The Small Blog

Wed, September 21, 2011 - 9:47:05

The Weight Loss Secret that’s Right in Your Hands

Few feelings are worse than when you’re snacking on (what you think are) a few potato chips and suddenly… THWACK! Your hand hits the bottom of the now-empty bag. It’s no secret that we all fall victim to mindless snacking from time to time, but what if we told you that by making one tiny change, you could actually prevent yourself from doing it in the first place?

According to a study published in the most recent issue of the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, eating with your non-dominant hand, for example using your left hand if you’re right handed, can help you control your calories by consuming less. 

Why? Scientists don’t have a clear answer, but it if you’re not ambidextrous you already know that doing things with your non-dominant hand takes significantly more effort. And, that in turn makes you more conscious of whatever activity you’re doing. So, when you switch hands, eating becomes less mindless and more mindful.
It’s just another powerful example of how little things really can make all the difference—and how a better, healthier life is already right in your hands.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, September 09, 2011 - 7:13:53

How Soft Serve Can Help You Make Hard Decisions

A few weeks ago, when the summer sun was still shining brightly, our employees at the Kaplan Thaler Group enjoyed what’s become one of our favorite annual traditions: we rented an ice cream truck, parked it outside the office, and treated everyone to all of the Mister Softee they could serve up.

As you might expect, over the years, we’ve found that this fun little way of “sweetening the deal” raises morale at work, making everyone feel more appreciated and valued. And that, in turn, makes people more productive and effective in their jobs.

But, recently, we came across a New York Times article that shed new light on why a little ice cream (or other sweet treat) might help when it comes to workplace productivity. It turns out that a little jolt of sugar can actually kickstart your brain and help you make smarter decisions.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, September 02, 2011 - 10:21:20

Trust Your Animal Instincts

This past week, East Coast residents from New York to North Carolina felt the unnerving rumble of Virginia’s 5.8-magnitude earthquake. And while we humans certainly didn’t expect it, the Today Show reports that members of the animal kingdom could sense its approach and began protecting themselves as early as 15 minutes before the earth first started to move.

How did they know? Animal behavior experts and zoologists chalk it up to something akin to a sixth sense—one that humans lack. Because they are deeply in tune with nature, animals, unlike people, can sense tiny changes in their environments and can react accordingly.

While humans will probably never be able to heighten their senses enough to be able to intuit the approach of a coming geologic disturbance, we think this recent event serves as a powerful reminder of how vital it is to pay attention to the little things all around you and trust your “animal instincts.” It’s often when we ignore our better judgment—our intuition—that we get ourselves into trouble.

So, slow down, tap into your primal intelligence, and tune into the microscopic signals that are all around you. Then, listen to what that little voice inside of you is saying. After all, as we like to say, your gut has an IQ 100,000. It would be foolish to ignore it.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Thu, August 25, 2011 - 10:32:20

The Wisdom of Going with Your Gut

Let’s face it: these are some turbulent times we’re living in today. With all of the uncertainty in the world, making decisions can be a trying task. But, as professionals, we’re all faced with decision-making every day. Of course, you consider the facts, weigh the options, and give it careful thought. But in the end, one of the most powerful things you can do is simply to go with your gut, especially in uncertain times. And that’s why it’s essential to listen to—not discount—that little voice inside you.

A study out of Nanyang Business School in Singapore found that intuition-based decision-making enhances organizational performance in an unstable environment. And one of the theories for this may surprise you: intuitive decision-making isn’t so illogical after all.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Wed, August 17, 2011 - 9:57:23

The Power of Boredom

Smartphones, iPads, and a seemingly endless stream of apps flooding the market have accomplished what was once seemingly implausible. They’ve essentially eradicated boredom. In our wired world, it’s possible to stay not only productive, but also entertained, at any moment in time. And, as Scott Adams recently argued in the Wall Street Journal, that’s not necessarily a such good thing. In fact, especially for people in creative professions, boredom can be quite beneficial.

As the founders of the agency who has brought you such creative breakthroughs as the Aflac Duck and Herbal Essence’s daring “Yes! Yes! Yes!” campaign, we have to admit, we think Adams has a point. No matter how much we love our gadgets, sometimes it pays to take a step back, unplug, and get bored. That’s right: sometimes being utterly unproductive can actually improve your work.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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