Why You Should Pay Attention To Diversity

The reality of today's work environment in not only North America but in many places around the world is that diversity is here to stay. As a result of immigration over the years, we are finding many of our communities more and more diverse each year, which of course is directly related to local businesses. Whether it's inside offices, factories or on the outside with retail or corporate customers, you will likely encounter more people from different cultures than ever before. Arming yourself with some skills in the form of diversity exposure and education will definitely help you function better in today's working world. In fact, here are two major benefits you can realize as a result.
Diversity Education Includes People Skills Development
It is generally accepted in many business circles that the most important set of skills required for long term career success these days involves people skills. The ability to deal with many types of different people within companies as well as customers or business partners, is a very desired talent. Today, people skills are considered to be even more important than technical skills in terms of career advancement. Notice that the top people at companies are usually those with superior people skills rather than just pure technical skills. Those with subpar people skills will likely be held back from promotions. Good people skills, which include working with cultural diversity, will allow you to climb that corporate ladder more quickly than others.
Part of people skills is being able to deal with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds given the evolution of our domestic and global society. With the influx of even more immigration, it can be expected that both employees and customers will include people from many different ethnic backgrounds. So diversity education is very much part of developing overall people skills now.
Direct Education Of Other Cultures
Diversity exposure makes you more knowledgeable about different cultures out there. In addition to just watching TV travel shows or reading National Geographic, you can have a more direct exposure on different cultures by talking and interacting with different ethnic people during your travels or maybe right in your own community. This will help make you understand our world better and make you as a person, appear more 'worldly'. A lot of companies will perceive you to be more valuable especially if they are doing business with a diverse market.
Interestingly enough, in addition to boosting your career, there might be some personal benefits from diversity education as well. Quite often, the opposite sex will see you as more attractive if you are more internationally inclined. Just to prove this, think about how many ladies consider guys with some knowledge of different cultures and languages to be sexy? Probably quite a few. Picture the guy who could help you order in a foreign language in some ethnic restaurant. Of course, the same could be said with the other way around when a lady adopts the same type of international skills as well.
Cultural diversity exposure and education can be thought of as a form of upgrading your personal skills to adapt to the changing work environments of today. But I wouldn't leave diversity to be limited to only ethnic cultures. There is also diversity in lifestyles as in sexual orientations and religions. Even differences in attitudes from people coming from different geographical regions of the same country can be considered diversity. For example, think about the differences we observe with people from different parts of the USA. Even spoken accents are different.
Being able to function well with people from all walks of life is a skill that will take you far in your career and possibly social life as well. This type of skill can be developed through organized diversity training or even by just immersing yourself with more diversity exposure starting in your own community and of course with travel.

 

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Why You Should Never Attach Your Identity To What You Do

Males especially are particularly vulnerable when it comes to this subject matter.
It has a lot to do with our male ego.
What's the first thing that males ask each other when they meet?
'So what do you do?'
We then begin to respond with the job, the business, the project or whatever else we 'do' – and this is what defines us. Or that's what we think.
We may just as well ask… 'So what do you make? (in dollars that is)  as if that is what also defines us.
Personally, I would rather know 'who you are' than 'what you do'.
Why?
In My Mid Twenties I Went Into Business
In my mid twenties I went into business with a relative of mine and found myself in the position of a director of a multi-media company.
However, as the years passed I discovered that the direction my relative was taking the company (who happened to be 6 years older than me) was a direction that I could no longer support.
So I resigned.
The problem I then faced though stemmed from the fact that I had allowed my identity to become intimately and inextricably entwined with that business. It was who I was, and I had poured so much of my heart, my soul, my finances, my all into its creation – that when the business was removed from my life I suddenly lost my personal identity.
I Became Violent
I became depressed, angry and even (I am ashamed to write) violent. Not against those whom I felt had betrayed both my family and I – but I actually became violent against the very ones I loved – my wife and my young children.
I was so frustrated with my circumstances that I became an eruptive volcano that could explode unpredictably at any moment.
I didn't know who I was. I didn't know what to do, who to go to, and how to re-forge a new identity.
When people asked me what I did I couldn't give an answer, and it just made me angrier.
My life had been derailed, detoured, and at that point I was convinced that it had been utterly destroyed.
At the height of my anger I found myself raging around my house while my wife and three young children (they are now young adults) took refuge in our bedroom – all huddled together on our bed.
My Wake Up Call
When I entered the room, there were the four people whom I deeply loved hugging each other for protection, their eyes filled with fear.
I stopped in my tracks.
I immediately left the scene, stormed outside and gave myself a stern talking to – 'Peter, if you keep going the way you're going, you're going to lose everything – even those who love you so deeply'.
I then returned to my family transformed – sought their forgiveness, and peace finally reigned within our household.
Never again have I attached my self-worth or my identity to what I do – and the things (or people rather) whom I am most proud of are my beautiful wife of more than 28 years and my three children.
Business, fame, wealth come and go, but family is forever.
You & I Are Defined By Who We Are – Not What We Do
So whenever I meet someone for the very first time I never ask the question, 'So what do you do?'
I ask this: 'So how do you keep yourself busy each week?'
Personally, I am not impressed or unimpressed by what people do or even by what people make. I would rather get to know who you are – for it is who you are that I wish to inspire to be the best you possible.
You are a worthy human being – no matter what season you find yourself in.
Whether you have a job, are between careers, own a business or are owned by a business, are a bankrupt, or find yourself in a place where you are still trying to work out what you're going to do when you grow up – remember this one thing: what you do makes no difference.
It's who you are, and also know this – that you are loved, respected, worthy and talented.  You are brilliant, one-of-a-kind, magnificent, and bursting with potential.
Your best days are before you because you are unique, and you are YOU.

