Bloggers Ratchet Up Unique Gifts and Talents!

How do you use your gifts and talents during a business day? By using more of your multiple intelligences during a work day, you can increase motivation and achievement. See what happens as you give it a try.

I've zeroed in on bloggers who used each of the eight intelligences in a unique way. See what inspires you...

Logical-Mathematical Yvonne Russell asks how we can keep the noise down when the blogosphere seemingly shouts. Here're just a few of the statistics she shares...

Over 57 million Americans read blogs
over 120 thousand blogs are created every day
There are over 1.4 million new blog posts every day

You'd enjoy the amazing statistics Yvonne put together for this post. And, she'd enjoy knowing what you do to cut down the noise.

Naturalistic Ever consider that you could learn much about getting a competitive edge by watching Morning Doves tackle a problem. Ellen Weber did and you'd be fascinated by what these brainiac doves did.

Verbal Linguistic Acrostics can nudge ideas from our brain in ways we likely would not otherwise consider. Ever tried it as you post ideas. Steve Roesler creatively tapped the whole alphabet to show one-liners for employee engagement.

Intrapersonal Do you dream big dreams? It makes a difference in what you accomplish in life. Phil Gerbyshank's shutting his eyes and thinking about his dream of writing a book. What are you dreaming? Prime your inner attitude...

Interpersonal When we work together to point out injustice, more is likely to be accomplished for change. Karen Swim used her site to "Unite for Human Rights." She describes the horror in Dafur:

For five years the conflict in Darfur has raged on, leaving in its wake widespread murder, rape, abduction and displacement. Various estimates indicate that 200,000 to 400,000 people have lost their lives. The Sudanese government has been escalating its attacks. On May 4, a Darfuri school was bombed killing at least 13 people, including 7 children.

Spatial When I visited GL Hoffman's site the other day, I was reminded how much meaning's projected in images. Besides, with GL's wit, images bring out humor, too.

How would you caption the one below? Check to see GL's caption and comments...


Images tell story so refreshingly...

Bodily-kinesthetic Ever consider that golf can enhance your business brain? Ellen Weber shows how...

Golf adds brain chemicals for sharper focus. A growing body of research suggests how the links hold mental benefits for business brains … beyond what most golfers realize. Perhaps more even than rich alliances and friendships gained on the course, golf keeps players in top mental form.

Musical Intelligence Do songs inspire you to push forward? If you ever hit a wall when writing or creating a project try listening to inspiring music. Music moves your brain waves and can change your mood. Here's a great example...

Moomin Light describes how music inspired her and helped move her work forward...

While I was putting yesterday's post together, I listened to "Right Outta Nowhere," by Christine Kane, over and over again. I felt refreshed when I was done. This song has such hopefullness and encouragement. I like the line "Leap, and the net will appear," which, as she explains in the video, is a line she borrowed.

Refresh your work by dipping into intelligences you often neglect. Thoughts?

Audience: Lurkers and Commenters

Increasingly, more businesses tune in to blog readers' online habits and experiences. To learn more, UC Irvine researchers' conducted a first-of-its-kind study that focuses on blog reading. They open new windows into ways readers identify their roles in social media. Many bloggers are interested in their audience since they seek interaction or wish to extend conversations.

Findings show some readers frequently post comments, while others "lurk" or visit without commenting...

What makes a blog a blog? Readers opinions vary. Academics commonly define blogs as frequently modified Web pages with dated entries listed in reverse chronological order. On the other hand, people participating in this research named RSS feeds, trackback links, social aspects, including conversation or personal content.

Bloggers might consider these findings when writing posts:

Regular blog reading often becomes more habitual and less content oriented. Similar to e-mail checking, blog reading can become ingrained into users' online routine. Sometimes, even the usefulness of the blog content itself can be less vital than the activity of reading or skimming the blog to fulfill a person's particular routine.

The timing of a blog post is not nearly as relevant to readers as its position among the other entries. Readers are more likely to read the most recent posts at the top of the screen, and are generally less concerned with the exact age of a post. A vast majority of participants said they were not bothered when they were not able to read each and every blog post, challenging a common theory that users tend to feel overwhelmed by the need to remain constantly up to date.

Blog readers feel a responsibility to make insightful contributions. While past research noted readers expect bloggers to deliver frequent, high-quality posts, the UCI study found readers also place pressure on themselves to produce coherent, worthwhile comments in response to good blog posts.

Lead researcher Eric Baumer contends, "Until the technology embraces the role of the audience, the full social potential of blogging remains untapped."

Positive comments that add to an article or encourage naturally increase a writer's serotonin level. Serotonin is a brain hormone that functions as part of a complex network of neurotransmitters that can boost your brainpower and provide well being. Additionally commenters provide rationale for bloggers to write more and raise the bar for quality.

Social Networking has changed the face of friendships. Do you tend to read posts by bloggers in your social network before venturing outside? I do. I'm also more likely to leave a comment. You? As I unearth gems in the blogosphere, I comment when I discover insights to mull over.

