Are you exhausted and unproductive at work?

Do you have trouble staying focused and creative throughout the day?

It may be time to consider adopting a nonlinear workday.

Working when you’re most productive means ditching the traditional 9-to-5 schedule.

I start work a little later in the day after spending 45 minutes outside. I take a break in the middle of the day to prepare something to eat and work in the evening when I feel the most energised.

But it’s also important to take breaks inbetween to give our brains a chance to rest. 

Even if I only take a few minutes to stretch or do deep breathing exercises, I find that it helps me get back on track and stay alert throughout the day.

Have you tried adopting a nonlinear workday before? If so, how did it work for you?

 

Are you a nature lover or a poetry enthusiast?

If yes, you might want to give John Clare‘s poetry a try.

Clare’s words have a way of making you feel like you are one with nature. From the chirping of birds to the rustling of leaves, his poetry captures it all.

Recently, I discovered a fun way to experience his poetry in a new light. I asked ChatGPT to rewrite the first verse of his poem “What is Life?”. (It’s one of my favourites. The first three lines are on my parents’ gravestone.)

Here’s Clare’s poem:

And what is Life? An hour-glass on the run,
A mist retreating from the morning sun,
A busy, bustling, still-repeated dream.
Its length? A minute’s pause, a moment’s thought.
And Happiness? A bubble on the stream,
That in the act of seizing shrinks to nought.

And here’s ChatGPT’s version:

What is Life but a fleeting sight,
A mist that fades with morning light,
A never-ending, repetitive scheme?
Its length? A mere second, a passing gleam.
And Happiness? A bubble on the stream,
That as you reach for it, pops like a dream.

I thought the result was quite amazing!

ChatGPT’s poem retained the essence of the original poem while adding a fresh perspective to it.

Why not take a moment to read some of John Clare’s poetry and see if it inspires you?

And if you want to have some fun, try asking ChatGPT to re-write one of his poems (or poems written by your favourite poet). You might be surprised at what you discover!

The three most important weapons: self-confidence, experience and momentum. I don’t think we should pin our hopes on trying to have one huge adventure of a lifetime, rather try to live adventurously every day.
Alastair Humphreys

Living adventurously doesn’t have to mean embarking on a grand, once-in-a-lifetime expedition.

Instead, it can be about finding small, everyday ways to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and try new things.

By embracing a spirit of adventure in our daily lives, we can develop a sense of purpose, excitement, and fulfilment that can help us thrive.

So, go ahead and take a step outside your comfort zone today—you might be surprised at what you discover.

PS You might like to listen to Alastair Humphreys’ presentation at The Do Lectures.

Advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy has created a series of short video clips called Cake or Not Cake? that ask British viewers to guess whether the product shown is an illusion cake made by ‘The Bake King’ Ben Cullen or one of Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference products.

Follow the link and scroll down the page to watch the short video clips.

What do you think? Is it cake or is it not cake?

An exhibition honours Wales’ last coal miners’ strength, resilience and humanity.

Kings of the Underground features over 40 photogrammetry* portraits of miners and their relatives.

The faces have lines and scars from years of working underground, but they also show pride, humour and camaraderie.

Kings of the Underground is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and victories of those who worked in the dark to help the country grow.

Look at the amazing portraits (and read the short texts accompanying them) and pay tribute to the underground kings.

Both photos and texts moved me in ways that are hard to explain.

 

* Photogrammetry converts 2-dimensional images into 3D images.

Meditation can help us feel less stressed, more focused and happier overall.

Sounds great, right? So why don’t more people do it?

Well, some people think meditation is just for hippies or monks, and others don’t think that it works.

It can be hard to know where to start or what to do, too.

But looking at this infographic, I’d say it’s worth giving it a try.

In fact, I used to practise meditation for 30 minutes every morning for a while, and then I stopped. I have no idea why, because it really did help me feel calmer, more centred and more in control of my emotions.

I’ve started again. 

This time I’m testing the Waking up app.

You might like to, too.

Trying meditation won’t hurt. The worst that could happen is nothing!