 

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Waiting in Line is Such a Waste of Time

I tend to be short on patience and standing in line is a big pet peeve of mine. This happens a lot at the grocery store, the post office, and concert concession stands.
It doesn't seem to matter what line I am in, it ends up being the slowest one. I have tried breathing techniques and counting to distract myself; but I always seem to end up getting frustrated and saying a few choice words to those around me.
The grocery store lines really make me mad when I see fifteen checkout lines and only two are open. Of course, I have more than the maximum number of items to qualify for the express lane; so I end up in the lane where the checkout person is brand new and is taking forever.
I try to keep my cool and read a magazine, but the longer I am in line, the angrier I get. By the time I am actually ready to check out, I am slamming down my coupons and informing the checkout person, I will bag my own groceries (which takes another five to ten minutes). By the time I leave the grocery store, I am usually fuming and ready for happy hour.
The good news is I have learned to just get a few items and go through self-checkout, thus thwarting a meltdown.
The second place that really drives me bonkers is the post office. It seems that every time I choose to go to my local branch, there is a line out the door.
I am considering packing a lunch the next time I go. With one or two people at the front desk, who don't seem in a good mood or anxious to help anyone; I inch up to the counter at a snail's pace.
The elderly person in front of me apparently has issues with their package and how they should send it. They also want their mail put on hold, a book of stamps, a money order, and chat awhile. The chatting with the desk person really puts me over the edge. I clear my throat several times in hopes the customer will get the hint to move on. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes I just leave the post office and return another time, rather than waiting in line.
The last place waiting in line is really a pain is at a concert concession stand. I just don't understand why it takes forever to pour a drink and collect money. By the time I get to the head of the line, my friends are assuming I have left for good and I am headed straight to the restroom. Even if I know exactly what I want and have my money ready, it still takes forever to check out.
I want back all the time I have spent waiting in line and I guess I will have to wait for that too.

 

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Obama asks Congress to act fast on debt ceiling

