Author: Bal Bansal

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Recently I’ve been watching Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.

This isn’t my normal Friday Thought.

I saw the panorama documentary on BBc1 many years ago – 2015 I think it was. When watching it then, I thought to myself – wow. They haven’t really got to grips with the technology that’s been rolled out. Hope something is done.

It’s the hope that kills us.

January 2024, and there’s an ITV drama about the whole Post Office scandal. And there’s two things I’d like to explore –

  1. Why has it taken a TV drama serialised on true events to wake the nation up to a disgraced organisation and the events that took place?
  2. Why did the technology not be stopped?
Mr Bates Vs The Post Office is available to watch on ITV1

Let’s look at the first one – the TV programme.

We know, that you can read something – but our attention spans are not what they used to be. You can see something, like pictures, videos, documentaries, etc… and alot of it you’ll notice, appreciate and get to know.

It’s when it’s brought to a ‘real-life’ drama, that it sinks in. When you see emotions on the people – that’s when it hits.

Emotions you can’t really get through text.

Emotions you can’t really get through a documentary.

Emotions you can get whilst watching a drama based on true events.

And it’s when these emotions hit us, then there’s outrage. And it’s the outrage that is currently occuring. It shouldn’t have taken a TV drama…

Secondly, there was so much money invested in the computer system – hence they didn’t stop. But… that to oneside, the human element is what took over. Greed.

It’s unbelievable that an organisation such as the Post Office could carry out such behaviours. No one thought to look at the trends, the data and moreso, the people that have served their communities. Instead, each one was told… it’s just you. When it clearly wasn’t.

Everything comes from the top. The behaviours, the attitudes and the way people act. So many homes and families were destroyed.

Not to discuss now, but will be on a future blog… is the Post Office fit to continue?

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Well, hope the first week of the new year has been good.

For me… it’s been busy! I was at Guru Nanak’s Mission on Monday – a local charity where I help cook for the homeless and vulnerable. Then work has been busy.. working till late. Last night, I was on a call with folks from my UEFA C course.

BUT… I did manage to, eat well (kind of), get some exercise in, read my new book and do some studying (I’m doing a course with Cornell University – called Leadership lessons from Ancient Rome).

You have to make sure you schedule these in… if not, then you’ll get tired very quickly and not be able to focus on the right things.

Show me your daily wins… maybe we can share them on social media and tag folks for encouragement.

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!! I’m not going to ‘hope’ you have a wonderful 2024… I would like you to have a wonderful year with lots of special moments.

I say that because I’ve just finished reading the book, ‘Power of Moments’. Really good book… explains about moments that occur and breaks down a moment to understand why it’s a moment and why moments are important & memorable.

So plan big for 2024

Plan lots of moments.

Lots of fun in whatever you decide to do.

I’m going to be sharing a lot more on my blog this year… 2023 was busy for a variety of reasons but I’m more committed in 2024… will be sharing more about technology in everyday life. But also, what is happening in the world and how we can better people (off course, with a tech twist).

With that, make some big plans and go for it…

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

My Friday Thought today… knowing when to pick up the pen and when to pick up the sword. Art of War… winning without fighting.

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Christmas Gifts 2023

Well, a fair few folk have been asking me, Bal – what’s the best present to get loved ones this Christmas?

Well there’s so much to choose from these days! Honestly, there were lots I recommended last year which would be still valid for this year – but nevertheless, since you’ve asked, I will share my Top Five Christmas Gift Ideas for 2023/

First up for the body..

We’re sitting down alot these days – and with that, our backs are not what they used to be. We’re not stretching and whilst most of us are members of the local gym, how much do you actually use it and how many of you actually stretch?

With this back massager – it sits on your chair and helps soothe those back muscles. Now you can get some that add heat – which is a good idea during this time of the year!

Next up, for the mind… (well, more the brain)

Our brains need exercising! And whilst we can look after our bodies, what about our minds? well, there’s alot of mind exercises and meditation you can do… however, remember the brain training on the old Nintendo Wii?! Well, there was a reason why it was so popular! It was because we need to exercise our brains! Otherwise… you know what happens when you don’t exercise!

You can download them onto your phone or tablet, and/or even better still – there’s a fair few on youtube (you will have to pause whilst you work answers out). You might be thinking.. Bal, how’s a link on youtube for brain games a gift? – well it is if you pay for an annual subscription for youtube!

