Masamuru Ltd.

KISS: Keep it short and simple

A few important concepts that are better explained will come across more clearly than a lot of text designed to impress the audience. Your interviewers do not have the time to analyse the information as you deliver it.

The rule of three

Most people cannot call up more than three items at a time. Many memorable quotes come in 3 parts: Veni, Vedi, Vici, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Education, Education, Education,
Ready, Steady, Go, etc.

If feasible, organise your presentation in 3 bigprincipalcentralfundamental themes (one per slide). On each slide, tryseekendeavorendeavourattempt to focuscentercentre on three3 keycentralprincipalimportantessentialfundamentalbigprimarymain ideas. If you have too many pointsaimsitemsdetails on one page, you may want to breakchunk them down in two2 different more focussedcentredconcentratedcenteredfocused themestopicsideasstemsstreamsconcepts to break upseparatesplit upfragmentbreak downsplit up the messagecontentsubject mattersubstance ininto more digestible chunks

Rule of three3 applied to a presentation on the critical appraisal of your career so far:

THEME 1 – Presentation of Experience
Career progression & Exams taken;
Important skills and expertise acquired;
Involvement in academic activities.

THEME 2 – Demonstration of commitment to speciality and self development
Cours es and conferences attended;
Special interests developed;
Initiative taken in developing services and improving standards.

THEME 3 – Areas where further development is needed
Great emphasis on teaching; want to enhance research portfolio;
Keen to enhance further teaching experience (Med Ed. Degree);
Solid experience of endoscopy; further training required for possible
subspecialisation.

Visual aids

In mostwell-nigh allnearly allvirtually allalmost all interviews, the nature of the visual aids will be imposed. This could include:

No visual aids at all
A4 white paper sheets
Acetates
Electronic (e.g. on USB chip or CD Rom)

Identify the requirements before you start as it may dictate the manner in which you organise your ideas.

EnsureDetermineAscertainCheckVerifySuss Out too that you have sufficientadequatedecentenough back-up. For example:

if they asked for paper presentation slides, bring a copy for eacheveryevery last interviewerinterview panel member (they might say that they will photocopy them for you but the machine might break downfailcrumplesnuff itconkkick the bucket that day!) if they ask for a USB chip, bring two chips (and possibly even a CD version) whatever they ask, always bring a few paper versions in casejust in case everything has gone wrongbaddefectivefaulty, or in casejust in case they deliberatelyintentionallypurposelyby designby choiceon purposedesignedly make your life difficult.

Men have regularly been self mindful about looking bald, though these days being bald is quickly becoming a fashion craze. Countless of this generation’s male movie stars are also having bald heads. One will probably get many of the trendiest younger celebrities with bald heads, by decision. There are also numerous older celebrities that are not covering up the truth that they are becoming bald. These crazes are awesome for men, that do not wish to care about looking bald. The additional excellent news for men that are losing their hair, is that there are loads of advanced hair solutions, then ever before.

Should one need encouragement that being bald is appealing simply look at Vin Diesel, Howie Mandel, Bruce Willis & Andre Agassi. All of these men are some of the most accepted men in USA, & they are all bald. Whether bald by choice or by nature, baldness could make people look really famed and fashionable. When men are bald and bold, they are incredibly sexy. Just like any fashion, being bald is all about attitude. When you are bald you need to own a positive attitude, then you may have no doubt engaging ladies.

If you are going bald, but you are not yet hopeful with your brand-new expression, there are countless treatments on offer. Lots of hair loss treatments, aid you grow back your own natural hair. When you grow back your own hair, it will look and feel effectively natural. Growing back your own hair can aid you look & feel younger, & can often help you feel more confidant. Growing back your own hair is an excellent choice, for the reason that you will continue to look like yourself, just younger.

