Monthly Archives: June 2011

Permission To Be An Artist – Granted!

Posted by admin on 06/30/2011 None comments

Since I’ve been offering Artist Retreat Day programs, I’ve been hearing a lot about the concept of “permission”. Some artists who said yes to a retreat day shared that this was a much-needed structure to enable and empower them to FINALLY give themselves permission to take time for their creative work.

Others just couldn’t say yes, just couldn’t give themselves permission.

What does it mean to have permission to do something? My thesaurus tells me that other words related to permission are: consent, sanctioning and authorization.

Consent signifies agreement, validation that what you’re doing meets with specific expectations, criteria and guidelines. It sounds solemn and like someone has faith in you. Sanction is an even more formal declaration of acceptance and faith.

Authorized to Create

Authorization – well, that implies that you’re something special. That not just anyone is meant to be painting this painting, writing this song or designing that jewelry. You have been specially authorized to do it.

And why? Because you have the unique gifts that are necessary to bring that creative project into being. Who authorized you? The same power that granted you those gifts and skills – whether you choose to think of that as God, the universe, Spirit, or another name. As we read in the Science of Getting Rich, by Wallace Wattles, we’re not given the desire to do something without also giving you the skill to carry it out.

Why is it so difficult to authorize ourselves, grant ourselves permission and consent, to sanction our own creative work? Sometimes we seek this permission from others, unconsciously (or consciously) hoping they’ll deny it, so we won’t really have to venture into the scary world of living up to our potential.

A lot of these words symbolize that external permission is needed. And sometimes it is.

Permission from Others

Whether you want to attend an artist retreat day, meet a deadline or just develop a new idea that came to you overnight, you’ll sometimes need permission from the people you share your life with to take the time for your creative work.

It might mean delegating household work or child-care or rescheduling a date or planned event. All of you might also need a willingness to be flexible and to accept that sometimes things don’t get done right away. It also means ensuring an environment of support for your work.

Will others give you permission? Of course you can’t control what anyone else thinks, says or does, but consider this: our loved ones will take cues from us about how serious our creative work is to us. If we’re constantly putting it on the back burner, putting our work

down, and letting it be the first thing to go when things get stressful or busy, we’re teaching others to treat it the same way.

If we don’t take our creative work seriously, why should they?

Permission from Self – Artist at Work

I think what’s even more important is the permission we give ourselves. There are so many reasons we deny ourselves permission to pursue our creative work. Fear tops the list. Fear of success, fear of failure, fear of what people will think of us, fear of being good, fear of being terrible, or fear we’ll let someone else down, to name a few examples.

Sometimes we hold on to earlier instances when we were denied permission, denied access, not sanctioned or authorized, or when our work was criticized or belittled. Some of us have even been told, directly, NOT to pursue our creative work (“don’t give up your day job”, “find another path”, “you have no business doing this work”), which hung a big UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS sign on the door of our creative hearts.

So hang a new sign on your creative heart – one that reads “Artist at work”. And in fine print, “This work has been sanctioned by _______” (the name of your source of Power).

10 Signs That You’ve Given Yourself Permission To Be A Creative Artist

1. The first words out of your mouth when someone asks “and what do you do?” are “I’m a songwriter/artist/sculptor/writer, etc.”.

2. You work steadily at your craft, whether it’s working on or re-working pieces or promoting your work.

3. You teach your loved ones to treat your art seriously.

4. The materials and resources that you need to create with are part of your budget and are planned expenses every month.

5. You’re committed to your learning, growth and development, participating in artists groups and discussion forums and seeking out mentorship and coaching.

6. You don’t let mistakes or criticism stop you from taking your next steps.

7. You’re building the resources you need to support yourself financially, emotionally and spiritually.

8. You’re conscious of your physical lifestyle habits and choose the ones that won’t interfere with your creative work.

9. You find opportunities to pass on your knowledge and support wherever possible, to someone who’s had less experience than you have.

10. You consistently say no to requests for your time, energy and commitment that will take you away from your creative work.

© Linda Dessau, 2005.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. Feel like your creativity is blocked? Sign-up for your complimentary copy of the popular e-course, “Roadblocks to Creativity” by visiting http://www.genuinecoaching.com.

4 Steps To Having the Life You REALLY Want!

Posted by admin on 06/30/2011 None comments

Over time, the TIP’s Letters that receive the most response have dealt with creating and living the life you really want. Many of us are incredibly frustrated at not being able to reach our dreams and have the life we want. I believe there are 4 simple (not easy, but simple) techniques for getting there. You really can achieve your goals and live your dreams!

