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E-Bulletins Welcome to the Brainstorm e-Bulletin. Tips and techniques that will help you create your future. Please click on the links below to access subjects of interest in historical E-Bulletins: E-BULLETIN
1: "LATEST RESEARCH LINKS SLEEP AND LEARNING" Brainstorm
e-bulletin 27: "QUIET DREAMS" ACTION:
Keep a notebook by your bedside and jot down your dreams every morning
(practice makes it easier to remember your dreams). Once a week, sit
down with these jottings and see whether your subconscious mind is using
your dreams to offer help for any problems you're encountering.
BRAINSTORM E-BULLETIN 26 "WATCH WHAT YOU SAY TO YOURSELF" 1: LANCE ARMSTRONG AND SELF-TALK Following Lance Armstrong's recent final victory in the Tour de France, I was interested to read that he received regular psychological exercises as well as daily physical training from his personal coach. A lot has been written about what we can learn from the top athletes; one of the most revealing classic studies was described in Scientific American's Mind Magazine. The study revealed that athletes who qualified for the Olympics had the same levels of anxiety and doubt as their less successful peers. The difference was that the Olympians were better at constantly encouraging themselves. ACTION: In today's world, the arts and business can feel just as competitive as athletics. The key to performing well may be what you say to yourself when you doubt your ability to perform. It can be useful to remember past victories, remind yourself of your strengths, and look at others who are succeeding and tell yourself that if they can do it, you can do it, too. 2:
THE HIDDEN LANGUAGE OF LANGUAGE In
his entertaining and revealing book, "Blink," Malcolm Gladwell
talks about an amazing phenomenon. He describes an experiment in which
he gives people a series of five words, and asks them to make four-word
sentences out of them. An example might be, "shoes give replace the
old" and you might make the sentence, "Replace the old
shoes." There are ten such lists. He says, "After you finished
that test--believe it or not-- you would have walked out of my office
and down the hall more slowly than you walked in. Why? Scattered
throughout the list are words like "old, worried, lonely, gray,
Bingo, and wrinkle." He says, "I was making the big computer
in your brain think about the state of being old." Although you
wouldn't notice it consciously, it would still affect your behavior. A
psychologist named John Bargh did a series of such experiments. Some
included lists of words that related to rudeness in one set, and
patience and kindness in another. Again, he found that it had a major
effect on how people behaved shortly afterward. ACTION:
If your morning reading is the front section of a typical newspaper, how
do you think that might be affecting your behavior the rest of the day?
As an experiment, find a positive book that you like (example:
"Living Big" by Pam Grout) and for one week start each day by
reading a few pages of that instead of the morning newspaper. Notice
whether it has any impact on your attitude or behavior (without telling
people what you've done, at the end of the week, ask the people around
you whether they noticed any difference, too). 3:
THE ONE FACTOR THAT OUTWEIGHS ALL THE OTHERS Another
interesting fact that Gladwell points out in "Blink" is that
people never sue doctors they like. There is a strong correlation
between the doctor's warmth, the interest he or she takes in the
patient, and the amount of time they spend talking to a patient, and
whether or not they will ever be sued for malpractice. In his book,
"The Science of Influence," Kevin Hogan points out a similar
phenomenon among real estate agents. One of the strongest factors in
whether buyers buy from a real estate agent, he says, is whether that
agent expresses interest in the client. Hogan's advice: sell the client
on YOU first. ACTION:
The following are some of the strategies and techniques that Hogan
suggests. As you read them, consider how they might apply in your line
of business (as a writer who often has to pitch ideas, I can easily see
their application to those situations): Give direct answers to questions
and elucidate on how that information will help the client solve their
problem. (Another way of saying: always focus on what they need, not on
what you need.) Given the choice of being brief and simple or long and
complex, be brief. Show the customer your flexibility and allow the
client to stay in his comfort zone. And always give something of
perceived value, with a personal touch if possible. (This doesn't mean
bribe the person with something irrelevant; in my case, it might mean
leaving behind a copy of my book, "Do Something Different,"
for example.) 4:
WHO CAN TELL YOUR STORY? Just
about everybody agrees that marketing yourself and your product or
service is important, yet most of us have problems being immodest enough
to do this effectively. The answer can be getting someone else to do it
for you. One great example: Patricia Gallagher, author of the book
"Raising Happy Kids on a Reasonable Budget" had tried without
success to get on the Oprah Winfrey Show and said to her kids, jokingly,
that anybody who gets Mommy on the show will earn fifty dollars. Her
nine-year-old, Katelyn, wrote a letter that started, "Dear Oprah
Winfrey, My Mommy wrote a book..." and decorated it with stickers.
A producer phoned, sent out a camera crew and invited Katelyn and her
mother to appear on the show. ACTION:
Who can help you tell your story? It may not be your children, but if
you're creating a brochure or other sales tool, why not use testimonials
from satisfied clients or customers? Or have it written by your best
friend, who can talk about the great successes you've had, or even your
mother, saying how proud she is that you have become such a good
whatever. In the crowded information marketplace, these kind of unusual
approaches will capture people's attention. 5:
PAY ATTENTION! We
all know how important it is to concentrate--and how difficult,
sometimes. New Scientist Magazine rides to the rescue with these
suggestions. First, raise your arousal level, either with coffee, or by
making sure you've had a good night's rest, don't eat sugary foods, and
get plenty of exercise so you'll feel fresh. Second, reduce
distractions. Turn off the phone, put a 'do not disturb' sign on your
desk, or go somewhere where you won't be disturbed. Studies suggest that
after being interrupted by a phone call, it will take you a quarter of
an hour to get back into a deep state of concentration. Third, listen to
soothing music that blocks out random background noise. Fourth, practice
catching yourself when your thoughts start to wander, and give yourself
the command, "Stop! Be here now!" and get back to work. One
I'd add: stop compulsively checking your email every fifteen minutes
(hmm, I wonder why I thought of that one...). ACTION:
Which ONE of the above would help you the most? Why not try that one
today? 6:
AND, TO FINISH, AN AFRICAN PROVERB: "The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second-best time is today." Until
next time, Jurgen PS:
This month I wanted to add a little tribute to Paul Winchell, possibly
the most unusual person I've ever met, who passed away recently. You may
have known him as the voice of "Tigger" in the Disney films,
or as one of the foremost ventriloquists and children's entertainers
back in the late 50's and the 60's. When
I was a little kids I used to watch his show and my Dad gave me a copy
of Paul's book, "How to be a Ventriloquist" and a second-hand
dummy. I learned how to do it and performed at a few charity shows and
then moved on to other interests. Years later, when I moved to Hollywood
to break into TV, my agent said he had a client who wanted someone to
write public service announcements for him--Paul Winchell. So I got to
meet my childhood idol and we became friends. There
are not too many geniuses around, but I think Paul was one. In addition
to his show business success, he invented an artificial heart (part of
his design was incorporated in the Jarvik artificial heart), he'd taught
himself half a dozen languages, and he could copy any painting
brilliantly (again, having taught himself how to paint). He had an idea
for treating AIDS that he never got to test, and another for creating
ponds in Africa that supported plants that fed fish, which in turn would
feed people--a synergistic system that would provide protein to feed
starving people indefinitely. He proposed the latter to Congress, but
they thought it was impractical and refused to fund it. Paul
also fought a lot of psychological demons, due in large part to his
harsh upbringing by a mother who was probably mentally ill (he was
pleased when I wrote a play called "Killing Mother"). He was
bitter that people who knew him as a children's entertainer refused to
take him seriously as an inventor and innovator. And he was very wealthy
(partly from his earnings as an entertainer, but more from a lawsuit
against a company that destroyed the videotapes of his early shows
because he refused to sell them his share of the rights to them). He had
millions, but couldn't break the habit of pinching pennies. And he was
angry with the world. One time I suggested that he use some of his money
to set up a school of ventriloquism for poor kids (he was sorry to see
it vanishing as a form of entertainment). "Why should I--nobody
ever did that for me," was his answer. I thought that was a pretty
good reason for HIM to do it, but he didn't see it that way. At the same
time, he could be kind--he was also a hypnotherapist (it was though him
I got interested in learning hypnosis, too), and he used to go to local
hospitals and use hypnosis to help young burn victims deal with their
pain. A man of contradictions, then, and, I hope, finally at peace.
E-bulletin 25: Who cares what everybody says? 1:
OH YEAH?
MAY 2006 BRAINSTORM E-BULLETIN written by Jurgen Wolff: 1. WHO'S ON YOUR DREAM TEAM? Researchers at Northwestern University studied two very disparate groups--the people behind successful Broadway shows and those behind successful science projects--to determine what makes up an ideal team. They found that it boiled down to making sure that you include some newcomers with a team of established people who are best in your field. Just hiring friends is a danger. If the mix is right, the newcomers bring totally fresh thinking to the enterprise, and are nourished and supported by the longer-established members of the team. ACTION: If you put together teams, be sure to include at least one person who will bring a new perspective, and go for the best people, whether or not you have worked with them before. For the solo artist or entrepreneur, it may be worthwhile simulating a team effort like this. In other words, from time to time, pretend that you are coming to the project totally fresh and dare to challenge all the assumptions behind it. Jot down every thought and question that occurs to you, without censorship or regard for how thing have always been done. Then see whether any of these offer new and useful insights. 2: BUST YOUR GREMLINS! Coach and trainer Marilyn Atkinson helps people to move beyond their Gremlins; she quotes Dr. Sally Jenkins as defining the Gremlin as "the inner voice that abhors change and keeps you from moving forward and getting what you want in life." She mentions four gremlins, one of which is System Identification. This means assuming that things must be done a certain way and you have no hope of breaking out of that system. If you ever feel caught up in that, she suggests asking the following questions: (1) Is it true? (2) Am I absolutely certain it is true? (3) Is there an old agenda when I think that thought? (4) Who might I be without that thought? ACTION: The next time you feel that a system is limiting you, try asking these four questions. You may find that you have greater freedom than you thought. 3: TURN 180 DEGREES TO LEARN Marketing guru Sean D' Souza suggests that brave companies and individuals try the 180-degree exercise. That is, instead of asking "How could I build up my business (or relationship, or health, or anything else)", try asking "How could I destroy it?" For a business, this could mean, "How can I drive customers away?", for a relationship it could mean, "How can I drive this person away?" Make a list. For a company, the list might include, "make people spend endless time on hold," "have the first contact with our company be with an unfriendly or untrained person," and "make sure people have no easy way to contact you if they're unhappy." For a relationship, it might be, "remember to criticize, but forget to praise," "have time for everything but this person," and "never tell the person how much they mean to you." The shock comes when people realize that they are actually doing many of the things on their list! ACTION: If you're feeling brave, try doing the 180-degree exercise for any areas of your life in which you think you might like to make improvements. These could relate to career, finances ("how could I make sure not to have money when I retire?"), relationships, health, or anything else. See which of the steps you're actually taking. Then figure out their opposites and start doing those instead. 4: MAKE GOOD NEWS EXCITING, TOO The media often are criticized for reporting mainly negative news. In an article in The Futurist magazine, Lane Jennings suggests, "Besides reporting murders and muggings every night, why not devote a little time to covering nonviolent conflict resolutions among enemies or showcasing achievements by inspiring individuals who deserve to be more widely known and imitated?" Good advice, but what I realized upon reflection is that we, as individuals, tend to do the same thing. Coming back from a recent enjoyable holiday, I found myself talking more about some of the negative events (delayed flights, annoying people at the airport, etc.) because they're easier to make entertaining. ACTION: Monitor the stories you're telling. What's the balance between negative and positive? Might it be worthwhile to put a little more effort into noticing and talking about the positive stuff? (If you're not convinced, see the Yiddish folk tale below.) 5: JACK WELCH'S IMAGINATION In Fortune magazine, tech exec Vivek Paul shared an important lesson he learned from super-exec Jack Welch: "He was commenting that every time he lands in New York (from a trip abroad) he imagines that he's just been appointed chairman and this is his first day in the role, and the guy before him was a real dud. He said, 'Every time, I think, What would I do that was different than the guy before? What big changes would I make?' I took that seriously. You should always think, 'How can I regenerate myself?'" ACTION: When you wake up tomorrow, imagine that you have just been made CEO of your own life. Maybe the guy or woman before you was a dud in how they handled some aspects of your life. Now it's your turn: what do you want to do differently? How will you start? 6: AND THAT YIDDISH FOLK TALE... An old man sat outside the walls of a great city. When travelers approached, they would ask the old man, "What kind of people live in this city?" And the old man would answer, "What kind of people live in the place where you came from?" If the travelers answered, "Only bad people live in the place where we came from," the old man would reply, "Continue on; you will find only bad people here." But if the travelers answered, "Good people live in the place where we came from," then the old man would say, "Enter, for here, too, you will find only good people." Until next time, Jurgen PS: Below is another installment from the collection I call "Letters to an Unknown Friend":
Some time ago I was staying with my mother for a few days. One evening I told her I was going to the local bookstore for a little while, walking, rather than driving, which admittedly is a bit odd in California. She looked worried and went and got me one of her walking sticks. I asked her why I would want to take a walking stick; I'm not infirm. She said in case anyone tried to attack me, I could use it to defend myself. Now you have to understand that (a) this was in Menlo Park, a Silicon Valley town in which a mugger would starve before he'd see a pedestrian, and (b) I'm very tall and although I'm not trained in the martial arts, I think at least most short muggers and maybe some average ones would think it easier to choose a different victim. I managed to make it to Kepler's Book Store and back in one piece, but on the walk I reflected on the fact that no matter how old we get, to our parents we'll always be kids who need to be protected, and to be told to remember to bundle up when it's cold outside, and nagged to eat our vegetables. When I was younger, I resented this kind of treatment, maybe because deep inside, I feared I had not really grown up. Nowadays, that's no longer a fear, it's just a fact. I've come to recognize that most of us learn to put on the trappings of maturity (mostly this seems to involve paying a lot of bills), but inside we are still kids. The toys we buy are more expensive, but they're still toys--or do we believe we really bought that sports car because it gets superior mileage? We stop having tantrums in public, but we still want what we want when we want it. Maybe we learn to share a little better, but when the person across the street gets a shiny new something, our little child's heart still starts beating faster. Maybe some Buddhists have learned non-attachment; most of us still have the equivalent of the teddy bear or blankie that Mom took away at her peril, although today it may be a car, a favorite shirt, or a job title. You know what? I like it that way. It makes life a lot of fun. And anybody who disagrees can eat worms. your friend, Jurgen PS: Call your mother. She?s worried about you.
written
by Jurgen Wolff 1:
Getting into Flow You
may be familiar with the concept of "flow" as written about
extensively by Professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (pronounced
"chick-sent-me-high"). It's that state in which you are
so involved with whatever you are doing that you lose all track of time.
