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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19 Oct 2022
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Increase Your Productivity: How To Schedule Priorities

Increase Your Productivity: How To Schedule Priorities

This is the final post in a series focused on increasing your productivity. Previous posts have shared how to increase your productivity by prioritizing the big rocks, defining your values and goals, and prioritizing and planning based on your key roles. We also shared a simple tool to improve your work/life balance, a process for planning the week, the need to define measures of success and hold yourself accountable, and why considering your context, energy, and time available is important. This final post in the series discusses systems to schedule priorities and includes a video that demonstrates the prioritization system author Steve Musica uses.…
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12 Oct 2022
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Increase Your Productivity by Using Scrap Time

Increase Your Productivity by Using Scrap Time

We are sharing tips that will help you and other members of the Personal Kaizen community increase your productivity. Today’s post shares a few important continuous improvements I have implemented to my prioritization and scheduling that has really helped increase productivity. Read on to learn improved methods of prioritization and a method to increase your productivity by using scrap time. Problems with the Franklin Covey Method of Prioritization Photo Credit: Franklin Planner I used the Franklin Covey system of prioritization for many years, ranking my priorities as A1, A2, A3, all the way to my last C priority. I would…
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05 Oct 2022
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Increase Your Productivity: How to Use Measurement and Accountability

Increase Your Productivity: How to Use Measurement and Accountability

We are sharing tips that will help you and other members of the Personal Kaizen community increase your productivity. Today’s post covers measurement and accountability – areas that are often overlooked – or avoided – by individuals. The most effective people practice personal kaizen – continual progress (every day) that compounds over time into massive achievement. Measure What Matters Legendary venture capitalist John Doerr wrote the New York Times bestseller Measure What Matters and suggests you: Focus and commit to priorities: What are your 3-4 most important goals? A short list of goals is easier to track and commit to getting done.Align…
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