Andrew John HARRISON – Page 2 – Artist, Designer, Educator & Entrepreneur

On May 2, 2016

In Education, GOLDZONE Experience, Leadership

11168458_10206184730754167_6328874856695332233_n

We all have at least one thing in common: we started life as a baby and grew into an adult!

Consider for a moment how we learnt as children. We touched everything, tasted everything, played with everything, asked questions about everything. All our senses were engaged in a process of discovering the world around us.

Then we went through formal education and learnt to sit still for hours. We learnt that the teacher expected certain answers, even if our experience of the world was different from the answer they were asking for. We learnt to fit in, be good and do as we were told.

Well some of us learnt these things!

Hyper-Speed Experiential Learning is all about including the whole person in the process and discovering the answers vs being told what is a right answer and what is a wrong answer. It’s about including all the senses in the experience and inspiring the student to think, feel and operate holistically and to include their; spiritual, mental, emotional and physical selves.

The above diagram demonstrates what is possible in terms of retention of information based on the mode of learning. It is obvious to most people that the more actively engaged a student is and the more of themselves that are included in the experience the more they learn and the less they forget.

Let’s bring back the joy of learning!

At Goldzone Education, we believe that the world has changed so fast that traditional ways of teaching and learning are too slow and ineffective. People of all ages are immersed in high-definition movies, television, video games, giant monitors, instant messaging, smartphones and smart watches.

Our methods of teaching, delivering content and
learning have got to change with the times.

We need exciting content and teachers who inspire us to make changes, be the best we can be and to realize our full potential.

Every Goldzone program we deliver uses small group discussions, massive video screens, nightclub quality surround sound, laser lights, image reinforcement, captivating images, inspiring videos, the most beautiful smells and most important of all dynamic facilitation.

It is never boring!

Large corporations have the budgets to invest in one-off learning environments for their corporate training, however, few of them build purpose built classrooms on this scale. As for small and medium businesses, they are mostly out of reach. Our vision is to change that. We need better quality programs and learning environments for the hundreds of millions of small businesses around the world. think of the possible impact…

We also need to unlearn old ideas, thoughts and information that is no longer relevant. Read more about unlearning and “clean slate” > here.

If you are looking for a change and are ready for the most fun you can have as an adult in a crafted learning environment… check out the 3-Day GOLDZONE Experience. It will change your mind about learning, engage all your senses and most of all make you a better leader!

GOLDZONE Experiential Learning Table

On May 2, 2016

In Education

To enlarge, click on the image or > here

Political Correctness

On May 1, 2016

In Leadership

[wpvideo RfrKCuXl]

The Brain Dictionary

On May 1, 2016

In Health & Wellness

Scientists have created an interactive map of the brain that shows which areas light up when a person hears different words. This challenges old assumptions of how the brain process words and language.

Spanking Children as Punishment

On April 28, 2016

In Parenting

54a34d54-b2df-4cda-aa45-d94a5d70794b

I don’t know about you, but I was brought up on a lot of emotional and physical punishment. I hated it and as a result, rebelled, hunkered down and became a contrarian.

It has taken me years to get over it. I have learned the hard way that being a contrarian is not a success formula. It took me until my mid-twenties to realize this and to become conscious of the consequences to myself, my loved ones and literally anyone who tried to tell me what to do.

Five decades of research by experts at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan have shown us that spanking children have the same negative effects as abuse. It is my opinion that it is not similar to abuse, it is abuse.

Let me explain. When a child doesn’t do what we want, most people tend to feel annoyed, then frustrated, then outright angry. We don’t like feeling this way and out of frustration we want to force compliance, NOW! It is this emotional state that leads us to physical violence. We threaten. We spank. Hit. Cause physical pain in order to punish and ensure immediate and future compliance.

What this does is transfer the feelings of hostility from the parent to the child. We may get short term compliance, however, were does the hostility get discharged? How do they process these emotions?

Typically the child becomes more belligerent overtly to your face, or worse covertly behind your back.

