What I Learned on My Summer Vacation Lessons in Joy, Leadership, and the Mona Lisa

What I Learned on My Summer Vacation Lessons in Joy, Leadership, and the Mona Lisa Mona Lisa Smile Have you ever tried smiling with just the one side of your mouth? I attempted to do so as part of a leadership workshop last week and was surprised to find out what happened. Before I reveal the punch line, try it yourself: Really smile, with your eyes and everything. Just only use the left side of your mouth. How did it go? OK. Now try smiling with the right side of your mouth. Smile with your mouth and with your eyes. Surprised? If you’re like me and everyone else I know, you found yourself grimacing more than smiling in the second part of this exercise. For me, the seeming impossibility of cracking a right-sided smile was a true eye-opener about where in our brains our emotions show up. Perhaps it’s no surprise that the Mona Lisa is smiling on†¦ guess which side of her face? This phenomenon was just one of the many things I learned about last week when I attended a leadership training with the Wright Institute. The training was a total immersion in a sea of topics including emotional intelligence, creating joy, the formation and workings of the human brain, and getting group projects done with the right leadership (note: the link will bring you to an introductory weekend training; the one I attended was a more in-depth week-long retreat). After the retreat, we were asked to write an essay about the experience in order to cement our learning- something akin to â€Å"What I Did on My Summer Vacation.† I’m sharing my essay here. What I learned will inform the way I live my life and conduct my business for years to come. I gained takeaways not just about Mona Lisa smiling tricks but also about what it means to be a leader, share myself, create joy, and, well, be human. My wish is that you see something for yourself in the following words What I Learned on Summer Training 2013 At Summer I learned how to show up as a leader. It’s not about what I’ve done. It’s not about my skills as they relate to stuff I can do. It’s not about being liked. Leadership requires presence. It requires being willing to risk and to correct myself and others. It requires a strong vision and the ability to communicate it powerfully. It requires being incredibly awake! And it requires caring about the people I’m leading more than I care about getting stuff done. At Summer I learned how to share. It’s not about telling stories or talking about insights. It doesn’t require â€Å"getting it† or having â€Å"done the homework.† It doesn’t require â€Å"knowing† anything. All it takes to share is to be with my feelings, be with the person I’m with, be with my heart and feel into the hearts of the people around me. At Summer I learned how to â€Å"dedicate† to joy. It’s not about being happy all the time. It’s not easy. It’s not a one-shot deal and there’s no magic pill. Joy is not a phenomenon based on life circumstances. Dedicating to joy is a responsibility- a big one to the world and the people around me. Joy is a choice, made moment by moment. Joy often looks like hurt, tears and anger fully felt that open into joy. Joy requires opening- over and over. Joy is accessible to us all. It takes practice. 10,000 hours to mastery, as with so many other things. (See Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers) At Summer I learned that I matter. Not for the things that I do, not for my talents and not for my creativity or my singing voice. I learned that I don’t have to prove that I matter, and that trying to do so is a losing battle, since in that paradigm as soon as I’ve had to prove it I don’t really matter. I matter because I am. I matter because I have feelings and heart waves that reach out at least 3 feet from my body. Because I am everything that I am. And I learned that these are the things that make other people matter too. At Summer I learned that the lifelong journey of getting to know myself as a leader and group member has only just begun. Getting to know the people around me (including the intricacies of their left and right side facial muscles) is an integral and fascinating part of that journey. I will continue to explore over the next year, and look forward to taking the next steps forward on Summer Training 2014.