Often it's an exhilarating experience in which we do whatever we are
doing more easily, more quickly, and at a higher level than normal. The
question is, can we induce such a state rather than waiting and hoping
for it to occur spontaneously? The Professor says yes, and here are a
few factors that can help evoke it: A.
Pick an activity that you enjoy, and work on a related task that is at
or just above your level of ability. If it's too hard or too easy, you
won't enter flow. Often the key to doing this is to break a bigger task
down into smaller chunks, each of which is at the right level of
difficulty. B.
Make sure that the task includes immediate feedback, so that you know as
you go along whether or not you are doing well. Generally, you need to
feel positive at the beginning stages, and eventually the task may so
absorb you that you stop thinking about how you're doing it, or how
well. C.
Create an atmosphere in which you have as few distractions as possible.
Again, later in the process, you may be so involved that you don't even
notice things like a phone ringing but it helps if you can start off in
an environment that makes it easy to concentrate. This also includes
setting aside a period of time when you won't feel you really should be
doing something else. ACTION:
Schedule some time during which you want to tackle a project and create
the conditions described above. Go into the process with the idea that
if flow occurs, that will be great, and if it doesn't, you'll still get
a lot done (that mentality makes it less likely that you'll distract
yourself by asking 'am I in flow yet?). 2:
Guess Who Has a Gift Shop Can
you guess who not only has a gift shop but grosses more than $200,000 a
year from it? It's the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.
No, this is not a late April Fool's joke, they actually sell
things like beach towels and coffee mugs with white chalk body outlines,
as well as caps, pens, tote bags, wrist watches, and note pads (if
there's someone special on your gift list who this would be right for,
you can also order by mail order...). And they've now licensed their
goods to be sold in Japan. The profits go to support the office budget
and a Youthful Drunk Driver Visitation program. Why am I telling you all
this? Because from now on, when I have an idea and start to censor it
because it's too far out, or I assume 'nobody would buy that', I'm going
to try to remember the L.A. County Coroner's Office, and I invite you to
do the same. ACTION:
Is there a 'crazy' idea that you've been considering but have dismissed
as being too far out, too unlikely to succeed? Consider revisiting it! 3:
Do You Have a Panic List? (If not, don't panic...) As
mentioned in the current issue of The Writer magazine, author Janet
Groene says she has a panic list: a list of phone numbers and supplies
she keeps handy in case of emergencies. On the phone list are the
numbers of her computer consultant, the support lines for the software
she uses, her office supply store, an office machine repair shop, and a
temp agency that can send over an assistant at short notice. Her
emergency supplies include packaging and paperwork for overnight mail
and FedEx. If something goes wrong when a deadline is looming, she's
prepared to handle it. ACTION:
Every person will have his or her choice of items for a panic list, but
it's a great idea to have one with at least two options for each type of
person you may need to call upon, and several of each of the key items.
I'd include an extra set of inkjet or toner cartridges, an extra hard
drive you can boot up from if your main hard drive crashes, and extra
batteries of various kinds. 4:
Meetings Made Painless I
liked this characterization of most meetings, from Michael Begeman of
3M: "Here's my mental image of what happens in most business
meetings: You could take the people out and replace them with radios
blaring at each other, and you would not have changed very much."
Fortunately, he has some ideas for improving matters: A.
First be clear about the purpose of the meeting. Is it a brainstorming
session? Is it to discuss a topic in order to get more information? Or
it supposed to result in a decision? Make the purpose explicit and use
that as a guideline to keep everybody on target. B.
Rather than fighting people's instinct to have some chatting time, set a
time limit on it. Go around the room and let everybody say a few words
about how they're doing, and to express anything they need to before
they focus their full attention on the matters at hand. Ten minutes of
this at the start of a meeting can help everybody to really be present. C.
Finish the meeting with a quick (five minute) review on what worked well
in the process of the meeting, what took the group away from the task,
what was done or learned that would be useful to incorporate or avoid in
the next meeting. D.
When you write up the notes of the meeting, focus on only three things:
decisions reached, action items that people need to follow up (and who
will do so, by when), and open issues. ACTION:
If you're in charge of meetings, try implementing some of these
techniques. Even if you're not in charge, you may be able to subtly
introduce some of them. 5:
Want to Be More Creative? Get Moving! A
study at Baruch College in New York found that students who participated
in aerobic fitness and dance classes scored higher on a standard
creativity test than students who didn't. Some experts believe
the cause may be the increased oxygen flow to the brain, others
believe that exercise releases hormones that enhance creativity. Either
way, exercise has mental as well as physical benefits. ACTION:
If you don't already make walking, jogging, or other exercise part of
your schedule, maybe now is the time to start. I find that listening to
audio books on my iPod makes the process much more productive and
enjoyable. One source of downloadable audio books is www.audible.com. 6:
And a Quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, from his essay on Self-Reliance: "There
is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction
that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take
himself for better, for worse, as his portion; that though the wide
universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him
but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to
him to till." Until
next time, Jurgen *** PS:
Here is another essay from the collection, "Letters to an Unknown
Friend": Do you think of yourself as the hero of your journey? One of the tools we use in a workshop I teach, "Create Your Future," is the hero's journey, and I wanted to tell you about that today in case it might be useful to you. The hero's journey stems from the work of Joseph Campbell, who was one of the world's foremost students of mythology. He found that in many cultures there were myths that had basically the same structure: a hero going on a quest. Along the way he finds a mentor, but the mentor can only go along for part of the journey, and then the hero has to proceed alone. He faces various tests and challenges, and goes deeply into the world of his adventure. At some point he confronts the greatest challenge and may despair of succeeding or even surviving. At this point, he discovers a new strength or sense of purpose, and he goes on to triumph. Often the treasure he wins is symbolic--that is, something real like a gem or golden goblet that also represents some new knowledge or wisdom he has gained as a result of his journey. Sometimes this treasure benefits not only the hero but also the people around him or even his whole tribe or country. If
this pattern sounds familiar, that's not surprising, because it is a
story structure also used in many novels and films. George Lucas used it
for his first three Star Wars movies and struck up a friendship with
Campbell. Even more interesting, though, is that it is a
pattern that fits many of our real-life adventures. When I conduct the
workshop, I invite participants first to use this structure to describe
how they have handled a challenge in the past, for example, going to
college, starting a career, or learning a new skill. Often, people are
surprised to realize they've been heroes.
Then I ask them to use this structure to describe how they could
accomplish something they haven't done yet. The
result is always interesting and sometimes profound. Not only is the
hero's journey a useful planning tool, but the effect of thinking of
ourselves as heroes and heroines on a journey of adventure can have a
fantastic motivational effect. The attitude with which we approach a
problem or challenge has a huge impact. Switching from "I have a
problem" to "I am on a quest" is a big shift. A number of
participants have reported they've also used it to inspire their
children, with terrific results. Why
not try it yourself? Think of something you'd like to achieve. It
doesn't have to be something huge or exotic. It might be losing ten or
twenty pounds, or learning a new skill, or reinvigorating a
relationship. Take a little while to daydream about it, using the
pattern above. Who could be your mentor? What obstacles might you
encounter and how do you think you'll overcome them? Notice not only the
ideas that come up, but also how you feel. Have fun and don't be afraid
to think of yourself as a hero--I bet you already are one. Your
friend, Jurgen
written
by Jurgen Wolff Here
are some ideas and inspirations to get you going. Let's get started: 1.
WHAT ARE YOU AVOIDING? We
all have things that we know we should do, but that we avoid because we
don't enjoy them. This could be exercising, handling paperwork, getting
organized, or making phone calls, for example. In an internet article,
Kevin Beegle, president of Physiques in Motion, gave some advice for how
to guarantee that you will stick to an exercise program. The same advice
could help us with anything we're avoiding, so in the list below, where
I've put the asterisks, insert the phrase that describes what you may be
avoiding: A.
Begin looking at *** differently. Focus on the benefits instead of the
process itself. B.
Think small. Break down *** into sections or parts and set some
realistic goals. C.
Get a *** partner. Make an appointment for both of you to tackle
something you're avoiding (it doesn't have to be the same thing) and
then commit to doing it at that time. D.
Change your *** more often. Try some different ways of achieving the
outcome you want. E.
Hire a Personal Trainer. Who is an expert at *** ? Hire them once or for
regular sessions to help you do what you're avoiding more efficiently
and effectively. F.
*** at a different time of day. Experiment with when you find it
easiest--maybe first thing, to get it out of the way, or between two
more pleasurable activities, for example. G.
Plan to *** for a minimum of six months. After a while, you'll find it
has become a habit. ACTION:
Decide which of the above changes would have the most positive impact,
and try it today. 2.
ARE YOU USING THE POWER OF WAITING? Robert
Epstein, Ph.D., editor of Psychology Today, noted in one of his columns:
"In my laboratory research, I've learned about the enormous
benefits waiting has for creativity. When people are struggling to solve
a problem, the more time they have, the more creative they become. Even
long periods of inactivity are eventually followed by breakthroughs. The
main challenge is to teach people to relax while 'nothing' seems to be
happening." ACTION:
Is there something you feel you might be rushing? Consider how to build
in some time to allow your subconscious mind to work on it. One useful
approach: have two projects going, and alternate between them. The
active time on one becomes the 'doing nothing' time for the other. More
radical: give yourself some time off to really do nothing--it doesn't
have to be long, even as little as one day. Key point: in this period,
give yourself full permission to do nothing so you are not distracted by
the feeling you really should be doing something. 3:
THE CARE AND FEEDING OF IDEAS You've
heard before about the importance of carrying around a notebook so you
can capture ideas. Here, from an article by designer Mark Oldach in HOW
magazine are further useful tips: A:
Within 24 hours of a meeting or interview, review your notes, expand on
them, connect ideas, ask new questions. B:
Let the information or new ideas settle (as in item two above) C:
Give others on your team your new notes and ask them to expand on them
as well. D:
During your "stewing" period, jot down any new thoughts that
come up, clip any articles that seem relevant, etc. and keep them all in
one place. I find box files work really well for this. E:
Try expressing new ideas in pictures as well as words. You don't need to
be a great artist for this. I would add: try to involve all the senses.
What will your customer or client say, what will they feel, and what
will they see? ACTION:
Consider whether these steps would be useful in a current project, or
build them into your plans for an upcoming project. In your project
file, keep a log of what is most helpful so you can apply it in the
future as well. 4:
DO YOU HAVE A FALLBACK PLAN? Most
of what's written about entrepreneurship and achievement accentuates the
positive, but it's also useful to consider what could happen if you
fail. Business executive learned this from media mogul Ted Turner:
"Ted, although giving the public appearance that he shoots from the
hip, is actually very conservative fiscally and always has a
well-thought-out plan in case things go wrong," he wrote in Inc
magazine. A personal example: at the moment I have a new book proposal
being circulated to publishing companies, but I also have a fall-back
plan for self-publishing it and promoting it via the internet. ACTION:
For the major projects you have or would like to have, take some time to
brainstorm fallback plans. Sometimes this will prompt you to build in
certain features right from the start. 5:
ARE YOU SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE? Tim
Sanders, executive and author of the book, Love is the Killer App,
writes: "Over and over again, I've discovered that the
businesspeople who are the busiest, the happiest, and the most
prosperous are the ones who are the most generous with their knowledge
and their expertise. People who love what they're doing, who love to
learn new things, to meet new people, and to share what and whom they
know with others: these are the people who wind up creating the most
economic value and, as a result, moving their companies forward." ACTION:
Keep a batch of postcards and envelopes handy. When you run across an
interesting new idea or product, take a moment to think about which of
your friends or colleagues might benefit most and jot down the
information and their name. Once a week, complete the addressing and
stamping and post these notes. Of course you can also do it via e-mail,
but these days the impact of an actual card or letter is much greater. 6:
AND FINALLY, A THOUGHT TO CONSIDER... This
one is from George Bernard Shaw: "Life is a series of inspired
follies. The difficulty is to find them to do. Never lose a chance. It
doesn't come every day." Until
next time, Jurgen
written
by Jurgen Wolff Looking
hopefully for those signs of Spring. It's a good time to do some mental
and well as physical Spring cleaning. To that end, I hope you'll find
these ideas useful: 1:
Use the Power of Visualisation--Instantly On
my Power Trances CD there are a number of longer visualisations, but
here is a short one you can use anytime you're stressed. It takes only
about a minute, and here are the four steps: One:
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Make a mental image of whatever is
causing you stress. It can be a metaphorical image; for example, if you
feel stuck, imagine yourself in a tar pit, struggling to move out of it. Two:
Now make another image that represents how things will be once the
problem is solved or dealt with in the best way possible. In the example
above, the second image might be yourself lightly walking through a
meadow. Three:
Keeping the second image in mind, think of three specific tangible
things you can do in the short term to move things closer to this image. Four:
Open your eyes, take another deep breath, and do the first tangible
thing or at least one part of the first tangible thing (for example, if
you need to make a phone call but can't do it right then, schedule the
call in your calendar or to-do list). ACTION:
This is a great exercise for the start of what you fear may be a tough
day. Pick the number one thing worrying you, do the exercise, and move
into action. 2:
Tips for Creative Travellers If
you've travelled lately, you'll know that it can be more stressful than
ever. Here are my own top three tips (I'd love to hear some of yours,
sent to BstormUK@aol.com): One:
Carry a pair of earplugs. You never know when you'll end up sitting near
noisy kids, or sleeping in a hotel room where there's a party going on
in the next room. The wax ear plugs that you knead and then push into
position tend to be the most comfortable. Two:
Carry a little alarm clock set to the time of your destination. This is
a good back-up to hotel wake-up calls. Three:
Carry a travel sheet that has on it all the key travel information for
your trip. This includes flight numbers, reservation numbers, departure
and arrival times, your frequent flyer numbers, your hotel information,
and information of your contacts at your destination. Make 2 copies.
