Simpleology Blog

As a follow up to the recent basketball competition I wanted to personally congratulate our top three: Charlie Bennet, Paul Kisser and Jenifer Farrell-Dreilich - all three of them won access to every Simpleology course created to date - valued at over $3,500. Congratulations! Thanks to everyone who played, it was a lot of fun. And congrats again to Boston - I'm still dizzy from the beating we took!

Posted by Mark Joyner at 10:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (23) | TrackBacks (0)

I've realized that I haven't actually heard from some of my co-workers for a whole month now. Instead, we've exchanged e-mails. It turns out that we're part of the growing number of "e-mail people."

A business communications study done by the META Group, a provider of information technology research, reveals that 80 percent of workers prefer e-mail over the phone. Moreover, 74 percent of them believe that "being without e-mail would present more of a hardship than being without phone service."

The respondents from the 387 organizations surveyed say e-mail is better because it facilitates communication with multiple parties, enables more rapid communication, and generates a written record of all interactions.

But, state the META Group's experts, the e-mail system isn't infallible. They point out: "E-mail systems are also faced with the scourge of spam, circulation of salacious content, destructive viruses, and system failures as well as newer, malicious attacks such as denial of service and mail bombs."

On the other hand, they cited the phone's plus points: It's more personal, it creates better context for communication, and it helps clarify the tone of messages.

Though I'm an e-mail guy, I think having Plan B won't hurt. It's still a good idea to make sure that you "sound" just as good as you "read."

To ensure that your phone skills are up to par when e-mail isn't handy, business consultant C. Richard Weylman, author of Opening Closed Doors, offers these tips:

1. Sound energetic. Hold the receiver about seven centimeters away from your mouth so you won't sound muffled. Then, speak with just the right amount of enthusiasm. You'll lose your client's attention if you sound tired.

2. Don't multitask. When making important calls, make sure you won't get distracted by other tasks--it'll be obvious to the person on the other end of the line. Multitasking also reduces the ability to listen, so you might miss crucial points raised by your client.

3. When in doubt, pause. If you get flustered, take a few seconds to collect your thoughts. Or better yet, prepare an outline of what you want to say or talk about. "Ums" and "ahs" will only make you sound confused to the client.

But whether you're sending an e-mail or making a phone call, one thing should be constant: You should be able to express yourself clearly. After all, that's what communication is about.

Posted by Bean Jones at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBacks (0)

I just recently came across an article discussing the July 2002 survey conducted by Equisys, a business communications company, which revealed that the average employee spends 65 hours a year gossiping at the office. I was flabbergasted to realize that the time lost is equivalent to about eight working days.

The hours eaten up by office gossip may have even increased since then--as people have employed technology to spread gossip. In fact, according to a 2007 case study by Steelcase, an office equipment company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, more and more people trade office gossip via e-mail or instant messaging.

What do people gossip about? "Gossip generally takes two forms," writes USA Today's Stephanie Armour. "[They're] rumors about company changes, such mergers, layoffs, managerial promotions, and staffing changes. [They could also be] personal gossip about specific employees: who is doing well, having an affair, or grappling with personal problems."

But whatever it is that has the office grapevine buzzing, one thing is clear: productivity suffers. Lisa Cieslica, a senior human resources manager for the US-based National Professional Employer Organization, also points out: "Productivity loss is not only experienced by the gossipers... who are spending company time chatting and e-mailing back and forth about the 'latest news,' but also consider the loss of productivity that is experienced by the victim."

To eradicate this nasty productivity drain, Cieslica advises companies to:

1. Be proactive and have open door policy with their staff.

2. Enhance policies against gossiping.

3. Create a culture of mutual respect.

4. Encourage the staff to work as a team, as people tend to gossip about others if they don't know them.

But this doesn't mean that you can't engage in the occasional friendly chat with your workmates. Talk about hobbies, movies, and other fun topics if you like. Should there be any "bad" news discussed, you should just remain neutral. Fanning the flames of controversy won't do anyone--or the company--any good. And surely there are better things to do in 65 hours.

To help keep you focused on work rather than rumors, check out Simpleology 101's Daily Target Praxis.

Posted by Bean Jones at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

Do you hate having a sweet tooth? If you're thinking of doing something drastic, like giving up everything sweet...don't do it. That's not the way to go.

A pattern of fasting and overloading on sugary foods may foster dependence, according to a study published in Obesity Research. "People with a genetic predisposition for addiction can become overly dependent on sugar, particularly if they periodically stop eating and then binge," explains Dr. Bart Hoebel, the Princeton University psychologist who led the study.

