Discovering the inner 'why' and then articulating to others from this 'why'

I was going to email my close friend the following email, but figured lets share with all.

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After out discussion on discovering the inner 'why' and then articulating to others from this 'why' when we talk to encourage people of smiler motivations to co work with. I thought you'd find the following videos of some use.

Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action

Tony Robbins: Why we do what we do, and how we can do it better

Next one is not really on the why, but on motivating people via rewarding them with autonomy.

Daniel Pink on the surprising science of motivation

 

Lets discuss these concepts the next time we meet.

 

Using Technology to facilitate learning

I love watching the odd TED Talks video on youtube and wondered what their highest voted videos are. And stumbled on this gem.



His website is here - http://www.khanacademy.org/ awesome stuff. Is that Bill Gates interviewing Salman in the end???

Taking a proper lunch break

I love getting away from my desk at work, heating up my packed lunch (lovingly packed by Mrs Bad) getting a coffe and sitting anywhere away from my office. Today I was based in Startford Town Hall. As my lasangnia was heating up I looked out of the and noticed the courtyard bathed in midday sun. I grabbed my food and a cup of coffe and sat out. Mobile phone switched off, just enjoying a real break.

Just as I finish eating a biker is standing over me (Shoei helmet in hand). It happens to be a senior manager from the main building. We sit, chat and enjoy the sun, and the court yard.

Two discoveries. Fist, the court yard itself. It traps the suns heat really well and a great place away from the hustle and bustle of central startford. It's open to the public and they have a cafe their if you'd want a cuppa, quick bite, hot food. I've yet to try their food so can't comment on how the food is.

Secound, the senior manager is a real hands on foody. He's raised and slaughtered his own chickens. We covered topics from automatic irrigation systems to breads of chickens.

Conclusion, try new things and places. You never know it may bring you new friends and new favourite places. To actively push our edges is an excellent way grow , learn and connect.

Note to self: Book next chat and meal with the senior manager in the Malaysian restruant in Westfield Stratford.

Fire Warden Training

So I've just completed my Fire Warden Training and I must say I enjoyed it. Few points I've picked up

Fire regulations do not apply to privately owned personal residence.

BUT privately rented homes need a mains powered smoke/heat detector in the landing of each floor.

A whole book of regulations exist for public buildings (see regulatory Reform Fire Safety order 2005).

Public building should have a Fire Risk Assessment annually AND/OR when any changes to building layout AND/OR use.

I'll be purchasing a fire blanket for my home kitchen and  powder extinguisher for the rest of the apartment.

Got to practically test out fire extinguishers today on real flames and the hands on experience was worth it.

Application & Interview training (1 day)

Had a great days training, interviews for me are not a problem. The applications, more specifically the personal statement stage is a real chore. I walked away with allot from this.

1. A one page C.V. Time is money, and recruiters don't have the patients for 6 pagers
2. When answering a question use the STAR method. State the Situation, Task, Actions and Results. Most time on the last bit.
3. Be confident, if you can't be, then act confident by sitting upright and speaking SLOWER

One of the slides from the training session

Android Applications I like to use

I used to be a hardcore HTC man, but defected to the Dell Streak and find Android an awesome operating system. The Android Market has all the goodies. Below is a list some of apps I use.

Alarm Clock Plus - Set the alarm, and when it goes off you have to correctly answer a maths question to snooze or switch off. You can set the difficulty to the required level.

ASTRO File Manager - Think windows explorer for your phone

Blogger-droid - for mobile blogging

Compass - Does what it says on the tin

DCSwitch - lets you switch off the data connection, saving your battery life

Tiny Flashlight + LED - Lets you control the LED to you as a torch

Handcent SMS - improves the txting experience

JuiceDefender - battery saver - tweeks settings to save battery life

InkPad Notepad - (for notes) - simple app to take notes

Lookout Mobile Security - Antvirus for your phone

MyPhoneMyRules - turns phone silent and switchs off vibrate by placing phone face down, along with selecting individual contacts to keep on silent.

RockPlayer Lite - for playing video

Tango Voice & Video Calls - think facetime (apple). It works over mobile data connection also.

Unified Remote - lets you control you PC. Mouse and keyboard functions present.

WhatsApp Messenger - free SMS via wifi/data

Book Review by badshah.net: Islam in Victorian Britain: The Life and Times of Abdullah Quilliam by Ron Geaves PART 2

Click here for part 1

Quilliam was a true ambassador for Islam, actively lecturing on comparative religion and implementing within the laws of Britain an Islamic community, masjid, school, orphanage, even a portion in the grave yard for those who died with the 'truth'. Along with the equivalent of open days. The local community (regardless of religion) where invited to celebrate and eat at the Eid festivities with the Muslims. Providing breakfast for the poor Christian children on Christmas day is another act of charity and community building Quilliam not only orchestrated but in the majority of theses works heavily funded from his own pocket. He was the first point of contact from dock workers right up to the mayor on all matters concerning the Muslims in and around Liverpool.

I will touch on what could be seen as a negative chapter in Quilliam’s life. His taking on of a new identity in the later years of his live. Much controversy surrounds this section of his life and I feel the author has done well to shed as much light as was possible with the information available to him. 

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in the 'British Muslim' area of politics, sociology, and community cohesion. It's also a great read for those having an interest in the British Empire around this era (1900’s). For me it's been a ‘how to’ guide on becoming a 'Great British Muslim'. I shall attempt to put into practice the lessons learnt from reading about Quilliam's life.