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.

THE INFAMOUS "INTERRUPTION and CONFUSION" TECHNIQUE

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .

---

Dear Readers:

Two popular techniques utilized by interrogators are the "interruption technique", and the "confusion technique". These are most frequently used to 1) weaken the will of a victim, 2) get him/ her to volunteer any information in order to stop the mental onslaught, 3) force him/ her to give an unqualified, incriminating answer, and, of course, to force a confession by leading the victim down a rapid-fire path of pseudo- logic. These techniques are favored by law enforcement officials where conventional torture or vigorous physical interrogation is not an option.

In the first case, you (the victim) are asked a question, interrupted suddenly in the middle of your answer, and asked another question, usually unrelated to the previous one. You are kept off-balance, frustrated at your inability to get a single point across, confused in terms of your recollection of factual information and chronologies. the hope here is that you will be so desperate to be heard that you will make any great revelatory statement in order to stop the barrage. Usually it will be something that the interrogator did not previously know, stated for shock value or in order to get sufficient respect that the interruptions will stop.. And usually it is something you'll regret having said.

This situation can be dealt with in several ways, either alone or in a combination. You must be calm and polite in order to be effective at this. Your responses should be as follows (if you are forced to respond):

• I'm sorry... could you repeat that last question again?


• Let me answer that last question before we go on to this one.


• Let me think about that for a few moments. You wouldn't want me to give you the wrong information, would you?


• You've got me so confused that I can't seem to collect my thoughts.


• I'm afraid that I don't fully understand the question. Could you clarify it for me?


• I'm so confused, I can't seem to get anything straight in my mind. May I have a glass of water?


• Please stop asking me questions if you won't let me answer them.

Some other alternatives, also crafted to disturb the interrogator's rhythm, and diffuse his/ her focus include off-topic questions or comments such as (and I am not kidding):

• Where did you get that tie? I think I have one just like it....


• Who do you think is going to win the ...


• Do you smell some kind of a gas leak? Smell that? Can you smell it?


• Where were you born?


• Is that a _________accent that I detect?


• Why did you decide to become a _____________?


• Are you okay? You look very pale. Did you eat something that made you feel sick?


• I have to use the bathroom. It's going to be an emergency.


• What time is it?


• Can I have a pen and pad to sketch on? It might help me think.


• What are you trying to get me to say, anyway? C'mon...let's get to the bottom line.


• I have a cold, and my ears are clogged. Can you please speak slower and louder?


• Don't you guys ever get tired? I know that I'm exhausted already!

It is also helpful to hum, or tap your foot on the floor, or rap your fingers on the desk. All of these serve to interfere with the interrogator's concentration and continuity. Reverse the curse.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH - INCREMENTS & EXPONENTS

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .

---

Dear Friends (and Worthy Opponents):

Every sentient creature (i.e., virus, protozoan, malignant tumor, weasel, human, family, company, religious group, government agency or organization of any sort) is possessed of a compulsion to grow. Whether the impetus is species survival, dynastic permanence, the lust for conquest, greed for acquisition, insatiable appetite, increased size and commensurate strength, pure egomania --the compulsion is there. Organizations are indeed creatures -- and they have minds, and agendas, and, yes....compulsions. There is also a deeply ingrained and universal growth propellant: the fearful notion that stagnation (e.g., non-growth) leads to death.

Certain considerations may parametrically govern organizational or social movement growth, and the manner in which growth can or should preferably be achieved. These have to with such constraints as 1) quality standards, 2) availability of and access to candidates for recruitment, 3) ease of recruitment process, 4) ease of training, 5) time required to train, 6) "dead links" (where a recruit does not continue the recruitment process through resignation, death or disability, and becomes, in effect, a "dead end", 7) "lost links" (where a recruit resigns, or leaves the program or organization), and 8) average downline recruitment rate (e.g., how many new recruits an "average" given recruit can directly acquire for the organization or social movement).

These same mathematical principles are at play in population growth, the spread of infectious diseases, Multi-Level Marketing programs, those annoying chain letters, compound interest, and a host of natural phenomena. They have been studied and written about by the likes of Malthus, Einstein, Fibonacci, Chrichton....from philosophers, to mathematicians, to economists to science fiction writers.

