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  • How Much Time Passes Between Each Eye's Cataract Operation – Health Cages

    How Much Time Passes Between Each Eye's Cataract Operation – Health Cages

    Introduction:

    In this blog, we’ve learned about cataracts, which are a common eye problem where the lens in your eye gets cloudy. This can make your vision blurry or make it hard to see at night. Cataract surgery is the main treatment, and it’s safe and often works well. After surgery, it’s important to take care of your eyes by following your doctor’s advice, like not rubbing them and using any prescribed eye drops. The timing for having surgery on each eye can vary, and your doctor will decide what’s best for you. Overall, understanding the signs of cataracts and getting treatment can help improve your vision and keep your eyes healthy.

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    What is a Cataract?

    A cataract-free eye has a clear lens that helps focus light. But when a cataract forms, this lens becomes cloudy. At first, many people don’t notice any problems with their vision.

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    Luckily, cataracts usually don’t immediately harm your vision. Many people can still do everyday things with glasses or contacts to help with any vision changes caused by the cataract.

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    Signs of a cataract include:

    • Seeing double
    • Seeing halos around lights
    • Having trouble driving at night
    • Feeling sensitive to light
    • Colors looking faded
    • Having less side vision.

    Cataract Surgery

    Even though cataracts don’t quickly harm your vision, the only permanent way to get rid of them is through cataract surgery. Luckily, this surgery is common, with very high success rates and few complications.

    Here’s what usually happens during cataract surgery

    • The eye doctor makes a small cut.
    • They take out the cloudy lens.
    • They put in a new artificial lens.
    • Because the cut is so small, stitches aren’t usually needed.

    There are different types of cataract surgery:

    • Standard Implants: These are used in regular cataract surgery. After this surgery, you might still need glasses for close-up and far-away vision.
    • LRI (Limbal Relaxing Incisions): These are small cuts made at the edge of the cornea to help with mild astigmatism, often done with standard implants.
    • Custom Vision: This includes special tests before surgery and sometimes making cuts on the sides of the cornea to help with mild astigmatism. But you might still need glasses afterward.
    • Vivity / Vivity Toric Implants: These special lenses can help with near, far, and in-between vision, and also mild astigmatism. They might need additional tests and visits after surgery.

    Minimum time between each surgery and why

    The American Academy of Ophthalmology and other groups don’t give an exact time frame for how long to wait between cataract surgeries on each eye. Instead, they suggest when it’s safe to do the next surgery.

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    Doctors consider a few things to decide when to do the second eye surgery

    • What the person needs and prefers for their vision.
    • How well the second eye can see and function.
    • Checking the first eye’s vision to pick the right lens for the second eye.
    • Make sure the first eye is stable and healthy.
    • How different the vision is between the two eyes and if they need to work together better.

    They also think about:

    • If there were any problems with the first surgery that needed time to fix.
    • What the person wants and if they have any plans or travel coming up.

    People can ask their doctor when they can do the second surgery. The doctor will have a good idea based on their experience and what’s best for the person’s eyes.

    How long is cataract surgery on each eye?

    The time between the first and second cataract surgeries can be different for each person. It depends on how well they recover from the first surgery and what they prefer.

    Cataract surgery helps people see better by removing a cloudy lens and putting in a clear one. The surgery takes about an hour and is usually safe and works well.

    Doctors usually only do one eye at a time. This lets the first eye heal properly before they do the second one.

    In this article, we’ll discuss how long to wait between surgeries and what happens after cataract surgery.

    Recovery time

    After cataract surgery, most people recover without problems. But it’s important to follow your eye doctor’s advice for taking care of your eyes. Here are some simple tips.

    • Don’t rub your eyes.
    • If your doctor tells you to, wear the eye shield they give you at night to stop you from rubbing your eyes.
    • Keep soap and shampoo out of your eyes.
    • Avoid getting water that’s not clean in your eyes, like from the shower or pool.
    • Take it easy and don’t do anything too strenuous.
    • Don’t wear eye makeup for a few weeks.
    • Use any eye drops or medications your doctor gives you.

