Here it is — Friday already — and hopefully your week was full of positive experiences! As a little sneak peek into my life, this Friday Five highlights some recent personal experiences that I recommend and hope you’ll enjoy (and check out), too.
Favorite Podcast
As a student of branding, this week I listened to a fascinating interview on the EntreLeadership podcast with Donald Miller, NY Times best selling author of Blue Like Jazz and seven other books. Donald’s latest work revolves around building your brand through story. It is one of the most information-rich and helpful sessions I’ve heard in years! Here are some highlights:
- The human brain understands and remembers story.
- Every story has seven steps, or “rules.”
- Filtering your company’s message (or your personal message) through this seven-step framework can revolutionize your brand’s impact.
- Why do most companies completely misunderstand the most powerful tool to creating a brand that resonates?
- The real reason why presidential candidates like Mitt Romney, Al Gore, and John McCain lost.
Favorite Food
Edson Farms has upped their game!
Like most of Traverse City, I’ve always thought of Edson Farms Natural Foods as a great place for supplements, earth-friendly foods and body care products. But thanks to a recent expansion in their deli, Edson’s is serving up some of the best sandwiches, salads, smoothies and other super-tasty stuff in northern Michigan. Here are some of my favorites from their expansive menu:
- Cobb Salad (the best I’ve had in Traverse City!)
- Cherry Chicken Salad Wrap
- Hail to Kale Smoothie (you’ll never know you’re drinking something so nutritious — it tastes that good!)
- Sweet Potato Slaw
- Zucchini Pancakes
Conveniently located in the Garfield shopping plaza (with the Agave restaurant), their phone-in orders are ready in minutes and the staff is uber-friendly. Check them out!
Favorite Quote of the Week
“You’ll never change anything in your life… until you change something you do daily.” – John Maxwell
Favorite Book of the Week
Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin
The theme of this insightful book revolves around answering the question: “How do we change?” Here are some of my take-aways:
- Our habits make up about 40% of our daily lives.
- The ability to form habits is different for different people.
- When it comes to dropping bad habits, abstinence is better than moderation.
- Self knowledge is absolutely essential. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to forming good habits.
Coolest Experience of the Week
As a member of the Northwestern Michigan College Foundation Board, I had the opportunity to tour the new Nursing Simulation Center at the Health & Science Center on NMC’s main campus. Designed to replicate a hospital ward, the center features high tech mannequins on which nursing students can practice everything from taking vital signs, to performing NG Tube insertion, tracheotomy procedures and more. The mannequins can be programmed with medical issues like allergic reactions and seizures, allowing students to learn under real-life conditions. Pictured here is their new $70,000 birth simulator mannequin complete with an 8-pound baby. According to Nursing Director Vicky Fagerstrom, having state-of-the-art technology like this gives nursing students the training experience that before, was only available at major universities, but is now right here in northern Michigan and at a fraction of the tuition cost!
As you prepare to wrap up this week and head into the weekend, what were your favorite things about this week? I’d love to hear from you.