Antony vs Brututs essays

Antony vs Brututs essays Julius Caesar was killed on March 15, also known as the ides of March. He was at the peak of his power and domination of the world. The Council of the Roman Empire intended to crown Caesar king of the entire Roman Empire. Caesar would be the most powerful man on the earth and that frightened even some of his closest friends. Cassius, a once loyal follower of Caesar devised a plan to kill Caesar for his ambition and thirst for power. Along him he dragged Brutus, one of Caesars closest friends, into the scheme. Brutus was a loyal to Caesar, but stated he cared more for Rome, and in Caesars ambition for power, Brutus said it was not in the greater benefit of the Roman people. Following the murder of Caesar, Antony, an always loyal friend to Caesar, walks in and finds the Conspirators surrounding Caesars dead body. He doesnt agree to what they have done, but he cant express his disgust. However, he is given the right to speak for Caesars honor in front of the Roman people and this is one of the most memorable speeches in the history of time. Brutus also speaks, but he couldnt persuade the crowd more then Antony would. Following the departure of the Conspirators from Caesars the Capitol, Brutus speaks in the streets of Rome in front of a massive crowd. The others that didnt listen to Brutus, listened to Cassius speak on a separate street. Brutus begins by saying, yes he was a dear friend of Caesar, but his love for Caesar was unparalleled to his love for Rome. This is an valuable way to start out his speech declaring that his love for Rome is immense. He says would you rather have Caesar live and die all slaves or have Caesar killed and let the freemen live on. He makes and effective speech by saying as Caesar loved him he weeps for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I slew him. This part of the speech is quite effective,...

Free Essays on Armenian Genocide

"extermination of about 50% of a population" in a conversation you would probably think that they were talking about "the" holocaust in Nazi Germany. You probably would not suspect that they were talking about Turkey and the Armenians. During the First World War, the Turks set out to annihilate the entire population of Armenians living within their borders (they almost did). An area known as Historic Armenia lies right in the middle of what is now modern day Turkey. This is where the Armenian's ancestors began one of the first civilizations thousands of years ago. Historic Armenia has proved to be an important strategical location for the many empires that have taken control of it over the centuries since it is the bridge between three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It has been conquered by King Darius I of Persia in 521 B.C., by Media in 612 B.C., by King Cyrus of Persia in 549 B.C., by Alexander the Great, by King Antiochos III of Syria in 212 B.C., By the Arabs in 642 A.D., by the Mongols in 1240, by the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, and most recently by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) 1922. During most of the time in between the Armenians had their independence. Despite or perhaps because of the constant warfare and conquest of that region and the oppression that the Armenians have faced over time they have developed into a "†¦ strong-willed people, self reliant and fiercely independent"†¦ The Armenians were the first country in the world to make Christianity their country's official religion (20 years before St. Constantine the Great in Rome). They also played an important role in the crusades. Ever since then, the Muslim Turks (the vast majority in Turkey) have not gotten along with the Armenian Turks. When the Ottoman Empire took control of Turkey, they tried to assimilate the Armenians by forbidding them to speak their n... Free Essays on Armenian Genocide Free Essays on Armenian Genocide Armenian genocide If you were to overhear the words "extermination of about 50% of a population" in a conversation you would probably think that they were talking about "the" holocaust in Nazi Germany. You probably would not suspect that they were talking about Turkey and the Armenians. During the First World War, the Turks set out to annihilate the entire population of Armenians living within their borders (they almost did). An area known as Historic Armenia lies right in the middle of what is now modern day Turkey. This is where the Armenian's ancestors began one of the first civilizations thousands of years ago. Historic Armenia has proved to be an important strategical location for the many empires that have taken control of it over the centuries since it is the bridge between three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It has been conquered by King Darius I of Persia in 521 B.C., by Media in 612 B.C., by King Cyrus of Persia in 549 B.C., by Alexander the Great, by King Antiochos III of Syria in 212 B.C., By the Arabs in 642 A.D., by the Mongols in 1240, by the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, and most recently by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) 1922. During most of the time in between the Armenians had their independence. Despite or perhaps because of the constant warfare and conquest of that region and the oppression that the Armenians have faced over time they have developed into a "†¦ strong-willed people, self reliant and fiercely independent"†¦ The Armenians were the first country in the world to make Christianity their country's official religion (20 years before St. Constantine the Great in Rome). They also played an important role in the crusades. Ever since then, the Muslim Turks (the vast majority in Turkey) have not gotten along with the Armenian Turks. When the Ottoman Empire took control of Turkey, they tried to assimilate the Armenians by forbidding them to speak their n...

