Tips & Updates

Andy Core: December 10, 2012 E-zine

• Change Made Easier
• Two Terrific Blog Posts From Your Fellow Subscribers
  • Don’t Change Your Life—Change Your Day
  • How Hard Do You THINK It Is?
• 2012 is a Record Year – Thank You!

Change Made Easier

This video, while not my usual “research grade” reference, does hint at a powerful and sneaky influence on your daily attitude and motivation to stick to your goals.

In the time it took to drive across town, Darren Brown cued… influenced… motivated two ad agency executives to draw the exact logo and slogan he had predicated – a bear sitting on a cloud and playing a harp, with the slogon, “Animal Heaven.”

So far, I’ve asked more than 9,000 audience members to complete this same exercise (Draw a logo and slogan for a Taxidermy shop), but without any cues. Can you guess how many drew a bear sitting on a cloud and playing a harp or came up with the slogan, “Animal Heaven?” Zero.

The minute your morning alarm rings, you start experiencing cues that drive you to enthusiastically tackle your workday or leave you flat, tired and fighting an ever-growing to-do list.

My mantra is “Don’t Try to Change Your Life, Change Your day.” You can increase your attitude, productivity and motivation by simply being more proactive about your daily patterns.

Start Building Better Daily Patterns:

 1. Go to my Facebook page, unlock then download my “Top Ten Things To Do To Have More Great Days” handout.

 2. Plug in just one of those ideas today. Then another tomorrow…

More Ideas to Make Change Easier – Two Terrific Blog Posts From Your Fellow Subscribers:

1. After my recent Keynote for HFTP, Jane Schmitz wrote a post about making change easier to do and maintain. Here is the link to her article:Don’t Change Your Life – Change Your Day
2. Below is the entire blog post another attendee wrote for his 70,000 fellow high-tech coworkers:

“How hard do you THINK it is?

A lot is being said now about the ‘death’ of PCs, and how we’re missing the market in tablets and phones, and how our stock price keeps edging lower. Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’ve heard it before.

I want to point you to one of the many things that our company does so right and the impact it has. I want to thank the conference organizers for introducing me to Andy Core the other day. Andy is a human performance expert. He talked about a number of things to help us live happier and more productive lives, but I want to highlight just one.

Andy talked about something he calls ‘perceived exertion’: How hard you think your life is. How hard you think it is to do your work. How hard it seems to keep the peace in your family. How hard it seems to achieve your goals. Notice the important point: It’s not about ‘is’, it’s about how hard you THINK it is. You have total control.

You know the old saying about a coward and a thousand deaths, right? Poor guy beat himself to death before he even got to the lion. This is another of those ‘mindfulness’ things that are all the rage these days, and for good reason. You just watch yourself for signs that you’re shoveling molehills onto mountains… and choose to stop.

We are all here because we’re good at solving tough problems. That’s a given. Choose to make it fun again and remember that you’re good at it! Let’s all do that as individuals and let’s all as a company do it writ large. We are where we are because we’re good at lots of things together. Let’s choose to make it more fun again, as a company. I can’t think of any place I’d rather be! “

2012 – A record year! Thank you

Please accept a sincere, heart felt thank you for being a subscriber, client, speaker bureau partner and/or friend. Because of you, I had the opportunity to spread the message that work-life balance matters to tens of thousands of people, 47 organizations, 5 countries and more cultures than ever before.

Tips & Updates

Andy Core: August, 2012 Ezine

Hello , as always, you received this because you have subscribed to Andy Core’s Ezine or attended a recent presentation by Andy and requested more info (instant unsubscribe below – no problem).

In This Issue: Ever felt less happy or more stressed than you think you should?

• The Emo-Social Connection
• New interview recording on Catalyst Business Radio
• Andy’s Speaking In Your Area? (Appearances schedule below)

The Emo-Social Connection: Reduce Stress, Increase Happiness

Today, I bring you another beautiful graph of really useable data.

Gallup-Healthways polled more than 140,000 people and found that your ability to be at your best is connected to how much you socialize each day.