1. CLARIFY EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT! Many of my clients have never defined what “better” or “happier” really means. How many dollars do you want to earn? How much time together as a family? Working from home doing what? What, precisely, would a better relationship look like? This can be hard work, and it involves tough choices.

One client wanted to stay home with her children, improve her marriage, and make more money, but also wanted to break the “glass ceiling” and be recognized in a profession that is notoriously competitive and involved traveling several times a month. All of these are worthy, wonderful goals, but to some extent they were mutually exclusive and she had avoided the process of choosing and writing down what she wanted most. We worked together (with her family’s help and input) to design a clear and attainable balance that she was able to pursue very quickly, ending years of frustration!

2. COMMIT TO PAYING THE COST IN ADVANCE! Any worthwhile project is going to cost a lot. An Olympic medal will require hours of training every day, and that means paying costs in terms of social life, postponing a career or education, and “blood, sweat and tears.”

Whatever you most want in life will require that you say “NO!” to other things. Making money means less recreation, writing a book means watching less TV, being closer with your partner or children may mean changes in your work, hobbies or social activities. A few years ago, many people were talking about the frustrations of women who felt that a part of the feminist message was that they could “have it all”. Well. None of us get to have it all! A recent client quit coaching when he realized that his dreams of being “the kind of father I never had” and spending time with his wife and children conflicted with pursuing his career the way he had always done it. He “couldn’t” turn down a call, and was “out there” developing leads and closing sales seven days a week. Unwilling to choose, we decided coaching wasn’t useful for him at this time.

3. RE-COMMIT TO YOUR GOALS EVERY DAY! Every day, remind yourself of your priorities and re-commit to them. For some this means time to meditate or pray. For others, it means a quick call to their coach, a friend, or members of a mastermind group. I encourage clients to start their day by writing a brief statement of where they are going and what they value in life.

Every day, 1001 minor tasks and distractions will interrupt you. The phone will ring, the boss will give you a “special” project, the kids will interrupt. Life will get in your way. Count on it! Plan for it and innoculate yourself. Every pilot and ship’s captain knows

that winds and currents will take them dangerously off-course. This is a natural process, something they know about, expect and plan for. It is not a surprise or source of frustration! Every day, plot your location, check your direction, and make sure you stay on course! It only takes a few minutes, and it is essential.

4. EVERY DAY, TAKE ACTION! This is perhaps the most difficult step. Rarely, does life give us a “big choice”. Most of the transforming moments in life start as a chance meeting, a casual conversation, or an article in a magazine. We all know this, and yet when it comes to pursuing our most important goals we wait for that “big moment”, that magical day when the stars are aligned and everything is “just right”. For most of us, that means we will never reach our dreams or have the life we want.

To become fit, go for a walk. To create the business of your dreams, call someone today. Want to be a better parent and have a more satisfying family life? Tuck your kid into bed tonight, hold hands with your mate, and tell them how much they mean to you. Want a promotion or a raise? Make that extra contribution today! We’ve all heard the saying, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, but no one ever adds that the journey also requires, according to my math, 5 million, two hundred and eighty thousand additional steps after that first one! Every day, take one step closer.

QUICK TOOL: Every morning, get a 3×5 card. On one side, write a brief statement of your biggest goals and most important dreams. Jot it down using whatever words seem right at the moment. Then, on the other side, list one or two specific actions you will take TODAY that will bring you closer to your goal. Make them specific, do-able, and clear. Put the card in your pocket, purse, or on the dash of your car, and go about your day. In 30 days, I promise you will be astonished at the changes in your life!

IN SUMMARY: Life will distract you from achieving your dreams. It will blow you off-course and you will be confused and frustrated at times. So what? Today, and every day, declare your commitment to what you really, REALLY want. Write it down and talk about your dream. Understand, and agree to make the necessary sacrifices – you must pay the costs of developing the life you want – and take action! In the end, only action counts! You can have whatever you want, when you decide to pursue it intelligently, with all your heart and with all your passion. Just do it!

© Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: “Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It’s all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com

Crazy is for Leaders

Posted by admin on 06/29/2011 None comments

Recently I was reading an account of a discussion of this year’s presidential campaign involving eight civic leaders in a prominent Western state. There was the usual blather about why this candidate’s position on that issue was more important than any other’s, how people should exercise their right to vote, and how the Supreme Court could change significantly the next four years and yadda yadda yadda. Bored silly, I began to flip to another article when a statement by one participant slapped me upside the face. The statement went: “I can’t vote for Al Gore OR George W. Bush because they’re both socialists.”