Dishing out approval and disapproval when our wishes are not acted on in the way we want causes the child to manipulate the parent for approval by covering up their feelings and putting on a mask. The parent may think they have succeeded, however, the more a child wears masks for approval and acceptance with their parents, the more anti-social and disconnected they become from society and their peers.

Long term, this is disastrous.

The alternative to spanking is to take the time to include the child. To explain to them the pros and cons of their actions and allow them to make their own choices, once they have been fully informed. Then allowing the child to make a few mistakes and learn from them. This may take more time, however, it is worth it! Both parent and child form a new bond based on mutual respect and feeling included.

Parents who were spanked, tend to raise their own children via spanking.

For further reading, check out Medical Express article here. And also here.

Travel, Discover & Explore

On April 28, 2016

In Travel

Make Your Life a Work of Art

Ask anyone if they want to travel more and most people will say YES! Unfortunately, the majority of people have a limited amount of time available, especially if you have to fit it within the usual two weeks per year of annual leave!

I don’t believe in that.

I believe we are architects and designers of our own lives and we have unlimited possibilities to draw inspiration from. We can design our lives around what we want to spend our time doing if there were no limits. Travel, family, passionate work.

Most people fit their plans into their available resources. I say expand your resources to fit your plans! I have lived this way for more than 20 years. It works for me, perhaps it will work for you too?

To me, travel is about discovery, immersion, and exploration. It is about style, experience, expansion, and taking the time to get to know the local people, places, and landmarks like a local.

To date, I have been to 51 countries and over 500 cities.

I don’t get board because I am curious and occupied with a never ending list of new discoveries and life-long friendships.

Life is made up of experiences… not things!

The Best of The Best

On April 28, 2016

In Travel

updated: April 27, 2016 @8:08 pm

What is it that describes an item, a service or an experience “the best?” Surely the best is a matter of taste, budget, and opinion.

If one is economizing, then the best can be defined by in a different way than if one is capable of and in the mood for some liberal spending.

The best does not mean the most expensive because often the most expensive is a function of popularity and supply and demand.

To me, the best relates to a simple formula:

VALUE = price/quality X experience X flow – struggle.

Here are some examples of how to apply this formula:

NOT THE BEST: If the price is high, the quality is high, the experience is low and it doesn’t flow (in other words not in the zone).
NOT THE BEST: If the price is low, the quality is low, the experience is low and it doesn’t flow (in other words not in the zone).
NOT THE BEST: If the price is low, the quality is high, the experience is low and it doesn’t flow (in other words not in the zone).
THE BEST: If the price is high, the quality is high, the experience is high and it flows (in other words in the zone).
THE BEST: If the price is low, the quality is high, the experience is high and it flows (in other words in the zone).

So based on the above the best is very subjective.

So far I have made it to 51 countries and over 500 cities. Below is my list of the very best of the best Hotels, Resorts, Restaurants etc. I have traveled the world looking for suppliers, places, products, and experiences.

The Best of The Best

Best Tropical Island Resort

The Ritz-Carlton Resort & Spa – Bali, Indonesia

Best Tropical Island Family Resort

The Westin Resort – Maui, Hawaii

Best Tropical Beach

7 Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Best Romantic Tropical Island

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Best Computer

Apple Macbook Pro

Best Airline Frequent Flyer Program

OneWorld

Best Hotel Frequent Guest Program

Starwood Preferred Guest

Best Luxury Hotel Chain

Four Seasons

Best All Round Hotel Chain

Starwood – Westin, Sheraton, St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W Hotels

