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Browse published articles attributed to James Mapes, with full-archive search.
Do you think creating successful business teams is more or less important in today’s world than in the past? The reality is that it’s a collaborative world that depends on teams of people working together across time zones and continents. However, do managers and leaders really consider how to create a high-performance team? It’s not so easy.
“Public speaking is one of the best things I hate.”rn-Baseball great Yogi Berra You’re hyperventilating. You’re dripping perspiration. You’re legs are wobbly and you have the distinct desire to flee. What’s going on here? Are you being pursued by a pack of rabid dogs? No. You are about to speak before an audience.r
“What you do is create a vision of what yournwant to be and then live into that picturernas if it were already true.”rn-Arnold Schwarzeneggerrnr
Creating and presenting my TEDx talk was one of the greatest challenges of my career - and an ultimate learning experience. Having a solid background in acting and speaking for more than three decades gave me the belief, or so I thought, that this would be an easy task. In fact, it tested my perseverance. Here are the barriers I discovered and the lessons learned: LESSON #1: Identify your passion and find your story.
“Public speaking is one of the best things I hate.”rn-Baseball great Yogi Berra You’re hyperventilating. You’re dripping perspiration. You’re legs are wobbly and you have the distinct desire to flee. What’s going on here? Are you being pursued by a pack of rabid dogs? No. You are about to speak before an audience.r
“Surprise occurs the moment we realizernour view of the world no longer matches reality.”rn-Wayne Burkan, author, WIDE ANGLE VISIONrnr
Creativity is intelligence having fun.rn -Albert Einstein, physicist Do you think fun is frivolous? If so, perhaps you should think again. Pause at the end of this paragraph – just for a few seconds – to recall a very happy, joyful, engaging moment from your life. Please stop and reflect now. Odds are that you just remembered a time that involved some sort of play. There’s a good chance that memory was from your childhood. If so, how do you compare that feeling with your adult self?r
You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.rn- Woodrow Wilsonrnr
Paul Newman’s “The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp” Vision Expands - by James Mapes More than two decades ago, Paul Newman had a vision of possibility with no idea how to make it a reality. As all great visions begin, he started with a “What if…” question. What if children with serious illnesses had a chance to just be children and have fun in a safe and nurturing environment? Paul Newman, being a great prankster, could not avoid adding, “…and a place where children could raise a little hell.”
If you focus your attention on the lack of money, that’s what will get reinforced. Where you put your mental attention is what gets nourished. Poverty comes to the person who is emotionally and intellectually prepared for it. Prosperity is attracted to the person who is emotionally and intellectually ready to accept it, expect it, and enjoy it.rn—JERRY GILLES, as quoted by David Gershon and Gail Straub, Empowerment: The Art of Creating Your Life as You Want Itrnr
Thomas S. Kuhn introduced the concept of paradigms to the scientific world twenty-five years ago in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Kuhn, a scientific historian, considered paradigms a whole new way of looking at and predicting possible outcomes. He wrote that scientific paradigms are ‘‘accepted examples of actual scientific practice, examples which include law, theory, application, and instrumentation together . . .
“Learn to pause ... or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you.”rn -Doug King, Poet & Educator Imagine that you have a magic remote control so that - when life got too overwhelming or you needed to replenish your energy - you could simply push the “pause” button. In a sense, you have the ability to do just that. All you have to do is make the choice to – pause.
Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it.rn - Mark Twain Catastrophic thinking is the imagination run amuck, worry heightened to the power of ten. It happens when we allow our emotions to dictate how and what we think. It happens when we focus or dwell on the worst possible outcome of something. It happens when we obsess. “I will look like a fool if I mess up this presentation.” “My boss didn’t show any enthusiasm over my proposal. What if I get fired?” “She, or he, is going to leave me. “rnr
I have realized and accepted the harsh fact that I sometimes keep myself busy without being productive, that is - I procrastinate. Recently, guilt has begun to creep into my consciousness and guilt in any form is unacceptable to me. So, here I am writing about how to break through procrastination.
“If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness.” rn-Les Brown, author, speaker “Why would I hire a life coach? I’m intelligent, aware, strong-willed and can make my own decisions without someone telling what to do. It wouldn’t work for me.” Those three sentences sum up the reason many people refuse to seek out a life coach. After more than three decades of coaching, I have heard every excuse in the world. Most stem from misinformation but mostly from fear.