OK, that line hooked me! No matter what you thought of either candidate, how you voted, where you stand on the political spectrum, you would certainly join me in the following refrain, I’m sure: “Say what? Gore and Bush socialists? Excuse me?”

The local leader who said this had her reasons of course, even making a bit of sense in the context of her views but, nonetheless, it was a way-out-there, totally unreasonable thing to say, especially as all manner of other sober intonations kept plodding their way about the conversation. And what it did for me was unmistakable: It caused me finally to want to read that article.

I spent the next fifteen minutes doing so, though by skipping to the parts where this “crazy” leader offered up more insane opinions, and eagerly absorbing how her fellow

participants reacted to them. For the most part I was not disappointed, reactions to her getting stronger and more pointed with each passing page. Emotions flew, the discussion got heated. In the article (and the debate itself) the “crazy leader” became everyone’s reference point. In the end I had read every other leader’s comments in the article, if only in search of their reactions. The crazy leader was leading us all.

Did it matter that her crazy statements often seemed to make no sense? Not a whit. In fact, that they often did NOT make sense to me was exactly what kept capturing my attention. The truth is this is precisely what all of us need sometimes, helping us get our juices and brains wrapped around something or other that desperately needs to be discussed. Whether managing a staff, leading a company or serving customers, when we grab attention, we stimulate ideas which in turn fosters effective dialogue, interaction and satisfying, ultimately sensible solutions.

Have you been all too reasonable lately? If so, try being crazy and attracting a little attention. Then settle back and watch yourself begin taking the lead.

Ken Lizotte CMC is Chief Imaginative Officer (CIO) of emerson consulting group inc. (Concord, MA), which transforms consultants, law firms, executives and companies into “thoughtleaders.” This article is an excerpt from his newest book “Beyond Reason: Questioning Assumptions of Everyday Life”.

Visit ==>www.thoughtleading.com for more info.

Invisible Progress

Posted by admin on 06/28/2011 None comments

Have you noticed that some desires manifest quickly and easilywhile others seem to drag on and on without even a hint offulfillment? Does your heart long for a mate? Does your pocketache for some cash? Does your mind chat about enlightenmentall through your meditation? As spring approaches we have theopportunity to plant seeds. Long before the seeds bring uszinnias and zucchini they offer us a far-reaching lesson.

We place the seed in the earth. The clock ticks. Days pass. Theground is quiet and still. It looks like nothing is happening.Meanwhile, under the surface, the seed awakens. A life is born. However, the seed’stransformational awakening looks exactly like its slumber to us living above the surfaceof the earth. From our limited perspective, we cannot tell the difference betweendormancy and a surge of momentum toward life.

A similar gestational period occurs when we plant a seed with our intention into thefertile ground of consciousness. A period follows when it looks like nothing ishappening. But just like the physical seed, which is undergoing its greatestmetamorphosis hidden within the womb of the earth, the seed of our intention sproutswithout our conscious awareness. How we relate to that period of invisible progress hasmuch to do with what we will place in our baskets at harvest time.

Abundance

One apple seed, which produces one apple tree, offers innumerable apples in itslifetime. Each apple contains a core of seeds. From the one seed that produced thetree, countless seeds meet the earth for another opportunity to sprout. Some sprout.Some don’t. Seeds surge into existence with such abundance that regardless of whichseeds sprout, the big intention of the tree moves powerfully forward.

One seed of our intention also produces an abundance of new intentions, all movingtowards the fulfillment of the big desire behind our actions. Some of our intentionssprout. Some don’t. It is helpful to remember the abundance of the seeds that we sowand the fertile nature of consciousness. It is comforting to know that plenty will sproutfor the fulfillment of our soul’s desire.

Trust

As we plant our seeds in the spring, we trust the process. We feel confident that theseeds will grow into colorful edibles or decorative beauty. Bunches of tiny, compactseeds fit in the palm of our hand and we spread them without a worry about whichexact seeds will sprout and which ones won’t. We let the earth and the seeds work outthe details under the surface and we welcome whichever sprouts shoot their little headsinto the light.

This is a beneficial attitude to have with our intentions. To sow them into the ground ofbeing and to trust that it will all come to fruition in a magnificent way. We don’t have to dig our hands under the earth to squeeze the life through the seed.