Should growing one’s own hair back is not an option, there are of course many advanced hair treatments that will help you get a full head of hair back. No matter what kind of baldness problems you are experiencing, rest assured that there is a hair loss remedy that will work for you. Some of the advanced hair cures are more sophisticated, & it will be a longer period before you have a full head of hair. Lots of men worry, about their hair looking natural after they use these advanced hair treatments. Be sure to speak to the doctor or the person doing the hair therapies, to make sure you completely understand the outcome.

The most vital thing regarding hair loss, is that you feel natural & comfortable. If you feel charming bald, don’t worry about purchasing hair loss remedies. If you are self conscious about your thinning hair, you are not alone. If you do your fact finding, and pick up the finest hair loss treatment for you, you’re sure to feel great with your hair. Get expert advice in hair loss treatments from Advanced Hair.

TRUE or FALSE

1. Older adults have more mental health problems than younger adults.

FALSE. Overall prevalence of mental disorder in older adults is less than in any other age group, and general life satisfaction is as good as, if not better than, any other age group. (APA)

2. People become more difficult and rigid with advancing years.

FALSE Personality remains relatively consistent throughout the lifespan. (APA)

3. Sight declines with age.

FALSE Although changes in vision become more common with age, any change in vision, regardless of age, is related to a specific disease. If you’re having problems with your vision, see your doctor. (National Institute on Aging, NIA)

4. More women survive to old age than men.

TRUE Women tend to outlive men by an average of 8 years. There are 150 women for every 100 men over age 65, and nearly 250 women for every 100 men over 85. (NIA) Among centenarians, 85% are women and 15% are men, but within that group, the men are doing better.

5. Senility is a meaningless term that should be discarded.

TRUE Everyone does not become “senile” sooner or later if they live long enough. Even among those who live to be 80 or older, only 20-25% develop Alzheimer’s disease or some other incurable form of brain disease. (NIA) 15% of centenarians are living on their own!

6. American families have largely abandoned their older members.

FALSE The American family is still the #1 caretaker of older Americans. Most older people live close to their children and see them often; many life with their spouses. In all, 8 out of 10 men and 6 out of 10 women live in family settings. (NIA)

7. Modern health, medicine sanitation and lifestyle have greatly extended the overall maximum lifespan of the human species.

FALSE It seems fairly fixed at an average of around 80 years, with a few people living to a maximum of 120 years.

However, more people are reaching the 80s. 200 years ago, more than 80% of the population would be dead by the age of 50, whereas now less than 10% have died by 50. (BBC)

8. Most people over the age of 65 will have lost interest or capacity for sexual relations.

FALSE The majority continue to have both interest and capacity. Masters and Johnson (1966) found that the capacity for satisfying sexual relations continues into the 70s and 80s for healthy couples. The Duke Longitudinal Studies resulted in similar findings. (Palmore 1974)

9. The number of older Americans has doubled since 1900.

FALSE It has increased more than 10-fold. In 1990 there were only 3,000,000 people 65 and older. Now an estimated 33.3 million people (12% of the population) are 65 and older. (Home Instead Senior Care)

10. There are currently about 10,000 people 100 years and older in the US, but the number is declining.

FALSE There are currently 65,000 people 100 years and older, and the number is projected to grow to 381,000 by 2030. (HISC) In fact, centenarians are the fastest growing segment of population in the US.

Curious how long you may live? Use the Life Expectancy Calculator: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/interactivearea/living_100.shtml. (Be prepared to know your weight in stones!)

About The Author

© Susan Dunn, MA, cEQc, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc. Bringing the power of Emotional Intelligence to YOUR life through coaching, eBooks, Special Reports, and distance learning. Midlife, retirement and transition coaching, career and relationships. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE eZine. Want to be a certified EQ Coach? Email me for information about this fast, affordable, comprehensive, no-residency program. Products available for licensing to build your practice.

If you could be 0.1% better than you were yesterday do you think people would notice? Would your boss congratulate you on a job well done? Would you get a raise? Would your company offer you new perks for being such a great performer?

