Brilliant and an inspiration to all of us. Watch closely how the negative is reversed and becomes beautifully positive! Are we really a Lost Generation? Of course not, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for 
Lost Generation
August 19, 2009
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NoBrainers
August 3, 2009Sometimes we are joking about other people and how stupid they are, act or react to a certain situation. Of course, we all know best and we would have done it differently…in fact for us these are nobrainers, right?
Now, what most people think or at least shout at people who did something stupid (who are we to judge anyway?) is that they have less brains or no brains at all, right?
This inspired me to dig into this a little more and I discovered that occasionally children are born without brains! YES, I couldn’t believe it either. Anyway, for those interested, it is called anencephaly and here are some facts (Oh, it’s not my intention to create a freak-show) :
On the 26th May 1788, Mary Clarke, aged 26 years, delivered a (seemingly) healthy baby that lived for five days and twenty-one hours. Examination after death revealed more extraordinary facts: the baby had NO brains! (more info)
Summer 1935, New York City experiences a similar case, where the baby lived for 27 days. (NY Times)
We walk by Faith, not by sight… Heartbreaking story of Faith, a brainless child that lived for 3 months and 4 days. Very cute! (Read the blog)
Honestly, by reading her story, I lost track of time, my busy schedule, everything. Relativity kicks in and time to think about what it is we are doing here on earth. I don’t want to sound too philosophical, but I start reflecting on my own life and must laugh at the relativity of our everyday challenges. When was the last time you took some time to contemplate on your life?
Anyway, back to the story. There are also people with less brains.
In Germany lives a 10-year old with only half a brain. It was discovered when she was 3 years, but she’s in great shape, capable of doing everything like normal kids. (German source)
Now, there are also people who have 2 brains. Meet Abby and Britty Hensel.
Sometimes, when we look at brain-stuff, people tend to recite about the Allegory of the cave (Plato), neurotransmitters, left/right brain, ambidexterity, corpus callosum (60′s epilepsy) or brain-in-a-vat. By the way, have a look at this interesting Split Brain Experiment.
From researching and writing this article, I learned a completely different meaning of a “nobrainer”. On top of it, it made me realise once more how happy I am with my healthy body. We sometimes take our health for granted…
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Entrepreneurs change the world
May 17, 2009Entrepreneurs change the world. Most of us knew this already.
Here is an inspiring movie about how we, as entrepreneurs, change the world:
If you are still in doubt, know that one person CAN make a difference! Now is a great time to start your own business. In these times of economic turbulence, the biggest inventions are made! It is now that the future is shaped. It is time to seize the opportunity to create the job you always wanted…
Thanks Michelle Clarke, for sharing this video!
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Historia de un Letrero
May 5, 2009I am always looking out for inspirational stuff. And this time I found a very interesting short film “Historia de un Letrero” about the history of a sign.
Enjoy the movie
It is amazing how we look at things. Sometimes it takes courage to see the same things from a different angle. By changing this angle amazing things happen, just like in the movie. So, next time you think about a situation or you have a difficult moment, think about this movie and change the way you look at it. I know, it might be a challenge, but by changing your view, you change your attitude and also your outcome. It might not be as bad as you think it is Another opportunity to learn a great lesson…
Anyway, this movie made me reflecting on my way of looking at things. You can be sure I’ll be putting it in perspective again On top of that I also made wonder how “blind” we are…and who will change our sign?
What about you? Did this movie influence you? Did you like the story?
Amazing what a short video can do, right?
Have fun, always,
Bert Verdonck
Lifehacker & Life Coach
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Mozart Effect
April 23, 2009
Have you ever heard about the Mozart Effect?
Without sounding too technical “spatial-temporal reasoning” is a short-term improvement on the performance of certain kinds of mental tasks. Now, an elaborated set of research results indicate that listening to Mozart’s music may induce this improvement. Some people simply put it this way “Listening to Mozart makes you smarter”, or that early childhood exposure to classical music has a beneficial effect on mental development.
The Mozart Effect started really going, back in the 90′s, with Rauscher and Shaw, who investigated the effect of listening to music by Mozart on spatial reasoning. These authors found that the mean standard age scores converted into IQ scores were 8 to 9 points higher after the participants had listened to the music than after either of the other two conditions: repetitive relaxation music and silence. Rauscher and Shaw also concluded that the enhancing effect of the music condition is only temporary (15 minutes?).
A popular book by Don Campbell arose wide spread interest. Some politicians even made budgets available for playing classical music in pre-schools.
