Here is your Seven-Bullet Monday
1. A quote I am pondering:
"Do one thing every day that scares you." Eleanor Roosevelt
If life truly starts at the end of our comfort zones, then we must figure out how to push the boundaries, stretch ourselves and continue to grow.
2. A question I am asking myself:
How do I better learn from the books I am listening to?
The following Amit Kalantri quote has challenged me: "He who learns a lot but applies a little stays little." I need to take the most meaningful books I have read and ensure I engrain the principles in my life, so I will genuinely benefit from their wisdom.
3. A book I am reading:
Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen - by Donald Miller
What I learned most from this book was that simplicity and elegance are beautiful, especially in marketing. When a marketing campaign makes the audience the story's hero, the sales process becomes much easier. I ordered a hard copy of this book to go with the audio because Miller has some great checklists and tips to improve marketing and make it more effective.
4. What I learnt this week
Cardboard packaging versus expanded polystyrene
Fitting out our townhome has come with many flatpack deliveries, with the accompanying cardboard and, in many cases, expanded polystyrene (EPS). Those in the pro-EPS camp will argue that producing EPS over equivalent cardboard packaging takes one-sixth of the energy. So it is much cheaper and initially less polluting to produce.
Once it comes to disposal time, cardboard is the clear winner. One tonne of recycled cardboard saves 20 trees, material amounts of oil, water, and landfill space, and it results in lower emissions. Although EPS is, in theory, recyclable, the vast majority lands up in landfills where it will take hundreds of years to decompose. Today it is one of the main culprits behind microplastic pollution on our land and water. I also find it interesting, and sad, that many manufacturers and distributors use EPS to save a quick buck, but that comes with the cost of pollution that will go on for centuries.
5. The highlight of my week
Starting to write our Sustainability and Climate-Change Reports
We will publish our 2022 Sustainability, and Climate-Change reports in two months, so it is time to get busy writing the various sections. Before starting, I thought it would be arduous, as writing can sometimes be, but it proved to be quite the opposite. Helping no end are all stories we have to tell of the remarkable progress we have made on so many fronts in sustainability in the last 12 months. I am excited about the report and think it will make for some excellent reading. #ConumaRocks
6. Hugh-bits
Working on a stretch to improve my posture
Like most of you, I spend a lot of time working at my desk, and, as a result, I have Upper Cross Syndrome or UCS. UCS is caused by poor posture over many years, resulting in me having rounded shoulders and a curve in my neck and upper back. Leanne gave me this great stretch to help reverse it. All you need is a foam roller and a towel. You lie on the foam roller, holding a stretched-out towel and then bring it back over your head, try and touch the floor behind you and hold that position for 15 seconds. Her other great tip for posture is to imagine putting your shoulders in your back pockets.
7. My challenge for you for this week
Write down ten ideas on a subject every day
If your creativity and idea generation is low, try this exercise - it is both challenging and fun. We stretch our thinking and become more creative by writing down at least ten ideas on different topics daily. It also exercises our brain, a muscle that responds well to exercise and becomes stronger as a result. The ideas can be anything from work projects, challenging relationships, holiday plans, investing, and finding ways to relax. It works, so please give it a go!
Have an awesome week