Upon reading – Seeing the Glory, as Mental Preparation for the Winter Games in the February 23, 2014, New York Times, I let out an internal whoop of joy. The validation of mental rehearsal by Olympian athletes leaves no doubt that visualization and imagery contribute enormously to athletes’ success. And the skill of visualization goes well beyond sports.r
After going through a list in my mind of what to write to help people thrive in the New Year, I settled on an out-of-the-box subject – Magical Thinking. Thank goodness for magical thinking. What would we do without the possibilities of miracles? For humans, hope springs eternal. We wish. We pray. We repeat affirmations. We hope. We have limitless and often nonsensical symbolic rituals to insure success. We cross our fingers, wait for the planets to align, wear the same piece of clothing to insure success and on it goes.
The secret is not to give up hope. It's very hard not to because if you're really doing something worthwhiler I think you will be pushed to the brink of hopelessness rnbefore you come through the other side. rn–George Lucas Everyone experiences emotional or physical trauma. Perhaps due to the loss of a loved one, being fired, passed over for a promotion or having to declare bankruptcy. Trauma might be the result of bullying, terrorism, rape, murder or a health crisis.
Over many years of speaking on the power of the mind and creativity I searched for the ideal metaphor to describe the conscious and subconscious. For a short period I used Plato’s imagery in Phaedrus, in which Socrates refers to our conscious, rational self as a charioteer who is holding on to the reins of two horses, one disciplined and the other unruly, which together represent our subconscious.
You have the power to heal your life, and you need to know that. We think so often that we are helpless, but we are not. We always have the power of our minds…r Claim and consciously use your power.rn-Louise Hay Throughout history, events and happenings that could not be logically explained or threatened our sense of order, often created fear. The knee-jerk reaction was to label the event as witchcraft, sorcery, wizardry, voodoo, black magic or white magic, the benevolent counterpart of malicious black magic.
Sow a thought, reap an act; Sow an act, reap a habit; Sow a habit, reap a character; Sow a character, reap a destiny.rn--Anonymous When my doctor told me, “You need heart surgery immediately,” I thought it was the end. Of course, he was trying to communicate that a successful operation would save my life, but all I could envision was my heart stopping and the horrifying darkness of death. I was scared out of my wits.
If you have always done it that way, it is probably wrong. rn—CHARLES KETTERING, inventor of the electric starter for automobiles/ Founder of the S-Kettering Foundation In my previous blog (available on my site: http://www.jamesmapes.com/insights-managing-change-by-james-mapes ) I addressed how and why resistance gets in the way of creating positive change. Learning how to manage change in today’s environment is key to managing your negative stress. Let’s look at the nuts and bolts of how to manage all change by applying these 13 steps. 1. Be Aware.
The future belongs to those who believe in dreams. rn—ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, humanitarian and diplomat A tiny speck appears on the horizon. It’s hard to see. It begins to move closer and closer. It looks like a shapeless blob, but as it moves closer, it starts to take form. The form becomes real, and unexpectedly you are suddenly within the form. The memory of the creation fades because you are now part of the form itself. This is your reality and it is continually growing and shifting. And then another speck appears on the horizon. . . .
‘A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.’rn-Groucho Marx, comedian If I guaranteed you would lower your anxiety, calm your mind, renew, recharge, think more clearly, reduce your fear response and enhance your creativity – just by investing two five-minute periods of time, twice-a-day – to meditate – would you commit to do it?r
Why brand yourself? For one primary reason. Branding shines a light on you and your business. Branding reveals the essence of who you are and what you offer. Your brand separates you from the crowd. Branding is mandatory for any entrepreneur’s company to be noticed, respected, in demand and profitable. We are living in world where consumers need to feel they are connected directly with the source, the entrepreneur. They not only want to know what your company does, they also want to know your purpose. In a sense, they want to FEEL your presence and FEEL connected.
Recently, the Critics’ Choice Awards were televised and, the Golden Globe nominations were announced. I am fascinated because I LOVE movies. They have been a staple part of my life since my earliest childhood. Films have entertained, influenced, informed, educated and ignited my creativity.r
You may be whatever you resolve to be. Determine to be something in the world, and you will be something. “I cannot” never accomplished anything; “I will do” has wrought wonders.rn-George Gissing – English novelist and teacher How many times have you broken your New Year’s resolutions? What happened to your so-called “commitments”? In order to understand the “why.” it is a must to realize how your mind works.
