Week of June 16, 2008

Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .

IN OUR WORLD

I love when my weeks work brings a combination of al three of our lines of business. I had a great presentation, began a HUGE curriculum design project that fits our education category and worked a strategic platform launched in April and getting ready to head into phase II. That is part of our Application category. I had presentation, education and application all in one week!

A ton of energy is going into our July 15 (see below) full day learning experience. The workbook is in full design and will be offered in hard copy and an internet version.

Yesterday Chris Ryan (my business manager- get used to this name as he continues to shake up my universe) arranged a behind the scene’s tour of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium – WAY COOL!

ANNOUNCEMENT: On July 15 I will be hosting a full day CREATIVE VENTURES learning experience that will be open to the public. The day will be devoted to a multimedia, interactive workshop teaching the two core skill sets that everyone needs to be successful – the ability to communicate and the ability to think. MARK YOUR CALENDAR. What a great early response, THANKS! This program is filling up, so to get a seat contact Chris Ryan at cryan@paredigm.com or give him a call at 214-697-2700.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

This week how about a little scatter shooting?

• HEART DISEASE: The sudden death of Meet the Press host, Tim Russert, reminds us of the #1 killer in the US – Heart Disease! Stress, diet, smoking and a lack of exercise cause your ticker to quite. Millions die every year. Sooooo, stop that burger habit, go for a walk, listen to a little Jimmy Buffett and end that smoking thing. Check with one of my great clients, The American Heart Association, for help. Everyone wants one more sunrise, one more kiss, one more song!

• KEEPING YOUR JOB: A recent Harvard study gives the following as the primary reasons bosses’ fire employee’s (I kid you not!)
  • • Cursing and poor language (damn)
    • Being intoxicated on the job (may be the only way some of you can get through the grind)
    • Too many personal phone calls (this includes you text monsters)

• MAKE YOUR BRAIN SMARTER: Try tea not coffee (though this is a much disputed claim – especially by Starbucks). Ask lots of questions to increase your curiosity. Maintain a sense of wonder (find someplace without city lights and look into a starry night to kick start this one). Embrace chaos – enjoy the uncontrollable nature of things. Get visual – we retain 87% of everything we see, so SEE MORE! Slow down. There is space between cause and effect.

• HOW SMART ARE YOU:  Take this quick IQ test and let me know how you did.  I will tell you I got a 26.  Not bad but apparently I will not get into Stanford!        http://www.flashbynight.com/test/

ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIES: The Hulk was very entertaining. The Happening was painfully bad. I am a big Steve Carell fan and Get Smart looks like my weekend choice. The summer is about ENTERTAINMENT.

NetFlix Fans: To Kill a Mockingbird – The AFI (American Film Institute) recently released its Top 10 list of movies in 10 genres. One of them was courtroom dramas and, of course, this movie was number 1, in fact, it may be the number 1 film of all time! I will be highlighting their number 1 selections for the next few weeks.

TV: Who could have imagined that Tiger Woods would provide the most compelling entertainment on the boob tube? Torn ACL and a stress fracture in his leg didn’t stop him from competing for 91 hole and walking over 20 miles in five days. He won the US Open in dramatic fashion. He is the toughest competitor in sports – PERIOD. For you that have never seen my favorite show, HOUSE MD, both Fox and USA are showing repeats all summer.

BOOKS: Learn More, Study Less – by Scott Young . Really interesting take on life long learning.

MUSIC: For those of you who do not know Jake Shimabukuro’s amazing musical talent, I thought I would AGAIN post one of his live videos. This piece is LONG by my standards at 8 minutes, BUT, it will once again completely blow your Friday mind!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mEqEe-PIC8&feature=related

WEB SITES: Getting a little tired at your desk? Try a few minutes here

http://www.bored.com/

SOUTH OF NORMAL

Every once in a while I read something that makes me stop in my tracks and reread it; just to be sure I am not going crazy. Well here is a one weird thing and one interesting thing:

• A fifth foot (yes, foot) washed up on the shore in British Columbia. HUH? A FIFTH foot. Authorities said; “there was no evidence that this foot is related to the other fee.” HUH, I guess this foot must be a random one. Apparently they don’t perceive a pattern here. The medical expert said; “there was no evidence the foot was removed by force.” HUH? WHAT? How in the heck did the foot get separated from the person? Their investigation continues. I have GOT TO KEEP MY EYE ON THIS ONE.
• The great annual ice cream industries report came out and you will be pleased to hear sales are SOARING. Most popular flavor? Back again for its continued dominance (it’s the Tiger Woods of ice cream) – Vanilla. Chocolate follows with butter pecan pulling into third, bumping out strawberry for the bronze. The most fattening ice cream you can eat is Haagen Dazs chocolate peanut butter. Hey, go out and have a scoop of your favorite flavor to celebrate summer!

“I have occasionally regretted my speech, but never my silence?”

Publilius

Drop me a note with your comments at creativeventures@nova1.com.

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.