We simply wait andtrust. And while we wait, we cultivate. We pull the weeds that may appear. We water ifthe weather is dry. We assist the invisible process with our loving care. Our care isbased on trust that the process goes on with or without our help.

Process

If you constantly dig up your seeds to see why they have not grown yet, you interferewith the invisible process. Here are three simple steps that will nurture your invisibleprogress toward your most cherished goals.

Choose an intention that seems dormant. One that you’d like to move forward intomanifestation. In this exercise we will cultivate the seeds of our intentions. We willembrace this period of quiet transformation when it seems like nothing is happening.Before long, you may find yourself with a big stable tree in your backyard providing youwith season after season of fruit.

Step 1. Check the packet

What seed are you planting? It helps to plant a seed that you really want to see flower.

If you have conflict about the potential outcome of your seed-desire, you may find yourgarden facing a drought this season. Step one asks only that you double-check yourintention. Does it resonate fully with your inner truth? Will the eventual fulfillment ofthis desire uplift you and others around you? Will it bring you joy? Will it open you to agreater flow of life-force? Ask yourself questions about your desire and make sure youare planting seeds you will love growing.

Step 2. Water

Flow your joyful attention toward the feeling of the fulfillment of your intention. Findevery good feeling aspect of the process and its fulfillment and rain your tears of joyonto the invisible project.

Step 3. Weed

As conflicting thoughts of doubt and fear enter your awareness, remove them with asense of authority and ease. Don’t give much attention to your weed-thoughts. Justnotice that they are crowding the garden of your awareness and remove them byreturning to step two. Nurture only the seeds you have planted. The weeds will wither.

Keep clearing the ground for your beautiful sprout to make its appearance whenever itis ready.These three invisible steps can make all the difference as your project moves towardmanifestation. In this time, when it looks like nothing is happening, it can be especiallycomforting to remember that you don’t have to make the flowers grow. That is not yourjob. The power of the invisible process lies in trusting the invisible progress.

© Rebbie Straubing

You can receive Dr. Rebbie Straubing’s Free e-Course, “7 Secrets for Manifesting Your Heart’s Desire,” at http://www.yofa.net

Rebbie is a workshop leader, Abraham Coach, and writer.

To find or harmonize a relationship, visit http://www.GreatRelationships.net

Increase your awareness of Divine Love and begin a meditation practice in 3 minutes at the Affirmative Contemplation website, http://www.AffirmativeContemplation.com

Synchronicities: Your Key to a Life of Ease and Grace

Posted by admin on 06/27/2011 None comments

Almost everyone has had experiences where they think of something and “coincidentally” it appears: a person you hadn’t seen in years shows up unexpectedly, a trial issue of a magazine is delivered to your home with just the information you needed, or you flip on the car radio to hear the lyrics of a song provide you with the answer to a burning question.

These meaningful coincidences, or synchronicities, are examples of the universe conspiring to provide you with what you want. If your goal is to live a life of ease and grace, you should learn to recognize and appreciate these synchronicities, for these are times when you are truly “in the flow.”

Some scientists do not believe in synchronicities. They look at the universe as a mechanical, deterministic system, without taking into consideration the role of consciousness. They label these instances as mere coincidences and find statistical measures to explain them away. There is even a term known as “observer bias” that says when you are looking for a specific item or event, you are much more likely to notice it. An example would be if you wanted a red Ford Taurus, then you’d likely begin to notice them everywhere.

It’s true that you are more likely to notice an object that you desire, but from a mystic perspective “observer bias” is, at best, an incomplete explanation. As mystics, we are 100% supportive of science and logical thinking. But by incorporating the role of consciousness into our world paradigm, we have a better and more accurate predictor of events. This is good science.

By thinking about a specific item, you are invoking the Law of Attraction. As was explained in last month’s article, Thought Manifestation, everything is energy. Everything has its own unique frequency and you automatically attract energies of asimilar frequency. The energy of a thought will attract similar energies to it.

If your thoughts are filled with red Ford Tauruses, then you’ll attract them to you. If your objective is to own a red Taurus, then you should visualize yourself driving the car, not just seeing it on the road or on TV. (See 3 Steps to Manifesting Your Ideal Life.)

The Law of Attraction is the underlying basis for these synchronicities.

Your external world is a reflection of your thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Since over 99% of

the thoughts you are sending out to the universe are outside the awareness of your conscious mind, it’s your internal thoughts, feelings and beliefs that are most influential.

When your thoughts are jumbled, you’re sending out inconsistent signals. The world will appear as an unpredictable place, as your conscious mind’s desires are contradicted by your internal thoughts, feelings and beliefs.

