For years, many of us heard the phrase “Knowledge is Power.” We actively devoured books upon books to advance our knowledge in the hopes of gaining power. Some of us even adopted the attitude that I can learn anything from a book. Yes, knowledge is powerful, but knowledge alone will not advance you to that next level of success, whatever it is.
Until, individuals apply knowledge, their lives will not change. For real power lies in the ability to take knowledge from books and life experiences and apply it to achieve the desired end results. Applying knowledge sounds simple, but it is not necessarily easy. This may help to explain why a recent search on an Internet bookstore revealed over 15,000 books in and around the subject of self-improvement.
To improve your capacity to apply knowledge revolves around your capability to consistently set and achieve your goals. Of course, these goals are focused on your desired end results. Unfortunately, again, many individuals are get goal setters, but poor goal achievers.
Possibly, the following may help you:
1. Define your desired results.
2. Write your goal down.
3. Hone your expertise if needed.
4. Work your plan and plan your work.
5. Just do it!
And the next time you hear “Knowledge is Power,” maybe you will now say, “It ain’t so!”
Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. President of ADVANCED SYSTEMS, is the Process Specialist. With over 25 years of business and education experience, she builds peace and abundance by connecting the 3P’s of Passion, Purpose and Performance through process improvement. Her ROI driven process solutions affect sustainable change in 4 key areas: financials, leadership, relationships and growth & innovation with a variety of industries. She aligns the strategies, systems and people to develop loyal internal customers that lead to external customers. As co-author of M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential:Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement due for June 2005 release, Leanne speaks nationally to a variety of audiences. Please call Leanne a call at 219.759.5601 or email leanne@processspecialist.com if you are seeking amazing results.
Copyright 2005 Leanne Hoagland-Smith, http://www.processspecialist.com
Permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included, with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way (grammatical corrections accepted).
Sustained myths about Creativity and Innovation lead to confusion, bad practice and bad decision making. Some of them include:
1. Creativity requires Creative Types
While some theorists assert that there are creativity traits such as tolerance for ambiguity and intolerance to conformity, these assertions are countered by the fact that traits are hard to identify and are not stable nor transferable across situations. Further, motivation is a critical factor. Additionally, creativity is a cognitive process and thus measurements like “she looks creative” are poor benchmarks. All the research shows that everyone can produce novel, useful, varied, diverse ideas and looking for certain types to come up with them reduces total valuable output.
2. Money is the best Motivator
Material reward is a synergistic extrinsic motivator. That means that it is a factor that enhances intrinsic motivation but may not in itself cause maximum creative effort and output - there are at least six other motivators that are as valuable. Additionally, the exact level of material reward very positively correlates to that received by peer groups.
3. Time Pressure drives Creativity
Yes and no. There are at least three conflicting forces:
a) Time pressure increases creative output. By forcing idea production, setting goals and incremental deadlines, a greater number of ideas are produced than if a “do your best” approach is taken. This action benefits from the positives of prolific production and other processes.
b) Time pressure may be a non-synergistic extrinsic motivator. It reduces the level of engagement in the endeavour and inhibits intrinsic motivation.
c) Short-term time pressure does not allow the mind to engage in the endeavour at various cognitive levels. It does not allow rich ideas to formulate through the process of incubation.
4. Competition outperforms Collaboration
Competition causes many people to shut down and introduces many negatives such as core and peripheral groups, politicking and restriction of information. Collaboration, on the other hand, allows the intellectual cross pollination that is the raw material for good idea generation.
5. Creativity and Innovation can be used interchangeably
The terms Creativity and Innovation are often used interchangeably but they are, in fact, separate and distinct. Creation can be described as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation is idea selection, development and commercialisation. The distinctions alone lead to numerous conclusions. Among them is the fact that:
a) Creativity and Innovation leaders require at least six different competencies (including one holistic) to even begin Managing Creativity and Innovation (actually, many more are needed).
b) Both Creativity and Innovation require different structures, processes and skill sets.
c) Workshop facilitators should split sessions into distinct parts and formulate frameworks and processes to maximise output at each level.
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These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased at http://www.managing-creativity.com
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You are free to reproduce this article as long as the author’s name, web address and link to MBA dissertation is retained.
Kal Bishop MBA
Kal is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller.
1. Mend a quarrel
Seek out a forgotten friend and tell them how much you enjoyed them once and that you wish them peace.
2. Dismiss Suspicion
Take a risk of getting hurt and replace that suspicion with Trust.
3. Write a Love Letter
I don’t mean a mushy one. Write someone and tell them how much you appreciate them in your life and the joy they brought you at your last meeting. Do this daily.
