Tag Archives: video

Change your thoughts, and you change your world

Posted on January 20, 2012 by | 3 Comments

“Change your thoughts, and you change your world.” – Norman Vincent Peale

I recently challenged myself to changing how my mind works. I am an over analytical, one-step-ahead, worrying type of person and I made it my personal, internal goal to be more positive and focus on what I want out of life rather than focus on the current hardships I have going on. I have been reading a lot of books and blogs about how powerful the mind really is and it’s astonishing to think how a small change of thought can lead to big changes in life. Now, somewhere deep down I knew just how powerful the mind was because my father is an avid “positive-thinker”. He has always taught me that by thinking positively and being grateful for what you do have, you can shape your future by the simple power of positive thought. Basically asking the universe for what you want, knowing inside that you can get it, and taking the steps to achieve what you want.

Most people go through a bad situation and dwell on the negative experience – and in doing so they manifest more bad. Very few people go through a bad situation and think about the good that has come from that negative incident or how worse off things could have been. It’s those few people who put things into perspective and make a negative into a positive that have success in life. And I do not mean just financial success, but success in relationships, career, health, and emotional wellbeing.

Within my research I have found that it is simply up to you to decide how you feel and in turn shape where you want to go in life. You have to actively train your brain to think positively and be grateful for the things you have. This positive thinking will bring you good things. It will be a challenge to retrain your brain, but I can guarantee you that it’s worth it.

This short animated YouTube movie depicts just how powerful the mind is and by focusing on something good, even if it’s just a distant thought can bring you peace and positivity.

I think we all lose sight of how powerful our minds are and how important it is to be happy and positive at all times. Like attracts like – so shape your own world by thinking positive!

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30 Day Challenge

Posted on October 28, 2011 by | 10 Comments

The yoga studio I am currently practicing at is doing a 30 day yoga challenge. Although this is not a new concept, it is worth visiting, as it could provide inspiration to try another 30 day challenge whether it be yoga, or whether it be giving up caffeine.

Why 30 days? 30 days is the threshold to make or break a habit. Stephen Covey famously said that it takes 21 days to create a habit. Some of us need longer – so let’s just round it up to 30. A 30 day challenge allows you to take baby steps to achieve your goals.

This 3 minute TED video spells it out clearly. I don’t think I could give up sugar for 30 days like Matt Cutts did, or chocolate for that matter.

Think of something you’ve always wanted to try. Make those small changes, see your self confidence grow, and achieve your goals. You can even sign up at 43 Things and find others with similar goals and cheer each other on with encouragement. The #21 All-time Most Popular goal on the site is “get a job”. There are others like ‘lose weight’, ‘stop procrastinating’ and ‘drink more water’.

So, the question is, what will your 30 day challenge be?  Feel free to share in the comments below.

~ Jessica Rozitis

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Job discrimination and ethnic names

Posted on October 16, 2011 by | 1 Comment

A recent study shows if you have a non-english sounding name it can make it harder for you to a land a job.

Sarah McNeill talks with Global TV about job discrimination and ethnic names:

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Posted in career, Human Resources

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Take me out to the ballgame

Posted on August 11, 2011 by | Leave a comment

On a warm summer evening last week, several McNakers and their famlies attended a Vancouver Canadians baseball game. It was a highly entertaining evening, and the home team won! Enjoy this video of our outing with our coworkers.

~ Jessica Rozitis

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Posted in corporate culture

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Can you change a company’s culture?

Posted on August 3, 2011 by | 3 Comments

Companies go through cycles in their own career as a company. Through these changes there will be times when corporate culture is affected by the growth. And sometimes a shift in culture is needed to stay on track of this new growth or direction. Not everyone will be on board though. Ironing out the rough spots internally can actually be one of the biggest factors in moving the company forward. Jim Fowler, CEO of Jigsaw has some simple messages on the concept of changing a company culture. Having observed companies in some tough spots over the years and the effect rough spots have on corporate culture, I think his advice is merited.

~ Sarah McNeill


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Posted in corporate culture

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Are you stalled?

Posted on July 14, 2011 by | 2 Comments

There are days when I sometimes just have to stop what I’m doing. And so I stop. Most times it’s because my list of unfinished ‘to do’s’ and never ending priorities have gone to the red line and are about to create a landslide on me. It’s at that point that I try to remember what it might have been like at this time the previous year or even years before.  It’s really just my general catch-all way of finding perspective on the situation. Even though I’m sure it’s just a matter of seconds, the distraction is long enough to break the cycle of my grind. My observation: today’s work climate is so fast paced that it almost seems to get faster with each year. So many new technologies, so many platforms to showcase competing engagements and deadlines.  Naturally we adapt and try our best to keep up. And because we’re constantly adapting, we sometimes trick ourselves into thinking that what we are doing with our time is effective. When the grind is so intense it is easy to fall into routines  that can actually lead you to be unproductive and quite frankly unmotivated and stalled. It’s sometimes best to just stop, regroup, and resort your priorities.