When your conscious mind is congruent with your internal world, you are sending out consistent signals. The universe responds and you recognize how everything just comes together. Your life will be filled with synchronicities, as your external world more accurately reflects your inner thoughts. When sports stars are “in the flow” they often describe the game as slowing down and becoming effortless. Naturally, you are also more likely to recognize a coincidence (“observer bias”) but by having your internal and external worlds congruent, you are not just aware of it, but influencing its manifestation.

How can you do this?

Know thyself.

It’s your responsibility and privilege to create incidents you want by being more mindful of your thoughts. Recognize whenever you are “in the flow” and take note of your thoughts and what you are doing. At the least, this is what you were meant to be doing at that particular moment in time. If you see a pattern, recognize that these thoughts and actions may be your life’s work.

Remember, at your very core lies the Master Within, or your divine self. Your goal as a mystic is to attune with the Master Within, as you seek to become one with God. When you do this, your conscious mind and internal thoughts, feelings and beliefs will become congruent and synchronicities will become a way of life.

When all these aspects of your being are radiating energy in synch, miracles may occur. But it’s not a miracle – it’s a direct result of a perfectly understandable universal law. A bumper sticker states, “We don’t believe in miracles, we rely on them.” Similarly, don’t believe your life is a random series of coincidences – make it miraculous.

Edwin Harkness Spina is the author of the award-winning novel Mystic Warrior. Receive a free copy of Mystic Secrets Revealed when you sign up for the Mystic Warrior Newsletter with mystical techniques to improve your life and expand your mind.

Connect With Other Artists

Posted by admin on 06/26/2011 None comments

“So I am not the only one having these creativity blocks? This makes me feel less lonely.” – Martine, Painter

Why IS it so vital to our creative fulfillment to connect with our fellow artists?

Support – Asking for support is often the last thing we think of, even when things are at their toughest or we feel like giving up. We don’t want to impose on someone else, we don’t want to reveal anything that could be perceived as a “weakness”, and we think we “should” be able to handle things on our own.

Meanwhile, lessons from the self-care field show us that isolating – keeping those negative thoughts and feelings to ourselves and withdrawing from people, either physically or emotionally – will have serious repercussions.

Not only do we increase our risk for serious emotional difficulties like depression and anxiety, but we also suppress our immune systems and put ourselves at risk for significant physical injury as well.

Kinship – “Community is important – like-minded people, friends who are artists – the need to be understood, for your language to be normal – I feel like a Martian with people from offices”. – from The Creativity Interviews, by Linda Dessau.

We all have a fundamental need to be seen, heard and understood, and to feel like we fit in with others. For many creative artists, that just doesn’t happen “out there”.

We feel too different and this tends to send us further into isolation. It can also reinforce a negative self-image and make it more difficult to gain the confidence, strength and courage that we need in order to approach our creative work.

Collaboration – Two heads are more creative than one. Whether it’s combining two different art forms (i.e. a writer and an illustrator), or teaming forces within the same discipline (co-writing, or contributing individual pieces to a common theme), you can choose to work with someone at a similar level of creative development, OR challenge yourself by working with someone who’s farther along the journey.

Inspiration – When you purposefully seek out creative inspiration, and you open yourself up to receive it, creative juices and ideas will flow abundantly towards you. Sometimes just being with another artist – on the telephone, over email or in a coffee shop – and talking ABOUT your work can inspire you and spark you back into the flow of things.

Motivation – Setting up a structure where

you’re regularly sharing your work with other artists, or even regularly talking ABOUT your work, will give you a sense of being accountable to someone else. Plus, the ambition and productivity of another artist can “rub off” on you and get you moving.

Feedback and self-improvement – You can consciously create a safe space for yourself to get feedback on your work, in order to continuously develop and improve your skills.

Otherwise, your only means of feedback is what comes at you directly and indirectly through contest submissions, auditions, audience members, “looks”, unspoken comments (that we’re bound to misinterpret) and other forms of formal or informal judgment and rejection.

When you take the first step and request feedback, you get to make up the rules! If your work is in it’s infancy, you might request that someone just listen as you talk, knowing that as you talk things through you’ll clarify your ideas for yourself and spark new ones.

If something is closer to completion and about to be released into the world, you might ask for more concrete feedback and impressions.

Giving back and mentoring – No matter how far along the path you’ve traveled, there’s always someone newer than you in at least one specific area of skill, experience or confidence. And even if they’re not, YOUR unique perspective can always help someone else if they’re open to hearing it.