The math is very simple if there are no dead links or lost links:

1) If the reproduction/replication/downline recruitment rate is 2, then 1 original member begets two, 2 beget 4, 4 beget 8, and so forth. In five generations, the total population will be 31 members.

2) If the reproduction/replication/downline recruitment rate is 2, but there are 5 original members, the above result is simply multiplied by 5. In five generations, the total population will be 155 members.

3) If the reproduction/replication/downline recruitment rate is 3, then 1 original member begets three, 3 beget 9, 9 beget 27, and so forth. In five generations, the total population will be 121 members.

4) If the reproduction/replication/downline recruitment rate is 3, but there are 5 original members, the above result is simply multiplied by 5. In five generations, the total population will be 605 members.

The dynamics of the process are explosive. Do you remember the movie PAY IT FORWARD?

You might wish to take a look at http://www.otherwise.com/population/exponent.html to see this in greater detail.

Getting to the task of growing an organization, enterprise, social movement, or just spreading a message, the following steps and considerations are required:

1. Establish your precise program and platform, simplify it, quantify it and codify it;

2. Establish minimal quality control standards for recruits;

3. Establish, unify and energize the largest original core group;

4. Create mandates (negative reinforcement) and incentives (positive reinforcement) for recruitment, and for retention of recruits;

5. Establish and codify your methods for recruitment, and train all recruits -- you are teaching teachers to teach subsequent teachers;

6. Establish a realistic replication rate. If you challenge each member to proselytize 2 members, your growth rate is going to be very slow. If you challenge each member to proselytize 20 members, you are being wholly unrealistic. THE OPTIMAL REPLICATION NUMBERS ARE 3, 5 and 7. If you tell each member to recruit (identify, pursuade, train, manage and retain) 5 new members, you are dealing with a manageable number, in that each person generally has five persons wityhin his or her social or business circle who are like-minded and viable.

7. Keep track of your metrics in terms of who recruited whom;

8. Continually promote the issue and importance of recruitment, and constantly reinforce recruitment training;

9. Open up channels of communication from the core group all the way down to the newest recruits. Use these channels. They are socially and emotionally adhesive.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

BRAINWASHING BASICS -- PART 3

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .

---

Dear Friends:

The question that you are begging to ask is : "HAVE I EVER BEEN BRAINWASHED?" And, of course, there is its cousin (questions occasionally have cousins)..."HOW CAN I TELL WHETHER OR NOT I'VE BEEN BRAINWASHED?" The general answer is, that, to a certain extent, each of us has indeed been somewhat brainwashed, simply by virtue of our exposure to other persons in our lives, and through the media. If you refine the question to include only deliberate, hostile brainwashing (e.g., the type characterized in the previous two posts), then there are some signs to look for which may be indicative of the brainwashing experience.

1. Missing Time -- The phenomenon of realizing that you have spent hours or days for which you cannot seem to account.

2. Phobias -- Inexplicable fears which do not seem to be based upon memories of negative prior experiences.

3. Recurring Nightmares -- Frightening dreams with consistent thematic content.

4. Compulsions -- Many persons engage in compulsive behaviors and rituals to some extent. But if you are compelled to engage in a ritual or repetitive type of conduct that involves something that cannot simply be rationalized by typical Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), then you may be reacting to a deeply implanted suggestion.

5. Insensitivity to Physical Pain or Extreme Temperatures -- This is a very common characteristic associated with a response to profound physical torture accompanying combative brainwashing.

6. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder -- If you are significantly symptomatic for PTSD, but completely unable to identify the causal experience or stressor/s which brought it into being, you might have suffered some deeply-embedded psychological manipulation.

There are many other behaviors which may be symptomatic of brainwashing. Victims of brainwashing, in the most unfortunate circumstances, become psychotic or suicidal. One analogy which I particularly like is that a brainwashed person is like a computer which has been invaded by a virus or "worm" which causes robotic enslavement (e.g., where the machine becomes a "drone" serving a remote master), and which ultimately causes the hard drive to burn itself up.

