Every culture is full of 'boxes' that precede us, and into which we may or may not fit easily. So it's not just your past that might get in the way of your future potential...but the past. Different cultures, different boxes. For some, the boxes of their culture work well, for many they don't. And this... read more →
Jul
11
Jul
04
Are you stressed? One ancient antidote to stress that's now gaining mainstream recognition is mindfulness. So what does it mean, to be mindful? Here's a really simple introductory exercise that you can add into your day, and that takes no time: Choose a habit – something you do on your own every day,... read more →
Jun
19
Nobody likes conflict, right! Well, other than those who are into 'drama', who stir up trouble for the thrill of it, or who use conflict as a means of control. But most sane people don't like conflict. And why should they? It's upsetting, it's risky, it's challenging. However, sometimes conflict is absolutely necessary. And in our... read more →
Jun
11
You've got loads to do, right! You're busy, busy, busy! Your productivity has to be top-notch, of course. So what's the best way to achieve this? Once you might have tried multitasking - but now you know that's not the way to actually improve your productivity. It's okay if you're doing simple tasks. But... read more →
May
22
The word 'empathy' is becoming more common, while empathy itself seems to be on the wane. But do you really understand what empathy is? If you don't, how can you notice if you're losing your empathic abilities? According to the Oxford English Dictionary, empathy is: the power of mentally identifying oneself with (and so... read more →
May
15
We hear so much about the value of creative thinking. Yet how many people really value it? Despite the attention that's been heaped on creativity over recent years, the most prevalent mindset, particularly in business, still seems to be the one that believes logic trumps intuition, numbers provide the only valid evidence, and creativity... read more →
Apr
29
Education is still relentlessly focused on preparing young people to pass exams, but this approach ignores the skills that employers are now looking for, the skills that allow young people to effectively navigate rapid, constant change, the skills that encourage imagination, creativity, and innovation, and the skills that will develop an individual's... read more →
Apr
10
The effect of a soft skills deficit is going to have a big impact on us all before long, and this will be of particular concern to parents. Latest warnings indicate that UK children are losing out to those in Asia, in terms of getting a grip on the essential soft skills needed today.... read more →
Mar
29
Barrier Breakers Foundation believe we must re-think our education system in order for equality to become a reality. We need to move away from the mechanistic 'teaching to the test' approach, and towards an education system where soft skills are embedded in every learning experience. Soft skills are the traits and abilities... read more →