I was recently visiting dear friends in NYC. I’d originally met them in Nairobi but now they call New York home. We were having a wonderful evening on the rooftop patio of their new apartment in Brooklyn. We’d taken the ferry over from Manhattan to discover their little oasis. The … [Read more...] about How do you say this word? → refuse
The danger of a single story
As a young Nigerian student who had travelled to the US to study, Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Adichie came face to face with something we all encounter many times throughout our lives – a single story. Let me explain. Chimamanda arrived to the US and met her new roommate, a … [Read more...] about The danger of a single story
Emotional hygiene – we pay more attention to our teeth than we do our minds (Guy Winch)
I was listening to the NPR Ted Radio hour podcast recently when something Guy Winch said struck a chord. Emotional hygiene.  My noggin' perked up, as I've been known to suffer from what I call blender-brain-itis (I can have a hard time shutting the whirring, churning of ideas, … [Read more...] about Emotional hygiene – we pay more attention to our teeth than we do our minds (Guy Winch)
Learning from one of the world's best pickpockets … yes pickpocket
Hailed as the greatest pickpocket in the world, Apollo Robbins studies the quirks of human behavior as he steals your watch. In a hilarious demonstration, Robbins samples the buffet of the TEDGlobal 2013 audience, showing how the flaws in our perception make it possible to swipe a wallet and leave … [Read more...] about Learning from one of the world's best pickpockets … yes pickpocket
The Rock.Paper.Scissors newsletter is out: An Introvert's 6 Step Guide to Networking
This month's Rock.Paper.Scissors e-newsletter focuses on networking. Missed the newsletter? Check it out. (Not on my monthly e-newsletter mailing list? Whatsamatter you? Sign up for free here.) In a recent post I shared the article 'An Introvert's 6 Step Guide to Networking' from my newsletter. … [Read more...] about The Rock.Paper.Scissors newsletter is out: An Introvert's 6 Step Guide to Networking
Is it the end of knowing? Here's 13 Google Search Tricks That Make Life A Whole Lot Easier
While listening to a recent TED talk via NPR on Unstoppable Learning (do yourself a favour & listen, it's terrific) Sugatra Mitra talks about how we may be heading into the age of not needing to 'know' things. He recommends we use what he calls S.O.L.E.'s (self-organized learning environments) … [Read more...] about Is it the end of knowing? Here's 13 Google Search Tricks That Make Life A Whole Lot Easier
X marks the spot, or does it? Turns out Spanish tongues play a role
If high school algebra sent you into convulsions, hang on, this story has a happy ending. Terry Moore explains why the letter x means the unknown in math equations, in his TED talk (see below for the video). If you've ever wondered why the letter x stands for what we don't know, he has a surprising … [Read more...] about X marks the spot, or does it? Turns out Spanish tongues play a role
A TED speaker's worst nightmare – an opportunity or a chance to get real & laugh
What's your worst nightmare if you're up in front of people speaking? technical gadgets not working (no sound &/or no powerpoint)? forget what you're going to say? getting heckled by an audience member? something else unexpected happening? What happens when we're under stress is often a … [Read more...] about A TED speaker's worst nightmare – an opportunity or a chance to get real & laugh
3 resources to amp up your success on your own terms
In this month's Rock.Paper.Scissors' newsletter I review Danielle LaPorte's hot new book, The Fire Starter Sessions. Stay tuned for the next blog post about funny resources related to success, read the last post with the entire review & keep reading for some resources that will help you amp up … [Read more...] about 3 resources to amp up your success on your own terms
Take time to to'odle and you'll reach your dreams faster
I love lists. I covet lists. I crave making lists. Lists relax me. They keep my delusion of being in control of my world firmly in place. I have a confession to make however. At the end of a bad day, my eyes will skittishly wander towards a list only to streak away faster than you can say … [Read more...] about Take time to to'odle and you'll reach your dreams faster
Learning from a hole in the wall
Check out the video below about the TED hole in the wall educational experiment (forward to 7:15 min). It's the work of Dr. Sugata Mitra, of India. His office butted up against a slum and one day he punched a hole in his wall and stuck a computer in it. A computer that faced out, into the … [Read more...] about Learning from a hole in the wall