Keep the original on your person, one copy in your carry-on luggage, and
give one copy to the person most likely to need to reach you (and who
you can reach in case of an emergency). ACTION:
Keep a set of the above and other travel essentials handy (toiletries,
travel insurance documents, passport etc.) so if you ever need to travel
at short notice, you won't have to rush around gathering reusable
information and getting everything together. 3:
Learning from the Circus Maybe
you've been to one of the wonderful Cirque de Soleil shows, or maybe
you've just read about them or seen excerpts on television. It has
become a big business, which nets more than $100 million per year on a
gross income of over $500 million. It has successfully married the
creative side and the business side. So what can we learn from it? Well,
one thing is to spend enough on research and development. The Cirque
company spends forty percent of its profits on developing new ideas, new
effects, and finding new talent. If
you're working for yourself, you may not have thought too much about R
& D, but in this era when we are all essentially working for
ourselves (even if we are employed) it's essential to invest in
ourselves as well. This could take the form of workshops and classes to
learn new skills; subscriptions to magazines related to what you do;
trips to see how people in other places do what you do; and new
equipment or supplies that help you do your job more effectively. ACTION:
Estimate how much you're investing in yourself. Is it enough? What kind
of R & D investment in yourself has the potential of the biggest
payoff? What's the first step you could take to make sure that you're
not only keeping up, but staying ahead in your field? 4:
Get Lucky There's
an old saying, "The harder I work, the luckier I get." In a
recent essay, marketing expert Seth Godin came up with a new twist on
this idea. Writing in Business 2.0 magazine, he says, "We live in a
world of fashion, not rational computation. A world where everything
from brake linings and ball bearings to clothes and airlines is chosen
for unpredictable reasons. The way to grow in the future is to
acknowledge how important luck is and diversify your risk. Do that with
lots of products, not just one or two. Cut your overhead, so you have
plenty of chips, ready for another spin of the roulette wheel." ACTION:
Consider whether you are being diversified enough in what you're
offering the world, and how many different approaches you are using to
make the world aware of your product or service. It could be useful to
diversify further and do some quick and inexpensive trials to see what
might work better than what you're doing now. Godin says, "Every
time you launch a product or service, every time you apply for a job or
start a nonprofit, you're either going to hit or not. If you get lucky,
you're entitled to deny that luck had anything to do with it. But if you
fail--and you probably will--understanding the role of the L factor will
keep you sane. And if you've planned for it, it will keep you solvent as
well. Solvent enough to try again and again, until you make it (and take
all the credit)." 5:
Say Those Three Little Words... What
are three of the most powerful words you can say? No, not those. In this
case, I mean "I am sorry." A recent study by a law professor
at the University of Missouri, Columbia, showed that wronged parties are
more likely to settle out of court for lower amounts if the other person
apologized--but there's a twist. The
subjects were asked to imagine that they had been injured in a collision
with a bicyclist (whose fault it was) and had been offered a settlement
that covered only their medical expenses. There were three different
test groups. In one, the bicyclist apologized fully, in one the
bicyclist didn't, and in the third, the bicyclist offered a partial
apology. When
a full apology was offered, 73 percent said they'd take the settlement;
when no apology was offered, 52 percent said yes; and, interestingly,
when a partial apology was offered, even fewer--35 percent--said they'd
take the settlement rather than suing for damages as well. The
implications of this latter figure may be that if you are going to
apologize, do so fully. My own theory is that perhaps if the other
person doesn't apologize, we can still imagine he or she feels bad, but
if they offer only a partial apology, we realize they feel that we were
partly to blame and that upsets us. ACTION:
Time and again, our politicians and other public figures (hello, Bill,
hello, Martha...) fail to realize that a speedy admission of guilt works
better than denials or cover-ups. The next time you make a mistake, as
we all do from time to time, consider saying those three little words... 6:
And a few words of inspiration Richard
Saul Wurman calls himself an information architect. He has published
over fifty books, and he follows his curiosity wherever it leads him.
Here's what he said about that: "I attempt to indulge myself, and
the choice of each project is an indulgent choice. I'm proud of that. I
know we're told to indulge yourself is bad, it is a characteristic that
is not a Christian characteristic. But what else would you want to do
but indulge in the things you find creative and enjoyable? When
possible, you should do what you want to do every day." Until
next time, Jurgen Written
by Jurgen Wolff For
thousands of years the pattern of human behaviour was to plant in the
spring, cultivate in the summer, harvest in the fall, and rest in the
winter. So if you're tempted to be hard on yourself for not having
jumped into the new year with full energy, give yourself a break! Even
so, we can always use some new ideas and inspirations, so here are a few
I hope you'll find useful: 1.
RECONNECTING WITH YOUR UNIQUENESS This
item comes under the category of "physician, heal thyself!"
Last year I wrote a sitcom for Germany that was changed a lot for the
worse by the director, who was backed by the producer. In my heart I
knew I should quit the project and take my name off it--but I
rationalized my way out of that decision. The outcome: the series
flopped...with my name still on it. The moral: trust your vision and be
true to yourself! Here's
what director Tim Burton had to say about this in a recent interview:
"There was a very specific moment in my life when I had a
breakthrough. I was at the California Institute of Arts, and I had been
getting more and more exasperated because I was trying to fit into a
certain style of drawing--the Disney way--and I almost had a breakdown,
and I was just sitting there and I said, 'You know what? I can't draw
like this. I'm just gonna draw whatever way I draw and that's it.' And
at that moment, my drawings changed. In one second, I drew completely
different. In a different style and a different way. It was like a drug
experience--literally, my mind expanded." ACTION:
When you have some private time, take a few minutes to review each of
the aspects of your life: personal and professional. Are there any
respects in which you've stopped being true to yourself? How could you
get back on the path? What's the first step? When will you take it? 2.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT? A
fascinating study was done recently at the University of Florida, in
which researchers asked subjects to hold their hand in ice-cold water
until the pain became unbearable (how do they get people to do these
things?). Women kept their hands in for an average of 69 seconds, men
for an average of 109 seconds. A second group was told that the average
person can withstand the cold for 30 seconds. In this group, the women
averaged 60 seconds, the men 90 seconds. A third group was told the
tolerance time was 90 seconds. In this group, the women held out for an
average of 102 seconds, the men for an average of 112 seconds. In
all cases, men held out longer than women, which may prove women are
more sensitive to pain, or maybe just more sensible. But more
interesting is that in each case where they were told an average time,
they tried to beat it. It suggests that our achievements are linked to
our expectations and to whom we are comparing ourselves. ACTION:
Take a moment to consider whether you're comparing yourself to anyone in
terms of what you'd like to achieve. Have you set your standards high
enough? Or too high? What would be a better standard of comparison that
you might find more motivating? 3.
THE FIFTEEN-MINUTE IDEA GENERATOR In
The Artist's Magazine, Grace Cohen writes about how she and her son
would overcome their artist's blocks when they weren't sure how to get
started: they would set an egg timer for 15 minutes, take a walk, and
they would draw whatever they were looking at when it went off. After 15
minutes of drawing, they would start walking again, and repeat the
process a few times. This
gave me the idea for adapting this to brainstorming, and it seems to
work. Here's how: set yourself a topic or problem about which you'd like
to have some new ideas (I tested this with my need to come up with a
better ending for the novel I'm writing at the moment). Set a timer for
15 minutes and start doing whatever routine tasks you need to do. When
the timer goes off, take out your notepad and jot down whatever new
ideas you have in that moment. When you run out, re-set it, and repeat
the process. The great thing is that you don't need to consciously think
about the topic while working, but often you'll find your subconscious
mind continues to work on it and give you ideas. ACTION:
Give this a try yourself the next time you're doing tasks like
housework, filing, etc. Have a little notepad and a pen with you. If no
new ideas come up when the timer rings, review the ideas you've had
previously about the topic, re-set the timer, and do it again. Let me
know how you get on! 4.
READER, BEWARE THE HYPE MACHINE! Because
of my interest in creativity, I got kind of excited when I read the lead
paragraph of this news story: "People who sleep eight hours a night
are more creative, artistic, and possibly even smarter than folks who
sleep less than that, according to a new experiment that actually proves
that sleep can turn yesterday's problem into today's solution, reports
Reuters." Sounds
great, right? Well, stay with me and let's look at the actual
experiment: 106 volunteers were divided into groups of men and women
ages 18 to 32. All were trained in a math procedure. Before testing,
Group 1 slept for 8 hours, Group 2 stayed awake all night, Group 3
stayed awake for 8 hours during the day. Guess
who did worst? Yes, the group that stayed up all night. Guess who did
second worst? Yes, the group that had been up 8 hours during the day.
And the best group was fresh from having slept eight hours. To
quote Homer Simpson: "Doh!" They conducted one trial, with
only extremes. Nothing about whether eight hours of sleep is in fact
better than seven or six hours, for example. Nothing about sleep
actually contributing to solving problems that were difficult to figure
out before the sleep session. And where does being more artistic come
into this experiment, exactly? Furthermore,
the article concludes by citing several examples of "great insights
that occurred after a deep sleep," including that "Samuel
Taylor Coleridge wrote his epic 'Kubla Khan.'" Well, actually he
woke up after sleeping only three hours with the poem supposedly
fully-formed in his mind and he'd taken drugs... ACTION:
As our leaders are finding, it's important to read the fine
print. Increasingly, even the mainstream media seem to be going for
'sexed up' headlines and opening paragraphs. Useful questions to keep in
mind are: 1. Who says so? 2. What's the evidence? 3. In whose interest
might it be to hype the headline? 4. Is the supporting evidence (like
the 'Kubla Khan' anecdote) really true? 5.
HOW OLD ARE YOU--IN DAYS? Writer
and thinker Peter Russell has a different approach to counting his age.
Here's what he says about it: "A few years back I began counting my
age not in years, but days. The day is the natural cycle of our lives.
The cycle of light and dark, wakefulness and sleep, has more
significance than the cycle of the seasons. Indeed, in equatorial
latitudes, you hardly notice the passing of the seasons. The day is what
counts. Each
day is a complete unit in itself. At the end of each day I can look back
and take stock. How have I been? What have I learnt? What can I be
grateful for? I
can hold a day's experience in mind quite easily. Trying to go back and
take stock of a whole year is much harder. Numerous incidents and
discoveries are inevitably forgotten. I
also find it far more meaningful to think that I have lived through
nearly twenty thousand days this life, rather than 50 years. And it
reframes the future. I have -- probably -- thousands of days still to
come. Thousands of new days to discover, enjoy and learn from." ACTION:
If you'd like to calculate your age in days without having to get out
the calculator, go to his website: www.PeterRussell.com, and click on
the part of his mind map that tells you how old he is. There's a
calculator there that will work it out for you instantly. And then start
enjoying your age...day by day. 6.
AND A QUOTE TO THINK ABOUT This
one is from Peter Russell, too: "We're facing an unprecedented
uncertainty in our lives. Living with uncertainty forces us to let go of
attachments to how things should be. We'll have an excellent opportunity
to practice inner flexibility, to look at our expectations and step
behind them...The greater our personal creativity, the better we can
ride through it. Inner strength is what will see us through." Until
next time, Jurgen written
by Jurgen Wolff The
events of the past few years have underlined the fact that more than
ever before we need to be positive, creative, and to do something
different in order to get the results--and the peaceful world--we want.
So, let's get started with some fresh tips... 1:
Resolutions that really work All
too often the resolutions we make in January are in tatters by February.
How can we do it differently so this time we can stick with them? Here
are four characteristics of successful resolutions: A.
They are broken down into small chunks. Losing fifty pounds this year is
pretty overwhelming; losing one pound a week is much less daunting. B.
They consciously displace something else. If you're going to start
exercising an hour per day, three times a week, that means giving up
something else that was previously taking up those three hours (or, more
likely, five or six hours if you factor in time to change, get to the
gym or the park, showering, etc.). If you try to add these hours without
giving up something else, you will fail. C.
They are specific and measurable. If a goal is vague (such as "I'll
eat more healthily"), it's too easy to cheat. When the action is
defined ("I'll eat oatmeal for breakfast instead of three
donuts") you can easily keep track of your success. D.
They are measured. Checking off accomplishments on a calendar or a task
list is emotionally satisfying and has been shown to reinforce the
behaviour that's being tracked. ACTION:
If you've made some resolutions (or would like to do so now), write them
down and identify what you have to do each week (or, if appropriate,
each day). Make up a chart that allows you to track your progress. If
they take up extra time, also identify exactly what you will give up
doing in order to find that time. 2:
To learn, set an outcome If
you want to learn something new, such as a piece of software, a
language, or any skill, it can be extremely motivational to set an
outcome first. In other words, a product or situation that will come
about when you have learned the new skill. For example, if you're
learning French, book a vacation in France for the summer now; if you
want to learn Photoshop, set the goal of creating a montage of family
pictures that will be a great present for family members' birthdays
throughout the year. ACTION:
Consider whether there is a new skill you'd like to master this
year. Then think of an outcome that excites you, that will be possible
only when you've mastered this skill, and make a commitment to it. 3:
Do some mental weight training At
this time of year, lots of people decide to do weight training or other
physical fitness exercises, but what about mental weight training? I
don't mean puzzles, although those can keep the mind nimble, too. I mean
thought processes that can help you cope with difficult situations
throughout the year. Here are three: A:
When you're upsetting yourself about some minor problem (e.g., having to
queue for a long time, a driver cutting you off, etc.), in your
imagination move forward a year in time--will this moment and this
problem still be something you'll remember? If not, and if there's
nothing you can do to change the situation, take a deep breath and
relax. Level of difficulty: Easy B:
When something isn't working, rather than doing the same thing over
again but harder, step back mentally from the process and ask yourself
what you could do differently that could affect the outcome. Example:
You're on a call centre line with someone whose understanding of English
is minimal. Rather than getting frustrated and arguing or shouting, hang
up and place the call again; the odds are you'll get a different
representative. Level of difficulty: Intermediate. C:
When you're in a disagreement, ask yourself "Would I rather be
right, or would I rather keep this relationship strong?" If
pressing your point really isn't important, let go. A good way out is
saying: "You may be right." Level of difficulty: Hard! ACTION:
Practice by first remembering similar situations and imagine how it
would have been if you'd employed these thinking strategies. Then watch
for opportunities to employ them. 4:
The secret that will get you what you want Motivational
speaker Zig Ziglar has a great saying: "You can get everything in
life you want if you help enough other people get what they want."