You’re probably thinking that 0.1% is such an infinitesimal number that it is too small to make a difference. But, think about this: Do you remember the gold medal winner in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games? You probably do; a lot of people do. It was Justin Gatlin of the Untied States that finished in a time of 9.85 seconds. Do you remember who won the silver medal? Probably not. Not many people remember the second place finisher. The first place finisher is the real winner and people remember winners. But think about this, the silver medal winner was Francis Obikwelu of Portugal that finished in a time of 9.86 seconds. Guess what? That’s a difference of 0.01 seconds between first place and second place. Justin Gatlin was 0.1% better than Francis Obikwelu. 0.1% made all the difference in the world to Justin and he is a winner.

What does this mean for you in business? Top business professionals have the same personality characteristics as top sports performers. Justin Gatlin won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics because he trained every day to perform when it counted. It took years of work. Every day he became better and stronger than he was the day before and it all climaxed on the day he won the gold medal. That 9.85 seconds of glory took years to lead up to. Top business performers learn new skills every day. They learn their business, they learn their competitors business, they learn how to develop their skills, they learn new business skills, they learn how to apply their strengths, they learn new ways to sell themselves, they develop new relationships with customers, clients, colleagues.

Every day is a new opportunity for a top business performer. If a top business performer is 0.1% better than they were the day before this gets compounded until one day they become the best in their field. Look around your office and you will recognize these top performers. You know who they are. The entire office knows who they are. They don’t become top performers by luck.

You can do it to. It’s never too late to start changing your habits. Be like Justin Gatlin and you will be a superstar business performer. You just need to be 01% better than you were yesterday and people will notice. You too can be a winner!

Tino Buntic’s business networking website, TradePals, provides business leads to professionals, entrepreneurs, trades people, and freelancers across Canada and The U.S.

People are either “givers” or “takers.” It’s as simple as that. They are one or the other. No room for gray. When I talk about giving and taking here, I’m not only talking about people who borrow or lend money, I’m talking about emotional giving and taking.

You know the people I’m talking about. The ones who sap your energy and your strength. They only want to be with you as long as you bring some value to them. They’re always afraid they’re missing out on something. When you’re with them, they’re usually looking over your shoulder, scanning the room, to see who else, of more use, might be there.

They talk at you, not to you. The don’t listen. In fact they’re just waiting for a chance to interrupt so they can talk more about themselves. They only call when they need something, when their lives are out of kilter.

The funny thing is though, that someone who is an emotional taker, will usually take your money, hospitality, kindness and girlfriend as well!

Now do a quick mental inventory of your friends and associates, and without thinking too hard, label each one as a “giver” or a “taker.” You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to do.

Then there are the Bottom-Feeders.

Now these are the real losers. The extreme takers. They’ll take, then take a little more, then just a little more until you’re sucked dry.

They probably don’t even recognize that they’re doing you any harm. In fact, they believe you owe them. After all, they rationalize, you’ve got so much more than they do: more money, energy, luck and connections. It stands to reason you should share it all with them! That’s only fair.

And worst of all, are the Player-Haters!

They gossip, and cackle and love to see other folks fail. When you share good news with them, their smiles don’t ever reach their eyes. They pretend to celabrate your success but are just waiting for you to fall.

These are the folks who only want to hold you down, so they won’t be lonely at the bottom.

So, stay away from the Takers, the Bottom-Feeders and the Player-Haters at all costs, even if they’re so close to you they’re related! Find people who have the same goals you have and who’ll be there to encourage you when you need it.

Yesterday at the dinner table, my eleven-year-old daughter asked me, “Aren’t there times when you absolutely know you’re right and the other person is wrong?” She had a disagreement at school that day and believed that her view was the truth. I said, “I used to think I was always right and that other people were wrong. Now I still think I may be right, but I realize that other people know things that I don’t. I’m more interested in learning than being right.”

This month I want to describe how you can use curiosity – a key principle of The Skilled Facilitator and Facilitative Leader approach – to increase your effectiveness. My clients often tell me that learning to be curious has significantly improved their relationships with others and the results they get.