Best Bank

HSBC Premier if you travel a lot or do a lot of International Transfers

Best London Hotel

The Lanesborough

Best Athens Hotel

The Grande Bretagne

Best Resort in Southern California

St. Regis Monarch Beach – Dana Point, USA

Best Tropical Island

Maui – Hawaii, USA

Best Rental Car Company

Hertz – especially Platinum Service

Best Men’s Shoes

John Lobb – handmade

Best Flight Luggage

Victorinox

Best Attaché

Henk – totally customized

Best Airline Lounges

Qantas

Best Mineral Water

Chåteldon

Best Men’s Casual Watch

Bell & Ross – in Rose Gold

Best Men’s Dress Watch

Breguet – in White Gold

Best Hotel in Singapore

Regis

Best Hotel in Hong Kong

Four Seasons

Best Hotel in Paris

Hôtel Ritz

Best Hotel in Vienna

Hotel Imperial

Best Hotel in Rome

St Regis Grand – the dining room in the Presidential Suite is an OMG

Best Resort in Maui

The Four Seasons

Best Dairy Products

From New Zealand of course!
Followed by Isigny Sainte-Mère, France…

Best Scuba Diving

Red Sea

Best Tax Free Jurisdiction

Samoa

Best Tax Free Island

Grand Cayman

Best Tax Free Jurisdiction Bank

HSBC Hong Kong

Best Free Agent Financial Service

PayPal with a Mastercard Debit Card

Best International Health Care Insurance

William-Russell from the UK

Best Banking System in the World

They say Canada

Best Pro-Business Economy

USA

Best Tax Regime

Hong Kong – Tax Free for International Business, and 16% all other

Best Restaurant in Grand Cayman

The Lighthouse – wish I was there now

Best Place in the World for Banana Bread

Double Bay, Australia

Best Australian Resort Town

Noosa, Queensland

Best Rental Car Fun

Any convertible…

Best Pizza

Boston North End Pizza, Hawaii

Best American Meal

Turkey Dinner

Best Swimming Water

7 Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Best View From an Airplane Window

Flying Into the Bahamas

Best Place to find World Music

London, UK

Best Taxi Driver Conversation

London Cabbi

Best First Class Seat

Any you can get! (especially Singapore airlines)
Emirates is awesome value

Best In-flight Food

Singapore Airlines First Class

Best Concierge When You Need Help

Any Four Seasons (you can even call from a different Country)

Best Cappuccino in the World

Any coffee shop in Australia!

Best Coffee

Lion Coffee from Hawaii

Best Macadamia Nuts

Mauna Loa from Hawaii

Best Spa Environment

Banyan Tree – Phuket, Thailand

Best Spa Variety

The Grand Wailea Resort – Maui, Hawaii

Best Spa Treatment Room

Sofitel – Bali, Indonesia

Best Hotel Bed

The Burj Al Arab in Dubai – especially their Royal Suite, OMG!

Best Hotel Bathroom

The Burj Al Arab in Dubai – especially their Royal Suite, OMG!

Best Hotel Shower

The Grande Bretagne (it has a private steamer built in)

Best Resort Walking Trail

Noosa – Queensland, Australia

Best Mega Shopping Center

Ala Moana Shopping Center – Honolulu, Hawaii

Best Coffee on the Road

Nespresso – it is predictable

Best Cafe to be Seen in Sydney

Cosmo Double Bay

Best Contrasting Scenery

Santorini – Greek Islands, Greece

Best International Airport

Singapore

Best Sunglasses

Gucci

Best Bed

Hästens Vividus – this bed is an OMG!

Best Men’s Shirts

Charvet – Place Vendôme, Paris

Best Men’s Suits

Brioni – Roma

Best Macaroons

Ladurée, Paris

Best Croissant in Paris

Ladurée, Paris

Best Limousine

Maybach

Best Presidential Suite

Burj Al Arab Royal Suite (take the Helicopter)

Best Drive

Day trip through Tuscany in a convertible

Best OMG Food and View and Service

Chateau de la Chevre d’or – Ez, between Nice and Monaco

Best Croquette Monsieur

Café Imperial – Rue de Rivoli, Paris

Best City in Switzerland

Lausanne, on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)

Best Champagne

Dom Pérignon – the older the better

Best Video Game Console

PlayStation 4

Singapore, Smart City of the Future?

