How I got back to a great nights sleep – after brain surgery

Hi, I have decided to share my journey to a consistent peaceful sleep.  I hope this information is helpful to others who have experienced chronic insomnia.

I have always had a busy mind and throughout my forties battled with insomnia from time to time.  In my case, it was usually triggered by either me being away from home and worry about early flights or presentations or at home at 2-3am where I woke up and my mind started to race.

However, in February 2015 at the age of fifty-two, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour.  Luckily it was benign, unluckily I had to have surgery to remove (this golf ball size stow away) which was wrapped around my pituitary gland and pressing against my optic nerve.  That’s how it was discovered – I was going blind fast.

The good news my surgery on the 4th of June was successful ( I am still here).  However, the surgeons had severed the pituitary stalk which connects this gland to the hypothalamus and provides the signals for my hormones. Hey but I am alive and the good news is I feel great today.

However, six months after surgery I still had not had a proper night sleep even after dropping powerful sleeping pills given to me by the doctor.  This is, unfortunately, a common side effect for a lot of brain surgery patients.

I struggle for the next three years but finally in 2018 after shifting to a new GP and meeting the lady who runs the Diabetes Clinic I found my self on the journey to solving this issue.  The big change was my GP identified straight away that I needed a drug called Melatonin.

Melatonin is a wee tablet taken by mouth for those with an inability to fall asleep.  This was immediately helpful as it helped me get to sleep but in my case, unfortunately, I did not help me stay sleeping and often I would wake about 2-3 am.

At around the same time as changing my doctor I met a very talented natural practitioner who explained to me I needed to look at Magnesium.  I had tried a supplement ‘magnesium’ with some minor success.  The big change she made for me was to show me how to walk into the health store and body test the different options.  Using this method I found my body responded best to Neo Life’s Cal-Mag.  At first, I was taking eight Cal Mag a night to help rebuild my magnesium. (Now I am down to four tablets just before bed).  She also introduced me to essential oils.

Essential oils have been used by us humans for thousands of years. I did my research and found another local lady who was selling high-quality essential oils and would help me understand what would help me best.

So, now I also use Lavender essential oil either as drops on my pillow or a rubbing a small amount on the bottom of my feet.

I have been using this three-way combination for some time now and I am having long deep restful nights of sleep.  It may seem overkill that I have all these solutions but for me, they seem to work best together due to my particular circumstances.

I feel human again and are ready to take my health to the next level.

Now, I am not suggesting you use all these products,  as I think we all have slight unique differences.  What I hope you take out of this article is DO NOT GIVE UP! If things are not working for you and you are just struggling with chronic insomnia, make changes.

Investigate different solutions and get a good sleep – it is so important! Maybe some of what I discovered may help.  I  think there is something about the combination of things that makes it work for me, maybe, just maybe it will also work for you.

To a good nights sleep.

 

Tony Cutting
Personal Coach
www.tonycutting.com
https://www.facebook.com/tonycuttingcoach/

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The power of Intention

Now we are a well into the New Year I wonder how many people have made ‘resolutions’ to achieve something but have already broken their goal?

This highlight the danger of resolutions as often people associate a resolution as an absolute must do and always do. Yes, this is setting the bar high and for a few, they may well succeed.  However, for many, they will get disheartened from not keeping to their resolution and give up on their goal.

If you instead start the year (or any personal project) with what you intend to do you give yourself the option of picking up and starting again if something rocks the boat and you miss a day or so of whatever your intention was.

Scenario

If I resolve to walk every day of the year and stick to a keto diet, I do not provide for any hiccups along the way.  If after three days I have chaffing (ouch) and my legs are too sore to walk the next day, in fact, I will do more damage if I keep walking -then I am stuck.  Result: I break my resolution before the first week has passed.

If however, I intend to keep to a keto based diet and walk every day in January, I give myself the option to take a days break if I need.  If I am invited to a friends birthday and socialising means I may stray a little from the diet and that is OK.  It is OK because through the power of intention I can start again guilt free.

The power of intention enables us to be kind to yourself while also urging us on to success in our goal.  The key to the power of intention is the understanding that ‘shit’ happens and it does not matter, no stress just start over.  You can get back on track the next day, or week if you need to.

So, if in 2019 you have a resolution and are struggling for whatever reason, simply change it for ‘Intention’ allow yourself the opportunity to correct your course and get back on track.

I sincerely hope you have a great 2019 and achieve all that you wish to achieve.

