I am ashamed to admit that the last time I had a swim was over a decade ago in my daughter’s family pool in Perth, WA.           When I was young I did much swimming. One of my early tutors was the mayor of Hastings. Hastings schools had some very good swimming pools.          …

         Having posted well over 900 blogs I am starting to run out of topics. I am about to close down my blogging for now as I am about to start writing another book.          This will be the 27th title I have written and published. It’s title is “Sticking Around”- as suggested by granddaughter,…

I am proud to report a granddaughter recently went to her first international science conference. It was held in Western Australia at Curtin University. She presented a scientific poster paper,  and was awarded the best conference poster.          ‘Portability’ becomes the operative word for most presenters.  Most presenters need to carry their display as hand…

COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS-Odds & Ends 58 I once carried out a survey in a large Government Ministry. I asked a simple question. I have since asked it many times in many countries and I usually get similar replies. “What do you consider is the main communication problem in your job?” * “Not knowing what other people…

Life’s battles don’t always go to the brightest person but sooner or later the person who wins is the one who thinks they can.          Hard work, belief, and stubbornness usually comes out on top – inhale confidence, exhale doubt.          Building up your confidence and your self-belief is a gradual process that involves how…

Hearing is with your ears but listening is with the mind. Make a special effort to listen hard. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.          A good listener is not only popular but learns much.          You cannot listen if you are talking and if you are talking you are not learning.          Good leaders know…

Good leaders know how to ask questions and remain silent when people talk.          To gain information, learn to ask simple questions. A handful of tips to improve your questioning skills          Most successful people are usually skilled questioners. Master the skills of asking questions. * To start          Start with a comfortable question to…

To start a conversation you need to go through a kind of ritual. The ritual will vary between races, sexes, and the status of people.          The best thing to wear at the start of a conversation is a smile. Here are a handful of tips to help you establish a rapport and make a…

Your promotion and retention in the workforce will depend on your determination to succeed and your ability to maintain a good work record. A Handful of tips to help you get promoted, to maintain work, and earn more money * GET NOTICED          Get a good reputation       Be punctual for work – (arrive early).…

I have a friend living on a small farm on the Upper Plain over in the Wairarapa. He grows Walnuts and has a scoop to collect the nuts after they drop. He then has a small machine to crack the nuts and to sort the kernels from the shell.