Be positive and live longer!

Extending longetivity: Increasing positive emotions could lengthen life span by 10 years. Based on studies that analysed blood counts, optimists were found to have more T4 or "helper" cells that fight against infection.

Positive

I am reading "How full is your bucket?" As one of my strengths is "positivity", this book really works for me. The authors reckon that positivity, giving praise and recognition raises productivity and engagement of employees. Indeed, 9 out of 10 people say they are more productive when they are around positive people. So go and praise someone!

Flying faster

Over the past week, I've had a pretty hectic schedule; last week in Singapore and earlier this week in Switzerland. Both trips take about 6 1/2 hours. We haven't really improved on this for the past 40 years; planes are safer and more fuel efficient but they don't go any faster. I believe that will be the next big thing in civil aviation: the next generation Concorde. No reason why I couldn't do Dubai - Geneva in 2 hours in 20 years time! In the meantime, I'll enjoy the inflight entertainment...

Eternal Hug!

For Valentine day, I thought I'd first look at the past: 5000 years of hugging! Unusual for me, but here goes for the longer lasting embrace:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070206/sc_nm/italy_embrace_dc

Looking great!

Do you know anyone who had botox injections, breast inplants, a face lift or lipo? Of course you do! In the future, people will use cosmetic enhancers even more. Get ready for a lot of good looking people walking around you!





A company I like in that field is Allergan (AGN) which is a leader in making fillers (like botox).

Let me know if you intend to use cosmetic surgery or cosmetic enhancers!

Some intersting stuff with growth forecasts:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4003049.stm
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2006/01/01/8368124/index.htm

Davos

Check out what some of the world's leaders say about the future of government, civil society and the internet:

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/01/26/the-web-cuts-both-ways/

I especially like what Lloyd Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs (my former firm) says about what companies of the future need to stand for.

Sky diving senior

On my theme about living longer and fuller lives; A good friend of mine recently asked me if I had tried skydiving in the Emirates. Unfortunately, I have not parachuted since 1984, but I guess I could still pick it up again when I retire! (if my wife lets me!...)

Look at Dilys Price, 72, from Cardiff, who runs the Touch Trust, a charity which uses music, movement and massage to help people with disabilities.
At 54 she took up sky-diving and she describes herself as "an adrenaline addict".
"I do think there is prejudice about ageing but if you have a passion for something you can push through the doors," she says.

My 42nd!

Ok, I turned 42 today!

The good thing about birthdays - I always look at the good side of things - is that you feel wiser, get lots of presents and are surrounded by your family.

The bad thing is that you are older (in numbers).

But these days we stay younger a lot longer! How? As for me, I try to stay fit by:
- waterskiing (check out my picture on the bottom right hand side), swimming, windsurfing and skiing;
- popping vitamins and antioxydants every morning (E, C, Aspirin and Selenium);
- laughing a lot;
- discovering new places;
- keeping my weight in control (73kg, no more!)
- drinking red wine (yes, it works!...)

Modern science also helps us stay younger; I seriously broke my back 5 years ago, but except for a scar and some metal in my body, I cannot feel anything and continue to do all the sports I used to do! Stryker (SYK) makes the metal that goes in my spine and I'm a big fan of it! I believe that with Europeans and Americans getting older, there will be huge demand for the products that Stryker makes. Also, the people working there are really nice and good at what they are doing.

Gilles, 42 and kicking

PS: Check this guy out: according to him, I can still live 958 years!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4003063.stm