    You might need someone to drive you home after the surgery because your vision will be blurry at first and you might feel some discomfort as the numbing wears off. Usually, you can go back to work the next day, but talk to your doctor about it first to make sure it’s okay based on your job and how your eyes are doing.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, cataracts are a common eye condition characterized by the clouding of the lens, which can lead to vision problems such as double vision, sensitivity to light, and difficulty driving at night. While cataracts typically develop slowly and may not immediately impair vision, the only permanent solution is cataract surgery. Fortunately, cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure with high success rates, often resulting in improved vision and quality of life for patients.

    The recovery process involves following the guidance of your eye doctor, including avoiding rubbing the eyes, protecting them from irritants, and using prescribed medications as directed. The timing between cataract surgeries on each eye varies depending on individual recovery and vision needs, with doctors determining the most suitable approach for each patient. By understanding the signs of cataracts, seeking timely treatment, and adhering to post-operative care instructions, individuals can undergo successful cataract surgery and enjoy clearer vision and enhanced eye health.

    Faq’s

    Q1. How soon after the first cataract surgery can the second eye be done?

    A1. Usually, you need to wait for 2 to 6 weeks after the first surgery for your eye to heal completely before getting the second eye surgery.

    Q2. Why does the second eye cataract surgery feel more painful?

    A2. People might feel more worried before the first surgery and expect more pain. So, they might find the second surgery more painful even if the first one was not.

    Q3. Is it okay to have cataract surgery on both eyes at the same time?

    A3. It’s generally not recommended because it takes time for the eyes to heal, and your vision will still be blurry during this time.

    Q4. Which eye gets cataract surgery first?

    A4. If both eyes have cataracts, usually the surgery is done on the eye that you don’t use as much first, and then on the other eye a week or two later.

    Q5. Why are cataract surgeries done 2 weeks apart?

    A5. Waiting between surgeries gives your eyes time to heal and lets your brain adjust to the changes in your vision more comfortably.

    Eyesight feeling blurry? Visit our blog, it’s not a worry:

  • Deep Throat Exposes the Hidden Deep State

    Deep Throat Exposes the Hidden Deep State

    When the VOA’s Director Got the Red‑Push Policy

    So, folks, someone named Michael Abramowitz just took his side to a federal filing that is basically screaming: The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is trying to fire me without a proper reason. You’d think that would hit the news like a wall‑opener, right? Instead, it seems to have barely ruffled the Political Watermelon that is the Beltway. Lucky, huh? If you love watching the big government broadcasting machine keep its curtain all shut and its inner workings full of smoke, this quiet epicenter is just the perfect status quo.

    Remember the 2021 Shake‑Up?

    Back before this, I got a call from the former VOA chief, Robert Reilly, on the first day of Joe Biden’s rise to the White House on January 20, 2021. He said, “The guards are escorting me out of the building right now.”

    That same evening, the new administration didn’t just decide to make a few changes; they purged the entire roster of Trump‑appointed leaders across the USAGM—VOA, RFE/RL, RFA, and MBN—all leadership and boards disbanded in a single go.

    Why the Media Was All Cheers

    • They celebrated a “return to experienced journalists”.
    • Hold up: the real message was that the right folks were back in control.
    • Talk-up and headline: “The golden era of journalism has re‑launched.”
    In Short, the Narrative is a Vague Muscle Game

    The whole point: keep the power under the marquee and look like you’re giving the world something new and better. At the same time, the behind‑the‑scenes swings keep the public guessing, carrying the illusion of the “creative renewal” while the real story is that the veiled bosses remain unswilling to let the world see the ropes they pull.

    Why VOA’s Latest Drama feels Like a Hollywood Plot Twist

    Picture this: a language‑rich megaphone that’s been turned into a political speargun. That’s the rumor mill’s take on the new Voice of America (VOA) under President Biden, and it isn’t just about drama—there’s policy at stake.

    Who’s Behind the Mic?

    Enter Michael Abramowitz, a former Washington Post editor who got a solo in the USAGM shindig. Trump’s faithful see him as Washington’s Do‑Jung‑esque liaison, while his loyalists think he’s simply a pro‑journalism, anti‑politics crusader. In reality, Washington’s media‑politics duo are a team, and the issue is less about the man and more about the structure that silences or sparks voices.