Next up… exercise the brain but learn something new!

Reading – it’s important. We want to read, and some like physical books some e-books. Either way, great christmas presents – you can buy the latest inspirational book or a great fiction book. Either works… as long as it’s something they like.

You could go one better… and get a kindle for someone who loves to read all the time – with that, you often get some free books they can read.

Next up… get some good aroma’s around your home

Smells are important.

They can help you ease, relax and/or concentrate (depends what you’re doing). These can come in the form of oils, candles, bath salts, etc…

I’ve been using particular candles I got from Camden market – which are really good! You can buy different oils that help you with different things… relaxing, concentration, etc…

And onto my last gift idea.

This one’s different.

It’s the gift of time.

Now being honest, we’re so busy… do we really have time for friends and family. Whilst you’ll spend it with them, hows about doing something in particular with them. You can search on Etsy for ideas and cards with things to do with friends. But honestly, make a list of things you’d like to do with who and do it.

Sounds a little crazy, but say you want to do a carvery with a good friend… buy a carvery gift card for them, and tell them you want to have an evening out with them. Alternatively if you want to go cinema with someone. Buy a cinema gift card for them – and tell them, you want to go with them. The actual date you can work out later…but the thought of spending time with them is there.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

There’s a lot going on around the world. This Friday thought is not tech related – but moreso about our human nature. We should be more considerate to those around us and those who are being effected by the events that are taking place in a number of areas around the world.

And then there’s people locally to us, who may be going through struggles that may not be as evident to us.

We just need to be kind to others.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Sometimes you ask, why me?!

There’ll always be a reason why. At that time, the chimp part of our brain won’t listen. It’ll bang on about why me, why not them, what’s happening, etc…

This is why think about the journey.

Think about the process.

And keep going – stay on track and believe in yourself.

You are your own strength and supporter.

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Time to switch off?

Who’d have thought. As a technology advocate, I’d be suggesting you switch your tech off for a while?

Well… I am.

Bal… are you going crazy?

No, not in the slightest. I am noticing that we are ever so becoming more and more dependent on technology – and yes, we’re surrounded by it. But I’ve written/blogged about it before. We should always take a break from it. And there’s some method behind the madness (of what I’m suggesting!)

Firstly, when you take a break from the tech – you’ll appreciate it more when you come back to it.

Secondly, when you take a break from tech – and when you come back, you can be more focussed on what you need that tech to do or what you want from it. Make it work for you.

Thirdly, when you take a break from tech – you’ll notice other things. What I mean about this is – you won’t be scrolling and seeing a device – when you look up you may notice something different, something unique, something that then gives you an idea! (you may need to return to tech to then progress – but take that break).

We now have smart cars, smart homes, smart tv’s, smart watches, smart… well, everything is becoming smart! And that’s with the advancement of technology. Which is great. Because it’s meant to be quicker and easier to do things. That’s what smart means, right? – the smarter something is, the quicker or easier it is to do something.

But I’ve noticed that whilst there’s alot of talk about AI (Artificial Technology) – we’re very reliant on technology to do the basics for us or become, dare I say it… lazy (er).

I’m sat at my macbook writing this blog. I’ve not written for a long time. Yesterday, I met a friend of mine – Craig. We had a coffee. No device in sight. For an hour. It was great. We had lots of ideas and things we want to do. The great thing then was, we picked up our phones, made notes. Productivity. On your mobile phone, you can see what you have used your phone for… productivity, social media, etc… Have a look at the data – and what it’s telling you.

Data-led decisions can then enable you to be more productive.

Data-led decisions can then help you be more adventurous.

So, maybe it is time to switch off for a while – take a break and look out the window for inspiration.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Saw this wonderful quote on a poster, and thought it’s too good not to share with you.

There’s so much to digest… but for me, the last line is soooo important and the one that hits hard.

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Bal’s Friday Thought

I was recently watching some videos on Instagram. And there’s one that I’ve watched many times – and I love it. I usually refer to it on many occasions when I’m talking to others.

I’ve even written the first part of it, on my chalk board at home!

There’s so many takeaways you can have from the simple message. I take away that no matter what you’re planning, looking to, etc… focus on today. It’s similar to the book – The Power of Now. Focus on the now, the here and enjoy it. What you do today will help you in the future… that’s why enjoy the present moment.

And if you’re thinking… Bal, that’s great – but what is the rest of it?

Well, here you go… Enjoy!