I call this a secret because so few people seem to know it! Most of the
time we think about what WE want from any given transaction; if we start
by thinking about what the other person wants, usually we can figure out
a way to give it to them and also get our own desired outcome in the
process. A simple example: An acquaintance of mine knows that what he
wants at a restaurant is great service, and what his waiter or waitress
wants is a good tip. His solution: give them their tip in advance. He
tells me it works 99 percent of the time. ACTION:
In your next interaction with anyone, take a moment first to consider
what they want. If you give it to them, the odds are they'll also give
you what you want. 5:
The secret that will keep you on course every minute Another
secret--in the sense of being little used, anyway--is a simple question
that speaker Tim Cathcart suggests asking yourself: "How would the
person I'd like to be do the things I'm about to do?" If you ask
yourself this question every time you have to make a decision, you will
move inexorably toward the future you want to create for yourself. ACTION:
Write this question on a card you keep visible in front of you as much
as possible, ask it every time you have to make a decision, and act upon
your answer. Notice how it changes your day. (If you don't mind sharing
the outcome with me, let me know at BstormUK@aol.com--I am convinced
this is a life-changing question!) 6:
To prosper, find inner strength Here
is a quote from Peter Russell (whose book, A White Hole in Time, about
the major challenges faced by the human race, I highly recommend):
"We're facing an unprecedented uncertainty in our lives. Living
with uncertainty forces us to let go of attachments to how things should
be. Turning inward is what will see us through as individuals. The
greater our personal inner stability, the more we can flow with the
changes. The greater our personal creativity,
the better we can ride through it. Inner strength is what will
see us through. If there ever was a time to wake up spiritually, this is
it." (By the way, this is a quote from an interview he gave in
1999.) ACTION:
No one can tell you how to be more spiritual; for some it comes from
meditation, for others via more time in nature, for others via doing
work that contributes to the environment or other people. But if you're
considering how you'll spend your time this year, it may be worth
allocating some time each week to this goal, in whatever form works for
you. 7:
The Real Power of Being Positive Sometimes
positive thinking sounds like a naive cliché. But science is confirming
the power of being positive. A study at the University of California
revealed that when actors were asked to act happy, their immune
functions increased, and when they were asked to act sad, their immune
functions declined. In other words, your positive demeanour doesn't even
have to be genuine. ACTION:
If you find yourself thinking negatively, especially at the beginning of
the day, imagine that you are an actor and have been directed to act
happy. You don't have to go overboard, but try it and notice how it
changes how you feel, how others respond to you, and, if you do this
long-term, even how it effects the number of minor illnesses you have
over the course of the year. 8:
Making Better Connections Networking
is a term that throws terror into the hearts of many of us (my nightmare
is of a group of people all thrusting their business cards at each
other, in unison giving their 30-second summary of what they offer). But
what it's really about is establishing connections so that people will
want to work with you or ask you to work with them. From the Dale
Carnegie website, here are six ways to do that: A.
Offer to help others. End meetings and calls by asking, Is there
anything I can do to help you? B.
Communicate your unique knowledge and expertise to others. C.
Share your own personal contacts judiciously. D.
Be approachable. E.
Write personal thank-you notes to people who help you. F.
Follow through on your commitments--always. ACTION:
Consider which of these six would most improve your business or even
personal relationships the most. Consider doing that one more
consistently (it will help if you put a reminder on your desktop). 9: And, finally, some wisdom from 2000 years ago, courtesy of Roman philosopher, Cicero. Here's
his list of the six mistakes of man (how much progress have we made in
2000 years?...how much can each of us avoid these six this year? *
The delusion that personal gain is made by crushing others. *
The tendency to worry about things that cannot be changed or corrected. *
Insisting that a thing is impossible because WE cannot accomplish it. *
Refusing to set aside trivial preferences. *
Neglecting the development and refinement of the mind, and not acquiring
the habit of reading and studying. *
Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.
written
by Jurgen Wolff Here
are this month's tips and techniques: 1:
Make a New Imaginary Friend Some
of you know that I'm big on visualization as a technique for relaxing,
setting goals, and all kinds of good outcomes. Here's a new
visualization technique that builds on recent findings of a study done
at the State University of New York at Buffalo. They assigned unpleasant
tasks to 240 couples, half of whom had pets. The pet owners had lower
stress levels while doing the tasks, and performed better when in the
presence of their pets than when in the presence of their partner or a
(human) friend. ACTION:
If you have a pet, make sure it's around when you're doing taxes or any
other unpleasant tasks. If you don't have a pet, imagine one! That's
right, take a deep breath, picture your ideal pet, imagine it as vividly
as you can (not only what it looks like, but also any sounds it makes
and what it would feel like to pet it, for example). You may notice an
immediate relaxation response. If anxiety or stress comes back, take a
moment to imagine interacting with the pet. (I know it may sound
strange, but try it, it does work!). 2:
Give Your Environment a Boost Put
aside a little fund for buying yourself some items that will give your
work environment an extra bit of zip. This might be a poster, a
figurine, a plastic light bulb, a wall hanging, a wind-up
toy--anything that reminds you of your creative, child-like side. ACTI0N:
Keep an eye out for items like this. Put them into a box, and bring them
all out when you go to work. They can be a great
jump-start to get you over the blahs that a lot of people feel
during the winter. 3:
Keep Track of Your Phone Calls Creative
types often have trouble with keeping track of the more mundane aspects
of business. One useful thing is to be aware of who you called when (or
who called you), what was discussed, and what was agreed. Jotting this
all down on random slips of paper fits with the image of the
absent-minded artist, but isn't very effective. There's a better way: ACTION:
Buy a bunch of those "While you were out" pads from your local
stationery store. Instead of using them for missed calls, fill one out
every time you make or receive a phone call. Jot down the name of the
person, the date, and the gist of the call, including any agreed-upon
actions. You can then file these by date, or at the end of the day file
them by project. 4:
Tis the Season to be Grumpy (Not) Dealing
with people who annoy us (like unhelpful store staff, aggressive beggars,
certain family members we see only once a year...) can be
difficult. Wouldn't it be great to have a routine that would
remind us to be compassionate in such circumstances? Harry Palmer
suggests five steps in his book, "Resurfacing: Techniques for
Exploring Consciousness." Really they are five statements to repeat
to yourself in such an encounter: (1)
Just like me, this person is seeking some happiness in his or her life; (2)
Just like me, this person is trying to avoid suffering in his or her
life; (3)
Just like me, this person has known sadness, loneliness and despair; (4)
Just like me, this person is seeking to fulfill his or her needs; (5)
Just like me, this person is learning about life. ACTION:
It may be useful to jot these down on an index card and refer to them.
Don't start with the most annoying person in your life, rather start
with someone easy and build up. 5:
In Praise of Idleness This
time of year we may be busier than ever, but it's useful to remember
that idleness has a role to play, too. Here's what Tom Hodgkinson,
editor of the magazine, "The Idler," wrote: "The
best-kept secret in business is that great leaders are nearly always
extremely lazy, as well as being capable of bouts of intense work. This
is not just a weird coincidence. It is because laziness means time to
think; and thinking time leads to good ideas, and good ideas rather than
unthinking toil give the edge in today's business world." ACTION:
Schedule some time for idleness. You can even put it in your diary: next
Wednesday, 2pm to 4pm, meeting with Mr. I. Dellness...then head off to a
coffee shop or take a walk and embrace your Inner Idler. 6:
And Last but Not Least, a Quote to Consider: "The
aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly--that
is what each of us is here for." -- Oscar Wilde. (And, if I dare
add a thought to Oscar's, it's when we're being ourselves that we also
have the most to offer others.) best
wishes, Jurgen
All material copyright 2003, Jurgen Wolff.
written by Jurgen Wolff There
are many obstacles to living our lives in a creative manner.
However, obstacles may be something different than we think.
Consider this commonly used quotation from Alfred D'Souza: "For a
long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin, real life.
But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten
through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt
to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these
obstacles were my life." If we think of obstacles as an
important and integral part of our lives, the solutions to these
obstacles can be not only an outlet for our creativity, but also a
natural and acceptable part of our lives. 1.
Can you hear yourself thinking? Two
studies from Germany have assessed the impact of noise on stress levels
and concentration. One, reported in the journal Psychological Science,
tested the effects on 200 schoolchildren living near Munich before and
after a new international airport went into operation nearby. Children
living directly under the flight path had increased blood pressure and
higher levels of stress hormones. The other study determined that office
noises from ringing telephones, printers, and copiers reduced efficiency
and concentration by up to 30%. ACTION:
If you work in a noisy environment, consider how you can minimize the
noise (e.g., move the copier to another location, turn down the volume
on the phone ring, etc.). If that's not possible, consider shielding
yourself from the noise. Special headphones that block noise are
available (I use them on long flights and they do reduce the stress that
comes from the drone of the engines). However, these might be a bit
obtrusive in an office setting. The cheap and more subtle alternative:
ear plugs. 2.
Go Visual I'm
about to head off to Spain to do a presentation to a bunch of producers
and writers, so I've been reviewing sources on making an impact with
your speeches. One point that several experts suggest: open with a
visual. No, not Powerpoint (Powerpoint presentations put many people
into an instant stupor)! It can be anything--a newspaper you unfold to
reveal a relevant headline, a prop that somehow illustrates your topic,
or something intriguing you write or draw on the flip chart. ACTION:
The next time you make a presentation to an audience large or small, try
opening with a visual and notice whether it has more impact than your
usual opening. You can even use them, although more casually, in
one-to-one meetings in which you want to convey an important point. 3.
The biggest obstacle Creativity
expert Gordon Mackenzie said in an interview that the biggest obstacle
to creativity is: "attachment to outcome. As soon as you become
attached to a specific outcome, you feel compelled to control and
manipulate what you're doing" (...might an example of this be,
"finding weapons of mass destruction?"). He continues,
"In the process you cut yourself off from other
possibilities." Traditional
approaches to setting and reaching goals say we should focus so much on
our goal that we filter out all other possibilities, but in the chaotic
and unpredictable climate in which we find ourselves this may be exactly
the wrong strategy! ACTION:
One way to maintain flexibility in regard to goals is to review
periodically whether the goal is still important to us. Otherwise we may
find, as one executive said, "I spent years climbing the ladder and
finally got to the top...only to find it was leaning against the wrong
wall." You can do this review in a workshop or you can just make a
private appointment with yourself quarterly to review your goals in
areas such as career, fitness and health, relationships, and finances,
and update any that need it. 4.
Be your own role model One
of the hot areas in the world of management and self-development these
days is "modeling"--that is, observing how experts do what
they do, and doing the same things. However, it's even easier to model
yourself. Here's how: make two columns on a piece of paper. In one
column, write down all the things you do really well (not just in your
work, but in any areas of your life). In the second column, list some
things you'd like to do better. Now look at how you approach the things
you do well and consider how that might translate to doing the things in
the second column differently for a better result. For example, if you
are really good at getting your children off to school on time, but not
so good at getting your work reports in on time, what can you apply from
the first experience to the second? ACTION:
Try combining different pairs until you find a model that works, then
try it out. If you have children, this can be a great exercise to do
with them--it reinforces the fact that they are good at certain things,
and that it's possible to improve the things they don't currently do so
well. 5.
The new notebook? Having
a notebook (or at least a pen and paper) with you at all times so you
can capture ideas as they occur to you has long been one of the cardinal
rules of creativity. Now we can add to that carrying a small digital
camera with which you can capture any visual images you find
stimulating. The latest models are relatively inexpensive and small
enough to slip into your pocket. One of my colleagues takes his to
meetings and presentations, and instead of copying down what the
presenter has written on flip charts, he just snaps a picture (so sit
near the front...). ACTION:
Look for a camera that has at least a 3x optical (not digital) zoom and
that's small enough that you can imagine taking it everywhere. Invest in
a memory card big enough that you don’t have to worry about running
out of space. 6.
And a quote to think about, from Francis Bacon: “If
we are to achieve results never before accomplished, we must be prepared
to employ methods never before attempted.” Til
next time, Jurgen written
by Jurgen Wolff 1:
Wearing Someone Else's Shoes In
a recent issue of Fast Company, Seth Godin rues the fact that so many
things just don't work very well. One reason, he says, is that the
people who make them forget to look at the world through the eyes of the
user: "They forget to try to open the CD cases they're sealing shut
with plastic. They forget to try to use their Web site or navigate the
voice mail that they're designing. They don't look at the form that
they're creating to consider that once the computer knows a zip (post)
code, the user shouldn't have to type in a city and state."
Probably we could all come up with another dozen examples, but are we
sure we are blameless ourselves? ACTION:
Take some time to consider the ways that what you do is experienced by
your customers, clients, boss, and/or colleagues. To really get the full
impact of this, find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted,
relax, close your eyes, and imagine these interactions as though through
the eyes and ears of the other person
(therefore, you see and hear yourself doing whatever you do). You
can also use this to review your interactions with your spouse or
partner, children, or friends. You may be surprised by what you find! 2:
Especially for Perfectionists Here's
a little item making the rounds on the internet (exactly as written):
Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in
waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht
the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total
mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the
huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
amzanig huh?" I'm
not endorsing being careless about typos (in fact, I despair when I see
how few people these days know that difference between its and it's, and
principle and principal, for example) but maybe for the perfectionists
among us, this might be a good reminder that the most important thing is
communicating the content of the your message. ACTION:
If you find yourself being too much of a perfectionist, consider how
much time you're spending on the core task, and how much on perfecting
it. 80/20 is a good ratio. 3:
Be Your Own Coach Most
of us have tasks we're avoiding because they scare us in some way, or
they're tedious. If you find that you keep moving an item from today's
to-do list to tomorrow's, you've
just identified such a task. A
subscriber has sent a good suggestion for handling such tasks, or for
doing something when your spirits are low and you lack energy. Her
technique is to coach herself through it step by tiny step. For example,
if you're avoiding making a phone call, you would say to yourself (out
loud, if possible), "Look up the number." When you've done
that, you say, "Jot down the key point you need to make or the key
question you need to ask." Then, "Now dial the number..." ACTION:
Identify one task you've been avoiding. Coach yourself through it. If
there are people around and you don't want to say the steps out loud,
write them down and check each one off as you do it. At first you may
feel silly micro-managing simple tasks...but give it a try, it's better
than continuing to put them off. 4:
Is What You Read Affecting You? A
study reported in the Journal of Gerontology found that elderly people
who read a pessimistic account of memory and aging scored 20 to 30
percent worse on a memory test shortly afterwards than those who read an
upbeat article about growing older. Undoubtedly what we read also
affects our emotions--certainly I find reading all the bad news in the
daily newspaper tends to leave me a bit more depressed than when I
started. At the same
time, so much of what we read is about negative events over which we
have no control or influence (and a feeling of having no control is one
of the major elements of stress). ACTION:
Here's an experiment to try. As you scan your usual newspaper, ask
yourself whether you will benefit in any way by reading each article.
For example, while my sympathies are with the victims of a terrible
earthquake, do I wish to read about it in detail? When you do read about
something that upsets or frustrates you, consider taking action. If you
read about a natural disaster somewhere else in the world, send a small
donation to the Red Cross; if you read about an infuriating government
policy, send a letter of protest to the relevant politician; if you read
an article about the plight of the homeless in your area, consider
giving a donation of time or money to a local shelter. 5:
The Power of Keeping a Journal Maybe
you used to confide your deepest feelings to a diary when you were
younger but don't have the time nowadays. It might be worth considering
starting again. A study reported in the book, "Opening Up: The
Healing Power of Expressing Your Emotions," asked one group of
unemployed people to write their job-seeking plans in a journal, and
another group to write their deepest thoughts about job loss. After
eight months, the latter group was twice as successful in finding jobs.