I hope you found this article helpful

Nga mihi

Tony C
Personal Coach / Digital Marketing Specialist
e. hello@tonycuttingdigital.co.nz
m. https://m.me/tonycuttingdigital w. tonycuttingdigital.com
w. tonycutting.com

 

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

 

 

 

 

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IS YOUR BUSINESS SURVIVING OR THRIVING?

Photo by hannah grace on Unsplash

In New Zealand, we are known for our ‘number 8 wire’ mentality. We are great at survival. “She’ll be right, I can do that”.

What we tend to be is poor at thriving. Knowledge, as we all know, is a powerful thing. Unfortunately, a little knowledge can leave us vulnerable especially to competitors who use their smart thinking to engage people with exceptional knowledge to do tasks that are not “core business”.

The investment return of this approach is simple. Having smart people to call on in areas you are not exceptional is the entrepreneurial skill used by business owners to ensure their business thrives rather than just survives.

Yes, gain knowledge so at least you have the baseline to understand great from the good.

However, invest in knowledge and skills from specialists and significantly increase your business’s chances of thriving.

Spend your time learning your craft, and learning how to manage these assets, that is how to ensure you have the essential skills that build your personal brand and respect from your customers and staff. Forget about the ‘number 8 wire’ attitude and get great at what you do. hire resources that add to your skills and practice the same approach as you i.e. they focus on being great at what they do.

By adopting this tactic anyone who really wants to thrive will.

 

I hope you found this helpful.

Tony C
Personal Coach / Digital Marketing Specialist
e. hello@tonycuttingdigital.co.nz
m. https://m.me/tonycuttingdigital w. tonycuttingdigital.com
w. tonycutting.com

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10 reasons why you should increase your water intake each day.

So most of us realise our bodies need water, right?  Your body uses water in all its cells, organs, and tissues.  Water helps to regulate our bodies temperature and maintain a whole bunch of bodily functions. Because your body loses water through breathing, sweating, and digestion, it’s important to rehydrate by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water.  For many of us, eight glasses a day may not be enough.

One of the things I learnt while working with the team at the Diabetes Clinic was that most of the time we feel hungry we are actually thirsty.  This is very common with nearly everyone and before you go chowing down on more food, have a glass of water first and wait about 30 minutes to see how you feel.

Here are the ten top reasons why we need to drink more water.

  1. Without water, we die.  Pretty simple.  The body and brain can go without food for some time (the world record is over a year) but without water, we will start getting into serious trouble within a week.
  2. Water can help prevent serious disease.  Research on colon cancer in Taiwan confirms water along with physical exercise helps reduce the risk of colon cancer.  Water is also linked to helping a number of major health issues including other cancers and conditions like Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
  3. We perform better. Proper hydration contributes to increased physical performance. Water composes 75% of our muscle tissue. Dehydration can lead to weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and electrolyte imbalance.
  4. Lose weight. As I have learned from the team at the Diabetes Clinic, sometimes, we think we are hungry, when actually we are thirsty. For those of you trying to drop some kilos staying hydrated can serve as an appetite suppressant and help with weight loss.
  5. Prevent/fix headaches. Sometimes headaches are a result of dehydration so drinking water can prevent or help you get rid of that pain in your head. Next time your head hurts, try drinking water.
  6. Help clean out your systems. Water helps us move our waste and unwanted bacteria. Our digestive system needs water to do its job properly. Waste is flushed out in the form of urine and sweat. If we don’t drink water, we don’t flush out waste and it collects in our body causing a myriad of problems. Increase your water if you are feeling constipated it is highly likely to help.
  7. Be Happier. Research says dehydration can affect your mood and make you grumpy and confused. If you are feeling grumpy and annoyed try drinking water to lift your mood.
  8. Nourish your body.  Water is essential for circulation of nutrients around the body. Water is the body’s transportation system and when we are dehydrated things just don’t work as well.
  9. Great for your skin. Our skin is the largest organ in our body. Regular and plentiful water consumption can improve the color and texture of your skin by keeping it building new cells properly. Drinking water assists the skin regulating the body’s temperature.
  10. General Wellbeing. Water helps with just about everything in our bodies from our joints to our internal systems.  Improve your general well-being by drinking more water every day.

Waiting till you feel thirsty is too late.  It pays to drink water throughout the day and avoid getting thirsty.  For me, eight glasses a day is the minimum.

Hope you find this helpful.
Be well.

 

 

Tony Cutting

Personal Coach.
M.+64 21 911 722
Web. tonycutting.com

Special Thanks to Kimba, Dr Matt Shelton and the rest of the team at the Diabetes Clinic for helping me to better understand why I need to take drinking water much more seriously.

 

 

 

 

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Is your body screaming at you to detox?

Photo by Three Bunnies on Unsplash

There are so many reasons you should detox your body regularly.  There are so many of us who persevere with problems that if not dealt with will turn into something much more serious.  Yes, I am talking from experience.

For many years I ignored what my body was telling me and not only was it affecting my quality of life it nearly ended it for me.

So, I have listed below the common signs your body is sending you yelling “clean me up”.

1. You constantly feel fatigued, stressed or overwhelmed
2. You experience unexplained headaches and/or brain fog
3. You often indulge in fried foods, processed meat, dairy, gluten, processed foods, refined sugar or fast food
4. You catch colds and viruses easily and/or are often on medication
5. You’re not at your ideal weight
6. You have breakouts and blemishes and/or a dull complexion
7. You’re exposed to common environmental toxins – including artificial fragrances and household chemicals
8. You experience uncomfortable and/or irregular digestion
9. You often feel emotionally drained, unmotivated or lack energy and enthusiasm for life
10. You have trouble sleeping through the night

In the past, I could have listed most of these.  If you have 1-2 then it is time to start thinking about a detox if you have more its action time!

So what to do?

Well, the good news is most of the time it is pretty easy to get things sorted.  In the past, I have used the Liver Cleansing Diet to great effect.  As I have aged I found I needed more than just this very good diet to correct things.  I also decided recently “Enough is Enough” I could not keep putting my body (mind & soul) through hell.  It was time to change my ways.

I am so lucky to have come across the Diabetes Clinic just as it started here in New Zealand.  Although I do not have diabetes, due to the drugs I am on after major surgery a few years ago I was back to being obese verging on Pre Diabetes and I knew enough that I certainly did not want to end up with Type 2 Diabetes and all the issues complications and early departure from this earth that can mean.

I made three great decisions, I changed GP’s and found Matt Shelton in Plimmerton a doctor who was also into natural solutions.  I started working with Kimba Lawrence and Julie Buckley (Chef) from the Diabetes Clinic who have helped me understand the benefits of fasting and how to do this safely as well as sharpened my knowledge around what are the right foods to eat.

The third person I have recently met and started working with is Jason Bei a third generation Chinese Acupuncturist in Waikanae who is helping me sort out my plumbing and introducing me to Chinese herbs and a health practice that has 2000+ years of knowledge behind it.

I also take some supplements which are helping.  I personally think there is a number of great products out there but if you would like to know what I am using visit NeoLife

I am finally feeling like my health is on track.  I have some work to do and I certainly hope you do not put your body through what I have with mine before you take action.

I really hope you find this information helpful.

 

 

Be Well.

 

Tony Cutting
Personal Coach.
M.+64 21 911 722
Web. tonycutting.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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YES, Build your online footprint!

It has never been a more important time to develop an online footprint.

Whether you’re looking for business or looking for that next job you need to understand that being accessible online is becoming more and more crucial each day.  Most business people have understood this for a number of years, unfortunately for them, many business people fail to execute a decent online footprint.  These are the same people who talk about market downturns while their competitors who are taking advantage of the exposure and reach the online world provides us.  I also laugh at the number of business people who proudly say that get all their business from referrals, yet when you dig a little deeper they just don’t understand how to make the digital world work for them.

In terms of people who would rather be employed than take the ‘Risk’ of being self-employed or building a business.  Building your online presence is also extremely important.

WHY? 

The why? for people who want to be kept in mind for new employment opportunities is simple.  More and more employers & recruiters are using digital to search for, research and validate people they may wish to approach for an opportunity.  With websites like LinkedIn now dominating as online ‘talent pools’ or ‘marketplaces’ finding great people from all over the globe has just got easier.  Although we still apply for many jobs, over the next ten years I am picking that practice of advertising jobs is going to decline and search is going to increase.

Why? Because advertising creates more work and takes a lot longer especially when you can go online, and cherry-pick the talent you want, while also checking them out before you approach them.

LinkedIn is a must if you are serious about your career.  You also won’t be throwing away your CV and not applying for jobs yet.  However, there is something else looming that is even better than LinkedIn.  The web itself.  By either building your own personal website or working with someone like me through http://www.jobcafe.co.nz we can help you create an online footprint that anyone using Google (or any other search engine) can use to find you.  Unlike LinkedIn which requires you to be connected, invest a load of time building connections, doesn’t make sense to build an online profile which can be accessed easily.

Your personal online presence can be designed in such a way to make it really easy for that star employer to find you and all the details they need to validate you.  The easy it is for this to happen the better chance everyone has to make a connection. Simple. Advantage you.

As for contractors and business people, the same thing applies.  Build a responsive profile will help you win more business.  People do business with people so take advantage of the fact. Using blogs, write guests posts, articles thus improve your personal web ranking, your profile may just be the site that next client hits before checking out all your services on that business website you invested on years ago.

I set up Tony Cutting Digital to help both business people and those who would rather work for someone else take full advantage of what is happening online.

The world is so connected and the impossible is becoming more possible every day.  Why reduce your chances of landing that dream job? or unlikely business lead?

 

Hope you found this helpful.

 

 

 

Have a great day

Tony C
Personal Coach/Digital Marketing Expert
http://www.tonycutting.com
http://www.tonycuttingdigital.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Life – Why it has to change.

When a major change in your life hits you, some people handle it well and others at times struggle. The fact is life is always changing, and well, it kind of has to. If it wasn’t so big or so shocking, we probably would not call it a change at all.

These changes often represent the defining points of our lives. The older I get, the more I realize that life is all about change, and how we deal with it plots our course. No one can predict the future, but we can learn how to deal with change and understand that it is always coming.

As someone who has experienced great change recently, I wanted to make sure I handled this change in the most positive way possible.

How did I deal with this change? By being grateful. Weird right?

Not really when you realise that changes are an opportunity to get your life back on track, reassess and design a future ‘you love’.

In time you will wish the change had happened earlier. I guess what has helped me in recent times is having the knowledge deep down that a major change is good for me, it may still come with some emotional pain (this is natural) but I know from previous experience and a whole lot of learning – change is good.

This knowledge did not come quickly, it has taken several life-changing events for me to be able to see the progress I made from those changes. I have become a better person with every change. I also go into the future with much greater knowledge and skills. I understand I am totally responsible for my life (the good and bad) and there is no-one else who is designing my life.

To move forward quickly, forgive yourself, forgive others, be grateful and look forward to the new life you can create. If you need help to seek it – get help, the faster you can get back on track the quicker you will see what a gift that change was for you.
Over time you will learn to embrace change and take much better care of yourself.
I hope you found this helpful.

Tony Cutting
Personal Coach
+6421911722
E. tony.cutting@peoplenet.co.nz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Develop your ‘search’ skills to find people who can help you succeed

How this all started.  I was recruited into the recruitment agency world in the early 90’s and this was my line of work in some shape or form for the next 25 years.  In fact, still today I use many of the skills learnt during this period to help me provided services to my clients and to grow my own business.  I was lucky as I was employed to recruit people with information technology skills.  My natural way of working is to get to know people really well and totally understand how I can help them.  This helped me to develop some great relationships with some very smart technical people, these relationships helped me to develop technical knowledge and skills that helped me be better at my job.  I built a career and then a very good business with these skills.

One of the key skills I developed was how to use ‘Forensic Search’.  On a basic level, most people know how to search Google and they may even have a LinkedIn account that enables them to reach several people every month.  You may even know how to do a basic Facebook search for people?

Using these skills, you can find people to help you in your business.  Whether that be to find great staff, clients or my favourite ‘collaborators’.

Collaborators understand the value of building large internet connections where they can either promote themselves and their work or do the same for their clients. Those that provide services for clients are often called ‘Digital Marketers’.

By working in partnership collaborators and/or digital marketers can create large networks that can be used to promote whatever the client is looking for.

However, for those who have another career they can use these tactics to develop personal networks, groups and connections that will help them advance their career.  This works by connecting with other people in your industry and setting up ‘groups’ and meetups where you and your collaborators can invite your networks to share their details with a group or even attend a meetup.  These meetups allow you to build relationships, some of which will be key contacts that help you build your career.

For those of us with advanced forensic search skills, we have the ability to reach into the internet and find anyone on any site simply using code that interrogates the website and brings up profiles that meet your search criteria.  A skill I use to promote client’s jobs directly to the people they may be looking for in a service I developed that promotes jobs rather than engages in direct recruitment.

