jan stewart http://janstewart.com.au Most recent posts at jan stewart posterous.com Fri, 25 May 2012 08:08:00 -0700 It Is and It's Going to Be Good http://janstewart.com.au/its-going-to-be-good http://janstewart.com.au/its-going-to-be-good

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I've been around the block, and just want to let some people know, life is good, and it's going to keep getting better. 

If we look at big history over time, life keeps getting better.

Even if we live on water or in space, life will keep on getting better.

There is something inherent in our life nature, that wants things to get better and better.

How do I see myself? As a person, and a family, and a country, and a planet, and a universe, and beyond?

We can relax, it's going to be good. 

Just keep your eye on what makes you feel alive.

The world is a beautiful place.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Sun, 20 May 2012 04:30:00 -0700 Work Play and Rest Hard http://janstewart.com.au/work-play-and-rest-hard http://janstewart.com.au/work-play-and-rest-hard

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I have been thinking a lot about work life balance, and realise that I don't personally subscribe to that. I realised that as I love the edge, to keep being at the edge is actually not a state of balance.

Eddie Harran told me about syntropy, and this made me realise that this state of constantly stretching forward to the edge, is a dynamic, alive and not balanced way to be.

I love my work and I deeply believe that it is serving humanity in a very positive way. And when I am not at work, I love to completely rest and have lots of quiet. Ross Hill called this rest hard. 

I think it is for each of us to find our way, to find what makes us deeply come alive, at work and at home.

How do you love to work and play?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Sun, 29 Apr 2012 15:07:00 -0700 Mindful In May http://janstewart.com.au/mindful-in-may http://janstewart.com.au/mindful-in-may

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Last night I attended the launch of Mindful In May sponsored by Hub Melbourne. There was a packed house of over 100 people attending. Elise Bialylew, the creator of Mindful In May, has raised over $14,000 for Charity Water, and has almost 300 people in 7 countries meditating for 10 minutes a day in May. 

A year ago Ross Hill and I put on This Is Mindful at Hub Melbourne with about 80 people. It is great to see the interest growing in meditation and other mindfulness practices.

Craig Hassad from Monash University spoke last night including about the link between mindfulness and philanthropy, and I appreciated his scientific and down to earth approach.

Meditating together is powerful. And just 10 minutes a day of meditation can have a profoundly positive and transformational effect on one's life. 

Join us!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:36:00 -0700 One Month http://janstewart.com.au/one-month http://janstewart.com.au/one-month

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Thanks Steve Hopkins for inviting us all to blog for a month. It is interesting to see what we all chose to wrote about and photograph. Upon reflection, it showed what I naturally focus on and am naturally interested in, and a common thread.  

So I'm going to keep this monthly life theme going (not sure about the blogging part). After working very hard for the last 9 months helping to get Hub Melbourne 2.0 up and running well, I am going to take the month of April to refocus a bit more on health. I'll definitely blog at the end of the month about that new focus.

March was an awesome month, Hub Melbourne 2.0 was born, and there is masses of creativity and innovative business thriving in the new space.

On to an even more awesome April!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:16:59 -0700 Energy http://janstewart.com.au/energy http://janstewart.com.au/energy
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Working in and managing a coworking space, I am very interested in energy, and the effect it has on a space.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy

In my role as host, I am constantly monitoring the energy, and in a light touch way, adjusting according to sound, interaction, air, light, conversation, movement.

There seems to be an optimal energy at all times, however this is does not mean it is the same, in fact it is constantly changing.

How does the energy feel around you? Does it feel optimal? 


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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:18:40 -0700 Internal Stillness http://janstewart.com.au/internal-stillness http://janstewart.com.au/internal-stillness
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Last night I attended the Creative Performance Exchange Meetup on Co-working, Co-creating and the Future of Work. We discussed how co-working is the new place where you can be yourself at work. We also discussed how with the world becoming more connected externally, such as in a co-working environment and in all the new virtual worlds, that there is the same need to become more connected internally to yourself.