(Other studies have shown that women undergoing treatment for breast
cancer also benefited from keeping a journal of their emotions.) ACTION:
If you are undergoing any major challenges in your life (or even if
you're not), consider keeping a daily journal in which you record your
feelings and thoughts. If you're worried that someone else might read
them, you can even type them on your computer and then erase them
again--getting the feelings out is the important bit. 6:
And a final thought, this time from George Bernard Shaw: "Life
isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." 'til
next time, Jurgen
written
by Jurgen Wolff The
other day someone asked me, "In all the years you've been
researching creativity and productivity, what are the top tips and
techniques that you use yourself and that have stood the test of
time?" That struck me as a great theme for this month's e-bulletin,
so below you'll find my answer. And
now on to the countdown of those top five tips: 5:
Positives, Potential, and Concerns This
is a great way to communicate when you're part of a team or giving
feedback to one person. Whatever
you're discussing, you start with the positives, the things you find
good about the idea. Then you talk briefly about its potential, that is,
in what ways it could be something really special. Only then do you
voice your concerns, and in a particular way: as problems that can be
solved. For example, rather than saying, "There's no way we can get
this done in time," you might say, "Let's talk about what
resources we'd need in order to get this done in time, and how we can
get them." You will find that meetings that might otherwise have
been confrontational, with everybody defending their own viewpoint,
become much more constructive. ACTION:
Try this the next time you have a meeting in which someone's ideas are
being discussed. You may also want to try it in a personal context--for
example, when trying to get your children to behave differently. You'd
acknowledge what's right about their current behaviour, what potential
benefits a change would bring, and then figure out together how the new
behaviour could be brought about. 4:
The What Will You See and Hear Strategy for Reaching Goals This
approach to reaching goals makes the process much easier. You start with
the outcome you want. It can be something tangible (e.g., "To Make
50% more money from my writing") or less tangible ("To feel
less stressed"). You then take a few minutes to daydream about what
things will be like when the problem has been solved, and you specify
what you will see and what you will hear at that point. For
example, when I feel less stressed: I will see myself moving in a calmer
manner; I will see myself taking breaks at least twice a day; I will
hear my voice sounding calm; I will see my desktop empty other than for
the materials I need for the thing I'm working on at that moment,"
and so on. The
next step is to take each of these things and brainstorm how you can
bring them about. For example, for the breaks, going outside with the
smokers when they take a break but instead of smoking, taking a walk
around the block. For sounding calm, taking a deep breath before you
speak. You
then start making these little changes, starting with the easiest ones,
and at some point you will reach a critical mass of changes and
the problem will have been solved. ACTION:
What is one change you'd like to make? Take a few minutes to write out
what you'll see and hear when it's solved, and make one tiny change
today. (By the way, sometimes it's helpful to get a colleague, friend or
partner help you come up with ideas for what you'll see and hear.) 3:
Secret Reminders When
you're trying to change some habit, often the hardest part is just
remembering to do it. A lot of self-help books suggest that you put up
sticky notes all over the place with a reminder written on them, but I
find that a bit embarrassing because other people can see them. Instead,
you can create a code for yourself and use it for visible but secret
reminders. For
example, let's say you're trying to remember to improve your posture.
Get a sheet of those sticky little dots (they come in various colours)
and put one wherever you're likely to see it. You might stick one on
your can of shaving foam or your jar of moisturizer, or on your
toothpaste tube, another on your wallet, and so on. After a while you'll
get used to seeing them, so you may need to change colours or otherwise
vary the signals so they continue to work. ACTION:
Is there a habit you'd like to change? If it's specific to one location
or action, you can put the secret signal in just one appropriate place.
For example, if you're trying to cut down on long phone calls, put the
coloured dot on your telephone. 2:
The "What's In It for Them" Approach This
approach is the key to getting people to do what you want them to do.
Simply consider ahead of time what's in it for them, and make
that benefit clear to them. We all get so hung up on what we want, or
what makes us special, that we forget the number one question people
have in their minds all the time: "What's in it for me?"
That's true whether we're pitching a project to a potential client,
trying to get a child to go to bed, or trying to attract Mr or Ms Right.
If you keep this in mind and apply it, it can transform you
communications overnight! ACTION:
The next time you want to get someone to do something, consciously think
about what's in it for them, and spell that out for them when you make
your request or give your instruction. A good indicator that you're
actually doing this is that the word "you" will come up more
often than the word "I". Try doing this for a whole day (or
better yet, a whole week) and notice the difference. 1:
The Do Something Different Strategy Here,
in the top position, is the single most important strategy I've ever
come across, and also the most neglected. It's simple: If what you're
doing isn't working, do something different! Just think for a moment
about how this could revolutionise the world if it were applied in the
Middle East, for example, where both sides are stuck in repetitive and
unsuccessful patterns. Similarly, whatever you thought about the
justness of the war on Iraq, it has clearly not yielded the desired
outcome. Will we learn from that to do something different? ACTION:
Identify one part of your life where you'd like to make a change but
find yourself doing the same thing over and over again. It could relate
to dieting, trying to get someone to do something your way, changing one
of your own habits, or anything else. Brainstorm at least 3 different
ways you could tackle that challenge, and try the one that seems most
likely to work. If it doesn't, try the next one, until you find one that
works. (The free report mentioned in the PS below will help you do
this.) And
last but not least, a little story to think about: A Native American
grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt about a
tragedy. He said, "I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my
heart. One is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the
loving, compassionate one." The grandson asked him, "Which
wolf will win the fight in your heart?" The grandfather answered,
"The one I feed." until
next time, Jurgen written
by Jurgen Wolff 1.
What can you learn from waiters? A
recent Dutch study revealed some of the ways that waiters get bigger
tips. Number one is mirroring the customers, especially by repeating
back the order to them. The waiters who did this received, on average,
double the tips of waiters who just said something cheerful like,
"Coming right up!" Other successful techinques: smiling a lot,
greeting and even touching the customers, crouching down beside the
customers while taking their orders, and giving candy with the bill. The
leader of the study suggests that repeating the order is a form of
mimicry which leads to bonding. My opinion is that it also is a way of
making you feel more secure that what you ordered is actually what
you'll get! Crouching down rather than looming over customers obviously
suggests that you're (literally) on their level. And smiling, greeting,
touching lightly on the arm or shoulder, and giving a little present
(the candy) all are things we normally associate with friends and thus
create a friendly and generous response. ACTION:
Consider how any of the above might improve your interaction with
customers, clients, colleagues, and people who serve you. For example,
how can you reinforce the idea that you're on the same level? It might
be by discussing challenges that both of you have, or finding a common
interest to talk about, for instance. 2:
The smell of ZZZZZZZZZs It's
hard to be creative or productive if you're sleep-deprived. It's long
been known that certain scents can help you doze off, but which is the
most effective? U.S. researchers tested the two top contenders, lavender
and jasmine (and a control of no scent) on twenty subjects. The outcome:
Jasmine won, leading to falling asleep faster, sleeping more peacefully,
and feeling more refreshed upon awakening. ACTION:
Get a jasmine-scented candle and burn it for a few minutes at bedtime. 3:
How to Think Positively Research
suggests that optimists are more successful and even more healthy than
pessimists. But simply willing yourself to be more optimistic doesn't
work. Here are five steps you can take daily that do work: A.
Start each day by listing five things for which you are grateful. B.
During the course of the day, give at least one person a genuine
compliment. C.
Use a to-do list and check off each task as you accomplish it, in order
to underline the fact that you're being productive. D.
During each day, do at least one nice thing for someone else, without
worrying about taking credit for it. Example: leave an extra-large tip
for a good waiter or waitress; put money into someone's parking meter
which is about to expire; let someone get into the check-out line in
front of you at the supermarket if they look like they're in a hurry. E.
At the end of each day, write down the best thing that happened to you
that day. ACTION:
Follow the above five steps for one month and notice the difference it
makes in your outlook. At the end of the month, please send me an e-mail
about how you feel (BstormUK@aol.com). 3:
Eye to eye It's
well known that maintaining eye contact with the person to whom you're
speaking is one secret of good communication. However, many people feel
uncomfortable looking into someone else's eyes for very long. An
alternative, according to relationship guru Renee Piane (as quoted in
Men's Health) is to focus on the other person's mouth. I've also found
that looking at the spot between their eyes works. ACTION:
Experiment with increasing your eye contact (or variations above) the
next time you have a business or personal meeting and notice whether you
feel more of a connection. 4:
What you see (before you get it) is what you get! Those
of you who have participated in my workshops know that I'm a big fan of
visualisations. I'm always looking for documented studies of the effects
of this technique, and found one in a recent issue of the magazine, Ode.
It refers to a test done with top Russian athletes preparing for the
1980 Winter Olympics. They
were split into four groups. Group 1 had only physical training;
Group 2 had 75% physical training and 25% mental training; for Group 3
the split was 50-50; and Group 4 had 25% physical training, 75% mental
training. The outcome: Group 4 had the best results, Group 1 had the
worst results. ACTION:
Use visualisation to prepare for any challenges coming up in your life.
You can use our Power Trances CD (email for info.) or simply take 15
minutes to relax, visualise the outcome you want in as much detail as
possible, using all the senses. In other words, what will a successful
outcome look like, sound like, feel like, even taste like? 5:
You know before you know Here's
a fascinating study about intuition, conducted at the University of
Iowa: participants were asked to flip cards from four decks of cards,
choosing whichever ones they wanted. Two were rigged to produce a loss
of play money, two were rigged to produce a gain. Subjects were hooked
up to sensors similar to those used in lie detectors. After turning only
ten cards, the subjects showed a physical reaction when reaching for a
losing deck. But only after turning an average of 50 cards were they
able to verbalize their hunch that the two "loser" decks were
a bad choice. In other words, their bodies knew it long before their
minds did ACTION:
When you need to make a decision, tune in to your body. Notice and jot
down what sensations take place when you consider each of the choices.
Even if you're not willing to act on this information yet, check it
later to see if it was accurate. 6.
And something to think about... The
following thought-provoking passage was written by someone who goes by
the name of Psy, and is an excerpt from the Spring 2003 issue of
"Reclaiming Quarterly" magazine: "Imagine
that a rich relative left you an inheritance. There is enough money that
you never have to work again if you keep your expenses low by sharing an
apartment with roommates, using the bus instead of owning a car, cooking
your meals at home, and so on. What would you do with your time? Would
you work at all? Learn to play the piano? ... Be a full-time parent?
Where do your passions lie? Why aren't you following those passions
right now? Why aren't you living that life? Is your path in life more
important than living a lifestyle that obscures it? Can you make some
changes to your lifestyle to rebuild your life around your passions?
Will you?" Until next time,
by
Jurgen Wolff Here
are some resources and inspirations I hope you will enjoy: 1.
Visual Thesaurus site for word-hunters and brainstorming When
brainstorming, it's useful to have words or images that can prompt new
ideas. One site I like for this purpose is http://www.visualthesaurus.com.
You type in a word and click, and a spider web of related words comes
floating into view. The words are attached to each other, with
additional click-points where they are connected. If you click one of
those points, more related words appear. It's much more fun to use than
a normal thesaurus, and the on-line version is free (you can also pay
for a version to put on your own hard drive). 2.
Use time pods to be more efficient I'm
putting together a new time-management system and will offer it free to
some beta-testers via this bulletin in due course, but in the meantime
you may want to try out one of the components to make better, more
focused use of your time. I call it time pods, and here's how it works:
You set aside one hour of time for a particular task. Next you make sure
that you have all the materials you need for this task, so that you
won't have to break off and look for a file or stapler or whatever.
Finally, you write down your intention for this time period. For
example, "I will write 5 pages of my script," or "I will
clear my e-mail in-box of 50 old messages," or "I will use the
internet to get the ten key bits of data I need for my report." You
may feel a bit silly writing this down, but please don't skip this step,
it's crucial! Set
an alarm or buzzer for one hour. When it goes off, stop. On the same
sheet of paper, write down any observations or notes that might be
useful in helping you to be more efficient next time. For example, you
may have realized that there was something that you needed in order to
do the task, that you didn't get ahead of time, but next time you can. Before
you move on to your next time pod, take fifteen minutes off, and make
sure to use at least five of those minutes for physical activity. If
you're in an office, going up and down the stairs a couple of times is a
good choice. Also allocate at least five minutes for some mental
stimulation (e.g., browsing a magazine). Finally be sure to take a big
swig of water--most of us are lightly dehydrated much of the time and
that affects our energy levels. If
you give this a try, please let me know how it works for you. 3.
The
Option Method questions Therapist
Deborah Mendel di Marsico suggests a set of questions to answer, ideally
in writing, when we are unhappy (or otherwise negative) about something.
The idea is that the answers will reveal our beliefs about the situation
and at times will show that those beliefs are not necessarily true. Here
are the questions: What
am I unhappy about? What
is it about that, that makes me unhappy? Why
am I unhappy about that? What
would it mean if I were not unhappy about that? (This is where it gets a
little strange, but stick with it! For example, let's say you're unhappy
about not getting a raise that you were hoping for. If you weren't
unhappy about it, it could mean that you are giving up on your
ambitions, or that you felt you were less valuable than others who did
get a raise, or that you were caving in to your employers' demands.) Why
would it have to mean that? (This question prompts you to find out
whether the meaning you have attached to the event is necessarily true.
Often it is not, and realising that can transform the effect of the
experience. Other times, it is true and then you will feel more
determination to take appropriate action.) 4.
Cards and letters (remember those?) In
this day of e-mail, personal letters and cards are getting more rare,
and therefore more valued. One of the big trends at Hallmark and
American Greetings (which, together, account for 90% of all cards sold)
is encouragement cards. These are cards that tell the recipient that you
believe in them, perhaps when they are undergoing a time of stress.
Frankly, it strikes me as a bit plastic to send a manufactured card with
those sentiments, but why
not make your own? Any postcard with an image you like (or a card that's
blank on the inside) will do. Jotting down your own words of
encouragement, or even "I was just thinking of you and wanted to
let you know" will make somebody's day. 5.
Put your subconscious mind to work for you Here
is what successful novelist M. J. Rose (her most recent novel
is "Flesh Tones") says about how she uses her
subconscious mind: "My novels always start off with a 'what if?'
For "Flesh Tones" I asked, 'What if a man asked a woman who
loved him to help him die?' I carry the 'what if?' around in my head,
and if it has legs, the story tells itself to me. I literally see it all
in my head, like a movie, and I just write down what I see. If I don't
see anything, I stop for that day. That night, before I go to sleep, I
concentrate on where I stopped. The next morning, before I get out of
bed, I focus again on where I stopped. Then I go swimming, and while I'm
doing my laps, I see what's next. I am very good friends with my
subconscious--we work together." ACTION
TIP: You can use the same techniques even if you're not a writer. If you
have a personal or business challenge, make up a suitable "What
if?" For example, "What if I decided to change careers?"
or "What if I could heal my relationship with my teen-age
daughter?" Let ideas come to you and jot them down. If you get
stuck, focus on that part of the issue before going to sleep and in the
morning check for new ideas. Do the same while swimming, jogging, taking
a shower. Always write down the new thoughts and ideas and soon you may
find that, as in M. J. Rose's case, the full story appears. 6.