    The Trump–Biden Edition of the Story

    Trump, reading the playbook, set his sights on VOA’s “strategic value.” After his 2024 victory, he appointed Kari Lake—a seasoned broadcaster—to steer the station back to its core: “telling America’s story credibly.” But the institution is now stacked with “reforms” baked in under Biden—no CEO can unilaterally get fired, and the top authority sits on a seven‑member International Broadcasting Advisory Board. There’s a catch: the board’s meeting cadence is as rare as a lunar eclipse, and a full Senate confirmation slows the process to a tortoise’s pace.

    The “Redundancy” of Law
    • Agencies can no longer remove a chief executive at will.
    • No interim chief can be appointed; the director automatically steps in.
    • The board’s makeup includes the Secretary of State and other appointed members, and its collective wisdom is only summoned from time to time.

    That’s permanent power over partisan change. The law has been twisted into a long‑term backup that outlasts elections.

    A Two‑Front Battle Still In Motion

    Trump’s own international‑strategy guy, Michael Pack, had to tangle with Senate delays for three and a half years before he could step in. Kari Lake, on arrival, discovered a maze of mid‑campaign hold‑ups. They all share one goal: keep the old machine humming while shaking the newly appointed leadership into submission.

    The result? A legal showdown with Abramowitz, who’s picked his battles over hands‑on. His lawsuit, while flashy, is just the tip of the iceberg. The real problem is the class of executives that keep re‑writing rules instead of courting the electorate.

    When Does the Line Get Drawn?

    What’s at risk is the very mission of VOA: a tool that tells millions abroad how America truly feels. If a domestic political agenda slips in, the agency could become a soft‑power tool turned inward—an unintentional propaganda loop. The charter that originally shielded VOA from political overreach is being brushed aside by new statutes that allow unseen control.

    Fixing the System—The Cheat Sheet

    Three simple ingredients can fix it:

    1. Restore electoral accountability so the public sees a direct line from votes to leadership actions.
    2. Set clear timelines for Ssenate confirmations to prevent endless postponements.
    3. Re‑center VOA on telling America’s story abroad, measured by independent audits every year.

    In short, a modern makeover that keeps the agency honest, accountable, and ready to serve the public’s interest.

    The Bottom Line

    Is there a trade‑off between the “pure” editorial independence and a “politically polished” media output? The answer lies not in ceding control to a president but in keeping the bureaucracy transparent, rule‑bound, and responsive to elections. The policy choice is simple: politics inside a transparent shell or politics with hidden skeletons. We’ll choose the former.

    Abraham’s lawsuit is merely a symptom—be it a newspaper scandal or a governmental puzzle. The real issue is the governance model that prioritizes legal maneuvering over democratic change. If the public can’t steer the agency’s direction through votes, the so‑called “deep state” is not something fancy; it’s everyday. So let Kari Lake try to fix the problem, or let her’s vision fail—straight up and out in public eye.

  • Services Surveys Hint at Expansion in June, Despite Persistent Inflation Concerns

    Services Surveys Hint at Expansion in June, Despite Persistent Inflation Concerns

    US Services Mix: A Roller‑Coaster in July?

    Manufacturing’s Big Show vs. Services’ Friendly Whirl

    After the economy’s factories bragged with a robust PMI this week, the service sector’s outlook wore a more “uh‑m mixed?” look for June. Investors were tweaked as the hard data took an unexpected dip.

    PMI: Still Up, Just a Little Slower

    • PMI fell from 53.7 to 52.9 in June – a bit shy of the 53.1 forecast.
    • Still above the 50 threshold, so the market keeps saying “the economy’s still expanding.”

    ISM: A Slight Upswing

    • The ISM Services index jumped from 49.9 to 50.8 – overshooting the 50.6 expectation.
    • That flips it back over 50, confirming another expansionary push.

    Bottom line: Manufacturing’s alive and well, while services are giving us a mixed tune. It’s the economy’s “I’m not sure what I’m feeling” moment – stay tuned!

    Bloomberg Breakdown: New Orders Beat the Decline in Prices and Jobs

    Ever wonder what the latest data tells you about the economy? Bloomberg’s latest roundup finds that the picture is a bit more complicated than it first appears.

    Orders are Back on the Rise

    New orders have kicked back into the expansion zone—think of it as a high‑speed car reviving its engine after a sluggish ride.

    Jobs Take a Tumble

    On the flip side, employment continues its downward slide. They’re losing ground like a quitter in a game of hop–scotch.