Now, ask yourself: “Over the last seven days, on average, how many hours have I spent each day socializing with people?” Socializing during the work day counts.

Where do you fit on this spectrum? Find your average socialization time along the bottom of the graph. Now, look at the blue and red bars above your score.

• Red—Your chances of experiencing daily worry and stress that outweighs your happiness and enjoyment with life.
• Blue—Your chances of feeling a lot of happiness and enjoyment with life, without a lot of stress and worry.

Caveat #1: There are, of course, many factors that affect stress and worry and enjoyment and happiness with life, but for the hard-working adult, the value of quality social connection with other human beings is often overlooked or undervalued, especially during turbulent times.

Example: If you hit the snooze button, wake up rushed, hurry to get to work, rush home after work, grab a quick dinner, and do more work in the evening, then your average social time is probably quite low. This has the potential to exponentially increases your chances of living a high-stress, worried life with low enjoyment and happiness.

Caveat #2: “But Andy, my life is really busy and sometimes I have to work late.” There is absolutely nothing wrong with factoring out social time to hit a deadline. As a matter of fact, it’s the responsible thing to do. But it’s too easy to let working late become a habit, and to forget to bring socialization back into your life after the deadline is past..

Example: In a recent presentation, a financial advisor said he often feels more stressed than he thinks he should. I asked him what he does to socialize. He confidently replied that he plays golf with friends. I asked him when was the last time he played. He thought for a moment, then said, “Well, I used to play golf.”

Today’s message: Socialization, done right, even in the workplace, can be a productivity and life enhancing strategy. If you feel more worried or less happy than you think you should given what’s going on in your life, it could be that you’ve let your social connection time slip a little too low.

Action Item: Right now, think seriously about where you can add a little more social time into your weekly SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). Here are some ideas:

• Each night before bed, ask your significant other, kids or a good friend, “What happened today that you are thankful for?”
• Set up a weekly lunch date with someone who makes you laugh.
• Arrange for you and coworkers to eat together once a week, with a “no talky about work” rule.
• Skip the snooze button (it just makes you feel worse anyway), so you have time to be more patient, connected and encouraging in the mornings.
• Set up a time to exercise with someone you need to catch up with.
• Find someone to share a hobby with (you do have a hobby, don’t you?)

Are you a research fanatic like Andy? Here is the link to the full article:

Social Time Crucial to Daily Emotional Well-being in U.S. http://www.gallup.com/poll/107692/Social-Time-Crucial-Daily-Emotional-WellBeing.aspx

A New Interview on Catalyst Business Radio

We had an interesting discussion on what it takes to stay balanced in an often overwhelmed schedule. You can listen to the whole interview here: http://www.catalystbusinessradio.com/blog/2012/01/08/andy-core/

Upcoming Appearances (Through Nov 2012)

Want to preview Andy’s presentations? Have a group with a limited budget? Andy can speak to your group while in the area for significant savings:

• Aug 02, 2012: Detroit, MI, MI UFCWAug 16, 2012: Santa Clara, CA, IntelSept 13, 2012: Chicago, IL, ADPSept 16, 2012: NY, NY, Teamsters 813Sept 17, 2012: Las Vegas, NV, CA Assn Healthcare Admissions ManagementSept 21, 2012: Holland, Netherlands, ShriversSept 24, 2012: Lisbon, Portugal, Intel

  Oct 04, 2012: Cerritos, CA, ADP

  Oct 05, 2012: Sherwood, AR, Delta Dental of AR

  Oct 08, 2012: Jackson, TN, Leaders Credit Union

  Oct 09, 2012: Chandler, AZ, Intel

  Oct 17, 2012: Orlando, FL, HFTP

  Oct 18, 2012: Columbia, MO, Columbia Women’s Network

  Oct 25, 2012: Atlanta, GA, ADP

  Oct 27, 2012: Nashville, TN, Exit Corp. International

  Nov 01, 2012: Oklahoma City, OK, OK Hospital Assn

  Nov 12, 2012: Winston-Salem, NC, Allegacy Federal Credit Union

Tips & Updates

Andy Core: April, 2012 Ezine

Hello , as always, you received this because you have subscribed to Andy Core’s Ezine or attended a recent presentation by Andy and requested more info (instant unsubscribe below – no problem).

