The wonderful, vivacious Lady Val Corbett, Director of the brilliant ’Hoxton Apprentice‘ social enterprise, and networker extraordinaire, sent me this reading which was part of the service at her daughter’s recent wedding…such beautiful words, truly moving and apposite.
I have been a long time fan of Robert Fulghum’s “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” which I regularly display on the wall in my seminars and workshops, and had not realised his writing is so powerful, lyrical and wide ranging. There’s a link to his site in his name below, check out the delicious ‘Winter Count’.
‘You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this pointof commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of “yes”, to this moment of “yes”, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way.
All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.
All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.
The vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed? Well, I meant it all, every word.”
Look at one another and remember this moment in time.
Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.
For after today you shall say to the world –
“This is my husband.”
“This is my wife.”‘
I had great fun talking to my good friend Tom Evans, aka The Bookwright, last week.
The topic was his two latest books, Flavours of Thought and The Art & Science of Lightbulb Moments. Tom wanted to have quality video footage to help promote his books, and also to have the experience of being drawn out on his subjects. That’s something I love to do, and after so many years of having conversations with authors I’ve developed some expertise which gets really excellent results.
My vast experience of personal and business growth and development and the fact that I’ve interviewed hundreds of people have honed my abilities. One leading international multi-million seller employs me as his ‘primacy effect’ whenever he comes back from his lecturing and book promotion trips because it helps him centre and relocate after months away.
According to my interviewees, I’m an ‘agent provocateur’, a catalyst, a novel thinker and questioner who refreshingly reaches parts others do not – stimulating them into new areas of thought and ideas; it’s a brilliantly synergistic process that gets great results for all. For a long time our authors have been asking me to offer them special expert interviews to promote their new books, courses and events, so I’ve decided to oblige.
You can find out more by emailing me on interviews@resourcemagazine.co.uk or Skype MChristineMiller for an ‘Expert Interview’ factsheet.
“By far the best way an author can promote their work is through an interview …. but not any old interview. Both the questions asked and the manner in which they are asked and the interview is conducted is crucial to making you feel at ease and communicating your message.
I was doubly honoured last week not only to be interviewed by Christine Miller, Editor of ReSource Magazine, for both of my new books but also that, as a consummate professional, she had taken the time to read both my books so she could ask me just the right questions. I am thrilled too to hear she is now launching a service to interview authors in the Business Growth, Personal Development and Mind, Body, Spirit genres. Don’t take my word for how good it is – see the two interviews below …”
“I love what you did with my interview…. I’m happy to work with you any time.”
Jack Canfield, “America’s #1 Success Coach”, Founder & CEO, Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises
“I feel your interview of ALL I ever did (maybe in my life) really GOT IT–who I am and why. Since then when we had the interview (in a very magical way) we found a funder, a wonderful Swiss guy, a business genius.”
Dr Candace Pert, Neuroscientist, bestselling author of ‘Molecules of Emotion’, and ‘How to Feel Go(o)d’
‘It is the most beautiful thing anyone has written about me and I honor you forever for it. It will be a permanent part of my press kit.’
Dr Barbara de Angelis, author of fourteen best-selling books which have sold over eight million copies
“Your questions provoke many new thoughts and creative ideas, you are an ‘agent provocateur’, and in our interviews and conversations you are able to reach parts no-one else does.”
Tony Buzan, Multi-million bestselling author of over 90 books, speaker and inventor of Mind Maps
You can find out more by emailing Christine Miller at interviews@resourcemagazine.co.uk for an ‘Expert Interview’ factsheet.
Skype: MChristineMiller
Increasing numbers of us are looking for different ways to live our lives in a more balanced and fulfilling way, so that we feel connected with our work. At the heart of this, is the growing desire to have a sense of purpose and a yearning for meaning in how we spend our time and make our living. We want to feel the spirit of what we do – to be inspired.
People who have been working in organisations for many years are now being asked to re-apply for their jobs, unable to take them for granted any more and having to market themselves as the best candidates. This means they are in effect becoming more entrepreneurial in their approach to their positions. And those entering or rejoining the job market need to be very clear and precise about what they offer and how they fit with prospective employers, both for their own sake in finding satisfying work, and in order to attract a suitable opportunity.
