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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

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Time goes quick.

Tomorrow, in the morning… I’ll be attending the funeral of a young man who passed away.

Then tomorrow evening, have a wedding reception of a close family friend (who recently got married). I’ve known him since he was a little kid.

Got me thinking, how time goes so quickly…. And mostly around wanting to do things which unfortunately stay as wants and aren’t ticked off the list…

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

An old colleague recently reached out to me. He said, ‘Bal… I need some advice’.

I was more than happy to share whatever elements of wisdom I had and also provide him with not answers but questions for him to come to the answers.

You see, for me, I love to see people succeeding. It’s not a competition – it’s about everyone getting to where they want to get to and if I can help folks on that journey, then that’s only a good thing, right?

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Summer is here! Well, the weather has been a mixed bag… some days have been awesome lovely sunshine, some cloudy.. but that’s ok.

So Summer is kind of here! and thank you to Koen, who part of this Summer Book Club, always sends me a book for the summer to read. He provides me with a list of great books – and asks me to choose one. I’ll be honest – look forward to the Summer Book Club email… because a) I know I’ll be going on holiday soon, b) I’ll have a book to read and c) it’s nice to be part of the club.

So which book did I go for this summer…. well it was a difficult choice! There were so many great books on the list. But the one I ended up going fo was ‘The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down’. It’s by Haemin Sunim – and I’ve already started reading it! It’s brilliant… my favourite part of the book is my Friday Thought for today. I shared it on my Insta and got plenty of likes… even Gurpreet Singh (aka Sikh Dad) privately messaged me reflecting on this.

Here’s my Friday Thought… a Buddha see’s Buddha, a pig sees pigs… what do you see?

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

I’m not going to apologise to the folk I spoke to for the last few days and kept referencing Ted Lasso.

It was the final show on Wednesday – and yes, one was a little emotional.

Absolutely brilliant! The best show ever! And if you haven’t had the opportunity to watch it – honestly, you should! There is so much we can learn from Ted. Like… be a goldfish!

Bal…. what’s your favourite quote or part of the show?

Well, there’s so many to choose from, but if you pinned me down and asked me to say one, it’d be the one below…

I’ve even got the quote saved on my phone.

Have a great weekend folks!

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

One snippet, one moment… is all it takes for someone to form an impression. To form that opinion. To form that picture by which they’ll judge you.

Usually, there’s much more going on. Much much more.

Social Media has made it so easy for us to assume from a persons single post or comment.

Whilst everyone chooses different things to share at different parts of the day, week, month… just remember, what we see isn’t always the full picture.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

First and foremost – apologies.

I know a few of you have reached out to me, asking – where’s my blog posts, where’s my Friday Thought… can I share an update on particular tech, what do I think of the latest gadgets, etc…

I’ll be honest. It’s not that I had too much going on. It’s just someone, made a few comments, that seemed to suggest, I shouldn’t be posting as much.

I started this blog several years ago. I know I don’t have millions of readers – and you know what, that’s absolutely fine. Because, what I do know… is there are some readers. And they engage with me. And I know I’m making a difference.

So, I had to re-collect my thoughts. Think about, the purpose of this blog – and then do what I want to do.

And with that, I give you my Friday Thought… I’ve been following Steven for a while, and really do like his perspective on life…

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Here we are. In 2022. Hoping, I suppose, that’s all we can do, is a better year than some of the previous years we’ve had.

Let’s be honest. We just want a bit of normality. We just want it to be stable, no drama – and letting us enjoy time with friends and family.

So, my Friday Thought, is in line with ‘The Out and Abouter’ who recently tweeted – let 2022 be like a Toyota Corolla.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s 2021 Thought…

It’s Friday. Usually I have Bal’s Friday Thought on a Friday. But today, it’s a 2021 thought. That’s right – I’m thinking about the year that’s just gone.

What a year. Let’s be honest. A alot happened, right? Whilst a lot happened, we were still restricted and a lot didn’t happen. Covid still lingers in the air. Mutations of the virus are with us – and we are still having to be careful. Flights, holidays, etc… not the ‘normal’ as we expected. But the main thing is, if you’re reading this, you’re alive.

Unfortunately, in 2021 – I attended more funerals than I actually wanted to. Sad times – and a few tears shed. Some were unexpected – in fact, most were unexpected. And that’s why I’m grateful, to be able to continue to do what I enjoy.

Now, whilst I don’t have a tech review of the year – what I do have, is a great review from Inc.com who share their ‘biggest business moments’ from 2021 – https://www.inc.com/steven-i-weiss/biggest-business-moments-2021.html

NFT art in Hong Kong, China. Getty Images

Whilst we all learnt a lot in 2021, and technology (and business) grew more advanced – with some super rich people going into space (the billionaire space race)… I took some time to reflect locally.

For me, I was on BBC Radio quite often, to share my thoughts on technology (and other topics when on BBC Asian Network). And it’s something I’ll continue into 2022. We often do an exercise at the end of a project – what went well – and what we need to improve. A lessons learnt type of exercise. So we can improve and get better. The interesting thing here is, I’m doing something similar for myself. What is it that I should continue… and what should I improve on.

One thing for this blog, which I’ve been doing for a few years, is to improve what I talk about. I’ve mainly shared articles on technology, motivational elements and how we can improve (as people). I will continue to do that. But improve with more videos, and providing more information. I do need some help though. It’d be great if you could ask questions, share your thoughts… help with building more content. Recently, I was asked about Christmas presents. Which I shared a blog post. Then I was asked for ‘lower cost’ presents. Which I did. And the great thing there was, it helped a few people. I know this. From the replies I received. Thank you.

In general – there’s a number of things I’ll continue as-is… but there’ll be things I want to improve. As I make my list… it’d be great for you to share via the comments section below, what you want to improve on. Could it be health? Could it be to train and learn a particular skill? or could it be, you want to follow your passion? Speaking recently to a family member, they’re a teacher… but love to clean cars. I mean, really clean cars. Like, detail them. And they’re seriously considering, quitting their job, and clean… sorry, detail… cars for a living. I personally, think it’s a great idea! Follow your passion – if your finances allow you to, great! If they don’t, make a plan… and when the time does come that you’re financially able to follow your passion – do it. Because, you never know – when your time will come and you end up in a box and that’s it. So whilst you’re on this planet – enjoy your life and do something that brings a smile to your face… just like this family member who got a small vacuum cleaner (with liquids and water, and all sorts) to be used in cars for christmas and was absolutely in love with it! (Honestly… not seen a grown man, talk so passionately about a vacuum cleaner.. in fact, whilst he was showing me, is stayed in between us the whole evening! (that is the sign of true love!).

And if you don’t know what your passion is, try different things. Experiment. Talk. Understand. Watch youtube videos. Just do something – and try. You’ll find it. And on that journey, you’ll pick up lots of other skills.

So with that, I hope you have fun seeing what you want to continue into 2022, what you want to improve on in 2022… and wish you, an awesome New Year. Thank you so much for supporting me and reading my blogs in 2021.