4. Keep a promise
It’s never to late to say…I forgot. If you said you would do something, by all means follow through….you are the one that will feel better for it.
5. Forgive an enemy
Listen and apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand their point of view. Don’t try to be right. Examine your demands on others.
6. Appreciate, be kind, be gentle, laugh a little
Does this need to be explained?
7. Express you gratitude Daily
Be thankful for what you do have and who you are. “I was having pity for having no shoes until I met a man with no feet”.
8. Decry Complacency
Raise your standards. Mediocrity drains your energy. Excellence catapults your energy to another level.
9. Have faith
Trust and know that there is a greater force out there that supports you. There are no coincidences in life only learning’s.
10. Gladden the heart of a child
Children are our future. Encourage them and make them feel special…they are!
11. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth
Take time to commune with nature. Standing in amazement of something so huge seems to put our worries in perspective.
Submitted by Art Eyzaguirre, Career and Life coach with a PhD from the school of Hard Knocks as well as lessons from corporate downsizings, who can be reached at art_e@aceconsultinggroup.net, or visited on the web at http://www.aceconsultinggroup.net
Art is President of Ace Consulting Group, Inc. He helps Corporations and Individuals, through executive and career coaching. Art is a founding member of International Association of Coaches and 24/7 Coaching.com
This content may be forwarded in full, with copyright, contact, and creation information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit context. For other uses, permission in writing from Ace Consulting Group, Inc is required. Questions: email info@aceconsultinggroup.net
Taking control of your life is getting in touch with your values, setting meaningful goals and identifying your vision. To be in control of where life is taking you means being more productive, dealing more effectively with stress, having the ability to solve problems, handing change and developing healthy optimism. Start with these 7 steps and you are on your way.
1. Get in touch with your values:
When we feel like we are working hard but not getting anywhere it is probably because our priorities are not aligned with our values. To begin identifying your values ask yourself these questions:
What is important to me? Wisdom, freedom, happiness, equality, security, self-respect, romantic love, money, power, comfortable living, fresh air, beauty, controlling others, etc. Rate these values.
Who is important to me?
What or who is most important? Be honest with yourself.
What do I need to do to feel good about myself?
How would you feel if someone you respect knew this was one of your values?
Would you stick by this value?
Is it who you are?
How is this value affecting your life?
Make a list of your 10 top values. Of that 10 choose 4 and of the 4 choose your top two. From this exercise you will see where you need to focus your time and effort.
2. Decide what motivates you:
If tomorrow you knew you could do anything and not fail what would you do? Is there something you are passionate about but are afraid of trying? If you have no idea what your passion is spend some time reflecting on it. To start, write down the types of activities you like to do and the types of activities (hobbies) that make you feel good when you do them. What are your special skills and talents - don’t be shy - usually if it’s something we like to do we are probably good at it. What inspires you?
3. Set Goals:
In order to get what you really want you must start by setting goals. Goals fuel your intent and make your desires concrete. Start by writing the goals for this year in area of personal relationships, work, health, finances and spirituality. List five goals in each category (add more categories if you like). Then break them down into monthly and then weekly goals. Focusing on what you intend in your life will bring it to reality. You create your life - so start now by setting your goals.
4. Take Action:
Goals are worthless without action. If you have written long-term and short-term goals and prioritized them, you have a plan of action. Just take it one step at a time and do something everyday that takes you closer to where you want to be. Remember however, to live in the present and be thankful for what you have now, enjoying the journey toward your goals.
5. Manage Your Time:
We all have the same amount of time to use in a day. Why do some people a lot done while others do very little? You have complete control of how much time you spend productively and how much you waste. Plan your days and prioritize your time to get the most out of the time you have. Use time-wasters like standing in line or waiting in a doctor’s office to catch up on reading or something else that is important to you.
6. Do What Needs to be Done:
Do what has to be done to get to where you want to go. Whether it is a mundane task or internal work, putting it off gets us nowhere. You are either going forward or falling behind; there is no such thing as standing still. Sometimes when we work on ourselves we stop when we get to a place that we need to change. Change can be difficult when we have to step out of our comfort zone. The more change is needed the more difficult it is.
7. Self-discipline:
Self-discipline is the final step that takes all that we have learned and puts it into action. This is a trait that for most of us has to be developed. To reach our goals we must visualize them as already being accomplished and have faith that we can reach them. When you believe in and trust yourself and have enough desire, self-discipline comes easily.
Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who teaches women how to dress to suit their body type and look slimmer. You can visit her at http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download her ebook ‘Image Makeovers’ and get ‘How to Build a Wardrobe’ free.
