Be passionate about your passion

When you get out of bed in the morning, what is it that makes you lift your head from the pillow?

In truth, for most of us, it's providing a roof over our loved ones' heads, but for some of us, it's a genuine passion for how we earn that money.

If you're one of the unlucky ones, then at least you know you're doing the right thing.

If, like me, you have such a passion for your work that it feels like fun, then enjoy it. Celebrate following your dream. And share your passion.

We don't buy products from companies. We buy them from people. If someone manages to sell you a new car when you went into the showroom for a used one, they probably have a passion for their job. And if you find someone like that, learn from them. You're never too old to follow your dream.

And if you don't know where your passion lies, tell me your story and I'll help you find it, hidden away and just waiting to be discovered.


Posted via my iPad

Social media - brand recognition or selling stuff?

I'm on a mission.

I'm tired of having my time wasted by social media.

Don't get me wrong - I love reading tweets about what you had for breakfast. Actually, have you noticed there's less of that now?

But I do love reading about what people are doing, whether in business, with family, friends, music, creativity etc etc. It's not a waste of time. I find it stimulating and often thought-provoking. Perhaps that's just the people I follow.

What I DON'T love is the people who don't really know what they're doing, whether it's on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram or whatever the next new thing is. Come on, people. Make your mind up. Are you telling me about your brand (personal or business), or are you flogging stuff?

Be happy - follow your dreams

In honour of today's International Day of Happiness, I'm giving some thought to how I can get happy by following my dreams.

Life is definitely too short for regrets or time-wasting.

I've taken to watching TED and TEDx talks for inspiration. If ever there were people following their dreams, they're there. If I was to give one piece of advice to my children and their generation, it would be to be inspired and to dream big. It'll make the world a happier place.

A life very definitely lived

Everyone seems to have an opinion about Amy Winehouse, her life and her death. What is inescapable is her immense talent as a singer.

Trawl YouTube and you can find sessions where she was clearly intoxicated, but she could still belt it out in the style of many great jazz singers. Death at 27 is always a tragedy, but her legacy in terms of music is lasting.

I can't wait to see Amy, from BAFTA award-winning director Asif Kapadia, out in UK cinemas on 3 July 2015, four years after her death. My hope is that it focuses more on the music and less on the precarious lifestyle.

"Art is long and life is short"

Forget the troubled life, remember the art and the essence of the man.

A fascinating new film about Vincent Van Gogh is out on Tuesday 14 April 2015. Vincent Van Gogh: A new way of seeing gives an insight into the man himself but also features painting after painting, in beautiful colour on the silver screen.

What did I learn?
* I did not know that he was so affected by the poor of London. He read Dickens and wrote to his brother that he was impressed with the writer's focus on working people. Of course, when you see the people featured in The Potato Eaters, they are reminiscent of so much of Dickens' descriptions of meal times and family life.
* The relationship with Gauguin was at once significant and destructive. It was, apparently, the breakdown of their relationship that resulted in the ear-cutting incident, rather than the influence of a prostitute.
* His troubled life also gave him inspiration. Some of his drawings while institutionalised are stunning.
* In the 70 days immediately prior to his death, he produced 80 paintings. Beautiful, beautiful paintings.
* The plethora of self-portraits came about because of a shortage of available models and the proximity of his own face. He was practising.
* His skill was, first and foremost, in drawing. His pen and ink works are intricate and are perfect for enjoying on a big screen.
* Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum is worth another visit.

He said "Art is long and life is short" and the man should be remembered not for his mental health issues but for the beauty of what he left behind.

If you have the chance to watch the film, I'd urge you to do so. It's not a piece of fiction and not romanticised, but we'd all be better for knowing more about how great artists create.

Disturb my sleep and suffer

This was the view from my window at 7am on Saturday. I should have videoed it, because the noise was ridiculous.

The benefits of honesty

This may look like nothing in particular to you, but to me, it's two meals I've anticipated for six months.

