3 Food Myths that May Be Sabotaging Your Productivity

Your brain is one of your best business resources. Before you make your next New Year's Resolution, discover 3 pervasive food myths that may be damaging your ability to focus, learn, and remember.

       

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One of the most surprising things I learned in nursing school was that the human body and the way it works is not always logical. Sure, when you drill down deep enough, the sciences of biology and chemistry make the body more understandable, but science has continued to change it's understanding of our bodies and the world since we were all in high school.

Much of the old science and health information you were taught (and which, unfortunately, is still being taught in some places) is no longer considered true by those who are up-to-date with current nutritional research. This means that some of your so-called "healthy" habits might actually be hurting your brain.

Here are 3 persistent food myths that could be sabotaging your productivity:

1. Eating FAT is BAD for your health.

Your brain is 60% fat, so when you don't get enough dietary fat, you're actually denying your brain. Let's think back to when fat started getting it's bad rap--it was in the days when people believed in "better living through chemistry" and no one worried about trans fats, hydrogenated vegetables oils, and overly processed, "fake" foods.

Fats such as coconut oil and olive oil have been correlated with neuroprotective (i.e. brain-protecting) benefits and since it appears they can decrease the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia later in life, why not bring these healthy fats into your diet now? (It's easier to prevent than it is to cure.)

And for those of you worried about cardiovascular health and dietary fats, see what the New England Journal of Medicine reported about the benefits of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with additional fats. (Bottom line: they stopped the trial after 4.8 years, because the low-fat diet was clearly correlated with a higher incidence of heart attacks, strokes, or deaths from other cardiovascular disorders.)

2. Sugar is okay in moderation.

This one really depends on what you mean by moderation. One pastry each morning with your coffee is not moderation; one a month could be.

The problem is that sugar is an addictive substance that has an opiate-like effect on the brain. It has been shown to worsen mental health issues (including depression and anxiety), and decrease learning and memory.

David DiSalvo, a science writer whose articles have appeared in Forbes, Psychology Today, The Wall Street Journal and other publicationsconcludes this about sugar:

"What these and other studies strongly suggest is that most of us are seriously damaging ourselves with processed foods high in added sugar, and the damage begins with our brains. Seen in this light, chronic added-sugar consumption is no less a problem than smoking or alcoholism."

And no, you can't replace your sugary soda with a diet one. Aspartame is neurotoxic, and has been shown to cause problems from "fuzzy thinking" to seizures since the 1980's.

3. That cup of coffee counts towards your recommended daily water intake.

Nope, sorry. Anything that dehydrates you (such as caffeine), can't count towards your daily water intake. In fact, if you're drinking caffeinated or dehydrating beverages (like alcohol), you need to drink more water than your recommended daily amount (one common formula is 1/2 of your body weight in ounces, so a 200-pound person would need 100 ounces of water daily), to make up for the dehydration.

According to Daniel Amen, MD, author, and well-known brain researcher, "anything that dehydrates you is bad for the brain, such as alcohol, caffeine, excess salt or not drinking enough fluids."

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In business, your brain is one of your best resources. Just like we update our software and computer technology, it's critical to update our understanding of how our bodies function. Keep your brain running with today's best recommendations: get lots of sleep, eat more healthy fats, limit sugar/ sweeteners/ processed foods, and drink plenty of water!

http://www.inc.com/ariana-ayu/3-food-myths-that-may-be-sabotaging-your-productivity.html

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Basic Table Manners - Do's & Don'ts

Basic Table Manners

Table manners are important wherever you are. They show courtesy, respect, and your desire to fit into the culture or business environment. Whether you are dining in someone’s home or in a restaurant, practice good manners until they come naturally to you.

The table setting below is fairly typical of restaurants where you may have professional meetings.

