There seems to be a growing genre of book publishing “popular sociology”. Perhaps it’s a sign of the times – with 24 hour news, Facebook and instant messaging the world seems to have grown a lot closer and the impact of decisions is felt far more sharply and strongly than before. 150 years ago getting a message to the other side of the world took 3 weeks, whereas now before you finish posting an idea on an online forum somebody else on the other side of the planet has made it real in their lunchbreak! Books like Freakonomics and Nudge now litter the newsagent stands at train stations and airports around the world.

In this area, Malcolm Gladwell seems to have the edge and many of his books have become best sellers as a result (a valid argument that he knows what he is talking about?).

I must admit, mostly through lack of time (or at least lack of making time) to read has meant that I have come rather late to Gladwell’s work. However Christmas changed that when I received The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.

At 259 pages in paperback it’s a quick read, and covers various aspects relating to how some ideas/products take off quickly for no good reason (and how they disappear again just as quick - does anybody remember Tamagotchis?) and how very small changes in environment or taking a (seemingly wrong) approach to a problem solves an issue more effectively than hitting it head on.

The book is brisk in pace and recalls many examples ranging from New York crime to Sesame Street viewing figures. It’s a great book with some interesting facets of information and although it has copious endnotes I can’t help but feeling that some of the deeper content could have been brought into the book.

It’s like a Big Mac, leaves you satisfied at the time, but you can’t help feeling an hour later that you want more. Certainly give this book ago, but look to buy something else to keep your interest going. I certainly think it’s helpful – if he’s right, then 150 visitors to this blog and a couple of well connected people could make this blog extremely popular (I’m open to the idea!). Perhaps a follow-up wouldn’t be too out of the question?

My rating: 6/10. Worth reading, but don’t expect everything from this book.

As the Pound falls against the value of the Euro, travelling to the continent is looking increasingly expensive for people in the UK. It’s not all bad news however, the UK tourism industry will surely pick up this year after a disasterous few years of poor weather, food and mouth and the World Trade Centre attacks all took their toll on the UK travel industry over the past few years.

For those who have always taken a cheap flight to Spain, The Mediterraneon etc. have you every considered somewhere more local? Although the UK can barely claim to have the tourist attractions of places like Italy, we do have some oustanding examples of the Roman occupation such as the Roman Baths?

Our beaches are continually improving in quality and even in an average year the South West gets a fair amount of sunshine!

Accommodation doesn’t have to cost a fortune either – if you’re taking a family, try staying in a Youth Hostel such as those run by the Youth Hostel Assocation (YHA) in England/Wales and SYHA (in Scotland).  Now, before you say how damp unclean hosteling is unappealing, let me correct you. Youth hostelling is no longer what many people remember of it. The hostels have improved immensely over the years and now cater for family groups (and can provide family rooms for those who book in advance. Beds can cost as little as 10 per person per night if they are discounted. Most of the time bed and breakfast will be less than £20/night. Catering now includes local produce where possible and the organisations have  a more responsible attitude to the environment with recycling and renewable energy in use where possible.

Travelling in the UK helps improve our own economy (and it surely needs it!) and cuts down on the carbon emissions, especially if you can travel by public transport.

With a bit of research and planning it is still possible to have a long and fun-filled holiday without breaking the bank, and you don’t have to travel far to do so.

Another year has started and (as usual) the media is talking about everyone making New Year resolutions, that start on the 1st of January and end around 31st January.

Why do so few resolutions hold? Partly it is due to people framing their goal poorly. Yes I would would love to have the body of the bloke on the front cover of Men’s Health magazine, but unless I changed profession I doubt I would find the time. I certainly wouldn’t be close by the end of February! I can certainly take steps to improve my diet and become more active which is a step in the right direction: isn’t this all the strategy we need? Step, reassess and step again, so long as you move forward you have every chance of improving by the end of the year.

Distraction. I hold my hand up to this one, I am extremely prone to being distracted from my goals. I write to many, make them too ambitious, and as soon as something happens in my life the entire list gets shoved to the back of my mind and off the edge of a cliff, never to be seen again! Here are a few ways to cope that I have found:

• Simplify, simplify, simplify… take everything you own and ask of each item Are you beautiful? Are you useful? If you answer no to both - throw it out (or better still, eBay/Freecycle it). So many times I have come back to items I have kept and realised that I haven’t used them in over a year. If it’s useful it should be used every three months.
• Focus, focus, focus… Make a list of your goals and steps towards them (20 press ups a day, spending 30 minutes reading) - make copies and post them where you will see them often (inside of food cupboards, wardrobes, by your computer etc). A constant reminder will keep you brain on track.
• Destroy the distractions… Half an hour on Facebook, half an hour on YouTube, iTunes music store (browsing, not buying!)… the most useful time is easily eaten up. I’m making a constant effort now to miss TV and to be honest, I don’t miss them enough to catch up online/on demand. Keep a time log for a week and see how much time disappears into these black holes!
• Tell others / find others… Don’t proclaim your resolutions whilst half-drunk in the pub, nobody will believe you and you won’t believe yourself. Get serious and ask others for help… friends might actually want to eat more healthily too, or want to travel more. Sharing the effort with somebody else can double speed of progress! If you don’t know of others - find others! Look online for support groups/forums - I’m certain that no matter what your goal, somebody will be trying to do the same.

If you actively seek distraction, make sure it’s a good one, I’m writing a list of things to do if I find myself wandering to get my focus back. This list includes:

• Writing a blog post
• Planning my next holiday/weekend break.
• Reading
• Practicising my Italian
• Laundry
• eBay some item of junk

I hope to make this list longer – ideally I should always be able to find something on this list to do if I get bored. Just remember, these should be positive distractions!

With this in mind I wish you a prosperous 2009, I have now finished my first positive distraction of the year. I hope there are many more to come.