Now other research show not all music creates the Mozart Effect. A German study even concluded that passively listening to Mozart — or indeed any other music you enjoy — does not make you smarter. Other studies prove there is no impact at all.
So, is this made up? Does the Mozart Effect really exist? What’s your opinion?
I personally am convinced that music you enjoy brings you in an other (mental, physical) state, making it more likely to perform outstanding, compared to no music or no change of state and consequently moderate results. I use music to “pump” myself up before going on stage and I know there is a significant difference when I don’t do that. But does this mean I raise my IQ after doing that? Of does it improve my “spatial-temporal reasoning”? I am not convinced, but hey, I am probably too old to measure this. Most research was done with children. Maybe an idea for researchers to fund a new project on the Mozart Effect with adults? Or do we no longer have beneficial effects on mental development?
Anyway, I am curious to hear your feedback on the Mozart Effect!
Enjoy the music,
Bert Verdonck
Lifehacker & Life Coach
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Quick update
September 8, 2008Just a quick update:
- I just returned from holidays, yes, indeed fantastic : France, Spain, Andorra. Thanks for asking!
- A whole new bunch of mindblowing lifehacks coming soon!
- A brand new step forward in my life: stay tuned for the announcement
- International Blackstar Day in Belgium : 22 nd September in Antwerp
- Next Ecademy Antwerp event : 23rd September in Antwerp
- Created a book in 2 weeks for “In Shape for September” (with Greet Wilssens)
- “In Shape for September” was a big success! To be continued!
- XL Belgium : Power UP session in August : I shared and demonstrated several lifehacks with other life members
- Outstanding, life changing results with several coachees. I hope they agree to share their story with you too.
- Brilliant Brainstroming & Creative sessions for a client in the HR Industry. All upfront criticism was blown away by the amazing results…
And how was your second half of August? Are you in shape for september? 
Enjoy every day,
Bert Verdonck
Lifehacker & life coach
Create, Connect & Contribute
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Education at home?
July 24, 2007Several people are talking about educating their children at home. Be it from a religious point of view or from the fact that parents can do better than the school system (or other reasons?), some parents are considering (or doing it!) to teach their children at home and not at school.
Why?
Education of children has become a complex challenge. Several children are “too” smart for their age. Others are more advanced in some subjects and “normal” at others. Teachers have to divide their attention to so many children, often resulting that the smartest become lazy, bored or rebellious and the “slower” children are not capable of catching up with the rest…
Anyway, would you consider to educate your children at home? Why (not)?
Looking forward to your replies,
Bert
Mijn vrouw vandaag in Vacature…
May 5, 2007Ja, deze week staat mijn vrouw in Vacature! Voor alle duidelijkheid : op pagina 30 in de gedrukte magazine en pagina 31 in de online versie ;-)
Naar aanleiding van een artikel over “Wegwijs in de hospitalisatie-verzekering”, werd Tonia geïnterviewd door Vacature.
Begin dit jaar onderging Tonia een zware buikoperatie, waarvoor we uiteraard (én gelukkig!) een beroep konden doen op onze hospitalisatieverzekering.
Toen ik een oproep zag van Erika Claessens op Ecademy, reageerde ik onmiddellijk met een interview voor Tonia als gevolg. Uiteraard ook een leuke manier van netwerken
Heb jij al eens in de krant gestaan ? Waar ? Wanneer ? Waarom ? Laat het mij weten…
Geniet nog van het weekend,
Bert
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Summarise yourself!
April 25, 2007Recently I did a very interesting exercise : summarise yourself in 5 keywords, 5 keynumbers, 3 dreams and 1 quote.
Here are mine:
Create Connect Contribute Empathy Fun
My numbers :
3 7 800 1991 400,000,000
My dreams:
Oceania (Australia, NewZealand, Fiji, Tonga, etc.)
Wally (enjoying my custom Wally sailboat, check out http://www.wally.com)
Contribute to the happiness in the world
My personal quote:
Enjoy every day!
So, what are yours ? Dare to talk about them…
Enjoy every day,
Bert
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A new life, a new mission, a new website
April 25, 2007After writing my new mission in life, I had to come up with a new website as well
The main elements of my new life are my three C’s : Create, Connect & Contribute.
Read all about it on my (brand new) website! Now that people start visiting my website, the word will spread that I have a blog. Until now, I almost wrote ‘undercover’, like not telling people about it, so I could get some content first
What is your mission in life ? And do you live up to it ?
And of course, any feedback on my website and blog are welcome as well!
Cheers,
Bert Verdonck
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