Cross-brain exercise Kay
McCarroll, of the Educational Kinesiology Foundation says that
"Movements on one side of the body will stimulate activity in the
opposite brain hemisphere. By activating both sides of the brain
alternately, you are building up and balancing the neural connections
between the two." Here's
a simple exercise that they say centres the brain, improving logical
thinking, focus and reading: Make
a V-shape with the thumb and forefinger of one hand. Place it in the
centre of your chest, just below the collarbone. Rub this spot for 30
seconds while placing your other hand over your stomach. Exchange hands
and repeat. 7.
Expecting to laugh It's
not a surprise anymore that laughing has a beneficial effect on our mood
and even our physical health, but here is a shocking result from a
recent study from the College of Medicine at the University of
California, Irvine: the subjects' mood improved not only during and
after seeing a one-hour comedy but also two days before the video was
shown! Lee
Burk, the assistant professor of family medicine who conducted the
research, says, "This is the first time we have seen that just
anticipating such an event can change the body's responses. We believe
this 'biology of hope' underlies recovery from many chronic
disorders." ACTION
TIP: Decide at the start of the week which comedy film or series you're
going to see that week, and use the anticipation to lift your mood. 8.
Brian Tracey's prescription for success Motivation
guru Brian Tracey tells the story of his life-changing experience: he
was travelling across the Sahara with friends when their Land Rover
broke down. They were low on water and they knew that if they couldn't
fix the car they'd die. Of course they did, and Tracey says,
"That's when something locked in. I realized I was responsible for
my own life. I stopped blaming my parents, my teachers, other people. I
knew nothing in my life would ever change unless I changed; I knew a
person in this life must be a proactive agent in his life rather than a
reactive agent." Here
is Tracey's prescription for being effectively proactive: "You must
be clear about the goals you set, flexible about the the process of
achieving them, and then continually learn all you can in every way
possible." ACTION
TIP: Review your goals monthly. If
what you're doing to move toward that goal isn't working, decide what
you can do differently, and identify what would be helpful for you to
learn in the coming month. 9.
Last, but not least, a Zen story to consider... A
farmer went to see the Buddha about his various problems: the weather
was either too hot and it dried out his crops, or too wet and it caused
floods, and his wife didn't understand him, and his son was ungrateful
and rebellious. The Buddha said he couldn't help because all human
beings have 83 problems. A few may go away, but soon enough others take
their place. So we will always have 83 problems. The farmer was
indignant. "Then what is the good of all your teaching?!" he
demanded. The Buddha said, "My teaching can't help with the 83
problems, but perhaps it can help with the 84th." "What's
that?" the farmer asked. "The 84th problem," the Buddha
said, "is that we don't want to have any problems." Until
next time, Jurgen
Wolff
Written
by Jurgen Wolff In
this uncertain time, we have to do the best we can with the parts of our
lives over which we do have control. I hope these tips will help you
remain positive, creative, and live in accordance with your values. Now
let’s get started… 1:
Think of the alternatives If
you find that your spirits sink when you face rejection or a setback,
you may be jumping to a negative conclusion too quickly. When
psychologist Michael Yapko works with depressed people, he has them come
up with six possible explanations for an upsetting event. When they
realize that the reason behind the event isn’t necessarily personal,
they often experiencing a lifting of their mood. For
a writer, for example, a rejection slip MIGHT mean the editor thinks the
manuscript is terrible. However, it might also mean the publishers have
a similar project already in the works, or they’re having budget
problems, or they deferring are decisions because they are about to be
taken over by another company, or… TIP:
The next time you experience a negative emotion in response to something
that happens to you, first notice what belief about the situation is
causing you to feel that way. Then generate half a dozen alternative
explanations and notice the change in your mood. 2:
Be a great storyteller Futurist
Watts Wacker says a good storyteller tells you a good story, but a great
storyteller helps you find yourself in the story. When you have a
presentation to make, or a pitch, or are trying to win hearts and minds,
tell your story in a way that makes it easy for your listeners to
imagine themselves in the action. I’ve
found this even works in letters of complaint. Instead of describing
what happened to me, I write, for example, “Imagine that you arrive in
a strange city late at night, go to your hotel, and the desk clerk says
they have no record of your reservation, even though you have a booking
number… How would you feel? What kind of help would you expect from
the clerk? How would you feel if he said only, “You must have made a
mistake and I don’t have time to help you”? This approach almost
always gets a result. TIP:
When planning your message, think about the various ways you can get the
reader or listener or viewer to imagine themselves as part of the story.
Appeal to the senses and emotions as much as possible. 3 A
current advertising campaign says it’s not how many ideas you have
that’s most important, it is how many you turn into reality. Here are
three things that often stop people from turning their inspirations into
reality, and ways to overcome them: Fear
that exposing the idea may lead someone to steal it. True, sometimes
ideas are stolen, but the risk is smaller than most people think.
And by keeping your idea under wraps, you miss out on the chance to get
useful input from a variety of people. TIP:
Make some kind of sample or prototype of the project and test it on
various people. Observing their body language and what questions they
ask often is more revealing than asking them for their opinion. Fear
of the size of the project. The old
Chinese maxim is that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a
single step. That step is followed by another, and another, and another.
Very few pioneers knew how they would overcome all the obstacles they
would encounter, but they started and then dealt with each new
development as it came up. TIP:
Try to stay one or two steps ahead of the process and accept that you
may not be able to see all the way to your destination from the starting
point. Fear
of ridicule. This is often the real
fear behind the fear of failure. If nobody knew we’d tried something
and we failed, how would we feel? Most of us would chalk it up to
experience and move on. But as soon as we imagine our families or
colleagues seeing us fail, the emotions get stronger. TIP:
Be inwardly determined to succeed but outwardly modest. For example,
tell friends, “I’ve decided I’m going to train to run a marathon.
Even if I fail, at least I’ll be more fit than I am today.” If you
build in the possibility of failure and frame it as a win anyway, there
will be nothing to be humiliated about. Seemingly paradoxically, this
may help you to be more likely to succeed, because the fear of failure
will not be draining your energy. 4:
Start anywhere Here
is how the advertising art director Larry Miller once described how he
does good work: “I start with scribbles. In fact many scribbles are
made while I’m on the phone or singing along with the radio. My mind
is not directly involved with my work; it’s an odd from of
discipline.” He said he then puts away the scribbles or thumbnail
sketches and checks them again an hour or day later. Upon second look,
“the good stuff jumps right out, and so does the bad.” TIP:
In what you do, what is the equivalent of a scribble? It might be
seemingly random thoughts, questions, or ideas, and they may come to you
at odd times. Try noting them without judging them at the time, and then
later go over them to find the ones that may be worth further
development. ANOTHER
TIP: Don’t forget that inspiration tends to appear when you’ve laid
the groundwork. Miller said, “before you can give sway to your
intuition and feeling, you have to gather lots of information, study it,
think about it, digest it. Only then can your artistic side take
over.” 5:
And last but not least, a quote to think about: Astronaut
Edgar Mitchell, talking about his experience of being in space: “The
peaks were the recognition that it is a harmonious, purposeful, creating
universe. The valleys came in recognizing that humanity wasn’t
behaving in accordance with that knowledge.” Until
next time, Jurgen Wolff
BRAINSTORM
Creativity E-bulletin 11 written
by Jurgen Wolff If
you find it useful and inspirational, please forward this E-Bulletin to
your friends—we never sell or buy mailing lists, so all our
subscribers come from referrals from people like you. When you read
this, I’ll be teaching my “Create Your Future Workshop” in Skyros,
Greece. I usually learn at least as much as I teach, and I’ll give you
a brief report on the experience in the next e-bulletin. 1.THE
POWER OF BECAUSE Research
on how to influence people reveals that when you give a reason for your
request, the rate of compliance goes up significantly. This is true even
when the reason is obvious or not especially compelling. In one study,
when someone asked to move up in a queue at a photocopy place by saying,
“Excuse me, I have five pages to copy, may I use the Xerox machine?”
they were granted permission by 60 percent of the people they asked.
When they added the simple reason, “because I am in a rush,” 94
percent of the people said yes! TIP:
The next time you want someone to do something for you, add a
“because” statement even if you think the reason is obvious or weak,
and notice the difference. 2.
HOLDING A GRUDGE HURTS--YOU A
study at the University of Tennessee suggests that grudge-holders have
higher blood pressure and that releasing such feelings may improve
general health. Psychology professor Katherine Lawler told Psychology
Today magazine that three steps can lead to forgiveness: First, face the
pain of betrayal and allow yourself to experience the associated
emotions rather than suppressing them. Second, put yourself in the shoes
of the wrong-doer to understand why he or she may have acted the way
they did. Third, choose to forgive. Understand that this does not mean
you approve of what the person did, nor that you will necessarily have
further contact with them, only that you are ready to let go of the
offense and move on. TIP:
Consider whether you are holding on to any negative feelings about an
incident or person in the past. If so, try the three steps above, and
notice whether you feel lighter and more energetic when you have let go
of these feelings. 3.
IN PRAISE OF IDLENESS Tom
Hodgkinson, editor of The Idler magazine, says, “The best-kept secret
of business is that great leaders are nearly always extremely lazy, as
well as being capable of bouts of intense work. This is not just a weird
coincidence. It is because laziness means time to think; and thinking
time leads to good ideas, and good ideas, rather than unthinking toil,
give the edge in the business world today.” TIP:
If there is no lazy time in your schedule, book some. Use it to take a
walk or a swim, or just to sit at a café watching the passing parade
(but have a pad and pen handy to capture ideas that come up during these
times). 4.
IMPROVE YOUR AQ You
have heard of IQ, your intelligence quotient, and probably EQ, your
emotional quotient, but consultant Paul Stoltz believes that it is your
AQ, or adversity quotient, that really determines your success. His
research suggests that as life becomes more complex we encounter more
adverse events every day, and the ability to handle them creatively is
essential. People who feel most in control of their lives have the
highest AQs and are most successful. You can raise your AQ by doing the
following: 1. Recognise the scope and duration of the problem (in other
words, realise that this, too, shall pass). 2. Immediately look for
solutions rather than trying to pin blame. 3. Focus on how you have
solved similar problems in the past and how the skills and knowledge you
used then might help in this situation. 4. Determine who could help you
deal with the problem and ask for their help. 5. Break the problem down
into manageable chunks and address them one by one. TIP:
The next time you encounter any adverse event (this could be as small as
a negative comment from a colleague or a minor financial setback),
notice how you respond. If your response is not as constructive as you
would like it to be, try the five steps above and notice how that
changes your behaviour and feelings. 5.
USE A RINGER A
“ringer” is a fake among the real--for example, a professional
gambler who pretends to be an amateur. You can use the Ringer Technique
to try out your creative ideas. If you tell friends or colleagues an
idea, their relationship to you may well colour their reactions.
Instead, bury the “ringer” among a batch of other ideas and then ask
them to pick the best one. For example, if you have an idea for a novel,
write a brief summary of the story (like the summaries found on the back
of a book). Copy the summaries of four or five real books and put yours
among them (for best results, do not use books that are so well known
that their summaries will give them away).
Then ask your friend or colleague to rank them in terms of how
interesting they sound, or on any other criteria you think apply. TIP:
You can use this technique to test all kinds of new ideas. Don’t tell
your friends or colleagues that there is a ringer among the real, or
they will focus on trying to find it. 6.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…A QUOTE TO THINK ABOUT "Keep
away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people
always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can
become great." -
Mark
Twain Til
next time, Jurgen PS:
In the last bulletin, we mentioned that in an interview it might be
useful to ask job applicants for their ideas about how to solve some of
the difficult problems your company faces. Subscriber Phil Estabrook
rightly points out that this should be done openly, so the applicants
can decide whether or not they want to give free advice when it’s not
certain that they will be hired. BRAINSTORM
Creativity E-bulletin 10 Written
by Jurgen Wolff 1.
GET IDEAS: JUST ASK In
his book, WEIRD IDEAS THAT WORK, Stanford professor Robert Sutton
suggests that employers use job interviews to get new ideas, not just to
screen candidates. He says: Give job candidates problems that you cannot
solve. Listen as much as you can. Talk as little as you can. TIP:
You can use this same strategy even if you are not hiring people. The
next time a friend asks you how your work is going, tell him or her one
of the problems you are grappling with, and ask what they might do in
your place. For example, if you are a writer and are stuck on a plot
point, ask a friend what he or she thinks could happen next in the
story. It can be an advantage if your friend knows little about your
field—sometimes the best ideas come from people who are fresh to a
challenge and do not know what cannot be done. Remember not to judge
their ideas in front of them; just thank them. 2.
WHAT ARE YOU ASSUMING? Professor
Sutton also has this recommendation: When you know that you need to head
in a new direction, but you do not know which road to take, sometimes
the best thing is to do whatever is most ridiculous or random. Thinking
up the dumbest and most impractical thing that you could do is a
powerful way to explore your assumptions about the world. TIP:
The next time you are trying to decide something, come up with a
solution that you know cannot possibly work. Then ask yourself WHY it
cannot possibly work. The answers will reveal the assumptions you are
making about the situation. Then examine each of the assumptions to see
whether it is necessarily true. New solutions may suggest themselves
once you have dropped the false assumption. 3.
GO BY THE NUMBERS When
brainstorming, either by yourself or in a group, number the ideas that
come up, Tom Kelley suggests in his book, THE ART OF INNOVATION. Kelly
says it may seem like an obvious idea but it took them ten years to
catch on to it at idea-factory Ideo. He says it has two advantages.
First, it motivates the participants to have a set number of ideas in a
certain time period. Second, it
makes it easier to go back to earlier ideas during the discussion. TIP:
According to Kelly, a hundred ideas per hour usually indicates a good
brainstorming session. By setting this kind of goal for yourself, you
will not have to time to judge each idea as you go along, which is one
of the things that often kills a brainstorming session. It also
guarantees that you write down every idea (another important guideline
for effective brainstorming). 4.
BE HERE NOW It
is very easy to spend too much time thinking about the past or the
future and forget that the only thing that truly exists is NOW. Many
people spend much of their lives in what was or what will be, and do not
notice what is there for them in the moment…and thus the minutes,
hours, and years of their lives slip away. How to get back to the Now?