Lab experiments on rats showed the cycle of sugar deprivation and indulgence sensitized both the dopamine (which regulates appetite) and opioid (which triggers cravings) receptors in the rodents' brains.

Consequently, your body's insulin production also gets messed up. You see, when you go on a sugar binge, your blood sugar levels rise. This, in turn, spikes your insulin levels, which then drive blood sugar levels down--at which point your cravings are set off.

Once you're hooked into the cycle, giving up sweets will soon cause you to suffer from withdrawal symptoms that resemble those of drug addiction, such as anxiety and tremors.

But, don't fret. You can still kick the sweet habit. Dr. Caroline Apovian, a weight management specialist, offers these tips:

1. Don't let yourself get too hungry. Keep yourself satisfied with low-calorie, high-volume foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

2. Don't overdo it. It's not necessary to remove natural sugars such as lactose or fructose from your diet. You can snack on fruit in between meals. It's refined sugar that you have to be wary of.

3. Don't hoard sweat treats. Don't stash processed sweets in your house. Sometimes that is the only way to avoid temptation. Always have fruit on hand so that when you get hungry, you can snack on something naturally sweet.

So, cross out "I won't eat sweets anymore" from your list of health resolutions--or you'll end up gorging on even more sugary goodies. As you'll find out in Simpleology 103, too much of anything is a bad thing.

Posted by Bean Jones at 7:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (20) | TrackBacks (0)

What a game!

KG led what was a brutal beating of the Lakers in game 6. The NBA blog called the Celtic defense "soul crushing" and that about sums it up.

The Lakers were pretty well shut down by Boston even though they put up a valiant final fight.

As for the competition, we are utterly overwhelmed by the massive response and will be selecting the winners shortly.

Lakers fans: a bet is a bet, so here is the place to add your congratulations. Just add your comment to this post and give the Celtics their due.

Game 6 proves they earned it.

Posted by Mark Joyner at 11:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (154) | TrackBacks (0)

If you're addicted to snacking at midnight, then you better turn on all the lights. This will help curb your urge to binge.

Joseph Kasof, Ph.D., a research associate at the University of California at Irvine, says that people easily give in to food cravings in dimly-lit surroundings because they feel uninhibited. "An intervention that has never been attempted is simply to use brighter lights when eating," he states.

Based on the findings of his survey--which had 401 college students as respondents--bright lights help midnight munchers come to their senses.

Still, I don't think illumination is a quick fix to midnight snack addiction. Ultimately, it's all up to you if you're going to quit eating cold cuts in your darkened kitchen. (In my case, I used to love wolfing down leftovers by the refrigerator light.)

Nevertheless, I'll turn on all the lights when I snack at night--so I'll be able to see everything that I'm eating. This way, I'll also be more aware of the portions I'm consuming. Plus, of course, I'll stick to Simpleology 103.

Posted by Bean Jones at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBacks (0)

I may be a die-hard Boston Celtics fan, but I know that not everyone gets that (especially Mark). People get rid of stress in different ways. Some take up pottery, others do gardening, and some (like my sister Lauren) knit jackets for their pets. But for me, it's basketball.

Let it not be said though that I'm not aware of issues troubling the world. Global warming, human trafficking, and the prevalence of child labor have me worried--and I try to help in my own modest way.

Still, we all have the right to savor some of life's little--albeit utterly inconsequential--pleasures, don't we? So, yes, I didn't restrain myself from beating my chest when I saw Mark after Games 1 and 2. Mark got even after Game 3, though.

My bravado aside, I've come to realize that basketball offers some great life lessons:

1. Competition can be constructive. You're only as good as the people you compete with. As much as I love the Celtics, I have to admit that the Lakers are worthy opponents. It's never fun to compete against someone you know you can easily beat. Basketball shows us how healthy competition can make us better at what we do.

2. Nice guys win big. Basketball rewards fair play and doesn't let foul moves slide. Now, if you're a nice guy with an A-game, you're already a winner.

3. You shouldn't sweat the small stuff. In the end, no matter who wins, the players shake hands. After all, it's just a game. Case in point: Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, whose off-court friendship is as famed as their rivalry.

Now, with these reasons in mind and Mark's pick-the-winner challenge in the offing, I sure hope you all put your faith in the Celtics. (They're taking this one home, Mark.)