Curiosity is the desire to learn. When you’re genuinely curious, you assume that other people may have information that you don’t have. You also assume that others may see things that you may miss. As a result, you consider your point of view open to change.

When I first started practicing the Skilled Facilitator approach, I was not genuinely curious. If people disagreed with me, I was curious about their points of view, but only so that I could use what I learned to better advocate my own point of view. I still believed that I was right and they were wrong. My colleague Peg Carlson made this clear when she said, “Roger, having a disagreement with you is like a war of attrition. I know we’ll end up doing what you want. It’s just a matter of how long I want to hang in.” I was just more sophisticated about hiding my belief, but it still guided my behavior. Does this describe you at times?

What I learned then is that it’s not enough to ask others about their points of view. If you’re not genuinely curious and if you’re not interested in seeking valid information, you will use your pseudo-curiosity to control others. And they will figure this out, even if you know how to say the right words such as, “do you see it differently?” or “what problems do you see with my suggestion?” To help her make the transition, my colleague Sue McKinney took to asking herself this question: “What would I say if I were curious?” It’s helped many of our clients build their curiosity.

When you’re genuinely curious, your questions come easily and naturally. When someone gives you negative feedback about your performance, if you’re genuinely curious, you can ask, “Can you give me some specific examples of times when I’ve done that? That would really help me understand better.” And if, when you get the examples, you see it differently, then you say so and still remain curious, exploring how the two of you see your performance in different lights.

My clients often assume incorrectly that they have to be less vocal about their own point of view to be curious about others’ views. Not so. As long as you’re as curious about others views as you are passionate about your own, you will be able to use your curiosity to work effectively with others.

Sometimes the structures we work in make it more difficult for us to be curious. One of my favorite examples is a client that has a performance management system in which your boss has to approve your direct report’s performance evaluation before you can discuss the evaluation with your direct report. This sets up a dynamic in which you can find yourself in a dilemma if you are genuinely curious about how your direct report sees your evaluation of him. If you’re curious and find out that your direct report sees his performance more positively, and if you realize that you had missed some important information that would have led you to increase his rating, the system makes it difficult to change the rating that your boss has already approved. As a result, you are likely to control the performance evaluation with your direct report so that you don’t learn anything that would lead you to change your mind. This is just one of many examples. As you look around your organization or the organizations you work with, look for other structures or procedures that inhibit curiosity.

Next month I’ll talk about a related principle underlying our approach – saying what you’re thinking, or transparency.

© 2005 Roger Schwarz

Roger Schwarz, Ph.D., is author of the international bestseller “The Skilled Facilitator: A Comprehensive Resource for Consultants, Facilitators, Managers, Trainers and Coaches” and co-author of the recent “Skilled Facilitator Fieldbook: Tips, Tools, and Tested Methods for Consultants, Facilitators, Managers, Trainers, and Coaches,” both available on Amazon.com and via other quality booksellers.

You can subscribe on our site to Fundamental Change, Roger Schwarz & Associates’ free, monthly ezine: http://www.schwarzassociates.com/ezine_signup.html In exchange for subscribing, you’ll receive a link to a free .pdf copy of “Holding Risky Conversations,” a chapter from our recently-published fieldbook.

We write Fundamental Change to help you create workplaces and communities that are simultaneously highly effective and that improve the quality of life.

Every month we:

* Address issues important to you as practitioners and leaders
* Share client examples and case studies

* Offer tips and tools for challenging situations
* Offer resources to help you become more effective.

You can sit there and just worry up a storm, or you can do something about it. Worry for the most part takes place when we are not doing anything, just sitting there and thinking up all of this stuff that could possibly happen. Nothing bad is happening, but for some reason your heart rate is elevated and your grip starts to tighten up. When this happens some major worrying is taking place, all kinds of scenarios are running out of control in your mind.