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With Republicans and Democrats sharply divided over measures to avert an American debt default, President Barack Obama today appealed to both parties to immediately find a "common ground" in the US Senate to reach a compromise on raising the debt ceiling.
Earlier in the day, the House of Representatives voted 218-210 to pass a Republican bill to avert a disastrous US debt default, but the bill was certain to be rejected by a Democrat-dominated Senate, putting the US on the path of what could be its first default on international obligations.
A nervous administration is scrambling to find ways to resolve the standoff ahead of the August 2 deadline for raising the borrowing limit, after which the US will begin running short of cash to pay its bills.
"The President urges Democrats and Republicans in the Senate to find common ground on a plan that can get support from both parties in the House ? a plan the President can sign by Tuesday," the White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney said after the Republican-led vote in the House.
In the Senate, led by Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Democrats were pushing their own plan to avert a default.
Carney said by demanding that the Constitution be amended or US defaults, the Republican bill would have the nation face another debt ceiling crisis in just a few months.
"This bill has been declared dead on arrival in the Senate. Now that yet another political exercise is behind us, with time dwindling, leaders need to start working together immediately to reach a compromise that avoids default and lays the basis for balanced deficit reduction," he said.
Lobbying for Reid's proposal, Carney said it could be a basis of compromise, pointing out that it would not only achieve more deficit reduction than the Republican bill but would also put in place a process to achieve greater savings, and would remove the uncertainty surrounding the risk of default.
Earlier, in the House of Representatives, Republicans narrowly managed to clear their legislation authorising a limited increase in the USD 14.3 trillion debt limit, in exchange for more than USD 900 billion in spending cuts.
Democrats, however, conceded that they still lack the votes to repeal a Republican filibuster, an obstructing tactic which gives a member the right to extend debate to delay a vote.
"Now that the Senate has rejected Speaker Boehner's partisan, short-term bill, it is time to come together on a compromise plan to pay America's bills and reduce the deficit. We cannot continue to waste time as we have this past week," House Democratic Whip, Steny H Hoyer, said.
He hoped that Republicans in both the House and Senate will work with the Democrats in a responsible way to prevent the nation from defaulting on its debts and the catastrophic consequences it would have on its economy.
After the Republicans filibustered a bipartisan solution to cut the deficit, Reid said that it was the worst possible time to hold a filibuster.
"Our economy hangs in the balance. The proposal I have put forward is a reasonable compromise," he said.
"It gives Democrats what they want, and it gives Republicans what they want. If we do nothing, our country will fail to pay its bills for the first time in history. Social Security checks could stop. Paychecks to our troops could stop," Reid said.
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said American people overwhelmingly support an agreement that is balanced and bipartisan.
"They want us to end the delay and uncertainty so that we can get back to addressing their top priority: creating jobs and growing the economy," she said.
"Republicans must return to the table so that we can avoid default and make sure that we honour our commitments to our seniors, veterans and the American economy," Pelosi said.

 

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New Therapy for Quality of Life in Advanced Breast Cancer

The main purpose of treatment for metastatic breast cancer is to prevent the disease from progressing while maintaining quality of life.

AstraZeneca conducted a comprehensive study entitled CONFIRM and we findings showed that increasing the dose of fulvestrant 250 mg and 500 mg significantly improved disease control in postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer receptor-positive.

Results in numbers

The data revealed a statistically significant 20% risk of disease progression (assessed as time to disease progression [TTP]) for patients who received fulvestrant 500 mg (n = 362), compared with the dose of 250 mg (n = 374); (hazard ratio 0.80 confidence interval 95% 0.68 to 0.94, p = 0.006). The data also showed that the tolerability profile of the dose of 500 mg was similar to that of the dose of 250 mg.

"It has been shown that fulvestrant regain and maintain control of the disease in an effective and durable in postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer hormone receptor-positive or whose disease has progressed while receiving used anti-estrogen treatment, and has been shown to be at least as effective as other conventional endocrine therapies in this scheme, "said Dr. Angelo Di Leo, Director of Medical Oncology Unit, Sandro Pitigliani, Hospital of Prato, Italy, and Principal Investigator of the study confirmed

On fulvestrant

Has a different mechanism of action of other endocrine therapies, in addition to blocking estrogen action at its receptor, also disrupts estrogen signaling, leading to the deregulation of estrogen receptors in the tumor. The mechanism of action distinct not only reduces the growth and cancer spread but could help reduce or delay resistance to treatment.

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New Test Determines Effectiveness of Chemotherapy

Not all cancers are treated equally and always should be practiced chemotherapy.
A study in England has helped place six genes that predict which cases would be effective chemotherapy treatment for those suffering from breast cancer.
The medical journal Lancet published a study that analyzed 829 genes in breast cancer cells and the team of scientists found six genes that predict a low effectiveness of anticancer drugs, especially paclitaxel.
These genes identified either by absence or by ruling, nullified the properties of paclitaxel at the time of attack breast cancer cells.
This international research, involving scientists from the British Research Institute, opens the way to the choice of treatment for breast cancer according to each patient.
The medical professionals may use this information to determine the treatment they give to their patients and avoid those that may be less effective.