Do:

• Place the napkin in your lap upon sitting down.
• Sit up straight (comfortably, but not rigid).
• Ask your server questions about the menu (if you have any).
• Work from the outside in when in doubt about which utensil to use. The utensil will match the course being served. Follow others if you get confused.
• Use polite language such as “please” and “thank you.”
• Introduce yourself to people you do not know and speak about topics that are of common interest to the table. If you are sitting between two people, spend time speaking with each of them.
• Eat slowly, taking your cues about the pace of the meal from the rest of the people at the table.
• Ask for someone to pass an item if it is out of reach.
• Pass items across your body, not another person’s body and always pass the salt and pepper together.
• Put a piece of bread or roll and the amount of butter you will be using on your Bread and Butter Plate. Tear off a small piece of bread, butter it and then eat it. 
• Cut off a small piece and eat one bite at a time if what you are eating is larger than one bite.
• Spoon soup away from your body and sip soup from the side of the spoon without slurping.  
• Place all dirty utensils on flat serving dishes only (plates, not bowls) and not on the table.
• Loosely place the napkin to the left of the dinner plate when finished.
• If you must leave table, place your napkin on the back of your chair.
• Speak in low tones, just enough to be heard.

Do not:

• Place your elbows on the table.
• Order the most expensive item on the menu unless you are the host.
• Order alcoholic beverages unless you are encouraged by a host to do so. (Remember: you don’t have to drink it!)
• Speak on your cell phone at the table or speak with your mouth full.
• Begin eating until everyone has been served (unless each person without food gives permission for you to start).
• Season your food until you taste it.
• Blow on your food (let it cool naturally).
• If you must remove an item of food from your mouth, discreetly remove it the way you put it in your mouth (if possible).
• If you need assistance from a server, catch his/her attention discreetly and ask your question quietly, or excuse yourself and seek out a server away from the table.
• Ask for a “doggie bag.”

http://www.brandeis.edu/hiatt/howto/mindyourmanners/index.html

Here's What The 'Boardroom Formal' Dress Code Really Means

You’ve just been promoted to the C-suite. Along with your new title come additional responsibilities, a heavier workload, regular board meetings, and, therefore, a new dress code.

In order to succeed in your new role, you’ll need to look the part.

“In boardrooms we usually find the most important and influential group of individuals,” says Sylvie di Giusto, author of “The Image Of Leadership.” “Being a member of the C-suite, or a business partner or guest of of the C-suite, comes with the need for some kind of tactfulness and respect — and what you wear plays a big role.”

She says most image consultants still use terms like “business formal” or “business professional,” “which is a very general description of a basic professional business outfit,” she explains. “However, working in corporations for nearly 20 years has taught me that this general and basic level is not enough. There is a difference between the professional wardrobe you choose to wear on a daily basis, and what you should be wearing when you enter the boardroom.”

Darlene Price, president of Well Said, Inc., and author of “Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results,” agrees. She says it is critically important to be aware of dress codes, understand what they mean, and follow them. “Employees at every level are obliged to comply with company and industry standards.”

When it comes to the “Boardroom Formal” dress code, employees are expected to project a professional image and convey executive presence, Price says. “Most often, employees following this dress code are meeting face-to-face with customers, clients, senior management, and key stakeholders in the industry who expect and require the proper protocol of professional business attire.”

Here are some general guidelines for appropriate boardroom attire, also known as “Boardroom Formal”:

The standard attire for men is a dark suit (navy, black, or charcoal), a white dress shirt, a subtle-patterned tie and socks, and black dress shoes. “I also recommend a high-quality accessory, including a wristwatch or attaché case,” di Giusto says. “Less is more.”

For women, appropriate boardroom attire includes either a two-piece matched pantsuit, skirt suit, or dress (hem no higher than one inch above the knee) in traditional colours such as black, navy, grey, or brown; a collared dress blouse or shell; black or neutral hosiery; closed-toe dress shoe, such as a pump; and conservative accessories, Price says.

“In general, paying attention to the visual details of your look conveys preparation, planning, and respect for those whom you meet,” di Giusto adds. “The way you respect yourself also sets the standards on how others will respect you.”

She says if you are a member of the highest level of any governing body, private or public (or, if you are about to meet a member of the boardroom), you should strictly follow this dress code. “No exceptions.”

Price says one of the most frequent career roadblocks she has observed during her 20-plus years working as an executive coach is inappropriate dress in the workplace and boardroom.

“Many highly intelligent, well-qualified, capable men and women are not taken seriously because ‘they don’t sell for what they’re worth,’” Price says. “A lack of professional appearance holds them back. It’s frustrating because clothing certainly does not determine one’s actual competence and credibility; it does, however, influence others’ perception of those qualities — and that reality impacts career opportunities.”