In This Issue

When and what you eat either fuels your motivation or sabotages the best parts of who you are.

• Reduce procrastination by eating
• New Satiety Index infographic shows you what foods quench your appetite and hold off hunger the longest
• We did it! Andy Core voted as a Top5 Global Speaker in Healthcare
• Upcoming appearances (Europe referral gift opportunity)

Reduce Procrastination By Eating

Have you ever looked at a graph and felt a chill of excitement run down your spine?

What you see:

• Three high spikes (circled). If you came before a parole board of judges at those times of day, you would have a 65% chance of being paroled. Pretty good for you.
• After each peak, however, your chances of parole drops dramatically, eventually hitting zero chance. Not so good for you.

Why would the judge’s willingness to grant you parole go from 65% to 0% so quickly? A better question – what happened in such a short time (dotted lines) that moved the judges from basically denying everyone parole to granting it to almost 7 out of every 10? Answer – the judges took a break to eat. That’s it.

Some thoughts:

• This study suggests that even dedicated, educated and responsible people can be influenced significantly by when and what kind of breaks they take, and what they eat. Core Concept – Your physiology drives your psychology much more than most realize.
• Other factors are certainly at play here (like decision fatigue), but there is no doubt that when blood sugar and mental energy drop, making hard decisions is even harder. The harder decision making is, the more likely you are to procrastinate. In the judge’s case, denying parole is often the safer and easier choice.
• If you were motivated and better equipped to make hard decisions all day long, how much better would your life become?

How to boost decision making power:

• Make sure you have multiple, planned breaks in your day to refuel. I know, it’s obvious, so here is a tool you can actually use to make better food choices during your breaks. This infographic illustrates what foods both quench your appetite the best and hold off hunger the longest, ensuring lasting energy and better decisions.Are Bananas As Bad For You As Cookies? http://blog.massivehealth.com/infographics/bananas_vs_cookies

Are you a research fanatic like Andy? Here is the link to the full study – Extraneous factors in judicial decisions, by the Columbia Business School: http://www.pnas.org/content/108/17/6889.full

Andy Core voted as Top5 Global Speaker in Healthcare

We did it! To all of you who voted, I cannot thank you enough!

“Each year, Speakers Platform, a leading, global speaker bureau, recognizes five speakers, within ten popular topic areas, based on: expertise, professionalism, presentation skills, original contribution to the field and public votes cast at the Speaking.com Web site. Andy Core, living in Fayetteville, AR, has risen to become one of the world’s most respected and compelling speakers in Health/Healthcare…”

Upcoming Appearances (Through July 2012)

Andy can speak to your group while in the area (often for significant savings):

• April 20, 2012: Flowood, MS, Financial Strategies Group
• May 13-14, 2012: Munich, Germany, Intel
• May 15, 2012: Dublin, Ireland, Intel
• May 16, 2012: Shannon, Ireland, Intel
• May 17-19, 2012: Swindon, England, Intel
• June 5, 2012: ADP, Video Conference
• June 7, 2012: Judicial Council, Hot Springs, AR
• June 10, San Francisco, CA, IFEBP
• June 24-25, 2012: Orlando, FL, HCEA
• June 26, 2012: Baltimore, MD, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals
• June 28, 2012: Lake of the Ozarks, MO, Missouri Health Care Association
• July 10-11, 2012: Detroit, MI, MSAE ORGPRO Convention

Special referral gift (One of Andy’s ebooks)

Do you know of an organization with locations in the UK or Germany? Please help Andy spread the word that work-life balance matters. Email Nanci or Andy today: nanci@andycore.com *Special referral gift applies

Tips & Updates

Andy Core: New Content & Big News!

Hello , as always, you received this because you have subscribed Andy Core’s Ezine or attended a recent presentation by Andy and requested more info (instant unsubscribe below – no problem). It’s been a while, so instead one tip, I have put together my recent articles, podcasts, interviews for you, all in one place. But first, the big news:

Andy Core Nominated as Top5 Health/Healthcare Speaker in the U.S.