Those who do not have power over the story that dominates their lives, the power to retell it, rethink it, deconstruct it, joke about it, and change it as times change, truly are powerless, because they cannot think new thoughts. —Salman Rushdie Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact. — Robert McKeernr
“All men should strive to learn before they diernwhat they are running from, and to, and why.” rn—James Thurber, “The Shore and the Sea” In my new web-enhanced book - with 21 coaching video clips - IMAGINE THAT! Igniting Your Brain for Creativity & Peak Performance, you learn how to fire up your imagination, manage your thinking, and create and live what I refer to as an “exceptional life.” What is an exceptional life? Is it always being happy and having a good time? Does it guarantee having perfect relationships, making a lot of money or devoting your time to helping others?
It is the obvious which is so difficult to see most of the time. People say 'It's as plain as the nose on your face.' But how much of the nose on your face can you see, unless someone holds a mirror up to you?”rn— Isaac Asimov, I, Robot The key to successful coaching is also the secret to successful communication in relationships, empathic listening. Empathetic listening means that you listen to the other person without judgement and with the intention of seeing the world as he/she sees it.
“A strong positive mental attitude will rncreate more miracles than any wonder drug.” rn-Patricia Neal, American actress How does your attitude meter read?
Insights: Managing Change Change is the law of life and those who look only to the pastrnor the present are certain to miss the future.rn—IRVING JANUS, GroupThink Clasp your hands together as demonstrated in the diagram below: Now take your hands apart and clasp them back together, moving your ï¬ngers over one digit. How would you describe the difference between the two positions? Is the feeling strange, weird, unbalanced, different, uncomfortable, odd, silly, awkward, wrong?
The single biggest problem in communicationrnis the illusion that it has taken place.rn-George Bernard Shaw, playwright Communication is the glue that holds relationships together. So, the question is – Do you believe that you communicate often enough and in the right way to create and sustain positive relationships in all areas of your life?r
It never fails that when the holiday season rolls around, stress and anxiety rear their ugly head. Apply these 9 strategies and keep your sanity: 1. Let go of guilt and… Don’t "Should” On Yourself Guilt, guilt, guilt is…the most devious of fears because underneath it all, we are afraid that we are not enough, don’t give enough, don’t do enough. We aren’t perfect! Reconcile yourself right now that the holidays won’t meet your view of the Norman Rockwell painting and that your picture of the holiday will NEVER meet your unrealistic expectations.
What is the imagination? It’s elusive. Mark Twain said, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” And, Albert Einstein wrote, “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” The imagination is like a rambunctious, slightly crazy, often out-of-control ‘Wild Child’ who can lose its focus in the blink of an eye. If focused on fear, the result is guilt, anger and stress. When focused on love, the outcome is gratitude, compassion and forgiveness.
Without question, your subconscious rules your conscious choices and has its own set of rules. Rule #1: The subconscious does not think in the traditional sense but reacts out of the brains primitive fight or flight programming. Rule #2: The subconscious moves us towards what gives pleasure (even if what gives us pleasure is destructive) and moves us away from anyone or anything that causes us fear or threatens our survival – even if the threat is perceptual. Rule #3: The subconscious is the center of our emotions and the storehouse of our memories (real or imagined.)
What is the imagination? It’s elusive. Mark Twain said, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” And, Albert Einstein wrote, “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.” The imagination is like a rambunctious, slightly crazy, often out-of-control ‘Wild Child’ who can lose its focus in the blink of an eye. If focused on fear, the result is guilt, anger and stress. When focused on love, the outcome is gratitude, compassion and forgiveness.
The single biggest problem in communicationrnis the illusion that it has taken place.rn-George Bernard Shaw, playwright Communication is the glue that holds relationships together. So, the question is – Do you believe that you communicate often enough and in the right way to create and sustain positive relationships in all areas of your life?r
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”rn-Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Here’s to the dreamers, visionaries and risk takers! Here’s to the entrepreneurs!