Someone else who helps people achieve these aims is Judith Morgan, who I've known for several years and become much better acquainted with recently. Judith is an accountant turned business and wealth coach with more than 30 years’ experience of running her own businesses and those of her clients. 
Judith says she has always been called to be her own boss. Having helped entrepreneurs run their businesses and make money for more than 30 years, she currently runs a blogtalk radio show for entrepreneurs and an inner circle club for wealth creators who want support in staying on track financially and access to the latest entrepreneurial thinking, news and ideas.
Find out more here: www.alternatives.org.uk
Wordpower….Look at these headlines from a story which emerged in the London free newspapers on (October 15th 2010) about an unfortunate person who has had an accident….
Number 1: The morning story from Joel Taylor in the London Metro:
London Metro October 15th
When I saw this story, the word ‘drinker’ jumped out at me and I commented to a colleague that, in my opinion, it gave the wrong impression, conjuring up a picture of someone who has consumed a lot of alcohol or is even drunk. With the current tendency to blame drinkers (i.e.people who’ve consumed alcohol) for accidents which befall them, this didn’t seem to me to be the right tenor: yet ‘drinker’ shouldn’t really have that sense of the derogatory attached to it (and maybe it is only my perception): we all drink something, whether it’s water, coffee, or an alcoholic beverage, yet the term drinker…‘he/she’s a drinker’...what meaning does it convey or imply about a person?
I thought it should say ‘woman’ or ‘customer’ and was pondering the style, which seemed a little impersonal, given that the details of gender are contained in the story, and also the seriousness of the accident.
Number 2: Later in the day, we picked up the Evening Standard and this was the treatment there by Felix Allen:
London Evening Standard October 15th 2010
I was pleased to see this different tone. I know the speed and pressure under which journalists have to operate, especially to get out early morning editions such as the Metro; I know that catchy titles are important and they differ according to the publication – but it is also my view that we have to show compassion and love for people and try to avoid putting them into categories just for expediency and attention. I’m sure it wasn’t intentional, it’s simply an example of how perception works, and how we as human beings make meaning, and again it is my own opinion.
What undertones and subtleties do you notice in words that are used in the media or in common speech, does it affect their meaning, and do you think more discernment would be a good thing?
Metro and The Evening Standard are both free publications distributed in London (Metro in other cities too) on weekdays and serve a great purpose in entertaining and informing the travelling public on their journeys around the metropolis.
Finally – Warm Wishes for a complete recovery to the unfortunate woman injured by the plant pot.
I was prompted by the unique significance of the date on Sunday 10th October 2010 to write some words – and set myself a light hearted challenge to only use words containing the word ‘ten’…here’s the result:
Tender Words
Earth Mother Tender Words
Listen, attend:
Countenance
Brightened,
Heartened,
Lightened.
Tension softened,
Sentences sweetened.
Tendrils extending,
Tenacious,
Glistening,
Stencilling
Molten intensities,
Insistent, persistent,
Smitten.
Potent portent,
Hastening
Enlightenment.
Penitent, chastened,
Quietening.
Contentment,
Tentatively tendered.
©Christine Miller
10/10/10
…following on from yesterday’s post ‘Something to Think About’, which led to a comment from a Jackie Evancho fanpage – Wow! this girl is an amazing talent – and such a beautiful surprise – as she says elsewhere, great things come in small packages. Her passion for singing radiates, and her obvious delight in performing and having the oppportunity to enjoy what she loves really shines through.
It may be old hat for some people, but it’s the first time I have encountered her, and I just love what I see and hear, and the feeling she inspires.
How many would notice her, and stop in the Metro station to listen to her, I wonder? (Her actual performance starts at around 2.0)
A colleague sent me this today, which made me think about what we miss by rushing through life without pausing, noticing and appreciating things that in other circumstances and environments we would love and value.
In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.
About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent – without exception – forced their children to move on quickly.
At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
After 1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.
Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theatre in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.
Joshua Bell
This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . .How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
Brought me back to thinking about something I wrote last year – see here: Do You Value What’s Right Under Your Nose?