By voting, you give power to the idea that Health & Work-Life Balance programs are important, and should be a big part of every organization.

Plus, if you vote through my Facebook Fan Page, you receive a copy my ebook Healthy Motivation as a thank you, and get instant access to all the new resources I am sharing below. Vote here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/AndyCore-SpeakerAuthor/176669068542

Great New Content For My Subscribers

ARTICLES

• Beating the 3PM lull (Summit Business Conference)
• 3 myths can get in the way of losing weight (Chicago Tribune)

AUDIO FILES

• Chicago Business Talk Radio – Catalyst Show Interview
• Center for Health Design Convention: Pre-Keynote Podcast (Pt 1)
• Center for Health Design Convention: Pre-Keynote Podcast (Pt 2)

Upcoming Appearances (Through April 2012)

Andy can speak to your group while in the area for significant savings:

• Jan 6, 2012: United Kingdom – Corporate Client (Keynote)
• Jan 24, 2012: Las Vegas, NV – Corporate Client (Keynote)
• Jan 25, 2012: Daytona Beach, FL – Corporate Client (Keynote)
• Feb 12, 2012: Orlando, FL – IFEBP (5 Hour Preconference)
• Feb 15, 2012: Hazelton, PA – Corporate Client
• Feb 27, 2012: NY, NY – Eastern Claims Conference (Keynote)
• March 9, 2012: Jacksonville, FL – Investment Centers of America (Keynote)
• March 13, 2012: Dallas, TX – ADP (Two Workshops)
• March 19, 2012: San Diego, CA – ARC
• April 5, 2012: Little Rock, AR – Dept of Community Corrections (Keynote)
• April 20, 2012: Flowood, MS – Financial Strategies Group (Keynote)

Here is to a great 2012,

Andy Core

Tips & Updates

Andy Core: New Content & Big News!

Hello , as always, you received this because you have subscribed Andy Core’s Ezine or attended a recent presentation by Andy and requested more info (instant unsubscribe below – no problem). It’s been a while, so instead one tip, I have put together my recent articles, podcasts, interviews for you, all in one place. But first, the big news:

Andy Core Nominated as Top5 Health/Healthcare Speaker in the U.S.

By voting, you give power to the idea that Health & Work-Life Balance programs are important, and should be a big part of every organization.

Plus, if you vote through my Facebook Fan Page, you receive a copy my ebook Healthy Motivation as a thank you, and get instant access to all the new resources I am sharing below. Vote here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/AndyCore-SpeakerAuthor/176669068542

Great New Content For My Subscribers

ARTICLES

• Beating the 3PM lull (Summit Business Conference)
• 3 myths can get in the way of losing weight (Chicago Tribune)

AUDIO FILES

• Chicago Business Talk Radio – Catalyst Show Interview
• Center for Health Design Convention: Pre-Keynote Podcast (Pt 1)
• Center for Health Design Convention: Pre-Keynote Podcast (Pt 2)

Upcoming Appearances (Through April 2012)

Andy can speak to your group while in the area for significant savings:

• Jan 6, 2012: United Kingdom – Corporate Client (Keynote)
• Jan 24, 2012: Las Vegas, NV – Corporate Client (Keynote)
• Jan 25, 2012: Daytona Beach, FL – Corporate Client (Keynote)
• Feb 12, 2012: Orlando, FL – IFEBP (5 Hour Preconference)
• Feb 15, 2012: Hazelton, PA – Corporate Client
• Feb 27, 2012: NY, NY – Eastern Claims Conference (Keynote)
• March 9, 2012: Jacksonville, FL – Investment Centers of America (Keynote)
• March 13, 2012: Dallas, TX – ADP (Two Workshops)
• March 19, 2012: San Diego, CA – ARC
• April 5, 2012: Little Rock, AR – Dept of Community Corrections (Keynote)
• April 20, 2012: Flowood, MS – Financial Strategies Group (Keynote)

Here is to a great 2012,

Andy Core