindset

How to Overcome a Negative Mindset

As humans, we all experience negative thoughts that can easily lead to a negative mindset. The good news is, we don't have to get stuck there (as discussed during our brain hacks series.) This week the Personal Kaizen team shares a TedTalk by Alison Ledgerwood, a social psychologist at UC Davis, where she explains why our brains focus on the negatives and how to overcome a negative mindset. Please check it out below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XFLTDQ4JMk Tips to Overcome a Negative Mindset Overcoming the negative takes work and effort! Ledgerwood shares several tips to move past the negative: Spend a few minutes…
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