by Peter Crocker

What is the relationship between money and happiness? I recall research from a few years ago that found that at all income levels, people say they would be satisfied if they could get 20% more.

If our goal is always ‘more’, then we’re destined to spend our careers striving for that elusive extra 20%.

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by Peter Crocker

I’ve recently become fascinated by the idea of ‘work life integration’. Ok, so I haven’t even mastered ‘work life balance’ yet, but that concept is so last decade!

To me ‘work life balance’ implies a tradeoff between good and evil, where work is the thing you have to endure to get to the good things in life.
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by Peter Crocker

As I write this I’m madly clearing the decks before I go on holiday. As you read this, I’ll be back into work mode and wading through emails. For small business owners, holidays can be hard work. Do these scenarios sound familiar?

It’s about this time of year when holiday cravings kick in. But ask a business owner about holidays and you’ll often get “What’s a holiday?” or, “I did take a few days off over Christmas!” (more…)

by Peter Crocker

Even as January ends, my street is still dotted with discarded Christmas trees, drooping fairy lights and half-deflated Santas. I know how he feels. With the tan faded and toys broken, how can you sustain that holiday feeling?

I’ve never managed to fully achieve it myself, but hope these strategies will make the difference this year.
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by Peter Crocker

How do you know if you really love your work? There are two points in the week that are sure-fire indicators.

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by Peter Crocker

There’s plenty in the media at the moment about the long hours worked by Australians. Then just last week, I was flicking through a business magazine and came across an article about the Head Honcho of a big global company.

The story followed his typical day…he arrives at 5am, works non-stop until 8pm then goes to a high-powered client dinner before returning home at midnight. The article praised his legendary work ethic – he’s followed the same gruelling routine for over 25 years. (more…)

by Peter Crocker

If you listen to music while you work and you have a broadband connection (preferably unlimited), read on. I’m sure plenty of you are way ahead of me, but this is easily the best thing I’ve found on the net in the last year or so.

Most of the time I’ll listen to music as I’m working. But because commercial stations are full of distracting talk and advertising, I tend to listen to music from my own collection. But listening to the same music library all day means my music collection quickly becomes a little tired. (more…)