    Prices Bring a Backup Plan

    Prices paid to manufacturers have dipped slightly, pulling out of a two‑year high. It’s not a huge slide, but it’s a few toes off the runway.

    What That Means for You

    Long story short: the economy is trying to wind back into growth, but job numbers are still struggling, and costs aren’t dropping like you’d think. Stay tuned for more updates—because the numbers keep dancing on their heads!

    What the Business Landscape Looks Like Right Now

    When you ask professionals about how things are going, you get a mixed bag of feelings. Some folks are excited—things are heating up. Others are worried—prices keep rising and the future feels a bit shaky. Here’s the low‑down, straight from the trenches.

    Good News from the Frontlines

    • Manufacturing & More – “After a few months of sluggishness, orders are picking up again. We’re hitting out with fresh requests to our suppliers.”
    • Wholesale Trade – “The momentum’s building; those macro‑economic worries seem to be turning in our favor. High rates still sting, but supplies are plenty for what we’re doing.”
    • Food & Hospitality – “Restaurant traffic is steady, almost the same as last year. We’ve got enough staff and no chain hiccups this month.”
    • Health & Care – “Prices jumped because of tariff recovery fees—but the supply chain and inventory nerves are mostly calm after the initial shake‑up. Costs keep climbing, so we’re gearing up to fight back.”

    Bracing for Storm Clouds

    • Professional Services – “Confidence in a solid economy has sunk. Capital investment is getting shut down hard.”
    • Agriculture – “Tariffs are up, and big‑ticket farm equipment is pricey—a farmer’s nightmare. Middle‑East tensions spin extra anxiety into the mix.”
    • Construction – “The climb in prices is still on. Since we’re tightening budgets, builders are cutting back on perks, trimming supplier margins, and even letting some folks go.”
    • Information & Tech – “Price hikes are the same as usual. SaaS providers are riding the AI surge to tweak pricing and offerings, piling on the cost.”
    • Real Estate – “Same lack of certainty is dragging prices up. Coupled with AI‑driven reshuffling from SaaS, the cost climb is steep.”

    Industry Voice

    Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence says, “The U.S. services sector is humming with growth and more hires this June, but we’re also feeling the heat of rising prices. These mixed signals could push policy makers to tread carefully before loosening monetary policy any further.”

    Services Sector: A Tale of Two Numbers

    Quick‑look: The PMI lingers near a 1.5% growth, while the ISM shows a hint of brightening. Which one gets the better look‑good?

    Why the Numbers Talk… In Different Tones

    • April’s services market was a tranquil lake, but by June it feels more like a quietly rolling river.
    • Demand is on the up‑trend, prompting firms to pull in staff at a pace not seen since January.
    • Yet, behind those headline figures lurk red flags: weaker exports and a slowdown in consumer‑facing gigs drag the steady pace.
    • Government policy uncertainty is chilling the enthusiasm, keeping confidence in a cozy low‑temperature zone.
    • Price pressures are still high: Tariff hikes push inflation to the second‑highest level in over two years, threatening a spike in consumer costs soon.

    Liquidity Snap‑Shot (PMI)

    The PMI points to a modestly healthy economy—annualized growth hovering around 1.5% in Q2. However, the “below‑headline weakness” mentioned by Williamson reminds us that the real pulse might be a bit flatter.

    Service Snap‑Shot (ISM)

    The ISM, on the other hand, signals a subtle lift, hinting that the spring is finally kicking in. In simple terms: markets are seeing a bit of sunshine after April’s gray.

    What Does It Mean for “You” (The Consumer)?

    If you’re hoping for a boom in service pricing, hold your breath. Inflation trends stay high due to tariff changes, and the murmur of the market suggests businesses might keep prices on the rise.

    Bottom Line: Improvement or Deterioration?

    ISM appears to be the party that’s gaining momentum—a signal that services are picking up steam. PMI stays at about 1.5%, a respectable but not spectacular backdrop. The difference is subtle but meaningful: while PMIs trace the big picture, ISM is the close‑up that shows a brighter future.

    Still, Keep Your Eyes on the Road Ahead

    Business expansion is not guaranteed; falls in “consumer‑facing” activity and rising price pressures could temper the growth trajectory. Whether the services sector improves or deteriorates largely depends on policy moves, tariffs, and the market’s appetite for demand.

