Sunday, December 28, 2008

TOOLS FOR 2009

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .



Dear Friends:

Visit these sites, and make each on a favorite to visit every day: Invest a bit of time to transform every aspect of your life for the better!

THE INTERNAL ENERGY PLUS WEBSITE (http://www.internalenergyplus.com/) - For self-help, personal growth and professional success tools superior to any others in the marketplace. You have to visit!

BRAINTENANCE: MINDBUILDERS (http://braintenance.blogspot.com) - Build your intelligence, sharpen your senses and increase the quality and length of your life. You receive a quiz daily (with answers the following day) to keep you razor sharp.

THE INTERNAL ENERGY PLUS FORUM (http://theinternalenergyplusforum.blogspot.com/) - Learn the latest about developments and modalities in IEP.

THE NATIONAL NETWORKER (http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com/) - Expand your contacts, relationships and possibilities for friendship and business during the new year! Get a subscription for their free NEWSLETTER, too.

CASTLE's BLOG (http://aboutdouglascastle.blogspot.com/) - Receive an interesting thought or idea every day. Stimulate your mind, initiate productive conversations with colleagues, and have fun. this will also feed my insatiable ego and lust for recognition.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Douglas Castle

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

EVERY WORD IS A TOOL

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .



Dear Friends:

Every word that you utter is a tool. It may be a seductive encouragement, it may be an inspiration, it might be a signified agreement, it might be a threat, or it might be a command -- but in every case, every word is a tool. Choose your words carefully. And use them sparingly, depending upon your audience's level of interest and attention span.


Words do not simply get blurted into a vaccuum -- they are shaped by certain other factors. Some of these factors can mean the difference between whether the recipient of your words is complimented by your admiration, or insulted by your sarcasm.


These factors include:


  • your facial expression and body language

  • eye contact

  • your stance

  • the cadence of your words

  • your tone

  • your temporal spacing of the words

  • the words said previous and the words said afterward

  • the pitch of your voice

  • the mindset and personality of the recipient

These are things worth thinking about...especially before your begin speaking.


Faithfully,


Douglas Castle


p.s. Please go to THE NATIONAL NETWOKER and subscribe for your free newletter today.






Miasma: Grouply, Yahoo, Google, MSN, command, control, leadership, decisionmaking, The National Networker, Internal Energy Plus, Humanitas Maximus, The Internal Energy Plus Forum, control, public service, inspiration, survival, uniting, dividing, conquest, growth, personal growth, self-improvement, personal development, networking, Mixx, Zimbio, Digg, Delicious, Technorati, Associated Press, LA Times, Fox News, Reuters, alpha, beta, theta, education, leadership crisis, personal power, humanitarianism, The Global Futurist, The Internationalist Page, Braintenance, Current Events, blogs, bloggers, news, news releases, Douglas Castle, intelligence, cognitive enhancement, advice, help, psychology, focus, technology, seduction, manipulation, debate, education, hypnosis, NLP, RET, articles, Linked In, Microsoft, SEO, fitness, longevity, creativity, meditation, media, YouTube, organizational engineering, winning, success, telepathy, trends, predictions, commentary, blogosphere, relationships, torture, victory, health, fitness, independence, mind, brain, thought, entrainment, Facebook, Naymz, downloads, CDs, tapes, instruction, competition, martial arts, politics, management, widget, blidget, social networking, nanotechnology, fitness, social Darwinism, humor, alternative energy, philanthropy, not-for-profit organizations, volunteering, interrogation, trade, commerce, personal dynamics, personal coaching, networking, leadership training, mind-body connection, nootropics, longevity, social groups, business groups, marketing, ecommerce, Feedburner, RSS, newsletters, writers, co-operative advertising, leverage, survivalism, viral marketing, public relations, advertising, promotion, image-development, videos, gaming, AI, social awareness, persuasion, theology, logic, alliances, reputation, ratings, polls, standing, positioning, self-help, metrics, design, interactivity, campaign, Wikis, chat rooms, interactive forums, mentoring, modeling, mind expansion, brainwaves, motivation, current events, press releases, keywords, adwords, economics, Wikipedia, Widgetbox, geopolitical economics, conflict resolution, activism, achievement, subconscious, collective mind, webinars, business services, self-growth, control, winning, fail-safe strategies, combat, strength, Internal Energy Plus, self-defense, winning strategies and tactics, improvisation, anti-terrorism, courage, victory, fear, psychological programming,...