As a blogger, connecting to audience is all important for me and comments are like the rose colors in a sunset... since they show me some measure of success.

Thoughts?

What I Learned from Connecting Dots...

Combine two or more things together and you can produce something really good. Robert Hruzek

Robert, your quote shows the "stuff" from which genius derives. Probably that's why I love reading Middle Zone Musings so much! Robert Hruzek's current "What I Learned from" challenge is to show what we learned from seemingly unrelated things we experienced - which produced something good. I'm ready to give it a good whack!

Heroes and Pets... My husband and I have a pet cat, Ginger. We came by her in mysterious ways because she was a stray. And because we have warm hearts, we began to feed Ginger, and she found a new home in our big old horse barn. Ginger seemed to have several litters of kittens and somehow each time her belly became skinny again the kittens never materialized. But one day, when we happened to have our four grandsons and six other children visiting a most improbable event occurred. On our huge front porch, kids were playing and adults were sitting on benches and chatting. Suddenly, Ginger came over the porch rail and dropped a kitten at the feet of my daughter-in-law, who promptly began to pet it. Evidently Ginger thought that was safe enough so she went away and returned with a second kitten, and finally for a third time...

My grandsons fell in love with Ginger's kittens and their Mom consented they could have all three for pets. So Ginger was a hero since she rescued this set of kittens. We had Ginger neutered and she leads a much happier life now.

Planes and Relatives Since I came to the U.S. when very young, I deeply anticipated a first journey back to Australia, my native land, some 32 years later. I was accompanying my Mother on a trip back to see our family there. We first crossed the Pacific by boat to come to the U.S. and it was such a convenience to return by plane. We stopped in Honolulu at midnight and I can still catch the aroma of frangipani blossoms that filled the air around the airport's open observation deck. The glowing red sun, rising in the sky and reflecting hues on clouds, heightened glow happiness in my heart.

But when we arrived in Sydney, air traffic was congested so we circled for quite awhile. I could not believe amazing reconnections which surfaced when I saw the "Coathanger," Sydney Harbor Bridge and the beautiful beaches where I frolicked when young. Time seemed to reverse for me.

Before we knew it, we were in the arms of loving family. It was as if only moments had passed. Though we changed over the years, essential personalities... remain unchanged. The whole journey back, to reconnect with family and with my roots was one of the most incredible adventures in my life. Planes transport us to different worlds in very short periods of time - they open doors to possibility and adventure - and so do families - even more so!

Recreation and Children I've had some real adventures on the golf course and with children, too. The lesson here is to expect the unexpected. That's what makes each so special. I've had both a small alligator and snake cross the fairway in front of me. But one lesson I've learned is not to keep your eye on the ball [gloating about a good shot.] Golfers necessarily move ahead to keep the game progressing at a good pace, so you just don't dawdle after a shot. But once I tried both at the same time with more of an emphasis on watching the ball and I walked right into a tree. Yes! My focus was very sharp, but did me in! What a lesson that was.

Children also keep adventure in our lives. We never knew what our youngest son would come up with next. And one day in exasperation, my husband put his hands on his hips, looked down at our four year old son and said, "You're a little pill!" Our son had a very quick wit. As he put his hands on his hips mimicking his Dad, he retorted, "You're an aspirin." So with children you are often surprised that they have such amazing "comebacks," and I'm sure you have some to share, too.

Connections lead to interesting outcomes. Results take you aback when you put together two very different elements - in everyday life or a quick "fix it" to make things easier for your business clients.

To share lessons you've learned be sure to read Robert Hruzek's challenge for May to write on "mashed potatoes" and join the fun!

How Do Genius's Think?

Interestingly, though you may not be Einstein, and though you may not have college degrees, you can think like a genius... Yes, you and I can. Actually genius is more about making connections that nobody else has made previously... out of your own experiences. And, even if someone did think about the unique possibility, that person just didn't follow through with that insight to market a product. So why not target genius...

Picture Problems and Possibilities Einstein often used his spatial intelligence to see ideas in new ways. Here's just one example...

The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand. The ordinary telegraph is like a very long cat. You pull the tail in New York and it meows in Los Angeles. The wireless is the same, only without the cat.

"Make a picture of the problem you are trying to solve, or even better, three pictures," advises Scott Thorpe, author of How to Think Like Einstein. Why not try viewing problems from multiple angles? Perhaps you're missing something because you've narrowed your focus too much. Scott suggests that pictures can be in your head, on paper, or built with blocks, but they must be "vivid images."

Trust Intuitions and Insights Jump on your flashes of brilliance. Art Fry, inventor off the Post-It note, simply wanted a bookmark for his church hymnal that wouldn't fall out. Since a colleague, Dr. Spencer Silver, developed an adhesive that left no gummy residue, Fry put some on a small strip of paper and tested it out. Voila, he had what he wanted. And, in his workplace he wanted to stick a temporary note to a work file, so he used the sticky squares of paper at work, too. Coworkers were very interested in this "invention." He understood that he invented a new way of organizing information.