What should you do? The first thing is that you could take some stuff to help you calm down, a health supplement like Acceletrim, you can eat better and healthier foods, and you can exercise. The second thing that you can do is get to work. This means to just start getting busy doing something. Take on some extra projects at work, start a new hobby, just be active and take some healthy action to make things better. It will be tough to worry so much if you are busy taking action to make it better. You will find that once you get started on something your worry thoughts will turn into problem solving thoughts and then all of the sudden the worry will stop. These things can help you beat the worry game.

What’s a prize? When we think of that word, we envision playing the lottery and winning the big prize. The dictionary defines the word prize as: accolade, award, reward, or honor. Consider something earth-shattering, that rarely ever happens, like exceptional merit for bravery, a totally unexpected inheritance, or the top lottery prize.

A dream – yes, a big dream – can come to pass! you can go for it and bring it to pass. Not the airy fairy stuff, like winning the lottery. But, no matter how big your dream is, it can come true!

Remember when you were a little tyke and had great aspirations of becoming — (fill in your blank)? Then what happened? Did your dream become a reality? Or did well-meaning teachers and parents implant negative thoughts which eventually eroded your expectations?

We were all excited about what we wanted to be and how much money we were going to save in order to have an early retirement. You’ve been there, haven’t you? Then what happened? Well, the cares of the world, personal relationship problems and feelings of not being up to the job surfaced and eventually overtook the dream, right?

Over the years a lot was heard about the importance of thinking positive thoughts. The implementation of always having positive thoughts was a concept that was easier said than done.

Happiness is a Choice!

A Choice? How can that be? How can happiness be a choice? Is your life not the sum of all the problems and experiences you had to fight off along the way, including upbringing, doctors’ diagnoses of your and/or family members/s’ health problems, etc….and the list goes on?

But, it’s true! We can choose to be as happy as we would ever wish to be! What about past experiences? We can enjoy every day with new zest and expectation, and even start a whole new career – anything you want! Right now!

Right Down the Vision

The most important thing to do with your dream is to write it down. Put it on your desk – right in you face. Why? You’ll see it, talk about it, and dream about it every day. The written word becomes just like a legal document. And, if legal, then of course it is going to happen!

The Spoken Word

Once the vision is in your mind, you Will start speaking about it. To yourself at first and to your closest friends and family. Eventually the more you hear yourself speaking it – in faith – the more it becomes reality. Work it, think it, speak it! By thinking of and speaking in faith the thoughts that will bring you happiness, you are automatically ignoring all the bad thoughts that plagued you before! Reading motivational and inspirational quotes will help keep you on track, as does associating with positive people.

One Day at a Time

The most important thing is to live one day at a time. It keeps to big vision in perspective. Every day you will see positive changes happening. Surround yourself with pictures of what you’re aiming for. If it’s a brand new mini van for your family, cut out a picture of one and stick it in front of your workplace or fridge. Speak and believe the van into being.

In summing up, you will actually discover that the power is within you to bring happiness into your life. You can do it. By seeing it, thinking it and speaking it and refusing to listen to any negative thoughts or words, one day at a time, you will soon experience a different you! You are not a finished product of your past circumstances. You are the product of your thoughts and beliefs! Happiness IS your choice!

Ann Stewart

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

ann@lifealteringwords.com

Ann is the author of “With Wings as Eagles,” an inspirational and encouraging testimony of overcoming through faith in the Word of God.

Featured on the cover of the October, 2005 issue of Triumph over Trauma and sponsor of the Shared Vision network, she is dedicated to help and encourage others to stand strong spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Subscribe to her newsletter to learn how to Prosper and Be in Health here: http://www.lifealteringwords.com

Being human is being fallible. Evolution determines that we all are naturally different. The one constant in our lives and nature is that things will change. A feature or solution that seemed perfect a moment ago isn’t now – because everything is constantly changing to solve current problems. Perfection cannot be achieved because of change.

This doesn’t mean we can’t accomplish things, all we need to do is what’s good enough, accept that things can never be perfect and then move on.

The aim to be perfect stops people finishing undertakings, and also prevents them even starting. Their endeavor to do something perfectly necessities repetitive attention and tweaking. Their impossible standards mean that they need to spend forever to finish something. The fear of not being able to complete something perfectly prevents them starting.