 

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Moderation vs. Fearlessness

"Everything in moderation," my grandmother tells me. It seems as if the generation that went through the Depression and their offspring have held that belief as a method to happy living, or at least contentment. I have often contemplated that attitude, and while I can begin to feel somewhat comfortable with it to an extent, and understand it's precipice, I've always felt it lacking.
The problem with living moderately is that eventually life becomes mediocre.
The body-brain machine is an amazing vehicle for our spirits. It is built to withstand tremendous pressures and excitement and change, countering them with chemicals and ideas that give us the strength to overcome. As importantly, the human machine produces other drugs and thoughts that bring us back to equilibrium, able to maintain every day life.
This ability to soar and sustain gives our souls room to expand. We achieve greatness by pushing the edge of the envelope. We rise above by feeding off the energy of others. We sense that our bodies are ready to move, so we do. The more we stretch and respond, the stronger we become.
It is not moderation that is the key, it is balance.
I was talking with my good friend TC (not Magnum's buddy) recently about getting and staying healthy. His personal philosophy is one I found quite interesting. [I take his word to heart because is has both a high IQ and a high PQ (physical quotient), and has proved both through his actions for years.]
His take to being physically healthy was to rate all input (food, meals, chow, grub, drink, etc.) and output (exercise, workouts, sports, etc.) on a scale of 1 to 10. One side gets positive numbers, the other side negative. If trying to get physically healthy after a vacation full of food, drink, and laying around, then work toward numbers on the output side of the scale. When goals have been met and he moves into maintenance mode, then a weekly goal of zero is set.
Balance.
Go crazy for a little while. Back down a bit. Turn up the heat for a while, counter it with a cooldown. Such a rating system as above could be used in all aspects of life. Certainly the foundation of it fits in all we do.
Spending a lot of time at work recently? Acknowledge it and take some time for yourself or your family. Losing touch with your significant other? Adjust and set aside some QT. Achieve a huge goal? Reward yourself with a little vacation or time off.
The idea of work hard, play hard is a great attitude to have. Yet I would make one addition to it:
"Work hard, Play hard, Rest hard."
Picture a waterfall. Powerful. Energetic. Forceful. Yet upstream and downstream there is a calmness. The river flows quietly toward the fall. Peacefully. Then the beautiful, wonderful crash through and over the rock. Below is a magnificent pool followed by more soothing currents. The waterfall itself is transformational. Certainly nothing moderate about it. Above and below this shift in pace lies peace and tranquility.
One could argue that our own physical machines want to be pushed. Bodies in motion stay in motion. Rolling stones gather no moss. As a species, for thousands of years we have asked ourselves, "Can we fly, what is on the other side of that mountain, can I do that?" It is innate. Just as a big V8 engine seems to settle in at 110 mph, the human bodies and brains demand to be pushed from time to time.
However, happiness, contentment and satisfaction dictate that we stop and take a look from time to time as well. Ponder. Contemplate. Acknowledge and applaud.
So I say go for it. Moderation schmoderation. Make that leap. Take that risk. You have the capacity. You were made for it. Just plan a little time on the other side for reflection and rejuvenation.

 

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How To Relax At Lunch

Lunch can make or break a day once noon hits. A healthy lunch in a relaxing atmosphere can create a positive chain reaction throughout the rest of your day. You can take the time to rebound from any morning stress and recharge to get ready for the rest of the afternoon.
Don't eat at your desk. Lunch should be your time to get away from the office. The location you choose is almost as important as what you eat or what you bring. Find an out of the way place where there aren't large groups of people. A courtyard bench or a small café is preferable to a break room, but even that is better than eating at your desk.
Many workers choose to eat alone because they spend so much time during the day with other people. Eating alone gives you a chance to reflect on your day and decide how you can improve on it. The quiet time will also help you relax and focus after hours of being "on it" for work.
If you have a longer lunch hour, consider stopping by a yoga studio to refocus and get rid of tension in your muscles built up from work stresses and sitting in uncomfortable office chairs. Those who don't have a long lunch or can't access a studio should consider doing some quick stretching in a secluded area. Even reaching and stretching your arms above your head can get blood flowing.
Likewise, a short walk can stimulate your mind and help you re-center. If you go out for lunch, park in one of the back spaces so you can get a bit of exercise in before going back to the grind. Few things are more relaxing than a small stroll and a pleasant meal.
Whether you pack lunch or eat out, limit the amount of caffeine you consume. Caffeine makes it impossible for the body to relax and though it increases alertness, too much of it will make it difficult to focus. Energy drinks are out of the question, but a single soda or cup of coffee is acceptable.
Foods that are too high in fat will make you sluggish, but nibbling on a carrot stick will also make your mind slower and unfocused. Strike a good balance of filling foods that aren't too greasy and don't contain too much sugar, and you'll be able to focus and relax the rest of your day.
Take a cell phone to check the time, but resist the urge to check e-mail with a smartphone during your time away from the office. Some people choose to bring a computer to catch up on work or do some online training, but after stressful mornings, it's better to recharge for the rest of your day.
After a relaxing lunch, you should be well-fed, focused and ready for the afternoon ahead. Though it's tempting to work through lunch, realize that relaxing during lunch will increase your overall productivity and make for a much more pleasant afternoon.

