VivaNews™ – June 2007 Issue
Welcome to VivaNews™ - Vivacity’s EZine!
In this issue:
- A Jumping-Off Point – This month: “Stuck?”
- Vivacity Products and Events
- Vivacity Recommended Resources
- Great News! and Other Outstanding Women-Led Businesses of Distinction
- Our Advertisers
- Motivational Quote
A Jumping-Off Point®
“Stuck?”
“The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." – Albert Einstein
There is a scene in the movie “A Christmas Story” (an adaptation of childhood stories of the late writer/humorist Jean Shepherd) where a boy, Flick, is bragging to his friends that his father said that if you stuck your tongue to a frozen flag pole, it wouldn’t get stuck. (By the way, they were 8 year old boys, if you are wondering who would think of such a thing.) On a “triple-dog dare” from Schwartz, one of the other boys, Flick proceeded to do so, armed with his belief that his self-proclaimed infallible father was always right. Well, the laws of nature - and of winters in Indiana - dictated otherwise. As Flick’s self-satisfied “See, I told you” soon turned into the realization that he was indeed stuck, he flailed, cried, screamed “Stuck! Stuck! Stuck!” and implored the help of his friends. His friends, driven by a higher imperative – the bell that signaled the end of recess and a return to class or “you’d be in big trouble” –knew only one solution, i.e., running back to the classroom, and abandoned their friend to his “stuck” fate.
Now, poor Flick was only going by what he knew and believed, reinforced by the belief he had in his father’s infallibility. And he knew and believed only one solution - flailing, crying and screaming - to try and resolve it. Getting into this problem was easy…getting out of it was far more difficult. It took the resources of not only one observant teacher but that of the local police/fire/rescue personnel.
Inevitably, there comes a time or times in our lives when we get stuck and we flail around trying to get unstuck. For example, while writing a manuscript or informational product to sell, while staying in a job that we are intellectually and emotionally done with, while not being able to attract new clients and customers for our business, while being in a relationship that’s ok but not going anywhere, while having to make a choice “between a rock and a hard place”. And it seems that no matter what we do to resolve it, no matter how much we flail about, we inevitably tend to rely on what we already know to resolve it…and the “stuck-ness” only persists. The truth is we will not solve any significant problem we face by doing things the way we have done them before.
Which brings me to the quote by Albert Einstein that I ran across again the other day while researching another topic: “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." Now, as I am in no way scientific or mathematical, I turned to an expert – physicist Frank Kearly – for an explanation of what went into Einstein’s thinking when he said this (reportedly in response to the world’s social ills). Kearly said:
“The most obvious significant physics problem that Einstein tackled which falls in line with this quote was the one that brought him his early triumph as an original thinker. As you may have read, all of science thought that light waves were the product of a vibration of a substance they called the "ether". But, no one could detect its presence. The puzzle was really confounded when light speed measured "along" the ether's motion was found to be equal to the light speed opposite its motion. Surely the speed of the wave must be different when the waving stuff is moving toward you, versus away from you. But it wasn't. Einstein said, maybe the speed of light never changes, no matter how fast or slow you are moving. This was revolutionary! We now call it the "special theory of relativity" and it represents a total departure from the way people were used to thinking about the world.”
Einstein’s original thinking solved a scientific puzzle and changed forever how people thought about the world. Kearly referred to it as revolutionary. Now, true genius is a rare phenomenon. Answers seem to come to them from a region far beyond what we average-to-above-average thinkers rely on.
The brain, the marvelous computer that it is, has a glitch. When faced with a problem, it searches the data banks for existing information and knowledge. It will not automatically go to the thousands of bits of new information it has been exposed to on a daily basis but to the information that lies inside its immediate and very narrow bandwidth of consciousness. But it is in this outer region that the answers lie. How to access these bits of information? There are many ways, several of which we will explore in upcoming issues of the Ezine. Today, let me suggest two very simple things you can do to implement a different level of thinking.
First, if you don’t already know how to, learn how to Mind Map. If you are not acquainted with Tony and Barry Buzan’s incredible book The Mind Map Book (1996), click the link listed below in the Vivacity Recommended Resources section to learn more about it and to order it. The publisher of this book says “The Mind Map Book is the only book that both explains the fundamental operation of the brain in terms of its thinking processes and explains how to unleash and harness its power.” I heartily concur; I have found Mind Mapping to be an invaluable tool to expand my bandwidth of consciousness.
Second, form a “brainstorming” group. Invite 4 or 5 people you know with diverse backgrounds; e.g., if you are in sales, try and invite someone from totally unrelated fields such as library science or technology. Remember my article on “The Strength of Weak Ties” in the February VivaNews® Jumping-Off Point? Don’t invite close friends and family. Though they love you and support you, they may think a lot like you or may try to protect you from further problems and this is not to your advantage in solving your current significant problem. At this brainstorming session, have a flip chart or large pieces of paper adhered to the wall. Present your problem to the group and have them say out loud all the things that come to their mind as a solution to the problem. Write these ideas down on the paper so everyone can see. One idea will spark another. Do not judge, “pooh-pooh” or negate any idea during this process. Take down the papers (hopefully you have many) and review them at another time soon after the group. You can have a more critical thinking acquaintance help you prioritize the ideas you did get and/or blow holes in some of them. Add the ideas to your Mind Map or keep a running list of possibilities. Don’t forget to do something to show appreciation and return the favor to your brainstorming group.
Thinking at a different level than what got us into a problem (using Mind Mapping, Brainstorming Groups or the myriad other possibilities) is a true jumping off point for our growth and success.
