The 2008 Annual TeleCourse Schedule

January TeleCourses:

• The PIAV MBA Certification
  
  

A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age, by Daniel H. Pink

Daniel H. Pink opens his book with the following sentence: "The last few decades have belonged to a certain kind of person with a certain kind of mind -- computer programmers who could crank code, lawyers who could craft contracts, MBAs who could crunch numbers. But the keys to the kingdom are changing hands. The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind -- creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers, and meaning makers. These people -- artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers -- will now reap society's richest rewards and share in the greatest joys."

I recently read this book for the second time. When I first read it in 2005, I remember thinking that the direction of this book was fascinating. Most of my clients are left-brained individuals like lawyers, MBAs and technical experts and they seek help in using their left-brain reasoning by mastering right-brained aptitudes. Last year, I met a very different type of client. A right-brained individual working in a left- brained profession. It was time to pull this book off the shelves again and read it from the perspective of practical application.

Pink introduces "six senses" that help us move from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age. They include: "Not just function but also DESIGN," "Not just arguments but also STORY," "Not just focus but also SYMPHONY," "Not just logic but also EMPATHY," "Not just seriousness but also PLAY," and "Not just accumulation but also MEANING."

For my new R-Directed (Pink uses the word "Directed" instead of brain) client, these concepts made perfect sense. Our work centered instead around how to market and promote these senses to L-Directed individuals and organization and convince them of their profitability, viability, and sustainability in the new Conceptual Age. It certainly helps that companies like Apple, IKEA, and Amazon's new Kindle e-book are leading the way.

This book is a must read if you are L-Directed and want to learn how get results in the Conceptual Age. It is also a great book for those who are R-Directed and want to know how to market and promote your unique skills to L-Directed individuals and organizations.

The start of the new year traditionally brings out resolutions and promises for a better or different year ahead. Make sure you avoid these "Fatal Flaws of Goal Setting" to make this year's resolutions a reality


Fatal Flaw 1: Goals are Not in Writing:
It seems obvious that we should write down our goals, but most of us don't. Or maybe we don't think it really matters. The truth is it makes a big difference. In sales, research shows that having written goals (personal and professional) is one of the top distinguishing factors between average and top sales performers. This year, avoid this fatal flaw by writing out your goals. Place the written list where you can easily refer to it and begin outlining steps for accomplishing each goal.

Fatal Flaw 2: Goals are Not Connected to a Theme:
One of the biggest challenges with goal setting is remembering what the goals are even if we refer to our written statements. By creating a "theme" or "slogan" for the year, it is much easier to keep the mind and activities focused on reaching the goal. Once you have your goals in writing, a natural theme is likely to emerge. Identify it in writing and put a Post It note somewhere handy. For example, the theme may look something like: "Work smarter, make more," or "Balance," or to borrow Nike's famous slogan "Just Do It." If you are a visual person, you may want to consider a vision board made up of pictures that speak to you. The key is to jog your memory about your goals.

Fatal Flaw 3: Goals are Not S.M.A.R.T.:
The acronym S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timed. Once your goals are in writing, check to make sure they are articulated using the acronym. For example, is the goal specific enough? Can you measure it? Is it attainable in the time frame you have set? Is it relevant to your other goals or life plans? Does it have a timed start and ending? A non-S.M.A.R.T. goal may look like this: "Lose weight." The S.M.A.R.T. version of the same goal may look like this: "Lose four pounds in three weeks starting on January 21."

Fatal Flaw 4: Not Celebrated:
It is difficult to keep the momentum going and execute on even the most exciting of goals. A University of Scranton study showed that almost half of Americans fail to follow through on their New Year's resolutions after six months. Celebrating accomplishments and goals met keeps the momentum going. This becomes especially important over time, when we are likely to lose our way and revert to old habits. After each major goal, write down how you will celebrate. Avoid over- indulging and set small attainable celebrations. If this is the year where you commit to setting aside a certain amount in your 401K, avoid a celebration that involves spending a lot of money and consider and annual subscription to Money Magazine to keep the momentum going. If your goal is to lose weight, celebrate your goal attainment by cooking a healthy dinner for friends or family, encouraging them to support you and your goals as you keep at it.

If you would like to learn more about goal setting and effective execution, join us for the Creating Lasting Change: The Secrets to Accomplishing Your Goals in March, email us at telecourses@jferm.com