Demographics, Psychographics and Personality Essay Example

Demographics, Psychographics and Personality Essay Example Demographics, Psychographics and Personality Essay Demographics, Psychographics and Personality Essay Individual Differences Important tools for segmentation They include: Demographics, psychographics and personality Consumer Motivation (Chapter 8) Consumer Knowledge (Chapter 9) Consumer Beliefs, Feelings, Attitudes and Intentions (Chapter 10) Analyzing and Predicting Consumer Behavior Demographics is the size, structure, and distribution of a population Marketers use demographic analysis as market segment descriptors and in trend analysis I- Demographics A- Structure of Markets B- Geographic Factors C- Economic Resources D- Global Markets A- Structure of Markets Market analysis requires information about People with needs Ability to buy Willingness to buy Authority to buy Affected by: Birthrate Immigration (30% of annual growth in the US) Increasing life expectancy Structure of Markets Affects demand for products and services Marketers can adapt product features, packaging, and communication strategies messages depending on changing age structure of markets Marketing to Children Children make purchases themselves Parents buy for children Marketing to Teenagers Growing in number Greater need for peer acceptance, which often guides product and brand choice More likely to switch brands quicker than other segments (Variety Seeking) Like the social aspects of shopping with friends Marketing to Young Adults 20-34 years Growing Need to buy products to set up households and for young children With many needs and greater financial constraints, they often shop at value-oriented retailers Marketing to Baby Boomers Growing in number Good market for spas, luxury travel, health clubs, cosmetics and healthy food This group may be â€Å"aging† but doesn’t want to be reminded Marketing to â€Å"Young Again† Market Referred to as mature markets, seniors elderly (65 years) Growing substantially Many in this segment are feeling, thinking, and buying younger than previous generations Many have adopted â€Å"young again† lifestyles and attitudes Cognitive age: the age a person perceives himself or herself to be. It can be used for targeting segments within this group, developing more creative content, and selecting more effective media 1. Demographics Age Structure of Markets Geographic Factors Economic Resources Global Markets Geographic Factors Geo-demography: Refers to where people live, how they learn and spend their money, and other socioeconomic factors The study of demand related to geographic areas assumes that people who live in proximity to one another also share similar consumption patterns and preferences Cities are the most important unit of analysis in most marketing plans 1. Demographics Age Structure of Markets Geographic Factors Economic Resources Global Markets Economic Resources Income: money from wages, salaries, interest, and welfare payments Wealth: a measure of a family’s net worth (assets minus liabilities) Net worth influences willingness to spend but not necessarily ability to spend, since many assets are not liquid and difficult to use How much people accumulate over the year is more a function of how much they save rather than how much they earn Targeting the Up-Market Print-oriented communication Simple ads that promote image Credibility of source selling product Product reviews influence this group Targeting the Average â€Å"Down† Market Good products at reasonable prices Promote value in ads and in store Limited services to keep prices low 1. Demographics Age Structure of Markets Geographic Factors Economic Resources Global Markets Global Market Analysis The most attractive markets are countries that are growing both in population and in economic resources Which countries will grow the most in the future? Which countries have the highest per capita income? 2. Personality Personality: consistent responses to environmental stimuli An individual’s unique psychological makeup, which consistently influences how the person responds to his or her environment 3. Personal Values Values: Represent consumer beliefs about life and acceptable behavior Unlike attitudes, values transcend situations or events and are more enduring because they are more central in the personality structure 4. Lifestyles Lifestyles: Patterns in which people live and spend time and money Reflect their AIO Measures: Activities, Interests, and Opinions Since lifestyles change readily, marketers must keep research methods and marketing strategies updated Lifestyles can affect which goods are sold and how they should be positioned Lifestyles are a very popular tool for segmentation AIO Categories of Lifestyles Psychographics An operational technique to measure lifestyles Can be used in qualitative and quantitative research methods Demographics focus more on who buys products; psychographics focus on why they buy them Lifestyle Segmentation Develop a deeper understanding of a segment or define segment (Compare to Demographics) Gain understanding of which lifestyles influence purchase and consumption behaviors Marketers can develop communication packaging strategies accordingly