Vivacity Products and Events
July 14, 2007
9:00 – 11:30 AM
VivaNetworking® Breakfast for Women
To be held at the Gallery of:
Rizzutti Fine Art, LLC
8885 Centre Park Drive
Columbia, MD 21045
Directions: http://home.earthlink.net/.../rizzuttifineartcontactus.htm
Presenter: Fashion model, designer and consultant Monica R. Maith
of MRM Designs, Inc.
To learn more about Monica and her business, go to: http://www.mrmdesignsinc.com/aboutmrm.html
Presenting on: “Viva La Fashion!”
Monica will speak on: how to go from a Chaotic Closet to a Makeover Masterpiece, Wardrobe Must haves for any lifestyle, how and where to shop, Color Analysis and Fashion Trends.
Cost: $15.00 per person includes breakfast, networking opportunity and Ms. Maith’s informative and dynamic presentation. Click on the Register button below to register for the event. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Success In Style.
Viva Radio®…Internet Talk Radio for Women
"Listen while you work, listen while you play"
Vivacity®…Jump into Life® is pleased to announce the official launching of VivaRadio®…Internet Talk Radio for Women. VivaRadio® presents content-rich podcast interviews and pre-recorded programming that will serve to enhance the personal, career and business success and well-being of women.
Streaming audio will be provided live online 24/7 accessible from a link on Vivacity’s Podcasting page – http://www.vivacitymedia.com. Many of the interviews will also be available for listening and downloading from the Vivacity® Podcast page. Live call-in shows will be added in the near future.
Listen now for the shows of:
Dr. Jane Connall – “The Dr. Jane Show” – helping singles navigate the dating world
Amy Farr of Jolie Tête Salon & Spa – “Professional Tips on Looking Your Best”
Bettie Farrar, Chief Learning Officer of FlackVentures Inc. - “Innovations”
Janet Ruck, Writer and Career Consultant – “Personal Power”
M. Kathryn McMillan of the Nutritional Wellness Program - “Nutritional Wellness”
Ann Squire of Royal Blue Productions and Conference Experts - “Tech Tips for Busy Chicks”
Julie Williamson of A Good Book Bookstore – Monthly Book Reviews
And coming soon:
Teri Rizzutti , Fine Artist and Gallery Owner (Rizzutti Fine Art) on Art
Ann J. Rochford, Lifestyle and Fitness Consultant – “Working In, Working Out”
Opportunities for advertisers will be available in several formats:
Text ads with links/icons on the Podcasting page
Radio spots
Infomercials
Banner Ads
Coming Soon: 13 week packages for ½ hour shows.
VivaRadio® has a niche market advantage, appealing to women who want more for their lives. Add to this the advantage of Vivacity’s Podcasting page currently receiving over1000 unique visitors monthly. This is expected to increase as VivaRadio® programming attracts a wider audience – locally, nationally and globally. Click on http://www.vivacitynow.com/vivanews/advRates.html for rates.
Listen Live Online to:
VivaRadio®…Internet Talk Radio for Women
At:
"Listen while you work, listen while you play"
Single?? Got a question about Dating? Email your questions to Dr. Jane at drjaneconnall@aol.com and listen for the answer on her show, “The Dr. Jane Show”, on VivaRadio®.
Vivacity Recommended Resources
To order The Mind Map Book by Tony and Barry Buzan mentioned in this month’s “Jumping-Off Point”, click the following link http://www.barnesandnoble.com/... and type in The Mind Map Book in the Search section on the left.
How To Publish An Ezine That Makes You Money
Complimentary Special Report tells you how! Learn how to publish a simple
Ezine that will boost your business, make you famous, and grow a
massive mailing list you can market to over and over. Go to http://www.mcssl.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=540045
Great News! And Other Outstanding Women-Led Businesses of Distinction
Julie Williamson of A Good Book Bookstore has announced her new and improved website. Purchase books and find out about Julie’s live events…also, find out about how to have your own replicable online bookstore site. Go to www.agoodbook.biz for more information. And listen for Julie’s book reviews on VivaRadio and now available on the Podcasting Page at www.vivacitymedia.com.
M. Kathryn McMillan of the Nutritional Wellness Program has added an exciting new website - http://nutritionalwellnessprogram.com/ - featuring the innovative products and services of her business including Nutritional BioType Testing, A Wellness Inventory Assessment, Reiki Energy Healing Treatments, Personal Chef Service (see below) and a Variety of Organic Healthcare Products for your Mind, Body, and Spirit!
And to learn more about Angelia Marchman, and her Personal Chef Service Thyme Savory, LLC, go to: http://www.thymesavory.com. There you will learn about her wonderful services and get news up upcoming events and workshops such as Cooking Up Life!...A special workshop coming soon to help start you into a Nutritional Wellness Plan with instructor M. Kathryn McMillan, M.S., CNW, RMT.
Sarah Frazier of Frazier Fitness has just launched Frazier Fit Tips, a weekly email that will give you very valuable, concise information for your health and fitness. Contact Sarah at frazierfitness@comcast.net to get on her list!
Our Advertisers
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| 8860 Columbia 100 Parkway Suite 105 Columbia, MD 410.740.1990 www.jolie-tete-salon.com |
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Motivational Quote of the Month
"One of the secrets of success is to refuse to let temporary setbacks defeat us."
Mary Kay Ash, 1915-2001, Founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics
Thanks for reading VivaNews®!
Committed to Your Success,
Kate
© 2007 VivaPublishing®