Helping someone will ALWAYS come back to you – whether it’s hearing your advice and being able to apply it to yourself, having that person be able to help you at another time, or just feeling great about yourself for enabling someone else’s creativity.

What about solitude?

You might be challenging some of these ideas. Maybe moments of solitude have brought about your most intense periods of creative inspiration and transformation. Traveling, meditation and nature walks are all examples that I’ve heard and experienced. Keep your periods of solitude – seek them out, if you haven’t yet. Solitude is NOT the same thing as isolation.

Remember, there’s no reason to feel different when there’s a whole creative community out there, and plenty of reasons to reach out and connect with other artists.

© Linda Dessau, 2005.

Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, helps artists enhance their creativity by addressing their unique self-care issues. Feel like your creativity is blocked? Sign-up for your complimentary copy of the popular e-course, “Roadblocks to Creativity” by visiting http://www.genuinecoaching.com

Are You a Leader or a Manager?

Posted by admin on 06/25/2011 None comments

President Ike Eisenhower once demonstrated the difference between leadership and management to his cabinet by putting a piece of string in a straight line on the conference table. He then asked one of the attendees to put his finger on one end of the string and push it. The string, of course, bunched up in an ugly bundle. He then asked the man to pull the string with his finger on one end. The string straightened up in a nice neat line and followed the finger across the table. “This”, said Ike “is the difference between managing and leading.”

I love this visual example and use it often. Managing people is often pushing them to do what you want them to do. People resist being pushed and if you manage this way you usually end up with a chaotic organization. Leadership, on the other hand,

is pulling people with you. When you pull people they usually follow and following the leader is what we really want out of our team.

How do you get people to follow you rather than resist? The two words that will help you the most are Honesty and Integrity. Have a clear vision of where the company is going. As corny as it sometimes sounds, a good, clear and well communicated mission statement wouldn’t hurt either. Encourage your staff to set career and personal goals. Let them know when you are proud of them. Be interested in how your team thinks things can improve and let them express those ideas.

Mike Shannon is the owner of Shamrock Business Coaching, a coaching practice that helps business owners increase profits. You can visit Shamrock Business Coaching on the web at: http://www.ShamrockCoaching.com.

Take Time To Think

Posted by admin on 06/24/2011 None comments

I recently saw a program on television wherein the participants discussed the degree to which present day computer technology has contributed to our economy, well-being and our ability to communicate. They pointed out the many ways that this technology was already obsolete and that further refinements will impact our future in ways we dare not imagine.

This scares me.

This advancement precipitates an increasing reliance on computer skills and “push the envelope” technology. This over-emphasis tends to wean people away from original thinking. Over the years I=ve seen many very bright people let their computers do their thinking for them. They became un-suspecting victims of somebody else’s thinking. This robbed them of their individuality and innovative skills

I’ve been a student and practitioner of creative thinking all my life. I was a creative consultant long before the Internet was a factor. From my admittedly bias point of view, I think the time has come to champion a new technology. The next technological breakthrough should be the re-discovery of creative thinking!

* The kind of individual creativity and innovative genius that built our free enterprise system.

* The kind of uncluttered common sense creativity that is devoid of academic “isms” and “ologies”.

* The kind of creativity that existed (and worked!) long before time and technology distorted its relevance and simplicity

Webster defines creative thinking as “the ability to be productive through imaginative skills”. Take a moment to think about what this really says. “The ability to be productive”. To be productive , according to Webster, is to “establish results, benefits and profits”. And how does he suggest that we do this? He says it should be “through imaginative skills”.

Notice that he makes no reference to technological skills or training. He says nothing about academic proficiency, administrative talents or scanning the Internet. He mentions only one method and that is to utilize the imagination And imagination, he reminds us, is “the forming of mental images (ideas) of things not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived”.

IDEAS!

As important as modern day technological tools are, it should be realized that throughout all recorded history nothing was ever accomplished, no goal was ever reached, no need was ever met and no problem was ever solved that didn=t begin with an

idea !