  • Hyperopia (Farsightedness) – Health Cages

    Hyperopia (Farsightedness) – Health Cages

    Introduction:

    Hyperopia, also called farsightedness, is a common eye problem. It makes it hard to see things close up but easier to see things far away. Normally, light goes into the eye and focuses right on the retina, giving clear vision. But with hyperopia, light focuses behind the retina. This blurs things that are nearby while objects far away can still be seen clearly.

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    In this blog we’ll discuss these topics:

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    What is hyperopia (Farsightedness)

    Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is when you can see far away things clearly, but nearby things appear blurry. It happens because the eyeball is too short or the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) isn’t curved enough. This makes light focus behind the retina instead of on it. People with hyperopia might have trouble seeing things up close, like reading or using a computer. They can usually fix it with glasses or contact lenses that help focus light properly onto the retina. Some people choose surgery like LASIK to correct hyperopia for good.

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    Causes of hyperopia   

    Hyperopia, or farsightedness, happens when the shape of your eye makes it hard for light to focus properly on the retina. Normally, light should focus directly on the retina so you can see clearly. But with hyperopia, the eyeball is often too short or the cornea isn’t curved enough. This causes light to focus behind the retina instead of on it. So, you can see distant things clearly but nearby things appear blurry.

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    Genetics plays a big part in hyperopia. If your parents or other family members are farsighted, you might be too. Sometimes, hyperopia can get worse as you get older. As your eyes age, they can have trouble changing shape to see things up close.

    Hyperopia can vary in how much it affects you. Mild cases might not need treatment, but more serious cases can cause headaches, eyestrain, or make it hard to read or use a computer up close. Luckily, glasses or contact lenses can usually fix hyperopia by helping light focus better on the retina. If you want a more permanent solution, surgeries like LASIK can reshape your cornea to improve your vision.

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    Symptom of hyperopia 

    Hyperopia, also called farsightedness, has several signs you might notice. One big one is having trouble seeing things that are close to you. This can make reading books or using your phone or computer hard. People with hyperopia often need to hold things farther away to see them.

    Another sign is blurry vision when you try to focus on things that are nearby. This happens because light doesn’t hit the back of your eye in the right way to make clear images.

    Eyestrain is common too. When you strain your eyes to see up close, it can make them feel tired, sore, or uncomfortable. This might happen more if you spend a lot of time reading or doing close-up work.

    Headaches can also come with hyperopia. Straining your eyes can lead to tension headaches, especially after you’ve been working on something up close for a while.

    Some people with hyperopia squint to help them see better. Squinting reduces the amount of light coming into your eyes, which might make things clearer temporarily.

    At night, hyperopia might make it harder to see well in low light. This can affect driving or moving around in the dark.

    Diagnosis of hyperopia 

    Diagnosing hyperopia, or farsightedness, requires a thorough eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. This involves several tests to assess both the degree of refractive error and the overall health of your eyes.

    Firstly, the eye doctor will conduct a visual acuity test using an eye chart to measure how well you can see at different distances. Difficulty reading smaller letters, especially those up close, suggests possible hyperopia.

    Next, a refraction test is performed to determine the precise prescription needed to correct your vision. You’ll look through a device called a phoropter while the doctor tests different lenses to find the combination that gives you the clearest vision.

    Additionally, the doctor may use tools like a retinoscope or autorefractor, which help estimate your prescription by analyzing how light reflects off your retina.

    To examine the health of your eyes, a slit lamp microscope is often used. This allows the doctor to closely inspect your eye structures such as the cornea, iris, lens, and retina for any signs of disease or other issues affecting your vision.

    Based on the results of these tests, the doctor can determine the extent of your hyperopia and recommend the appropriate treatment, whether it’s prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, or discussing potential refractive surgery options like LASIK. Regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining eye health and ensuring your vision correction remains effective.

    Is Hyperopia hindering you? Find a solution now.

    Treatment of hyperopia 

    Treating hyperopia, or farsightedness, involves several effective options tailored to each person’s needs. The main treatments are eyeglasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgeries.

    Eyeglasses are a straightforward solution. They have lenses specially made to correct the vision problem. These lenses focus light better onto the retina, which improves vision for things close up and far away. Eyeglasses are convenient and work well for people of all ages.

