A very cool tool that lets us organize our health options into a decision tree, a method for factoring in our inputs, mapping out our options, and guiding us along the best possible path. The idea is instead of checking in on our health when we visit the doctor or get lab test results, we can now tap into a constant stream of information and opportunity. We can minimize our uncertainty and maximize our control. By monitoring and tweaking our inputs, we can influence and even determine our well-being. Taken all at once, our health may seem inscrutable; laid out in a sequence, it becomes a series of decisions, each with risks, benefits, and trade-offs. For more information and a demo of the tool visit: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/01/ff_decisiontree/

Source: Wired Magazine

According to a recent study by Accenture, organizations that focus strongly on interpersonal skills learning are on average 27 percent more productive and have 40 percent higher revenue growth than their competitors.

In-depth knowledge and the required skill sets are necessary conditions for success and promotion; however, most successful people have certain personalty traits and practice a certain life style behavior that facilitates continuous growth and learning. The following are suggestions from the Harvard Business Review article titled “How The Best of Best Get Better and Better”, and Dr. Kenneth Nowack a licensed clinical psychologist:

• being conscientious and achievement oriented
• having a long term perspective
• identifying and deploying hardwired talents and strengths
• blocking out distractions
• practicing forgiveness and redirecting anger to more constructive feelings
• utilizing the support of others
• seeking candid feedback
• stretching development
• reflecting on ways to improve and celebrating success
• actively acknowledging stress and practicing stress reduction techniques
• maintaining regular sleep cycles
• taking time for physical activities

One of the first things required to be successful is self-awareness and the key to making self-awareness work is versatility. Research by Tracom found that managers who exhibited higher versatility were 27 percent better at leading teams and twenty five percent better at coaching others. With an increasingly global marketplace, the growing emphasis on social networking and connectivity, and the younger generation expectations from the workplace, more organizations are realizing the importance of team units. Therefore, interpersonal skills and working well with others is becoming more important in the emerging collaborative working environment. According to another Tracom study organizational, time management, and behavioral skills not only have a direct effect on the individual’s productivity, but also they are tied to improving bottom line successes.

Keeping this in mind learning organizations can leverage the work styles, choices, and techniques of their successful employees to improve the overall productivity of their work force.

Training Tips and Techniques

There are many techniques learning organizations can use to train employees on the self-awareness, versatility, and interpersonal skills necessary for workplace success.

• techniques for putting the individuals in the right mindset for self-awareness
• training and assessment of individuals work styles and personality traits; provide real life examples and how the materials and cases are related to their everyday work routine
• building in metrics to monitor the behavioral change
• celebrating and rewarding success at the specific achievement point
• deploy relapse prevention strategies when necessary

Source: CLO Magazine

Sleep is essential for the normal, healthy functioning of the human body. It is a complicated physiological phenomenon that scientists do not fully understand.

Historically, sleep was thought to be a passive state. However, sleep is now known to be a dynamic process, and our brains are active during sleep. Sleep affects our physical and mental health, and is essential for the normal functioning of all the systems of our body, including the immune system. The effect of sleep on the immune system affects one’s ability to fight disease and endure sickness.

It has been demonstrated that the metabolic activity of the brain decreases significantly after 24 hours of sustained wakefulness. Sleep deprivation results in a decrease in body temperature, a decrease in immune system function as measured by white blood cell count (the soldiers of the body), and a decrease in the release of growth hormone. Sleep deprivation can also cause increased heart rate variability.

For our nervous systems to work properly, sleep is needed. Sleep deprivation makes a person drowsy and unable to concentrate the next day. It also leads to impairment of memory and physical performance and reduced ability to carry out mathematical calculations. If sleep deprivation continues, hallucinations and mood swings may develop.

Release of growth hormone in children and young adults takes place during deep sleep. Most cells of the body show increased production and reduced breakdown of proteins during deep sleep. Sleep helps humans maintain optimal emotional and social functioning while we are awake by giving rest during sleep to the parts of the brain that control emotions and social interactions.

If you think you are experiencing insomnia, be sure to talk to your doctor or visit a Sleep Clinic to find the right treatment for you.

Source: eMedicine