Posted by Bean Jones at 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBacks (0)

I've been skipping meals lately and I didn't realize it was turning me into a monster until my mother called today. "Hello, Beanie baby," she said. I barked into the receiver: "Stop calling me that!" To which my mother replied, "You're always cranky when you're hungry, Benjamin, so I'll forgive you."

After apologizing to her, I thanked my mother for providing inspiration for this post. It seems that she and a few other experts agree that food--or lack thereof--does indeed influence moods.

"Brain chemicals called neurotransmitters function as the primary regulators of our moods. Some neurotransmitters (such as dopamine) excite us, while others (such as serotonin) have a calming effect," explains Jack Challem, author of The Food-Mood Solution.

The brain manufactures neurotransmitters from "neuronutrients," which are mainly vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. When you're running low on these neuronutrients, your mood becomes erratic.

Blood sugar levels also affect moods. We all feel good after we eat because that's when our blood sugar level goes up. But, when they drop, our mood turns bad until we eat again.

Ideally, as Challem advises, both our blood sugar and our neurotransmitters should remain relatively balanced so that we can "respond appropriately to different situations." As such, he lists some good-mood munchies:

1. Fish. Eating salmon and other fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids like mackerel and sardines stimulates serotonin production in the brain. It can help reduce aggressive and hostile behavior, including bullying and verbal abusiveness.

2. Leafy green vegetables. Spinach and lettuce contain magnesium, a mineral with relaxing and calming effects. They're also high in folic acid, which helps prevent depression.

3. Oranges. Irritability and fatigue are the first signs of low vitamin C intake. Vitamin C is also used to make neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. (Find out which other foods will get you energized in Simpleology 103.)

Thus, I have resolved to eat oranges when I'm feeling tired and cranky. Obviously, skipping meals and just overdosing on coffee won't do me--or anyone else--any good.

Posted by Bean Jones at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the comments in reply to my basketball post got me thinking.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen... Don't fight a war, make a bet worthwhile to us Simpleology users." (from Mido)

Mido, that's exactly what we're going to do. More about that in a second.

Before that, I want to address a few of the comments Bean and I received.

First, I think this was clear to almost everyone, but for those to whom it was not clear: Bean and I are not really "fighting."

This is some fun macho chest beating about our beloved teams and we're having a real hoot of a time doing it.

Next, some folks were offended that we'd bring up basketball when there are more serious issues to attend to in the world.

Hey, I hear you! Anyone who follows my personal blog knows just how deeply I'm concerned about these matters as well. And you'll also know what I'm doing about it.

Why then, do I write about basketball?

Well, one's concern for the world doesn't mean we can't all blow off some steam from time to time, right? And again, basketball is a game that puts greatness (and yes, sometimes vulgarity) on display for us all to watch and learn.

Indeed, the concept of "friendly competition" is one that is intended to short circuit the desire of men to kill one another. If they can get out their aggression and settle their disputes on the playing field, it can prevent them from doing so on the streets.

Does it really work?

Well, who knows ...

But the Greeks thought so when they launched the Olympic games in 776 B.C.

The idea was that they could end conflict between, and increase camaraderie amongst, the Greek city-states through friendly competition.

Sadly, perhaps because of the waning integrity of the news media (the same news media that has us all more educated about the nuance of political scandal than the substantive issues of politics), we are alerted when sport is ugly, but not when it is sublime.

We hear about the steroid scandal, but not about the man who "irreparably" injures himself, overcomes it, and goes on to win a championship.

We hear about the sportsman who cheats on his wife, but not so much about the man who was raised in a crack house who then uses the money he earned from basketball to create a drug rehab center on the same street.

So, perhaps its time to give basketball a chance.

Now, to that little wager Mido suggested.

Here's what we're going to do ...

You may remember last year we released a program called "Word of Mouth Transformation!" It's a live coaching program about word-of-mouth marketing that is ongoing right now as I write this.

The results people have been getting are nothing short of astonishing.

I was planning to re-release the program next year, but only in "replay" mode. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have the time to take on any more live coaching work in the future.

What does this have to do with Mido's suggestion?

Well, I want to make a little wager with you.

Here's the deal: click here and pick the winning team.

I'll pick three people from amongst those who pick the winning team and "Unlock Everything."

That means: if you're one of the three winners, we'll unlock for you every single product Simpleology has ever created (over $3,500 in actual retail value).

If you pick the winning team but you're not one of the lucky three, we'll give you a chance to purchase Word of Mouth Transformation Replay at a steep discount - and then unlock for you every other product we have ever created.