Having just watched the first press conference of our new coalition government I have to say I was impressed. Cameron and Clegg came across as composed, mature and collegial. I know it is early days, but it’s as if they’ve had an epiphany and seen a mutual vision of a cooperative future, one where being combative and point scoring isn’t going to get them anywhere. A future where the people matter more than the political parties. In the sunny garden of Number 10 Downing Street, there were even birds singing – hopefully auguring well for an attuned duet. Perhaps we can even hope for Socratic dialogue rather than put-down arguments…
They appear realistic about the challenges they face – they know it’s not going to be a picnic; they’ve inherited a big mess. They also know there are going to be sticking points where they will have to dig deep and reach compromises they wouldn’t have previously entertained. This coalition makes them more accountable; accountable to each other, accountable to their ministers, to MPs, and accountable to the electorate. The country, after all, is made up of people – you and me, and everyone else – and we said we didn’t want a single party governing. We got exactly what we voted for. A new style of politics, a new collaboration.
And as they’re inviting us to be part of the government, promising to deliver us from ‘nanny-stateism’, returning us to responsibility and self-empowerment, then we too have to play our part. We may have to relearn how to be decisive and forward thinking. We may have to challenge the press and media on being divisive and adversarial. It’s going to be a new style for them – they’re used to playing one off against the other and being cynical and pessimistic. Even now they are expressing disbelief and dragging up comments made when Cameron and Clegg were opponents, not allies. It’s one thing to be an objective reporter and observer, another to be destructive and carping.
How refreshing would it be if the people and the media could get behind what is a courageous move and encourage this revolution we’re part of? How much energy and will would that put behind the tough tasks the government faces? Could it smooth the way and make the rebuilding faster, smoother, stronger?
It’s worth a try, in these times of hopeful change.
In my garden the other evening we noticed and loved this amazing effect so, inspired, I captured the scene; it was a beautiful dry evening, no rain or moisture on the tree, purely the effects of the sunset rays transforming the tree so it looks as if it is full of golden lights against the evening sky – the ultimate natural resource.
Magical, entrancing, couldn’t stop gazing at its splendour of light.
magical light at sunset
This picture was taken directly above the camels in the desert at sunset.
It is considered one of the best pictures of its year.
The camels are the whitish flecks.
The black camel shapes are the shadows!
(with thanks to Emmanuel Elliott for sending this through)
So I’m prompted here to wonder about how we see and interpret things, and the meaning we make from them – the shadows in this photograph are bigger, bolder, capture the attention and look as if they represent reality, as if they are the camels. Then we discover that the real camels are the tiny spots of light, overshadowed by their shadows. It’s like an optical illusion, and reminds me of The Allegory of the Cave in Plato’s best-known work, The Republic.
How often are we afraid of what is really only a shadow, a trick of the light? Something we avoid or don’t do because we mis-perceive a monster lurking, a large object in the way, when the reality is a spot of light?
How often are we seduced by the outer, louder, more obvious in our lives, and therefore miss the subtle, the sensitive, that which requires us to go deeper and reflect, or take an uncommon perspective and see value and beauty in the less familiar? So much depends on the way we look at things – can we walk around our own thoughts, our biases and long-held opinions and beliefs, and find greater value than we have previously dreamt?
Like the optical illusion books popular a few years ago, which reveal a hidden image when you view them in a certain way, our world can reward us with fresh ideas and possibilities if we take the time to shift our position, reconsider our point of view and see things differently.
See what you can find in this picture:
Find the hidden message
Three Contenders
Three men stand together, facing not only unrelenting lights and cameras, but also an uncompromising (yet apparently unconvinced) electorate on national television, and a select studio audience primed with unknown awkward questions. Each man is hopeful, yet desperate; passionate in his way, yet somehow desolate; committed to leading a nation and its people to better times, wanting and needing to be trusted. They are reminiscent in some ways of Moses leading his people to the Promised Land; and if chosen, face a task of similar proportions, given Great Britain’s current financial predicament.
So can we determine who has the power not only to part the metaphorical Red Sea of troubles facing whichever party may win the election, but also has the courage and conviction to lead us to the beckoning shores of safe recovery?