I really like Chris Brogan’s post, Grinding vs. Clocking. His one minute video clip  reminds us of what we’ve forgotten that could make all the difference.

Just before I wrote this post I took five minutes out of my day to order some okespor water shoes I’ve been meaning to buy (on my ‘to do’ list) to go with a  kayak that is due to arrive in time for this weekend. So in doing this, I’ve taken my time first mini time out. It’s a curious habit I have, and I’m sure I’m not alone, that I can leave on my ‘to do’ list  things that can actually help me be more productive and recharged.  I’m now ready to look at the rest of the  ’to do’ list of my life and regroup. At the very least, break it up into smaller bundles so I can refocus on the things most important to me right now. And as a motivator to getting this done, I’m  already visualizing myself on the kayak finding peaceful time to myself.

Hope you can get take a few minutes to get yourself out of your grind. Face it – we’re always in one. Just step out of it from time to time. Feels good.

~ Sarah McNeill 

photo credit: Joseeivissa

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Game Day

Posted on April 27, 2011 by | 1 Comment

Stanley Cup Playoffs round 1. Game 7. Sudden death overtime.  An unbelievable amount of pressure upon both hockey teams.  It was not about individual superstars. It was about the team coming together for one common goal. For the Canucks, after losing games 4, 5, and 6…they just had to come out of that adversity as a stronger, more focused team. And they did.

I feel twitchy as I write this, the anticipation of what is to come is heavy. Game day approaches. Again.

Ryan Kesler said it best in his post game 7 interview :

“I never wanted something as bad as wanting this game.
Everybody in that room wanted it just as bad as I did.
We play for each other in that room.
We really care about each other, and that’s what it’s all about.”

When I think of great teams playing at the top of their game, it’s not only the Canucks that come to mind. Skeleton racing may be an individual sport, but it is ‘the team effort’, said Canada’s 2010 Gold medalist for Skeleton, Jon Montgomery, ‘that makes the difference’.  I had the privilege of hearing Jon speak at a business engagement. What a character! I was taken by his astuteness and insight into the psychology of a leader.

Below are some notes of wisdom from Jon Montgomery:

-Self efficacy wins the day

-Have control over your attitude

-Be able to see that it’s not just about yourself

-Embody team spirit. Always.

-Things are only out of reach if you put them there

-Compare notes with your peers (sharing from peers expedited their rate of learning and paid off in dividends)

-Your only choice in life is how you choose to handle situations

Through adversity, real teams survive. They have gaman. (the Japanese term of zen buddhist origin, meaning to do one’s best in distressed times, maintaining self control and discipline.)  United teams have the hallmarks of champions.  Maybe, just maybe, The Cup will be ours this year. To our dear Canucks, in the words of Jon Montgomery, ‘…center the scope of your vision and execute plan.’

May we all have our game day too. (more than once)

~ Sarah McNeill

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Posted in Leadership and Team Building

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Corporate Team Building

Posted on March 25, 2011 by | Leave a comment

At McNak, we are fascinated with corporate culture. Check out this video from Vancouver’s 6S Marketing. A great example showcasing their corporate culture.

“We use corporate team building as an incentive to our employees…People don’t necessarily choose a company to work for based on the size of their paycheck. There are many other factors, and some of that is corporate culture.”                        – Chris Breikss, 6S Marketing C0-Founder & Director

~ Jessica Rozitis

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Posted in corporate culture, Leadership and Team Building

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Corporate Culture Minute

Posted on March 2, 2011 by | Leave a comment

~ Sarah McNeill

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The Ultimate Productivity Tool

Posted on February 16, 2011 by | 4 Comments

Yoga, adrenaline sports, education, networking, training.

Yes, all of these will undoubtedly help you in life, but here’s another tool that is so often overlooked: sleep.

My life has changed a lot over the last few years, and I’ve become increasingly aware of the importance of sleep. Nights out, work demands, sports, pregnancy, and a restless toddler all conspire against a quiet night’s rest.  When I was younger I could make do with four or five hours of sleep, leaning on my coffee mug when required. Now, irritability and blandness creeps in where my creativity and sense of humour used to be. And now I realize:

Sleep brings more joy, effectiveness and productivity into our lives. It is vital to every type of success.

Arianna Huffington’s funny TED Talk about the importance of balance and getting your Z’s really hit home. A successful entrepreneur in her own right, she points out that having a high IQ or a busy schedule doesn’t translate into successful business or good leadership. Even the most brilliant leaders require time for reflection and rest to make the most of their abilities.

Ms. Huffington seems to be on to something! Years ago, she badly injured herself after falling due to exhaustion. She then re-engineered her entire life to incorporate more sleep. Last week she sold her 5+ year old company, the Huffington Post, for USD $315 million. Not a bad return on investment.

~ Julie Steele

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