Thursday, December 04, 2008

LESS IS MORE: MERELY AN OXYMORON... OR PRACTICAL ADVICE?

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .



Dear Friends:

You have undoubtedly heard it said..."Less is more." It is an oxymoron in terms of its inherent structural paradox. On the surface, it is not unlike saying "Stupid is smart." But despite its seemingly self-cancelling quality, "Less is more," is an eloquent and strikingly true statement when it comes to complexity and adaptation. Allow me to explain.

The more complex an organism, the more difficult it is for it to adapt to a changing environment or changing circumstances. [Example: a Human Being.] The simpler an organism, the more readily it can adapt. [Example: a virus.] The venerable (but vulnerable) Human Being catches a cold, and the simple virus causes one.

The same is true with organizations. Large companies, like General Motors, become entrenched, committed and heavily invested in many things. When they are faced with a change in economic or other circumstances, they are immobile. Smaller, leaner entrepreneurial organizations can pivot much more quickly -- they can learn how to surf while their bloated corporate counterparts are crushed and drowned by the waves. Size may indeed be seen as an advantage in terms of strength and endurance in certain circumstances, but it works against an organism or an organization when it becomes time to either duck, or run.

The virus defeats its host because it can more quickly adapt (through multiplication and mutation) than its more complex victim.

Sometimes less is more.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

p.s. If you are in the mood to be frightened, please take a look at yesterday's article (December 3rd) posted to http://TheGlobalFuturist.blogspot.com . If you are a conspiracy theory enthusiast, you will spend a great deal of time nodding your head --- if you are not a conspiracy theorist, this might change your mind. Interestingly, the biggest factor working against most conspiracy theories is the large number of cooperative people and resources required in order for them to be plausible. *More might be less*.


Miasma: Grouply, Yahoo, Google, MSN, command, control, leadership, decisionmaking, The National Networker, Internal Energy Plus, Humanitas Maximus, The Internal Energy Plus Forum, control, public service, inspiration, survival, uniting, dividing, conquest, growth, personal growth, self-improvement, personal development, networking, Mixx, Zimbio, Digg, Delicious, Technorati, Associated Press, LA Times, Fox News, Reuters, alpha, beta, theta, education, leadership crisis, personal power, humanitarianism, The Global Futurist, The Internationalist Page, Braintenance, Current Events, blogs, bloggers, news, news releases, Douglas Castle, intelligence, cognitive enhancement, advice, help, psychology, focus, technology, seduction, manipulation, debate, education, hypnosis, NLP, RET, articles, Linked In, Microsoft, SEO, fitness, longevity, creativity, meditation, media, YouTube, organizational engineering, winning, success, telepathy, trends, predictions, commentary, blogosphere, relationships, torture, victory, health, fitness, independence, mind, brain, thought, entrainment, Facebook, Naymz, downloads, CDs, tapes, instruction, competition, martial arts, politics, management, widget, blidget, social networking, nanotechnology, fitness, social Darwinism, humor, alternative energy, philanthropy, not-for-profit organizations, volunteering, interrogation, trade, commerce, personal dynamics, personal coaching, networking, leadership training, mind-body connection, nootropics, longevity, social groups, business groups, marketing, ecommerce, Feedburner, RSS, newsletters, writers, co-operative advertising, leverage, survivalism, viral marketing, public relations, advertising, promotion, image-development, videos, gaming, AI, social awareness, persuasion, theology, logic, alliances, reputation, ratings, polls, standing, positioning, self-help, metrics, design, interactivity, campaign, Wikis, chat rooms, interactive forums, mentoring, modeling, mind expansion, brainwaves, motivation, current events, press releases, keywords, adwords, economics, Wikipedia, Widgetbox, geopolitical economics, conflict resolution, activism, achievement, subconscious, collective mind, webinars, business services, self-growth, control, winning, fail-safe strategies, combat, strength, Internal Energy Plus, self-defense, winning strategies and tactics, improvisation, anti-terrorism, courage, victory, fear, psychological programming,...

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

MISDIRECTION AND DISTRACTION - Reprinted from the IEP Yahoo! Group (click this title to join)

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .



Dear Friends:

INTERNAL ENERGY PLUS requires an understanding of the vagaries (quirks) of the Human mind. The trick is to recognize them in ourselves, and to positively exploit them in getting others to do what we require of them.

Two of my favorites are misdirection and distraction. Law enforcement officials use them, as do military, negotiators, clever criminals and even precocious children.

Go to HUMANITAS MAXIMUS at
http://HumanitasMaximus.blogspot.com, and read today's post for one of the best illustrative examples I've heard in ages.

Faithfully, and in Thanksgiving,

Douglas Castle

p.s. If you have any humorous stories about misdirection and distraction, please post them! You can always send your posts to INTERNAL_ENERGY_PLUS@yahoo.groups. If you have a problem doing this, then perhaps you are not a member. That can be resolved (cost-free) by clicking on http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/INTERNAL_ENERGY_PLUS/ and pressing the "JOIN" button. That was easy!


DOUGLAS CASTLE at http://www.linkedIn.com/in/douglascastle
THE GLOBAL FUTURIST
THE NATIONAL NETWORKER
DOUGLAS CASTLE
INTERNAL ENERGY PLUS
THE INTERNATIONALIST PAGE

Miasma: Grouply, Yahoo, Google, MSN, command, control, leadership, decisionmaking, The National Networker, Internal Energy Plus, Humanitas Maximus, The Internal Energy Plus Forum, control, public service, inspiration, survival, uniting, dividing, conquest, growth, personal growth, self-improvement, personal development, networking, Mixx, Zimbio, Digg, Delicious, Technorati, Associated Press, LA Times, Fox News, Reuters, alpha, beta, theta, education, leadership crisis, personal power, humanitarianism, The Global Futurist, The Internationalist Page, Braintenance, Current Events, blogs, bloggers, news, news releases, Douglas Castle, intelligence, cognitive enhancement, advice, help, psychology, focus, technology, seduction, manipulation, debate, education, hypnosis, NLP, RET, articles, Linked In, Microsoft, SEO, fitness, longevity, creativity, meditation, media, YouTube, organizational engineering, winning, success, telepathy, trends, predictions, commentary, blogosphere, relationships, torture, victory, health, fitness, independence, mind, brain, thought, entrainment, Facebook, Naymz, downloads, CDs, tapes, instruction, competition, martial arts, politics, management, widget, blidget, social networking, nanotechnology, fitness, social Darwinism, humor, alternative energy, philanthropy, not-for-profit organizations, volunteering, interrogation, trade, commerce, personal dynamics, personal coaching, networking, leadership training, mind-body connection, nootropics, longevity, social groups, business groups, marketing, ecommerce, Feedburner, RSS, newsletters, writers, co-operative advertising, leverage, survivalism, viral marketing, public relations, advertising, promotion, image-development, videos, gaming, AI, social awareness, persuasion, theology, logic, alliances, reputation, ratings, polls, standing, positioning, self-help, metrics, design, interactivity, campaign, Wikis, chat rooms, interactive forums, mentoring, modeling, mind expansion, brainwaves, motivation, current events, press releases, keywords, adwords, economics, Wikipedia, Widgetbox, geopolitical economics, conflict resolution, activism, achievement, subconscious, collective mind, webinars, business services, self-growth, control, winning, fail-safe strategies, combat, strength, Internal Energy Plus, self-defense, winning strategies and tactics, improvisation, anti-terrorism, courage, victory, fear, psychological programming,...

Sunday, November 02, 2008

THE POWER TO CREATE...OR TO DESTROY.

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .



Dear Readers:

This is not an essay on philosophy or theology. The Machiavellian question "Is it better to be loved or to be feared?" does come immediately to mind and it did, in fact spawn the greater question, "Which power is greater -- the power to create or the power to destroy?"


On this limited earthly plane where empiricism and self-serving pragmatism (largely born of generations of inculcated fear and obsessive conformity) provide both meaning and metrics, the ultimate power is with the destroyer. Morality and personal values notwithstanding, the individual person or group with the ability to "pull the plug" on the creation of others is the historically proven winner.


Examples abound in every aspect of Human affairs: brutal dictatorships, assassinations, barriers of landmines, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, extortion, Greek Fire, Hiroshima... the rise of persecutors, prosecutors and all brand of inquisitors to the highest government offices... The threat of destruction is far more powerful than the promise of creation or of the ability to create.