The above will only be available to the first 1,000 to reply, though. It's a great deal and we still need to stay in business after this contest :-)

And hey, if you win and you already own some of these products, we'll give you credit for future products we release - redeemable on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Fair enough?

OK, let's have some fun together. Let's see if you can pick the winning team.

Posted by Mark Joyner at 1:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (72) | TrackBacks (0)

A lot of people were surprised over the findings of the obesity study published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2007. It alleged that being fat is a "socially contagious" disease.

The co-author of the study, Dr. Nicholas Christakis of the Harvard Medical School, explained that a person was 37 percent more likely to become obese if he or she had a fat spouse, 40 percent more likely to get hefty if he or she had overweight siblings, and 57 percent more likely to turn tubby if he or she had chubby friends. This is supposedly because we're likely to eat what our loved ones are eating--even if they're grabbing unhealthy grub.

But who's to say that you can't make your own decisions? Besides, it's not just your hefty friends who should be tagged as potential fitness dampers. Heck, you regular-sized friends could cause you to binge just as much.

Thus, I was happy to find out that I wasn't the only one who had some reservations about the study's findings. Dr. Neil Izenberg, founder and editor-in-chief of KidsHealth.org, said the findings might be taken the wrong way by a lot of people. He was worried that kids would resort to ostracizing peers with weight problems.

Izenberg pointed out: "The positive impact of this research might be that more people will see eating and activity patterns as being strongly influenced by friends and family. It could be negative though, if you limit your friends based on how they look."

According to Izenberg, you just have to:

1. Pay more attention to how you make your choices about what you consume.

2. Be more conscious of how active you are.

So, if you have a chubby friend, don't make him or her the scapegoat for your weaknesses. Instead, convince him or her to get fit with you. You could do Simpleology 103 together. Also, tell your pal that it's not his or her size that concerns you. It's his or her health that matters.

Posted by Bean Jones at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBacks (0)

If you find yourself searching for your keys all the time or struggling to remember people's names, then you may not be getting enough exercise.

Memory Game
In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2007, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center reported that exercise "appears to stimulate the growth of new brain cells in the region linked with memory."

Scientists studied the magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRIs) of the brains of 11 healthy adults, taken before and after their assigned aerobic exercise programs, and found that the number of memory cells do increase after their subjects worked out.

"Our next step is to identify the exercise regimen that is most beneficial to improve cognition and reduce memory loss, so that physicians may be able to prescribe specific types of exercise to improve memory," said lead researcher Dr. Scott Small.

Keep on Running
If you ask me, I think running could be the ultimate brain-boosting exercise. In 2001, scientists at The Salk Institute found that running could boost brain cell survival in mice with neurodegenerative disease.

Carrolee Barlow, a Salk assistant professor and lead author of the study, explained: "When these mice are sedentary, it appears that most newly born brain cells die. Running appears to 'rescue' many of these cells that would otherwise die." Barlow also added that "the miles logged correlated directly with the numbers of increased cells."

Of Mice and Men
Well, if it's good enough for mice, then it's good enough for men, right? No wonder I had trouble memorizing phone numbers when I quit running for a few months. So, by all means, if it's physically possible, I'd advise people to take up running. It won't just help you get fit, it'll most likely sharpen your memory, too. Or, at the very least, you'd be more in touch with your keys and acquaintances.

Note from Mark: If you have joint issues, check with a doctor or physiotherapist before starting a running program. It can really hammer your joints, especially if your form is off. Get some coaching from a qualified professional or try something low-impact if you don't have access to one.

Credits: Photo by Peter Griffin, courtesy of Public Domain Pictures.

Suggested Resource: You know what else can improve your memory and your overall health? Eating right. So, check out Simpleology 103: The Simple Science of Personal Energy for winning tips on how to be in great shape--both mentally and physically.

Posted by Bean Jones at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (34) | TrackBacks (0)

OK, Mark, that's it. This is war.

I sit here minutes before the first game of the finals only to read this blog post from my boss trashing MY TEAM!

Mark, I love ya, but the Lakers don't stand a chance.

Who has won more finals? The Lakers or the Celtics?

Hmmmm?

Enough said.

Posted by Bean Jones at 7:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (33) | TrackBacks (0)

First let me say, I love the city of Boston.

I spent a few months there early in my Army career getting some rather spooky and "bad a**" training in the wily ways of military intelligence. Every weekend I'd go hang out with the intellectuals in Harvard Yard.