In his book, LIVING ON PURPOSE, Dan Millman suggests a practical
strategy: First ask, “Am I relaxed?” (And consciously relax your
body.) Second, ask, “Am I breathing fully and evenly?” (And take
three slow, deep, relaxing breaths.) Third, ask, “Am I acting, moving,
or behaving with refinement, quality, and elegance?” (Then give your
full attention to what you are doing in the moment, whether sitting,
standing, driving, doing the dishes—and do it with a sense of grace of
elegance.) This three-question wake-up call serves to bring our
attention back to the body, and back to the present moment…the body
stands in the here-and-now. TIP:
The next time you find yourself getting lost in the past or future, try
Millman’s technique. If you want to make this a habit, write a key
word for each step on a little card and keep it visible on your desk. 5.
CREATE YOUR OWN VILLAIN Usually
we encourage you to think positively, but sometimes a bit of strategic
negative thinking can help, too. Have you noticed how hard people will
work when they are fighting an enemy? The more specific the enemy, the
better. You can use this power by creating a symbol of whatever is
holding you back. Most of the time, this is not another person, but some
aspect of yourself. For example, if you’re trying to lose weight and
shape up, most likely it is your own problems with sticking to your diet
and exercise regime that get in your way. You can create an image for
this ‘enemy’. Maybe you want to imagine Blimpo—a cartoon-like
hugely overweight and slobby version of yourself. Blimpo hates it when
you exercise or when you resist the lure of chocolates because Blimpo
wants to make you into his or her own image. Imagine your reaction if,
the next time you are tempted, you call Blimpo to mind. You can even
play out the reaction of your villain when you resist temptation—make
it big and make it fun. TIP:
Decide what is your biggest enemy—the thing that holds you back from
doing or being what you would like to do or be. Create a super-villain
to embody that. Each time you are confronted with a challenge, visualise
the enemy. Make the right choice, and enjoy the downfall of the enemy!
The best thing is this all happens in your imagination. You do not need
to tell anyone else about it—all they will notice is that you are
doing better than ever before. 6.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…A QUOTE TO THINK ABOUT Everything
that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of
ourselves. -- Carl Jung Til
next time, Jurgen Our
web site is www.BrainstormNet.com.
You might also enjoy my book, DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, available now in
the U.K. from book stores and Amazon.co.uk, and in the U.S. from
Amazon.com. (Contents copyright 2002, Jurgen Wolff). Written
by Jurgen Wolff 1.
THE
SECRETS OF BREAKTHROUGHS What’s
the secret of major breakthroughs in the sciences? Roger
Hollingsworth’s study of institutions that have won the Nobel and
other major prizes yielded some answers: Flexibility
is essential. The winning institutions tend to be organized loosely and
can respond quickly to new developments. Cross-fertilization.
Communication and collaboration between different departments has been
crucial. Enthusiasm
for the work. Often breakthrough ideas have come up outside of working
hours. The most dedicated scientists think about their studies all the
time, even dream about them. Curiosity.
The winning scientists don’t dismiss interesting “mistakes” or
unexpected outcomes, they pursue them. IDEA:
Even though you’re probably not working in the sciences, take a moment
to consider how these keys to success could work for you: Are
you and your company sufficiently flexible, or do you tend to do things
by habit or by the book? Do
you get enough input from people, publications, and other sources
outside your immediate specialty? Are
you sufficiently enthused about your work? If not, how could you awaken
(or re-awaken) your enthusiasm? When
things go wrong, are you sufficiently curious to see whether something
useful might come out of mistakes or unexpected events? 2.
DEADLINES:
THE MOTHER OF INVENTION The
patents granted in the United States are given for a limited time (17
years) and expire unless they are used commercially within that period.
Seventeen years after World War II, many companies faced the expiration
of their patents on wartime inventions with great potential. They
recruited inventors, designers, and others to come up with commercial
applications quickly—and the result was a boom in new products. IDEA:
We tend to come up with the goods when we’re under a deadline. If
you’re facing a personal or business challenge, or have a great idea
but haven’t acted on it because there’s no urgency, try committing
to a deadline of your own. In advance, determine a reward for yourself
if you make the deadline, and a penalty if you fail to meet it, and put
both of them under the control of a friend or colleague (that way you
can’t later decide “it was all just make-believe anyway”). 3.
DO
SOMETHING DIFFERENT! CASE STUDY The
Problem: A
group of crime writers wanted to get more attention for their work. The
Strategy: Seven
of them formed a group called Murder Squad. They made their first public
appearance at the opening of a Borders book store. They also printed a
full color brochure offering their services for readings, workshops, and
talks at book shops, libraries, and literature festivals. The
Outcome: Although
the group has not been together for long, they have garnered
considerable publicity and have been invited to a variety of events at
which they have promoted their books. The
Lessons: Sometimes
there is power in numbers where publicity is concerned. In this case,
the group was smart enough to give newspaper and magazine editors a good
visual: a group photo with the members dressed up in dark outfits a la
Reservoir Dogs, and all wearing sunglasses. Even though each member
cares most about promoting his or her books (the group consists of four
men and three women), they recognized that a joint effort would pay off
for them all. Questions
to Ask Yourself: 1.What
kind of publicity pay-off might come from banding together with a
group of similar people or businesses? 2.
How could the group have visual appeal? Possibilities include a mascot,
a common logo, and a colorful outfit. 3.Are
there other benefits that could come from joining together—for
example, discounts on bulk purchases made by the group? 4.
CREATIVITY
SECRETS Some
time ago Fast Company magazine asked a variety of people for their
creativity secrets. Here are three of our favorites: DAVID
HARDY, Sr. Manager, Creativity and Innovation, Institute for Learning
Bank of Montreal: “The key to creativity is clarity. Never work on a
creative challenge without first writing down a problem statement in the
form of a question.” PAULA
SCHER, Partner, Pentagram Design, New York: “In my wok, I always try
to adopt the perspective of a first-time user. If I’m designing a
package, a book, or a magazine, I approach it as if I’ve never heard
of it before. If it’s signage or an identity project, I approach it as
if I were a foreigner and didn’t speak the language.” SUZANNE
MERRIT, Senior Creatologist, InsightOut, Cambridge, Massachusetts: “I
suggest posing four questions at three different levels: person, team,
and organization: What am I here to create? What talents and abilities
are my natural resources? What might I have to let go of to create what
I want? What real need in the world will be met by what I create?” 5.
AND
A QUOTE FROM A GREAT BOOK I’ve
just read a great new book called “The Art of Possibility”:
Transforming Professional and Personal Life,” by orchestra conductor
Benjamin Zander and his therapist wife, Rosemund Stone Zander. One
of the anecdotes in it concerns the fact that Ben Zander often gives his
music students an automatic “A” grade at the beginning of the term,
as long as they write him a letter dated the following My (the end of
the term), in which they detail the story of what will have happened to
them by then that is in lie with this extraordinary grade. One
day one of his Asian students, from a culture where competition is
intense, raised his hand with the following comment about his ”A”
policy: “In
Taiwan,” he said, "I was Number 68 out of 70 student. I come to
Boston and Mr. Zander says I am an A. Very confusing. I walk about,
three weeks, very confused, I am number 68 but Mr. Zander says I am an
A. One day I discover much happier A than Number 68. So I decided I am
an A.” Zander
comments, “He had realized it’s all invented, it’s all a game. The
number 68 is invented and the A is invented, so we might as well choose
to invent something that brightens our life and the lives of the people
around us.” By
the way, I’ve just checked….it turns out you’re an A, too. Jurgen Written
by Jurgen Wolff 1.
GROWTH BY DESIGN Some
time ago, design guru Bruce Mau came up with a 43-point programme for
growth. Here are a few for you to consider: TAKE
FIELD TRIPS: The bandwidth of the world is greater than that of your TV
set, or the Internet. IDEA:
This week, go somewhere you’ve never been before. SLOW
DOWN: Desynchronize from standard time frames, and surprising
opportunities may present themselves. IDEA:
Sometime this week, when you find yourself doing something on
auto-pilot, stop, focus, slow down and do the task with real focus and
concentration and notice the difference. ALLOW
EVENTS TO CHANGE YOU: You have to be willing to grow. Growth is
different from something that happens to you. You produce it. You live
it. The prerequisites to growth are the openness to experience events,
and the willingness to be changed by them. IDEA:
This week, pay attention to any events that challenge you: do you
respond by resisting them, or do you consider how they might change you
in a positive way if you embrace them? 2.
SLEEP ON IT Research
at Belgium’s University of Liege suggests that learning may go on
during sleep. Eighteen volunteers were given mental tasks just before
they went to sleep. When they woke, they were able to do the tasks more
effectively. It confirms the creativity model of “preparation,
incubation, inspiration.” IDEA:
Try it. If you want to come up with new ideas (for example, for fixing
the plot of a story if you’re a writer, or for a new way to market
yourself or your product, or for how to handle something in your
personal life), take fifteen minutes just before you got to sleep to
review what you know about it. Write down the problem as concisely as
you can. In the morning, immediately upon waking, jot down any new ideas
that occur to you. (Note: obviously issues that are upsetting are not
ideal for this as they are likely to keep you awake.) 3.
TECHNOLOGY: A CONTRARIAN VIEWPOINT Dutch
designer / critic John Thackara has an interesting view of technology:
“We know how to do amazing things, and we’re filling the world with
amazing devices. But we cannot answer the most important question: What
is this stuff really for?” Quoted
in Fast Company magazine, he adds, “ Our devices are smarter than they
were a generation ago. But are we happier than we were a generation
ago?” For
more, check out his website: www.DoorsOfPerception.com IDEA:
The next time you’re about to buy a gadget that’s smarter than you,
stop to ask what it’s really for. Will it make you happier? More
efficient? Or are you being swept along by the tide of technology? (PS:
Anybody want to buy a slightly-used Revo?) 4.
CREATIVE FLEXIBILTY Everybody
(including me) emphasizes the need to set goals, but what’s sometimes
lost is the importance of being flexible and paying attention to clues
along the way that might point you in a better direction. There’s
a good analogy for this in an experiment conducted in the field of art.
The work of two sets of skilled art students was compared. The first set
knew the outcome they wanted, planned it carefully, and moved toward it
step by step, with minimal changes. The second group had only a rough
idea of what they were going for, and they changed their designs an
average of seventeen times. At the end, judges evaluated the two sets of
paintings, and found the second set to be more creative. QUESTION:
Assuming you have some goals for yourself, are you leaving enough
flexibility for variation and experimentation? 5.
A CHILDREN’S BOOK SHALL LEAD THEM Jonathan
Bulkeley, CEO of BarnesandNoble.com, has a favorite book: “Harold and
the Purple Crayon.” It’s a children’s story in which a little boy
uses a big purple crayon to create what he needs (when he’s hungry, he
draws pies, when he’s in the water he draws a boat). It’s
a charming metaphor for the fact that while we can’t always create the
events we want, we have a lot of choice about how to respond to the
challenges we encounter. Bulkeley was so taken with the book that he
handed out copies to all the directors of his company. “The
Little Prince,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “The Lion, the Witch and
the Wardrobe” are other children’s books that have a message for
adults as well. IDEA:
The next time you’re looking for inspiration in a book store, skip the
books by the self-help and business gurus. Head for the children’s
section and read a few children’s books – some of them contain more
wisdom then many a “How to” best – seller. 6.
AND A THOUGHT ABOUT BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF The
October (2000) issue of OPRAH magazine has an interesting article by
Barbara Graham, called “Tune into Yourself.” It’s about paying
attention to our instincts and acting accordingly. Graham
notes that when you do what feels most true to yourself, “sometimes
this involves making choices that run counter to what your spouse, boss,
best friend, hairdresser, personal trainer, astrologer or shrink
advises” (can you tell this is an American magazine?) The
stoic philosopher Epictetus said it best: “In
trying to please other people, we lose hold on our life’s purpose.” If
you’ve found yours, hold on. If you’re still looking, look
within—the clues are there. Jurgen Written
by Jurgen Wolff WHAT
KIDS CAN TEACH US ABOUT TIME MANAGEMENT In
my creativity seminars, I always talk about how the child’s mind
naturally is creative. There are also a few things kids can teach us
about time management: A)
Focus on the task at hand. For children, there is only the moment; when
they’re doing one thing they don’t think they really should be doing
something else. B)
Let go of emotions past and future. When kids play, the huts of a minute
ago vanish, and tomorrow holds no fears. C)
Treat the task as though it’s fresh and new. Children love to hear (or
tell) the same story a hundred times, yet each time they bring fresh
energy to it. D)
Don’t compete. Until we teach them to, children don’t look at
anything as a competition, they do what they do for it’s own sake. E)
Put your heart into it. Kids have passion about whatever they do, it
just comes naturally. Maybe that’s our natural state, and being cool
and dispassionate is the unnatural one! IDEA:
The next time you start a project or a task you’re not excited about,
try putting yourself into a kid’s frame of mind. Turn it into serious
play, and notice the difference. 2.
HAVE YOU GOT STYLE? Recently,
Inc Magazine interviewed maverick manager Rob Lutz. One of the questions
they asked him was, “What’s the greatest mistake companies make when
developing new products?” Here’s his answer: “They
focus on perfect quality over exciting design. Excellent quality in
products and services has become almost universal….There are so many
excellent brands and models out there that unless you do something with
design to make your product stand out, it will simply go unnoticed. Even
relatively minor differences in the way it looks and how it’s
appointed can assume a large magnitude.” Lutz’s
background is in cars, but his comments apply equally to all kind of
products and services. Style has helped bring Apple computers back from
the brink, it’s made a huge success of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, it
leads the sale of Swatch watches. QUESTION
TO CONSIDER: What style do you present to the world? This might include
your clothes, your business cards, the décor of your office. How does
it stand out in a way that complements the high standards of your
product or service? 3.
TIME TO SLOW DOWN? Thirty
towns in Italy have agreed to take part in the Slow City movement to
give people a chance to slow down their hectic pace. The
steps they’re taking include banning car alarms and rooftop aerials
and encouraging home owners to grow fragrant plants. Paolo
Saturnini, Mayor of participating city, Greve, said, “In the world in
which we live, we leave ever less time for reflection, free time, and
the pleasures of life.” IDEA:
Declare one day a week (or even morning or afternoon a week) your own
Slow Life Time. Turn off your mobile phone, unplug the radio & TV,
don’t wear a wristwatch, and enjoy some slow food. 4.
KEEPING TRACK MAKES A DIFFERENCE In
a recent study at Indiana State University, overweight people were
divided into tow groups. One was issued with workbooks in which they
carefully recorded behaviours relating to eating and exercise. The other
group didn’t get any workbooks. Both groups followed the same exercise
programme. At
the end of six months, the group that used the daily progress report
lost an average of 14.1 pounds of fat. The other group didn’t show any
change in fat loss. Another
study at Rutgers University suggested that people who take a few minutes
a day to monitor their behaviour and progress are also much less likely
to drop out of weight-control programmes than those who don't’. If
it works for losing weight, might it work equally well for any other
goals that we work at daily? IDEA:
Choose a goal you are working toward. Make charts that measure the
appropriate behaviour and allow you to record progress. Use them daily
for 90 days and notice whether you have made greater strides than
before. (And let us know your results) 5.