Without question, your subconscious rules your conscious choices and has its own set of rules. Rule #1: The subconscious does not think in the traditional sense but reacts out of the brains primitive fight or flight programming. Rule #2: The subconscious moves us towards what gives pleasure (even if what gives us pleasure is destructive) and moves us away from anyone or anything that causes us fear or threatens our survival – even if the threat is perceptual. Rule #3: The subconscious is the center of our emotions and the storehouse of our memories (real or imagined.)
Let's strip away the rose-colored glasses, let go of guilt and do a reality check. For many people the holiday season can feel like anything but a celebration. If one isn’t careful, the Christmas season can turn people into frenetic, anxious, and crazy - holiday survivalists. Below are 7 surefire strategies to keep your sanity and experience the celebration the holiday season is meant to be: 1. Plan ahead and prepare your mind for the worst case scenarios.
As long as you’re green, you’re growing; as soon as you’re ripe, you start to rot. rn—RAY KROC, founder of McDonald’s Learning is a never-ending cyclical process of discovery. We uncover possibilities within ourselves, transform them into reality, and discover new possibilities again. Following are the four levels of the cycle, listed from lowest to highest. Level 4: You don’t know you don’t know. This is the lowest level in the Cycle of Discovery. You are unaware of anything but what you believe to be true. You can’t yet see possibilities. For you, possibility does not exist.
As a gift for the holidays and for the New Year, I want to give you something I consider far more important than achieving resolutions. When you master successful communication, you have the principal tool for building exceptional relationships.
Get action. Do things; be sane, don’t fritter away your time . . . take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action.rn—THEODORE ROOSEVELT, twenty-sixth president of the United States In 1973, on an eighty-nine-day cruise around the world, I met a very special person. He was Bruce (Tolly) Burkan, the ship’s magician. I had been hired to design and direct theatrical productions on the cruise ship.
Without question, your subconscious rules your conscious choices and has its own set of rules. Rule #1: The subconscious does not think in the traditional sense but reacts out of the brains primitive fight or flight programming. Rule #2: The subconscious moves us towards what gives pleasure (even if what gives us pleasure is destructive) and moves us away from anyone or anything that causes us fear or threatens our survival – even if the threat is perceptual. Rule #3: The subconscious is the center of our emotions and the storehouse of our memories (real or imagined.)
“In the beginning, it is difficult letting go. But as you get into the swing of it, you will feel lighter and fresher and better able to see what you really need. That is what I imagine spring cleaning is truly about.”rn—SUSAN JEFFERS, END THE STRUGGLE AND DANCE WITH LIFE FYI: (The Conscious Mind=The Rider; The Unconscious Mind=The Elephant) IMAGINE: You are engaged in a horrendous tug of war. You and your opponent stand on either side of a slimy, filth-infested, muddy pit full of unseen, unspeakable horrors, each of you gripping the end of a long rope.r
“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.”rn-Franklin D. Roosevelt Are you a kind person? Do you like to be treated with kindness? Why should you be kind? What if I told you that demonstrating kindness is good for your heart, slows aging, improves relationships and enhances the joy of your life, and - is a lot easier than exercising or changing your diet?
My previous blog explored the value of creating a team model based on the makeup of a hologram. A short recap: What happens when a hologram is cut or divided or cut into a number of pieces? Amazingly, each piece contains the information of the whole from a slightly different perspective. This is the ideal metaphor for a super-charged team which. I call this model a Holographic Team. In order to have each piece contain the information of the whole from a different perspective it is necessary to look at what barriers prevent the model from being effective.
Communication: 1: A process by which information is exchanged between individuals rnthrough a common system of symbols, signs or behavior. 2. Personal rapport (a relationship characterized by agreement, mutual understanding, or empathy that makes communication possible or easy.)rn-Merriam Webster Dictionary Welcome to Part 2 of “Nine Keys to Achieve Breakthrough Communication.” In the last article we explored the first four keys. I suggest you follow the link below to review these. https://www.jamesmapes.com/nine-keys-to-achieve-breakthrough-communication-part-1rnr
A must-read book: Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. Someone gave it to me as a joke, but it was a catalyst that changed my life. Being rich took on a whole new meaning for me. It went far beyond the accumulation of money and material possessions. Hill spoke of being rich in experience, relationships, and life. To make a major quantum leap in your life, you must be willing to both ask for and give support. Break through the Illusion of Separateness.r