Essay Writing Example

Essay Writing Example Essay Writing Example Essay Writing Example Essay writing example is provided here to give you an example of how a good essay should look like. Essay examples are good for starters, those students who not experienced in essay writing. However, you should rely on essay example as it may not be in the same style you need.   I hope the following essay example inspires you to write your own masterpiece! writers are open 24/7 to help you with writing. Examples of Persuasive Essays Example of essay writing 'Candlelighters Parent Groups' ...You only die once. For the body this may be right; for the human spirit it does not hold true. The family faced with the diagnosis of cancer in a child dies many times in spirit; at diagnosis, at relapse, at the time when they realize that their child will not be one of the lucky survivors, and at the time of the child's death. The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation is the organizational, educational, and liaison arm of a worldwide net-work of self-help groups of the parents of children who have cancer. In these groups, parents share their feelings, experiences, questions, and answers about living with childhood cancer. They exchange their own expertise in the care of sick or dying children and in dealing with extended families, well siblings, friends, schools, employers, and the community. Candlelighters understands that families are bundles of individual needs, and that different families need different resources at different times. It is a primary concern of Candlelighters to locate or act as a catalyst for the creation of services and to promote the interaction of services for family mental health wherever we have parent support groups. Candlelighters promotes the mental health of the families of children with cancer by group counseling, individual counseling, referrals to professional counseling, parent and teenage peer support meetings, hotlines, education and information programs, the provision of materials on coping for families and the professionals who work with them, financial counseling services, hospital and home volunteer visitor programs, and support organizations. Some families find hospitals and hospital programs unappealing. Some respond negatively to community mental health programs if they perceive that they are treated as "crazy" rather than stressed. In these instances, peer support may be attractive to them... Did you like the above essay example?   It is truly well-written.   We can write a similar essay for you as well!   Custom written essay is a guarantee of good grade.   Our writers are never late with essay delivery.