The thing to remember is that no one is perfect. You don’t need to be a perfect skier to enjoy and start skiing. Everyone starts somewhere. Place one foot in front of the other and complete one step at a time.

However minor your achievements, your brain and nervous system will remember the steps you have taken and will act to improve future steps.

You can feel proud that you did something rather than nothing and have dared to live.

About The Author

Dave has a degree and has studied the sciences behind self improvement for many years. He has a passion for making the tools for self improvement widely available and operates the website: www.wingsofdestiny.com

When coaching, it’s all about the client, be that as a professional coach, or a line manager/business owner using coaching skills in their own business, with their own people. But it’s so easy sometimes to turn the tables and be the client..oh, so easy…:-)

1. Let Me Tell You About My Day
   Coaching is about the client and NOT about the coach, usually. Sometimes a coaching experience might be worth a share if a coachee is stuck – but not usually. It’s all about them – not you. Honour that.
2. Well, You’re Just Useless Aren’t You!
   It’s bad enough to criticise them for their past – but this reinforces their own self-doubt about their future. You have even taken away their hope for goodness sakes. A coach’s role is to enable potential and open the client’s eyes to possibilities. Not slam it shut.
3. You Think You’ve Got Problems – Well, Let Me Tell You…
   OK, so you’ve got some issues you are facing yourself. Sorry about that. In a coaching context, you are there to support and grow the client – not devalue what is truly on their mind, by filling it up with your issues. You can share them – but on your time, not theirs.
4. What I’d Do is This…
   Now this is very tempting – and sometimes (‘Stop coaching me for a minute, throw me a rope!’) it might, just might be acceptable – yes, I have done it myself! But in the main, the coach’s job is to extract the greatness out of the client and then build on their abilities and confidence going forward.
5. Sit Down and Shut Up, I’ve Got Something to Say
   No, we haven’t quite got the hang of this here, have we? Coaching is about listening, more especially, really hearing and asking some challenging questions – maybe. Even listening is all some clients need – they process solutions as they talk – it’s remarkable. So how does the line above help that? Not at all.
6. Well, You’ve Wasted the Last 20 Years of your Life then Haven’t You…
   Spot the mistake here then? Everyone in the world has value, often untapped and often hidden under piles and piles of history and baggage. Your job is to help them rise above it – NOT to stick another six of the best Samsonite’s on the top!
7. Excuse Me if I Just Check my E-mail While You’re Talking
   Ever done two things at once? In the case of a coaching relationship, trust and focus are vital to build the relationship. If you are doing something else when talking to the client, you are not giving your full attention, whether the discussion is on the phone or face to face. Make sure there are no interruptions or distractions.
8. I’m Not Interested in What’s Causing the Problem – Let’s Just Fix it Fast
   You could do this…but where will they come next time for a solution. Yes, to you. So when will this stop? When can you get on with your own job? When you take the time to build their ability to solve their own problems – that’s when. It requires questions and a ‘blame-free’ culture. And it requires a coaching style.
9. I’ll Tell You What Your Problem is…
   Go on then, do it. This takes a punch at what their weaknesses are and not their strengths. People already know where their weaknesses are, believe me. Coaches build on strengths and leverage them to cope with areas that the client finds more challenging.
10. Can I Call You for a Date?
    Just for fun this one. But with a serious side. It is challenging to have a professional relationship and have other things on your mind. It is quite hard to be very objective if there are other distractions – so take care in this area. Though coaching in Starbucks would be my idea of bliss! Oh, yes – and according to the International Coach Federation, quite understandably, it’s unethical.

The constructive way to use this is to take the opposite courses of action to those listed – then you will have the foundation of a valuable coaching relationship with your client, privately or in your workplace.

Copyright 2005 Accredited by the ICF, Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com.
(Note to editors. Feel free to use this article, wherever you think it might be of value – it would be good if you could include a live link)

…helping you, to help your people, to help your business grow…