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NEWSLETTER VOLUME 1, #1

Ideas for people pursuing an empowered life,


CONTENT

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A LESSON FROM THE JUNGLE... (Top)

How Nature manages change

There is deep wisdom in tropical jungles and people would profit from learning the management principles found there. The changing work environment, requires creative tools and techniques so that society continue to thrive - and prosper; all the laws, the rules and the lessons which make sense come from Nature. Its models for self-organization, adaptation and transformation offer great advantage to the individuals, companies and associations looking for answers in a rapidly changing world.

In jungles, species live and learn in an agenda of constant change. Nature manages all of them by simultaneously acting in three regimes - called Chaos, Transition and "Order". The Chaos regime describes "that which must be changed", Transition is "the change process itself", and Order is "the ideal form", i.e. the result of having changed. If you imagine the status quo at one level of existence and the ideal at another more visionary level, the transition regime is a like a bridge linking the two. Nature's rule is that you must cross the bridge tin order to survive. As 99.99% of all species that ever existed on this planet are now extinct, it can also be imagined that few cross it successfully.

Because the rush to a global economy is changing the rules of business, daily challenges are demanding ever higher degrees of motivation and creativity from an organization's human resources. Six factors must be considered in order to manage that "creative capital":

The 1st examines the environment needed for personal growth. In jungles, ideal conditions help a seed sprout and grow in spite of seemingly awesome competition. Similarly, in the workplace good ideas have to be nurtured to life; without a climate that encourages self-expression and open communication, people won't feel their ideas are wanted.

The 2nd factor has to do with a diversity of input. A jungle can house up to 330 species of tree per hectare for example, along with several thousands species of other flora and fauna; likewise companies and projects will profit from the input of many different talents and opinions who'll come together and work as a team.

Also, since rainforest species learn by mimicry, the 3rd condition is: Demonstrate effective leadership. Species can be observed following their leaders into incredible mutations; leaders earned that position by being first to explore and integrate the changes that become ideal adaptations.

The 4th factor is the need for clear objectives - i.e. a vision of what is ideal. The "new" will be emulated after others see it works.

The 5th factor involves freeing people to act - they must feel they are free to explore their own ideal conditions.

The 6th factor then, manages results - i.e. successful change doesn't just occur, it's planned, supported and encouraged. Nature "champions" new growth; unless the jungle canopy opens to let in sunlight, seeds will waste away. Without champions, good ideas won't even see the light of day.

These conditions are related and interdependent. When in place, they'll transform an office into a stimulating environment where individuals can explore the relationships and ideas that make for innovative breakthroughs.

Nature gives no limits to the kind of work relationship that can be developed. In example, Capuchin monkeys will collaborate creatively with humans. They can be trained to assist handicapped people to work as care-givers. They'll feed and wash their wards, make drinks for them and do many simple housekeeping tasks - like turning lights and appliances on and off and various cleaning chores. In exchange, by caring for their simian friends and showing them how to respond to a variety of stimuli, disabled persons can develop loyal companions, friendships and a reliable workforce. There's nothing more natural.

Did you know that Chacma baboons work for the railroad? One named Jack is a signalman in South Africa, in charge of a signal-station in the countryside while another named Jock works in downtown Pretoria; he's paid 7 pence a day to throw the switches that send trains onto branch lines. Also Macaque monkeys in Malaysia harvest coconuts for their humans and one even drives a tractor while his farmer hauls hay on the wagon he tows. They are responding to what they consider ideal working conditions.

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AN EMPOWERING TECHNIQUE, TOOL OR EXERCISE (Top)

"Lateral thinking" is a creative thinking technique developed by author and consultant Dr. Edward deBono. An easy to use version - called 6 HATS THINKING - allows you to shift thinking modes "laterally" or to direct others to change their mind without offending them. The method is excellent for minimizing resistance to new ideas, concepts or directions; it lets you to explore ideas from several angles and avoid overlooking the various aspects of an concept. It's a great analytical tool and you'll find details on how to use it by clicking here.

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OUR FEATURED COSTA RICA TOUR (Top)

THE WAY OF THE JAGUAR-KINGS is 14 day adventure and initiation to the ecology of a creative life. 3000 years ago, the Olmec rulers of America's "Forests of Kings" were sorcerer/scientists highly educated in the study of Nature and her laws. For millennia they'd examined natural order with mathematical precision, ultimately discovering its secrets.

Agenda: You'll experience a cloudforest, a montane forest, a rainforest and the South Pacific jungle; you'll hike around a volcano, trek atop the andean paramo and to a hot spring; horseback ride to a mystic waterfall, cruise along jungle rios and comb isolated beaches. Learn about yourself - about motivation, creative intelligence and personal power. During this leisurely two week vacation, you'll entertain significant ideas on how to connect with passion and how to experience paradise here on Earth. See the daily itinerary of this outstanding adventure by clicking here.

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A WEB LINK TO HELP YOU WORK AND PLAY (Top)

Need a dictionary? Click http://www.dictionary.com and you'll not only access several, in several languages, you'll get a Thesaurus, a Translator, Word games and many other writing resources. You'll even access a wireless dictionary you can use from a cell phone.

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SOME INSPIRING QUOTATIONS (Top)

"I'm a great believer in luck. I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." - Thomas Jefferson

"In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts mind there are few." - Shunryu Suzuki

"It takes a lot of time to be a genius, you have to sit around so much doing nothing... but really doing nothing." - Gertrude Stein

We must all suffer from one of two pains: The pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons." Jim Rohn

"The best kept secret in the global economy today is this: When your service is AWESOME you get so stinking rich you have to buy new bags to carry all the money home." --Tom Peters

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A BIT OF A GIGGLE (Top)

The consultant was hired to coach a cross-cultural committee working on a special project in a large company. Senior management wanted employees to take a more personal responsibility for their quality of life at work. The consultant quickly noticed that even some of the committee members had an attitude which considered work an imposition or punishment. It was something they HAD TO DO... like going to jail.

To make things crystal clear and to lighten the load, he posted the following on the cafeteria bulletin board.

The Jail or job ??

Some workplaces make it hard to see a difference.

In prison you get your own toilet. At work you have to share one.

In prison they allow your family and friends to visit. At work you shouldn't even speak to your family and friends.

In prison all expenses are paid by taxpayers with no work required. At work you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and they deduct taxes from you to pay for prisoners.

In prison you spend most of your life looking through bars from the inside wanting to get out. At work you'll spend most of your time wanting to get out and go to the bar.

In prison you can join many programs which you can quit at any time. At work there are some programs you can never get out of.

In prison you spend a majority of your time in an 8x10 cell. At work you spend most of your time in a 6x8 cubicle.

In prison you get three meals a day. At work you only get a break for one meal and you have to pay for it yourself.

In prison you get time off for good behavior. At work the reward for good behavior is more work.

In prison, a guard locks and unlocks all the doors for you. At work you must carry a security card and unlock and open all the doors yourself.

In prison they ball-and-chain you and then take you somewhere. At work you're ball-and-chained to a desk.

In prison there are sadistic wardens. At work, we have managers.

In prison you get to watch TV and play games. At work you'll be fired for watching TV or playing games.

In this workplaces we want to make a difference. What can be done here?

And what about you? How can you liberate yourself and increase the quality of life in your workplace today??


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