The suits are well-cut, the grooming immaculate – the outer face of British political leadership perhaps differentiated only by the colour of a tie and the type of knot with which it is carefully arranged…and I can’t help feeling those ties in some way stifle the true being that is striving to bring his message to the British people. Do these silky symbols of belonging to a certain sector of society actually cut off the connection between their heads and their hearts? Are they really feeling what the people want – or are they too ‘prepped’ and primped, too slickly coached and chivvied into being what their advisors and publicity teams think the public wants?
Would we have preferred to see the debates as a ‘loosen the tie, roll up the sleeves and let’s get to work and tackle the challenges we’re facing’ honest to goodness, humble attempt to offer solutions, in contrast to the interminable point scoring put-downs that, frankly, have left me bored and irritated that not one of them came across as being a totally worthy contender? Although the polls give it to Cameron for last night’s debate, there’s still a very mixed response out there.
I wanted David Cameron to be what I’ve seen and heard him do in the past. I was at the CBI conference in 2006 when he delivered a powerful speech that won over the 1,000-strong audience of top business leaders. He had a bold, clear message that won hearts and minds – and the leadership of his party. In 2008 at Leaders in London he again delivered a moving speech. Articulate, humorous, flowing naturally and comfortable in his skin – he was truly convincing. Now of course, there’s more at stake – there’s more at stake for all of us – it’s a time when a clear bold plan and a big heart can win the day.
David, are you listening? At Leaders in London you said – “don’t try and be something that you’re not”. Look at these words again – “politics is about understanding what’s happening in your country… politicians don’t win just because they’ve got the best slogans… winning in politics is about understanding the forces of change and responding to that problem.” Do you still hold that as true?
This week we saw the rawness of Gordon Brown as he (inadvertently) publicly expressed his private sense of discomfiture at Gillian Duffy’s comments and questions – that was an honest, visceral , if shocking response – and in the true sense of the word ‘bigot’, (Spectator) he may have had a point. It was careless, it seemed hypocritical, it displayed lack of understanding – it was an unfortunate insight into the concerns that constant media pressure and polls place on leaders. The most important thing in that moment was not the voter, nor the woman, but the irritation of being faced with a sensitive issue – immigration – and how the encounter might influence the overall outcome. Maybe Gillian Duffy’s comments, outside the arena of political correctness, expressed a side of public opinion that is not politically or publicly acceptable, but is it pervasive in private? Is it pervasive in Lancashire, a Labour heartland and my own home county. A Rochdale pensioner’s concern about the extra stress placed on already scarce resources by increases in population might have hit a raw nerve, and may even be representative of floating voter’s opinions – who knows? Brown was flustered and discomfited, and that’s not statesmanlike behaviour.
It was a big diference from the time in late 2008 when I heard and saw him speak to an audience of committed innovative social entrepreneurs and activists at the Chain Reaction event, pledging help and support for new business – again, now there’s more at stake, events have unfolded which have undermined those positive commitments and the excitement of his young ambassadors telling their stories.
Gordon needs to learn to pause, reflect, listen – carefully – and not react – Gordon, are you listening?
As for Nick Clegg, his policies and views might well represent a new way, a different outcome, ‘real’ change – but to me it seems like there is game playing, and the boyish charm which is undoubtedly appealing perhaps doesn’t present the mature gravitas that needs to be there for those crucial floating voters to be really convinced. I’ve more experience of hearing Vince Cable who is the epitome of informed enthusiasm and passion for a fairer economy and society – tempered by wisdom and his being ‘seasoned’.
I don’t really want a ‘politician’ as the country’s leader; I want a Statesman. Someone with dignity, composure, common sense and intelligence – and the intellectual and compassionate, emotional capacity to understand how important it is to stay connected to their people’s needs and wants.
As voters, we’re all small islands who can come together to make change happen – who is going to convince us that their qualities and vision, and their practical abilities to take action, will get us safely to the distant yet achievable shore of sustainable growth and mutual benefit?
What will be the outcome for votes from a Small Island, votes for a Small Island next week?
It’s in our hands…so what kind of leader do we deserve?
(acknowledgement to Bill Bryson and his brilliant ‘Notes from a Small Island‘)
Tony Buzan, Inventor of Mind Maps and author of 100 best-selling books
Chris Griffiths CEO of Think Buzan
We’ve used Mind Maps at ReSource since the very beginning – our first edition contained a hand drawn map of the contents, and Tony Buzan has been a regular contributor covering areas from business to creativity and poetry. In a brief preliminary interview for an upcoming ReSource feature, I asked Mind Maps® inventor Tony Buzan about his latest book, ‘Mind Maps for Business’, written with Chris Griffiths, recently appointed CEO of Think Buzan.