STOP PRESS, START BREATHING! When
you find yourself stressed out, take a moment to switch to abdominal
breathing. Put one hand on your chest, the other on your abdomen. Now
inhale from your abdomen – the goal is for you to breathe deeply
without letting the hand on your chest move, while the hand on your
abdomen moves out as your abdomen expands. Doing
this for even two or three minutes lowers your pulse rate and relaxes
you. 6.
AND A THOUGHT ABOUT TEACHING Sometimes
people who come to my workshops or subscribe to Brainstorm ask me, ‘do
you do everything that you teach and write about?’ For them, this
quote: “To
be good is noble, but to teach others how to be good is nobler – and
less trouble.” That
Mark Twain knew too much…
Written
by Jurgen Wolff The
year is speeding by, so this is a great time to think about New Year’s
resolutions….namely, what we can do now to make sure that when we look
back at the year passed, we’ll be pleased with what we’ve done? If
this is your vacation month, take that question to the beach with you.
Now here are some ideas I hope you’ll find stimulating. BOWIE’S
SECRET: BE THE 10TH PERSON Whether
or not you’re a fan of his music, you have to give David Bowie credit
for his creativity. The key to his success, he has said, is not talent,
but the courage to pursue the game of “what if?” What if you
combined two very different musical styles? What if you looked at things
as though you were an alien visiting earth? What if an artist sold stock
in himself & his musical back –catalogue? (Bowie raised $55
million selling ‘Bowie Bonds’.) In
my experience, if ten people are exposed to a “what if?” , nine of
them will happily give you an instant list of reasons why it can’t be
done. Why
not be the 10th person? The
tenth person is the one who starts from the premise that it CAN be done
and puts his or her brainpower to work on HOW it can be done. IDEA:
Come up with one ”what if?” that excites you. Try it out on several
people. See which ones are part
of the 9/10 majority, and which ones are tenth people. Hang out more
with the latter, and together with them, brainstorm how you can make
your “what if?” come true. A
DIFFERENT KIND OF JOURNAL
Here’s
a tip from Tom Peters’ little book, project 50 (50 Ways to Transform
Every “Task” into a Project that Matters!): Jennifer
Hansen, Hansen Design: “ To keep myself focused at the beginning of a
project, I start a small journal specifically for that job…I jot my
ideas for (that) project, whether a few words or a simple sketch….I
also tape and staple a lot of….article clippings and photocopies…I
also use these journals to keep note from client phone calls and
meetings. I keep this record with me until the close of the
project-it’s a great reference tool.” IDEA:
Try keeping a project journal, whether it’s a business or personal
project. The first thing to write: why you are undertaking this project
in the first place. What excites you about it? What hopes do you have
for it? TIP: Write this on the LAST page or two of the journal instead
of the first. Let the other pages be full of ideas and tasks that pull
you toward the outcome described at the end. THREE
RULES FOR REVOLUTIONARIES
I
recently heard Guy Kawasaki give a talk about “ Rules for
Revolutionaries” (he’s
got a book out by the same name). Here are three for you, see how each
might apply to your situation: 1.
Jump to the
next curve. Stay ahead of the times and make sure that when you’re
offering something new it’s not only bigger, faster, and cheaper-it
has to be at least 10 times better! 2.
Don’t
worry, be crappy. Get into the marketplace quickly, correct problems as
you go along. If you wait until it’s perfect, it’ll be too late. 3.
Eat like a
bird, poop like an elephant. Birds eat a lot. “Eat” information
voraciously. Spread it around (this is the pooping part)
to those who might benefit from it. Keeping important information for
yourself is the old rule, spreading it and benefiting as the whole field
gets better is the new rule. To
find out the seven other rules, buy the book! CREATIVE
SECURITY
Burglars
love vacation time….all those empty houses! Here, from The Book of
Secrets, are three creative suggestions for making your place more
secure. 1.
Put a big
dog dish and the largest bone you can find outside the front door. 2.
Put up a
hand-made sign reading, “You can knock and knock (or ring and ring)
but we don’t answer the door.” Apparently 95% of burglars would find
this a deterrent. 3.
Great hiding
places for valuables: wrapped up and labelled as food in your fridge or
freezer; in a book (especially if you have lots of books); in an empty
tin can on a top shelf in the kitchen (according to the book, in 90% of
burglaries the kitchen is untouched.) RE-FRAMING
FOR FUN AND PROFIT
“Re-framing”
means looking at something from a different perspective. A typical
re-frame (usually not helpful at the time) is, “In a few years
you’ll look back at this and laugh.” Here’s
a powerful and instructive example I ran across recently in reference to
film makers the Farrelly brothers (“There’s Something About
Mary”): they wrote a screenplay called ”Me, Myself and Irene” and
sent it out to all the studios. Nobody wanted it. Then “Mary” was a
huge hit. They sent the “Irene” script out again. This time 20th
Century Fox bought it…for $1.5 million. The
same script went from a value of $0 to $1.5 million almost overnight,
because people suddenly saw the writers in a different light. Sure, part
of it was that the studio could tack “by the makers of Something about
Mary” onto their promotion of the new film, but more important was the
re-frame. IMPLICATION:
If you find yourself or your product or service currently
under-appreciated, you have to make the re-frame for yourself to stay
motivated at the early stages – this goes for teams working on new
projects, as well as individuals. Remember
the evolution of most good new ideas is: 1) ignored 2) ridiculed 3)
accepted 4) copied. When you are in phases one and two, the energy to
keep going comes from using your imagination to think about what it’s
going to be like to be in phases 3 and 4. AND A THOUGHT ABOUT HOW TO REACH CONTENTMENT
This
one is from Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius: “If
you can work sincerely and correctly on what is at hand and do so with
energy and calm, not allowing distractions, but keeping your inner
spirit pure, as if you had only borrowed it and had to return it intact;
If you can act in this way, hoping for nothing, fearing nothing, but
satisfied with modulating your actions to the way of Nature, and with
fearless truth in every word you utter, you will live contentedly.” I
didn’t say it was going to be easy….. Til next time, JURGEN I
hope one or more of these items will inspire you, delight you, or help
you be more creative in your work and your life. Some
time ago the Sunday Times ran an article about Canadian management guru
Henry Mintzberg, written by Stuart Crainer. It says: “(Mintzberg’s)
past work has revealed managers as hostages to interruptions, flitting
from the subject to subject, rarely giving undivided attention to any
one thing.” Here’s
where it gets really interesting: “Minyzberg found that this chaotic
situation was something which managers actively encouraged rather than
saw as an impediment to doing their jobs well.” How
could this be? Well, chaos is exciting! When do you feel like you’re
doing more: when you are sitting alone in silence, or when the phone is
ringing, people are making demands of you, and you’re so important
that you have waaaaay too much to do? Maybe
it’s true that we seek crises to manage because that gives us more
adrenalin than quietly considering one thing at a time, struggling with
it, maybe yielding to its difficulties for a while. IMPLICATION:
If this rings any bells for you, maybe it’s time to turn off the
phones, shut the door, or go hide somewhere where they can’t find you.
Take along one important (not necessarily urgent) project and give it
your undivided attention. UNRELATED
THING THAT MAY JUST RELATE… Sony
is coming up with some interesting devices these days-from great laptops
to robotic dogs. It reminds me of the time that I heard a Japanese
psychologist talk about his Sony-funded research into telepathy and
other psychic phenomena. I was intrigued as to what Sony hoped to gain
from that kind of research. The psychologist shrugged. “They don’t
know,” he said, “but since they are in the business of human
communication, they thought they should look into this aspect of it,
too.” What
a great attitude, and how unusual among companies these days. The idea
of pure research-for which there is no guaranteed, and maybe even not
likely, payoff- is not popular; it’s hard to defend to shareholders.
And yet that mind-set tends to lead to big breakthroughs. IMPLICATION:
Are you doing any pure research? This doesn't have to be anything
formal. One approach is to characterize your main field of interest as
broadly as possible and then find an example of it that you’re not
familiar with. Example:
If you’re in public relations, your work is about spreading
information. What other examples are there of “spreading”? Well you
might pick up a book about viruses; or you might go to a lecture about
human migration patterns; or you might watch a nature program about how
birds and other animals spread seeds. Don’t feel pressure to get an
result, just feed your mind. It may pay off, it may not; at the very
least it will be stimulating and will widen your perspective and
that’s not bad, is it? 3
THE
THREE SECRETS OF USPs Dr.
Gerald Kushel, president of the Institute for Effective Thinking,
studied 1200 people across a variety of professions to find out what characterizes
the ones he identifies as USPs: Uncommonly Successful People. ( By the
way, he defines success as including successful careers, satisfying
work, and rich personal lives.) Here
are the three important traits these people share: 1
Inner
Calm: this gives them clarity 2
Clear
Goals: this gives them a sense of purpose and focus 3
Adventurousness:
this gives them the willingness to risk, and then energy to pick
themselves up and start over if they fail. What
if you feel you are missing one or more of these? Here are
Brainstorm’s suggestions: For
Inner Calm, try meditation, regular massage, walks in nature, fishing
without any bait on your hook, listening to classical music. To
find clear goals, use the classic techniques of exploring what you
really want from life: write an obituary for yourself-what would you
like it to say? Or pretend you have only 5 years left to live, then one
year, then 3 months. What would you want to do under each circumstance?
Look for goals that excite you, not ones that others expect of you. To
cultivate adventurousness, find a child ( or two ) and re-learn to play.
Adventurousness will follow. 4.
ARE YOU INHALING? Are you surrounded by computers, printers, photocopying machines? Does the air seem stale or unhealthy? NASA research shows that certain plants are effective enhancers of air quality. They are:
It
may take a dozen plants to enrich the air in an average-sized room. Greenery
also tends to have a positive psychological effect. The company
another.com ( which sells
e-mail addresses ) was confronted with a large office with concrete
floors and no windows. Designers Nowicka Sterns decided to put in a
lawn: a boxed rectangle of grass with irrigation system underneath and specialized
lighting overhead. It now functions as a meeting space and a place for
employees to sit and have their lunch. IDEA:
Check your surroundings. Would a mini-garden, a water fountain, or some
other natural feature improve the feel of the place? Can you add some of
the plants listed above, so the air improves as well? 5.
MAKE YOUR PRESENTATIONS STICK Russian
studies reveal that students learn better when information is provided
to them in alternating patterns: from detailed to global, then detailed
again, then global again, and so forth. Typically,
presenters start with an overview, then go into detail, and go back into
global mode only at the end. If you switch back and forth within your
presentation, it will be more effective. IDEA:
Use mind maps to give overview, then go into detail about one branch of
the mind map, then refer back to the mind map, then go on to the next
branch, etc. ( If you don’t know what mind maps are, get hold of one
of Tony Buzan’s books on the topic. ) 6.
ARE YOU MEETING THEIR NEEDS? ARE THEY MEETING YOURS? Maybe you have run across Dr Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs” at some point. His theory is that we have 5 types of needs, and generally as we reach each one, the next one up the ladder becomes more important to us. Here are the levels, in ascending order:
This
is a great tool for all kinds of things. If you are in sales ( and we
all are in one way or another), are you appealing to the right level? For
example, while BRAINSTORM probably doesn't apply very much to level one,
it could be sold at level 2 (if you don’t embrace creativity and
innovation, you are more likely to lose your job) or 3 (belong to the
elite group of people who are highly creative!) or 4 (feel good about
the fact that you are developing your creativity) or 5 (BRAINSTORM will
help you to achieve your highest goals). It’s likely that the best
salespeople intuitively know at which level to sell for each individual
customer, based on how the customer speaks of the product or service. The
hierarchy can also help personal relationships. If your connection to a
colleague, spouse, partner, or child is under strain, at which level
might you best approach and help the other person? At which level do you
feel neglected by them? 7.
LET GO OF GUILT AND BE HEALTHIER Research
at the University of Hull shows that harboring of guilt (for example,
about smoking, eating, watching TV, or having sex) negatively affects
the immune system and makes you more likely to get colds and flu. Enjoying
pleasures, on the other hand, improves immune system function. The
conclusion, according to Dr Geoff Lowe: “We ought to focus more on the
positive things in life. If we enjoy simple pleasures that are not
harmful to us we should not feel guilty about them. We should maximize the pleasure. We should take a bit of time to smell the flowers”. IDEA:
If you’re on a diet, give yourself one day off. On that day, indulge
without guilt. If you’re procrastinating, give yourself permission to
do so for a limited time and during that time put the task out of your
mind. If guilt comes from something that involved someone else, make
amends if you can. If it’s in the past and nothing can be done about
it, shift your focus to how you can make your relationship with that
person more positive in the present and in the future. 8.
AND SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT HABITS AND HAPPINESS Have
you noticed how difficult it can be to get out of habits that don’t
serve us very well? Here are some thoughts about that from the Buddhist
monk, Nhat Hanh: “Our
‘habit energy’ is very strong. It might have been handed down to us
by several generations of ancestors. So to deal with habit energy and
not suppress it, we have to be mindful all day long. And if the habit
energy begins to show its head we only need to breathe in and out
mindfully and say “Hello, to my old habit energy, I know you are
there, I will take good care of you.” “That
is enough to keep your habit energy from leading the way. The energy of
mindfulness involves tenderly holding the habit energy and taking care
of it like a big sister taking care of the younger sister. Every time
your habit energy is recognized and embraced tenderly like that, it will
loose some of its strength, and the next time it appears it will be a
little weaker. And you will no longer feel that it is stronger than you
because the other kind of energy—the energy of mindfulness, the energy
of loving kindness—has been cultivated in you. “The
practice is not hard; in fact, it is pleasant, and you realize you
don’t have to remove all your pain, your sorrow, in order to be happy.
It is as if you have a boat—then you can carry hundreds of pounds of
rocks and the rocks will not sink in the river. But if you don’t have
a boat, then a pebble you throw into the river will sink. If
you have the energy of mindfulness in you, if you are supported by a
sangha, practicing mindfulness and loving kindness, you have a boat. And
so even if you still have pain and sorrow, you can survive, you can
still smile and you cultivate in yourself the capacity for getting in
touch with positive aspects of life. “What
is the purpose of being alive? Everyone wants to live his or her life
deeply, with joy, with peace. Life is to be able to enjoy your tea, and
if you do not have time to enjoy your tea, you lose your life. If you
run out of time, if you run out of space, how can you truly be alive? So
we have to put the question very clearly: What do we want the most—to
be able to live every moment of our life in peace and joy, or get more
money or more success?” I
hope you are enjoying your tea… ‘til
next time, JURGEN |
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