Destroyers exploit the tightly wound spring of fearful, conforming humanity -- of the propensity to fix blame instead of problems. They intrinsically leverage the contextual phenomenon of "anonymity in a mob".
Creators are inherently nonconformists, and this frightens many a person invested in the ennui of the status quo. Creators carry the threat and spoor of introspection or revelation or discontentment with them. Creators are so often so proufoundly in love with their creations that they would suffer crucifixion rather than to recant their beliefs or see their creations leveled by a wrecking ball or a bulldozer. That is the principal weakness of a creator -- this propensity toward passionate attachment. Destroyers have the power to deprive, and have the added strength of indifference to the beauty to be destroyed, or to the pain and suffering of those who will be deprived of it.


If you were to ask for my political (not moral) advice, I would say, generally speaking: Be a creator, or at least be perceived as one - - - but always retain the ability, within ready reach, to wreak destruction if you wish your creations to survive. Going further, you must have the ability to instantly destroy not only what you have created, but the things most valuable to others, as well.


The power to destroy should be used very, very judiciously, and the threat of destruction should never be the central theme of your discussions or negotiations, lest your enemies (and some of us do have a few) become so fearful that they become sufficiently inspired to take lethal pre-emptive measures. Beware the counterthreat.


Be a creator, if you wish. But re-read this brief essay daily. Beauty sometimes requires battle, and change is invariably met with resistance.


Faithfully,


Douglas Castle


p.s. Remember Nicola Tesla? Copernicus? Magellan? Joan of Arc?
Miasma: Grouply, Yahoo, Google, McCain, Obama, command, leadership, decsionmaking, The National Networker, Internal Energy Plus, Humanitas Maximus, The Internal Energy Plus Forum, control, public service, inspiration, survival, uniting, dividing, conquest, growth, personal growth, self-improvement, personal development, networking, Mixx, Zimbio, Digg, Technorati, Associated Press, LA Times, Fox News, Reuters, alpha, education, leadership crisis, personal power, CIOF, CHILDREN'S INTERNATIONAL OBESITY FOUNDATION, humanitarianism, The Global Futurist, The Internationalist Page, Braintenance, CIOF On Current Events, blogs, bloggers, news, news releases, Douglas castle, intelligence, cognitive enhancement, advice, help, psychology, focus, technology, seduction, manipulation, debate, education, hypnosis, NLP, RET, articles, Linked In, Microsoft, SEO, fitness, longevity, creativity, meditation, media, YouTube, organizational engineering, winning, success, telepathy, trends, predictions, commentary, blogosphere, relationships, children. obesity, independence, mind, brain, thought, entrainment, Facebook, Naymz, downloads, CDs, tapes, instruction, competition, martial arts, politics, management, widget, blidget, social networking, nanotechnology, weight-loss, humor, alternative energy, philanthropy, not-for-profit organizations, volunteering, interrogation, trade, commerce, personal dynamics, personal coaching, leadership training, mind-body connection, nootropics, longevity, social groups, business groups, marketing, ecommerce, Feedburner, RSS, newsletters, writers, co-operative advertising, leverage, survivalism, viral marketing, public relations, advertising, promotion, image-development, videos, gaming, AI, social awareness, pursuasion, theology, logic, alliances, reputation, ratings, polls, standing, positioning, self-help, metrics, design, interactivity, campaign, Wikis, chat rooms, interactive forums, mentoring, modeling, mind expansion, brainwaves, motivation, current events, press releases, keywords, adwords, economics, geopolitical economics, conflict resolution, activism, achievement, subconscious, collective mind,,,

Thursday, October 09, 2008

PERCEPTION.

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .




Dear Readers:


INTERNAL ENERGY PLUS has a curious area of intersection with NLP (neuro-linguistic programming); it has to do with the limitations imposed upon us by our perceptions. Difficulties in decisionmaking (or in emotional balance) often occur due to a perception of reality that is not, in fact, representative of reality.
We spend a great deal of our lives chasing after shadows and tilting at windmills. We fear noises in the night that we would not even take notice of in the plain light of day. Perception must be broadened sufficiently in order to encompass a picture which is truly representative of reality.