 

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8 Symptoms for Predicting Cancer Risk

The anemia or difficulty swallowing part of the 8 symptoms that can alert both patients and physicians about the presence of a tumor in the body. So if any of these is found at home or during a routine checkup with a general practitioner, the patient should refer to a specialist to make appropriate tests to help make a diagnosis of cancer course.

Although the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily imply the existence of a tumor and the symptoms of more than 200 types of cancers that are known is very wide and varied, the authors of this study published in the British Journal of General Practice suggests that none Highlights of symptoms in their research be neglected, as is well known that cancer treatment is more likely to be successful the earlier diagnosis.

Seek advice if you find any of these symptoms:

1. Difficulty swallowing
2. Anemia

3. Blood in urine
4. Breast lumps
5. Coughing up blood
6. Rectal bleeding
7. Vaginal bleeding after menopause
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5 Ways Your Negative Friends Can Drag You Down

Maybe you've experienced this, too. When you made a commitment to try to live your best life, to start a side-business in the other 8 hours, to lose weight, or to go back to school, weren't you flooded with acceptance, enthusiasm, and unconditional support from your friends, colleagues, and family? No? I didn't think so. All too often, if you try to better yourself, you will likely face negativity and pessimism from those who are closest to you. Why would those who care about you the most also be the most critical? There are only two reasons.

They either don't want to see you fail or they don't want to see you succeed. It's that simple. They're either trying to "protect" you from defeat, or they're worried that you might succeed. I've seen this time and time again. Misery loves company and despises success. If you catapult your life to a new level, your friends may feel threatened and left behind.

That criticism might arrive in obvious forms: "That's a stupid idea," or it might be the less blatant but equally deflating kind: "That's interesting. Good luck with that." It's going to hurt. It might throw you so much that you decide to give up before you even get started. I don't want this to happen to you. So let's go through some of the more common criticisms you'll hear and try to understand why those who mean the most can also be the meanest.

"You've tried [fill in the blank] before and it didn't work."
That's probably true. Sometimes it takes several attempts to achieve something. Failing once, twice, or even two dozen times has no power or influence over your next attempt. In fact, for drug and alcohol addiction counseling, relapse is anticipated. It's not shameful — it's simply part of recovery."You've never done [fill in the blank] before."
Just because you haven't done something before doesn't mean you can't do it in the future. I think one of the biggest hurdles to achieve change is putting too much weight on the past — what you've done, what you haven't done, etc. Tomorrow isn't determined by yesterday. Whatever you're trying to achieve, start small. Learn the ropes. Take classes. But just start. The first step might feel awkward, but you'll learn what works and what doesn't. Sometimes you've just got to take the plunge."Don't you know most people fail?"
People fail all the time. You've got to know that going in and not be surprised if your first or fifth or fifteenth attempt doesn't work out as well as you'd hoped. Of course, a swing and a miss doesn't have to be the end of the ball game. Keep your eye on the prize. Focus on your dream and on what you can control. Look around. Not everybody fails. There are millions of people who are flourishing, and there's no reason why you can't have a richer life, too."That's an interesting idea/invention, but I just don't think people will buy it."
Who died and made this person Donny Deutsch? This is probably the most common response you'll hear when starting a business or inventing a product, and it can instantly flush all of your hope and excitement down the toilet. This is why I encourage you not to tell your family/friends about your specific idea until you've done some of your own research. Test your ideas online very cheaply using Google Adwords by running a text ad for your idea and seeing the response rate.  Get some outside feedback. Maybe your idea really is stupid, but no one person can know this. Do a little research and find out for sure."Are you sure you want to face rejection and failure?"
History is littered with people who were rejected but who persevered. For example, there was once a writer who had an idea for a book about a boy wizard. She took this idea to twelve publishers and they all told her, "No way and no thanks." Finally, a little London publisher took a chance and published "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

Be prepared for negativity and to hear your family and friends criticize your desire for a better life. Don't let it throw you off track. Use it to propel you forward. Of course, if it gets to be too much, you could always fire your negative friends.

 

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