“Tony, what’s different about this book ‘Mind Maps for Business’? What differentiates it from ‘Mind Maps at Work’, for example?”
“There is a comprehensive difference – ‘Mind Maps at Work’ was a play on the word ‘work’ – it was a way of showing Mind Maps working, and how they are effective in people’s lives in a broad range of contexts, not just at work. It also served as an introductory text for people in any working situation, not only in business, which is completely different. In a way, it was a gentle preamble to Mind Maps for Business, and it certainly generated demand for the business book. People had read Mind Maps at Work, and other books, and this led to many requests for a book totally dedicated to the business world.
“The Mind Maps for Business Book has copious illustrations, there is full colour throughout, and there are inspiring stories and case studies gathered from around the world from major players using Mind Maps. Some examples are Nicky Oppenheimer, Chairman of de Beers diamond mines in South Africa, who describes Mind Maps as an ‘indispensable tool’, which he used to steer his senior management team during a time of refocusing to capture the essence of the organisation – where it had been and where it was heading.”
Mind Maps for Business
It’s true the book is packed with accounts of success in using Mind Maps for business from many different people. Stephen Lundin, author of the 5 million copy best selling FISH! says:
‘Mind Mapping uses the brain in the way it was designed, saves time, improves results and is fun. How can any business person be without this powerful tool?’
Masanori Kanda is known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs in Japan today. He was named the top marketer in the November issue of GQ Japan (2006) and speaking of the radical reorganisation of his company to respond to change, says: ‘Mind mapping can play a pivotal role in the process of developing a sustainable organisation that is adaptable to rapid changes today. With open and transparent cross-functional communications in all directions, the organisation grows to become more fair, resilient and effective.’
The introduction in 2006 of iMindMap, the Buzan technology for computer generated Mind Maps, developed in conjunction with Chris Griffiths, has also given rise to many more business applications. Major corporations, including Boeing, have used the methodology to envision and manage the multiple stages of complex projects from conception to delivery.
Says Mike Stanley, of the Boeing Corporation, USA:
“The use of Mind Mapping is an integral part of my Quality Improvement Project at Boeing. This has provided savings of over $10 million for my organisation.”
iMindMap Running a Meeting example
Now is the time when this book from Tony and Chris is most needed – we live in a fiercely competitive world, where global choice is greater than ever before, and customers and clients have broader options and market intelligence readily (and instantly!) available through the Internet. Agility in spotting trends, organising and managing multiple ideas and strategies, and smart implementation are key to success, something to which the use of Mind Maps is eminently well-suited. They can help you sell, negotiate, plan, brainstorm, manage – and do so more effectively, saving you time and money.
Several people I’ve interviewed recently for ReSource (including top US business coach Marshall Goldsmith and New York Times bestselling author and consultant Marcus Buckingham) have suggested that ‘we’re all entrepreneurs now’. One unexpected current example in the UK is within the public sector, in tertiary education, where funding cuts are changing the landscape dramatically. Situations are arising where employees, some of whom have been in their jobs for ten or fifteen years, are now obliged to re-apply for their existing posts – and are consequently required to ‘sell’ themselves again as the best possible candidate for the job. This requires the skill of knowing how to best position yourself, not something most public sector employees have previously had to consider. The ability to identify and promote your key assets, talents and expertise as benefits to your organisation thus become critical to successful job retention, and Mind Mapping can also assist with this.
In this age of the changing world of work, when everyone, whether employed or running their own business, needs to adopt a more intelligently entrepreneurial mindset, ‘Mind Maps for Business’ helps fill a need for ways to develop clarity of thinking and effective methods to manage complexity and diversity. Mind Maps have been proven to achieve this – over many years, across innumerable disciplines, and ‘Mind Maps for Business’ is an essential addition to the library of books we return to time and again for practical applications and guidance on being better in the business world – especially in the business of living productively and well.
You can get the book easily now at Amazon
Look out for a full article in the next edition of ReSource