Click on the link which follows to learn about this amazing phenomenon:




Enjoy the article, posted earlier today -- follow the links to catch the thread.
####

Miasma: Grouply, Yahoo, Google, McCain, Obama, command, leadership, decsionmaking, The National Networker, Internal Energy Plus, Humanitas Maximus, The Internal Energy Plus Forum, control, public service, inspiration, survival, uniting, dividing, conquest, growth, personal growth, self-improvement, personal development, networking, Mixx, Zimbio, Digg, Technorati, Associated Press, LA Times, Fox News, Reuters, alpha, education, leadership crisis, personal power, CIOF, CHILDREN'S INTERNATIONAL OBESITY FOUNDATION, humanitarianism, The Global Futurist, The Internationalist Page, Braintenance, CIOF On Current Events, blogs, bloggers, news, news releases, Douglas Castle, intelligence, cognitive enhancement, advice, help, psychology, focus, technology, seduction, manipulation, debate, education, hypnosis, NLP, RET, articles, Linked In, Microsoft, SEO, fitness, longevity, creativity, meditation, media, YouTube, organizational engineering, winning, success, telepathy, trends, predictions, commentary, blogosphere, relationships, children. obesity, independence, mind, brain, thought, entrainment, Facebook, Naymz, downloads, CDs, tapes, instruction, competition, martial arts, politics, management, widget, blidget, social networking, nanotechnology, weight-loss, humor, alternative energy, philanthropy, not-for-profit organizations, volunteering, interrogation, trade, commerce, personal dynamics, personal coaching, leadership training, mind-body connection, nootropics, longevity, social groups, business groups, marketing, ecommerce, Feedburner, RSS, newsletters, writers, co-operative advertising, leverage, survivalism, viral marketing, public relations, advertising, promotion, image-development, videos, gaming, AI, social awareness, pursuasion, theology, logic, alliances, reputation, ratings, polls, standing, positioning, self-help, metrics, design, interactivity, campaign, Wikis, chat rooms, interactive forums, mentoring, modeling, mind expansion, brainwaves, motivation, current events, press releases, keywords, adwords, economics, geopolitical economics, conflict resolution, activism, achievement, subconscious, collective mind,,,

Sunday, September 14, 2008

TOUGH GUYS-TENDER WORDS

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .



Dear Friends:

KEEP THIS IN MIND:


Part of every employment or professional situation requires that we show the people who work for us, as well as the people who we work for, that we care about them. Failing to do this breeds resentment and indifference. Doing this permits more flexibility, more forgiveness and a greater capacity to accomplish work.


Faithfully,


Douglas Castle



Miasma: Grouply, Yahoo, Google, McCain, Obama, command, leadership, decsionmaking, The National Networker, Internal Energy Plus, Humanitas Maximus, The Internal Energy Plus Forum, control, public service, inspiration, survival, uniting, dividing, conquest, growth, personal growth, self-improvement, personal development, networking, Mixx, Zimbio, Digg, Technorati, Associated Press, LA Times, Fox News, Reuters, alpha, education, leadership crisis, personal power, CIOF, CHILDREN'S INTERNATIONAL OBESITY FOUNDATION, humanitarianism, The Global Futurist, The Internationalist Page, Braintenance, CIOF On Current Events, blogs, bloggers, news, news releases, Douglas castle, intelligence, cognitive enhancement, advice, help, psychology, focus, technology, seduction, manipulation, debate, education, hypnosis, NLP, RET, articles, Linked In, Microsoft, SEO, fitness, longevity, creativity, meditation, media, YouTube, organizational engineering, winning, success, telepathy, trends, predictions, commentary, blogosphere, relationships, children. obesity, independence, mind, brain, thought, entrainment, Facebook, Naymz, downloads, CDs, tapes, instruction, competition, martial arts, politics, management, widget, blidget, social networking, nanotechnology, weight-loss, humor, alternative energy, philanthropy, not-for-profit organizations, volunteering, interrogation, trade, commerce, personal dynamics, personal coaching, leadership training, mind-body connection, nootropics, longevity, social groups, business groups, marketing, ecommerce, Feedburner, RSS, newsletters, writers, co-operative advertising, leverage, survivalism, viral marketing, public relations, advertising, promotion, image-development, videos, gaming, AI, social awareness, pursuasion, theology, logic, alliances, reputation, ratings, polls, standing, positioning, self-help, metrics, design, interactivity, campaign, Wikis, chat rooms, interactive forums, mentoring, modeling, mind expansion, brainwaves, motivation, current events, press releases, keywords, adwords, economics, geopolitical economics, conflict resolution, activism, achievement, subconscious, collective mind,,,

Monday, September 01, 2008

LEADERSHIP - SOME THOUGHTS

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .




Dear Friends:

I wanted to share some of my thoughts on leadership with you, especially in a time when a very misguided, disillusioned world is crying out for true leaders, instead of campaigners, complainers and paralyzed party-line non-deciders who merely take up seats until they are replaced by other inconsequential lumps of poll-readers.

LEADERSHIP

True leadership requires great focus, occasional compromise, occasional confrontation, perpetual vigilance, and enough belief in the Mission (and those people whom need to be united and helped) that it presides over everything.

A leader educates, guides, and makes great demands of others. These demands are always reasonable because they are Mission-justified.

A leader understands that he/she must command, or suffer the consequences of being led astray by others. A leader works for his/her troops, but does not form alliances with third parties unless those third parties have more to offer him/her than he/she has to offer them. And he/she does not fear asking for the better side of a quid pro quo! Nor should we, as supporters of these leaders.

The only time a true leader takes "no" for an answer is when the Devil approaches him/her with a parchment and a quill pen, or when the Grim Reaper extends his bony hand.

If a leader has a position - he/she states it. Clearly;

If a leader requires assistance - he/she asks for it. - and asks, and asks, and asks, until enough people have heard the message enough times that they relent.

But a leader must believe in his or her Mission, and in his or her charges, in order to meet these challenges.

Be a leader -- differentiate yourself from the occupants of a world that is overripe and soft with passive observers and false prophets in search of petty profits at the expense of poor fools living in desperation.

BE A LEADER. WE NEED YOU. NOW.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle
http://www.linkedIn.com/in/douglascastle
CHILDREN'S INTERNATIONAL OBESITY FOUNDATION - HELP SAVE A CHILD'S LIFE.
THE GLOBAL FUTURIST
THE INTERNATIONALIST PAGE
HUMANITAS MAXIMUS

Microcluster: Grouply, Yahoo, Google, McCain, Obama, command, leadership, decsionmaking, The National Networker, Internal Energy Plus, Humanitas Maximus, The Internal Energy Plus Forum, control, public service, inspiration, survival, uniting, dividing, conquest, growth, personal growth, self-improvement, personal development, networking, Mixx, Zimbio, Digg, Technorati, Associated Press, LA Times, Fox News, Reuters, alpha, education, leadership crisis, personal power, CIOF, CHILDREN'S INTERNATIONAL OBESITY FOUNDATION, humanitarianism, The Global Futurist, The Internationalist Page, Braintenance, CIOF On Current Events, blogs, bloggers, news, news releases, Douglas castle, intelligence, cognitive enhancement, advice, help, psychology, focus, technology, seduction, manipulation, debate, education, hypnosis, NLP, RET, articles, Linked In, Microsoft, SEO, fitness, longevity, creativity, meditation, media, YouTube, organizational engineering, winning, success, telepathy, trends, predictions, commentary, blogosphere, relationships, children. obesity, independence, mind, brain, thought, entrainment, Facebook, Naymz, downloads, CDs, tapes, instruction, competition, martial arts, politics, management, widget, blidget, social networking, nanotechnology, weight-loss, humor, alternative energy, philanthropy, not-for-profit organizations, volunteering, interrogation, trade, commerce, personal dynamics, personal coaching, leadership training, mind-body connection, nootropics, longevity, social groups, business groups, marketing, ecommerce, Feedburner, RSS, newsletters, writers, co-operative advertising, leverage, survivalism, viral marketing, public relations, advertising, promotion, image-development, videos, gaming, AI, social awareness, pursuasion, theology, logic, alliances, reputation, ratings, polls, standing, positioning, self-help, metrics, design, interactivity, campaign, Wikis, chat rooms, interactive forums, mentoring, modeling, mind expansion, brainwaves, motivation, current events, press releases, keywords, adwords, economics, geopolitical economics, conflict resolution, activism, achievement, subconscious, collective mind,,,

Saturday, July 12, 2008

MEETINGS!