The 'shed', as the street food business on Great Suffolk Street, SE1 is affectionately known, feeds workers and residents with burgers, falafel and Thai stir fries. Now, don't underestimate the delights of this stir fry. It has rice, veg and eggs and a few sauces and spices. All fresh ingredients, freshly cooked to order in front of you.

People pay well for this, but it's just a fiver in the shed. And that's two meals for me - lunch while surrounded by the aromas of the shed, followed by supper three hours later. Great value and SUCH good food.

Are you convinced yet? I can't be more precise on where you'd find the shed, in case too many people discover it and the long queues get longer. Suffice it to say, it's a few yards from a fancy restaurant owned by a top TV chef. I've never been to his place, but love the long tables and concrete floors of the arches.

And the food, obviously.

And the benefits of honesty? I told the chef how far I'd travelled and long I'd waited and he gave me a free bottle of water. See? Great food, nice people.

Emotion (and learning) recollected in tranquility

My apologies to Wordsworth but the gist is that taking time to reflect often brings a better result.

I attended a genuinely fascinating session run by Intel at Bletchley Park this morning. A very intense and useful session at a fabulous location.

I shall definitely be reflecting in tranquility.

There was a fascinating session by Marketing specialist Gail Hanlon, followed by a panel discussion about working with corporates. Perfect for me and lots to do as a result.

Watch this space, as they say.

Thanking contacts

I was delighted to receive a party bag with a few chocolates in at a networking lunch today. It was a nice touch from a potential supplier.

Good chocolates, too.

Creating obsolescence

This weekend's International Women's Day reminded me of Princess Anne. Only because I heard her talk once at a Conference run by the charity Save the Children. She said she wanted nothing less than the day when that charity was no longer needed.

I feel the same about a day dedicated to remembering half the worlds population. It's a ridiculous concept that we need it, just as we shouldn't need a charity that takes care of the world's children. Women shouldn't be treated as second class and children should certainly never be put in harm's way or caused to live without their basic needs.

With a little consideration for others, the world could be a significantly better place. If we were all dedicated to helping others and worked towards equality for everyone, we'd also be more economically stable and sustainable as a planet.

It's not rocket science. It just seems so difficult while men demean women and adults cause suffering in children. We should all do a little better to treat those around us with respect and maybe the ripples would spread. Who knows? Maybe one day we won't have to think about feminism or giving money to charity.


Posted via my iPad

Write your elevator pitch and KISS

I've just written my own elevator pitch. I do it for other people and thought I ought to actually do my own properly.

I once heard that Steve Jobs' 10,000 hours rule - it takes someone 10,000 to get really good at a task - applied to his own public speaking. He simply wrote his speech, and then practised it again and again until it was right. Perhaps charisma CAN be acquired.

So, I sat down to write my elevator pitch, aiming for 60 seconds. How to get my key messages across briefly? Having read it through and tweaked it a few times, it's down to 55 seconds.

Always keep in mind the attention span and level of interest of your reader or listener. Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Everyone needs a selection of gardening gloves

Tools for the trade. I may have to bin a few, as it looks ridiculous once they're all together.

I also found five pairs of secateurs while sorting through boxes in the garage. Boxes that hadn't been moved in nearly four years.

The Garden Gate tea room soup - spicy parsnip at its best

Blooming Bermondsey

Signs of spring in Bermondsey. The same tiny crocuses coming through in Hitchin. Made me smile.

Cutting it down for it to grow

It's always interesting to see trees being cut back, but you know it won't take long for new growth to appear. That's what spring is for.

Proximity

Sitting having lunch by the bank of the Thames, overlooking HMS Belfast and the Tower of London, I'm struck by the proximity of differences.

Walking a couple of minutes in any direction, I can find wealth and poverty, greed and hardship, history and modernity. London is such a mix of cultures and influences and it's a fascinating place to spend time. Look over my shoulder to the Shard and just a few seconds beneath it lie a busy Immigration Service reporting centre and a - sadly - busier homeless shelter.

Proximity should remind us to count our blessings. And strive to make a difference to someone. Anyone.