The human psyche is very complex and very delicate. Brainwashing invariably involves the insertion, by trickery or force, of programming which is inconsistent with the basic nature of the victim's personality. This prolonged, unresolved conflict is what ultimately precipitates psychosis and suicidality. Forced, brutal re-programming of the human mind will always have significant behavioral consequences. There is a great difference between being convinced and being brainwashed -- you become convinced voluntarily.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

BRAINWASHING BASICS -- PART 2

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .

---

Dear Friends:

An emotionally "broken" person is inordinately suggestible. Without any firm conviction about anything, filled with doubt and confusion, emotionally barren and distraught, sensorially-deprived, the subject of an expertly-orchestrated "breakdown" is completely adrift in the rapids, desperate for company, a sense of identity...a need for social connection and communion. Any branch offered will be viewed as salvation for a drowning, helpless and hopeless individual -- even if the branch is covered with thorns or leeches. The operator must be the first to offer to offer a branch to the subject. And the subject will view that branch as a godsend; its provider as a savior. Since all previous beliefs and long-held "truths" have been either eradicated or cast into mortal doubt, the subject feels spiritually bereft...an empty vessel. That empty vessel, like any vacuum in theory, craves fullness and purpose. Just as fascinating (and significant) is that re-programming will be unopposed by any previous morals, convictions or beliefs.

Re-programming must be done quickly, and definitively. It must be task-oriented, with a mission clearly stated as a command, or as a series of commands. Briefer statements are more powerful. Action-oriented statements, rather than more complex ideological ones, are more readily absorbed. Repetition of the command, followed by requesting the visible and proactive acknowledgement and agreement of the subject (with a vigorous nodding of the head) will embed the programming more deeply. Mission becomes mantra, and the subject becomes a willing instrument of the operator. Simple compliments, such as "Very good!"..."You've done fabulously!"... "You'll be doing a great thing!"...especially if accompanied by friendly physical contact (a clap on the shoulder, or a handshake, with a smile) will further secure the programming. The equivalent of a slave - master relationship implicitly develops.

Military recruits are broken down and re-programmed to follow orders without hesitation or moral judgment in this manner. Political prisoners are made to recant beliefs in this manner. Religious converts are sent on crusades and jihads by this approach. False confessions are obtained from "suspects" by law enforcement officials as a matter of routine, using variations on this method. Fanatical religious and sociopathic cults are built upon this methodology. Contract killers are programmed to believe that they are merely doing a job, and that their victims are not even human beings.

Sadly, the only way to re-program a subject after the insertion and embedding of a new program, if through another breakdown, and re-programming. Most subjects of brainwashing believe that they are doing what they are doing as a result of a voluntary and informed free choice. That makes them all the more difficult to contend with. Subjects are hesitant to believe or accept the information that they have, in fact, been brainwashed, and are victims of mind control. But they are. Reprogrammed persons are deadly instruments in the hands of malevolent operators.

Some common signs of a re-programmed personality include the following: a refusal to entertain objections, questions or alternative views; secretiveness; difficulty maintaining eye contact; frequent time spent alone; a fanatical dedication to certain ideas or dogma; a seeming lack of compassion or engagability in ordinary dialogue or social situations; a loss of a sense of humor; occasional (but extreme) mood swings; and an insensitivity to physical pain. Many of these subjects present apparent symptoms of psychosis, Borderline Personality Disorder; Sadism; Obessive-Compulsive Disorder; extreme sociopathy or psychopathy; an unusually passive attitude (the "zombie" syndrome), and Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome...they have been ravaged and victimized.

These persons may be dangerous to others, and to themselves.

Will will continue our discussion of this topic in Part 3.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

BRAINWASHING BASICS -- PART 1

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .

---

Dear Friends:

It is a fact: People are fascinated by the subject of brainwashing, and they love to discuss it. This is the first of a three-part series of articles on Brainwashing Basics. These techniques are used, to some extent, by every organization which requires cooperation or obedience of its employees. followers, or soldiers. Sometimes it is employed with great subtlety, and sometimes it is done brutally, depending upon the circumstances and the available time to achieve a behavior modification result. The information which I am about to provide may be used in either one of two ways -- It can be used as an instruction manual or primer to effect change in others (e.g., "subjects"), or it can be used as an early warning system to be able to alert you as to when you are being treated as a subject, and being subjected to brainwashing techniques. I will make no moral judgment here, and the information is ethically neutral...merely provided for educational and entertainment purposes. Remember The Manchurian Candidate?...Jacob's Ladder?.....The Bourne Identity? How about Little Nikita?.....Full Metal Jacket? How about every police show where a suspect is being aggressively questioned in a small room? How about the articles you've read about cults? How about the recruitment of the masses by fundamentalist preachers (whether in madrassas in Afghanistan or in revivalist tents in the U.S. countryside)? Brainwashing, with its uses, and its effects, is everywhere. It is an application of human psychology and physiology.

Brainwashing is a crude and nefarious relative of hypnosis -- the latter is quite benign and voluntary, while the former can be deadly and operates in stealth; often, on many different levels. Brainwashing is an integral component of preparing soldiers for battle, forcing a fanatical religious conversion, obtaining a false confession, of espionage, of a crazed lynch mob, and the mainstay of many abusive slave-master relationships and other unhealthy interpersonal co-dependencies.

1. STAGE 1: THE BREAKDOWN

For any brainwashing to work, the brain slate must be exposed and wiped clean while susceptible and defenseless. Implanting a new or radical idea must be done when resistance is at a minimum. A breakdown must first be initiated. Here are the common means of accomplishing this:

• Work on inciting the emotions of insecurity, fear, anger, hatred or excitement. As these emotions are inflamed, judgment is impaired and suggestibility is increased;


• Use physiological weapons, such as fasting, radical or high-sugar diets, physical discomfort (cramped quarters, extreme cold, electric shock, intense lighting, certain repetitive or frightening noises, et cetera), chanting, uncomfortable exercise postures, or through the use of drugs;


• Create a sense of timelessness and monotonony;


• Impose sensory deprivation and isolation;


• Traumatize the psyche or the body by use of shocking ("disillusioning") information in the form of a series of horrific revelations, or by inducing dizziness and vertigo though blindfolding, hooding and tossing the subject about erratically and unpredictably.

Once an individual has lost all sense of control, all sense of perception and the ability to think reasonably or rationally, he is "broken". The handler's job is to reprogram the broken subject while the subject is still freshly broken. To be continued...

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

p.s.yourparentsliedtoyouyourparentsliedtoyouyourparentsliedtoyouyourparentsliedtoyouyourparentsliedtoyouyourparentsliedtoyou...

DO NOT RUN.

Share this ARTICLE with your colleagues on LinkedIn .

---

Dear Friends:

The perception of power is, to a great extent, power itself. Certain behaviors are almost instinctively associated with power, while others are associated with weakness, cowardice, or insecurity. Understanding these behaviors is extraordinarily useful -- not merely for "sizing up" a prospective acquaintance (either friend or adversary), but for projecting a certain image which may be helpful for your success, or, in the extreme case, vital to your survival. Persons who look like they are expecting to be victimized are usually a predator's first target choice. Persons who walk with confidence, purposefulness and "dangerous determination" (more on this later) are less likely to be targets of abuse...whether it is a parking lot mugging, or a verbal dressing down by a bully-boss at the office.

Leaders exude personal confidence and power by walking slowly, with determination, and occasionally making silent eye contact (for only an instant) with someone along the way. They do not wander -- they know where they are going. They do not run -- they are fearless, and the world is waiting for them, and on their terms. Worker bees and clerks are always running and rushing, in much the same fashion as a frightened person will run at the first hint of trouble.

A clever song written and performed by Sting (formerly of the Police, but now merely a civilian), An Englishman In New York, states it beautifully: "An Englishman never runs." The perception is that if a person is running, he or she is under the command or control of either another person, or the circumstances in context.

Unless you are competing in a race, do not run. Better by far to swagger, and casually look about you, than to run. When someone calls you over (e.g., summons you in a situation where you cannot comfortably get him or her to walk over to you, for example, when being introduced to a third party) walk slowly, without eagerness. Never appear as though you are reacting to a command...always appear to be in control, and at your own choice.

It is a good idea to observe and apply the above pattern. It will assist you in determining who is important, and who isn't. More importantly, it will help you to portray yourself to your best advantage.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle