Tea and coffee, particularly how they are NOT a substitute for water (!), are a regular topic of conversation with Clients. In fact, if we had a pound for every time we talked about them, we’d be very rich by now! 

 

However, in response to a rather infuriated response recently from a Client – that there must be some benefits to drinking them – we thought we’d take the hint and use it as the topic for this week’s blog post. Having said that – as we also pointed out to them – not all caffeinated beverages are the same and there are several caveats. For some reason, this didn’t go down very well (!), but we suspect this had more to do with their coffee habit than anything else… 

Perhaps you’ve heard this rather old fashioned saying before, whether the sewing metaphor resonates with you or not (!). 

 

If it doesn’t – and you’d prefer a more up to date version – here goes. Pro active beats reactive every time. 

 

Usually trotted out in connection with problems, the logic behind it is quite simple and self explanatory. The sooner you deal with a potential problem, the better, as it’s likely to be simpler, easier and quicker to deal with. It not, you run the risk of it becoming bigger or more difficult to resolve. Dare we say it, basic common sense really… 

While the title of this week’s post may be stating the blindingly obvious (!), in this high tech world of ours it’s all too easy to reach for the painkillers at the first sign of any pain or discomfort. 

 

Sadly, this trend is borne out by the figures, although there’s a huge variety in those being quoted, let alone in different countries with, unsurprisingly, America leading the way. Despite this, the message is the same. Prescriptions of opium based painkillers have increased dramatically in the last 10 years with no signs of this trend being reversed. 

We love this expression and it perfectly sums up what we’d like to talk about today. If you haven’t come across this phrase before, it dates back to the Middle Ages and was used by map makers to indicate unchartered areas. As little was known about them they were assumed to be dangerous, harbouring all sorts of monsters and other unmentionable beasts. Hence the warning writ large on early maps. 

 

Looking at this through modern eyes, it’s easy to laugh at such beliefs or superstitions. How on earth could anyone possibly believe such a ludicrous thing? However, before we mock too much, the unpalatable truth is that every person – and generation – has their own particular set of dragons. Unchartered territories they prefer to avoid. And we’re not just talking about physical areas either. What about all those new – or different – ideas, ways of doing things or dreaded emotions we’ll do anything to avoid?