6 Strategies to Successfully Pass a School Bond

6 Strategies to Successfully Pass a School Bond A school bond provides a financial avenue for school districts to meet an immediate specified need. These specified needs can range from a new school, classroom building, gymnasium, or cafeteria to repairing an existing building, new buses, upgrades in classroom technology or security, etc. A school bond issue must be voted on by the members of the community in which the school is located. Most states require a three-fifths (60%) super-majority vote to pass a bond. If the school bond passes, property owners in the community will foot the bill for the bond issue through increased property taxes. This can create a dilemma for voters in the community and is why many proposed bond issues do not receive enough â€Å"yes† votes to pass. It takes a lot of dedication, time, and hard work to pass a bond issue. When it passes it was well worth it, but when it fails it can be extremely disappointing. There is no exact science for passing a bond issue. However, there are strategies that when implemented can help improve the chances that the bond issue will pass. Build a Foundation The district superintendent and the school board are often the driving forces behind a school bond issue. They are also responsible for getting out into the community, building relationships, and keeping people informed about what is happening with the district. It is vital to have good standing relationships with powerful civic groups and key business owners within a community if you want your bond to be passed. This process should be continuous and ongoing over time. It should not happen just because you’re trying to pass a bond. A strong superintendent will make their school the focal point of the community. They will work hard to forge those relationships that will pay off in times of need. They will make community involvement a priority inviting members into the school not only see what is going on but to become a part of the process themselves. Potentially passing a bond issue is just one of the many rewards that come with this holistic approach to community involvement. Organize and Plan Perhaps the most crucial aspect of passing a school bond is to be well organized and to have a solid plan in place. This begins with forming a committee that is as dedicated to seeing the bond passed as you are. It is necessary to note that most states prohibit schools from using their own resources or time to lobby on behalf of a bond issue. If teachers or administrators are to participate on the committee, it must be on their own time. A strong committee will consist of school board members, administrators, teachers, advisory councils, business leaders, parents, and students. The committee should be kept as small as possible so that a consensus can be reached easier. The committee should discuss and create a detailed plan on all aspects of the bond including timing, finances, and campaigning. A specific task should be given to each committee member to carry out according to their individual strengths. A school bond campaign should start approximately two months before the vote is scheduled to occur. Everything occurring in those two months should be well thought out and planned in advance. No two bond campaigns are the same. It is likely that parts of the plan will have to be abandoned or changed after realizing that the approach is not working. Establish a Need It is essential to establish a real need in your bond campaign. Most districts have a list of projects that they believe need to be completed. When deciding what you are going to put in the bond it is vital to look at two factors: immediate need and investment in your student body. In other words, put projects on the ballot that will resonate with voters who understand the value of education and show them there is a need. Make those connections apart of your campaign and bundle things where appropriate. If you are trying to build a new gymnasium, package it as a multipurpose facility that will not only serve as a gymnasium but as a community center and auditorium so that it can be used by all students and not just a select few. If you are trying to pass a bond for new buses, be prepared to explain how much money you are currently spending to maintain your bus fleet that is outdated and run down. You can even use a deteriorated bus in your campaign by parking it in front of the school with information about the bond. Be Honest It is essential to be honest with the constituents in your district. Property owners want to know how much their taxes are going to go up if the bond issue is passed. You should not skirt around this issue. Be direct and honest with them and always use the opportunity to explain to them what their investment will do for students in the district. If you are not honest with them, you may pass the first bond issue, but it will be more difficult when you try to pass the next one. Campaign! Campaign! Campaign! When campaigning begins it is beneficial to keep the message simple. Be specific with your message including the voting date, how much the bond is for, and some simple highlights of what it will be used for. If a voter asks for more information, then be prepared with more details. Campaigning efforts should be holistic with a goal of getting the word out to every registered voter in the district. Campaigning occurs in many different forms, and each form may reach a different subset of constituents. Some of the most popular forms of campaigning include: Build a Website – Create a website that gives voters detailed information about the bond issue.Campaign Signs/Posters – Put campaign signs in supporters’ yards and posters in high traffic locations such as the post office.Speaking Engagements – Schedule speaking engagements with civic groups in the community such as the Senior Citizen Center, Masonic Lodge, etc.Organize a Voter Registration Drive – A voter registration drive allows you to recruit newcomers and potential supporters who might not vote otherwise.Door to Door Canvassing – Simple word of mouth campaigning may make the difference especially in reminding voters to get to the polls.Telephone Committee – A simple way to poll voters in the community as well as to inform them about the bond issue and to remind them to vote.Direct Mail – Send flyers highlighting the bond issue out a few days before the vote.Media – Use the media to get the message out when possible. Focus on Uncertainty There are some constituents that have their minds made up on a bond issue before you even decide to do it. Some people always vote yes, and some people always vote no. Do not waste time on trying to convince the â€Å"no† votes that they should vote â€Å"yes†. Instead, focus on getting those â€Å"yes† votes to the polls. However, it is most valuable to invest your time and effort on those in the community that have not decided. Visit with those on the fence 3-4 times throughout the campaign to try and sway them to vote â€Å"yes†. They are the people who will ultimately decide whether the bond passes or fails.

Current artical Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Current artical - Assignment Example r and point out to the fact that transitions to and from daylight redeeming time are especially dangerous since the timing of united states commutes shifts overnight just before animals can adjust to avoid the rush hour. The article says that this has added to the seasonal spike in animals that die. Finally, the article looks at ways of curbing these carnages, and the article says through more awareness as motorists drive and by authorities fencing roads sections frequented by these animals to minimize collusion. The class provides an insight into thorough and analytical view of the mutual relationship that exists between animals and man. The article is of importance and relevance in studying animal- human relationship. It not only warns of the danger of endangering wildlife and human deaths that result from collusion during various seasons, but it also provides solutions to curb the vice. Finally, there is an importance in increasing awareness of the worth of wildlife population, specifically from the perspective of biological diversity. Such a message has been clearly highlighted in the article Our Highways’ Toll on