I have just finished editing the third draft of my first book, the latter based on my nearly twenty-five years in the financial services industry. This has been a two years’ process, not counting months of organizing research material before the first written word.
While there remain major steps ahead in looking toward publication, there have been helpful lessons learned in the process so far. (more…)
A humourous piece in the current issue of Toastmaster magazine illustrates the difficulty many of us have in conversational responses without contingencies.
The author focuses on the common crutch word ‘but’, all too often used as an appendage to a reply which begins with ‘yes’ or ‘yeah’. Many of us feel the urge to qualify our rejoinders. If we do, that may be either with a positive or a negative bent. (more…)
Two articles in a recent issue of The Insurance & Investment Journal provide perspectives on the potential impact of artifical intelligence on advice given by (human) financial advisors and brokers.
One refers to recently emerged services such as Weathsimple, filling in the gap generated by many younger investors not having sufficient assets to engage a traditional advisor, many also lacking the confidence or support to invest on their own via the discount market. Thus the ‘robo-advice’ model seeks to offer “the value of a smart portfolio with the simplicity of the experience”. (more…)
Sometimes AKA ‘Plan B’, ‘brainstorming’ can be an effective and enjoyable way to come up with ‘out-of-the-box’ ideas, which can eventually lead to innovatively practical solutions.
An article in the April issue of Toastmaster magazine reveals a range of considerations to maximize the effectiveness of this form of brain teasing. (more…)
Even though I’m no longer part of the active workforce, there’s something about Monday, especially the morning, which still gives it a uniquely discomfiting feel compared to any other day of the week.
Moreover, when you couple that with dreary weather, the palette for a picture to make the day worthwhile has some duller colours to work with. Of course, more creative artists can still find ways to carve out a pretty picture. (more…)
Someone once wisely stated that a measure of a society is how well it treats its animals.
Thankfully, in Canada at least, for the most part we have clear evidence that many of us care very much about the fauna population. From animal support organizations to volunteer groups to, simply, individuals wanting to make a positive difference, stories abound of efforts to make their places in the world better – hopefully outweighing terrible revelations of what the uncaring or outright cruel do to creatures whose main fault may be to expect humans to act humane. (more…)
A couple of past tongue-in-cheek articles from Toastmaster magazine inspire a launch point for observing some foibles in our use of the English language.
First of all, consider my use in the first line of ‘tongue-in-cheek’. Have you consciously tried to maintain this juxtaposition physically? Not only is it uncomfortable, it’s rather difficult to focus on doing much else while so engaged – although the effort can serve as an alternative tongue strengthening exercise in speech preparation, so you could conclude that there is a silver lining. (more…)
the watch of time 
Life Lessons from NYPD Blue
One of the most powerful television dramas to come from the 1990s, lasting until 2005, was NYPD Blue. Set in New York City (although only partially filmed there), the extremely gritty stories were reflected in a range of non-glamourous characterizations, highlighted by Dennis Franz’s work as detective Andy Sipowicz, for which he won four best actor awards in eight nominations. (more…)
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Arts commentary, Behaviour & Relationships, Personal Development, Uncategorized
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