Do you feel free at work, that you can be yourself and that your creativity can fly, and that your creativity is useful? Are you connecting more internally with yoga, exercise, meditation or nature, to stay connected to that internal stillness, in order to thrive in our increasingly connected world? 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Fri, 23 Mar 2012 03:30:00 -0700 Beauty http://janstewart.com.au/beauty http://janstewart.com.au/beauty

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How much more beautiful can nature become?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:38:10 -0700 Overflowing http://janstewart.com.au/overflowing http://janstewart.com.au/overflowing
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The days are overflowing at the moment.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:44:32 -0700 Change the View http://janstewart.com.au/change-the-view http://janstewart.com.au/change-the-view
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Just had to change the view for today. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:55:41 -0700 Unstoppable Spirit http://janstewart.com.au/unstoppable-spirit http://janstewart.com.au/unstoppable-spirit
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Last night I watched a movie called Iron Jawed Angels. In one of the last scenes the heroine is force fed. The thing that struck me most about the movie was the spirit coming out of her eyes in that moment. Her eyes were ablaze with absolute determination.

Can you relate to that spirit? I can. 

Where do you feel that fire, that a new way must happen, that a new way is happening?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:42:00 -0700 The Art of Nothingness http://janstewart.com.au/the-art-of-nothingness http://janstewart.com.au/the-art-of-nothingness

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After a very full on last few months, my work came to a culmination Thursday night. Friday and Saturday were spent wrapping up a few details, then Sunday and Monday were dedicated to nothingness.

A few days ago I read this great article on the Art of Nothingness: Why Balance Matters, via a Do Lectures tweet.

I have learnt over the years the value, necessity and absolute pleasure of nothingness. My system demands it of me, I must stop. Every time I do so, I expect nothing to happen, however as Joubert describes above, two things always happen. First, I get in touch with the sweetness of doing nothing. And second, unexpected creativity always arises.

Yesterday I was whiling away the afternoon with Ross Hill. We had some lunch, sauntered around the beaches and home neighbourhood of St Kilda, stopped for an afternoon drink in the sun and then some dinner. Nothing planned, including conversation wise. However, because our minds were free, our conversation lead in some interesting directions, and before we knew it, a couple of exciting new potential projects were upon us. 

Today has been quiet, stillness, strolling in the sun, solitude, recharging for Hub Melbourne 2.0.

Fast is fun, fast can lead to flow. Stillness is sweet, stillness can be exquisite. We need both to be most alive.

What is the art of nothingness for you?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:07:52 -0700 Quiet Day http://janstewart.com.au/quiet-day-66313 http://janstewart.com.au/quiet-day-66313
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Quiet day. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:42:00 -0700 Habits http://janstewart.com.au/habits http://janstewart.com.au/habits

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Perfect timing on your post Steve, Staying mindful when you're straining to get it all done. I have missed the last two days of posting, however your post has gotten me on track again.

I have been on a one pointed trajectory for the past 9 months, and it has been building and has been very intense for the past 3 months in particular. We at Hub Melbourne have been gearing up to expand our space to 3 times the size with the same sized team.

I actually realised this one pointed momentum was in line with blogging, as so much has been going on, it was natural to slip a blog post (albiet often a brief one) into the stream with everything else.

Thursday night was the party and celebration, the culmination, victory and final letting off of the pressure point, and yesterday was the recovery point. The momentum peaked out, and so did my blogging.

I have daily habits. I meditate every day, and I do yoga every day or every 2nd day. I have basic good daily habits around diet as well.

The meditation is a non negotiable habit, it is the most important thing I do. Yoga is the same, I just have to do it. Likewise with basic good dietary habits.

Working so much over the past 3 months I have also developed short term habits which are not sustainable over the long term. Working a lot is not sustainable and not desirable. However it is all worth it for a short term goal which has now been achieved.

Blogging (almost) every day this month has also been a positive habit. It has helped to highlight certain things which otherwise might not be quite as conscious.