    Contact lenses are another popular choice. They sit on the eye’s surface and work like eyeglasses to correct how light enters the eye. There are different types of contacts available, like soft ones that are comfortable or rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses that give very clear vision.

    Refractive surgeries offer a permanent fix for hyperopia. LASIK is a common procedure where a laser reshapes the cornea, helping light to focus properly onto the retina. It’s usually recommended for adults with stable vision and more severe hyperopia. LASIK gives quick results and has a short recovery time.

    The best treatment depends on factors like how bad the hyperopia is, your lifestyle, and overall eye health. An eye doctor can help you decide which option will give you clear and comfortable vision.

    Faq’s 

    Q1. What is hyperopia vs myopia?

    A1. Hyperopia (Farsightedness): With hyperopia, you can see distant objects clearly, but nearby objects appear blurry. This happens because the image of close objects is focused behind the retina.

    Myopia (Nearsightedness): Myopia makes distant objects appear blurry, while close objects are seen clearly. This occurs because the image is focused in front of the retina.

    Q2. What is the difference between hypermetropia and hyperopia?

    A2. Hyperopia and hypermetropia mean the same thing — farsightedness. Both terms describe a condition where objects near and far can be blurry. It can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

    Q3. Can hyperopia be corrected?

    Q3. Yes, hyperopia can be corrected using laser eye surgery like LASIK or by implanting special lenses into the eye. These effective treatments can also fix other vision problems like astigmatism and presbyopia.

    Q4. Is hyperopia corrected with a plus or minus lens?

    A4. Hyperopia, where close objects are blurry, is corrected with lenses that have a ‘plus’ power, also known as convex lenses. These lenses help to focus light properly onto the retina.

    Q5. Is myopia corrected with a concave or convex lens?

    A5. Myopia, where distant objects are blurry, is corrected with lenses that have a ‘minus’ power, known as concave lenses. These lenses help to diverge light rays so that they focus correctly onto the retina.

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  • Finding clarity in your business

    Finding clarity in your business

    Every week, when I take business clinics, eager entrepreneurs ask a wide variety of questions, such as “Should I take Investment?”, “Should I expand into the International market?”, “Should I start employing staff?”, “Do I need to invest in a CRM system?”, “should I hire a Social Media agency?”.

    The list goes on.  But if you drill down, all such questions come back down to the same fundamental question.  Where do you want to take your business?
    It seems the most fundamental question, that affects every decision you make as a business owner, never gets given much time and attention.
    Would you jump in your car with no road map or sat nav and hope to get somewhere vaguely that you wanted to, without having a clue about the route?  Unless you love driving (or you’re a glutton for punishment!) you’d probably want to do a bit of research on the route first.  So why don’t we do it in business?
    One of the main reasons is because business owners don’t want to dream big enough due to limiting beliefs or imposter syndrome. Others think “let’s just see where it goes”, or entrepreneurs think putting a plan together is too much work, especially if it involves lots of numbers and spreadsheets. So a plan never gets created.

    But here’s the problem.

    Frustrations start to occur because you then see other entrepreneurs on social media looking to be far more successful than you.  How did that happen?  How did they get there, whilst you’ve been working your butt off, focusing 7 days a week?

    What did they do differently?