I grew to love it and still do.

After I resigned my commission in the Army, I moved to Los Angeles and lived there during the famous "threepeat" - 3 NBA Finals victories in a row for the L.A. Lakers.

I was there to watch the amazing Kobe/Shaq dynamic at its peak, and there when their relationship disintegrated into rivalry.

I later met Shaq face to face and was awestruck by the obvious humility and class of this giant man.

After the despair of 9/11 that all of us felt in America (even clear on the "other" coast) the Finals gave L.A. a renewed sense of hope. You could literally see the city reawakening before your eyes as we inched closer to cinching up the threepeat.

I remember watching the 76ers, battle-worn with almost every key player injured, give the Lakers their best in 2001. We won, but everyone left with an immense respect for "Philly" and the mighty Iverson.

I remember watching and emulating the indomitable Phil Jackson marshall the Lakers to each victory, learning a little more about manhood and leadership along the way.

All this from basketball?

Yes, all from basketball.

Part of the game is also blustery talk about whoopin' the other team's behind.

To some this may look stupid. I get it. Macho men pounding chests. It just doesn't look good.

But to those who find basketball a source of inspiration ...

To those who see basketball as an art form that puts on display the greatness of the human spirit ...

The blustery talk is just a part of the dance.

So, nothing personal Boston, but we're gonna pound you into the dirt.

Posted by Mark Joyner at 5:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (38) | TrackBacks (0)

Just yesterday, my friend Jason and I headed to a pizza place for lunch. I was dumbfounded when he asked the waitress for some paper towels and then proceeded to pat the pizza with them. "It'll get rid of fifty percent of the fat," Jason said. Frankly, I don't see what difference it made, as he easily ate half of the still-greasy pie.

Pat Phenomenon
At about 360 calories per slice, Jason and I each wolfed down around 1,440 calories. But while I knew I had to pay for it by running an extra mile the next day, Jason was confident that the paper towels had done their magic.

Thus, I decided to investigate The Pizza Pat phenomenon. I couldn't find any hardcore scientific documentation, but I came across a study done by the Georgia-Pacific Health Smart Institute. According to its findings, "patting the surface of a pizza with an absorbent paper towel can remove up to 14 percent of total fat and up to 17 percent of saturated fat."

Though the numbers are nowhere near what Jason claimed, years of watching The X Files has made me wary of fantastic data. It didn't help that I could no longer get to the source cited in the online article.

Calorie Math
Nevertheless, just to be fair to Jason and others like him, let's do the math of The Pizza Pat. By eating four slices each, Jason and I both took in 60 grams of fat. That's 60 grams minus 14 percent (8.4 grams). So, we get 51.6 grams. If we go by the calculations based on a 2,000-calories-a-day diet, then we're already teetering on the 44 to 77-gram total fat limit. And, remember, that the pizza we devoured was just lunch.

If we went on a pizza binge everyday, no amount of paper towel action would keep our weight down. Common sense will tell you that if you want to get fit, you have to lay off the pizza completely or just indulge in a slice or two once in a while. Which, as Mark advises in Simpleology 103, translates to a "cheat day" once a week. Or, to be kinder, a "cheat meal" made up of all the sinful food treats you can't live without, every 4 days. This method--which I'm religiously adopting from now on--makes you lose weight faster since it prevents your body from going into "starvation mode." Depriving yourself of all your cravings just sets you up for an all-out food binge.

Dealing With Diet Kryptonite
As for Jason, the next time we're in a pizza joint, I'm daring him to either take his grease like a man...or walk away from the pizza like Superman walks away from kryptonite. Because, really, as delicious as it is, the loaded pie could easily be kryptonite for us all. Paper towels don't stand a chance.

Credits: Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Posted by Bean Jones at 5:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBacks (0)

Couples and Cash. Marriage therapist Hal Runkel weighs in on how partners should deal with money issues.

Next to sex, it seems like money is the most controversial aspect of a marriage.

I've got several friends who are married and many of them say they tend to dance around the subject. They also reveal that the only time money gets discussed (or, more accurately, argued about) is when it's running out. "You spend too much!" or "You don't bring home enough!" are familiar refrains in such heated encounters.

Cash Clash
Olivia Mellan, a psychotherapist who specializes in resolving money conflicts and author of Overcoming Overspending: A Winning Plan for Spenders and Their Partners, says that couples usually "assume defense styles, or personalities, in relation to money that are direct opposites of each other." Thus, the usual scenario is this: one becomes a worrier and the other one an avoider.