For those of you interested more in the mechanics here is a great place to start https://www.lifewire.com/web-search-tricks-to-know-4046148

Of course, once you have mastered searching a site that is the first step.  The second is to master how to communicate with people when you find them.  That’s another skill which most of us Digital Marketer’s prefer to keep as our own IP (Intellectual Property).

Once you have these skills the world becomes a much more exciting place, you can use forensic search skills for a wide range of activities, but my favourite is helping people to build their business or develop a career network.

If you are interested in learning how to develop your search skills or your staffs’ search skills please feel free to contact me.

 

 

Tony Cutting
Personal Coach / Digital Marketer
m. +64 21 911 722
e. tony.cutting@peoplenet.co.nz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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People do business with people.

Most business owners these days, understand the importance of a digital presence including social media and a strong website to be integral parts of their marketing strategy and success.

But what is more important these days is getting your customers to know YOU!

It is also often the best strategy to name a business after the owner.  Some will find that a bridge too far.

This also means understanding what it is to build your personal brand.  The same goes if you are looking to build your career, to get noticed you need to take the appropriate steps.

I always advise clients to get professional photos (portraits) and if you live where I do we have some excellent photographers who can help.  I have recently worked with the very talented Karolina Stus (Images examples below)

Business portrait (002)

Once you have your professional portrait up and online, often this will become the first contact people have with you, especially when we rely so heavily on our digital/social media presence these days. This helps create a personal association that many people want when making decisions about who to work with.

Of course, it also means being a lot more responsible with your personal image and you will have to be aware of what this means for both your personal social media accounts and professional ones.  This is a risk some people are not willing to take but if you truly want to succeed in your career or business, this is a great step, to get you going in the right direction.

I am fully aware that the prospect of being in front of the camera can be a daunting thought ( I personally find it very challenging). But don’t let that deter you from taking the steps needed to create a presence that reflects who you are either as a business owner or the perfect candidate for that next career move.

About that ‘Selfie’ we all know that, while it may be a great photo of you, you definitely need something more professional to promote yourself.  That is when you go ahead and take the plunge into letting a professional get to know you and create images that work to promote you, (your business) and your personal brand!  It is more than just a great photo.

As well as images you need a plan, written values and to fully understand the steps you are taking, which will include seeking some good advice.  That is where a personal coach can help.  Once you get your head around this, you will start to see how powerful personal branding can really be.

 

Hope you found this helpful

 

 

Tony Cutting
Personal Coach
M. +64 21 911 722

 

 

 

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Over 50? Whats next?

So you are getting close to 50 years old or maybe you are like me and now into your 50’s?

Life is definitely for the living and if you haven’t already leveraged yourself, the time is now.  Over 50 you should be living a lifestyle of your own design.  Much easier if you have made the leap into self-employment during your 40’s but maybe you just need more security so you kept working for someone else.  What scares me about that is the number of people I chat with who have been made redundant, hit a health issue, or are still raising a family and struggling to make it week by week.  That’s just not living.

So, what do you do?  If you have been good and saved heaps of money you might buy a lifestyle business.  One you know you will love that will give you the time and income to live the life you love.  If this is you, you might as well stop reading.

If however, for whatsoever reason you are approaching 50 or clicked over this mark and you still have not leveraged yourself for a better life then here are my tips for you.

  1. You have skills and experience others should be interested in.
  2. By now you should have an idea of what you love to do.
  3. The kids should have left home or at least be earning, freeing up some cash for you.  If not, seriously consider downsizing, you will need some cash-flow while you redesign your future.
  4. .  You possibly already know people who would appreciate your skills.  Start to have conversations and making plans.
  5. Find a personal coach to guide you so you accelerate your plan and navigate through those first years of whatever it is you decide to do.  You should not need a lot of guidance if you are making choices based on things you love to do.
  6. Your biggest market is possibly other ‘over 50’s’ just like you so make connections, join appropriate network groups and start building or rebuilding your personal network.
  7. Start to read positive books that inspire you to learn and go for your goals.
  8. Your health and happiness is now the number 1 priority.

So it’s simple. Build your own business and preferably one you love to work in. Ideally, you should have thought about this in your early 40’s but I know, you were just too busy then.

If your cash position is poor, downsize.  Rebuild a life that makes sense the next 50 years should be the best of your life.  Money is not more important than your health.  You have the knowledge and there are plenty of peers out there you can tap into for support.  The sooner you take this step, the sooner you will get to a place that you love, dealing with people who are also passionate about living a life they love and designing the life you have always dreamed of.

I wish you all the best.

 

 

Tony C
Personal Coach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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