On April 24, 2016

In Future

Master Penman

On April 24, 2016

In Inspiration

Top 5 Misconceptions about Evolution

On April 23, 2016

In Leadership

tumblr_n0awyfqTad1r7866ao5_540 (1).jpg

Excerpt from The GOLDZONE Experience

On March 31, 2016

In GOLDZONE Experience, Leadership

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/261115824″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

GOLDZONE New Money

On March 30, 2016

Quest for Wealth & Freedom

On March 21, 2016

Le Meurice Paris

On January 6, 2016

In Paris

33 Steps to New-Paradigm Leadership Live-5-14-15

On May 14, 2015

In Leadership

[wpvideo 9Q9Oxnsb]

Our Greatest Luxury is Time

In Peak Performance Psychology

On May 1, 2015

Compassion is True Communication

On May 1, 2015

This is a very moving advert for a phone company. From where? Thailand of course!

Entertaining, moving. It’s a mini-movie.

Wanderers

On April 20, 2015

In Cosmos

[wpvideo AZwivs4X]

GOLDZONE Clients Share

On December 31, 2014

In GOLDZONE Experience

We Are From the Future

On December 3, 2014

In Consciousness

I have watched this more than 50 times… and it still blows my mind!

GOLDZONE Experience Bali 9-13-14

On September 13, 2014

In GOLDZONE Experience

[wpvideo arcDgCdH]

The Workplace of The Future

On June 8, 2014

[wpvideo LXCUDpAx]

Everyone Needs a Coach

On May 28, 2014

In Education, Leadership

The world’s best actors, athletes, and business people have coaches. Most average and ordinary people see having a coach as unnecessary, expensive, and a waste of money.

Really?

If a coach could help you to double your income, isn’t that a good investment?

If a coach helps you to resolve a difficult business negotiation, and you save a multi-million dollar deal, isn’t that a good investment?

If a coach helps you to save your marriage from divorce, doesn’t that save half of your net worth? Sounds like a good investment to me!

Over the years, I have hired a lot of coaches to work with me, as well as to work with my colleagues and clients. There is a huge difference between coaches. You could sum that up as: If you want to be the best, hire the best coach!

[wpvideo 4H63Kmit]

Re-Imagining Work

On September 26, 2013

[wpvideo 9wNHdw6r]

Are You Addicted to the Internet?

On August 17, 2012

In Health & Wellness

I don’t know about you… but I am definitely addicted to the internet! Hey, why not? There is so much information out there for the voracious and curious mind… answers to just about any question can be found and learned in seconds. How cool is that?

Addicted?

Hong Kong Remains World Leader in Economic Freedom

On March 19, 2012

Most people don’t think much about economic freedom and that some countries are more free economically than others.

For the 18th year running, Hong Kong scores the highest rankings of any country in the world for:

rule of law
regulatory efficiency
limited government
open markets

And to point out the obvious…. Hong Kong is part of China! Check out the announcement: click here

Things Are Getting Better

On March 19, 2012

OK, so there is a lot of doom and gloom predictions that the world is turning to ^&%$! if you track history (which has a habit of repeating) you will know that these predictions have been the same for many generations… and yet, the world we live in today is way, way better than the world of our parents.

Just look at what we can do in terms of travel, building wealth, communications, entertainment etc. etc.

I came across the below chart from the White House… yes, sure, its political… however, I do think it tells a story looking back that things have stabilized and are now improving. US economic growth is on an upswing.

Budapest – In Time Lapse

On December 31, 2011

In Travel

This is a great video of Budapest in time lapse. It brings back memories of an awesome visit a few years back… the winter market, warm and friendly people… amazing architecture and a lot of history… I was pleasantly surprised.

US Job Growth, Winners and Losers

On December 11, 2011

The below infographic tells an interesting story when comparing the end result State by State. Different public policy, industry focus, and economic development strategies make some States more competitive than others.

Changing Education Paradigms

On November 30, 2011

In Education

How You Pay Your Debt

On August 15, 2011

Utilizing debt is one thing – how you pay it off is another… check out the below chart:

US Govt. Debt

On August 7, 2011