What are your positive daily habits? 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:04:00 -0700 Party Time http://janstewart.com.au/party-time http://janstewart.com.au/party-time

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It's the party tomorrow. :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:13:00 -0700 Over the Top http://janstewart.com.au/over-the-top http://janstewart.com.au/over-the-top

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Life is over the top at the moment.

I spent 10 years helping to create a world of harmony. I spent the next 10 years helping to create a world of dynamism. Now I am helping to create a world with high harmony and high dynamism. 

Hub Melbourne has just expanded to 3 times the size. Cross sector coworking is high complexity, and every day is a positive challenge to keep tapping in to the simple response to each moment.

I remember the time I set out to meditate for 20 minutes without moving, and ended up meditating for 3 1/2 hours without moving.

I remember the time I set out to run 3 miles, and ended up running a marathon.

There have been lots of times like these. Now is another one of those times. 

Amazing things happen in life when you go way beyond what you 'think' are your limits.  

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Mon, 12 Mar 2012 02:56:45 -0700 Quiet Day http://janstewart.com.au/quiet-day http://janstewart.com.au/quiet-day
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Quiet day. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Sun, 11 Mar 2012 00:00:16 -0800 Tech and Change http://janstewart.com.au/tech-and-change http://janstewart.com.au/tech-and-change
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Today this tweet caught my attention from the Do Lectures: How to do more? Turn the internet off.

It reminded me of how people initially were hypnotised by TV, and then over time we became more selective, and started to turn the TV off to get things done.

After the initial honeymoon of the internet, we are starting to turn the internet off to get things done.

Technology and change, it's all a natural process really.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Sat, 10 Mar 2012 00:55:00 -0800 Life http://janstewart.com.au/life http://janstewart.com.au/life

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Today I heard about a man who hit his head in a kite boarding accident, and is now in an induced coma. See Tina's blog below.

I am in the midst of an admin marathon for Hub Melbourne. We are aspiring to take Hub Melbourne to the next level of awesomeness, so it requires a bit of organisation in order to do so. Getting Things Done, as David Allen would say.

Nic's accident caused me to reflect on my life. I have the most amazing job, colleagues, friends and family. I live in paradise. I feel I am bringing my life experience to bear, and it is having a positive effect. I am grateful for my years and for the moment right now. 

Thank you Nic, I heard about your life and I have a real sense for what you have given and are giving to life. 

I am sending you massive positive vibes, so you can keep being in life if that is what you wish.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Fri, 09 Mar 2012 01:01:00 -0800 Wow http://janstewart.com.au/wow http://janstewart.com.au/wow

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This week at Hub Melbourne I heard wow so many times when people walked in to our new space.

It's an awesome thing to hear a real wow.

Tony Hsieh from Zappos is someone I know who is connected to this real wow factor.

What makes you go wow for real?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:13:00 -0800 International Women's Day http://janstewart.com.au/international-womens-day http://janstewart.com.au/international-womens-day

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On International Women's Day 2012 I would like to pay tribute and respect to an amazing young woman Bryony Cole. I have seen Bryony transform and come forward in an incredible way in the last year, from working with the Department of Justice, to a stint at Deloitte, and now with Yammer Australia.

Bryony is now about to take a big leap and move to New York and co-lead the Yammer New York team. I wish her all the best and think this move is fantastic in so many ways.

Please check out Bryony's blog. She has written so many compelling posts.

(I was up early this morning to attend an International Women's Day breakfast, hence a photo of the full moon before sunrise. It was awesome to be up so early.)

Today I heard a great comment about successful leadership, the key aspects being imagination and courage. Bryony you have tons of both of these. Bryony skydives, deep dives, and is now diving into a whole new city and whole new job and whole new life.

All the best to you my friend.

Love Jan 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1865773/janstewart.jpeg http://posterous.com/users/36Pq9y8PiqcN jan stewart jan jan stewart