Think about it. Fry didn't invent either the paper or the adhesive. He solved a problem uniquely by combining two ideas... an invention.

Suggestions to transform your thought processes to think more like a genius...

See problems as the flip side of opportunity. Problems can be a gateway to success.

Play with ideas Einstein did. Others might call it daydreaming. "Exploring new areas of thought can seem unproductive in a goal oriented world," according to Michael Powell, author of Mind Games. He notes that a genius spends more time exploring the process rather than trying to find a result. "Lose yourself in an idea. Become so engrossed that you lose track of time. That's the only way to truly create and be instinctive." Seems to go against the grain of today's workplace. But, maybe that's why we see so many folks taking an entrepreneurial path.

Prime your curiosity Simply develop a deep curiosity and wonder at the mystery of life. People can't really explore without curiosity.

Roll out your humor "The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka' but 'That's funny...'" Isaac Asimov

When a tough problem stumps you, a good sense of humor can turn it around. Why? Humor releases a brain hormone, serotonin, that brings about well-being and allows the mind to think clearly. While stressors can shut down the ability to think clearly, a good belly laugh can change that!

Connect two ideas Perceive new connections between two ideas and explore where it might lead. As you think about these comparisons picture similarities and comparisons. Scott Thorpe offers many novel ways to do this as, "Seed Ideas."

See the big picture Look at specifics and think of generalizations as you analyze the structures that lie underneath.

If you're like me, you might not think of yourself as a genius, but it's high time you and I give it our best shot! We are as we think... Thoughts?

A Step Away from Stress

Ever consider how quickly a problem can loom before you? Ellen Weber shared a video with me today about throwing your golf club with more finesse. Hmmm... see what you think...



In this vein, yesterday, I attempted to add artistic touches to conference materials. No matter what I tried, the software balked big time! Finally, too much time lapsed and so did my patience. I felt like throwing my computer keyboard, just like that golf club! Ever find yourself in that dilemma?

I knew my brain would not help me at that point... Why? Because... I was stressed and a tad bit angry since progress stalled.

When stress grips, the hormone cortisol floods the human brain and literally shuts down ability to focus and problem solve. Added to this, too much stress, day after day can affect the cardiovascular system. It literally can take years off peoples' lives.

First thing to do is Let It Go! Then how about doing something that takes your mind to a different place? In a way, you are tricking your brain. Here's a few activities that work for me...

Play a game One game that works well is Quiddler, a card game that requires you to put words together, starting with three cards all the way up to 10 cards. The challenge can completely restore my mind and bring more calm.

Take some photos Photography quickly brings calm to me. I often challenge myself by capturing nature through close-ups and unique angles.

Enjoy a cup of tea Somehow tea is simply a relaxer. And by the way, have you ever tried Yogi Egyptian Licorice?

Today, I came back to the project, and, I was able to resolve the issue in less than 10 minutes. Maybe I didn't throw a golf club with finesse as you saw in the video, but I did cut out stress that could eventually spell trouble.

What do you do to knock out stressors that quickly loom in your day?

Tap Employee Brainpower to Energize Your Workplace!

When employees connect both mentally and emotionally to their jobs, they're more willing to apply effort that spells out organizational success. How so? Workers that tap creativity to contribute to team projects, help design processes and suggest improvements tend to experience energy and full engagement on the job.

Unfortunately many folks in the workforce prowl for different employment because they are not satisfied with their current jobs. A recent Wall Street Journal/Society for Human Resource management survey reports as many as 75 percent of employees are exploring other opportunities.

To counter this problem businesses might want to consider The Conference Board's suggestions for improvement based on 12 major studies on employee engagement. Which ones does your organization practice and which ones would you target for improvement? Here's an overview from their report:

Trust and integrity - how well management communicates and lives the company's vision.

Line of sight between employee performance and company performance - understanding one's contribution to the company's success.

Career growth - future opportunities.

Pride about the company - self-esteem in being associated with the company.

Co-workers/team members - impact of the work environment

Employee development - opportunities for individual skills development

Relationship with one's manager - the value the employee places on the relationship.

Interestingly, this research shows the relationship with an employee's manager is the most powerful driver of all. Knowing this, how might managers make the most of relationships with employees?

One key approach is to tap into employees' brainpower on the job. Using more brain energizes workers and increases their productivity and satisfaction. Take a survey designed by Dr. Ellen Weber to rate brainpower in your workplace. Then check results to learn brain facts that rate your workplace intelligence.

Employees who have more control over their daily activities and do challenging work they enjoy are likely to be in better health. A new study from the University of Texas at Austin shows that creative activity helps people stay healthy. John Mirowsky, lead author of the study says,

"Creative activity is non-routine, enjoyable and provides opportunity for learning and for solving problems. People who do that kind of work, whether paid or not, feel healthier and have fewer physical problems."

Human brainpower not only improves your life, but reboots organizations!

Thoughts?