Worriers are tight-fisted with the cash even when they don't have to be. Picture a man or woman who begrudges his or her spouse a tub of gourmet ice cream even on Christmas Day because they have to save every penny possible.

Meanwhile, avoiders usually spend without thinking about the consequences. I offer my own grandfather as an example. He never thought twice about indulging me and my cousins to a fancy dinner at his favorite Italian restaurant. Then again, he'd always get the third-degree from my grandmother because he'd dip into their house fund in order to give us kids a treat.

And, naturally, like many married worriers and avoiders, I don't think my grandparents ever really talked about money directly. I imagine that skirting the cash issue put a damper on many married couples' happily-ever-after.

Keeping the Peace
To maintain domestic bliss, Mellan advises couples to talk about their financial situation. Here are some of her tips on how they can do it:

1. Find a non-stressful time when money is not a loaded issue (not tax season, please).

2. Mention your concerns and fears about your partner's money style.

3. Talk about your goals for the future, short and long-term.

4. Consider making a shared budget or a spending plan together.

5. Set a time to have the next money talk. Aim for weekly conversations in the beginning, then monthly ones.

More importantly, Mellan points out: "Never try to negotiate about money before airing your feelings. Otherwise, negotiations will always break down." Now, that sure sounds way better than yelling at each other about who doesn't bring home enough bacon.

Suggested Resource: Couples who have clashing spending styles should check out Simpleology 102 together. It could easily be the path to "happily-ever-after."

Posted by Bean Jones at 5:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Don't blame it on Monday. Workplace stress has no specific schedules--and this video shows just how bad it can get at any given day.

Monday has been tagged as the day when Murphy's Law reigns. I've listened to The Carpenters harmonize about Mondays always getting people down in "Rainy Days and Mondays" and the Boomtown Rats sing about just plain not liking them in "I Don't Like Mondays." Yet, I still don't get why Monday gets all the flak.

Monday Madness
As it turns out, the Carpenters and the Boomtown Rats may have been on to something. In 2003, the American Journal of Hypertension published the results of a study done by Japan's Tokyo Women's University. The study showed that many workers have significant increase in blood pressure on Mondays. It went on to state that there are 20 percent more heart attacks on Mondays than on any other days. This was especially true for office workers, as they reportedly got worked up over anticipated Monday morning office chaos.

Just this year, a poll conducted by online career network Monster revealed that 51 percent of US and 53 percent of UK office workers suffered sleepless Sunday nights because they feared Monday. In yet another survey commissioned by the hotel chain Travelodge, 60 percent of the 3,500 respondents claimed that their Monday morning dread caused their Sunday night insomnia.

Busting the Blues
Then again, Monday morning--or Sunday night--can only take so much blame. The folks at Monster surmised, that the Monday morning blues phenomenon is a myth. After all, they said, a few practical moves can save you from it. Aside from making sure that you get enough sleep on Sunday, the Monster crew and health experts suggest that you:

1. Think about something good that happened at the office instead of the problems.

2. Plan and organize your tasks. List down what you want to achieve for the day with the help of the Daily Target Praxis (DTP) highlighted in Simpleology 101.

3. Get out in the sunlight--bright light prompts your body to heat up its internal clock.

4. Take a cold shower or exercise in the morning to release those feel-good endorphins.

5. Don't race away from a messy office desk on Fridays. Get it in order so that you'll be greeted with a neat desk come Monday morning.

Reinvented Day
Bottom line: The so-called "blues" will set in if we let them--it won't matter what day it is. As for The Carpenters and the Boomtown Rats...I guess they only sang about Mondays being blue because they had poetic license to to do. So, from hereon I'm getting rid of my anti-Monday sentiments. Better late than never, right?

Suggested Resource: Make sure that your Mondays are always stress-free. Sign up for Simpleology 101: The Simple Science of Getting What You Want to learn how you can keep your sanity when you show up for the first day of the workweek.

Posted by Bean Jones at 5:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

Hey folks, allow me to introduce you to the wonderful Benjamin "Bean" Jones, staff writer for Simpleology.

Bean is an extremely switched on guy and he'll be blogging here regularly.

I'll still be posting from time to time as well, but most of the posts will come from Bean.

Please take a moment to give Bean a warm welcome in the comments section below.

Welcome, Bean!

Posted by Mark Joyner at 5:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (28) | TrackBacks (0)