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .




Dear Friends:


A Commander lives for results. The completion of his or her chosen mission is extraordinarily important. Learning from each step along the path to the attainment of the mission objective is important as well, but results are the reason for all actions.


Everything in business and politics is accomplished one-on-one, through bargaining, through compromise...occasionally through coercion. In a military operation, things are accomplished by a Commander giving orders, and the troops following them to the absolute best of their training and ability.


Somewhere in between the one-on-one and the military operation is that phenomenon called "THE MEETING." If a meeting is held between two persons, it is either a conversation, an interrogation, an instruction, a confrontation or a loving encounter. I won't discuss these dyad meetings here. For the purpose of this brief article, I will only address meetings which involve more than two individuals in a discussion forum (e.g., not a lecture).


Meetings are generally unproductive. Castle's Law dictates that, "the probability of success in a meeting is inversely proportional to the number of its participants."


Some general rules about meetings:


1. Limit the number of participants to the minimum required;


2. Keep the meeting as brief and focused as possible;


3. Have an agenda and an objective;


4. Limit any "free form" discussions to those required in order to make decisions in the meeting -- open brainstorming is inappropriate in most meetings, except where artistic concerns are being addressed;


5. Impose tight time constraints and order;


6. Every participant should leave the meeting with a clearer understanding of something, and with a directive for furtherance of the meeting's business;


7. Every meeting must have a leader or moderator;


8. Do not permit anyone to leave during the course of a meeting (unless it is an absolute emergency). Turn off telephones, eliminate all distractions and disruptions;


9. Invest your time in a meeting very prudently and efficiently;


10. Hold the meeting in an office or other closed, quiet space;


11. Maintain focus, intensity, momentum and wakefulness;


12. Do not permit food during a meeting;


13. Keep papers, documents and charts to a minimum at meetings - avoid superfluous papers, exhibits and other distractions.


Also, I would like to make a general comment: "Get acquainted" meetings are a strange exception to all of the foregoing guidelines. They take many unique forms. However, after the first such meeting, all meetings that follow should be governed in accordance with the guidelines outlined above.


Start your meetings promptly. Do not let anybody become too complacent or comfortable during a meeting.


Best of luck!


Faithfully,


Douglas Castle

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

VIRAL INFILTRATION

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .



Dear Readers:

VIRAL INFILTRATION.

The expression is generally regarded as quite perjorative. Viruses are not adored by the public for their gentle ways and good habits. In fact, the virus (with the possible exception of certain civil service employees) is one of the most brilliantly adapted predators in the realm of nature. The virus is seen by most as the incarnation of remoreseless evil.


The virus has, however, an enviable ability to penetrate its host, set up housekeeping, and begin cannibalizing and converting the host's cellular material into its own. This process requires energy, and sadly, many of the host's cells are not transformed via DNA re-configuration...they become food, and are sacrificed. The flaw in this otherwise ingenious hostile takeover by stealth is that the virus will ultimately destroy its host, and will then have to find another one if it is to continue to propage itself.

Think about a virus that could not only penetrate and reproduce itself, but one that could actually enslave its host to continue to thrive, even if only for the purpose of sustaining the virus. Quite an extroardinary trick.

The preceding premise is a powerful metaphor for the travails of any activist or revolutionary wishing to battle the "establishment". When you have a new and different perspective, you cannot expect to be received warmly by a power-entrenched, self-serving bureacracy and its flock of frightened, defensive pre-programmed followers. A face-to-face battle all but ensures your loss.

It is wiser, by far, to learn the ways of the established group in power, and to ingratiate yourself with them by seeming to embrace their ideals. This appearance of agreement and friendship can get you through the gates and eventually into the halls of power. Once you have become an accepted and trusted member of the establishment and a part of its inner power structure, you can start initiating subtle changes, and implementing your ideas. If you are truly artful at this, the persons around you will view these changes as a product of their own thinking, and work to help propagate them.

Command Central is actually right inside your adversary's brain. And you don't even have to fight. All you need to do is some subtle re-wiring from within. This brings to mind some of the basic tenets of espionage, in its most classical sense.

By the way...how many enemy operatives do you think are embedded in powerful positions within the FBI, RCMP, British Intelligence, the CIA, and other similarly-tasked organizations designed to protect its respective country's sovereignty and secrets?

