Nicholas Bate

Always Helpful, 71

Remembering that worries do have a purpose and the saying ‘don’t worry’ is not always that helpful.

Worries often highlight stuff to be addressed or surface a fresh solution.

Worry carefully.

Break Out of the Urban Zoo

If only it were an Urban Jungle. But sadly, the reality it's a zoo. The cages are the cubicles, the tranquillisers are e-mail and PPT and feeding times the free coffee and cookies. It's tough to break out but it can be done. Like any prison film you’ve ever seen you know you need to get fit. That's step 1. Stand and stretch and mobilise at regular intervals and then drop to the floor and do 10 press-ups. Do it on the hour, every hour. Twice a day find a secret location in the stair well where CCTV is not observing you and do some stair runs and pull ups. Keep that going. Now you need to add creative thinking, step 2. Smuggle into the compound a book, yes a real book. Anything from this list is suitable. Finally read the blueprint. 

Don't forget to send the rest of the inmates a postcard from freedom. 

Meet Molly, the sequel

Will be out soon. The original is here.

Andrew Munro

Has his best stories.

Kurt Harden

Has a sunset from Mars. And more.

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They have a good book.

Productivity for a Monday

Just when you are being seduced into adding more to your life, subtract something. Just when you feel driven to do more stuff,  choose what is actually important and do less.  Just when reptile brain says work harder, work mindfully.  When everybody is speeding up, stop, think and  slow down. You'll be more productive.

Always Helpful, 70

Keeping this day deliberately blank. 

Always Helpful, 69

Appreciating now.

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Books by Patrick Rhone.