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/heres-what-boardroom-formal-means-2014-9

Here's What The 'Smart Casual' Dress Code Really Means

You just landed your dream job. Congratulations!

After offering you the position, the hiring manager goes over all the details of your new gig: start date, salary, manager’s name, and dress code — which, she says, is “smart casual.”

So you put in your two weeks notice, shoot your new boss an email, and shop for a new work wardrobe of nice jeans, polo shirts, colourful tanks, and sandals.

Everything is going smoothly with the transition to your new job until you arrive on your first day and realise you’re completely underdressed. You suddenly regret not asking or researching what “smart casual” actually means.

Darlene Price, president of Well Said, Inc., and author of “Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results,” says it’s important to be aware of dress codes and understand what they mean. “Though dress is a very personal matter, it is a very public and professional matter on the job. Employees are expected to comply with company standards.”

She says during her 20-plus years working as an executive coach, one of the most frequent career roadblocks she has observed is inappropriate dress in the workplace, because people don’t completely understand what all the different dress codes mean.

For example, the term “smart casual” is interpreted differently in many workplaces. “The definition can change, depending on several factors, including the industry, size of the company, number of employees, amount of interaction between employees and customers, geography, climate, culture, and average age of the workforce,” Price says.

At most companies, however, the “smart casual” dress code is a step up from “business casual,” but not as formal as “boardroom attire.” It’s neat and professional — but still informal.

“The key look in this dress code is a chic, put-together ensemble,” Price says. “It fashionably combines elements from the other dress codes, such as a nice pair of dark slacks, with a coordinated dressy blouse, jacket, and scarf, or a nice pair of trousers with a button-down shirt and sport coat.”

HR expert Susan M. Heathfield writes in an About.com article: “The smart casual look allows flexibility for personal taste in fashion and includes jackets, outfit-enhancing jewelry, dress pants, dress shirts, skirts, tailored sweaters, vests, ties, matching leather accessories, and leather pull on shoes and boots. Smart casual dressing is often adopted by employees who want to look ready for their next promotion.”

Below are examples of appropriate “smart casual” outfits.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/what-smart-casual-dress-code-means-2014-8

Here's What 'Business Casual' Really Means

“I’ve really tried to learn the art of clothes, because you don’t sell for what you’re worth unless you look good.” — Lady Bird Johnson

Your boss invites you to a conference. He sends an email letting you know the dress code is “business casual.” You haven’t a clue what that means, so you take a chance and wear your new sundress and sandals.

You show up and you’re completely underdressed. You’re uncomfortable — and you worry about your boss feeling embarrassed, too.

“It is critically important to be aware of dress codes, understand what they means, and follow them,” says Darlene Price, president of Well Said, Inc., and author of “Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results.” “Employees are obliged to comply with company standards. Oftentimes, that means maintaining a professional appearance in the office, at client sites, and any business functions.”

Price says during her 20-plus years working as an executive coach, one of the most frequent career roadblocks she has observed is inappropriate dress in the workplace.

“Many highly intelligent, well-qualified, capable men and women are often disqualified or dismissed because ‘they don’t sell for what they’re worth,’” Price says. “They have left the ‘business’ out of ‘business casual’ and the lack of professional appearance holds them back. It’s frustrating, because clothing certainly does not determine one’s actual competence and credibility; it does, however, influence others’ perception of those qualities — and that reality impacts career opportunities.”

The problem is, most people don’t have a clear understanding of the different dress codes today.

For example, there is no general agreement on the definition of the term “business casual.” “It depends on several factors including the industry, size of the company, number of employees, amount of interaction between employees and customers, geography, climate, culture, and average age of the workforce,” Price says.

At most companies, however, the “business casual” dress code encourages employees to project a “professional, business-like image while enjoying the advantage of more casual and relaxed clothing,” Price explains.

Appropriate business casual dress typically includes slacks or khakis, dress shirt or blouse, open-collar or polo shirt, optional tie or seasonal sport coat, a dress or skirt at knee-length or below, a tailored blazer, knit shirt or sweater, and loafers or dress shoes that cover all or most of the foot.

Below are examples of appropriate “business casual” outfits.

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/what-business-casual-really-means-2014-8