You would have no way of knowing. These professionals are hiding in plain sight...many are considered beyond reproach. Many appear unquestionably patriotic. Many are the trusted advisors and aides of national leaders.

The virus has a brilliant survival and self-perpetuation strategy; especially considering that the "lowly" virus is scarcely even considered a living creature except by some scientists.

We can learn much from the virus. While we may spend years in school studying math, the virus is born with the ability the multiply exponentially.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

Monday, April 14, 2008

KAIZEN - A life philosophy in the art of Command.

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .



Dear Readers:



I have borrowed a word from the Japanese which has its principal use in martial arts. I find that it is applicable in being successful in any field.
>>>Please read on:



* The Japanese word, “Kaizen” basically translates to the path of constant and never- ending improvement.


* The results are amazing when it comes to personal development and even business success once you understand it and put it into action. The true foundation of Kaizen or constant and never-ending improvement begins with precise and specific target selection. The successful warrior is very precise in words, actions and deeds. Everything matters!



* Although success begins with precise and specific goal -setting and action plans, that is just the beginning...... it is the daily ability to implement specific actions that truly separates the successful person from the others. As a beginner, it looks like an impossible task to master the skills that are required to earn the rank of black belt or create a million dollar company from a mere idea. Yet, success is achieved one step at a time as the individual tries to learn and improve. There, under the watchful eye of his mentor and fellow mastermind members, he slowly is transformed into a person deserving of the success that he desires.



* The modern warrior or businessman always knows where he is and where he is going at all times. Since we live in a rapidly changing world, our targets are constantly moving. A wise objective today may be a fool's goal tomorrow -- so it is imperative that one re-evaluates the circumstances and constraints with regard to one's objectives on an ongoing basis. Objectives can change; and the means of obtaining objectives is also subject to change. A warrior makes constant observations and constant adjustments.



* While a martial artist works at being able to generate extreme force on specific targets for maximum effect, it is the target selection process that is constantly changing as openings and opportunities presents themselves and disappear on an on-going and fluid basis. We quickly learn that perfect accuracy on the wrong target is a waste of skill and resources.
The warrior constantly updates objectives and targets based on constantly changing information.



* In business, the market is constantly changing and it is the savvy entrepreneur that is aware of those changes and moves quickly -- who invariably reaps the rewards.



* At the time of this writing, in the real estate investment world, the media is railing on about doom and gloom, how we are heading into a recession and even that the "sky is falling", if only a chunk at a time. Members of our inner circle know that now is the time to be buying; and they are using creative strategies to control as much real estate as they can while the prices are deflated. Those of us who have lived long enough understand that the economy runs in cycles. The key is to recognize this fact, and use it to one's advantage. This advantage is increased significantly because of the fact that many other people in the competitive marketplace are so immersed in the tragedy of the present that they lose their perspective of the cyclic nature of things, and panic. Panic is a tremendous negotiating and decisionmaking disadvantage. In war, my adversary's disadvantage operates to my advantage.


* Everyone knows that buying low and selling high is a very successful strategy, and yet 80% of the population listens obsessively to all of the negative information out there, never taking intelligent action until it is too late. By being innovative and seeing every challenge as an opportunity for achievement and a path for future growth, the modern warrior is “future-thinking”, and never looks back, except to recall a lesson learned.


*Living on the cutting edge of creativity, and using positive, active growth tactics bring his future to him as he has already determined it should be through proactive strategic planning and implementation.


* It is the daily improvements that are achieved by reading the right books, attending the right seminars, and listening to the right mentors which separate those who will achieve more in a short time from those countless others will ever achieve given an entire lifetime.


* Whether your goal is to achieve a black belt in the martial arts, become a black belt business owner, or a black belt real estate investor, the process is the same. Determine all the criteria you need in order to be the best in your chosen arena, and consistently keep adding the specialized knowledge and sharpening the skill sets needed in order to be in the top 10% of that group.



*****Consistently and diligently performing these daily steps toward achieving those skills, and your ultimate goal (whatever that goal may be) is what Kaizen is truly about.*****






Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

http://www.ciofoundation.org/ VISIT TODAY. YOUR GIFT COULD HELP SAVE A CHILD'S LIFE.

BLOG ARCHIVE

Bookmark and Share