Ideas are the substance of the imagination. They are the effects of creative thinking. When people ignore or overlook new ideas and concepts, they risk becoming victims of another=s creative initiative regardless of their technological competence. While any activity should utilize the best technological aids available, it behooves us to be alert to the necessity for balance and make specific, conscious efforts to increase our imaginative skills. We should be constantly scanning our mental horizons for opportunities for growth and advancement and become aware of events and circumstances that can contribute productivity in “establishing results, benefits and profit….through their imaginative skills”

Your mind, which embodies this “thing” called “creativity”, is the source of all ideas. It is the best computer ever devised. However mind-boggling the next generation of computers may be, that master computer between your ears is the only “mechanism” that can come up with original ideas and be responsive to the flow of these “mental images of the imagination

These images are a glimpse into the future. It is vision which is defined by Webster as, “the act or power of perceiving mental images (ideas) in the imagination”. Jonathan Swift noted that, “Vision is the art of seeing the invisible”. Helen Keller was quoted as having said, “Worse than being blind, is to have no vision”.

Remember, the computer and all its associated technologies are merely the outward manifestation of someone=s creative thinking. Remember too,that an effect cannot, and never will, initiate any action of its own. It must forever be subservient to its primal cause and source: creativity.

It was Victor Hugo who reminded us that “there is nothing more powerful than the right idea whose time has come”. That time is now!

Take time to marvel at the computer with all its wonder, with all its contributing technologies and its capacity to make such a significant contribution to our way of life. But always reserve a quiet place in your mind where you can retire from the pressures imposed by the “real world” and take time to THINK.

For more than 40 years Davis Goss has been a creative consultant with particular expertise on problem solving. His latest book “The DYNAMICS of ACHIEVEMENT” outlines the details of his unique problem solving methods that are based on proven scientific principles and as such assures positive results with predictable accuracy.

Davis Goss

“The Science of Building Harmonious Life Experiences”

Visit my Website at: http://www.davisgoss.com

Contact me at: ideaguy@davisgoss.com

Leadership for the 18 Year Old

Posted by admin on 06/24/2011 None comments

    Fundamentals for better leadership in school and work

      How many 18 year old young adults out there are truly leaders today? Not many and this is a fact! Why do I say this? Well, first of all, I am the product of this education system and from the experience I had in the army, all I met was mostly failed leadership. Luckily, the government has taken steps and actions to remedy the situation through new integrated programs to foster leadership in schools and away from rote-learning. With time, perhaps we will be learning such skills more effectively. However, it’s because of my negative experiences with bad leaders that make me wonder:” How can an 18 year old young adult really learn about leadership?” and “What are some of the fundamentals of good leadership an 18 year old must have?”

      The purpose of my title as well as the opening statement serves to capture your attention and to get you to read on since a typical 18 year old young adult do get turn off with such topics. I hope that you continue to read this article and take at least one idea to implement in your life.

      What is meant by leadership? American Management Consultant, Peter F. Drucker has this to say,” Leadership is not magnetic personality-that can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not making friends and influencing people-that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to higher sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.” This is the true picture of leadership and now let’s takes a look at some of the details.

      A leader has to have a team. Not any team with members he randomly picks. This only happens in school where the teacher assigns you your team members. A true leader learns to make his own decisions in choosing the members he required in his team. By learning to do so, he forms a mastermind team, a team whose vision and values aligned with the leader. It requires courage, skill, experience, good EQ as well as intelligence to assemble and maintain such a team. From selecting the right members to planning to execution of the plans, it requires hard work and effort. In this team …

      A leader is foremost a servant. He has to first give then receive. The notion of giving solely is so foreign to many of us that we are constantly into the W.I.T.F.M (What’s in it for me ) and

      R.O.I ( Return of Investment ) that we fail to give a little at all. Why are we so afraid to give that little bit? Don’t we realise that there is a universal law – “The Law of Compensation” like the law of gravity which governs us 24/7? This law states that you will always be compensated for your efforts and for your contributions, whatever it is, however much or however little. Don’t always ask for something in return. Have faith in the law and do give more than you receive.

      So what does the leader actually give? He gives encouragement; he is motivated by the wish to empower his members, to bring out the best of his mastermind team. He is supportive to every team member and never ridicules, condemns or ignores ideas contributed. How else can he encourage, he does so by delegating, and this empowers them for the role of the leader is to nurture his followers into leaders. Why is this consider empowerment? Johann Wolfgang von Goethe explains, “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become what they are capable of being.” The greatest ability of the leader is recongise the ability in others and encourages it.”

      To lead is also to show the way by going in advance. A leader has to lead by example. He has to take the first step. This inspires great confidence, courage and strength in the team. A team performs best with such a leader. So where does the leader lead his followers to? To places where they wish to go, but wouldn’t go alone. This is what a true leader does, to inspire his team not only with words but with action, meaningful action that requires courage.