    Chances are, they had a plan!  Nothing super detailed necessarily, but they had a clear vision of where they want to take their company or career and the steps they then need to take to get them there.
    Many of the most successful entrepreneurs will suggest to “Begin with the end in mind”.  I.e. in x amount of time what will be the end goal of the business.  Will you want to sell for retirement, or will you want to build quickly and sell to a bigger organisation, so you can start on the next venture, or do you plan to just run the business as a lifestyle business?
    The main thing here is to be really honest with yourself about what you *actually want*. If the idea of a multinational,billion pound empire appeals to you, but you also like to spend your weekends in the pub with your mates, and travel is not really your thing, would you actually take that opportunity if it came knocking at your door? Or would you prefer a work life balance where you run a smaller empire with less pressure and less travel?  It also means being really honest about your personality and capabilities, and what you enjoy.  This is so much more important than comparing yourself to others on social media and wrongly believing that everyone around you is making a huge success of their career, whilst you appear to be stuck or drifting.
    If you don’t know where to start in gaining clarity, then a great starting point is not to focus solely on financial goals, but focus on the *experiences* you would like to have during your lifetime.  If travel is really important to you and financial independence, then a business focussing on an international nomad lifestyle would be a great move.  A business drifting to taking on premises and more and more staff may not be so conducive if nomadic travel is the experience you want to have.  If you want to experience your children growing up and being “present” then a business or career that can accommodate that would allow you to fulfil your dreams.  And that’s ok!  So many entrepreneurs I speak to actually give a visible sigh of relief when we talk through the fact that it is your life journey and no-one else’s, so if you want to have just a lifestyle business that affords the experiences you want to have, the only person stopping you is you.  But if you want a billion pound empire, that’s ok too, so long as you’re doing it for you and not because your mum / dad / partner / hairdressers wife’s second cousin think that’s what you *should* do.
    Once you have real clarity on where you want to take your business, the rest slots into place.  On any decision, you simply ask “does what I am suggesting, or thinking about fit in with the overall vision I have?”  You can then also focus on the skills you need / want to develop, in order to achieve the experiences, you are now focussing on.
    I have a vision board in my office, which consists of a collage of pictures that all represent the experiences I want to have.  Friends and family are important to me, so any business decisions I make, I keep them in mind. I also want a house abroad, somewhere hot!  That is also kept in mind when making business decisions, as is running operations as ethically as possible.  Yes, I would like my empire to grow significantly, and I have a 3 year forecast.  But it is all within the constraints of staying ethical and true to myself, my friends and family – and of course that villa in 30 degrees!

  • Communication Empathy

    Communication Empathy

    I’ve written about task and communication overload in the modern workplace many times before.

    I call it Corporate Whack-Attack. It often feels as though we’re playing the Whack-a-Mole game that you see at fair grounds and amusement parks.
    COVID-19, and the sudden shift to mass homeworking, has just created Extreme Whack-Attack.
    In the past few days, I’ve noticed people getting over-whelmed with the sheer volume of messages that are coming at us through multiple channels. You’re probably a member of more WhatsApp groups than ever before, and they’re probably busier than they were two weeks ago.
    Your inbox is probably getting busier. You’ve no doubt got more instant messages, MS Teams notifications, Trello notifications, Zoom invites etc, etc.
    It’s hard to keep up with everything, right?
    And whilst we feel like we’re drowning in this sea of communication overload, we perpetuate the problem by sending more and more messages ourselves.
    Where are you up to on X? Can I get a status update on Y? Hey, check out this funny video someone just sent me on WhatsApp…
    And then we get frustrated when people don’t respond to us as quickly as we’d like, on what’s important to us, at that moment in time.
    A friend and supplier to my business made a very generous offer to everyone in a particular WhatsApp group that I’m a member of last week. He essentially offered to help us for free, or defer payment, on anything that would help us or help us better serve our clients.
    I completely missed his message, as did everyone else in the group. I only spotted it days later, completely buried in the conversation thread; and I felt really bad. It felt like I’d just been completely ignorant and kicked sand in his face.
    What was worse, was that everyone else in the group missed the message too.
    As leaders, we need to be aware of this and take action. We need to demonstrate Communication Empathy by focusing on three key areas.

    Communicating mindfully

    Ensuring our teams feel connected whilst working remotely in these uncertain times is critically important, so yes, we do need to communicate more. (Watch my video about leading remote teams in uncertain times here.)
    It’s also important to maintain morale, have fun and occasionally share some of those amusing memes that we’re seeing. And at the same time, we must be mindful of not sending so many messages that we add to people’s stress and anxiety.

    Be patient…not demanding

    Everyone has a lot going on right now.
    Our team members may be self-isolating or shopping for friends and family who are. They may be worried about their health or that of a loved one. They may be juggling their work, their partner’s work and trying to home school their children (that’s my particular reality right now).
    All of this means that people may not respond to us as quickly as we would like them to. It also means that the emails and messages will get missed.
    Be patient. Give people time.

    Be empathetic…not angry

    If you offer to help someone and they don’t respond, it can feel like they’ve kicked sand in your face. When we’re feeling anxious and stressed ourselves the natural, instinctive response can so easily be “well screw you, that’s the last time I offer to help”.
    But that person may be just like me…and you. They may have just missed your message due to communication overwhelm. Or they may have read it, planning to respond later but got side-tracked by something else.
    In all of these circumstances, stay empathetic.
    Be understanding.
    Be a leader.