      There are many qualities of a good leader which I cannot write about in such a short article. If you truly desire to be a good leader, take action to become one, start by reading a book on leadership, any small step helps. To conclude, heed the timeless principle of leadership by American business philosopher Jim Rohn, “The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not a bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humour, but without folly.”

      Copyrights © Chue Yan Wei

      An aspiring author and trainer. Currently in the military service, this article is based on my experience with many leaders, both great and lousy.

      http://www.livingthegreat.blogspot.com

White Sun – The Living Examples

Posted by admin on 06/24/2011 None comments

One day, a child made a lot of noise chewing his food. His parents didn’t make any effort to teach him even though they didn’t like it. On one occasion the child was noisy chewing his food, his father who was moody that day, yelled at him:

“Do you know what animal makes the loudest noise when it eats?”

The Child answered instantly, “Little piggy!”

The father, who was furious, shouted:

“Do you know why little piggy makes such a lot of noise when he eats?”

The child replied, “Of course I know. It’s because the big piggy didn’t teach him!”

Children learn by listening and observing from their parents and every word and action of the parents is noticed and imprinted in their hearts. These impressions become the basis of their language and behavior. Children are a reflection of their parents and an unhappy child most likely came from an unhappy family. A child who has a lively disposition most probably came from a lively and vivacious family.

If you advise your son not to spend time in pubs, he might say, “But I saw you going in the pub door.” If you tell your son not to gamble, he might say, “You gamble too.” If we want our children to be free from bad habits, we must first clean up ourselves. Children can be compared with white sheets of paper or pieces of jade. It is up to us to draw or carve and in the words of “The Three Characters Classic,” it is said:

“To raise a child without teaching it the right way is the fault of the parents. To teach a child without being strict is a sign of laziness in the teacher.”

Human civilization is comprised of three aspects: 1] What is passed on to us from our predecessors 2] What we ourselves create and 3] What we pass on to the next generation.

Teaching by the use of rules, precepts, good advice and other verbal forms of instruction is never as influential as what is taught by example because humans have a natural aptitude for imitation. Good living examples have greater credibility and usefulness and Confucius once said:

“When a leader’s conduct is righteous he does not have to give orders to make others follow him. However, if his personal conduct is not righteous, he may give orders but no one will follow them.”

Children generally obey and follow our instructions while they are young but as they grow older their respect and obedience seem to diminish at an alarming rate. This message we should not ignore. The successive generation will become stronger or weaker and it all depends on our teachings and living examples. Mencius said:

“If we show compassion to others but no affection is returned, let us

look within ourselves and examine the quality of our own benevolence. If we guide others but they refused to follow our guidance, let us self reflect and examine our wisdom. If we treat others politely and they failed to respond in the same way, let us self reflect and examine our own level of respect. When our intentions are not realized, we must look for the fault within ourselves. Only when a person’s actions are righteous will the world turn to him with recognition and compliance.”

If we are always ready to comply with the governing principles, and willing to place great demands on ourselves, then we can find happiness and peace. Preaching is easy but to practise what we preach is difficult. In the process of cultivation it is important that our hearts and mouths are one, our words and actions coincide and our bodies and environment are in harmony. We need to have constant self-reflection, and others are our mirrors and in an old text called “Shu,” it is written:

“Heaven has sent all people to witness what all that is done and listen to all that is said. The heart of the people is the will of the universe; the words of the people are the words of the universe.”

In any situation, whether it is a family matter, an institution or a nation, teaching by example is the way to harmony and unity within social environment. The heart of the people means the wish of the majority of the people through words. In the Great Learning, there is a reference to the Book of Poetry which says:

“Lofty is that mountain, Zhong Nan, with its rugged masses of rock! Greatly distinguished are you, Oh Grand Teacher Yi Yin for your position and power. All people revere you. A ruler of state cannot afford to be imprudent. If he should deviate even slightly from his concern for the people’s wellbeing, he will be condemned.”

A leader must be whiter than white. When he is high up, he can easily be seen and a slightest mistake can make him fall and be condemned. A hundred good things done can be overshadowed by one small mistake and people remember and see that mistake but forget the hundred good actions done. To be a good role model, one has to be a good living example.

Author: T.A Chew

T.A Chew was taught in the Tao environment, the predecessors and forerunners have set good example and teach with kindness and patience. The downline, in return, should understand the good will of their forerunners, learn patiently, do the same and carry this Truth to other parts of the world. Be a good role model and living example. Website: http://www.white-sun.com